In Memory Of
James F. Wecker
1945
2019
James F. Wecker
August 21, 1945 — December 27, 2019
James F. Wecker, 74, of Topeka, passed away Friday, December 27, 2019.
He was born August 21, 1945, in Emporia, Kansas, a son of Stephen and Ann (Nuessen) Wecker. He was raised in Olpe, Kansas before spending the majority of his life in Emporia.
James married Nancy Jean Kramer on June 24, 1968 in Biloxi, Mississippi while serving in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at the Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Emporia State University.
James retired from Tyson Foods, Inc. after many years as a night shift supervisor. Late in life James lived in Goff, Holton and finally Topeka, Kansas. James served two terms as the mayor of Goff, was a member of the Goff Lions Club and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Holton, Kansas.
His favorite job was working as a handyman for Developmental Services of Jackson County.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Wecker; his children, Rachel (Tom) Andrews and Dena (Richard) Hale both of Emporia, KS, Chris Wecker of Osage City, KS and Serena (Jermaine) Casteneda in Topeka, KS; his grandchildren, Zach Andrews, Evan Andrews, Payton Andrews, Tanner Hale, Noah Wecker, Andrew Perez and Savannah Perez; a great-granddaughter, Murphy Andrews; his siblings, Larry (Elaine) Wecker, Steve (Marie) Wecker and Darryl (Sylvia) Wecker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elaine (John) Olvera.
James enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. He rarely lost a game but everyone won with his companionship. He loved his children and was active in their lives. In their youth, James coached them in baseball and softball through the Emporia Recreational Center. He taught them all to drive; some less successfully than others. James was a strong presence in the lives of his grandchildren. He was always available to his family. James enjoyed fulfilling the role of Santa and first wore the suit in 1967 and continued until 2018. The sound of his merry laughter is in our hearts still and his magic will never fade.
A Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2019 at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. Visitation will follow until 7:30 p.m. at Dove Southwest Chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 312 NE Freeman Ave, Topeka, KS 66616 with Rev. Tim Haberkorn officiating.
Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Olpe, Kansas at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Developmental Services of Jackson County, 625 Vermont Ave, Holton, KS 66436.
To leave a message of condolence for James's family, or to share a special memory of James, visit the guestbook below.
He was born August 21, 1945, in Emporia, Kansas, a son of Stephen and Ann (Nuessen) Wecker. He was raised in Olpe, Kansas before spending the majority of his life in Emporia.
James married Nancy Jean Kramer on June 24, 1968 in Biloxi, Mississippi while serving in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at the Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Emporia State University.
James retired from Tyson Foods, Inc. after many years as a night shift supervisor. Late in life James lived in Goff, Holton and finally Topeka, Kansas. James served two terms as the mayor of Goff, was a member of the Goff Lions Club and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Holton, Kansas.
His favorite job was working as a handyman for Developmental Services of Jackson County.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Wecker; his children, Rachel (Tom) Andrews and Dena (Richard) Hale both of Emporia, KS, Chris Wecker of Osage City, KS and Serena (Jermaine) Casteneda in Topeka, KS; his grandchildren, Zach Andrews, Evan Andrews, Payton Andrews, Tanner Hale, Noah Wecker, Andrew Perez and Savannah Perez; a great-granddaughter, Murphy Andrews; his siblings, Larry (Elaine) Wecker, Steve (Marie) Wecker and Darryl (Sylvia) Wecker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elaine (John) Olvera.
James enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. He rarely lost a game but everyone won with his companionship. He loved his children and was active in their lives. In their youth, James coached them in baseball and softball through the Emporia Recreational Center. He taught them all to drive; some less successfully than others. James was a strong presence in the lives of his grandchildren. He was always available to his family. James enjoyed fulfilling the role of Santa and first wore the suit in 1967 and continued until 2018. The sound of his merry laughter is in our hearts still and his magic will never fade.
A Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2019 at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610. Visitation will follow until 7:30 p.m. at Dove Southwest Chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 312 NE Freeman Ave, Topeka, KS 66616 with Rev. Tim Haberkorn officiating.
Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Olpe, Kansas at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Developmental Services of Jackson County, 625 Vermont Ave, Holton, KS 66436.
To leave a message of condolence for James's family, or to share a special memory of James, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James F. Wecker, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Rosary
Thursday, January 2, 2020
5:30 - 7:30 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Service
Friday, January 3, 2020
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Guestbook
Visits: 3
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors