Jack Carl Gragert

Jack Carl Gragert, 89, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2013, at his home.

He was born January 15, 1924 in Topeka, the son of Carl and Thelma (Fluke) Gragert. He attended Topeka High School. He served in the 18th Tank Battalion and 8th Armour Division as a Staff Sargent in the U.S. Army during WWII as a Tank Commander receiving a Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars.

Jack owned and operated Jayhawk Body Shop in Topeka for 30 years before retiring.

He was a member of American Legion Post No. 400, Fraternal Order of the Eagles No. 4319, and was a former member of the Moose Lodge No. 555 all of Topeka. He was also a member of the Sport Fishing Club and attended many WW II reunions.

Jack married Peggy Ann Wardell on April 18, 1942 in Topeka. She preceded him in death on April 21, 2001. He married Lois Arlene Hyle on June 9, 2004 in Las Vegas, NV. She survives of the home. Other survivors include five children, Patricia (Paul) Eldien, Lincoln, NE, Janice Haley, Kansas City, MO, Pamela (Ken) Whitney, Santa Fe, NM, Jennifer (Kenney) Grisham, Oklahoma City, OK and John (Susan) Gragert, Silver Lake, KS; 11 grandchildren, Ty Eldien, Tampa, FL, Tricia Aldag, Lincoln, NE, Brock Haley, Independence, MO, Cody Whitney, Topeka, Chris Whitney, Santa Fe, NM, Stacy Hester-Sims, Oklahoma City, OK, Josh Podlena, Lacresent, MN; Jessie Grisham, Oklahoma City, OK, Brian Gragert, Topeka, KS, Dylan Gragert, Silver Lake, KS Amanda Gragert, Houston, TX; 12 great-grandchildren, Logan Eldien, Austin Eldien and Gavin Eldien of Tampa, FL and Hayden Aldag, Aubrey, Aldag, Annalise Aldag all of Lincoln, NE, Clarissa Haley, Caleb Haley and Madison Haley, all of Texas, Dylan Hester, Allison Sims and Emily Sims all of Oklahoma; three step-children, Russell (Maejean) Jacobs, Topeka, Steven (Monica) Jacobs, Topeka and Cheryl (Talbatt) Summers, Deerfield, FL; three step-grandchildren, Trisha Gullant, Purdy, MO, Chris Jacobs, Topeka and Steven Jacobs, Topeka; and three step-great-grandchildren, Elisa Vasquez, Purdy, MO, Isaiah Vasquez and Bellamay Gallant, Purdy, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons, Todd Eldien and Brett Haley.

Jack enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, playing cards, boating and riding motor cycles. He also loved spending time with family and friends, working with his hands and building things.

A funeral ceremony will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka. Interment with military honors conducted by the Kansas National Guard and American Legion Post No. 400 will follow at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka. Jack will lie in state after 3 p.m., Monday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

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