Ace W. Van Wey

Ace W. Van Wey passed away peacefully Aug 6, 2016 surrounded by family and friends in his home at Oxford Grand Senior Living. Ace was born November 18, 1935. He was born at home, on the family farm in Ionia KS to (John) Milton and Pansy Grace (Bowling) Van Wey. Ace attended school in Ionia until High School, when the family moved to Beloit KS. Ace graduated from Beloit High School. Ace was a “late bloomer “so he didn’t actually participate in the sports he loved. However, he was always the team manager. Ace enlisted in the Army after High School where he served as an MP. This was between WWII and the Korean War. It was while he was in the army that he grew from 5’8 “to his towering 6’ 3” frame. While Ace did not see any fighting action he was on a Top Secret Mission: Operation _Red Wing_. Ace witnessed 13 atomic blasts from a ship while in the Bikini Atoll. Often soldiers went on the islands shortly after a blast and Ace reported that they sometimes ate the contaminated fruit. Most of Ace’s Army buddies died or had bouts with cancer. (which we now know is linked to the radiation exposure). Ace met his future wife Mary Elaine Young at the Beloit Municipal pool. They married Aug 26, 1956, while Ace was home, on leave from the Army. They had 2 children: Angela Kay and Pamela Rae. Shortly after his Army service ended, Ace’s application to the Wichita Police department was accepted. This began his career in law enforcement. Ace retired from the Wichita PD after 20 years where he served as a motorcycle cop, and detective in vice squad and bad checks. Ace then worked at the Sherriff’s Department for 7 years in personnel. Ace also served as Police Chief of Park City, Kansas for 15 years. Ace was a life-long motorcycle enthusiast. When he was young he raced at the Jeeps Club. Ace always owned a motorcycle and passed that love onto his children and grandchildren. Ace rode his motorcycle up into his seventies and only quit riding, due to leg weakness. Ace was a WSU alumni having a degree in Criminal Justice. After his third retirement Ace and Mary followed the Shockers. Ace and Mary were HUGE Shocker Baseball fans having season tickets for 15 years. They traveled to most of the Shocker tournaments and they attended all Shocker home games until Mary got too sick. Ace and Mary were married for 58 years until her death in 2014. Due to declining health Ace moved to Oxford Grand where he was greeted by staff who enjoyed his stories and his “dry” wit. Ace was sharp mentally, so he was often frustrated after a stroke left him with a soft voice and searching for the appropriate words. Ace is proceeded in death by: his parents, Milton and Pansy Van Wey, wife, Mary Van Wey, sister Dixie Jones, sister and brother-in-law LeDean and Paul Menhusen, infant sister NaDean Van Wey, nephew Bernard Menhusen. Ace leaves behind 2 daughters: Angela K (Rodney) Davis and Pamela R Van Wey. 2 grandchildren : Jesse Chambers and Nathan (Maria) Davis. As well as 4 great grandchildren, Nathan Jr, Malachi, Aralyn and Grace Davis. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Serenity Hospice.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

10:00 AM

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