John "Tom" Thomas Elder

John “Tom” Elder, 84, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2011 at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center, Wamego, Kansas. Tom was born on a farm near Havensville, Kansas on October 21, 1926. He was the only son of Charles and Eva Elder. The family lived in Cloverport, Kentucky during Tom’s early years before returning to Kansas. Tom attended grade school in Wamego and graduated from Wamego High School in 1945. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and received his honorable discharge in October, 1948. Tom’s memberships over the years included the American Legion, Order of Odd Fellows, AA, the First United Methodist Church of Wamego, and the J.C. Rogers Circle of the Columbian Theater where he served on the board for several years. On April 23, 1950, Tom and Peggy Ince were married at the First United Methodist Church, Wamego, where they made their home. Tom’s employment through the years included the Gamble’s Store, Patrick’s Café and the Manhattan Wholesale Meat Company where he was a salesman for 35 years. Tom is survived by his wife, Peggy, of Vintage Park, in Wamego, his sons: Jeff and wife Erika, of Wamego and Tim, of Shawnee, KS; his daughter: Cindy Tatum, of Dallas, TX; his daughter-in-law: Barbara, of Keller, TX; seven grandchildren: Bridget, Jordan, Megan, Ryan, Cadie, Brett and Shelby; two great-grandchildren: Scarlett and Evan; and five sisters: Alma Lee Fechter, Tina Trudo and Janice Jepson, all of Wamego, Charlene Nelson, of Colorado and Verna Roberts, of Topeka. Tom was preceded in death by his oldest son, John Robert (Rob) Elder, in August of 2009 and his siblings: Herman, Damien, Godfrey, Leona Kling, Evelyn Hughes and Betty Willard. Funeral services for Mr. Elder will be held at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2011, with Reverend Ron Williams officiating. Tom will lie in-state beginning at noon on Sunday with family receiving friends during a visitation from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., all at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Wamego, the Columbian Theatre Foundation or the donor’s choice, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.