Jack Sills
Jack was born in Montrose, Kansas on October 9, 1934, to Madeline and Quincy Sills. Jack was an avid sportsman while living in Montrose. He played baseball, tennis, basketball, and football. After graduating from Montrose High School, Jack worked for Coca Cola in Nebraska. He decided to further his education by attending Kansas City Business College and graduating from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1958 with a degree in accounting. He was a proud member of their championship football team.
After graduating from Kansas Wesleyan, Jack taught business courses at Clifton/Clyde High Schools. He later joined the staff at the K-State Student Union as an Accountant and worked his way to becoming the Director. Jack served in the U.S. Army Reserves for a just under 35 years and retired in October 1994 reaching the rank of Colonel. Jack was a long-time member of Grace Baptist Church in Manhattan, Kansas, and a member of Gideons International.
Jack married Phyllis A. Freshour on August 12, 1989. Services were performed by his brother George Sills. Their marriage blended a family of 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Jack was a sweet, gentle man with a winning smile whose family meant everything to him. He loved holding his grandchildren and his Yorkies, (one on each side of him). Before he passed, Jack regularly regaled residents and staff of Via Christi about his new puppy Rudy. He was a quiet man who was a voracious reader. However, he had a sense of humor that would certainly catch you off guard!
Jack is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughter Melanie Krause and husband Jack, daughter Stephanie McMillen and husband Robert, son John Sills and wife Angela, step-son Kevin Luncford and wife K.J., step-son Charles Freshour and wife Elizabeth; grandchildren Jessica Krause-Hiler and husband Bob, Daniel Krause, John Krause, Taylor Anglin and husband Zach, Joelle Pope and husband Brady, Jevon Knauer and husband Matthew, Jacci Sills, Kate Freshour and Liam Freshour; and 7 great grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Madeline and Quincy Sills, brother George, and wife Louise Bolton Sills.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 4:00 until 5:30p.m. Sunday April 27, 2025, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Funeral services for Mr. Sills will be held at 10:00a.m. Monday April 28, 2025, at the Grace Baptist Church, 2901 Dickens Avenue in Manhattan. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Riley in Manhattan.
The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Jack to the Gideon International or the Wounded Warriors Fund. Contributions may be sent to the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com