Francis Joseph “Joe” Brockish, 82, of St. George, Kansas, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.
Joe was born July 14, 1943, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the oldest son of Gayland and Ruth (Lindenberg) Brockish. He attended grade school and graduated in 1961 from Wamego High School. Once Joe graduated from high school, he was excited to join the United States Air Force.
Joe served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict and worked as a radio tech on the jet fighters. His experience with communications lead Joe to work at the phone company where he worked as an engineer with the Contel Telephone. While working for Contel, he lived in St. Marys with his loving wife and three sons. In 1989, given promotions thru Contel he was moved to Trumann, Arkansas and then to Pocahontas, Arkansas. In this time, he developed a strong network of friends and loved ones that he remained connected to thru out the course of his life. In 1998, after the passing of his son, Adam, he returned to his home state of Kansas and retired from the phone company. Once retired, Joe had to stay busy so he worked for Rock Creek High School and then at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University as general Maintenance during this time.
Joe’s life was highlighted by the simple concept of service to others. One of the most important parts of Joe’s life was his commitment to the fraternal order of the Knights of Columbus (KofC). After moving to Kansas, Joe devoted himself to Flush Council #902 at St. Josephs Church, w
ere he held several leadership positions including Grand Knight and then Financial Secretary which he held until just before his passing. Joe was also part of the Thomas A. McNeive 4th Degree Assembly, where he served as the Faithful Navigator for a time. In addition, he took on the role of District Deputy for Kansas District #24.Through his work with the Knights of Columbus, Joe showed his deep commitment to helping others, following God’s will, and living by the values of the Catholic Church. This desire of service was seen thru all aspects of Joe’s life. He was always known to open his door to anyone in need and would be the first to volunteer to mow the St. Joseph’s Cemetery. His strong faith and close friendships gave him a life full of love and meaningful experiences. Joe will be missed by many!
Joe married Theresa “Teri” Ebert on June 8, 1979, at Flush. They shared 45 years together side by side until Teri’s death on November 5, 2024.
Joe is survived by his children; Todd Brockish and his wife Stephenie, of Gainesville, Florida, Andrew Brockish and his wife, Jucinta, of St. George, and Margo Fries of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Nicholle, Christopher, Ericka, Drake, Paige, Anthony , Amira, and Adam; as well as his siblings, Richard Brockish (Linda), Wamego, Deborah Ernsbarger (Mark), Glasco, and Betty Oliver ( Mike), Kearney, Nebraska. Joe was also preceded in death by his parents, his son, Adam Brockish and his brothers, David Brockish and Mick Brockish.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at St. Jospeh Catholic Church in Flush. Father Mike Peterson will be the Celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Joe will lie-in- state, beginning at 3:00 pm, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A Rosary prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm. The family suggests memorial contributions to either Good Shepherd Hospice House or St. Joseph Catholic Church, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.