Elmer Edgar Mehl, Topeka

Mr. Mehl died Friday, March 11, 2005, in Topeka.

He was born Aug. 16, 1916, in Holyrood, the son of William and Augusta Christian Mehl. He graduated from Holyrood High School in 1935 and moved to Wichita.

Mr. Mehl served in the U.S. Navy as a firefighter during World War II in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged. He worked for the Wichita Fire Department from 1942 until he retired in 1967. He moved to Topeka, where he worked for the Kansas Insurance Department and retired in 1982.

He served as secretary of Local 666 International Association of Fire Fighters for 20 years and secretary of the Kansas State Firefighters Assn. for 12 years. He was president of Sedgwick County Muscular Dystrophy Assn. for many years and a life member of American Legion Post No. 1 in Topeka and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 112 in Wichita.

He married Elizabeth M. “Betty” Block on Feb. 24, 1939. She died earlier.

Survivors include a son, William, Lawrence; a daughter, Melissa G. Haug, Topeka; a sister, Della Mueller, Ocala, Fla.; and three grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice Care Inc., 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka 66606, or the church, 1716 S.W. Gage, Topeka 66604.

Newcomer Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent at www.newcomerfamily.com.