Pancratius Windholz

May 15, 1908 ~ September 13, 2006
Windholz, Pancratius “Perry and Penny”, 98, of Milledgeville, IL, former long-time Wichita resident died Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at Polo Rehabilitation Health Care Center in Polo, IL. Rosary, 6 pm, Monday, September 18 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East, service, 10 am Tuesday, September 19 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. He was born May 15, 1908 to John and Mary (Linenberger) Windholz in Emmeram, KS. He married Sophia Wasinger May 8, 1935 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Ellis, KS. He worked as the Manager of the Kent Coffee Shop in Ellis, KS, followed by many years as a Foreman for Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS, retiring from there in 1973. Born in a musical family, Penny developed a keen ear for music early in his childhood. Throughout his life he played numerous musical instruments, although he never received formal music lessons. He was especially well known for his talents with the tenor banjo and piano, which will remain a legacy to many people. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sophia, brothers Adolph, Richard, Rudolph, Edgar, Herbert, John, Paul, and sisters Genevieve Crow-Gresch, Margaret Malson, Leona Baugher-Armbruster, Irene Belfield. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, James and Judy Windholz of Milledgeville, IL; sister, Mary Norton of Beaverton, OR; brother Elmer of Aurora, CO; brother and sister-in-law, Alvin and Kay Wasinger of Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren and spouses, Craig and Kelly Windholz of Lutz, FL; Lori and Brian Bailey of Roanoke, VA; Aaron and Caroline Windholz of Jacksonville, FL; Sarah Windholz of Placerville, CA; great grandchildren, Nicholas, Joshua, Benn, Hunter, and Kennedy; plus many nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established with Perry Windholz Memorial, 2731 Grandview Road, Milledgeville, IL 61051.
Rosary, 6 pm, Monday, September 18 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I read Penny’s obituary in the Hays Daily News this morning, and it brought back old, very pleasant, memories. My grandmother was a Barbara Windholz from Emmeram, married to Henry Schueler, so my dad, Norbert Schueler, was related to Penny. Probably first cousins. In the mid 1950’s our family lived in Wichita for about a year and occasionally visited Penny and Sophia. I distinctly remember because music was always part of those times, including Penny playing the violin. My family moved to Hays in 1955, and for 3 years I had accordian lessons with Edgar Windholz, Penny’s brother. I have lived again in the Hays area since 1973, and occasionally heard Edgar play the dulcimer at local events, and to entertain residents of retirement homes. I have never had the natural musical talent of those men, but the lessons certainly contributed to my appreciation and understanding of music. And I do love to dance! (including the polka!)