Blaine Pletcher

Blaine F Pletcher, 94, formerly of Manhattan, KS died Thursday, April 5, 2007 at the Cambridge Nursing Home in Marysville, KS.

Blaine Fredrick Pletcher was born February 7, 1913, on the family farm in Crystal Plains Township, Smith County, KS, the son of William Fredrick and Emma Francis (Barcus) Pletcher.

He married Vera E. Crosby on September 9, 1936 at Smith Center, KS. They were married for 57 years. Blaine started farming in Smith County and then moved to Axtell, KS and farmed in Marshall County for over 20 years. He moved to Manhattan in 1959 and farmed in Pottawatomie and Riley counties until he retired in 2001.

He was a member of the Axtell Methodist Church and the First Christian Church of Manhattan. He was also a member of the Lafayette Lodge #16 A.F. & A.M. of Manhattan.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Carlson and husband Jim of Axtell and Janet and husband Jack of Manhattan; three brothers, Lloyd of Downs, KS, Paul and wife, Ginger of Smith Center, A.L. "Babe" and wife Gladys of Portis; three sisters, Ruth Shlatter of Lebanon, Faye Overmiller of Smith Center, Roma and husband, Carl Caldwell Jr. of Portis; six grandchildren, Jeanne and husband Roger Jacobson of Axtell, Judy and husband Phil Zimmerling also of Axtell, Jason Hurt and James B Hurt Clark of Kansas City, Brian Carlson of Madison, WI, Denise Carlson of Springfield, MO; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sharon Lee Clark; brothers, Miles, William, and Marvin; and granddaughter, Janyce Milner.

Funeral Services will be held at 10AM Tuesday, April 10, at the United Methodist Church in Axtell, KS.

Graveside and burial services will be about 3:00PM at Crystal Plains Cemetery in Smith Center, KS.

Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home in Axtell is entrusted with arrangements.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Axtell United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.