Francis James “Jim” Fladung
A military memorial service and burial for Francis James “Jim” Fladung of Emporia will be at 1:30 p.m. May 25 at the National Cemetery in Leavenworth. A memorial Mass will be at noon May 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olpe.
Mr. Fladung, 77, died May 3 at Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Administration Medical Center in Topeka.
Jim Fladung graduated from Harmony Hill High School and enlisted in the Marine Corps as soon as he turned 18, serving from 1947 through September 1951. He was a wireman and served in the Mediterranean area, China , Japan and Korea. In Korea, he participated in the recapture and securing of Seoul and in the Wonsan-Hungnam-Chosin Campaign, for which he received the Bronze Star. His unit also was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation with a star. He also received many other decorations.
Upon his return to Emporia, he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, at Goodyear Tire & Rubber for 15 years and retired from DeBauge Brothers, where he was a driver/salesman. He loved to fish and brought many unique covered dishes to family gatherings. Most recently he was a resident at Horizon Plaza, where was active in organizing a card-game night and participated in many other activities.
Jim is survived by his five children, Donna Baker of Branson, Mo., Ron Fladung of Tucson, AZ., Gary Fladung and Mike Fladung of Emporia and Patricia Winchester of Berryton; and by his former wife, Martha Tomlinson of Emporia.
He is also survived by four siblings; Rosemary Hogan and Marge Korte of Ottawa, Gene Fladung of Louisburg and Sister Jane Fladung, O.S.B. of Columbia , Mo.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Eileen Lowenstein and Charlotte Korte and one brother, Herman “Bud” Fladung.