Richard James Kemnitz

Richard James Kemnitz, 82, resident of rural Westmoreland, Kansas passed away Tuesday January 29, 2008 at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. Born on March 16, 1925, in Manhattan, Kansas, he was the son of George J. and Lenora M. (Thompson) Kemnitz. He attended school at Walnut Grove, Eugene Field, and Manhattan High School. He was a farmer and stockman in Manhattan, Belvue and Westmoreland. Mr. Kemnitz lived in the Lost Creek area north of Belvue from 1947-1974, and rural Westmoreland since 1974. On June 2, 1947, he married Opal Elaine Whearty in Manhattan. They celebrated 60 years of marriage with family and friends June 2, 2007. Mr. Kemnitz was a member of the United Methodist Church of Westmoreland. Other memberships he held were Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau, Bee Busy 4-H Club, and Flush and Westmoreland Senior Citizens Group. Richard enjoyed coon and quail hunting, going dancing with Opal, playing cards with his friends, and mostly loved being with his family. He is survived by: his wife Opal of the home; his sons, Dennis Kemnitz and wife Dianna of Abilene, KS, and Wayne Kemnitz of Manhattan, KS; his daughters, Ruth Wiltz of Topeka, KS, Mary Tully and husband Peter of Manhattan, KS, and Elaine Wilson and husband Dennis of Wamego, KS; his brother Gilbert Kemnitz and wife Joyce of Flush, KS; his sister, Shirley Faulkender and husband Dean of Kansas City, MO; his 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Funeral Services for Mr. Kemnitz will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday February 2, 2008 at Westmoreland United Methodist Church with burial following in Jenkins Cemetery, South of Westmoreland. A visitation will be held Friday evening at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego from 7-8:30 p.m. He will lie in state at the funeral home starting at 1:00 p.m., Friday. Memorials have been designated for the Westmoreland United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, 66547.