Alva M. Teagarden

Alva M. Teagarden, 99, of Frankfort, died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Frankfort Community Care Home in Frankfort. A funeral service was 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18 at the United Methodist Church, Frankfort. Rev. Norma Jeane Miller officiated. Janet Plegge played the organ and Kim Stewart sang “In The Garden” and “Old Rugged Cross.” The congregation sang “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.” Burial was in the Frankfort City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Sam Gibbs, Ryan Budreau, William Foote, Brian Kenworthy, Colin Wakefield and Sheldon Kenworthy. Honorary bearers were Chris Graham and Joshua Kenworthy. Alva was born May 1, 1912 on a farm one mile east of Wayne, Kansas. Soon the family moved to a farm near Lebanon, KS. He started country school at Lebanon, but the family moved to Manhattan. The family moved to Sterling for a year; then returned to Manhattan, where Alva attended Strong School and Manhattan High School. In January of 1930 the family moved to a farm north of Frankfort. In 1931. Alva graduated from Frankfort High School. In July of 1931, Alva started work as a substitute letter carrier on the rural route. He also started work at Glynn’s Grocery Store, where he continued for many years. On November 10, 1936 he married Margaret Ellen Anderson and they were blessed with a daughter in 1940. Margaret died in August of 1943. Alva was drafted into the Navy, February 16, 1944 and served on the USS LST 835 in the Pacific. He mustered out as Motor Mechanic 2nd Class in December of 1945. On July 18, 1946 he was united in marriage to Amy Kimbrough Vader and they were blessed with a son in 1949. Alva received an appointment as a regular letter carrier in 1956. He retired from the postal service in 1973 after 42 years. He then worked for the Frankfort Care Home until February 1981. Alva was a faithful community volunteer, serving in many organizations. He held numerous offices of the Frankfort United Methodist Church, was Secretary of the Frankfort Cemetery Association, a member of the American legion and V.F.W. He was a past president of the local AARP chapter and belonged to the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Alva and Amy’s “Van Gang” took local widows on day trips around the area and delivered home-made ice cream and handicrafts to the care home residents and numerous other venues. Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Margaret Ellen in 1943, wife Amy in 2003; brother, Merrill; and sister Neva. Survivors include son, Jim (Kathy) Teagarden of Frankfort; daughter, Karen (Richard) Trentman of Overland Park; five granddaughters and fourteen great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established in his name, to be designated by the family. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alva M. Teagarden, please visit our flower store.