Alvin Willems

Alvin E. Willems, 83, of McPherson, died Friday, May 22, 2009, at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson.

Willems was a retired college professor, having taught at McPherson College and Kansas State University for a total of 40 years. He also farmed in Hays Township northwest of Inman. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines.

Survivors include: wife, Ruthe of McPherson; two sons, Mark (Machelle) of Hutchinson and Brent (Arlene Paulino) of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; two daughters, Susan Hornbaker (Gordon) of Littleton, Colo., and Janette Hess (Bryan) of McPherson; a brother, Robert Willems of Inman; a sister, Betty Ann (Bennie) Peters of Inman, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob H. and Elizabeth Epp Willems, and a brother, James Willems.

Committal service will be in the Zoar Mennonite Brethren Cemetery, rural Inman, at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the McPherson Church of the Brethren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m.

Memorials may be given to The Cedars, the McPherson Church of the Brethren, or the McPherson Healthcare Foundation. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alvin Willems please visit our Sympathy Store.