Vincent H. Tangeman, 84, of Centralia, KS, died early Saturday, February 21, 2004, at the Onaga Hospital.

He was born December 5, 1919, on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, the son of Henry and Agnes Bockenstette Tangeman. He grew up there, attended Bellview School, and helped on the family farm. In 1940 he went to Kansas City where he attended a school for airplane mechanics for two years. In April 1942 he joined the U.S. Navy and became a radio operator on a blimp. His blimp (click at left to view) patrolled the coastal waters from the northeastern U.S. to Cuba looking for German submarines.

In December of 1945 he was discharged and returned to farming in St. Benedict. After farming with his brother for a year, he bought his present farm southwest of Centralia.

He married to Angela Reinecke on April 15, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They farmed and raised cattle, with their son Phil joining the oepration. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1997.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, the National Farmers Organization, and the Kansas Organic Producers. He also served on the Home Township Board for several years.

Survivors besides his wife Angela are a son Philip of the home; two brothers, Leo and Wilfred, both of Seneca; a sister, Johanna Wichman of Richmond, KS; and a grandson.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Bowder on December 26, 1985; three brothers, Clarence (an infant), Albert, and Lawrence; and two sisters, Ethel Wichman and Rose Burdick.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 6:30 PM Wednesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Thursday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church or Cemetery, or the Centralia EMT Association, and sent in care of the family.