Wesley E. Stewart was born on his parent's farm located northeast of Greensburg, Kansas, the oldest of three children of Wentzle A. and Elsie J. (Miller) Stewart. The other children were Harold and Keith.
In October 1945, their family moved to the town of Greensburg. W. E. said as a young man he worked at the grain elevator in Greensburg. It was during this time he claimed he started going by W. E. instead of Wesley. Family members, however, always knew him as Wesley.
Sometime between 1993 and 2001, Wesley notified city offices in Greensburg that he wanted his bills from the city addressed to him as W. E., not Wesley, Stewart. (Harlen Wheeler, 2016.)
W. E. worked on the construction of a natural gas pumping station in the area. His father was employed at such a station following World War 2. (Per Dick Huckriede)
In 1950, W. E. started working as a dealer (sales representative) for the Fuller Brush Company, a career that would continue for 65 years, a tenure unequaled in that company's history! Holy smokes, 20 or 30 years with the same company is quite a length for many now.
It seems that setting records was a part of W. E.'s life. W. E.'s grandmother, Effie (Pinkston) Miller (1882-1964), is credited with starting the Pinkston family reunions in Kansas. W. E. attended these reunions throughout his entire life, so he'd attended more than anyone else. W. E. looked forward to these reunions every year, mentioning when and where it was to be held. He was even able to recite the years and towns where many were held. Of course he was there for the well-attended 2014 reunion in Radium, Kansas where one of the directors said that W. E. had the long held reputation for being the first to arrive at these reunions. As has been the case for some time, W. E. received a prize for the oldest attendee.
Alberta Miller was married to Harvey Miller, younger brother of W. E.'s mother, Elsie. When Alberta was helping to teach school in Greensburg she told her daughter that Wesley could calculate numbers in his head like you wouldn't believe. Anyone around W. E. for more than a few minutes probably noticed this ability pretty quickly since it was something he did frequently. He was recently asked how long his mother Elsie had been gone. As quickly as you could snap your finger W. E. answered in the number of years, months and days. He enjoyed telling people how many months old he was, but also said he wasn't exactly sure about his age because he didn't know what time of day he was born! W. E. said he'd never used a calculator because he'd never needed one, saying that before he got in the check-out line in a store he already knew the total price of his purchases, and would frequently tell the store cashier the total before they even started!
W. E. was married for a short time to a woman with the last name of Fuller. She had children and worked for the Fuller Brush Company. (W. E.'s friend, Dick Huckriede.)
A 2002 photo shown here is of W. E. and his old friend Dick Huckriede at the old Hunter Drug Store in Greensburg. Dick worked there at that same drug store for more than 54 years, brought to a halt by the terrible tornado on May 4, 2007.
On the night of the terrible May 2007 Greensburg tornado W. E. was driving into Greensburg. He said his car shook. W. E. had apparently just missed the tornado by mere moments! He found the streets blocked with debris of all types so he got out and walked. This had to have been a shock that could have few equals. The town he'd known since he was a young man was, for all intents and purposes, essentially gone! All the landmarks, the houses, churches, wiped away or so nearly destroyed they were unrecognizable.
Following the May 4, 2007 in Greensburg, W. E. moved to an apartment in Pratt, Kansas. There in Pratt, he kept in almost daily contact with Dick Huckriede, known by everyone in Greensburg for his more than 50 years working there at the soda fountain at the old Hunter Drug Store. Actually, Dick and W. E. had known each other for most of their lives because when they were young, Dick's family moved to a farm located near the Stewart's farm.
W. E. was an orderly person and followed routines and habits. To some degree I think we're all creatures of habit. And W. E. seemed to follow his very closely. He didn't drink coffee or alcohol. He tried to stay away from sweets saying they were bad for the teeth. He always tried to include cereal, a banana and an orange in his breakfast. He wore a suit and tie about wherever he went. On his suit jacket lapel he proudly displayed pins, most of which were in recognition of particular years as a member of different organizations such as Odd Fellows and Masons. When the weather was too warm he'd leave his suit jacket in the car, but would still wear a long-sleeve shirt and tie. Straight out of the 1940's and 50's, he'd wear a business style hat, in the summer it would be the same style but made of a straw material. It was well known that W. E. didn't like wearing a seat belt and just didn't wear one if he felt he could. Also, W. E. generally just slowed down at stop signs instead of coming to a stop.
W. E.'s parents, Wentzle and Elsie, were very active in their community. I'd say they were community leaders, and members of some of the organizations that W. E. later became a member. I'd heard him mention services these organizations provide to the public. So, I think it was more than W. E. merely following or copying his parent's example, I think he saw the need to support these organizations because of the important work they do to help and strengthen communities across the country.
