Joseph G. “Joe” Deters, 79, of Centralia, Kansas died Monday, January 11, 1999 at the Onaga Community Hospital oin Onaga. He had been in poor health since March 1998.

Joe was born on October 8, 1919 in Baileyville, the son of Frank J. and Mary A. Osterhaus Deters. He attended Baileyville schools and helped on the family farm.

On November 3, 1942 he was inducted into the U.S. Army where he served during World War II as an engineer for 32 months in Normandy and Germany. He was discharged on November 30, 1945 and returned home to farm west of Centralia.

Joe married his sweetheart Florence M. Ronnebaum on February 14, 1953 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. She survives of the home. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary last year.

Besides farming and raising livestock, Joe and Florence also operated a dairy. They continued to live on their family farm after retirement in 1980, where they enjoyed gardening and raising chickens.

Joe was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca and the Saint Joseph Society at the church. He was a former member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

Survivors include his wife Florence of the home; a son Gerald “Jerry” Deters, of Princeton, Kansas; four daughters, Mary Ann (Glenn) Deck of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jolene (Larry Fairchild) of Overbrook, Kansas, Cindy (Tom) Schreiner of Centralia, and Connie Deters-Jackson of Topeka; two brothers, Aloyisus and Francis Deters of Centralia; three sisters, Marie H. Stallbaumer of Seneca, Clara Krogman of Baileyville, and Emma Holthaus of Horton; eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

Rosaries were prayed Tuesday afternoon and evening at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Wednesday, February 13, by Fr. Roderick Giller OSB at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Lector was Leander Engelken. Gift bearers were Gloria Heiman, Keith Schreiner, Derek Deck and Sarah Jackson. Servers were grandchildren Danny and Jennifer Jackson. Music was provided by the church choir.

Burial was in the church cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Roger Deters, Danny Kramer, Merlin Flentie, Lon Jay McClary, Elmer Deters, and Mike Flentie. Active pallbearers were nephews Jim Deters, David Deters, Elmer Ronnebaum, Jim Holthaus, Mike Holthaus, and Bernie Ronnebaum.

Memorial contributions may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul Church or the American Cancer Society, and sent in care of the family.