Roy Thoele

Roy Thoele, age 92, passed away June 3, peacefully at his home in Overland Park, KS with family by his side. He was born on October 26, 1922 in St. Paul, MN, the oldest son of Roy and Eleanor Thoele. His family moved to Owatonna and Red Wing, MN and then to Bloomington, IL where Roy attended Illinois Wesleyan University. He was an officer in his Sigma Chi Fraternity and a letterman in football and baseball.  Roy’s college career was interrupted by World War II when he served for 3 years in the Army, part of the time in India attached to the Air Force for the China-Burma –India Campaign.  He graduated with a degree in business in 1948. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanna Fulton Thoele, whom he met at IWU. He worked for Equitable Insurance for 34 years in Fargo, ND, Minneapolis, MN, Peoria, IL and then moved to Kansas City in 1969. He was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church in Overland Park where he had served on the church council and as a Stephen Minister. Roy is also survived by his son, Mark, of St. Paul, MN and a daughter, Ellie (husband Tom) Heintz of Prairie Village, KS. He has 4 grandchildren: Amber Krygiel (David) of Minneapolis, MN; Erik Heintz (Katy) of Prairie Village, KS; Derek Thoele (Elizabeth) of Minneapolis, MN; and Andy Heintz (Sara) of Marshalltown, IA; and 4 great grandsons all living in Minneapolis, MN; brother, Gene (wife Sue) of Longmont, CO; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Thoele, of Dallas, TX; brother-in-law, David Fulton (Rae) of Columbus, NE and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Roy was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park. His memorial service will be 10:30am, Saturday, June 13th at Atonement Lutheran Church. Burial at a later date. Please visit www.overlandparkchapel.com to leave online condolences.

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