Adolph Billinger

Adolph Billinger passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Rooks County Medical Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 92. He was born on February 21, 1925 in Graham County, Kansas, on the farm near St. Peter, to the late Michael and Barbara (Richmeier) Billinger. He grew up in St. Peter and attended St. Anthony Catholic School before going to Morland High School. Adolph enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served during World War II where he received a purple heart for his service. After the war he was united in marriage to Margaret Spies on October 3, 1949 in St. Peter. They settled in the Plainville, Kansas area and were blessed with three girls, Diane, Linda, and Cindy. In 1957 the family moved to the farm near Zurich, Kansas. Adolph was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, tending his vegetable garden, and had a special passion and talent for carpentry work. But the greatest love of his life was his family, especially his grandchildren. He always took them on his outdoor excursions and made sure to butcher a couple of steers every year in order to cook for them and feed them. Adolph is survived by his wife Margaret of 68 years; daughters Diane Gross and husband Paul of Gorham, Linda Brin and husband Arlen of Zurich, and Cindy Balthazor and husband Dennis of Palco; sisters Lucine Horak of Denver, CO, Caroline Wittman of Topeka, Maryann Rome and husband Neilus of Aurora, CO, Barbara Rome and husband Ron of Aurora, CO, Dorothy Fagan and husband Dennis of Florida, Agnes Rome of Denver, CO, and Shirley Kuppetz and husband John of Ellis; brother John Billinger and wife Sara of Hill City; grandchildren David and Jennifer Mongeau, Lisa and Jason Nyp, Marla and Ryan Verlinde, Mark and Kate Mongeau, Jason and Megan Brin, Jeff Brin, Justin and Cathy Brin, Jessica and Dallas Lehmann, Steve and Sarah Balthazor, Sara and Karim Touijer, Dana and Zurab Tsereteli and James and Heather Balthazor; and 26 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Barbara Billinger; sisters Bridget Mann, Elaine Knoll, and Clara Herman; brothers Pete Billinger, and Lewis Billinger; brothers-in-law Vic Wittman, Paul Rome, Ike Mann, and Stanley Horak; and sister-in-law Ablena Billinger. The Psalmist said, “Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it.” Adolph was a man who used his own hands to build things around his farm, but trusted the Lord to build his spiritual house, for himself and his family, eternal in the heavens. He leaves a legacy of faith, love, and devotion that will continue to grow and build for generations to come. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Zurich. Visitation will from 12:00-4:00pm on Wednesday at the funeral home and from 5:00-7:00pm at the church with a Parish Vigil and Rosary Service at 6:00pm.