Charles Moll

Charles Wayne Moll, 75, died July 22, 2005, at his farm home in rural Johnson County, west of Olathe, Kansas. Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S. Blackbob Rd., Olathe. Family will receive friends and visitors from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Parkinson's Foundation of the Heartland, 7808 Foster, Overland Park, KS 66204.
Mr. Moll was born March 21, 1930, to Bert and Caro Welfelt Moll. He grew up on the family farm near Olathe, attended Bethel Methodist Church and graduated from DeSoto High School in 1947.
He married Monica VanGoethem, in Gardner, KS, on January 12, 1952. They moved to the family farm, milked cows, raised crops and reared four children through the good times and the lean. In addition to farming he did heating and cooling service work. Later he became a pipefitter from which he retired in 1992.

Mr. Moll served in the Kansas National Guard from 1951 to 1954. He was a long-time member of Pioneer Grange No. 69 and served as a volunteer fireman for the Johnson County Rural Fire District. He was a member of Pipefitters Local 533.

Mr. Moll was well known among his family and friends for his teasing sense of humor, charming ability to converse with anyone and his uncanny mechanical skills. Although he never participated in organized sports, he excelled athletically in everything from softball to square dancing. He was an avid reader and a thoughtful and spiritual man.

Mr. Moll showed unending devotion to his wife and family. Besides his family, his greatest love was of the land. He was happiest overseeing his farm acreage and stock and flocks and tending to his lush gardens—of which his squash and blackberries were legendary. Over the past 20 years he continued to farm and garden while living with Parkinson's disease. In this battle, he was tireless and creative, facing his disability with energy and determination while inventing unique strategies to address its challenges. He led the Olathe Parkinson's exercise group for nearly a decade.

Mr. Moll was preceded in death by his son, Roger Jay Moll, in 1972; his parents; his brothers, Ernest (Pete), Clarence (Cot), and Bert Jr. and his sister, Pauline Shackelford. He is survived by his loving wife, Monica, of the home and three children, daughter, Linda Moll Smith and husband David, of Big Sandy, TX; son, Loren W. Moll and wife, Noelle, of Overland Park, KS; and daughter, Carol M. Krska and husband, Rick, of Olathe, KS.

Also surviving are a sister, Genevera (Gerry) Moll, and a brother, Donald Moll, both of Olathe. In addition, Mr. Moll is survived by nine grandchildren: Shane, Rory and Rafferty Smith; Kara, Clare, Katie and Laura Krksa; and Erika and Emily Moll, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Honorary Casketbearers are Lawrence Miller, Steven Shakelford, Wayne Moll, David Moll, Larry Kehoe, Bruce Spellman, Rory Smith and Rafferty Smith.