Zoland E. Alkire

Zoland E. Alkire, 88, of Topeka, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 31, 2018.

He was born June 8, 1930 in Napier, Missouri, the son of Willie Jackson and Bernice Esther (Graham) Alkire.

Zoland served in the United States Air Force for 22 years and was honorably retired as a Master Sergeant in 1970. During his service he was stationed worldwide including Japan, The American Embassy in London, England and many locations in the United States. He was later employed by Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 17 years, retiring in 1987.

He was a member of Philip Billard Post No. 1650 of VFW and American Legion Post No. 400.

Zoland is survived by his wife of 68 years, F. "Orvella" (McGilvray) Alkire. They were married on June 18, 1950 in Salina, Kansas. Other survivors include three children, Zolan Timothy Alkire, Tampa, FL, Zolana Jean (Jean Sassatelli) Baumel, Omaha, NE and Andrew Jonathan (Wendy) Alkire, Topeka; three grandchildren, Kristin, Alicia and Brionna; three great grandchildren, Avery, Jack Wallace and Lochlan; and two sisters, Ella June Gleason, Denver, CO and Dixie Lee Pierson, CO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Billy Eugene, Jerry Graham, and Merrill Dean Alkire.

Zoland enjoyed golfing and model airplanes in his earlier years, was an avid Cornhusker football fan, and always enjoyed a good old fashioned debate.

Graveside services with military rites: Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 2:00 pm, Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon, Missouri.