Damon Prothe

Damon William Prothe, age 88, of Paola, passed away early Sunday morning at his rural Paola home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Block, KS, and burial will follow the service at Block Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 6, from 6 to 8 pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Paola. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, in care of Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071, (913) 294-2372. To leave a special message for the family, please visit our website, www.penwellgabel.com. Damon William Prothe was born on December 31, 1920, in rural Miami County, KS, one of two children to Herman and Nora Ohlmeier Prothe. Damon was baptized into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church on January 5, 1921. He lived his entire life in the Block community, graduating from Trinity Lutheran elementary school. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church on April 14, 1935. On December 29, 1946, he was united in marriage to Ione Lois Miller at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Netawaka, KS. They became the proud parents of six children, Rolland, Phyllis, Janice, Marcia, Leslie, and Keith. They lived their entire married lives on the family farm just east of the Block community. Damon was a very active lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a charter member of the Block Ruritan organization. Aside from his church involvement, his life revolved around running the family farm, which he was still involved in at the time of his death. But most of all, he enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends, always looking forward to the next family gathering. Damon was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ione; and his sister, Irma Prothe Debrick He leaves behind to cherish his memory his six children, Rolland Prothe and wife, Betty, Phyllis Trickett and husband, Dave, Janice Cook, Leslie Prothe and wife, Beth, and Keith Prothe and wife, Laura, all of Paola, KS; and Marcia Prothe of Bryan, TX; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Block Trinity Lutheran Church Service: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:30 AM Visitation: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM