Alfred Edwin “Eddie” Seamands

Olathe – Memorial services for Alfred Edwin “Eddie” Seamands, 85, Overland Park, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe with military honors by American Legion Earl Collier Post 153.Mr. Seamands died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at his home.He was born Feb. 17, 1922, in Edgerton, the son of Oscar O. and Viola Lee Reeves Seamands. He graduated from John P. St. John High School in Olathe.Mr. Seamands served briefly in the Kansas Army National Guard, Battery D, before he joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Jan. 7, 1943. He served in Squadrons 232 and 143 as a radio gunner on Avenger torpedo bombers in the Southwest Pacific. He was honorably discharged Feb. 11, 1946, as a staff sergeant and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four stars, American Campaign Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Marksman Badge and other medals.He worked in a florist shop during high school. He worked in the wholesale flower business in the Kansas City area. He was part owner of Greenhouse Flowers and retired in 1979.Mr. Seamands was a member of American Legion Earl Collier Post 153 in Olathe. He enjoyed making furniture for his family and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.He married Janis Rose Hamill in 1946 in Olathe. The divorced in 1953. He married Betty West Lovell in 1956. She died in 1980. He married Mary Marshall Hohenstein in 1982. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include two daughters, Sandra Sue Roberts and husband Jim, and Cynthia Lee Kirkham and husband Richard; a stepson, Ron Hohenstein and wife Barbara; a stepdaughter, Vicki Hohenstein Wards; 12 grandchildren, Barbara, Elizabeth, James, Bart, Annie, Sam, Callie, Beth, Chris, Ashley, Britten and Michael; 11 great-grandchildren, Nick, Drew, Isaac, Sebastian, Annabelle, Cole, Lydia, Max, Emily, Rudy and Clare; and nieces, nephews and other family. Mr. Seamands was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Evelyn Ottley, and a grandchild.The family suggests memorials to Kansas City Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home, 14275 S. Blackbob Road, Olathe, KS 66062.Online condolences may be sent at www.penwellgabel.com.