Donald Lichtenhan

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald Samuel Lichtenhan, 86, of Gardendale, AL will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Father Al Brungardt officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery with full military honors. A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Monday, October 15, 2007, at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Lichtenhan passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at the Covenant Woods Care Facility in Gardendale, AL. Mr. Lichtenhan was a Geary County resident for 81 years prior to moving to Gardendale, AL. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, P.O. Box 399, Junction City, Kansas 66441 and/or The Alzheimer's Association Heart of America Chapter, 4125 SW Gage Center Drive, Ste LL-15 Topeka, Kansas 66604.

Mr. Lichtenhan was born January 17, 1921, in Geary County, KS the son of William Hartman and Vellah Mae (Harris) Lichtenhan.

Mr. Lichtenhan was a World War II Veteran having served in the United States Army from 1942-1946. He was a Branch Chief of the Personal Training and Intelligence Division for the 1st Infantry Division. He retired from Federal Civil Service on January 21, 1977 after 33 years of service. He was a lifetime farmer on Humboldt Creek in Geary County for many years. He attended Kansas State University as a pre-veterinarian student and Brown Mackie College as a business student. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; Past President of the National Association Retired Federal Employees; American Legion Post #45; Elks Lodge; Eagles Lodge; Moose Lodge and the Lone Rangers Square Dance Club.

During his youth he belonged to 4-H and played baseball, basketball and loved to ride horses. During his adult life, he enjoyed dancing; traveling which included taking frequent trips to see family. He traveled to Rome, Italy; Caribbean; Alaska and many other destinations. He enjoyed watching KSU Basketball and Football Games.

He married Mabel Rose Rassette on July 26, 1958, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Abilene. She passed away September 3, 1985.

Survivors include one son, Dr. Joseph Lichtenhan and his wife Renee of Petal, Mississippi and two daughters, Jane Cleveland and her husband Mike of Junction City, KS and Diane Kahler and her husband Paul of Gardendale, AL.; one brother, William Lichtenhan and his wife Marge of Dwight, KS. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jennifer Cleveland, Amanda Cleveland, Kevin Cleveland, Tessa Lichtenhan, Evan Lichtenhan, Ava Lichtenhan, Zachary Kahler, Joshua Kahler and Helen Rose Kahler. Survivors also include five nieces, Elaine Dean, Pam Boller, Janet Haag, Anita Ascher and Vicki Kline.