Gene Volmer

Francis E. “Gene” Volmer, 87, of rural Parsons, passed away at 3:40 a.m., Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Freeman West in Joplin.

Francis Eugene Volmer was born on December 9, 1938, to Francis A. and Mary Lorean (Nunnick) Volmer at the family farm northeast of Parsons. He attended St. Patrick Catholic School in Parsons.

From 1958 to 1968, Gene worked for Beachner Construction. He then worked for Sunflower Sales until 1970 and for the MKT Railroad from 1971 to 1989. In 1972, Gene started Volmer Diesel and Truck Service, which he ran part-time until 1989. Owning and operating Volmer Diesel was Gene’s full-time job until retiring in 2017.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons and a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

The center of Gene’s life was his family. He loved being around his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, and tinkering in his shop. One of his favorite past times was driving around and checking on everything from the sweet corn patch to people and jobs that were ongoing in the area.

Gene and Thressa E. Hinman were united in marriage on September 21, 1963, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons. She preceded him in death on April 9, 2017.

Survivors include:

Three sons – Brad Volmer (Kim) of Parsons, Kansas

Bryan Volmer of Parsons, Kansas

Steve Volmer (Jennifer) of Parsons, Kansas

Eight grandchildren – Brock Volmer (Shelby), Brianna Volmer (Angela), Lauren Volmer, Riley Volmer (Miranda), Matthew Volmer (Kasey), Mason Volmer (Jaeli), Tate Volmer (Abby), and Erica Ward (D.J.)

15 great-grandchildren – Brody, DeLaney, Beckett, Lily, Zander, Maverick, Hallie, Grady, Slade, Reid, Jade, Daniel, Mikayla, Emma, and Natalie

One sister – Joanna George (Jack) of Miami, Oklahoma

One sister-in-law – Patty Volmer of Coffeyville, Kansas

Besides his wife, Thressa, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bob Volmer; and sister, Roberta Simpson.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, with the family receiving friends after the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church or St. Patrick Catholic School. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.