William Zuercher
1933 - 2016
William Joseph Zuercher, 82, of Newton,
died Monday (April 4, 2016) at the Newton Medical Center.
He was born on Oct. 22, 1933, in Strong
City, the son of Christian William and Katherine Louise Martin
Zuercher. His family moved to Newton in 1938 where he attended
school, graduating from Newton High School in 1952 and attending
Bethel College.
Just prior to his teenage years, Bill
took a major interest in Scouting and would become a Life Scout. He
was able to attend the National Jamboree in Valley Forge in 1950.
Through the years he would serve in several positions in the
District, which would cause him and his family to travel throughout
the United States to many enjoyable events. Bill continued to be
active in Scouting for many years. In 1970, he received the District
1 Distinguished Service Award.
While still in high school, Bill began
to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, ending his career as Railway
Carman in October of 1995. He was a member of the Brotherhood of
Railway Carmen of America and served in several positions. Bill was a longtime member of St. Mary
Catholic Church, serving on several church committees. He was also a
longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Mary Cemetery
Board of Directors. Bill had also served eight years as a member of
the Army National Guard based in Newton.
His first marriage was to Mary Jo
Huebert on Sept. 21, 1957. He later married the love of his life,
Lillian M. Thiessen, on June 19, 1964, in Newton. She died on Dec.
19, 1995.
Survivors include son Jeff Zuercher and
wife Linda of Wichita and Chris Zuercher and wife Lori of Newton;
sister Lou Ann Vaughn and her husband Jim of Newton; and two
grandsons, Eric Carter of Bandera, Texas, and Sam Peterson of Pipe
Creek, Texas. Bill is preceded in death by his
parents; daughter Margaret Louise Peterson; and son-in-law Mark
Peterson.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be
said at 7 p.m. Thursday (April 7, 2016) with the Mass of Christian
Burial at 10 a.m. Friday (April 8, 2016), both at St. Mary Catholic
Church in Newton. Interment will be in the Restlawn Gardens of Memory
near Newton. The casket will be open at the funeral
home Thursday from 1 until 5 p.m. A memorial has been established with
St. Mary's Scouting Program, the Arthritis Foundation and Catholic
Charities of Wichita. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
