Regis E. Rochel

Regis E. Rochel, 84, of Axtell, KS, died Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Hanover Hospital, Hanover, KS. Visitation was Tuesday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell. A rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Father Albert Hauser officiated. Kathy Buessing played the organ as the choir sang, “I Am the Bread of Life,” “Precious Lord,” “Miracle of Life,” “Lead Me Lord,” “Come Home,” and “How Great Thou Art.’ Pallbearers were his grandchildren, Amy Pethoud, Melissa Hardesty, Mike Glynn, Sara McCarn, Ryan Rochel, Tony Buessing, Jill Glynn and Nathan Rochel. Burial was in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Axtell. Regis was born May 27, 1931 in Seneca, KS, to Edwin and Marguerite (Lackey) Rochel. In 1949, he graduated Axtell High School and joined the Air National Guard and was on active duty during the Korean War. In 1954, Regis married Mary Jane Wempe. They lived near Axtell were Regis farmed and later became a service station owner and mechanic. In 1954, he started as a substitute mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. He became a full time carrier in 1978 and retired in 1993. In his retirement he repaired small engines, did woodworking and mowed the parks. Regis belonged to the Axtell American Legion Post 214, Axtell Fire Department and served as Chief for several years, Lions Club, worked on building the Paul Grove Park, Kansas Rural Mail Carriers Assn. – serving on the state board, Axtell History Book Committee, Axtell Day Committees, Axtell Economic Development Committee, Axtell Alumni Scholarship Committee, Marshall County Agency on Aging, Marshall County Veteran’s Memorial Committee, St. Michael’s Catholic Church – serving on the Parish Council and cemetery directory board committee and served twelve years on the Axtell City Council. Survivors include his wife Mary Jane; children, Kay (Bill) Glynn, Beatrice, NE, Roger (Deb) Rochel, Salina, Jane (Gary) Buessing, Axtell, Jo (Sam) Yun, Mission Hills; eleven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Janyce Jennings. Memorials may be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church or Axtell’s Playground Project. Contributions may be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, Axtell, KS. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Regis E. Rochel, please visit our flower store.