Joseph Terrill obituary: Joseph Terrill's Obituary, Topeka

In Memory Of
Joseph W. "Joe" Terrill
1933 - 2017

Obituary photo of Joseph Terrill, Topeka-KS
Obituary photo of Joseph Terrill, Topeka-KS

In Memory Of
Joseph W. "Joe" Terrill
1933 - 2017

Joseph Terrill, 84, Topeka, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017.

Joe was born March 21, 1933 in Ottawa, the son of Dr. Harold J. and Ruby (Wright) Terrill.

He graduated from Ottawa High School and the University of Kansas with a degree in Architecture.

He moved to Topeka and worked for Williamson, Loebsack & Associates Architects. He founded Horst & Terrill Architects in 1957 which then became Horst, Terrill & Karst Architects in 1960. He was involved in the design of numerous public buildings throughout the State of Kansas including the Kansas Expocentre, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, Bales Organ Recital Hall at the University of Kansas Lied Center, and several schools and additions. He served as President of HTK from 1979 until his retirement in 1999.

He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, US Naval Air Reserve, Cosmopolitan Club of Topeka, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Shawnee Country Club and served on the boards of the University of Kansas School of Architecture and the Florence Crittenden Home.

Joe was a dedicated and accomplished architect. He loved to travel, golf and spend time with his family and friends. Joe’s greatest love was his family and he showed this every day and taught this to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who will continue his legacy.

Joe married Shirley Joyce McCracken on September 6, 1953. She died May 28, 2017. Survivors include daughters, Jennifer (Dave) Harpster, Stephanie (Jeffrey) Stromgren, all of Topeka, grandchildren, Whitney (Kyle) Smith, Jacob Harpster, Adin (Matthew) Selzer, Emily (Josh) Davis; and great-grandchildren, Sloane and Cannon Smith. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Pattie; and brother, Harold J. Terrill, Jr.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road. A reception will follow.

Private family inurnment will be in the Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.

Memorial contributions may be made to KU Endowment-School of Architecture or Topeka Shawnee County Library Foundation, c/o Penwell-Gabel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road Topeka, Kansas 66614.

To leave a special message for the family online, click the Share Memories button above.
Joseph Terrill, 84, Topeka, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017.

Joe was born March 21, 1933 in Ottawa, the son of Dr. Harold J. and Ruby (Wright) Terrill.

He graduated from Ottawa High School and the University of Kansas with a degree in Architecture.

He moved to Topeka and worked for Williamson, Loebsack & Associates Architects. He founded Horst & Terrill Architects in 1957 which then became Horst, Terrill & Karst Architects in 1960. He was involved in the design of numerous public buildings throughout the State of Kansas including the Kansas Expocentre, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, Bales Organ Recital Hall at the University of Kansas Lied Center, and several schools and additions. He served as President of HTK from 1979 until his retirement in 1999.

He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, US Naval Air Reserve, Cosmopolitan Club of Topeka, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Shawnee Country Club and served on the boards of the University of Kansas School of Architecture and the Florence Crittenden Home.

Joe was a dedicated and accomplished architect. He loved to travel, golf and spend time with his family and friends. Joe’s greatest love was his family and he showed this every day and taught this to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who will continue his legacy.

Joe married Shirley Joyce McCracken on September 6, 1953. She died May 28, 2017. Survivors include daughters, Jennifer (Dave) Harpster, Stephanie (Jeffrey) Stromgren, all of Topeka, grandchildren, Whitney (Kyle) Smith, Jacob Harpster, Adin (Matthew) Selzer, Emily (Josh) Davis; and great-grandchildren, Sloane and Cannon Smith. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Pattie; and brother, Harold J. Terrill, Jr.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road. A reception will follow.

Private family inurnment will be in the Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.

Memorial contributions may be made to KU Endowment-School of Architecture or Topeka Shawnee County Library Foundation, c/o Penwell-Gabel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road Topeka, Kansas 66614.

To leave a special message for the family online, click the Share Memories button above.

Services & Gatherings

Memorial Service

Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 4:00pm
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
3700 SW Wanamaker Rd
Topeka, KS 66610
Directions & Map

Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family

Southwest Chapel (785-272-9797) is assisting the family

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