Richard “Gordon” Wiltse, 94, Altoona, died Saturday, January 31, 2009, at Golden Living Center, Fredonia.

He was born Sept. 11, 1914, in Altoona to Floyd and Della Roney Wiltse.

He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in agronomy. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corp, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

On Dec. 2, 1939, he married Betty Jane Spaulding in Osawatomie. She preceded him in death.

He was a member of High Prairie United Methodist Church. Other memberships included American Legion Post 170 and VFW Post 1654, both in Chanute. He also served on the Mid America Dairy Board.

Survivors include three sons, Richard G. Wiltse II, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, David P. Wiltse, Ottawa, and James B. Wiltse, Waco, Texas; two daughters, Kathleen Beal, Fredonia, and Jane Pringle, Lyons; 14 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Floyd and Jon Wiltse; and a brother, Dale Wiltse.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia, with Pastor Robin Haines officiating. Interment with military honors will be at High Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7:30 p.m. today at Countryside Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Contributions to Fredonia Regional Health Care Foundation or the High Prairie Methodist Church may be made in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS.