Wilmer H. Boxberger, 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Main Street Manor in Russell.

Wilmer arrived as the first-born son of Herman and Pauline (Funk) Boxberger on September 20, 1926 and was raised on the family farm 2 ½ miles southwest of Russell.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church and attended schools in Russell, graduating with the class of 1944.
  
On October 26, 1947, he married Estella Deines at St. John Lutheran Church.  They moved to the family farm in 1948 and were later joined with the births of their two children, Cynthia and John.
  
He farmed and raised cattle through the years until the mid 1970’s.  During that time, he also founded and was a partner in a Massey Harris farm equipment business with his father Herman and headed a crew of custom cutters through several states.  For many years he was employed by Grant Township as a heavy equipment operator. He then bought the Standard Oil bulk business in 1967 and served many farmers in Russell County for years.  Wilmer participated in many church and community activities.  He was active in his church and taught Sunday school for twenty-five years, serving several stints as Sunday school superintendent.  He served on the church council in several capacities, including Vice President.  In 1951 he became a charter member of Jaycees, a leadership training and civic organization of the Russell Police Department.  These volunteers were issued coral fluorescent police-style flashlights and hats and carried .38 pistols in holsters.   In 1961 he achieved a long-term goal of getting his private pilot’s license, bought a membership in a flying club, and pursued his dream of flying. Many interesting flights were made with family and friends until 1981, when he decided to give it up.
  
After his father’s death, the family moved to a new home he and his wife had built in Russell.  After selling his bulk oil business, he took over management of the Agco service station, where he worked until his retirement in 1988.  Travelling, boating, and camping with family and friends were his hobbies.  For a time, he created stained glass art, until the deterioration of his eyesight in 2002 dramatically curtailed many of his activities, but he enjoyed good physical health his whole life until then.  He moved to a nursing home in December, 2013, and in January, 2014, Estella, his wife of 67 years died suddenly in the home.  His parents and Estella’s parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his 2 brothers Richard Boxberger and wife Carmen of Russell, Gerald Boxberger and wife Shirley of Russell, and one sister Veramae Henre of Great Bend; daughter Cynthia Appel of Catoosa, OK, son John Boxberger and wife Mary of Russell, grandson Craig Boxberger and wife Kristal of Hays, and 2 great grandsons Tanner and Bryce and numerous nieces, nephews, and their spouses, children and grandchildren.

Celebration of Wilmer’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, September  28, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Memorials have been established with Russell County Food Pantry, St. John Lutheran Church Sunday School or Main Street Manor.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.