W. E. was known to stop in for a game of dominoes with the owner of an auto repair business in Coldwater (Kansas) where W. E. occasionally had his car serviced. (Former Greensburg resident John Wheeler.)
On Christmas day of 2013, W. E., starting from Pratt that morning, said he had made a morning delivery to one of his Fuller Brush customers in east Wichita before he stopped by his cousin Vada's house and then over to celebrate Christmas at Vada's daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. W. E. had no other local family. One thing W. E. made sure he wore on these occasions was a particular necktie, brightly colored with Christmas themes, that also played Christmas music. He liked to play the music on his tie when people didn't expect it.
A photo shown here is of W. E. at the Greensburg High School Alumni banquet on May 24, 2014 at Greensburg, Kansas. He is holding a red rose he received for being the oldest graduate present, having graduated in 1943. (Photo courtesy of John and Harlen Wheeler.)
In 2014 it was noticeable that W. E. had suddenly slowed down. In the past 3-4 years he'd spent Christmas day with his cousin Vada Barnes and her children at her daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. It was at Christmas 2014 that W. E. was noticeably short of breath when he walked. It was prior to this time that W. E. proudly mentioned that he still didn't require a cane to walk. And as far as we knew he never did.
On April 21, 2015, family and friends were on hand to help W. E. celebrate his 90th birthday at the First Christian Church in Pratt, Kansas. This party was hosted by W. E.'s nephews and niece; Mark, Wade and Eric Stewart, and their sister Melody Bowdon. Dick Huckriede was there as well as Mr. and Mrs. Laurence and Pauline Schwarm who are both former classmates of W. E. Other family that were present included W. E.'s cousin Vada (Miller) Barnes and her son Larry. Vada's cousin John Wheeler and his wife Harlen were there, having known W. E. in Greensburg as well as at card games at the Methodist Church in Pratt. A letter from The Fuller Brush Company was read congratulating W. E. on his 65 years of service with their company. Also sent with this letter was a lapel pin for this achievement.
W. E. suffered a fall at the Pratt Rehabilitation Center where he was staying and died a just a few days later on June 17, 2015.
W. E.'s funeral was held at First Christian Church located at 123 N. Ninnescah Street, Pratt, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The service was attended by about 40-50 friends and relatives. Not a bad number especially when considered that at age 90, W. E. had outlived so many of his relatives and old friends. And many people had moved out of the Greensburg area following the 2007 tornado. The minister spoke at the funeral service saying that she'd gotten to know W. E. when they would frequently ride together to funerals in the area. She said that worked out very well since she wasn't familiar with the area whereas W. E. knew every road and highway and not only spoke of who lived here and there, but knew the names of those who had once lived there. She said that W. E. made it clear he was not a salesman, but a dealer for Fuller Brush, the products sold themselves. She also spoke about W. E. being a member of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), an organization that dates back to the 1700's in England and now has lodges in 26 countries. This organization was founded on principles of friendship, faith, charity and universal justice. More specifically, they supported workers from an assortment of trades when they were in times of need and also provided medical aid for members. For this independent organization to have these noble ideals during those earlier times when people were ranked and judged solely by their lineage, was very unusual, therefore "odd," hence Odd Fellows.
The minister also said she'd asked W. E. what his initials W. E. stood for. He told her, but said if she told anyone he'd never return to that church. She wasn't sure if he was joking or not. [I think it was just a joke.] Several people spoke about W. E. during the service including a woman who was a member of the women's branch of the Odd Fellows society who said she could ask W. E. about any of the laws of their organization and he could recite them to her. She said she would really miss him. A man spoke of taking W. E. down to get his driver's license so he could get back to driving. W. E.'s license had been suspended because of too many tickets. (Was this to do with issues W. E. had with wearing a seat belt and not stopping at stop signs mentioned above?) W. E. then took him on a short, medium speed, but wild ride. Note that over the years relatives had never heard of W. E. being involved in so much as even a minor fender bender.
The final speaker was W. E.'s nephew, Mark Stewart, who spoke of W. E.'s battle with epilepsy which would cause him to have seizures without warning. W. E. had his last seizure when he was about 25 years old. Mark said when he thinks of his uncle Wesley he immediately thinks of courage, the courage it must have taken to go out into the world each day not knowing when a seizure might occur. Faced with this challenge, many people would be afraid to leave their home or maybe even hesitate to leave their bed.
Several members of the Odd Fellows society performed their traditional ceremony at the funeral service at the church.
Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg, Kansas where his marker can be seen next to the headstone of his parents. Section H is located on the east side of the directory and maintenance buildings. Lot 38 is near the center of the south end of Section H. Always organized and prepared, W. E. had his grave marker in place for quite some time which proudly displays the symbols of the various organizations of which he was a longtime, proud and dedicated member. Memorials may be made to Odd Fellows International SOS Children's Village Fund in care of Fleener Funeral Home.
