Jon Dale Thayer was born Feb. 23, 1924, on the family farm near Nora, Neb., and died Oct. 26, 2017, in Topeka. He was the youngest of six children born to George and Cora (Cubbon) Thayer.
Jon grew to adulthood on the family farm, graduated from Nelson High School and entered the Army Air Corps during World War II.
He married Rhae E. Murphy March 1, 1945. When he returned from the service, he entered Pacific University Optometry School in Forest Grove, Ore. After graduating he practiced optometry in Belleville, Kan., for 40 years.
Rhae and Jon were blessed with three children, Jon D. (Joan) Thayer of Abilene, Teresa (John) Stambaugh of Topeka and Jill (Dave) Watson of Parkville, Mo.; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Jon served as president of the Belleville Country Club, the Belleville Lions Club, the chamber of commerce, the fair board and as secretary of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) International. He went on 17 volunteer mission trips with VOSH to third-world countries. He was a member of the KOA (Kansas Optometric Association) for 41 years.
In 1992, Jon and Rhae moved to Abilene to be near grandchildren.
Jon was predeceased by his wife, Rhae; his parents; and his siblings, Jon Windsor, Elda, Helen, Marie, Ralph and Lynn.
Always trying to help the less fortunate, Jon had a generous and giving spirit. Memorials can be given to VOSH or the Republic County Hospital.
Services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene Monday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverends John and Jenny Collins officiating. Inurnment will be a private family service at a later date.
Jon grew to adulthood on the family farm, graduated from Nelson High School and entered the Army Air Corps during World War II.
He married Rhae E. Murphy March 1, 1945. When he returned from the service, he entered Pacific University Optometry School in Forest Grove, Ore. After graduating he practiced optometry in Belleville, Kan., for 40 years.
Rhae and Jon were blessed with three children, Jon D. (Joan) Thayer of Abilene, Teresa (John) Stambaugh of Topeka and Jill (Dave) Watson of Parkville, Mo.; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Jon served as president of the Belleville Country Club, the Belleville Lions Club, the chamber of commerce, the fair board and as secretary of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) International. He went on 17 volunteer mission trips with VOSH to third-world countries. He was a member of the KOA (Kansas Optometric Association) for 41 years.
In 1992, Jon and Rhae moved to Abilene to be near grandchildren.
Jon was predeceased by his wife, Rhae; his parents; and his siblings, Jon Windsor, Elda, Helen, Marie, Ralph and Lynn.
Always trying to help the less fortunate, Jon had a generous and giving spirit. Memorials can be given to VOSH or the Republic County Hospital.
Services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene Monday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverends John and Jenny Collins officiating. Inurnment will be a private family service at a later date.
Jon Dale Thayer was born Feb. 23, 1924, on the family farm near Nora, Neb., and died Oct. 26, 2017, in Topeka. He was the youngest of six children born to George and Cora (Cubbon) Thayer.
Jon grew to adulthood on the family farm, graduated from Nelson High School and entered the Army Air Corps during World War II.
He married Rhae E. Murphy March 1, 1945. When he returned from the service, he entered Pacific University Optometry School in Forest Grove, Ore. After graduating he practiced optometry in Belleville, Kan., for 40 years.
Rhae and Jon were blessed with three children, Jon D. (Joan) Thayer of Abilene, Teresa (John) Stambaugh of Topeka and Jill (Dave) Watson of Parkville, Mo.; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Jon served as president of the Belleville Country Club, the Belleville Lions Club, the chamber of commerce, the fair board and as secretary of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) International. He went on 17 volunteer mission trips with VOSH to third-world countries. He was a member of the KOA (Kansas Optometric Association) for 41 years.
In 1992, Jon and Rhae moved to Abilene to be near grandchildren.
Jon was predeceased by his wife, Rhae; his parents; and his siblings, Jon Windsor, Elda, Helen, Marie, Ralph and Lynn.
Always trying to help the less fortunate, Jon had a generous and giving spirit. Memorials can be given to VOSH or the Republic County Hospital.
Services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene Monday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverends John and Jenny Collins officiating. Inurnment will be a private family service at a later date.
Jon grew to adulthood on the family farm, graduated from Nelson High School and entered the Army Air Corps during World War II.
He married Rhae E. Murphy March 1, 1945. When he returned from the service, he entered Pacific University Optometry School in Forest Grove, Ore. After graduating he practiced optometry in Belleville, Kan., for 40 years.
Rhae and Jon were blessed with three children, Jon D. (Joan) Thayer of Abilene, Teresa (John) Stambaugh of Topeka and Jill (Dave) Watson of Parkville, Mo.; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Jon served as president of the Belleville Country Club, the Belleville Lions Club, the chamber of commerce, the fair board and as secretary of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) International. He went on 17 volunteer mission trips with VOSH to third-world countries. He was a member of the KOA (Kansas Optometric Association) for 41 years.
In 1992, Jon and Rhae moved to Abilene to be near grandchildren.
Jon was predeceased by his wife, Rhae; his parents; and his siblings, Jon Windsor, Elda, Helen, Marie, Ralph and Lynn.
Always trying to help the less fortunate, Jon had a generous and giving spirit. Memorials can be given to VOSH or the Republic County Hospital.
Services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene Monday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverends John and Jenny Collins officiating. Inurnment will be a private family service at a later date.
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