Joseph H Olney

Joseph H. Olney

WICHITA Joe H. Olney, 65, died Tuesday (Feb. 2, 2010), at Via Christi-St. Francis campus in Wichita.

He was born January 7th, 1945, to Henry and Vesta (Evertte) Olney in Newton. He grew up and attended school in Sedgwick.

He was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he proudly served his country in the Navy. He returned state side and began what would be his lifelong love of trucking. He was then blessed with two beautiful children, Matthew and Sheli. In the 1980s, Joe met LaVonne (Garnica), and they dated for several years before getting married on April 30th, 1993, forever vowing their unconditional love for each other. With this marriage his family grew to include another son and daughter, John and Tammy.

Joe will be missed by all that were lucky enough to have known him. He had a smile that would light up the room, and when he really found something funny, he would get this awesome belly laugh going. He was a devoted truck driver, who liked to work with his hands, enjoyed traveling with his wife, playing with his grandchildren and his loyal dog, Buddy.

Joe is survived by his wife, Lavonne Olney of Newton; sons, John Garnica Jr. and wife Jeannine of Newton, Matthew Olney of Hutchinson; daughters, Sheli and husband, Henry Adams of Wichita and Tammy Kennedy of Newton; brother, Bill Olney of Hartford, Conn, sister, Peg and husband, Don Koehn of Halstead; brother-in-law, Larry Kahle; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and 12 nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Joshua Garnica; sisters, Jessie Kahle and Edith Baker; and brothers-in-law, Mike Golden and Lyle Golden.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 pm. Friday at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Petersen Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Denny Bell of the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, officiating. Burial will follow at the Herington City Cemetery in Herington.

Memorial donations may be made to the Crisis Intervention Services in care of the funeral home.