In October 1945, their family moved to the town of Greensburg. W. E. said as a young man he worked at the grain elevator in Greensburg. It was during this time he claimed he started going by W. E. instead of Wesley. Family members, however, always knew him as Wesley.
Sometime between 1993 and 2001, Wesley notified city offices in Greensburg that he wanted his bills from the city addressed to him as W. E., not Wesley, Stewart. (Harlen Wheeler, 2016.)
W. E. worked on the construction of a natural gas pumping station in the area. His father was employed at such a station following World War 2. (Per Dick Huckriede)
In 1950, W. E. started working as a dealer (sales representative) for the Fuller Brush Company, a career that would continue for 65 years, a tenure unequaled in that company's history! Holy smokes, 20 or 30 years with the same company is quite a length for many now.
It seems that setting records was a part of W. E.'s life. W. E.'s grandmother, Effie (Pinkston) Miller (1882-1964), is credited with starting the Pinkston family reunions in Kansas. W. E. attended these reunions throughout his entire life, so he'd attended more than anyone else. W. E. looked forward to these reunions every year, mentioning when and where it was to be held. He was even able to recite the years and towns where many were held. Of course he was there for the well-attended 2014 reunion in Radium, Kansas where one of the directors said that W. E. had the long held reputation for being the first to arrive at these reunions. As has been the case for some time, W. E. received a prize for the oldest attendee.
Alberta Miller was married to Harvey Miller, younger brother of W. E.'s mother, Elsie. When Alberta was helping to teach school in Greensburg she told her daughter that Wesley could calculate numbers in his head like you wouldn't believe. Anyone around W. E. for more than a few minutes probably noticed this ability pretty quickly since it was something he did frequently. He was recently asked how long his mother Elsie had been gone. As quickly as you could snap your finger W. E. answered in the number of years, months and days. He enjoyed telling people how many months old he was, but also said he wasn't exactly sure about his age because he didn't know what time of day he was born! W. E. said he'd never used a calculator because he'd never needed one, saying that before he got in the check-out line in a store he already knew the total price of his purchases, and would frequently tell the store cashier the total before they even started!
W. E. was married for a short time to a woman with the last name of Fuller. She had children and worked for the Fuller Brush Company. (W. E.'s friend, Dick Huckriede.)
A 2002 photo shown here is of W. E. and his old friend Dick Huckriede at the old Hunter Drug Store in Greensburg. Dick worked there at that same drug store for more than 54 years, brought to a halt by the terrible tornado on May 4, 2007.
On the night of the terrible May 2007 Greensburg tornado W. E. was driving into Greensburg. He said his car shook. W. E. had apparently just missed the tornado by mere moments! He found the streets blocked with debris of all types so he got out and walked. This had to have been a shock that could have few equals. The town he'd known since he was a young man was, for all intents and purposes, essentially gone! All the landmarks, the houses, churches, wiped away or so nearly destroyed they were unrecognizable.
Following the May 4, 2007 in Greensburg, W. E. moved to an apartment in Pratt, Kansas. There in Pratt, he kept in almost daily contact with Dick Huckriede, known by everyone in Greensburg for his more than 50 years working there at the soda fountain at the old Hunter Drug Store. Actually, Dick and W. E. had known each other for most of their lives because when they were young, Dick's family moved to a farm located near the Stewart's farm.
W. E. was an orderly person and followed routines and habits. To some degree I think we're all creatures of habit. And W. E. seemed to follow his very closely. He didn't drink coffee or alcohol. He tried to stay away from sweets saying they were bad for the teeth. He always tried to include cereal, a banana and an orange in his breakfast. He wore a suit and tie about wherever he went. On his suit jacket lapel he proudly displayed pins, most of which were in recognition of particular years as a member of different organizations such as Odd Fellows and Masons. When the weather was too warm he'd leave his suit jacket in the car, but would still wear a long-sleeve shirt and tie. Straight out of the 1940's and 50's, he'd wear a business style hat, in the summer it would be the same style but made of a straw material. It was well known that W. E. didn't like wearing a seat belt and just didn't wear one if he felt he could. Also, W. E. generally just slowed down at stop signs instead of coming to a stop.
W. E.'s parents, Wentzle and Elsie, were very active in their community. I'd say they were community leaders, and members of some of the organizations that W. E. later became a member. I'd heard him mention services these organizations provide to the public. So, I think it was more than W. E. merely following or copying his parent's example, I think he saw the need to support these organizations because of the important work they do to help and strengthen communities across the country.
W. E. was known to stop in for a game of dominoes with the owner of an auto repair business in Coldwater (Kansas) where W. E. occasionally had his car serviced. (Former Greensburg resident John Wheeler.)
