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| Jim Thomasson, Linda Jennings Dawson, David Cross, Joe Wallace |
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of a '50s summer
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Ed Heintzelman - LHS Class of 1957
Edwin Leo “Ed” Heintzelman, 71, Leavenworth, died Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at the North Care Hospice House in North Kansas City, MO.He passed away, in the presence of his loving family, after years of battling and surviving multiple cancers. He was a devoted husband, a selfless and stable father to six children, and a gentle grandpa to nine grandchildren. He was also respected in the Leavenworth community as a businessman and active volunteer, and in his church community. Ed believed strongly in the power of positive thinking-that you can't always choose your life circumstances but that you can choose your attitude. This principle, and his strong work ethic, guided his life and provided an example to all who knew him.
Ed was born May 16, 1939 in Leavenworth, the first of five children to Edwin Alfred and Edith Viola Overfield Heintzelman. He attended Immaculate Conception grade school and served as an altar boy at the Old Cathedral. Despite the difficulty of losing his father when he had just entered his teens, Ed recounted numerous stories of good times growing up in north Leavenworth with his brothers and sisters, extended family, and friends. Living near the Missouri River, he even once walked across the river when it had frozen over in winter.
In order to help support the family, Ed began his work life early. He started out as a busboy at Dubach's Grill and became a journeyman butcher at the A&P during his late teens. He attended Immaculata High School for three years, then Leavenworth High School, which allowed him to work half days through Distributive Education, graduating in 1957.
Ed was united in marriage to Deanna Theresa “Dee” Forge on June 11, 1960, by Msgr. Alexander Harvey at the Old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Leavenworth. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2010.
Ed was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving from 1959 to 1962 as a member of the Nike Missile Unit at Ft. Leavenworth. Asked who could type, he responded affirmatively and became the Company Clerk.
Ed wasn't afraid of a challenge and made the early career choice of becoming an independent agent for American Family Insurance. His first office was in his home. His career with American Family lasted 44 years. Both his daughter Lisa and eventually granddaughter Quinn worked alongside him. During that time, he qualified for 38 consecutive All-American conventions held in various cities in the US and Canada. Still, he considered his success not measured by accolades and materials wealth. Rather, the value of his work was in the service it provided to his customers: providing security to their loved ones. He genuinely enjoyed going to work each day and the interactions it allowed with a variety of people. He retired reluctantly in 2008 when declining health made it necessary.
Well into adulthood, while married and a father, Ed attended St. Mary College. He did not complete a degree but was particularly interested in business and psychology.
Ed's activities outside of education, career and family included a deep commitment to his church. He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church, where he served as a lector and eucharistic minister. He was also a strong supporter of the Leavenworth Catholic schools. His community involvement included membership in the Knights of Columbus Council # 900, the Leavenworth Lion's Club, Eagles Aerie # 55, Elks, and the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Leavenworth area United Way, serving as Campaign Chair and Board Chair in the early 1980's. As a sports enthusiast, Ed was an avid golfer, played league basketball and softball, refereed high school football and basketball and coached youth basketball.
In addition to being a hard worker, Ed was a fun-loving man. He liked to tease and use funny voices. He enjoyed family get-togethers where there was food and entertainment. He was an enthusiastic dancer. He enjoyed the music of the 1950's and could often be heard singing along to his favorite tunes. He was a particularly big fan of Elvis Presley. He liked to travel, including visiting his out-of-state children, but also made two trips to Europe.
As Ed began to face health challenges later in life, the KU Med Center became his home away from home. Though he didn't like hospitals, he encountered many wonderful doctors and staff, and appreciated the compassionate and skillful care he received.
Ed is survived by his wife, Dee, who resides at the home. He is also survived by one son, Chris (Melanie) Heintzelman, Peoria, IL., five daughters, Lisa (Ron) Lake, Leavenworth, Dr. Lori Heintzelman, Boulder, CO., Leslie (Steve) Navinsky, Winchester, Lynn (Brian) Cullen, Roseville, CA., Libby (Shane) Ling, Platte City, MO., two brothers, David (Judy) Heintzelman (LHS Class of 1959), Morro Bay, CA., Michael (Eileen) Heintzelman LHS Class of 1965), Santa Clara, CA., two sisters, Carol (Bill) Perry (LHS Class of 1961), Leavenworth, Vicki (Denton) Sanders, Kansas City, MO., nine grandchildren, Quinn Cooper, Cara Cooper, Blake Heintzelman, Grant Heintzelman, Remi Heintzelman, Taylor Cullen, Jordan Cullen, Gannon Ling and Annika Ling. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and his cat, Domino.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, 11:00 AM, Monday at the Immaculate Conception Church in Leavenworth. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Leavenworth. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Sunday at the Church with Rosary recitation at 1:30 PM, Sunday. Memorials may be made to Renovation Project of Immaculate Conception Church, or to Capital Campaign for the Next 150 Years for Leavenworth Regional Catholic Schools or to the Organization of the donor’s choice. Send memorials in care of Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, KS. 66066. www.barnettchapeloaks.com.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Harold Horosko
Harold grew up in the Kansas City area and had a passion for movies. He was an experienced projectionist by the age of 12. He worked for Durwood Brothers, Inc. who owned the local Hollywood Theater and Skylark Drive-In in Leavenworth. He was also a sub-projectionist for Fort Leavenworth Drive-In and Theater. He continued this passion for 35 years. Harold later worked for KP&L and Ft. Leavenworth Bell Hall as an audio-technician. In 1976 he married Etta Driscoll (LHS Class of 1959). Harold had many dreams he wanted to fulfill in his lifetime. One of which was to own his own business. He built the first residential cement pool at his home in 1968. In 1977 he officially started the first retail swimming pool business in Leavenworth and called it Leavenworth Pool & Supply. The business was closed in 2000 due to his health. He and Etta retired and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006 but with his health failing, they moved back to Kansas to be near their children and grandchildren.
