Thomas "Tom" Charles Duncan

Thomas “Tom” Charles Duncan, 80, of rural Westmoreland, Kansas passed away Monday, December 5, 2011 at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, Kansas. Tom was born June 10, 1931 at the family home in rural Westmoreland, Kansas, the son of George W. and Dorothy Mae (Hilliard) Duncan. He attended Jenkins rural grade school and later graduated from Westmoreland High School in 1949. On October 9, 1956 he married Betty Jane Umscheid, in Flush, Kansas. She survives of the home. Tom was a farmer and stockman his entire life and also a fur trader. He enjoyed playing cards and being around and entertaining children. Tom had a very joking sense of humor and enjoyed his life of farming. He was always eager to offer a helping hand to his neighbors. Tom was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Flush. He volunteered on the Westmoreland township board for over 10 years and was also a member of the “Grandpa Club” for 31 years. He is survived by his wife Betty; two daughters: Linda Biesenthal and husband Rodney and Barb Harding and husband Rod, both of Westmoreland, Kansas; two sons: Kenneth Duncan and wife Janet and Mike Duncan all of Westmoreland, Kansas; five grandchildren: Amber Magnett, Nichole Biesenthal, Brad Duncan, Jenna Krebs and Cody Duncan and five great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Cadan, Dylan, Cale and C. J. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, one brother George W. Duncan, Jr. and a granddaughter Kayla Biesenthal. A celebration of Tom’s life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Flush, Kansas. Tom will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, with a Rosary being recited at 6:00 p.m. and family receiving friends during a visitation until 8:30 p.m., all at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Flush or the Meadowlark Hills Parkinson’s Program and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.