Meet Our Heroes

In memory of William Robert Marsh

William Robert Marsh, 94, died Friday, January 19, 2024, in Independence, Missouri. He was born in Cresco, Iowa, to William A. and Marietta Marsh on November 24, 1929. Bill’s growing-up years were spent in Lamoni, Iowa and he graduated from Lamoni high school in 1947. Bill attended Graceland College for two years where he met his wife, Patricia DeLapp. The couple were married in September of 1950 just as Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army.

He served in the Army Signal Corps until his honorable discharge in March of 1953. By that time, he and Pat had a daughter, Ardyce. Bill used the GI Bill to return to college at the University of Missouri and graduated with a degree to teach Vocational Agriculture. By that time, they had two more children, Margaret, and James. Bill’s teaching career covered more than 35 years in Iowa and Missouri. His influence on the lives of many of his students is still fondly remembered.

He also drove 18-wheelers over the road and taught in local trucking schools. Bill was a convert to the RLDS faith where his wife was a member. They later affiliated with Independent Restoration Branches, and most recently, Bill joined the Everlasting Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Day. Bill was an ordained minister and carried his Elder ID cards in his wallet until his death. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, camping, and gardening. One of his favorite later years memories was a wild boar hunt with two adult grandsons.

After his wife passed away in 2013, Bill continued to attend the Senior Center Lunches in Buckner where he met Vicki West. They enjoyed a 10-year friendship, traveling and helping each other with the challenges of aging. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, his wife, Patricia, his son, Jim Marsh, and one nephew. He is survived by one brother, John Marsh, his daughters, Ardyce Nordeen (Craig) and Margaret Marsh, daughter-in-law, Brinda Marsh, 6 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 12 nephews and nieces and many special family friends, including Vicki West and Betsy Taylor. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Everlasting Church of Jesus Christ or to the FISH Veterans Organization.

Robert Douglas Barker – Loving Memory of our FISH friend and patriot.

Robert Douglas Barker went peacefully to be with the Lord on January 3, 2024. Bob was born in Kansas City, Kansas to William Patrick and Patricia Marie Barker on September 5, 1963. He attended school in Bonner Springs, Kansas and graduated in 1981. Bob met Julie Knight in October of 1982 and married her on June 4, 1983. Their son Robert Jon was born on December 28, 1990. Bob is preceded in death by his dad, William Patrick Barker; grandfather, Jon Pack; grandmother, Marie McCollum; stepdad, Jack Frost; his mother, Patricia Frost; his brother, William Patrick Barker, Jr. (Bill); and his Aunt Florine McCollum. His in-laws (although they considered him a son), Darrel & Peggy Knight.

Bob leaves behind his wife Julie (Jules) and son Robert Jon; two cats, Rennie and Griswald; brother Kenneth Brian Barker; sister-in-law Paulene Barker; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David & Gena Knight; sister-in-law Tricia Knight; 3 nieces, 5 nephews, 6 great-nieces, 7 great-nephews and another on the way; his loving church family at Bent Knee Cowboy Church; and countless kindhearted loyal friends.

Bob had a long career in parts management, starting at J&J Cycle in Kansas City, Kansas, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Western Auto, and then into the Mopar parts business at Bud Brown, Keystone and Bob Hoss. He moved on to Coleman Equipment, Inc and then to IFF in Gardner. He met so many people over the years and so many of these people became friends. Bob was a simple man, jack-of-all-trades, fix-it man. ‘Bob, Bob, the fix-it man, if he can’t fix it nobody can’ was a phrase often used in our household.

Bob had several hobbies that included, tinkering in the garage, fishing, wood-working and working on his 1930 Model A truck he helped Jack build in 1982. He also enjoyed going to the annual car show in ONawa Kansas, RC cars and disc golf with his son. Bob loved looking for those bargains in their stores, antique stores, estate sales and garage sales and on-line auctions – he prided himself in always finding those good deals. Bob was a born-again follower of Christ who had the strength to not allow pancreatic cancer to ruin Christmas, his son’s birthday or New Year’s Eve for his family. Bob was an honorable man, loyal and dedicated to his wife and son. He truly loved us. He was his kiddo’s hero. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hollis Renewal Center, 11414 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66111 on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 6pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bent Knee Cowboy Church, 3601 S 142nd St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012 or FISH – Friends In Service of Heroes, 122 N Water Street, Suite B, Olathe, KS 66061

MICHAEL TY KETTENHOFEN – IN LOVING MEMORY

Please take a moment today, walk outside, look toward the sky, in remembrance of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ty Kettenhofen – U.S. Army Golden Knights. He graced us during Armed Forces Celebration KC 2022 and is now aloft. Keep his family, his team, and his service branch family in your thoughts.

