Obituary of Russel C. Wemmer

Sedan - Russel C. Wemmer, age 94, of Sedan, Kansas passed away Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He was born November 4, 1915 southeast of Sedan, Kansas to Benjamin H. and Laura S. (Williams) Wemmer. He was born and raised in Chautauqua County and with the exception of time spent in Civil Service and the Navy during World War II, he lived in the Sedan area his whole life. He was always interested in mechanics and electronics. At the age of fourteen he was building radios. After graduating from Sedan High School in 1933, he attended Radio School in Port Arthur, Texas where he obtained his first class Radio Telephone Operator's License on July 7, 1934. On January 1, 1938 he married Goldie Hill in Winfield, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 18, 2004. In 1953 he started Wemmer Radio and Television Shop and operated it until he retired in 1987. While owning and operating the shop he was a ham radio operator for many years. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Sedan, he enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hiking, and especially liked taking motorcycle trips. He is survived by his two daughters; Karen Briscoe of Salina, Kansas and Sherry Harrod of Ottawa, Kansas; four grandchildren, James R. Briscoe of Chicago, Illinois, Melinda Briscoe of Salina, Kansas, James B. Harrod of Ottawa, Kansas and Sharla O'Dea of Wellsville, Kansas and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Goldie, his parents, and two sisters. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, November 30, 2009 and Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Sedan, Kansas. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Sedan, Kansas with Joe Thomas officiating. The family has suggested memorial contributions to the Church of Christ and these remembrances may be left in care of the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 209 N. Douglas, Sedan, Kansas 67361.