In Memory Of
Adam J. Appelhanz
Adam J. Appelhanz
OBITUARY: Adam Jacob Appelhanz
Adam Jacob Appelhanz, 90, of Topeka, passed away Sat., July 31, 2010, in Topeka. He was born of Jacob J. and Barbara (Hefner) Appelhanz on Nov. 18, 1919, in Topeka. Adam attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Church. Before WW II he joined the Kansas National Guard. In July 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 8, 1945. Adam served with the 629th Tank Destroyers, landing at Omaha Beach July, 1944. His unit fought in five major battles from Normandy thru Germany. The 629th survived the "Battle of the Bulge," Mortain, Falaise Pocket, Hurtgen Forest, Durin, Siegfried Line and Ruhr Pocket. The 629th ended its war service at Gemunden, Germany as occupational troops. Adam was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal, Victory Medal World War II, One Silver Service Star and five Bronze Service Stars.
After the war Adam worked as an independent truck driver. He drove over many states. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion. Adam loved truck gardening at his home in Shorey and sold produce at the Farmers' Market in Topeka. Adam married Leona Mae Zeferjahn on Aug. 28, 1939. Leona was the daughter of Adolph and Mary Ellen (Finley) Zeferjahn.
Survivors are his wife, Leona (Zeferjahn) Appelhanz; daughter: Deborah Gilliam; brothers: Isadore and Leonard; sister: Mary Catherine Allen, all of Topeka. Also surviving are grandchildren: Randy Read, Laura Wallace, and Justin Read; and great-grandchildren: Flint Kochenower, Paige Kochenower, Morgan Read, and Dalamar Read. Adam's great-grandson, Ridge Read, was killed in a tragic accident on April 21, 2010.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Wed., Aug. 4, 2010, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion will conduct military honors at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence. Adam will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Tues., at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ridge Read Wind Energy Scholarship Fund c/o Cloud County Community College, Attn: Deana Betts, 2221 Campus Drive, Concordia, KS 66901.
Adam Jacob Appelhanz, 90, of Topeka, passed away Sat., July 31, 2010, in Topeka. He was born of Jacob J. and Barbara (Hefner) Appelhanz on Nov. 18, 1919, in Topeka. Adam attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Church. Before WW II he joined the Kansas National Guard. In July 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 8, 1945. Adam served with the 629th Tank Destroyers, landing at Omaha Beach July, 1944. His unit fought in five major battles from Normandy thru Germany. The 629th survived the "Battle of the Bulge," Mortain, Falaise Pocket, Hurtgen Forest, Durin, Siegfried Line and Ruhr Pocket. The 629th ended its war service at Gemunden, Germany as occupational troops. Adam was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal, Victory Medal World War II, One Silver Service Star and five Bronze Service Stars.
After the war Adam worked as an independent truck driver. He drove over many states. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion. Adam loved truck gardening at his home in Shorey and sold produce at the Farmers' Market in Topeka. Adam married Leona Mae Zeferjahn on Aug. 28, 1939. Leona was the daughter of Adolph and Mary Ellen (Finley) Zeferjahn.
Survivors are his wife, Leona (Zeferjahn) Appelhanz; daughter: Deborah Gilliam; brothers: Isadore and Leonard; sister: Mary Catherine Allen, all of Topeka. Also surviving are grandchildren: Randy Read, Laura Wallace, and Justin Read; and great-grandchildren: Flint Kochenower, Paige Kochenower, Morgan Read, and Dalamar Read. Adam's great-grandson, Ridge Read, was killed in a tragic accident on April 21, 2010.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Wed., Aug. 4, 2010, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion will conduct military honors at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence. Adam will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Tues., at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ridge Read Wind Energy Scholarship Fund c/o Cloud County Community College, Attn: Deana Betts, 2221 Campus Drive, Concordia, KS 66901.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Adam J. Appelhanz, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
7:30 - 8:30 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Guestbook
Visits: 4
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