Max I. Deweese completed his life of Service to Others on July 9, 2022 in Port Charlotte, FL. Max was born March 20, 1921 in Los Angeles, CA to Charles and Emma Deweese. They moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1937.

Max enlisted in the Marine Corp in January 1942. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division he was in the first company to land on Japanese soil, on Tulagi in the Battle of Guadalcanal. He also was in campaigns on Tawara, Saipan and Tinian. He received Purple Hearts on Tawara and Saipan.

He married Sue Farrell on November 8, 1946, and they were married 69 years. He was called back to duty for the Korean War and served at Camp Pendleton. He continued in the Marine Reserves until retirement in 1967. They had two children, Rebecca Sue born 1952, and Donald Max born 1954. Max became Comptroller for the Kansas City Athletics when they move to KC in 1955. In 1962 he moved to A.D. Jacobson and became Secretary/Treasurer until he retired in 1987.

This is when he and Sue began traveling extensively: China, Europe, Canada and various parts of America. He also started his second career: Service to Others. He began delivering Meals on Wheels, a role he filled for 35 years, only retiring in March of this year. He was also involved in: Stephens Ministries, Salvation Army Bell Ringer campaigns, tutored 3rd grade math students, Marine Corp League Toys-for-Tots, Friends In Service of Heroes (F.I.S.H.) and was a Colonel in the Commemorative Air Force.

He was a member of Country Club Christian Church since 1947, singing in the choir, was a Life Elder, Treasure of the Board, and on the Regional Board of Disciples of Christ Church.

His leisure passion was golf which he took up in 1987 and played until March 2022. In later years he could shoot his age. He loved to speak to school groups about his experiences to help them understand the sacrifices others have made for them to have the freedoms they enjoy today.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Kay Kussman, wife Sue (Farrell), daughter Rebecca Sue Love. He is survived by his son Donald Max and his wife Pat, grandson Erik Peterson, great grandson Max Peterson and son-in-law Bill Love.

Memorial services to celebrate Max’s life will be held at Country Club Christian Church at 10 am, Saturday, July 30, 2022. Reception to follow in the church parlor at 61st and Ward Parkway. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to F.I.S.H. (Friends In Service of Heroes). We will miss Max so much but know he is exactly where he wants to be, in heaven with his beautiful Sue. Love you Max.

Jerry Ingram – In Loving Memory

Friends say Ingram is without question an American hero. Paul Chapa with Friends in Service of Heroes, or F.I.S.H., says he feels like Jerry knew it was his time to go. “Pearl Harbor was attacked at 7:55 a.m. Jerry passed at 7:50 a.m. Dates meant a lot to Jerry and it’s a date that we’ll never forget,” Chapa said. Ingram felt a duty to his country after Pear Harbor that would lead him through the rest of his life. His friend and Navy veteran, Rick “Doc” Pustka, said Ingram is Marine through and through. “There’s two important days in a Marine’s life. One is when he’s born and the other is when he realizes why he was, and Jerry knew why he was,” Pustka said. When Ingram went to Iwo Jima he left with a team of men, but came back alone. “In Jerry’s unit he was the only survivor,” Chapa said. “Tinian was one of the worst battles in the South Pacific and he was the last tank standing. But that was all behind him. All he was about was giving back,” Pustka said. A Final tribute to our friend Jerry Ingram

Harlen Fletcher – In Loving Memory

We said goodbye to our brother; Harlen Fletcher. Harlen retired from the US Air Force and was continuing to serve as the American Legion Commander and Riders Director in Paola and the Chaplain in 40&8.
Riders from Paola, Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Fort Scott, Gardner, and Leavenworth escorted Harlen to his final resting place at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Harlen’s daughter, Tammy ‘George’, led the procession on her dad’s Gold Wing.
Continued prayers for Glenna and all of Harlen’s family and friends.
We will miss you, Harlen. Rest In Peace… we’ll take it from here.