Lucille M. Wichman, 93, of Seneca, Kansas, died on Monday, January 21, 2013, at the Evergreen Community of Johnson County, Olathe, Kansas.

Lucille was born June 12, 1919, on a farm southeast of St. Benedict, the daughter of Frank and Lena Bergman Melcher. She attended St. Mary’s School and was among the first St. Mary’s High School graduating class in 1937.

After graduation, Lucille attended a hair dressing academy in St. Joseph, Missouri. With her hair dressing certification, she returned to Nemaha County and worked for a variety of beauty shops in Marysville, Centralia, and Seneca prior to opening her own beauty shop in Seneca. Lucille was joined in business by her sister, Evelyn. Lucille and Evelyn operated a beauty shop on the second floor of the bank building at 5th and Main throughout World War II.

On November 28, 1945, Lucille married Joseph F. Wichman Jr. at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Joseph had recently returned from four years of military service in North Africa and Europe from 1941 to 1945. They lived in Seneca at the corner of Roanoke and 7th Street for several years, before to moving to a house at 406 South 7th Street.

Lucille continued to operate her own beauty shop while Joe worked as assistant manager for the Farmers’ Elevator Company. Later, Joe and Lucille owned and operated the Seneca Furniture Store from 1972 until 1989.

Lucille was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church. Joe and Lucille enjoyed traveling with their sons on summer vacations. Summer weekends were spent at area lakes boating and water skiing. Lucille also enjoyed playing bridge with a group of long-time friends, the DHS sorority.

Survivors include three sons, Ross Wichman of Ellis, Kansas, Boyd Wichman of Lenexa, Kansas, and Curtis Wichman of Lenexa; a brother, Elmer Melcher of Seneca; two sisters Evelyn Waters of Hastings, Nebraska and LaVon Strathman of Juda, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren, Brian, Cheryl, Lisa, Kevin, Mark, Ross Joseph, Elizabeth, and Joseph; and seven great-grandchildren, Blake, Hayley, Emma, Whitney, Gus, Jalen, and Elijah.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph on December 30, 1995; her brother Vern Melcher on March 11, 1976; her sister Melita Haverkamp, on July 2, 2004; her brother Francis Melcher on July 3, 2006. She was also preceded in death by an infant sister in 1910, an infant twin brother and sister in 1914, and an infant brother in 1918.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Friday, January 25, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Saturday, January 26, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Evergreen Community of Johnson County, the Sts. Peter & Paul Church, or the St. Mary’s Restoration Fund. Please forward your memorials to Wichman, 8405 Greenwood Circle, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.