George Anthony Fager

George A. Fager, 77, of rural Erie, died at 5:35 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2012, at his home following a courageous six-year battle with melanoma. He was born April 8, 1935, in rural St. Paul, Kansas, to William Joseph "Bill" Fager and Sereta Ellen (Glasgow) Fager. He grew up in rural St. Paul where he attended St. Francis Catholic School and was a 1954 graduate of St. Paul High School. Following high school, he moved to California where he lived from 1954-1959. While in California, he drove a lunch truck before being drafted into the United States Army where he served six months active duty and six years in the Army Reserve before returning to St. Paul. He and Judith A. "Judy" VanLeeuwen were married July 16, 1966, in St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. George was engaged in farming and raising cattle his entire adult life until his health failed. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and American Legion Post No. 116 in St. Paul. He was always actively involved in his children's and grandchildren's activities and had coached his children's various teams through the years. In younger years, he enjoyed playing fastpitch softball in Southeast Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and KU Basketball fan. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include: Wife – Judy Fager of the home Two Sons – Jim Fager and his wife, Erin Overland Park, KS Stacey Fager and his wife, Jo Iola, KS One Daughter – Emily Gronau and her husband, Mike Girard, KS Daughter-in-law – Cindy Fager-Findley Kewadin, MI Thirteen Grandchildren – Lauren, Sereta, Catrina and Robert Fager Holden and Olivia Fager Anna, Lily and Josie Gronau Allie, Sam, Jackie and Ben Fager One Brother – Paul Raymond "Rip" Fager Indianapolis, IN One Sister – Doris Ann Paine Reno, NV Numerous Nieces and Nephews He was preceded in death by five brothers, Callistus "Click" Fager, Harold Fager, Edward "Eddie" Fager, Ralph Fager and Ronald "Sneeze" Fager; one sister, Olive Mae Toler; and two sons, infant Robert Eugene Fager; and his twin brother, William Joseph "Billy" Fager, on July 9, 2004. The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 23, 2012, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the church where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary. Memorials are suggested to the George Fager Memorial Fund to be used for St. Paul Athletics or to the St. Francis Catholic Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.