MELVERN — Wayne Edward Litch died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at his home in Melvern. He was 94.
He was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Osage City, to Edward and Stella (Roakey) Litch. He attended grade school at Alpine, and graduated high school in Olivet.
After graduating, he farmed with his father and grandfather. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955, and served in Korea as a guard at a POW camp for 17 months. When he returned home from the war, he continued to farm in the Olivet area.
Wayne married Phyllis “Pat” Green July 9, 1955, at the Melvern Methodist Church. To this union, three sons were born, John, Robert and Raymond.
Wayne and Pat continued to farm in the Olivet area. They were moved out of their home in 1970 by Melvern Lake, and they then moved to Melvern. Wayne worked at the Melvern elevator and the Forestry Department at Melvern lake. He and Pat continued to farm in the Melvern area with their sons, John and Robert. Wayne also had a cow-calf operation until 2014, when he sold it to his grandson, Brandon.
In 1989, Wayne became a U.S. Postal Carrier. His first assignment was in the Madison area. He was in Madison for six months. He then transferred to Melvern, where he carried mail until retiring in 2002. All the while, he continued to farm with his son, Robert, and his grandsons, Tyler and Brandon.
Wayne was the commanding officer for the Melvern American Legion Post #317 for many years, on the Soil Conservation committee for 30 years, RC&D Board, on the FHA Board, served on the Melvern township, and was on the Alpine Cemetery board for many years. Wayne was also a member of the VFW.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Stella Litch; an infant sister; an infant son, Raymond Litch; and many cousins.
Wayne leaves behind his wife, Phyllis “Pat” Litch; his sons, John Litch (Aimee), Goddard, and Robert Litch (Lisa), Melvern; three grandsons, Tyler (Katrina), Brandon (Kelsey Porter), and John Litch; one granddaughter, Kimberly Gorton (Jason); three great-granddaughters, Jenna and Jacey Gorton and Brynnley Litch; one great-grandson, Brooks Litch; and many friends.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the Alpine Cemetery on the north side of Melvern Lake.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne Litch Memorial Fund and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Condolences may be left at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.