On Christmas day of 2013, W. E., starting from Pratt that morning, said he had made a morning delivery to one of his Fuller Brush customers in east Wichita before he stopped by his cousin Vada's house and then over to celebrate Christmas at Vada's daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. W. E. had no other local family. One thing W. E. made sure he wore on these occasions was a particular necktie, brightly colored with Christmas themes, that also played Christmas music. He liked to play the music on his tie when people didn't expect it.
A photo shown here is of W. E. at the Greensburg High School Alumni banquet on May 24, 2014 at Greensburg, Kansas. He is holding a red rose he received for being the oldest graduate present, having graduated in 1943. (Photo courtesy of John and Harlen Wheeler.)
In 2014 it was noticeable that W. E. had suddenly slowed down. In the past 3-4 years he'd spent Christmas day with his cousin Vada Barnes and her children at her daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. It was at Christmas 2014 that W. E. was noticeably short of breath when he walked. It was prior to this time that W. E. proudly mentioned that he still didn't require a cane to walk. And as far as we knew he never did.
On April 21, 2015, family and friends were on hand to help W. E. celebrate his 90th birthday at the First Christian Church in Pratt, Kansas. This party was hosted by W. E.'s nephews and niece; Mark, Wade and Eric Stewart, and their sister Melody Bowdon. Dick Huckriede was there as well as Mr. and Mrs. Laurence and Pauline Schwarm who are both former classmates of W. E. Other family that were present included W. E.'s cousin Vada (Miller) Barnes and her son Larry. Vada's cousin John Wheeler and his wife Harlen were there, having known W. E. in Greensburg as well as at card games at the Methodist Church in Pratt. A letter from The Fuller Brush Company was read congratulating W. E. on his 65 years of service with their company. Also sent with this letter was a lapel pin for this achievement.
W. E. suffered a fall at the Pratt Rehabilitation Center where he was staying and died a just a few days later on June 17, 2015.
W. E.'s funeral was held at First Christian Church located at 123 N. Ninnescah Street, Pratt, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The service was attended by about 40-50 friends and relatives. Not a bad number especially when considered that at age 90, W. E. had outlived so many of his relatives and old friends. And many people had moved out of the Greensburg area following the 2007 tornado. The minister spoke at the funeral service saying that she'd gotten to know W. E. when they would frequently ride together to funerals in the area. She said that worked out very well since she wasn't familiar with the area whereas W. E. knew every road and highway and not only spoke of who lived here and there, but knew the names of those who had once lived there. She said that W. E. made it clear he was not a salesman, but a dealer for Fuller Brush, the products sold themselves. She also spoke about W. E. being a member of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), an organization that dates back to the 1700's in England and now has lodges in 26 countries. This organization was founded on principles of friendship, faith, charity and universal justice. More specifically, they supported workers from an assortment of trades when they were in times of need and also provided medical aid for members. For this independent organization to have these noble ideals during those earlier times when people were ranked and judged solely by their lineage, was very unusual, therefore "odd," hence Odd Fellows.
The minister also said she'd asked W. E. what his initials W. E. stood for. He told her, but said if she told anyone he'd never return to that church. She wasn't sure if he was joking or not. [I think it was just a joke.] Several people spoke about W. E. during the service including a woman who was a member of the women's branch of the Odd Fellows society who said she could ask W. E. about any of the laws of their organization and he could recite them to her. She said she would really miss him. A man spoke of taking W. E. down to get his driver's license so he could get back to driving. W. E.'s license had been suspended because of too many tickets. (Was this to do with issues W. E. had with wearing a seat belt and not stopping at stop signs mentioned above?) W. E. then took him on a short, medium speed, but wild ride. Note that over the years relatives had never heard of W. E. being involved in so much as even a minor fender bender.
The final speaker was W. E.'s nephew, Mark Stewart, who spoke of W. E.'s battle with epilepsy which would cause him to have seizures without warning. W. E. had his last seizure when he was about 25 years old. Mark said when he thinks of his uncle Wesley he immediately thinks of courage, the courage it must have taken to go out into the world each day not knowing when a seizure might occur. Faced with this challenge, many people would be afraid to leave their home or maybe even hesitate to leave their bed.
Several members of the Odd Fellows society performed their traditional ceremony at the funeral service at the church.
Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg, Kansas where his marker can be seen next to the headstone of his parents. Section H is located on the east side of the directory and maintenance buildings. Lot 38 is near the center of the south end of Section H. Always organized and prepared, W. E. had his grave marker in place for quite some time which proudly displays the symbols of the various organizations of which he was a longtime, proud and dedicated member. Memorials may be made to Odd Fellows International SOS Children's Village Fund in care of Fleener Funeral Home.
