Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

A Mass of Christian Burial for Vincent Thomas Van Sickel, 90 of Lawrence, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1229 Vt. Graveside committal service with military honors will follow at 4 p.m. at St. Gregory Cemetery at Marysville.
Mr. Van Sickel died on Sunday, May 8, 2011, at Bridge Haven Memory Care Residence in Lawrence.
He was born on March 21, 1921, in Abilene, the son of Thomas and Margaret McCormick Van Sickel. He graduated from Abilene High School, received an associate of arts degree from St. Joseph’s College and Military Academy in 1941, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University in 1947.
He was president of the Kansas Asphalt Pavers Association.
A lifelong Army officer, he served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star for actions taken in World War II, in which he served in the 1st U.S. Army and saw action in the Battle of the Ruhr. In the Korean war he was a commanding officer with the 17th infantry regiment, 7th division.
Mr. Van Sickel was a member of Mater Dei Parish in Topeka (formerly Holy Name) for 37 years. He traveled with his family all over the world before settling in Topeka in 1970. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He married Mary Freda Morrow on May 22, 1943. She preceded him in death April 27, 2007.
Survivors include his children, James Van Sickel and wife Leslie, of Topeka, Chris Girard and husband Tom, of Perry, Steve Van Sickel and wife Chris, of St. Louis, and John Van Sickel of Lawrence; seven grandchildren, two great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons; his brother-in-law, John Morrow and wife Darlene, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, where a parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and the family will then meet friends until 8 p.m.
The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association or Wounded Warriors, sent in care of the mortuary,120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to at warrenmcelwain.com.