Celestine M. Dreher

Celestine M. “Joe” Dreher, 91, Topeka, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2009 at St. Francis Health Center ER.

Mr. Dreher was born January 23, 1918 in Emmeram, KS the son of Jerome and Pauline (Rupp) Dreher.  He served in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant during WW II participating in the Normandy Invasion.

Joe was a laminator operator for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for thirty-seven years before he retired in 1983.  Prior to working at Goodyear he was the pastry chef at the The Lamer Hotel in Hays, Kansas and as a chef for the Topeka Country Club.

He was known as “The Pie Man’, sharing his gourmet pies with family and friends.  Joe’s other hobbies included raising dahlias, hooking rugs, hunting and creating deer using logs in all sizes.  Joe also enjoyed walking and spending time with his family.

Joe was a charter member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Jayhawk Beamers, and Steel Workers Local #307, and the Goodyear Credit Union where he and his wife served on the educational committee.

He was married to Bernadette Ubert on October 10, 1942 in Hays, she survives.

Other survivors include: a daughter Shari Staehli and her husband Jim of Topeka, a son Michael T. Dreher of Topeka, a brother Raymond Dreher of Seattle, WA and a sister Mildred Schumacher of Hays. Two grandchildren Dillon M. Dreher and his wife Michelle Albano and Lindy Brewer and her husband Jeff and four great grandchildren Talia S. Dreher, Nolan Brewer, Jalen Moore and Camden Brewer also survive.  He was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Joe will lie in state after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the church.  Cremation will follow.  Inurnment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church or the Activity Fund at Colmery O’Neil VA Medical Center and sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, 66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com