Paul C. “Paulie” Vanlerberg

Paul C. VanLerberg, 86, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away, Monday, June 7, 2010 at his home.

Paulie was born May 20, 1924 in Shawnee to Aime and Maria (LeFevere) VanLerberg and was very proud of his Belgian heritage, farming never left him. He was partner with his brother, Dick, in the Shawnee Village Foodmart and later along with brothers, Dick and Maurice, owning the Shawnee Village Bowl until his retirement in 1990, enjoying everyone who worked for him.

He was an Army veteran and a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Paulie was a loving, caring and fun husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great-grandfather, whether going for a ride to check the cattle or the hay fields or stopping to visit a friend, he made an adventure and memory, always a story of the past and giggles of his orneriness. Earlier years his pigeon flying was a Saturday afternoon family and friends affair, the back yard filled with lawn chairs, phones ringing, waiting for the anticipation and excitement of the first bird home. Family fun at the lake, summer vacations somewhere; Saturday and Sunday afternoons with Mom's potluck meals always involved a game of cards; Tuesday's Bean at the Legion; Fridays at the Paola sale barn; afternoons on his porch smiling out at his cattle mentally thinking of what needed done; waiting for Janet to check on him, knowing the comfort and care she gave him; and always enjoying seeing someone walk in the back door for a visit. Paulie loved life and people.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two granddaughters, Cynthia VanLerberg June and Janet VanLerberg Wheat. Survivors include his wife, of 61 years, Janet VanLerberg, of the home; daughters, Sharon (Ray) June, Debbie (Tom) Rieke, Aimee VanLerberg and Connie VanLerberg (Dan Wheat); sister, Mable (John) Creten; bothers, Dick (Dixie) and Maurice (Mary) VanLerberg; brother-in-law Clell Hendrix; special cousin Mary Alice Vescek; seven grandchildren, Paul, Rusty and Sarah June, AJ (Curtis) Shupe, Jake, Daniel and Jonathan VanLerberg Wheat; seven great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests contributions to the St. Joseph Funeral Luncheon Committee, 5901 Flint, Shawnee, Kansas 66203.

Visitation and Funeral Mass

Visitations will be Friday, June 11, 2010, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rosary recitation will be Friday, June 11, 2010, at 6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the church, with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.