Mervin Eugene Stithem

Mervin Eugene "Gene" Stithem, 78, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. He was born December 15, 1943, in Hill City, Kansas, the son of Mervin and Mary Ellen (James) Stithem. He was the middle born of 3 children and is survived in death by his two sisters, Lucille (Raymond) Zahn and Alma Bird. It was there that he graduated from Hill City High School in 1962.

After high school, Gene decided to serve his country and enlisted into the Army in 1963. Two years later he married Cheryl House in Hill City, Kansas where they adopted their two children, Traci Holmes and Doug (Lauren) Stithem. Later that year they decided to pack up their family and move to Topeka, Kansas where Gene would remain for the rest of his years. Gene and Cheryl later divorced in 1993.

Later that year Gene met Beckie L. Hollingsworth and they were married on November 19, 1994 in Topeka, Kansas. Through that marriage Gene gained his three step-children, Larry (Stephanie) Hollingsworth, Bryon (Christa) Hollingsworth, and Helena Hollingsworth. Shortly over a year later Beckie gave birth to their daughter, Mary Stithem. After some time they also had the pleasure of adopting their grandson, Parker Stithem. With such a large family it's no surprise that Gene is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He may have gotten overwhelmed at times from all the noise, but he loved his family just the same!

During his time in Topeka, Gene was employed by the American Linen Company for over 44 years before retiring in 2009. For 15 of those years he worked in management, and for the rest of the time he worked as a delivery driver and sales agent and drove routes in Topeka, Lawrence, and the Kansas City area. He was also the top sales agent in the company for many years in a row.

Gene was a member of the Lake Shawnee Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was very involved in his faith and served as the building caretaker for many years. It was in this congregation that Gene made many of his close friends. Back in the day, he was known lovingly as "the candy man" because whenever one of the kids would come up to shake his hand, he'd always have a little candy hidden inside to slip to the child just to see them smile. Because of his faith, he didn't fear death, because he knew that he would see his family again someday.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3611 SW Jewell Ave. where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Graveside Committal Services will take place at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 14, 2022 at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery in WaKeeney, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with arrangements.

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