LINDSBORG – Steve R. Wrench, 60, of Lindsborg, died Monday, May 12, 2014, at his home with family. Steve was born in Beloit to Roscoe and Virginia Wrench.
He was raised on the family farm in Burr Oak, moving to Salina in 1983, with his wife of 34 years, Teresa (Waddell) Wrench. Steve worked for the Salina Parks department for 20 years. After many years in Salina, the family moved to Lindsborg, where Steve continued to pursue his love of gardening, astronomy and woodworking.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Virginia.
Survivors include his wife, Teresa; son, Jacob Wrench; two sisters, Margaret Moore and Jean Wrench, both of Houston; and brother, John Wrench, of Vesper.
Family and friends are welcome to gather at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, for a memorial service at the Wrench residence, 2992 17th Ave., Lindsborg.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Salina.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Edgar Gene Toothman, 75, of Salina, died Wednesday May 14, 2014. He was born Jan. 20, 1939, in Salina to Carl and Mary (Nunn) Toothman.
Edgar was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy Graybeal; and one sister.
Survivors include his two daughters, Cheryl (Conrad) Bergmann and Kimberly Stutterheim; one son, Edward Toothman; four grandchildren; one sister; and one brother.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina. Burial will follow in Greenview Cemetery in Niles.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Donald Lee Keeler, 82, of Salina, died Sunday, May 11, 2014. He was born July 30, 1931, in Salina, the son of Martin and Mary (Stephens) Keeler. He was married to Lois Jean Mason on Dec. 31, 1952. She preceded him in death.
He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Herbert, Marion, Melford and Arthur Eugene Keeler; and three sisters, Elizabeth Kopp, Nevadeane Olson and Lola Mae Luther.
Donald was a retired self-employed homebuilder, carpenter, farmer and stockman.
Survivors include two sons, Mike Keeler and wife Jean, of Salina, and Pat Keeler and wife Michelle, of Salina; daughters, Lori Prater and husband David, of Hutchinson, and Kelly Rundell and husband Steve, of Salina; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Salina.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Salina Animal Shelter or St. Mary’s Catholic Church and may be sent to or left in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Paul L. Van Cleef, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Ret.), died May 3, 2014, at St. Mary’s Healthcare, Lafayette. He was born April 6, 1921, in Salina.
He graduated from Salina High School, where he was the captain of the football team. Early on, he worked for Union Pacific Railroad and attended Brown-Mackie School of Business, Salina. Later, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in military science.
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, and served two years of combat in World War II as a P-47 Fighter Pilot in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). Flying 110 combat missions, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters, ETO ribbon with six battle stars, Belgian Croix de Guerre (2), Belgian Fourragere and the World War II Victory Medal with six battle stars.
After the war, he remained in the Air Force until retirement, in 1971, as a lieutenant colonel. Among hisassignments was four years at Purdue University AFROTC detachment as executive officer and instructor. He and Dorothy settled in Lafayette in 1972.
He was active in the community and with the Hell Hawks Association, his World War II fighter group. In 1991, he was recognized as a Chieftain in the Council of the Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Evan Bayh.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, P-47 Pilots Association, Sycamore Council of Girl Scouts (treasurer and president), Lafayette Lions Club, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra (board president, business manager, treasurer and French horn player), and Long Center Organ Society (treasurer).
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy L. Wells; and four children, Martha Van Cleef, of San Rafael, Calif., Sharon Van Cleef, of Columbus, Ohio, Joyce Van Cleef, of Lafayette, and Scott and wife Barbara Van Cleef, of Fincastle, Va. Also surviving are six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Martha Van Cleef, of Salina; brothers, Albert Van Cleef, of Virginia, Earl and Glen Van Cleef, both of Salina; and sister, Florence Hindman, of Junction City, Kan.
A celebration of his life will be held today, May 12, at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd, Lafayette. Visitation with the family will be at 1 p.m. with the service following at 2.
Burial with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina.
The family requests no flowers. Donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra or a charity of your choice.