James "Jim" Dale Kastner

James Dale “Jim” Kastner, 76, of Wamego, died November 2, 2010. Jim was born October 14, 1934 in Manhattan, KS, the only child of Ernest Dale and Marie (Murphy) Kastner. He spent his youth in Wamego known as “Jimmie Dale,” playing ball and working at Murphy’s Drug Store. Jim graduated from Wamego High School in 1952 and Kansas State University in 1957. Jim began his career in radio as manager of the radio station in Marysville, KS. Soon after moving to Marysville Jim met his bride of fifty-two years, Bette L. Wolff. Bette and Jim were married in Marysville on October 5, 1958. Jim and Bette also lived in Scottsbluff, NE, prior to moving back to Wamego in 1961 when he began working for radio station KMAN in Manhattan, KS. Jim spent 16 years as part of the broadcast team for Kansas State University sporting events. In 1977 Jim began his career in banking with Union National Bank in Manhattan, now Commerce Bank, from which he retired in 2000. Jim was an avid sports fan, especially of KSU athletic teams, and loved to play golf. Jim was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wamego and served as a church elder. He was a member of many civic and community organizations in Manhattan and Wamego, including the Wamego School Board, Optimist Club, Shriners, a past-member of Wamego Masonic Lodge #75 and the Wamego Country Club. Jim is survived by his wife, Bette, of the home. He is also survived by their three children: son Rick Kastner and his wife Susan of Leawood, KS, daughter Brenda Hatesohl and her husband Kent of Lawrence, KS and son Ron Kastner and his wife Cheryl of Wichita, KS; and five grandchildren: Katie & Grant Kastner, Leawood, Brian & Tyler Hatesohl, Lawrence and Quinn Kastner, Wichita. The family will visit friends from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 4th, at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wamego. Private inurnment will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wamego First Presbyterian Church or the Westmoreland Community Care Home, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, 66547. Condolences may also be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.