Bernard Wiltz
October 22, 1923 — October 12, 2007
Bernard F. Wiltz was born on October 22, 1923 the son of John Wiltz and Helena Christman Wiltz at Fidelity, Kansas. He was one of nine children born to this union.
He attended grade schools at Fidelity, Capioma and Sabetha and graduated from Sabetha High School.
Bernard was united in marriage to Lila Ruth Deaver on January 6, 1944 at Sabetha, Kansas. Two children were born to this union.
During World War II he served with the 84th Infantry Division, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and on the Siegfried Line.
After returning from the war, he served in the Kansas National Guard and was Commander of Battery A, 2-130th Field Artillery of Sabetha.
He was a partner in the Shaw and Wiltz truck line for several years. In 1957 Bernard joined Bill Deaver in the insurance business, forming Deaver and Wiltz Insurance and Realty. In 1968, Bernard and Lila purchased the Sabetha Seed Company, which they owned and operated until 1989. After his retirement, Bernard worked for several years part time at Keim Transportation. He was also involved in farming all of his working life.
Bernard was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Sabetha Chamber of Commerce, the Sabetha Community Hospital Board, the Medical Procurement Board, the Industrial Development Board of Sabetha, the John L. Palmer American Legion Post #126 and the VFW Post #7285 both of Sabetha, Kansas. He was active in state politics and served as 2nd District Chairman for the Democratic Party and served on the Kansas Lottery Board.
Bernard died on October 12, 2007 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha at the age of 83.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lila Ruth Wiltz on April 29, 2006; two brothers, Nicholas Wiltz and Leo Wiltz; one sister, Mary Quinlan.
Bernard is survived by one son, Phillip Wiltz of Sabetha; one daughter, Janice Losey of Olathe, Kansas; three brothers, Ed Wiltz and Joe Wiltz both of Sabetha and Vince Wiltz of St. Marys, Kansas; two sisters, Millie McElroy of Louisville, Kentucky and Ceel Huddleson of Ashland City, Tennessee and 5 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at10:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Sabetha. A family visitation will be held Monday evening 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. at the Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. The interment will be in the Sabetha Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the V.F.W. Post #7285 of Sabetha.
Memorial contribution may be made to the Sabetha Community Hospital sent in care of the funeral home.