Charles W. “Bill” Gfeller of rural Junction City passed away on December 30, 2019 at Valley View Senior Life Center at the age of 90 years.
Bill was born January 18, 1929 to Roy W. and Mary (Johnston) Gfeller, in Junction City, KS. He attended Walla Walla Grade School in Geary County, then graduated from Junction City High School with the class of 1947. He belonged to Blueline 4-H Club for 10 years and it was there that he became interested in the electrical projects and REA that was new in the area. He gave many talks about “Reddy Kilowatt” and the importance of electricity on the farm. He also worked for Geary County Soil Conservation plotting out terrace and waterways.
He married Virginia Peterson on March 15, 1953 and they began their home west of Junction City. It was there that they raised their four children, Doug, Ronald, Ruth and Beth Gfeller.
Bill and his dad owned a Grade A dairy and they also had a farm repair shop. Later he established the Gfeller Farm Service which sold animal waterers, repaired pumps and water lines and also provided electrical work to nearby farms. He belonged to St. John’s UCC of Alida, later known as Alida Cooperative Parish. He served several years on the DS&O electric board and was a lifetime member of what is currently known as Agri Trails.
There was nothing he could not repair, be it a tool, toy, small appliance or machinery in the field with his great know how and set of tools.
Bill loved country music. He had a large collection of CDs of country singers that he enjoyed listening to on the surround sound that he installed in his living room.
Travel was not important to him, but home and family were number one.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Mary Gfeller; a son, Doug Gfeller; a grandson, Caleb Marker; and a sister, Virginia Zumbrunn.
His family includes, Ronald and Linnie Gfeller, Junction City; Ruth and Kevin Compton, Hiawatha; Beth and Mike Marker, Dexter; and Debbie (Gfeller) and Glenn Shank of Abilene. Grandchildren and their families include, Erik and Rachel Gfeller, Isaac, Caroline and Abigail; Anna and Eric Douglass, Zachariah, Nathaniel, Joseph and Caitlyn; Mikael and Stephanie Gfeller, Clayton and Allie; Ashley and Jerod Junghans, Jackson and Kyla; Brooke and Clint Junghans and Caden; Jenna and Riley Sorell, Cope and Kendall; Jill and Isaac Carr and Emily; Tyler and Ashley Marker, Ellie and Blake, Nathan and Kelsey Marker and Arleigh; Joel Marker and Hannah Marker; his brother, Gary Gfeller and his wife Marge from Chapman and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation on Friday, January 3, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Zion UCC, 1811 McFarland Road in Junction City, KS. A private burial will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2020 and a Celebration of Life service for family and friends at 2:00 pm which will be at Zion UCC. Memorial gifts may be given to Geary County 4-H Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Londeen Funeral Home, Chapman, KS.