Horace Reed Toevs
Obituary
Horace Reed Toevs, 91, was the third of
seven children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Chappel) Toevs on Feb.
13, 1925. He passed to a life in the Spirit on Tuesday (Nov. 15,
2016) at the Kansas Christian Home. He was raised in Newton and
attended public schools, where he met Ione Conner. As Horace and Ione
continued in school together, theirs became a loving, committed
relationship. By the time Horace graduated from high school and
joined the Navy in 1943, Ione was prepared to wait until he returned
from his tour of duty to be united in marriage.
As a seaman, Horace was trained to be a
signalman, using flags and lights to communicate with other ships
instead of by radio, on the Wingéd Arrow-a troop transport in the
Pacific. In fact, at the time the atomic bombs were dropped, the
Wingéd Arrow had been prepared to invade Japan. In 1946 Horace was
discharged from his Navy service and returned to Newton. He attended
the University of Kansas and Wichita State University.
Horace and Ione were married on Nov. 5,
1950, in a ceremony at the First Christian Church, where the couple
became very dedicated and active members. They were blessed with the
birth of two daughters, Denise (Toevs) Ternes and Connie Toevs.
Horace and his father opened and
operated Toevs Men's Wear at 517 Main Street in Newton. Upon Henry's
death, Horace continued the store's operation, which lasted 40 years.
At one time, he was a partner in a local Chrysler-Plymouth car
dealership and also learned to fly his own planes, which he kept at
Newton City-County Airport. At times, he even volunteered to oversee
the airport's operations.
In 2000, Horace and Ione moved to the
campus of Kansas Christian Home (KCH), where they have lived for 16
years. Yet, their transition to retirement community life only seemed
to enhance Horace's civic and church-related service.
Horace was a member of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce, a life-long member
of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Exalted
Ruler of Elks, member of the Masons, Harvey County Shrine and the
Midian Shrine. He served as director of the Jesters of the Shrine and
was a member of the First Christian Church Board and the Axtell
Christian Hospital Board, moving on to the Newton Medical Center
Board, the 1972 Board Chair of the Kansas Christian Home and a member
of the Building Committee for the 75-Bed Building Development
program.
As KCH campus residents, Horace and
Ione enjoyed full participation in the KCH Auxiliary. They also
traveled all over the United States, coast to coast, and to Alaska in
their motor home.
Horace was preceded in death by his
parents, Henry and Elizabeth Toevs; brother, Donald Toevs; and
sisters, Marcella Throne and Judy Cox.
He is survived by his wife, Ione Toevs;
daughters, Denise Ternes and Connie Toevs; granddaughters, Danielle,
Vanessa, Briana and Lindsey; great-grandson Weston; sisters, Roberta
Swinehart and Betty Turman; and Brother Bruce Toevs.
A memorial service is scheduled for
1:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 10, 2016) at the First Christian Church of
Newton. A gathering with friends and family will follow the service
at the Meridian Center in Newton.
Memorials have been established for
Kansas Christian Home, First Christian Church and the Good Shepherd
Hospice, all of Newton.
Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
