Gerald W. Batchelor

Gerald Wayne Batchelor, 77 died Aug. 27, 2008, at Tucson, Ariz.

He was born Aug. 20, 1931, in Indiana, the son of Herbert and Winifred Batchelor.

As a young boy, Gerald moved to Wichita and began delivering newspapers at the age of eight. He attended grade school through high school in Wichita and continued college at Wichita State University and the college at Hays.

On Jan. 14, 1951, he joined the Navy to fight in the Korean War. His ship transported foreign troops to and from many countries. He was a corpsman second class and functioned as a physician’s assistant on ship.

Gerald suggested improved ways of conducting surgeries and won numerous medals plus a commendation from his commanding officer. He was discharged from the service on Dec. 6, 1954.

After the war he returned to Wichita, where he was employed at Boeing. He then started his own business, Batchelor Building Maintenance. He was a maintenance contractor on U.S. military bases and post offices worldwide.

In 1957, he married Jennie Plenert Garrison. They lived in Wichita before moving to the mountains of Glen Haven, Colo., where they have lived for the past 25 years.

He owned a restaurant, The Horseshoe Café, a 1910-style grocery store, office, and warehouse called The Glen Crofter Shops, which burned Christmas Day 1991.

Gerald was a hard worker, using his extra time to landscape around his Colorado house, which he loved more than anywhere else in the world. He will be remembered for always helping and listening to others.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl; and son, Terry.

Survivors include his wife, Jennie of 51 years, of Loveland, Colo.; two daughters, Amy and Becky; five grandsons; seven great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Glen Haven Town Hall.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of the donor’s choice.

—paid obituary