FOWLER – James F. "Jabe" Gumpemberger, age 77, died Saturday, October 20, 2007, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.

He was born November 10, 1929, at Washington, Missouri, the son of Anthony and Edith (Tackitt) Gumpenberger. As a young boy he attended the Washington school system. He was a resident of Fowler for over 57 years. For 32 years he worked as a railroad laborer, having worked for the Rock Island, Southern Pacific, and Cottonbelt Railroads, retiring in 1986.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, achieving the title of Master Angler, camping, gardening, reading books, in particular books about Meade County, and spending time with his grandchildren.

On April 23, 1950, he married Letha Hill at Minneola, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include:

Five daughters, Gayla Todd of Allen, Kansas
Jamie Preston of Bridge City, Texas
Tina Andrews of Dodge City, Kansas
Cathy Herron of Jetmore, Kansas
Amy Maggard of Bailey, Colorado

Three brothers, Richard Gumpenberger of Ozark, Alabama
Robert Gumpenberger of Kinsley, Kansas
John Gumpenberger of Hutchinson, Kansas

A sister, Lorraine Erickson of Sedona, Arizona

Eleven grandchildren Five Great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Edward and Orville Gumpenberger; and a granddaughter, Randa Clark.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary Chapel, with Father Angel Dy presiding. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Interment will be in the Fowler Cemetery, Fowler, Kansas.

The family would welcome memorials to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association in care of the mortuary.