Avery J. Staebell

Avery J. Staebell, 87, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at St. Francis hospital in Topeka. He was born September 13, 1923 in Falls City, NE, the son of Phillip A. and Ethel J. Murphy Staebell. He graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1942. Avery was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in the 50th military police battalion as a Captain for 13 years. He then served 4 years in the Ready Reserves.

Avery owned and operated Staebell's Conoco Station for several years located on S. Topeka Blvd. He was later employed by Kansas Power & Light Company for 21 ½ years before retiring in 1987. He was a member of Orient Lodge No. 51, AF&AM, American Legion Post No. 400, Philip Billard Post No. 1650, V.F.W., and the Moose Lodge.

Avery married Maxine Wiscoski on November 5, 1956 in Harrisonville, MO. She preceded him in death in 1993. He married Shirleen Northcraft on June 29, 1998 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include one son, Kim A. Staebell of Topeka, one grandson, Harley J. Staebell, his step-children, Gail Horsley, Diane Goyette, Mark Petterson and eight step-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, I-70 and Auburn Rd. Avery will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66604.