Alvin Joseph Wahl, 91, of Gorham died Oct. 17 at St. John’s Rest Home in Victoria. Alvin was born Jan. 1, 1919, on the family farm south of Gorham. He grew up in the Gorham and Hays area and graduated from Hays High School.

Alvin served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a medic stationed in the Pacific. After the war, Alvin returned to Gorham where he farmed and ranched with his brother Philip. They worked together for almost 60 years on the family farm in Big Creek Township. Later in life, Alvin assumed the role of caregiver for his parents and brother Philip.

Mr. Wahl was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Hays. He also was a member of the American Hereford Association. He enjoyed reading, music, being outdoors and spending time in his flower garden.

Surviving family include his brothers, Earl Wahl of Midland, Mich., and Dean Wahl of Mesa, Ariz.; sisters, Norma Strecker and husband Paul of Galatia and Caroline Peterson of Clifton; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Philip.

Celebration of Alvin’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church of Hays. Burial will follow at the Mount Allen Cemetery in Hays. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Memorials have been established with St. John’s Rest Home or the Trinity Lutheran Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary*

610 North Maple

Russell, KS 67665

785-483-2212

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 20, 2010