Robert Henry ("Bob") Kokenge, age 89, of Manhattan, KS, died Sept. 21, 2014, at his residence.

He was born Nov. 29, 1924, east of Baileyville, KS, the son of John and Anna (Deters) Kokenge.

Bob graduated from Seneca (KS) High School in 1943.

He worked as the assistant manager at the Seneca A&P grocery store and then transferred to Salina, before moving to Manhattan in 1975. After A&P closed, he worked for 25 years at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Topeka, building earthmover tires. Through the years, he worked part-time for Bockers II Catering, drove cars for Briggs Auto and was a sales clerk at Borck Brothers Men’s Wear.

Bob was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #8488, and belonged to the United Steel Workers Local 307. While living in Seneca, he served on the Seneca City Council and the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department.

On May 4, 1954, he married Gladys M. Ronnebaum in Seneca. Mrs. Kokenge survives of the home. Additional survivors include children: Deboraha Titus of Roeland Park, KS; Susan Steinlage and her husband, Damian, of Topeka; and Shawn Kokenge and his wife, Nicole, of Manhattan; six grandchildren: Gillian Titus; Joshua Steinlage and his wife, Fanny; Eric Steinlage; Molly Steinlage-Cornet and her husband, Julien; Louis Kokenge; Maxwell Kokenge; and one great-grandson, Atticus Steinlage. Other survivors include siblings: Max Kokenge of Seneca; and Mary Kramer of Lincoln, NE.

The Knights of Columbus will pray a Rosary at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2900 Kimball Ave., Manhattan, KS, followed by the Mass of the Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Don Zimmerman as Celebrant. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Seneca.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas More Catholic Church Building Fund or to the Good Shepherd Hospice House of Manhattan. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS, 66502.