Sylvester J. "Ves" Koehler, age 88, a Wellington resident for over 50 years, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away Thursday morning, December 8, 2011 at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS. He worked for Boeing Aircraft for 18 years and at Kemp's Appliance as a service technician. For many years after his retirement, Ves was a well respected appliance repairman in the Wellington area.

Sylvester J. Koehler was born on March 27, 1923 in Manchester, OK to John C. and Abbie A. (Feist) Koehler. Ves was raised in Manchester, OK and was a graduate of Manchester High School. He served in the Army Air Corp during WWII and flew 35 bombing missions as a tail gunner on B17's.

Ves was married to Louella Frances Buellesfeld on September 23, 1950 in Blackwell, OK. She passed away May 28, 1968. He then married Frances M. (Spencer) Koehler on June 27, 1970 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Wellington.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Louella; two brothers, Thomas and Alfred Koehler; sister, Alice Collins; and grandson, Spencer Hastings.

Survivors include his loving wife of 41 years, Frances Koehler of Wellington; two daughters, Vesta Lou York (Richard) of Wichita, KS and Mary Kay Howe (Lee) of Lawrence, KS; step-children, Stan Koehler (Connie) of Wichita, KS, Jan Wiese (Ted) of Wichita, KS, and Sue Hastings (Steve) of Topeka, KS; three brothers, Bobby Koehler (Patty) of Ponca City, OK, Harold Koehler of Wellington, Cleo Koehler (Roberta) of Wellington; two sisters, Dortha Johnson of Derby, KS and Helen Blubaugh (Leon) of Danville, KS; 10 grandchildren, Stacy, Becky, Corey, Sterling, T. J., Miranda, Allie, Hayley, David, and Liz; and 14 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 10, 2011, from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. and on Sunday, December 11, 2011, from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.

Rosary will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at St. Anthony/St. Rose Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Anthony/St. Rose Catholic Church in Wellington on Monday, December 12, 2011, at 10:00 A.M. Father Lawrence Carney will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. Contributions can be left at the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

The family invites everyone to attend a reception following the Rosary Sunday afternoon at St. Anthony's School Hall.