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FRONTENAC —
Ronald Rae Wattelet, 77, of Frontenac, passed away at 3:33 a.m. Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Via Christi Hospital.
He was born June 26, 1935 at Radley, Kansas to John and Helen (Koch) Wattelet. He attended and graduated from Frontenac High School in 1952. Mr. Wattelet received a BS in Education from Pittsburg State University. Upon graduation, he was commissioned through the ROTC program in the US Army as a 2nd Lt. and immediately called to active duty in January 1957. In 1961, he was accepted and integrated into the regular Army as a 1st Lt. He served in the United States Army for twenty four years, before retiring. Upon retirement, he was awarded his 3rd “Legion of Merit” for Exceptionally Meritorious Service and Conduct.
After retirement from the military, Ron worked for 3 years as a Deputy Sheriff in Manassas, VA. He also worked for 2 years as a licensed Real Estate Salesman. Throughout this period, he did extensive work in the Saint Vincent De Paul Society in the Manassas area.
Ron married Geraldine Hebert from Cambridge, Massachusetts at Camp Wolters, TX in July 1957. She preceded him in death in 1984. To this union, they had three children, Charlene, Randy and Michelle.
In August 1989, Ron married Joann Merando Johnson and they made their home in Capaldo.
Membership was held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Frontenac; John F. Derby Post No. 43 American Legion of Frontenac, where he served as Commander for five years; and the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Joann Wattelet of the home; a son, Randy Wattelet and his wife, Donna of Centreville, VA; two daughters, Charlene Phillips and her husband, James of Nokesville, VA and Michelle Bumgardner and her husband, Eric of Bristow, VA; two step-sons, Michael Johnson of Frontenac and Doug Johnson and his wife, Brenda of Frontenac; a step-daughter, Cathy Johnson and her husband, Ron of Joplin, MO; thirteen grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Veldonna Wattelet.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 15) at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Stroot as celebrant. A scripture service will be at 6:00 p.m. Monday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac. The family will receive friends following the scripture service until 8:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to the Ronald Wattelet Scholarship Fund at FHS or Sacred Heart Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
Ronald Rae Wattelet, 77, of Frontenac, passed away at 3:33 a.m. Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the Via Christi Hospital.
He was born June 26, 1935 at Radley, Kansas to John and Helen (Koch) Wattelet. He attended and graduated from Frontenac High School in 1952. Mr. Wattelet received a BS in Education from Pittsburg State University. Upon graduation, he was commissioned through the ROTC program in the US Army as a 2nd Lt. and immediately called to active duty in January 1957. In 1961, he was accepted and integrated into the regular Army as a 1st Lt. He served in the United States Army for twenty four years, before retiring. Upon retirement, he was awarded his 3rd “Legion of Merit” for Exceptionally Meritorious Service and Conduct.
After retirement from the military, Ron worked for 3 years as a Deputy Sheriff in Manassas, VA. He also worked for 2 years as a licensed Real Estate Salesman. Throughout this period, he did extensive work in the Saint Vincent De Paul Society in the Manassas area.
Ron married Geraldine Hebert from Cambridge, Massachusetts at Camp Wolters, TX in July 1957. She preceded him in death in 1984. To this union, they had three children, Charlene, Randy and Michelle.
In August 1989, Ron married Joann Merando Johnson and they made their home in Capaldo.
Membership was held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Frontenac; John F. Derby Post No. 43 American Legion of Frontenac, where he served as Commander for five years; and the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Joann Wattelet of the home; a son, Randy Wattelet and his wife, Donna of Centreville, VA; two daughters, Charlene Phillips and her husband, James of Nokesville, VA and Michelle Bumgardner and her husband, Eric of Bristow, VA; two step-sons, Michael Johnson of Frontenac and Doug Johnson and his wife, Brenda of Frontenac; a step-daughter, Cathy Johnson and her husband, Ron of Joplin, MO; thirteen grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Veldonna Wattelet.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 15) at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Stroot as celebrant. A scripture service will be at 6:00 p.m. Monday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac. The family will receive friends following the scripture service until 8:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to the Ronald Wattelet Scholarship Fund at FHS or Sacred Heart Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
