In Memory Of
The E. Mendenhall
1928
2021
The E. Mendenhall
December 9, 1928 — January 28, 2021
The Reverend Elborn E. Mendenhall, 92, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021.
He was born December 9, 1928, in Garden City Kansas, the son of Lester and Bessie (Pace) Mendenhall and moved to Dodge City at a young age graduating from Dodge City High School. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University and was licensed as a Professional Engineer, the highest standard of competence. He then enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1951-1956, including time in Southampton, England. During his years in the service, Elborn attended Harvard University, obtaining a master's degree in Public Health.
Following an honorable discharge, Elborn received his Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary in New York City, New York, and began his ordinate in February 12, 1960. Elborn served as an Ordained Priest in multiple churches in New York, Ohio, Mississippi and in the state of Kansas doing part time ministry for the last fifty years in churches throughout the state. Last February, Grace Cathedral recognized him for sixty years of service in the church. Elborn also worked for the State of Kansas in the Department of Health and Environment for over twenty years before retiring in 1995 as an engineer. Following retirement, Elborn was actively involved in photography, genealogy research and was extremely proud to be a lifetime member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Elborn was brilliant and opinionated right up to his unexpected passing. He had friends everywhere, from stores to the Veterans' Association and at the Health Care Resort, where he had lived the last two years. He was passionate about politics and made certain to vote last November (requiring his daughter-in-law to hand deliver the ballot to ensure it would be counted). On October 29, 1954, he was determined to cast his Kansas absentee ballot while stationed at Robins Air Force Base (RAFB), Georgia. He received a notice that a letter with postage due had arrived at the RAFB Post Office (PO); however, the Post Office had closed for the week and would not reopen until Monday, November 1st too late for his ballot to arrive in Kansas. He drove to the Warner Robin's Post Office and obtained the name of the postmistress at RAFB, drove to her home, persuaded her to accompany him to the RAFB PO to obtain the mailed ballot. He then drove her back home, marked his ballot, and stopped by the Macon Post Office to send it special delivery back to Ford County, Kansas.
Elborn was also a dedicated Kansas State alum and as a season ticket holder, attended football and basketball games for over forty years, beginning in 1970. He cheered for his Wildcats from the time he was a student in the 1940s until his death. Elborn and his wife, Burney, followed the Wildcats to various bowl games beginning with the Independence Bowl in 1982 and continuing under the Coach Bill Snyder era. He also enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals play.
He married Joyce Bayles on June 6, 1959 in Memphis, Tennessee and to this union were their three children, Leslie, Kathy and Mark. She preceded him in death on June 20, 1969. He later married Burney (Bailey) Vazquez on July 20, 1972 in Manhattan, Kansas, she survives.
Survivors also include his children; daughter, Leslie (Tim) Friedel, daughter, Kathy (Sheldon) Lentz, son, Mark (Sarah) Mendenhall, step-son, Brian (Teri) Vazquez, and step-son, Sheldon Vazquez; grandchildren, Schuyler Friedel, Chandler Friedel, Joyce Friedel, Paul Lentz, Kate Lentz, Thomas James Vazquez, Molly (Cameron) Vazquez, Jennifer Vazquez, Bailey Vazquez, and Lorna Vazquez.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joyce; sisters, Aavon Powers and Imogene Powell, and step-daughter-in-law, Cindy Vazquez.
He will lie in state from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
A Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka. Burial will take place at Memorial Garden Cemetery in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Cathedral 701 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66603 www.gracecathedraltopeka.org or to Helping Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st, Topeka, KS, 66604-3720.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born December 9, 1928, in Garden City Kansas, the son of Lester and Bessie (Pace) Mendenhall and moved to Dodge City at a young age graduating from Dodge City High School. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University and was licensed as a Professional Engineer, the highest standard of competence. He then enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1951-1956, including time in Southampton, England. During his years in the service, Elborn attended Harvard University, obtaining a master's degree in Public Health.
Following an honorable discharge, Elborn received his Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary in New York City, New York, and began his ordinate in February 12, 1960. Elborn served as an Ordained Priest in multiple churches in New York, Ohio, Mississippi and in the state of Kansas doing part time ministry for the last fifty years in churches throughout the state. Last February, Grace Cathedral recognized him for sixty years of service in the church. Elborn also worked for the State of Kansas in the Department of Health and Environment for over twenty years before retiring in 1995 as an engineer. Following retirement, Elborn was actively involved in photography, genealogy research and was extremely proud to be a lifetime member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Elborn was brilliant and opinionated right up to his unexpected passing. He had friends everywhere, from stores to the Veterans' Association and at the Health Care Resort, where he had lived the last two years. He was passionate about politics and made certain to vote last November (requiring his daughter-in-law to hand deliver the ballot to ensure it would be counted). On October 29, 1954, he was determined to cast his Kansas absentee ballot while stationed at Robins Air Force Base (RAFB), Georgia. He received a notice that a letter with postage due had arrived at the RAFB Post Office (PO); however, the Post Office had closed for the week and would not reopen until Monday, November 1st too late for his ballot to arrive in Kansas. He drove to the Warner Robin's Post Office and obtained the name of the postmistress at RAFB, drove to her home, persuaded her to accompany him to the RAFB PO to obtain the mailed ballot. He then drove her back home, marked his ballot, and stopped by the Macon Post Office to send it special delivery back to Ford County, Kansas.
Elborn was also a dedicated Kansas State alum and as a season ticket holder, attended football and basketball games for over forty years, beginning in 1970. He cheered for his Wildcats from the time he was a student in the 1940s until his death. Elborn and his wife, Burney, followed the Wildcats to various bowl games beginning with the Independence Bowl in 1982 and continuing under the Coach Bill Snyder era. He also enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals play.
He married Joyce Bayles on June 6, 1959 in Memphis, Tennessee and to this union were their three children, Leslie, Kathy and Mark. She preceded him in death on June 20, 1969. He later married Burney (Bailey) Vazquez on July 20, 1972 in Manhattan, Kansas, she survives.
Survivors also include his children; daughter, Leslie (Tim) Friedel, daughter, Kathy (Sheldon) Lentz, son, Mark (Sarah) Mendenhall, step-son, Brian (Teri) Vazquez, and step-son, Sheldon Vazquez; grandchildren, Schuyler Friedel, Chandler Friedel, Joyce Friedel, Paul Lentz, Kate Lentz, Thomas James Vazquez, Molly (Cameron) Vazquez, Jennifer Vazquez, Bailey Vazquez, and Lorna Vazquez.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joyce; sisters, Aavon Powers and Imogene Powell, and step-daughter-in-law, Cindy Vazquez.
He will lie in state from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
A Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka. Burial will take place at Memorial Garden Cemetery in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Cathedral 701 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66603 www.gracecathedraltopeka.org or to Helping Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st, Topeka, KS, 66604-3720.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of The E. Mendenhall, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
In State
Thursday, February 4, 2021
12:00 - 6:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Friday, February 5, 2021
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Guestbook
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