Herbert Wells Mentzer
Born: July 20, 1900, near Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas
Died: March 25, 1977, Iola, Allen County, Kansas
Buried: March 28, 1977, LeRoy Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas
Herbert Wells Mentzer was born on a farm northwest of Yates Center, Kansas, to Charles O. Mentzer. He spent his early years in Woodson and Coffey counties. By 1905, the Mentzer family was living in Neosho Falls, Kansas, and later moved to Liberty Township in Coffey County.
Herbert attended Rosemund School in Coffey County in 1915 and later graduated from Neosho Falls High School around 1917. As a young adult, he registered for the military draft in Neosho Falls in 1918.
Throughout the 1920s, Herbert was active in his community. In 1926, he attended the Wells family reunion in Neosho Falls. On September 17, 1928, he married Ruth Shirley Kitterman in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The couple welcomed their daughter, Janice Joy Mentzer, on June 11, 1929, in Oklahoma City, where Herbert worked as a locomotive fireman and was also involved in real estate.
By 1930, the Mentzer family was living in Oklahoma City. Herbert continued his work as a locomotive fireman for the Santa Fe Railroad, a career he would pursue for decades. In the mid-1930s, the family relocated to a farm near Talala, Rogers County, Oklahoma, before moving to Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, by 1940.
In Shawnee, Herbert was employed as a locomotive fireman and lived with his wife Ruth and their children, Joy and Billie R. Mentzer. During this period, Herbert frequently visited family, including his father, Charles O. Mentzer.
In 1942, Herbert registered for the military draft in Coffey County, Kansas. Afterward, the family moved to a farm east of LeRoy, Coffey County, Kansas. Herbert became a prominent member of his community, serving as a member of the Methodist Church and Tuscan Lodge #82 in Neosho Falls.
In the later years of his life, Herbert transitioned to a career as a real estate broker in Coffey County. He was an active participant in local events, often attending family funerals and reunions.
Herbert Wells Mentzer passed away on March 25, 1977, at Allen County Hospital in Iola, Kansas, at the age of 76. He was buried at LeRoy Cemetery in Coffey County, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, family devotion, and community involvement.
Ruth Shirley Kitterman, wife of Herbert Wells Mentzer
Born: February 6, 1906, Coffey County, Kansas
Died: August 1, 1977, Iola, Allen County, Kansas
Buried: August 4, 1977, LeRoy Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas
Ruth Shirley Kitterman was born on February 6, 1906, in Coffey County, Kansas. She grew up in the region and pursued an education that prepared her for a career in teaching. Ruth graduated around 1925 and attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, between 1926 and 1927. By 1928, she was working as a teacher in Coffey County, Kansas.
On September 17, 1928, Ruth married Herbert Wells Mentzer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The couple welcomed their daughter, Janice Joy Mentzer, on June 11, 1929, in Oklahoma City, where they initially settled.
By 1930, Ruth was living with her family in Oklahoma City, and by 1940, they had relocated to Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. In Shawnee, Ruth managed the household while her husband worked as a locomotive fireman for the Santa Fe Railroad.
After 1940, Ruth and her family moved back to Kansas, settling on a farm near LeRoy in Coffey County. She remained deeply connected to her family and community, attending family funerals and other gatherings.
Later in life, Ruth lived at Sterling Heights Manor in Iola, Kansas. She passed away on August 1, 1977, at the age of 71. Ruth was buried alongside her husband at LeRoy Cemetery in Coffey County, Kansas, leaving a legacy of dedication to her family and community.
Children:
Herbert Wells Mentzer and Ruth Shirley Kitterman had the following children:
Child #1:
Janice Joy Mentzer, 1st child of Herbert Wells Mentzer and his wife Ruth
Born: June 11, 1929, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Died: March 25, 1982, Iola, Allen County, Kansas
Buried: March 27, 1982, LeRoy Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas
Janice Joy Mentzer was born on June 11, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Herbert Wells Mentzer and Ruth Shirley Kitterman. She spent her early years in Oklahoma City, where her family lived and her father worked as a locomotive fireman.
In 1930, Janice was living in Oklahoma City with her parents. By 1940, the family had moved to Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, where Janice attended Irving School. She continued her education in Shawnee through at least September 1940.
In early 1941, the Mentzer family relocated to Spring Creek Township in Coffey County, Kansas. Janice spent her teenage years in the Le Roy area and eventually married Edward L. Strawder on December 25, 1947, in Coffey County. The couple made their home in the same area, residing in Spring Creek Township and Le Roy throughout the 1950s.
Janice was actively involved in her community and remained close to her family. She attended the funeral of her uncle, Philip Embry Mentzer, in 1952 and continued to live in the Le Roy area for much of her life.
Janice passed away on March 25, 1982, at the age of 52 in Iola, Kansas. Her funeral was held on March 27, 1982, and she was laid to rest at LeRoy Cemetery in Coffey County, Kansas, leaving behind a legacy of family devotion and community involvement.
Edward L. Strawder – Husband of Janet Joyce Mentzer
Born: October 5, 1924, Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas
Died: May 3, 1994, Burlington, Kansas
Buried: May 5, 1994, LeRoy Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas
Edward L. Strawder was born on October 5, 1924, in Neosho Falls, Woodson County, Kansas. He grew up in rural Kansas, where he developed a strong connection to his family and community.
On December 25, 1947, Edward married Janice Joy Mentzer in Coffey County, Kansas. The couple settled in the Le Roy area and lived in Spring Creek Township in Coffey County during the early years of their marriage. Edward and Janice remained committed to their local community, actively participating in its life and events.
Between 1970 and 1980, Edward worked as a mechanic at K and W Equipment in Iola, Allen County, Kansas. His work reflected his dedication to providing for his family and supporting his community.
Edward passed away on May 3, 1994, at the age of 69 in Burlington, Kansas. A funeral service was held on May 5, 1994, and he was laid to rest alongside his wife, Janice, at LeRoy Cemetery in Coffey County, Kansas.
Edward L. Strawder is remembered as a hardworking and devoted family man who left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
Child #2:
Billie R. Mentzer, Second child of Herbert Wells Mentzer and his wife Ruth
Born: ~1932, Oklahoma
Died: Before June 1940, Oklahoma
Billie R. Mentzer was born around 1932 in Oklahoma to Herbert Wells Mentzer and Ruth Shirley Kitterman. He spent his early childhood in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, where the family resided at 311 West 10th Street in 1940.
Sadly, Billie passed away at a young age, before June 1940, in Oklahoma. He was just 8 years old at the time of his death.
Though his life was brief, Billie is remembered as part of the Mentzer family’s history, leaving a legacy of love and loss that his family carried with them.