George Waner
George Edward Waner, age 86, died Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at his home in Shawnee, Okla. George was born Jan. 2, 1928, to Joseph Edward Waner and Geneva (Scherer) Waner in Newton, Kan., the oldest of five children.
He attended Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio and graduated high school in Florence, Kan., in 1947.
George served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1948 to 1952. He attended college at Wichita State University. He met the love of his life Patricia “Patsy” Ann Meysing, and they married in 1954. They raised three children, Leo Edward, Mary Kay, and Ann Marie.
In 1954, George began a long career in the automotive repair industry. He owned his own business, Waner’s Repair Shop. He managed the shop for more than 22 years. During that time he taught automotive repair at Hillsboro High School and Flint Hills VoTech in Emporia, Kan.
In 1976, he apprenticed under the leadership of Tom Snavely, Peabody, Kan., as a pattern-maker of foundry casting. He quickly learned this trade and worked in it until his retirement in 1993.
George loved to spend time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. He enjoyed many hobbies — building model airplanes, watching car races, building miniature engines, many woodworking projects, car maintenance, home projects, gardening, and traveling. There was virtually nothing mechanical he couldn’t rebuild or repair no matter how puzzling or perplexing it was.
As a lifelong Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, George’s faith was very important to him. He was a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Marion, Kan., and later St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee. He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion, and NRA.
In 2007, he and Patsy left the Marion community and the home where they had raised their family and moved to Shawnee. He continued to stay active at St. Benedict parish while enjoying retirement. He especially enjoyed walking his beloved dog, Buffy, while visiting with neighbors and making new friends.
George is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Patsy; and children, Leo (Juliette) Waner, Mary Kay (David) Holland, and Ann (Steve) Buckendahl. Grandchildren include Rachel, Alexander, and Nicole Waner, Matthew (Abi) and Katie Holland, and Claire Buckendahl; and great-granddaughter, Arianna Salinas. Siblings include James (Vee) Waner, Bernie (Janice) Waner, and Joan (Jerry) Onsrud.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Pauline Meysing.
Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at St. Benedict Catholic Church. A rosary and wake service will begin at 10 a.m. followed by funeral mass at 11 a.m. with Father Joseph Schwartz officiating. An inurnment will be at Marion Cemetery in Marion.
Memorials may be made to the Father Kapaun Guild, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 or Knights of Columbus No. 1018, St. Benedict Catholic Church, 632 N. Kickapoo, Shawnee, OK 74801.