Elbert Dressler

Elbert "Dennis" Dressler, 86, of Topeka, passed away peacefully on Feb. 20, at Midland Hospice, with his daughters at his side. Dennis was born Apr. 16, 1923, in Lebo, KS, the son of Herman Albert and Cora Lee (Whaley) Dressler. On Oct. 5, 1946, he married Irene Ann Thomas, in Long Island, NY. She preceded him in death in 2000.
Dennis was a 1941 graduate of Lebo High School and attended college at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. He served in the US Army as a Turret Instructor during WWII. He then started two very successful construction companies, Building Systems Inc. and Dressler Construction Co. After retiring from the construction business, he began working as a housing inspector for the City of Topeka, retiring in 1988. He and Irene were active HAM radio operators and were very instrumental and received citations for providing communication during the Alaskan earthquake and the Topeka tornado of 1966.
Survivors include daughters, Carol Dressler of Mission, KS and Lois Michael of Topeka; son, Dennis (Vicki) Dressler of Auburn; grandchildren, Morgan (Jason) Padgett, Cale (Rachel) Michael, Jason (Vicki) Dressler, and Wendy Dressler; beloved companion, Carolyn Till; and seven great grandchildren, all of Topeka. He is also survived by two sisters, Carmen Ward of Durham, NC and Norma Ballard of Piedmont, SC.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.