Thomas Patrick Waner

Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Patrick Waner, 85, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 10, 2014 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Cemetery in Scipio, Kansas. He died January 4, 2014 at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Bernadine, Pauline and three brothers, Willard, Louis and Raymond.
Tom was born on December 21, 1928 in Florence, Kansas, the son of Joseph Matthew and Inez V.E. (McAlister) Waner. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College and Military Academy in 1946, and attended the University of Kansas.
Tom was in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation with 6 bronze stars. He also served with the U.S. Air Force in Okinawa and was a Reservist in the U.S. Navy.
Tom was united in marriage to Rosalie Mary (Pickert) Waner on March 16, 1953 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scipio, KS. She survives of the home. To this union, five children were born. Stephen M., Idaho Falls, ID.; Janice M. Day and husband (Philip), Sarasota, FL.; Sharon L. Dailey and husband (Bruce), Fernandina Beach, FL.; Patricia A. Weig, Colchester, CT., and Kevin R, Lawrence, KS. – four grandchildren, Blake Dailey, Brett Dailey and wife (Keli), Kyle Dailey, Jaime Weig, and one great granddaughter, Jenna Rosario.
Tom was a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 555 of Topeka, KS, having served on the Lodge Ritual Team and also, Auditor of the Lodge. He was a member of Knight of Columbus Council 1372 and a member of Pope John Paul 4th Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, Lawrence and a member of the American Legion Post 14 of Lawrence. Tom also served as a former chairman, Director and State Treasurer of the Kansas State Council of the Knights of Columbus. He retired in 1991 as a Field agent for the Supreme Council of the Knight of Columbus.
Tom retired in December 1983, as Assistant Postmaster at Pleasant Hill, MO. with a total of 34 years Military and Civil Service.
The family will greet friends 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or Douglas County VNA Hospice and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.