Wesley E. Stewart was born on his parent's farm located northeast of Greensburg, Kansas, the oldest of three children of Wentzle A. and Elsie J. (Miller) Stewart. The other children were Harold and Keith.
In October 1945, their family moved to the town of Greensburg. W. E. said as a young man he worked at the grain elevator in Greensburg. It was during this time he claimed he started going by W. E. instead of Wesley. Family members, however, always knew him as Wesley.
Sometime between 1993 and 2001, Wesley notified city offices in Greensburg that he wanted his bills from the city addressed to him as W. E., not Wesley, Stewart. (Harlen Wheeler, 2016.)
W. E. worked on the construction of a natural gas pumping station in the area. His father was employed at such a station following World War 2. (Per Dick Huckriede)
In 1950, W. E. started working as a dealer (sales representative) for the Fuller Brush Company, a career that would continue for 65 years, a tenure unequaled in that company's history! Holy smokes, 20 or 30 years with the same company is quite a length for many now.
It seems that setting records was a part of W. E.'s life. W. E.'s grandmother, Effie (Pinkston) Miller (1882-1964), is credited with starting the Pinkston family reunions in Kansas. W. E. attended these reunions throughout his entire life, so he'd attended more than anyone else. W. E. looked forward to these reunions every year, mentioning when and where it was to be held. He was even able to recite the years and towns where many were held. Of course he was there for the well-attended 2014 reunion in Radium, Kansas where one of the directors said that W. E. had the long held reputation for being the first to arrive at these reunions. As has been the case for some time, W. E. received a prize for the oldest attendee.
Alberta Miller was married to Harvey Miller, younger brother of W. E.'s mother, Elsie. When Alberta was helping to teach school in Greensburg she told her daughter that Wesley could calculate numbers in his head like you wouldn't believe. Anyone around W. E. for more than a few minutes probably noticed this ability pretty quickly since it was something he did frequently. He was recently asked how long his mother Elsie had been gone. As quickly as you could snap your finger W. E. answered in the number of years, months and days. He enjoyed telling people how many months old he was, but also said he wasn't exactly sure about his age because he didn't know what time of day he was born! W. E. said he'd never used a calculator because he'd never needed one, saying that before he got in the check-out line in a store he already knew the total price of his purchases, and would frequently tell the store cashier the total before they even started!
W. E. was married for a short time to a woman with the last name of Fuller. She had children and worked for the Fuller Brush Company. (W. E.'s friend, Dick Huckriede.)
A 2002 photo shown here is of W. E. and his old friend Dick Huckriede at the old Hunter Drug Store in Greensburg. Dick worked there at that same drug store for more than 54 years, brought to a halt by the terrible tornado on May 4, 2007.
On the night of the terrible May 2007 Greensburg tornado W. E. was driving into Greensburg. He said his car shook. W. E. had apparently just missed the tornado by mere moments! He found the streets blocked with debris of all types so he got out and walked. This had to have been a shock that could have few equals. The town he'd known since he was a young man was, for all intents and purposes, essentially gone! All the landmarks, the houses, churches, wiped away or so nearly destroyed they were unrecognizable.
Following the May 4, 2007 in Greensburg, W. E. moved to an apartment in Pratt, Kansas. There in Pratt, he kept in almost daily contact with Dick Huckriede, known by everyone in Greensburg for his more than 50 years working there at the soda fountain at the old Hunter Drug Store. Actually, Dick and W. E. had known each other for most of their lives because when they were young, Dick's family moved to a farm located near the Stewart's farm.
W. E. was an orderly person and followed routines and habits. To some degree I think we're all creatures of habit. And W. E. seemed to follow his very closely. He didn't drink coffee or alcohol. He tried to stay away from sweets saying they were bad for the teeth. He always tried to include cereal, a banana and an orange in his breakfast. He wore a suit and tie about wherever he went. On his suit jacket lapel he proudly displayed pins, most of which were in recognition of particular years as a member of different organizations such as Odd Fellows and Masons. When the weather was too warm he'd leave his suit jacket in the car, but would still wear a long-sleeve shirt and tie. Straight out of the 1940's and 50's, he'd wear a business style hat, in the summer it would be the same style but made of a straw material. It was well known that W. E. didn't like wearing a seat belt and just didn't wear one if he felt he could. Also, W. E. generally just slowed down at stop signs instead of coming to a stop.
W. E.'s parents, Wentzle and Elsie, were very active in their community. I'd say they were community leaders, and members of some of the organizations that W. E. later became a member. I'd heard him mention services these organizations provide to the public. So, I think it was more than W. E. merely following or copying his parent's example, I think he saw the need to support these organizations because of the important work they do to help and strengthen communities across the country.
