Jack Quinlan

Jack A. Quinlan, 85, of Topeka, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, March, 1, 2008. He was born on October 20, 1922 in Marceline, MO, the son of Harry and Helen Womack Quinlan. He graduated from Topeka High School. While serving his country as a WWII Fighter Pilot, he was awarded the Bronze Star, The Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Philippine Liberation Medal and several ribbons for service in the South Pacific as a member of the 340th Fighter Squadron. Upon his return, he graduated from the Washburn University School of Law. He practiced law for 57 years and was a Kansas State Senator from 1964 - 1968. In the community, he served on the Washburn Board of Regents, President of the Alumni Association and a member of the Endowment Association. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, a 33 Scottish Rite, the York Rite Chapter No. 5 and the Arab Shrine where he served as past Potentate. He was also a member of Capitol Post No. 1 of the American Legion and Philip Billard Post No. 1650, V.F.W. and many other civic organizations. He was a member of First Congregational Church. Jack married Imogene Ransdell on October 19, 1946 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include Sherri Heath, Sandy Hill and husband, Daryl, Sally Canaday and husband, John, six grandchildren, Brian Williams and wife, Brenda, Courtney Randol and husband, Marty, Ashleigh Heath, Ryan Hill and wife, Jennifer, Kirstin Brodeur and husband, Jeremiah and Emily Canaday, six great-grandchildren, Madison, Brooke, Tyler, Canyon, Austin and Blakelee. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bob. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery where military honors will be presented by a burial detail from Fort Riley, KS. Jack will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Washburn Endowment Association, 1729 S.W. MacVicar, Topeka, KS 66604 or First Congregational Church, 1701 S.W. Collins, Topeka, KS 66604.