Cecil LaVerne Prentice, 91, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at Kansas City Hospice House after a short illness. He was born December 27, 1918 to Frank and Laura England Prentice on the Prentice family farm near Cadmus. He was the oldest of two brothers.

He graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1937 and attended Kansas State University. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He trained as a Navigator on the B-24 Bomber. Beginning in May of 1944, he was stationed at Wendling Air Field in England with the 8th Air Force 392nd Bomber Wing. He flew 30 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

When he returned from England he married his sweetheart Maxine Kice on October 16, 1944. He then became a Navigator Instructor in San Marcos, Texas, until his discharge in 1945.

After his discharge, he farmed in the Plum Creek community. During his years in this community he was active in the Plum Creek United Methodist Church, a member of the Stockwell School Board, and active in 4H. He was a founding member of the Miami County CoOp, and was President of the Farm Bureau.

He later began work at Delco battery where he retired after 23 years. Cecil and Maxine made their home in Overland Park from 1964 until 2007 when poor health forced a move to Grace Gardens where he lived until May of this year.

For the last twenty years, they have been active in the Antioch Church of the Nazarene.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law Sharon and Bruce Calhoun of Orofino, ID; Kay Rozzelle and Jon Erbes of Leawood, KS; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; Amy and (Scott) Riley and their two children Danielle and Kaitlain of Norman, OK, Michael and his three children Audrey, Krissy, and Amy Shay of Orofino, ID, and Jo Marie and (Zak) Bolick and their son Max of Lawrence, KS, one brother Lloyd Prentice of Ottawa, KS and a sister-in- law Wilda Peterkord of Overland Park, KS.

A visitation will be held at Penwell- Gabel Funeral home in Paola, KS from 6- 8 on Friday, June 18. The graveside service will be held Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at Osawatomie Cemetery.

The family wishes to express special thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Grace Gardens, who showered Cecil with love. Also, thanks to the Kansas City Hospice House for providing a comforting environment.

The family suggests contributions be made to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145 or either of his church families.