W. E. was known to stop in for a game of dominoes with the owner of an auto repair business in Coldwater (Kansas) where W. E. occasionally had his car serviced. (Former Greensburg resident John Wheeler.)
On Christmas day of 2013, W. E., starting from Pratt that morning, said he had made a morning delivery to one of his Fuller Brush customers in east Wichita before he stopped by his cousin Vada's house and then over to celebrate Christmas at Vada's daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. W. E. had no other local family. One thing W. E. made sure he wore on these occasions was a particular necktie, brightly colored with Christmas themes, that also played Christmas music. He liked to play the music on his tie when people didn't expect it.
A photo shown here is of W. E. at the Greensburg High School Alumni banquet on May 24, 2014 at Greensburg, Kansas. He is holding a red rose he received for being the oldest graduate present, having graduated in 1943. (Photo courtesy of John and Harlen Wheeler.)
In 2014 it was noticeable that W. E. had suddenly slowed down. In the past 3-4 years he'd spent Christmas day with his cousin Vada Barnes and her children at her daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. It was at Christmas 2014 that W. E. was noticeably short of breath when he walked. It was prior to this time that W. E. proudly mentioned that he still didn't require a cane to walk. And as far as we knew he never did.
On April 21, 2015, family and friends were on hand to help W. E. celebrate his 90th birthday at the First Christian Church in Pratt, Kansas. This party was hosted by W. E.'s nephews and niece; Mark, Wade and Eric Stewart, and their sister Melody Bowdon. Dick Huckriede was there as well as Mr. and Mrs. Laurence and Pauline Schwarm who are both former classmates of W. E. Other family that were present included W. E.'s cousin Vada (Miller) Barnes and her son Larry. Vada's cousin John Wheeler and his wife Harlen were there, having known W. E. in Greensburg as well as at card games at the Methodist Church in Pratt. A letter from The Fuller Brush Company was read congratulating W. E. on his 65 years of service with their company. Also sent with this letter was a lapel pin for this achievement.
W. E. suffered a fall at the Pratt Rehabilitation Center where he was staying and died a just a few days later on June 17, 2015.
W. E.'s funeral was held at First Christian Church located at 123 N. Ninnescah Street, Pratt, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The service was attended by about 40-50 friends and relatives. Not a bad number especially when considered that at age 90, W. E. had outlived so many of his relatives and old friends. And many people had moved out of the Greensburg area following the 2007 tornado. The minister spoke at the funeral service saying that she'd gotten to know W. E. when they would frequently ride together to funerals in the area. She said that worked out very well since she wasn't familiar with the area whereas W. E. knew every road and highway and not only spoke of who lived here and there, but knew the names of those who had once lived there. She said that W. E. made it clear he was not a salesman, but a dealer for Fuller Brush, the products sold themselves. She also spoke about W. E. being a member of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), an organization that dates back to the 1700's in England and now has lodges in 26 countries. This organization was founded on principles of friendship, faith, charity and universal justice. More specifically, they supported workers from an assortment of trades when they were in times of need and also provided medical aid for members. For this independent organization to have these noble ideals during those earlier times when people were ranked and judged solely by their lineage, was very unusual, therefore "odd," hence Odd Fellows.
The minister also said she'd asked W. E. what his initials W. E. stood for. He told her, but said if she told anyone he'd never return to that church. She wasn't sure if he was joking or not. [I think it was just a joke.] Several people spoke about W. E. during the service including a woman who was a member of the women's branch of the Odd Fellows society who said she could ask W. E. about any of the laws of their organization and he could recite them to her. She said she would really miss him. A man spoke of taking W. E. down to get his driver's license so he could get back to driving. W. E.'s license had been suspended because of too many tickets. (Was this to do with issues W. E. had with wearing a seat belt and not stopping at stop signs mentioned above?) W. E. then took him on a short, medium speed, but wild ride. Note that over the years relatives had never heard of W. E. being involved in so much as even a minor fender bender.
The final speaker was W. E.'s nephew, Mark Stewart, who spoke of W. E.'s battle with epilepsy which would cause him to have seizures without warning. W. E. had his last seizure when he was about 25 years old. Mark said when he thinks of his uncle Wesley he immediately thinks of courage, the courage it must have taken to go out into the world each day not knowing when a seizure might occur. Faced with this challenge, many people would be afraid to leave their home or maybe even hesitate to leave their bed.
Several members of the Odd Fellows society performed their traditional ceremony at the funeral service at the church.
Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg, Kansas where his marker can be seen next to the headstone of his parents. Section H is located on the east side of the directory and maintenance buildings. Lot 38 is near the center of the south end of Section H. Always organized and prepared, W. E. had his grave marker in place for quite some time which proudly displays the symbols of the various organizations of which he was a longtime, proud and dedicated member. Memorials may be made to Odd Fellows International SOS Children's Village Fund in care of Fleener Funeral Home.
