Earl Straub

   Earl J. Straub, 92, of rural Wamego, Kansas, passed away Monday (February 19, 2024) at Wamego Health Center.

    Born November 4, 1931 on the family farm in rural Wamego, Earl was the son of Isadore and Loretta (Umscheid) Straub and lived on that same family farm almost all his life.

    Earl graduated from Flush High School in 1950 and served his country in the U. S. Army from 1954 to 1956.  Following his discharge, he was employed at the Western Auto store in Wamego and later for J.D. Appliance in Wamego where he made repairs all while working on his family farm.  He also became a civilian helicopter technician at Ft. Riley until his retirement on August 14, 1988.  Earl was known as “Mr. Fix It” and following his retirement he enjoyed fixing and repairing small appliances or anything people would bring to him, still while he followed his passion for working the family farm.

   Earl was strongly devoted to his faith, being a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and attending Mass online in later years when he was unable to attend in person.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Flush Council No. 902.  An accomplished musician, Earl played guitar, banjo and steel guitar.  He loved giving guitar lessons and playing with his band the “Country Gamblers”.  He also enjoyed genealogy and treasured family history, tracing his family roots as far back as to the 1700s in Germany.  He enjoyed fishing, playing Ping-Pong and going to McDonald’s for McDoubles and a Coke with his sister.  Earl also completed many sky dive jumps from the Wamego Airport over the years.

    Although he never married, family was very important to Earl.  He and his brother Kenny were very close and sometimes thought of as one person.  People often did not say one name without the other.  In later years, Earl and his only sister, Dolores, had this same kind of relationship.  Earl knew and loved his whole family and thought the world of them.  "Uncle Earl”, as he was always affectionately known, was godfather to his niece, Jill and nephew, Eddie and loved to follow all his nieces and nephews and later his great nieces and great nephews in their activities, going to many baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and football games.  He will be remembered for his genuine kindness and selflessness, true generosity, and always having a big smile on his face.

   Survivors include his sister, Dolores Ebert of (Flush) St. George; six nephews, Philip Straub (Michele), Hank Straub (Debbie), Eddie Straub, Gary Ebert (Robin), Tim Ebert (Lisa) and Alan Ebert (D’Ann); five nieces, Beverly Rosell (Jeff), Sandy Homeier (Travis), Julie Stanley, Jill Straub (Greg Young) and Jennifer Alexander (Todd); 24 great nieces and great nephews; 7 great-great nieces and great-great nephews, with another due in July, 2024.

   Earl was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bernard in infancy, Wilfred and his wife Peggy, Kenneth and Robert; and a brother in law, Paul Ebert.

   Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday morning (February 26, 2024) at 10:30 in St. Joseph Catholic Church at Flush, Kansas with Fr. Michael Peterson presiding.  Burial with Military Honors by the U. S. Army Funeral Honors Detail and the Wamego American Legion Post No. 172 will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at Flush.

   Visitation will be Sunday evening (February 25, 2024) from 4:00 to 7:00 at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.  A Rosary Prayer Service will be held following the visitation Sunday evening at 7:00 at the funeral home.

   Memorial contributions are requested to St. Joseph Catholic Church and may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P. O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.  Online condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com.