Eldon O. Geffert

Eldon Geffert, 81, of Greenleaf, died February 15, at the Linn Community Nursing Home. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 18 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf. Pastor Timothy Lorenz officiated. Arlene Miller played the organ while Dr. James Smart sang "Amazing Grace." The congregation sang "I Am Content! My Jesus Ever Lives", "Jerusalem, O City Fair and High", "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart" and "Jerusalem, the Golden." The pallbearers were Jason Geffert, James Rahe, Jason Hiltgen, Jacob Hughes, Merle Grabhorn and Lonnie Hatesohl. The honorary pallbearers were Matt Uhlik, Sam Kellogg, Roland Laue, Mike Diederich, Dale Bruna, Stanley Cairns and Garold Bolejack. Burial was in the Greenleaf City Cemetery. Eldon was born, May 12, 1930, at his home south of Greenleaf, to Otto and Emma (Belousek) Geffert. He was baptized and confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In 1948, he graduated from Greenleaf High School. Eldon joined the Navy in 1951 and served on the USS Bryce Canyon during the Korean Conflict. He received the Korean Service medal and United Nations Service medal. Eldon was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to the family farm. In the 70’s, Eldon received a student pilot license and would host several fly ins at his farm. He belonged to the VFW, was a lifetime member of the American Legion Shaw Post #235, a lifetime member of the Flying Conestoga’s Club and a member of the Flint Hills Flying Club. On October 13, 1957, he was united in marriage to Shirley White in Wichita. She survives. He is also survived by daughter, Cheryl (Todd) Hughes, Washington; son, Gary Geffert, Greenleaf; three grandchildren, Heather (Allan) Schmale, Clay Center, Jacob Hughes, Washington, and Jason Geffert, Washington; and great-grandson, Kody Schmale. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ellen Grabhorn; and stepdaughter, Deanna Rathbone. A memorial fund has been established to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, Linn Community Nursing Home or the Flint Hills Flying Club. Contributions may be sent in care of the Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eldon O. Geffert, please visit our flower store.