In October 1945, their family moved to the town of Greensburg. W. E. said as a young man he worked at the grain elevator in Greensburg. It was during this time he claimed he started going by W. E. instead of Wesley. Family members, however, always knew him as Wesley.
Sometime between 1993 and 2001, Wesley notified city offices in Greensburg that he wanted his bills from the city addressed to him as W. E., not Wesley, Stewart. (Harlen Wheeler, 2016.)
W. E. worked on the construction of a natural gas pumping station in the area. His father was employed at such a station following World War 2. (Per Dick Huckriede)
In 1950, W. E. started working as a dealer (sales representative) for the Fuller Brush Company, a career that would continue for 65 years, a tenure unequaled in that company's history! Holy smokes, 20 or 30 years with the same company is quite a length for many now.
It seems that setting records was a part of W. E.'s life. W. E.'s grandmother, Effie (Pinkston) Miller (1882-1964), is credited with starting the Pinkston family reunions in Kansas. W. E. attended these reunions throughout his entire life, so he'd attended more than anyone else. W. E. looked forward to these reunions every year, mentioning when and where it was to be held. He was even able to recite the years and towns where many were held. Of course he was there for the well-attended 2014 reunion in Radium, Kansas where one of the directors said that W. E. had the long held reputation for being the first to arrive at these reunions. As has been the case for some time, W. E. received a prize for the oldest attendee.
Alberta Miller was married to Harvey Miller, younger brother of W. E.'s mother, Elsie. When Alberta was helping to teach school in Greensburg she told her daughter that Wesley could calculate numbers in his head like you wouldn't believe. Anyone around W. E. for more than a few minutes probably noticed this ability pretty quickly since it was something he did frequently. He was recently asked how long his mother Elsie had been gone. As quickly as you could snap your finger W. E. answered in the number of years, months and days. He enjoyed telling people how many months old he was, but also said he wasn't exactly sure about his age because he didn't know what time of day he was born! W. E. said he'd never used a calculator because he'd never needed one, saying that before he got in the check-out line in a store he already knew the total price of his purchases, and would frequently tell the store cashier the total before they even started!
W. E. was married for a short time to a woman with the last name of Fuller. She had children and worked for the Fuller Brush Company. (W. E.'s friend, Dick Huckriede.)
A 2002 photo shown here is of W. E. and his old friend Dick Huckriede at the old Hunter Drug Store in Greensburg. Dick worked there at that same drug store for more than 54 years, brought to a halt by the terrible tornado on May 4, 2007.
On the night of the terrible May 2007 Greensburg tornado W. E. was driving into Greensburg. He said his car shook. W. E. had apparently just missed the tornado by mere moments! He found the streets blocked with debris of all types so he got out and walked. This had to have been a shock that could have few equals. The town he'd known since he was a young man was, for all intents and purposes, essentially gone! All the landmarks, the houses, churches, wiped away or so nearly destroyed they were unrecognizable.
Following the May 4, 2007 in Greensburg, W. E. moved to an apartment in Pratt, Kansas. There in Pratt, he kept in almost daily contact with Dick Huckriede, known by everyone in Greensburg for his more than 50 years working there at the soda fountain at the old Hunter Drug Store. Actually, Dick and W. E. had known each other for most of their lives because when they were young, Dick's family moved to a farm located near the Stewart's farm.
W. E. was an orderly person and followed routines and habits. To some degree I think we're all creatures of habit. And W. E. seemed to follow his very closely. He didn't drink coffee or alcohol. He tried to stay away from sweets saying they were bad for the teeth. He always tried to include cereal, a banana and an orange in his breakfast. He wore a suit and tie about wherever he went. On his suit jacket lapel he proudly displayed pins, most of which were in recognition of particular years as a member of different organizations such as Odd Fellows and Masons. When the weather was too warm he'd leave his suit jacket in the car, but would still wear a long-sleeve shirt and tie. Straight out of the 1940's and 50's, he'd wear a business style hat, in the summer it would be the same style but made of a straw material. It was well known that W. E. didn't like wearing a seat belt and just didn't wear one if he felt he could. Also, W. E. generally just slowed down at stop signs instead of coming to a stop.
W. E.'s parents, Wentzle and Elsie, were very active in their community. I'd say they were community leaders, and members of some of the organizations that W. E. later became a member. I'd heard him mention services these organizations provide to the public. So, I think it was more than W. E. merely following or copying his parent's example, I think he saw the need to support these organizations because of the important work they do to help and strengthen communities across the country.
W. E. was known to stop in for a game of dominoes with the owner of an auto repair business in Coldwater (Kansas) where W. E. occasionally had his car serviced. (Former Greensburg resident John Wheeler.)
