Anthony Habiger, Jr.

Anthony "Tony" Edward Habiger, Jr., 85, of Topeka, peacefully passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at his home.
Tony was born on September 23, 1924 in Redwing, KS, the son of Anthony Valentine and Gertrude Teresa (Spanier) Habiger. He graduated from Pomona High School in 1943. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran serving during WWII as a ball turret gunner on the B-17 bomber, the Liberty Bell. Tony married Elizabeth Joan Williams on September 3, 1949 in Ottawa. She preceded him in death on September 28, 2008. Tony is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Magee, Sandra (Orville) Myers, Kathryn Habiger, all of Topeka; son, Anthony (Suzanne) Habiger, Kansas City, MO; brother, John Henry (Leila) Habiger of Topeka; sisters, Betty (Glen) Dennis of Grand Junction, CO; Wanda Lou Rose of Lindsay, TX; Sister-in-Laws, Mary Kay Roy of Edmond, OK, Lorena Fasse of Tuscon, AZ; 7 grandchildren, Cassandra (John), Heather (Brian), Ryan (Lindsee), Carrie (Chris), Cristie (Tony), Dusty, and Kim; 12 great grandchildren, Joshua, Katelyn, Jonah, Jason, Justin, Gina, Hunter, Ryder, Kylea, Jaiden, Luke, Melony and a great grandson due in December; and 17 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Anna Belle Habiger.
After returning home from the Army Air Corps, Tony worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Bridge and Building Department for 11 years. They moved to Topeka to work for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and then retired in 1988 after 32 years of service. While with Goodyear, he was also employed part-time with Shell's Phillip 66 at 8th and Quincy. He was a member of Capitol Post No. 1 of the American Legion, Rubber Workers Local #307, 8th Air Force, 391st Bombardment Squadron (H), 34th Bomb Group (H), the Topeks Camping Club, The Moose Lodge and also Goodyear bowling leagues.
Tony will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His family will remember him for his love of them, his country, his work and many friends. He loved fishing, baseball, bowling, golf and camping.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery where full military honors will be presented by a Fort Riley burial detail. Tony will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, where family will receive friends between 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Church, 2700 SE Virginia Ave., Topeka, KS 66605.