Elmer Gifford Kearns

Elmer Gifford Kearns, 82, of Topeka, died Monday, July 19, 2004 at Midland Hospice House. He was born on July 12, 1922 at Linn, Kansas, the son of George and Bertha Mickel Kearns. He attended school in Washington and Clay Counties in Kansas. On October 9, 1942, he entered the military service and served in the Navy during WWII. He was stationed in the Pacific Ocean on the U.S.S. Burns from October of 1942 to 1946. He was employed by U.S.D. 501 as a Supervisor in Electical Maintenance for 31 years before retiring in 1984. He also was a custodian at St. Johns Lutheran Church for 30 years. He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church and American Legion Post No. 400. He married Ida A. Mueller on December 28, 1947 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Herington, Ks. by the Reverend Otto H. Mueller. On January 19, 1948, he was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church by the Reverend G. Biel of Linn Kansas. In February of 1948, they moved to Topeka. Survivors include his wife, Ida A. Kearns of Topeka, three children, Katherine A. Langel of Topeka, Georeg E. Kearns of Wakarusa and Diane F. Smith of Topeka, five grandchildren, Shawn, Angela, Elizabeth, Matthew and Kelly, three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Qwynn and Zain, two sisters, Lucy Veatch of St. John, Ks. and Bonnie Oestreich of Beatrice, Nebraska. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. Johns Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Kearns will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Memorial contributions may be given St. Johns Lutheran Church or Midland Hospice Care. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.penwellgabel.com.