Ernest “Tye” Mentzer, 104, Shenandoah, and formerly of Newton and Yates Center, Kan., passed away June 29, 2017, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. A graveside celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 6 at the Yates Center Cemetery in Yates Center, Kan. Memorials are directed to the Woodson County Friends for Life, Box 33, Yates Center, Kansas 66783 (a fund for cancer survivors similar to Relay for Life, but all funds are used locally in the Yates Center area). Nishna Valley Funeral and Cremation Service assisted the family with arrangements. Campbell Funeral Home of Yates Center in charge of graveside services.
Tye was born Nov. 20, 1912, on the family farm near Yates Center, the son of Ernest Everett and Edith Mae (Dumond) Mentzer. He graduated from high school in Yates Center and served four years in the United States Army with the 433rd Airborne Division in Europe. Tye shared many stories about the Battle of the Bulge and other historical events during the war.
Tye began a long career with the JC Penney Company in Kansas in 1933, and worked in several towns before going to Macon, Mo., in 1952, where he was the store manager for seven years. He then moved to Newton in 1959, to manage a larger store until his retirement at age 60.
Tye and Anna Lorene Schooling were married June 1, 1938, in Yates Center. He and Lorene were married 57 years when she passed away in 1995.
In 1999, Tye married Lora Smith Mentzer and enjoyed their time together until her death in 2011.
Tye was a member of the Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, Elks Club, Lions Club and VFW, including being active in civil affairs. Among his many enjoyments were golf, gardening and traveling. His garden was well known throughout the neighborhood for all his veggies and fruits. Tye spent many winters in Palm Springs, enjoying the sunshine while playing golf.
Tye was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lorene; second wife, Lora; granddaughter, Summer Rhea Stevenson; and all 10 of his Mentzer siblings.
Tye is survived by his daughters, Pat Mentzer of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Jan Stevenson and her husband Tom of Northboro; grandson, Gabriel Stevenson and wife Taylor of Algona; and great-grandson, Kroix Stevenson of Algona.