L.D. Sloop 1926-2022
Lyle Dean “L.D.” Sloop, 95, of Holton, passed away Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at Holton Community Hospital with family by his side.
He was born Dec. 15, 1926, in Lyndon, the eldest of 12 children, the son of Lyle L. and Berneita Vesta (Fanning) Sloop.
L.D. attended Lyndon High School. From 1951 to 1956, L.D. and his wife Lois owned and operated Osage Cleaners. They moved to Onaga and owned and operated Onaga Cleaners from 1956 to 1976. While living in Onaga, they raised their three children, Gary, Keith and Victoria.
After their children graduated, L.D. and Lois moved to Holton, owning and operating Marlo Cleaners from 1960 to 2001. Marlo Cleaners was truly a family business, along with L.D. and Lois operating it, many of their children and grandchildren worked alongside them throughout the years.
He was a former member of Congregation Church in Onaga and attended Evangel United Methodist Church. He was a former member of Odd Fellows, 16-75er’s Square Dance Club and Mustang Camping Club. L.D. coached Pony League Baseball in Onaga for many years.
L.D. married the love of his life, Lois Maxine Graves, on Oct. 13, 1945, in Ottawa. She preceded him in death on Jan. 23, 2013, nine years earlier to the day. They had celebrated more than 67 years of marriage.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Berneita Sloop; two sisters, Rose Ann Sloop and Berneita Jean Burns-Johnson; a brother, Don Sloop; son-in-law, Stanley Matzke; grandson, Micheal Sloop; two nephews, Scott Sloop and Cory Sloop; and a niece, Jima Hope.
Survivors include two sons, Gary Sloop (Andrea) of Donna, Texas, and Keith Sloop (Sun) of Holton; a daughter, Victoria Matzke of Blaine; four sisters, Evelyn Hope-Jones of Topeka, Eula Nitcher (Kenny) of Pomona, Norma Miller (Gary) of Lecompton and Kathy Tevis (Don) of Emporia; four brothers, Kenneth Sloop (Ann) of Topeka, Dale Sloop (Pat) of Bel Air, Md., Bill Sloop (Joan) of Osage City and Arlon Sloop (Frances) of Kansas City; 11 grandchildren, Michele Nimmo (Matthew), Mark Sloop (Virginia), Laura Staufenberg, Lindsey Garcia (Miguel Angel), Tracy Mercer (Chris), Scott Sloop (Rosie), Heather Westpfahl (Jason), Kevin Sloop, Kristine Meier (Craig), Carrie Ross (Travis) and Trixie Falke (Jake); 33 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Wheaton Cemetery. He will lie in state beginning Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the L.D. Memorial Fund to be used for an Onaga summer youth baseball program, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
