WILSON — Michael J. “Mike” Peschka, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on Oct. 4, 2023, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kan. at the age of 70. He was born on April 30, 1953, to James and Rosie (Pelz) Peschka in Ellsworth. He married Karen J. Vague on April 28, 1973, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. They were blessed with two daughters: Darcy and Darrin.
Mike grew up on a farm south of Wilson and graduated from Wilson High School in 1971. He went on to Salina Vo-Tech for two years and then worked for Enron and then Mid America Energy where he retired. After retirement, he taught at Barton County Community College.
Mike was very active in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and his community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Sons of the American Legion. He was the Mayor of Wilson for two terms, served on the Fire Department for 30 years and Economic Development in Wilson for 10 years. He also coached his daughters’ softball teams. Mike was a regular blood donor and during his illness required massive amounts of blood and platelets. The family would like to encourage anyone who is able to donate, to please do so as there is such a need.
Mike is survived by his wife, Karen of the home in Wilson; daughters, Darcy (Brad) Hansen of Ellsworth and Darrin (Jon Catalini) Peschka of Camarillo, Calif.; brother, Randy (Nancy) Peschka of Ellsworth; sisters, Linda Nowlin of Joshua, Texas and Karen M. (Bea Gotschall) Peschka of Geneseo, Kan.; and three grandchildren, Cadence Hansen, Reagan Hansen, and Cecilia Catalini. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Rosie Peschka.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wilson. Burial will follow in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home in Wilson and 6-8 p.m. at the Church with the family receiving friends until the Parish Vigil and Rosary Service at 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Ellsworth County Cancer Fund, Golden Belt Humane Society (Venmo is @GoldenBelt-HumaneSociety), and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 610 24th Street, Wilson, KS 67490. Online condolences may be left for the family atwww.plumeroverlease.com
Funeral arrangements provided by
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home
610 24th Street
Wilson, KS 67490
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 10, 2023
