Obituary

William J. “Joe” Cornelius passed away on Wednesday (May 19, 2010) at Wheatstate Manor in Whitewater.

He was born on May 8, 1930, in Brainerd, the youngest of nine children born to George and Alice Corman Cornelius. He lived in the Whitewater area most of his life. His wife of 45 years, Evelyn J. Ullum Cornelius, passed away in 2005.

He is survived by a son, Thomas R. and wife Judy of Wichita; daughters, Jody Valle of Wichita and Peggy Carpenter Gerber of Newton; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Robert of Wichita; and sisters, Wilma Carter and Mildred Brown, both of Brainerd. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lawrence, Harvey, Jake and Charles; and sister, Margaret Cade.

Visitation with family will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Central Avenue Mortuary, 2703 E. Central in Wichita.
Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Central Avenue Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to A Better Choice or St. Matthew’s Payee Program in care of Central Avenue Funeral Home, 2703 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67214.