John Van Gee

John Van Gee, 62, of Topeka, beloved husband, loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 16, 2005 after a long, brave battle with cancer. He was born on April 26, 1943 in Riscoe, MO to James Aubrey and Alcie Modine Taylor Gee. He was the seventh of ten children and was preceded in death by three brothers, Junior, Jim and JC, one sister, Louise and two infant siblings. John worked for Horizon Milling for 28 years before retiring in 2003. He also served his country as a member of the Army "Old Guard" during the Vietnam War. John was a member of Shawnee Heights United Methodist Church, several travel clubs and fulfilled a life long dream of traveling the USA and Canada after he retired as well as cruises to Alaska and the southern carribean. John was a gentle spirit who loved life and always put those he loved before himself. Oh, only for so short a while, you have loaned us to each other. John is survived by his wife of twenty years, Deanna and four children, John and wife, Misty, Michael, Linda and Chris, four grandchildren, Chelsea, Ryan, Kasey and Madison, three sisters, Dorothy Fae, Zola Mae and Sue. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. John will lie in state after Noon on Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. Memorial contributions may be given to the KSU Cancer Center, 1 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-3901.