Fred J. Elyea

Obituary of Fred. J. Elyea   THE FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE LIVESTREAMED VIA THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE

            Fred J. Elyea, 84, born to John and Agnes (Rieke) Hess, and later adopted at an early age by Samuel Edwin “S.E” and Hazel Celeste (Manion) Elyea, was born November 27, 1936 in Belleville, Kansas and passed away on December 10, 2020 at his home in rural Belleville, Kansas.

            Fred grew up in Belleville, KS and graduated from Belleville High School.   He served with the U. S. Army National Guard and worked for Max Scofield for 6 years farming and then was a supervisor for DHIA Milk test for two years.      Fred worked then for Archie Brewer milking cows for 2 years and later with Larry Walter in the dairy.       He then started his own dairy farm and farming operation, he retired after 52 years and was the last remaining dairy farmer in Republic County.

            On June 16, 1957, he was united in marriage to Audrey C. Forshee and to this union was born:  Jim, Kent, Cyndi, Mark and Gina.

            Fred served on the ABA, DHIA and REA Boards.   He also was a member of the Dairy Farmers of America and the First United Methodist Church, Belleville.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, June Scofield, Julianne Sifers, Betty Allen, Blanche McCall, Laura Dorman, Gladys Moline, and brothers,  Keith Elyea, Doyle Elyea, Hugh Elyea, and Stanley Hess.

            Fred is survived by his wife Audrey C. Elyea of Belleville, KS; children:  Jim (Dara) Elyea of Belleville, KS, Kent (Charlene) Elyea of Hartley, Iowa, Cyndi Elyea of Omaha, NE, Mark (Tina) Elyea of Greenwood, NE, and Gina (Duffy) Strnad of Belleville, KS;    8 grandchildren: Mysti Schiessler, Crystal Guerrero, Calvin Guerrero, Derek Elyea, Kirsten Elyea, Waylon Sheetz, Tara Sasse, and Tiffany Herbek;   6 great grandchildren:  Dylan Schiessler, Dashiell Schiessler, Noah Martinez, Tynleigh Sasse, Kashtyn Sasse,and Remingtyn Sasse;   one sister, Ardith Stone of Eugene, Oregon;  other relatives, and friends.

            Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church, Belleville, KS with Reverend Sang Hak Lee, officiating.

            Interment will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Belleville, KS.

            Friends may call from 1 PM until 8 PM on Monday at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS.   The family will greet friends from 6 PM until 7 PM on Monday, Dec. 14th at the funeral home.

            Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or Meadowlark Hospice.

            Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com

            Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.

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