Cecil E. Schlotthauer
Cecil E. Schlotthauer, 94, of Bel Aire, KS, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025. Cecil was born in Wichita on February 7, 1931, the youngest of two children born to Charley and Josephine (Haas) Schlotthauer of Durham, KS. The family moved to a farm northwest of Wellington in the mid-1930’s, then to Wichita in the early 1940’s. He played trumpet in the school bands and orchestras, and immediately after graduating from Wichita High School East in May of 1948, he traveled with a local orchestra, returning to Wichita in 1949. He was employed by Jenkins Music Co., where he met his future wife, Therese Aaron. They were married on June 25, 1951 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Cecil joined New York Life Insurance Co. in 1953 and retired as Vice President and Director of Field Training in 1989. His hobbies were golf, music, and long walks. In the 50’s and 60’s he played trumpet with the Jim Starkey Orchestra. Later valve trombone with the Stan Elliott Orchestra, also played with the Big Bone Band in the 60’s and 70’s. Cecil and his wife Therese delivered Meals on Wheels, blood products for the American Red Cross, and various capacities volunteering for the Catholic Care Center - for over 25 years for each organization.
Preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Josephine Schlotthauer; his older sister, Maxine Drane; and his beloved wife of 66 years, Therese.
Survivors are his sons, Stan (Connie) of Oelwein, IA, Greg of New York, NY; daughters, Karen “Mikie” (Louie) Antos of Dallas, TX, Terry (Tom) of Omaha, NE, Amy Schlotthauer (Brain Harms) of Boulder, CO, Laura (Troy) Moody of Wichita; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, June 16, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Chapel at the Catholic Care Center.
A memorial has been established with Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E. Rockhill, Ste. 403, Wichita, KS 67206.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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I met Cecil about 70 years ago, through my father, who was also a trombone player. It has been a pleasure to spend some time with him over the years. Heaven has a darn good trombone quartet up there, these days!
Cecil was a great music mentor to me. He encouraged my saxophone playing and inspired me to practice and had a great appreciation of Jazz in which he had a wonderful collection of records and shared with both Stan and I. This is Joseph Gomez. I have great respect for Cecil. Rest in Peace.
Well you made to heaven in time to celebrate you and Mothers anniversary. I can only imagine her joy seeing you in person after 8 years. Give her a big hug from me. And always remember how much I loved you. My Daddy, my buddy, my fierce protector, and the man who hung the moon. Words cannot express how hard it is to physically let you go. Daddy’s girl through and through.
I was the volunteer coordinator for a short time at Catholic Care Center and had the privilege of getting to know Cecil. He was the most dependable man I have ever met and would do anything for anyone. He was like clockwork. If Cecil didn’t show when he said he was coming, you knew something was amiss. He was witty and had a great sense of humor. He was incredibly kind and caring to other residents and a very loving husband and caretaker to Therese. I am so blessed to have met such and an incredible man. Lifting his family and friends in prayer. He will be missed by many.
Emily Stitt