Edwin R. Wortman

Edwin R. "Ed" Wortman, 90, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2010. He was born on June 3, 1919 in Parsons, KS, the son of Ralph E. and Leona Johnson Wortman. He grew up in Emporia, attended Emporia schools and graduated from Emporia State Teachers College.

Ed was a professional musician and played with several bands nationally such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Doris Day until being called into service with the Kansas National Guard. He served during WWII with General Patton's 3rd Army in the European Theater. After his war service, Ed taught band in Council Grove, Meriden and Topeka (Hayden) before retiring in 1984. He was a member of First Congregational Church, the NEA and played with the Topeka Jazz Workshop for many years. He was an avid lover of his second home in Colorado.

Ed married Mary C. Clark on March 24, 1967 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include one son; John D. (Anna) Wortman of Punta Gorda, FL, three step-children; Rhonda (Doug) Otto, Randy Harmon and Richard Harmon all of Topeka, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 4, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First Congregational Church (Music Fund), 1701 S.W. Collins Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604 or to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606 or to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 N.W. Rochester Rd., Topeka, Kansas 66617.