Stephen M. Hall

Stephen M. Hall, 94, Topeka, died Monday, April 13, 2015 at Midland Hospice House. He was born in Topeka, January 2, 1921, at Stormont Hospital, to Louis S. and Elizabeth Mills Hall Dean. He graduated from Topeka High School with the class of 1939. He then enrolled at the University of Kansas, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and completed his junior year in 1942.

With the advent of World War II, Mr. Hall entered the Aviation Cadet Training Program of the Navy Air Corps. He received his commission as an ensign on October 21, 1943, at the Pensacola, FL, Naval Air Station; and later that day he married June Halcyon Holm in the chapel there. He served as a Patrol Bomber Commander in the South Atlantic until November, 1945, when he was released to inactive duty as a Lieutenant JG.

After the war, Mr. Hall returned to K.U. and graduated in 1947 with a B.S. in Economics. He later graduated from the University of Wisconsin's School of Banking. He first joined the Merchants National Bank in the summer of 1941 as a messenger and transit clerk. After graduating from K.U., he returned to the bank as an Installment Loan Officer. He was with the bank for the next 37 years, eventually serving as Executive Vice-president, President and Director, retiring as Vice Chairman in 1984. He continued as a Director until 1992, when the bank was sold to Mercantile Bank of St. Louis and later to US Bank.

Mr. Hall was active in many civic and charitable organizations, often as treasurer or chief fund-raiser. He served as Director or Trustee of Memorial Hospital Corp. of Topeka and Albuquerque, NM; Kansas Bankers Association; Kansas Chamber of Commerce; Kansas Development Credit Corp.; Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Topeka, Inc.; Greater Topeka United Way; Family Service and Guidance Center; Boy Scouts--Jayhawk Council; Girl Scouts--Kaw Valley Council; American Cancer Society--Kansas Division; and Brewster Place.

Mr. Hall married Jean Ripley Abernathy in 1979. They moved to Tucson, AZ, in 1998, returning to Topeka in 2001. They made their last home at Brewster Place in 2005, where he was active as a Trustee of Brewster Place Foundation until March 24, 2015. The next day he entered Stormont-Vail Hospital and then St. Frances Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Mr. Hall was predeceased by his parents and brother William M. Hall; his first wife, June, who died in 1976; and his second wife, Jean, who died in 2007.

He is survived by his daughters Bonnie June McKee of Topeka; and Elizabeth Ann (Becky) Williams and her husband Ron, of Crittenden, KY; and his step-daughter Lou McClelland and her husband Gary, of Boulder, CO.

His six grandchildren are Sarah Elizabeth Trimble, of Falmouth, KY; Richard Ross (Dick) Kimzey, of Smyrna, TN; Heather McKee Wiechman, of Olathe, KS; Erik Stephen McKee and David Andrew (Andy) McKee of Topeka; and step-granddaughter Abby Jean McClelland of Boulder, CO.

His eight great-grandchildren are Madison Jade Kimzey, Brody McKee Wiechman, Katherine Marie Kaiser, Kansas May Halcyon Watts-Kimzey, Lachlan Alexander McKee, Paxton Blaze William Watts-Kimzey, Brennan William McKee, and Breckin Mills McKee. Step-great-grandchildren are Gavin, Jordan Alex Trimble, Travis Gregory Trimble, and Pamela June Rafus.

A quotation from Mark Twain was found taped to the back of one of his business cards: "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

Cremation will be followed by inurnment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. A celebration of his life is planned for a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brewster Place Foundation, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS, 66611; or charity of donor's choice.

Penwell-Gabel Mid-town Chapel is assisting the family.

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