Lewis R. Pressgrove

Lewis R. Pressgrove, 80, of Tecumseh, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at his home. He was born on March 1, 1928 in Tecumseh, the son of Ben L. and Irma L. Engelke Pressgrove. He lived his entire life in the Tecumseh community. He attended Tecumseh North Elementary School, Hayden High School. He was an Army veteran, serving in Italy during the end of WWII. Lewis obtained a BS in Agriculture from Kansas State University where he was a member and past President of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. He also obtained a BA in Education from Washburn University. Lewis was a farmer his entire life as well as an elementary school teacher at Layfette and Sumner Schools. He was a long time member of the Tecumseh Kiwanis Club and was a Scout Leader with Boy Scouts of America. He coached several youth teams in the community. He was a life-time member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Lewis served as President of Shawnee Heights U.S.D. 450 School Board. Lewis married Virginia C. Wingett on June 14, 1952 in Kansas City, KS. She preceded him in death in February of 1997. He was also preceded in death by one son, Thomas A. Pressgrove and two grandchildren, Kristina and Leigh Hobbs. Survivors include seven children, Janet L. (Larry) Gerjets of Brookings, SD, Michael L. (Bernardene) Pressgrove of Lenexa, Teresa C. (John) Vratil of Leawood, Larry W. Pressgrove of New York City, NY, Rick D. (Shelly) Pressgrove of Topeka, John F. Pressgrove of Lisbon, Portugal, Craig B. Pressgrove of New York City, NY, seven grandchildren, Matthew, Andy, Ben, Kim, K.C., Jordan and Josh, four great-grandchildren, Josh, Anastasia, Felicity and Edith, two sisters, Betty Lou Ingenthron and Kathleen Pressgrove both of Topeka. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery at Big Springs, KS. Lewis will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel where a Parish Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Topeka AIDS Project, 708 S.W. 6th St., Topeka, KS 66603 or the KSU Cancer Center, 1 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506.