Harlan Lill
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Graveside service for Harlan Lill, 91, Lawrence, will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Garfield Cemetery in Garfield, Kansas. He died April 1, 2016 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence.
He was born on May 11, 1924 in St. John, Kansas the son of John and Alice (Kennedy) Lill.
During WW2 Harlan served in the 8th Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot and co-pilot. Following the war Harlan attended the University of Kansas studying Journalism. After a short period with the Larned newspaper Harlan became the long-time publisher and editor of the Plainville Times. Harlan was an active member of many organizations including Lions club, VFW, Masons, Chamber of Commerce, and others. He was a member and deacon of the First Christian Church in Plainville. Harlan will be remembered as an avid sports fan of the Plainville Cardinals, the University of Kansas Jayhawks and The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
He married Dorothy Polson on July 19, 1950 in Garfield, Kansas. She preceded him in death.
Survivors include one son, Jon and wife, Rita, Tonganoxie, KS; two daughters, JoAnn Wempe and husband, Peter, Lawrence, Jeanette Davis and husband, Kevin, Castle Pines, Colorado, eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his eight brothers and sisters.
The family will greet friends at a later date at the First Christian Church in Plainville, KS.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the First Christian Church of Plainville or Grace Hospice in Lawrence and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Joann and family, so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May God’s grace be with you through this difficult time.
Condolences to the family. Harlan was a long time neighbor in Plainville.
Our sympathy to Mr. Lill’s family. He was a lovely man and a big part of Plainville’s history. He is missed!
He was such a kind man. I remember babysitting his grandkids when they would visit. Then later being neighbors with my family. He was always so nice to greet me and say hello. He always did such a great job with our paper. RIP Mr.Lill.
My sincere condolences to all of Harlan’s family. He was so loved here in Plainville, and I was glad I was able to live here before he moved. We had several conversations, and I tried to absorb every word. My prayer is for peace for all of you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. May he rest in peace.
Our sympathies to the Lill family! Harlan was an amazing neighbor as well as an icon in our community.
Jon, JoAnn and Jeanette: When I saw your father’s notice, I have to confess that a myriad of memories came back to me. I worked for your family in high school (1963) and again from about 1967 – 1971. Your father was a wonderful man, kind, thoughtful and so intelligent. I loved his editorials over the years. I saw him again about 10 years ago and so glad I did. I’m sure your family will miss him so much. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
I became friends with Harlan at Pioneer Ridge, through Grace Hospice. He was such a sweet,gentle man. I enjoyed our chats about his years at KU, his military career,and showing me pictures of his family. RIP Harlan, you will be missed by many.
Harlan gave me my first journalism job out of KU. He and Dorothy were both generous in providing a headstrong young grad with the common sense tools to being a good community journalist. I am very grateful that I knew them both.