1937-2025
Charles Joseph “Joe” Bohlender, 88, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away at the Village of Olathe in Olathe. He was born April 3, 1937, in Guthrie Center, the son of Harold Ormal and Thelma Louise (Lundstrom) Bohlender.
Joe proudly served in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, retiring in 1976. He earned the rank of Tech Sergeant and served during the Vietnam War. After retirement, Joe worked for PRC Kentron, Inc., a contractor with the USAF.
On Sept. 8, 1963, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Joe was united in marriage to Karen Lee Oyler. They shared more than 61 years of marriage. To this union, they shared two sons, Bryon and Charles Joseph “Joey” Bohlender, Jr.
Joe was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holton, Kansas.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Charles Joseph, “Joey” Bohlender, Jr.; and a sister, Betty Billick.
Survivors include his wife, Karen, of the home; a son, Bryon Bohlender of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; a daughter-in-law, Linda Tochtrop of Linwood, Kansas; a sister, Linda Wolfe (Mike) of Norwalk; two brothers, James Bohlender (Lynda) of Guthrie Center and Jack Bohlender (Susan) of Norwalk; eight grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
Memorial Services were held 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Holton, Kansas. Graveside Inurnment with Military Honors followed at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS, 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.