Philip Kathrens
Philip Glen “Phil” Kathrens, 85, of Circleville, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at his home, with his family around him.
He was born Feb. 11, 1929, on a farm near Whiting, the son of Walter F. and Helen M. (Glenn) Kathrens.
Phil lived in the Whiting, Holton and Circleville communities all of his life and had lived on his farm in Circleville since 1968. He was a farmer and soil conservationist. Philip also was a heavy equipment operator for many years.
Phil was a WWII and Korean War veteran. He served on the Jackson County Commission from 1979 to 1983 and was a life member of Holton VFW Post 1367. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed working in his garden.
He married Phyllis E. Shoemaker on July 25, 1954, in Mankato. She survives of the home.
He is also survived by his son, Edward Kathrens (Barb) of Circleville; his daughters, Deloris Londerholm (Rob) of Albany, Texas, Debra Keebler (Tyler) of Highland and Karen Richard (Jay) of Smithville, Mo.; three sisters, Maxine Cook of Holton, Barbara Clark of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kay McKeever of Hines, Ore.; four brothers, Jay Kathrens of Nordman, Idaho, Wallace Kathrens of Holton, Frank Kathrens of Circleville and John Kathrens of Holton; 14 grandchildren, Tom Dibbern-Londerholm, Rob Londerholm (Staci), Stephen Londerholm, Heather Kathrens, Philip Kathrens (Dominique), Dawn Henry (Nathan), Amanda Kathrens, Edward-Dub Kathrens (Ashton), Josh Keebler (Amy), Lucas Keebler, Samantha Keebler, Cory Richard (Chastine), Taylor Richard and Ryan Richard; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Tyler Keebler; and five sisters, Jean Baker, Grace Evelyn Schultz, Frances Schuyler, Norma Walden and Audrey Howard.
Memorial graveside services were held Monday morning in Circleville Cemetery.
It was Phil’s wish that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or VFW Flag Project, 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
