John Palenz

Palenz, Attorney John Alan, passed away March 28, 2015. John was born in San Francisco to Webster Daniel Palenz and Janice Bartz Palenz. He grew up in West Allis, WI, graduating from West Allis Central High School and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, then earning a law degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has practiced law in Wichita since 1981 and served part-time as a judge in Small Claims Court since 1996. His many interests include church, family, all things railroad, photography, pen and ink drawing and other artistic endeavors, classical music, and gardening. In addition to church, he was a member of Kansas, Wisconsin, and Wichita Bar Associations, Kiwanis Club of West Wichita, Great Plains Transportation Museum, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center, and AppleWichita. He lived his life in accord with a loved hymn: “Take my life, and let it be/Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;” and he inscribed this motto on his wifes wedding ring: “First, only, always love God, ever loving you”! He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diana Pike Palenz; brother, Charles R. Palenz, Camp Hill, PA; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Lindsey, Wichita, and Barbara (Paul) Shellito, Wellesley, MA; and nephews, John (Haley) Shellito, Arlington, VA, and Peter Shellito, Boulder, CO. A service will be held for family. Memorials: Second Church of Christ, Scientist, 4501 E. Douglas, Wichita 67218; or Great Plains Transportation Museum, 700 E. Douglas, Wichita 67202. Or take food to a homeless shelter, attend a symphony concert, or plant a garden in Johns memory. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.