Henry Harold Shomber

Henry Harold Shomber was born January 4, 1908, to Henry Oliver and Nellie Lucinda (Hanne) Shomber, in their home, located 2 miles E of Homewood (East side of Iowa Rd, between Haskell and Hamilton) ' the first of three boys and one girl. He attended Acorn school into the 6th grade, and then Hood school and Ottawa High School, after the family moved to the SW edge of Ottawa, graduating in 1926. Harold studied one year at Ottawa University, and two years at Kansas State University ' electrical engineering with an emphasis on radio ' before the Depression brought his collegiate studies to a halt. While managing the Shomber Dairy in 1934, he met Letha Irene Nitcher ' who was teaching at the Davy School (NW of Ottawa) ' through her brother Cleo who worked at the dairy. They were married May 1, 1936 in Lebo, Kansas. Harold was an auto mechanic in Ottawa at the time of their marriage ' soon after they moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he and his brother, Eldon, bought an Oldsmobile garage. In 1942 they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Harold worked in the Instrumentation Lab at The Boeing Company for seven years (during World War II). While at Boeing he became Plant Chairman of Boeing Local #834. Harold became a Mason in Wichita during the war, and at the time of his death was a 50 year member of the Ottawa Masonic Lodge #18, and a 50 year member of the Scottish Rite Lodge of Lawrence. Following World War II, Harold completed a course of study leading to certification as jeweler and watchmaker. He worked at this vocation for nine years during which time he owned Shomber Jewelry in West Wichita. He was vice-president and general manager of Stevens Enterprises of Wichita for six years. He was Eastern Sales Representative for Dulock Tool Company in Columbus, OH for two years. Harold then 'retired' back to Ottawa where he was construction superintendent and vice-president of Varecho Building Corporation of Ottawa and later worked for 11 years as one of the managers of the Ottawa Senior Center. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior as a boy and strove to walk with Him all his life. He spent more than 40 years in dedicated service to the Lord ' as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of Finance and Trustee committees, Chairman of Church Board ' and taught Bible classes for many years. Harold was active in the local communities where he lived. While living in Wichita, he served as President of Wichita Property Owners Assn, Wichita Voters Assn, and Wichita Watchmakers Guild. He was also instrumental in the formation of the West Wichita Community Council, serving in several positions, including President. After returning to Ottawa in 1961, Harold was active in the Ottawa community ' Ottawa Sertoma Club Life Member, served as President, and for three years Governor of Kansas Sertoma. He was Franklin County Treasurer for the Salvation Army for seven years and served three years as Franklin County Silver Haired Legislator. Harold was an avid reader and enjoyed history. During the 1990's, he was involved in the Heart to Heart program in Ottawa, sharing some of his life experiences with the students of the Elementary, Junior and Senior High schools. He enjoyed checkers, which he also taught to Elementary school students through the Heart to Heart program. Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Letha Irene (Nitcher) Shomber in 1996 (three months after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary); a sister, Dorothy Marie (Shomber) Shambaugh in 1942; and brothers, Eldon Frank Shomber in 1994, and Clinton Oliver Shomber in 1997. He is survived by a son Henry Albert Shomber and his wife Joy June (Johnson) Shomber, of Normandy Park, Washington; a daughter Carolyn (Shomber) Rodenberg and her husband James Conrad Rodenberg of Waynesboro, Virginia; four grandchildren, H. Rolan Shomber, Kaylene R. Shomber, John E. Rodenberg, Wendy Rodenberg-Webb; and seven great-grandchildren, H. Nathan Shomber, Kristen I. Shomber, Brittany J. Shomber, Jonna N. Rodenberg, Victoria R. Rodenberg, Christopher J. Rodenberg, Heather N. Rodenberg. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2002, at Calvary Baptist Church, Ottawa. OFFICIANTS: Rev. Jon Boyd and Rev. William Weber. IN STATE: Mr. Shomber will lie in state after 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Dengel & Son Mortuary until service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Thursday evening. CEMETERY: Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation or Calvary Baptist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.