Philip Glen “Phil” Kathrens, 85, of Circleville, KS passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at his home, with his family around him. He was born February 11, 1929 on a farm near Whiting, the son of Walter F. and Helen M. (Glenn) Kathrens.

Phil lived in the Whiting, Holton and Circleville communities all of his life and had lived on his farm in Circleville since 1968. He was a farmer and soil conservationist. Philip also was a heavy equipment operator for many years.

Phil was a WWII and Korean Veteran. He served on the Jackson County Commission from 1979 – 1983 and was a life member of Holton V.F.W. #1367. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed working in his garden.

He married Phyllis E. Shoemaker on July 25, 1954 in Mankato, KS. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his son, Edward Kathrens (Barb) of Circleville, KS; his daughters, Deloris Londerholm (Rob) of Albany, TX, Debra Keebler (Tyler) of Highland, KS and Karen Richard (Jay) of Smithville, MO;  3 sisters, Maxine Cook of Holton, KS, Barbara Clark of St. Petersburg, FL, Kay McKeever of Hines, OR; 4 brothers, Jay Kathrens of Norman, ID, Wallace Kathrens of Holton, KS, Frank Kathrens of Circleville, KS and John Kathrens of Holton, KS; 14 grandchildren, Tom Dibbern-Londerholm, Rob Londerholm (Staci), Stephen Londerholm, Heather Kathrens, Philip Kathrens (Dominique), Dawn Henry (Nathan), Amanda Kathrens, Edward-Dub Kathrens (Ashton), Josh Keebler (Amy), Lucas Keebler, Samantha Keebler, Cory Richard (Chastine), Taylor Richard and Ryan Richard  and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Tyler Keebler and 5 sisters, Jean Baker, Grace Evelyn Schultz, Frances Schuyler, Norma Walden and Audrey Howard.

Memorial graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 10, 2014 at the Circleville Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. In lieu of flowers, it would be Phil’s wish that memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or VFW Flag Project c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.