Eddie A. Gartner (wpic)

Eddie A. Gartner, 88, of Parsons died at 6:44 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Labette Health. He had been in failing health.

He was born May 17, 1920, in Franklin to Jacob and Louise (Siminec) Gartner. He grew up, attended school and learned to work at a young age in Franklin. He worked at several jobs in the Franklin-Pittsburg area, before going to work at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, where he met Margaret Jane Smith. They were married May 4, 1946, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons, and were married for more than 60 years.

Mr. Gartner retired from the Katy Railroad in 1982, where he had worked for 25 years. Eddie enjoyed dancing, fishing, hunting, trapping, playing softball and teaching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to play ball. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church for 63 years.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Gartner, of the home, Parsons; two children, Jim Gartner and his wife, Chris, Montague, Mich.; Alice Smith and her husband, Mark, Olathe; proxy son, John Cole of Parsons; five grandchildren, Bryce Gartner and his wife, Jennifer, Mike Gartner and his wife, Leah, Larissa Gartner, Amanda Smith and Max Smith; three great-grandchildren, Carson Gartner, Parker Gartner and Claire Gartner; two brothers, Louie Gartner of Altamont and Jack Gartner of Independence; a sister, Sophie Zieber, Independence, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents; three sisters, Mary Gartner, Grace Chasurard, Kay Burr; and two brothers, Joe Gartner and Frank Gartner; preceded him in death.

Following cremation, the Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's School Endowment Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.