James C. Verstraete, Sr.

James C. Verstraete, Sr., 69, Lenexa, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the Overland Park Regional Medican Center, Overland Park, Kansas.

James was born March 16, 1941, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Julius and Louise (Van De Berghe) Verstraete and was a lifelong resident of Lenexa, Kansas. On August 6, 1960, Jim married his sweetheart, Jonnie Peachey in Mission, Kansas. He worked on the family farm and later for the Gas Service Company for 37 years as a Service Technician. Jim was a member of the Lenexa Lions Club. His joys in life were spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Many hours were spent at sporting events and fishing. Jim also had many good friends who he enjoyed spending time with.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandson, Tyler James Preston Verstraete, mother and father, siblings and their spouses, Mary Louise and Rufus Beam, Charles and Nadine Verstraete and Sylvia Margaret and Willie Lichtenauer. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Jonnie Verstraete; children, Velita (Steve) Smith, Anita (Bob) Mathis, Jim (Angi) Verstraete and Jeannie (Roger Overcast) Verstraete; grandchildren, Erin Smith, Bobby Mathis (Samantha), Shawn Smith, Katie Mathis, Kyle Verstraete, Zachary Verstraete, Eric Mathis, Ryan Verstraete; brothers, Robert (Joyce) Verstraete , Julius "Tutor" (Lorene) Verstraete and Clarance "Clem" (Sue) Verstraete; mother and father-in-law, Cecil and Marvin McConnell; many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 6800 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212 or online at www.americanheart.org

Mass of Christian Burial, Visitation and Rosary Recitation

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am, Monday, February 14, 2011, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church; burial in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-6 pm, Sunday, February 13, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, followed by a Rosary recitation at 6:00 pm.