Samuel M. Cornelius Jr.

Samuel M. Cornelius, Jr., 93, passed away at his home in Overland Park, KS, November 24, 2010. He was born in Donaldsonville, La on December 5, 1916 to Rose (Labello) and Samuel Cornelius, Sr. He was raised in Kansas City, Ks and graduated from Wyandotte High School, and then attended Kansas City Jr. College.

Sam enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 11, 1942. He was a WWII and Korean War Veteran and served as a Tech Sergeant and instructor for B-17 pilots. He received his honorable discharge the summer of 1953. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 38 years as a switchman until his retirement in 1978. It was there that he met and married his loving wife of almost 60 years, Mary Margaret Flaherty, on Feb. 3, 1951 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas.

Sam was a member of the Civil Air Patrol Rescue & Search Squad, President of Union Pacific Old Timer’s Club, Horseless Carriage Club, Kansas City Breakfast Club, a member of the American Legion organization Sertoma Club, Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, and Usher for 25 years at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Cornelius, Sr. & Rose Hayden, his sisters Virginia Stinnett, Marie Ewing & Loraine Mellon. He is survived by his wife, Mary Cornelius and their children; Dan Cornelius and wife, Linda, of Wichita, Ks; Beverly and husband, Mitch Henry, of Scottsdale, AZ; Mary Deborah and husband, Richard Monterubio, of St. Louis, Mo; Gregory Cornelius and wife, Susan of Overland Park, Ks; Sandy Edwards of Overland Park, Ks; Richard Cornelius of Kansas City, Ks; Cheryl and husband, Bill Padek of Overland Park, Ks; Marcia and husband, Gary Baker of Overland Park, Ks; and Karen and Michael Leitner of Glen Carbon, Il; 27 grand and great grandchildren; his brothers and sisters: Pearl Ciko, Genevieve Spini, Lee Cornelius, Lucy Camarillo, Larry Cornelius, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 28 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W. 71st St, Overland Park, KS 66204. Rosary will be said at 1:00 p.m. with visitation following. A mass celebration will be held Monday, November 29th at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas. Contributions may be made to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Samuel Cornelius’s memory. Please offer condolences at www.mcgilleyhogememorialchapel.com.