Harry Mitchell Landis

Harry Mitchell Landis, age 93, Topeka, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Topeka Presbyterian Manor. He was born October 3, 1915 near Kiro, Kansas, the son of Samuel Adam Landis and Ellen Detter Landis. He was a 1933 graduate of Silver Lake High School, and lived in the Topeka area most of his life. He married Josephine Ruth Fowler on May 15, 1936. She preceded him in death on December 2, 1968. He married Mary McMurphy Dennis on December 27, 1969. She preceded him in death on March 8, 1992. He married Etta Ryles Essman on July 1, 1994. She survives. Harry retired from the Postal Office in 1970 with 30 years of service. He served overseas in the field artillery during WWII. He also served with the Peace Corps in Brazil during 1972 and 1973. He was a 65 year member of Orient Lodge #51 AF& AM and 60 year member of Loyal Chapter #176, OES and 55 year member of the North Topeka Baptist Church. Current memberships also included the National Railway Historical Society and the West Side Baptist Church. Harry was preceded in death by sons Harry Lyle Landis and Elmer Essman, Jr., by granddaughters Sharon Dennis Link and Myriah Dennis, and by great-grandson Bailey Spicer. He is survived by daughters, Mary Dennis Spicer (Frank) of Christiansburg, VA and Anita Essman Pekarek (Larry) of Topeka; by sons, Karl Landis (Debbie) Grantville, Burris Dennis (Barbara) of La Center, WA, Daryl Dennis (Judy) of Santa Rosa Valley, CA and Howard Jack Essman of Topeka and by numerous grand and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 27th at Davidson Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Silver Lake Cemetery. He will lie in state from 1-9 p.m. on Sunday where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Sunday evening. Memorial contributions may be made to West Side Baptist Church in care of Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 N. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608.