STUKE, FRANCIS R.

Francis R. Stuke, 62, of 704 Cothrell, Olathe, Ks. 66061, passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 1981, at his home. He had cancer and had been ill since July of 1980.

He was born May 27, 1919, in on a farm south of Seneca, the son of Frank and Minnie Rochel Stuke. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul School. On Jan. 21, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving in the South Pacific, including Iwo Jima, during World War II, he was discharged in 1946. On Aug. 26, 1947, he married Iona Myers at Seneca. They farmed east of Seneca and later near Lillis. He also worked at Massey-Ferguson for a few years. For the past 25 years, he has been employed by Sperry-New Holland as a service representative. The lived in California, Missouri, for 18 years before moving to Olathe in May of 1973.

His memberships include St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus #1913, and VFW #2993, all of Olathe. He was also a member of the U.S. Marine Raider Association.

Survivors are his wife, Iona of the home; son, Glen of Lakewood, Colo.; his mother, Mrs. Minnie Stuke of Seneca; three brothers, Walter, Wilbur and Leonard, all of Seneca; one sister, Mrs. Andrew (Mary Agnes) Steppe of St. Joseph, Mo.

The rosary was prayed at the Frye & Son Funeral Home in Olathe on Tuesday and at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Seneca, Thursday, Sept. 16, 1981. Burial in the church cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Earle W. Taylor Post #21. Pallbearers were Ronald Stuke, Wayne Stuke, Steven Stuke, Dennis Steppe, Roger Burgos and Kenneth Meyers.

Memorials may be given for the Cancer Action Society and may be sent in care of the family.