Ernest E. “Junior” Dettmer

Ernest E. “Junior” Dettmer, 87, of Liberal, passed away Thursday April 13, 2017 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas

He was born on January 30, 1930 to Ernest and Violet (Adams) Dettmer at Liberal, KS.

On August 2, 1947 he married Marilyn J. VanDolah at Meade, Kansas. She preceded him in death on September 26, 1988.
On August 3, 1990 he married Mary Ann Pearson in Liberal, Kansas; they later divorced. She also preceded him in death on June8, 2012.

Junior was a graduate of Liberal High School, Class of 1947. Junior loved to work, with his first job away from home herding cattle when he was 11 years old! As an adult he went to work with Anadarko Petroleum, from which he retired from in 1986. He was a Charter Member of the Early Riser Kiwanis Club and the Liberal Elks Lodge. He was also a member of the High Plains Chapter American Petroleum Institute where he serviced as Chapter Chairman in 1977 and on the Chapter Advisory Committee from 1978-1979 & 1983-1984; he also received the Meritorious Service Award from the Production Dept. In 1974 and 1980 he also served as a Chairman on the University of Kansas, Drilling which was held in Liberal. Junior also loved to Golf and served as Golf Tournament Chairman in 1981, 1982, and 1985; he was an avid Coin Collector and was serious about Barbecuing! He was a current member of the First Christian Church of Liberal.

Ernest is survived by Daughter, Dawn Ann Neu of Oklahoma City, OK; Two Granddaughters, Elyse Torres and husband Jose of Liberal, KS; Jennifer Beer and Husband Rod of Norman, Ok; Grandson, Justin Pond and wife Sarah of South Haven, KS; 10 Great Grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, an infant Son; Son, Wayne Eugene Dettmer; Daughter, Susan Anita Pond; One Brother, Donald Dettmer and one sister Geneva Hibler.

Visitation will be 3:00pm to 8:00pm Wednesday April 19th, at Miller Mortuary with the family present to receive friends from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Funeral services will 10:00am Thursday, April 20th at the Miller Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Terry Ford, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Liberal City Cemetery.

Friends may send condolences to the family through Junior’s tribute web page at www.millermortuary.net.