Michael Priestley 1952-2017
Michael R. Priestley, 64, Delia, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at his home.
He was born Aug. 10, 1952, at Fort Campbell, Ky., the son of Alburton “Skip” Priestley Jr. and Esther Grant Priestley. He graduated from Pine Forrest High School in Fayetteville, N.C. in 1971, and attended college for a year.
Mr. Priestley served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, attaining the rank of First Sergeant. After retiring from the military he worked for 19 years at McCall Pattern in Manhattan.
He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Topeka and was vice president of Delia Community Pride.
He married Ginny Venneberg on Nov. 26, 2005, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Topeka. She survives.
Other survivors include his father and stepmother, “Skip” and Helen Priestley, Prescott Valley, Ariz.; two stepdaughters, Jessica Venneberg, Onaga, and Ashley Venneberg, Topeka; three brothers, Alburton “Butch” Priestley III and Raymond Priestley, both of Greenville, S.C., and Duaine Priestley, Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren, Marshall Brunin, Luna Brashear, Clayton Ivy and Hunter Ivy. He was preceded in death by his mother.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sedalia Community Church near Manhattan. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to a veterans group of the donor’s choice or Delia Community Pride, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 280, Hoyt, KS 66440.
