Obituaries

A Celebration of Life will be held for Louis on November 5, 2022, from 2 to 6 p.m. @ the Eagles Lodge 55, 300 S 20th St, Leavenworth, KS 66048.

Cole Michael Keltner, 24, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at his home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m.

James (Jim) W. Thompson, 74, Leavenworth, passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

John E. Potts, Sr., 89, Lawrence, Kan., passed away Monday, October 17, 2022.

Shirley Joan (Knecht) Meisel passed away peacefully on September 26, 2022. She was reunited with her best friend and husband, Karl, to enjoy big hugs and laughter again. She was born December 2, 1935, in Binghamton, N.Y. to Robert and Dorothy Knecht and grew up in Bridgeport/Stratford, Conn. Shirley was the oldest of four children and is survived by brother, Arthur, and sisters, Sandra and Charlene. After high school, Shirley initially worked as a legal secretary until she married Karl in 1955 and set off on their adventures travelling the world wherever the Army or the church sent them. She was proud to admit they lived in 28 homes during their lifelong marriage. Shirley was a devoted wife and mother of three: Julie (deceased), Karl III and Mark. She was an accomplished pianist and frequently served as the accompanist for the church choir and enjoyed singing in the choir during Karl’s 3rd career as a minister. She spent a short time as the Executive Director of a not-for-profit organization in Leavenworth providing food and after school programs for disadvantaged kids. She enjoyed quilting, cooking, beating Karl at Boggle, volunteering for many, diverse activities, playing bridge with friends and enjoying family game night; frequently just watching the fierce competition, occasionally joining the fray and winning. Their military and church friends and family span the country and are fondly remembered.