Fred Nilges 

Fred J. Nilges, 88, passed away at his home in Emporia Tuesday morning, Nov. 23, 2012.
Fred was born in rural Garnett on Aug. 1, 1924, the son of Samuel and Mary (Peine) Nilges. He married Lorrine Armstrong at Emporia on Feb. 26, 1972. She died Nov. 5, 2006.
Survivors include a step-daughter, June Delgado, and her husband, Larry, Emporia; adopted son, Mark Wayne Nilges; son-in-law Jim Spillman, Eureka; brother, Bernie Nilges, Iola; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Others who preceded him in death were step-son Randy Swanson, step-daughter Janis Spillman, as well as three brothers and four sisters.
Mr. Nilges was a truck driver for 35 years, and owned and operated Fred J. Nilges Trucking until he retired in 1988. He also owned and operated Fred’s Tavern in Emporia for 27 years, retiring from there in 1989.
Graveside services will be at the Number Eight Cemetery, east of Madison, at 10 a.m. Friday. The service will be conducted by Rev. Kenneth Baker, United Methodist Church, Eureka. The family will receive friends at the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8.
A memorial has been established with Friendship Meals, Emporia, with gifts to be sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.robertsblue.com.