Obituary

Lawrence M. Quilty II, 93, died on Thursday (Oct. 14, 2010) at Presbyterian Manor in Newton with family by his side.

He was born on May 22, 1917, in Newton to Lawrence M. and Rachel (Arnold) Quilty. On Feb. 7, 1948, he married D. Jane Steinkirchner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton. He had a membership with St. Mary’s Catholic Church for the duration of his life. He was a 1935 graduate of Newton High School. Lawrence worked as an auditor with the Skelly Oil Company for 25 years before his retirement in 1973.

On Oct. 1, 1940, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, 127th Field Artillery with the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He entered into active service on Dec. 23, 1940, in Topeka.
In February 1944, he departed from Europe. During his time in the Army, he engaged in campaigns that included Omaha Beach, D-Day, North Central France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. When the war ended, he met the Russians on the Styr River. Lawrence was discharged on Oct. 17, 1945, in Fort Leavenworth. He had memberships with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Knights of Columbus, all of Newton.

Survivors include a daughter, Karen (Quilty) Miller and husband Martin of Topeka; sons, Joseph M. Quilty and wife Janice of Olathe and Lawrence Michael Quilty III and wife Helen; grandchildren, Heather, Heidi and Jaime of Olathe, Krystin (Quilty) Sanford and husband Steve of Edgerton, and L. Michael IV and wife Ashley of Olathe; sister, Margaret Beran of Rosemead, Calif.; and great-grandson, Kevin James Sanford. Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, D. Jane (Steinkinchner) Quilty; mother, Rachel (Arnold) Quilty; father, Lawrence M. Quilty; and a brother, Ambrose F. Quilty.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. James Mainzer presiding. The Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Rev. James Mainzer will be the celebrant.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Newton. Fort Riley Honor Guard will provide military honors. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund, in care of the funeral home.