G. Nelson Van Fleet

1936 - 2025

G. Nelson Van Fleet

May 10, 1936 - November 19, 2025

Wichita, Kansas - Van Fleet, G. Nelson, age 89, died November 19, 2025. Born in Scranton, PA, May 10, 1936, he graduated from Penn State University in 1958, served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962, and graduated from the Georgetown Law School in 1966. He worked for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. and practiced law in Philadelphia, PA before coming to Wichita with his family in 1970. He joined a small oil exploration firm, then joined the Garvey organization for 9 years where he held a number of executive positions. He practiced law in Wichita from 1985 until retiring in 2007. His public service included one term in the Kansas House of Representatives; 5 years with the Wichita Metropolitan Area Planning Commission; and 3 years with the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. He enjoyed duplicate bridge and held the rank of Silver Life Master. He is preceded in death by his parents, George N. Van Fleet, Sr. and Loretta Bachman Van Fleet; first wife Patricia (Thomas) Van Fleet; and brother Dr. James A. Van Fleet. He is survived by his wife Mary Frances Van Fleet, of Wichita; daughter Margaret Foncannon (Bob) of Wichita; son Tom Van Fleet (Erin) of Lenexa, KS; daughter Betsy McLaughlin (Mark) of Fort Worth, TX; step-daughters Kathy Hirschi (Steve) and Sara Ruckman (Chris), both of Leawood, KS; sister Mary Joan Burns, Scranton, PA; 5 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, and 6 step-great-grandchildren. No services. A Celebration of Life party will be held December 13, 2025 at the home of his daughter, Margaret Foncannon, 2145 S. Sierra Hills Ct. in Wichita.