Dick Flaming
Solomon D. "Dick" Flaming, 83, died Feb. 11, 2004, at his home in Peabody.
Born Dec. 26, 1920, near Goessel, he was the son of Jacob and Eva (Goossen) Flaming.
He grew up in the Goessel area and attended Antioch Elementary School through the eighth grade. Being one of nine children, he went to work full-time farming with his family.
On Dec. 29, 1941, he married Rose Guhr at Tabor Mennonite Church, Goessel.
They attended Newton Bible Church and in the early 1960s became members of Koerner Heights Mennonite Brethren Church, Newton. He was a member until his death. He served on the church council and was a member of the Christian Business Men's Committee (CBMC) and sang bass in the CMBC Quartet for many years.
He was a farmer all his life and worked at American Coach Company in Newton and as a welder for Hesston Corporation in Hesston. He was a McNess Feed dealer and zone leader for the company for many years. He became successful as a supervisor for the Shaklee Corporation and worked to develop distributors for nearly 20 years.
From 1976-1991, he was president of Flaming Metal Systems of Peabody, before selling his share of the company to his son.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lance Flaming; three brothers, Sam, Jacob, and Frank Flaming; four sisters, Mary Voth, Eva Hiebert, Margaret Epp, and Kathryn Janzen; and a grandson, Todd Flaming.
Survivors include his wife, Rose of Peabody; three sons, Jerry Flaming of Rockford, Ill., Melvin Flaming and Delmer Flaming of Peabody; a brother, Abe Flaming of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Koerner Heights Church, Newton, with Pastors Mark Isaac and Leonard Reiss officiating.
A private family graveside service was held at Claney Cemetery, rural Marion, prior to the memorial service.
Memorial funds have been established with Kids Around the World of Rockford, Ill., or Koerner Heights Church.
