Tony Seaman

Anthony (Tony, Jake) Seaman, 100, passed away Monday, April 26, 2010. He was born April 3, 1910, in Belleville, to Person and Mary (Riley) Seaman. Anthony attended Grace Hill School (a country school a few miles south of Belleville) and went on to graduate in 1929 from Belleville High School. Upon graduation Anthony farmed with his father for a few years. When Anthony was 21, he became the patriarch of his family upon his father's death and worked to help care for his mother and 7 younger siblings. To Anthony, family was the most important thing and he did everything possible to attend events both big and small in support of his siblings, nieces, nephews, wife, and children. On Dec. 27, 1953, Anthony married Alice Runft Puckett. Alice had a son, Thomas, she brought to this union and Anthony later adopted. They were blessed a few years later by the birth of a daughter, Carol. During his lifetime, Anthony held down a multitude of different jobs including: farming; managed Rydal Grain Elevator; managed Chester Grain Elevator; Republic County Under Sheriff; proprietor of Seaman's Store (a second hand store); delivered milk to local stores and restaurants; Star Mail Route delivery; carpentry; and local rural mail carrier. Anthony was a member of the First Baptist Church, Odd Fellows & Rebekah Lodge of Belleville; Rural Letter Carriers Association; and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. After Anthony retired in Oct 1983, he spent time taking trips with his wife and managed to visit family on just about every trip, regardless of destination. During retirement, Anthony also enjoyed gardening and working in the yard, carpentry, visiting with friends, and sitting in front of the garage watching the world go by. The last milestone in Anthony's life was celebrating his 100th birthday on April 3 with his family. This was an event he anticipated and enjoyed. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Person and Mary Seaman; brothers Edwin, Edward (infant), and Jimmie Seaman; sisters Alice (infant), Sarah (Harold) Kenley, and Lettie (Frank) Fraser; an infant grandson; and an infant great-grandson. Survivors include his wife, Alice, Belleville; a daughter, Carol Seaman, Topeka; a son, Thomas (Nita), Fairfield, Ill.; three grandchildren; two step grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; two step great, great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lena Kelley and Ella Friesen, both of Westmoreland; a brother, Freddie Seaman, Florida; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Friday, April 30, 2010 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas with Pastors John Lewis and David Walters officiating. Burial was in the Belleville City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or the Golden Bell Haven. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home was in charge of these arrangements.