On Christmas day of 2013, W. E., starting from Pratt that morning, said he had made a morning delivery to one of his Fuller Brush customers in east Wichita before he stopped by his cousin Vada's house and then over to celebrate Christmas at Vada's daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. W. E. had no other local family. One thing W. E. made sure he wore on these occasions was a particular necktie, brightly colored with Christmas themes, that also played Christmas music. He liked to play the music on his tie when people didn't expect it.
A photo shown here is of W. E. at the Greensburg High School Alumni banquet on May 24, 2014 at Greensburg, Kansas. He is holding a red rose he received for being the oldest graduate present, having graduated in 1943. (Photo courtesy of John and Harlen Wheeler.)
In 2014 it was noticeable that W. E. had suddenly slowed down. In the past 3-4 years he'd spent Christmas day with his cousin Vada Barnes and her children at her daughter and son-in-law's home in west Wichita. It was at Christmas 2014 that W. E. was noticeably short of breath when he walked. It was prior to this time that W. E. proudly mentioned that he still didn't require a cane to walk. And as far as we knew he never did.
On April 21, 2015, family and friends were on hand to help W. E. celebrate his 90th birthday at the First Christian Church in Pratt, Kansas. This party was hosted by W. E.'s nephews and niece; Mark, Wade and Eric Stewart, and their sister Melody Bowdon. Dick Huckriede was there as well as Mr. and Mrs. Laurence and Pauline Schwarm who are both former classmates of W. E. Other family that were present included W. E.'s cousin Vada (Miller) Barnes and her son Larry. Vada's cousin John Wheeler and his wife Harlen were there, having known W. E. in Greensburg as well as at card games at the Methodist Church in Pratt. A letter from The Fuller Brush Company was read congratulating W. E. on his 65 years of service with their company. Also sent with this letter was a lapel pin for this achievement.
W. E. suffered a fall at the Pratt Rehabilitation Center where he was staying and died a just a few days later on June 17, 2015.
W. E.'s funeral was held at First Christian Church located at 123 N. Ninnescah Street, Pratt, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The service was attended by about 40-50 friends and relatives. Not a bad number especially when considered that at age 90, W. E. had outlived so many of his relatives and old friends. And many people had moved out of the Greensburg area following the 2007 tornado. The minister spoke at the funeral service saying that she'd gotten to know W. E. when they would frequently ride together to funerals in the area. She said that worked out very well since she wasn't familiar with the area whereas W. E. knew every road and highway and not only spoke of who lived here and there, but knew the names of those who had once lived there. She said that W. E. made it clear he was not a salesman, but a dealer for Fuller Brush, the products sold themselves. She also spoke about W. E. being a member of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), an organization that dates back to the 1700's in England and now has lodges in 26 countries. This organization was founded on principles of friendship, faith, charity and universal justice. More specifically, they supported workers from an assortment of trades when they were in times of need and also provided medical aid for members. For this independent organization to have these noble ideals during those earlier times when people were ranked and judged solely by their lineage, was very unusual, therefore "odd," hence Odd Fellows.
The minister also said she'd asked W. E. what his initials W. E. stood for. He told her, but said if she told anyone he'd never return to that church. She wasn't sure if he was joking or not. [I think it was just a joke.] Several people spoke about W. E. during the service including a woman who was a member of the women's branch of the Odd Fellows society who said she could ask W. E. about any of the laws of their organization and he could recite them to her. She said she would really miss him. A man spoke of taking W. E. down to get his driver's license so he could get back to driving. W. E.'s license had been suspended because of too many tickets. (Was this to do with issues W. E. had with wearing a seat belt and not stopping at stop signs mentioned above?) W. E. then took him on a short, medium speed, but wild ride. Note that over the years relatives had never heard of W. E. being involved in so much as even a minor fender bender.
The final speaker was W. E.'s nephew, Mark Stewart, who spoke of W. E.'s battle with epilepsy which would cause him to have seizures without warning. W. E. had his last seizure when he was about 25 years old. Mark said when he thinks of his uncle Wesley he immediately thinks of courage, the courage it must have taken to go out into the world each day not knowing when a seizure might occur. Faced with this challenge, many people would be afraid to leave their home or maybe even hesitate to leave their bed.
Several members of the Odd Fellows society performed their traditional ceremony at the funeral service at the church.
Burial followed at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg, Kansas where his marker can be seen next to the headstone of his parents. Section H is located on the east side of the directory and maintenance buildings. Lot 38 is near the center of the south end of Section H. Always organized and prepared, W. E. had his grave marker in place for quite some time which proudly displays the symbols of the various organizations of which he was a longtime, proud and dedicated member. Memorials may be made to Odd Fellows International SOS Children's Village Fund in care of Fleener Funeral Home.
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