Michael Foster

Michael “Mike” Foster, 65, of Clay Center, Kansas, passed away, Saturday, October 25, 2014 surrounded by his family. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at Clay Center United Methodist Church, 921 5th Street, Clay Center, Kansas, Pastor Ryan Lynch will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Miltonvale Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home located at 918 7th Street. The family will be at the visitation from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Memorials to the Mike Foster Memorial fund will benefit the Miltonvale and Clay Center Communities c/o the funeral home. Mike was born April 6, 1949 in Belleville, Illinois to John (Jack) and Lulu (Hoffman) Foster. He was raised in Miltonvale, Kansas and graduated from Miltonvale High School in 1967. He attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas graduating in 1971 where he was a member of the Beta Rho Mu fraternity. On August 4, 1968 Mike married his soul mate, who he had known since they were 5 years old, Jackie Hargett in Miltonvale, Kansas. Mike went to work at Twin Valley Telephone right after college and worked outside and managed plant operations. In 1994, he became president at Twin Valley Telephone up until his retirement in 2012, when his son took over those responsibilities. Mike enjoyed being involved in the telephone industry and communities and was a member of the Miltonvale Lions Club and served on the Miltonvale City Council. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church, BPOE and Rotary in Clay Center, Clay County Economic Development Group, past president of the Kansas Board of Telecommunications, Southwestern College Board of Trustees, KSU Alumni Association, Kansas Cellular Board and KINNET Board. Mike also enjoyed coaching girls’ softball for 36 years for both the Miltonvale Lions Club team and Clay Center B’s organization. He enjoyed traveling and spending time at Council Grove City Lake with family and friends, playing golf, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was known for his passion for all aspects of his life, but especially his family, friends, community and company. He had many professional accomplishments but he was most proud of the role he played in shepherding the company ownership to the 4th generation. Mike is survived by his wife Jackie of Clay Center, one son, Ben Foster and his wife Beth of Clay Center, KS, two daughters Shellee Frederick and husband David of Clay Center, KS and Kendra Howze and husband Chuck of Overland Park, Kansas; his father John (Jack) Foster of Miltonvale, Kansas; two sisters Penny Gisselbeck and husband John of Miltonvale, Kansas, and Peg Foster and partner Heidi Daughan of Gunnison, Colorado; eleven grandchildren, Chelsie, Allie, Brandon, Blake, Lauren, Brady, Jack, Finley, Quinn, Donovan, and Channing and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Joe and Mildred Foster and mother Lulu Foster, all of Miltonvale, Kansas.