Preceded in death were his parents Joseph Horosko and Louise Morris, sister Sharon and brother Darold.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, his children, Steven Horosko (LHS Class of 1982)(Julie), Jacquelyn Skaggs (LHS Class of 1985)(Michael), step-children, Jerry Deal (Debbie) and Rebecca Deal (LHS Class of 1981), grandsons Brock, Corey, Andrew, Wayne and Alexander. His former wife Judith Seber (LHS Class of 1961), his sister Janet, half brothers and sisters, Tommy, Frank, Carla and Tonya.
Cremation was provided by Charter Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be held at the Riverfront Community Center Men's Room on Friday, February 11, 2011 from 6PM to 8PM. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in honor of Harold to the former Hollywood Theater now known as the Riverfront Community Players. Inurnment will be in the spring of 2011 at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bill Williams - LHS Class of 1949
William R. "Bill" Williams, age 80, passed away Thursday, January 20th at 1:35 p.m., peacefully in his home in Battlefield, Missouri.He was born in North Kansas City on May 23rd, 1930. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Beulah Williams; his siblings, Beulah Dykes (LHS Class of 1937), Frank Williams (LHS Class of 1939), Francis Williams, James Williams, and John Williams (LHS Class of 1950); nephew, Stephen Williams; and niece, Kathy Dardis.
Bill served in the Cost Guard for three years as a radioman. Bill was very proud of his service and loved his country. He started a 20 year career with the US Bureau of Prisons in 1960 in Leavenworth, Kan. He then transferred to Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California, where he worked for 10 years. He finished his career by retiring at the U.S. Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. He was a proud and devoted member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Bill was a great listener, had a great sense of humor, a talent for kindness, a gift for friendship and an easy kind of strength. Bill was a wonderful role model of his faith and demonstrated how to live a full life.
Bill is survived by his wife Marjorie Williams (LHS Class of 1946) of 55 years of marriage; his son, Robert Williams and wife Cindy, their children Tim and Anjuli Williams, Karie and Dan Aldrich, Melissa Williams; and three great-grandchildren, Aubree and Grant Williams and Mason Aldrich. He is also survived by sisters, Helen Dardis (LHS Class of 1945), of Lawrence, Kansas, and Juanita Jones (LHS Class of 1954), of Southern California and their children.
He is loved and will be missed by many friends and family including sister-in-law Rose Mary Holmes, brothers-in-law Leo Behee, John Behee, and Bill Behee and their families.
Funeral Mass will be at 12 p.m., Tuesday January 25, 2011 in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Burial with military honors will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday in Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday in the church.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Building Fund or Little Portion Franciscan Sisters, 645 Assissi Way Republic, MO. 65738.
Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Jim Thomasson - LHS Class of 1956
Jim was born July 21, 1938 in Leavenworth Kansas the son of James and Frances Thomasson.
On November 2, 1957 he married Barbara J. McCune who survives of the home. He is survived by one son, James A. Thomasson III, one daughter Danielle L. Thomasson. He also has three grandsons, Jaymz, Kristofer and Julian, as well as many family members including his best friends Dave Cross (LHS Class of 1956), Ned Cross (LHS Class of 1952), Carl Biastock (LHS Class of 1956) and many nieces and nephews.
Jim retired to the Ozarks after 40 years of service at TWA with his wife Barbara. He spent many years fishing, watching his grandsons play sports, going to Branson shows with his wife, and making people laugh. He never knew a stranger and touched so many lives. Jim was a wonderful husband and father. And he is and will be missed tremendously.
A memorial service will be held on April 8th 2011 at 10:00am at the VA Cemetery in Leavenworth KS. A gathering after the service will be held in honor of him. The arrangements are pending.
In lieu of flowers condolences may be sent to Barbara Thomasson at 1114 West Cobblefield Way, Ozark Missouri, 65721.
