Eliseo Molina

Eliseo (Mo, Cheo) Molina, 93, of Shawnee, KS went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 12th, after having spent the day surrounded by his loving family.

Eliseo was born July 17, 1932, the middle son of the late Felipe and Louisa (Gonzalez) Molina. He is survived by his brothers Joel (Martha) of Kansas City, MO, and Ezekiel (Tonie) of Overland Park, KS.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Athena. He is survived by their two children, Phil (Penny) of Brooklyn, WI, and Cris of Shawnee, KS, as well as three cherished grandchildren: Austin Klein of Leawood, KS; Ashley Klein of Leawood, KS; and Will Beatty of Madison, WI.

Eliseo graduated from Argentine High School in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably during the Korean War. After his service, he returned to Kansas City, where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Electronic Technology and began work at Bendix. It was there that he met Athena, and the two were married in 1961. They welcomed their children in Kansas City before moving to Shawnee in 1967, where they built their family home. Around the same time, Eliseo began his career with TWA (later American Airlines), where he worked until his retirement in 1995.

Thanks to the generous travel benefits of his career, Eliseo and Athena—and often their children—were able to visit some of the most beautiful and historic places in the world. Some of his favorite destinations were Egypt (the Nile and Giza), Greece (Zakynthos, the island from which his father-in-law immigrated), and Paris. His children often recalled that they went to Disneyland or Disney World more often than to Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun!

At home, Eliseo found great joy in his garage workshop, where he transformed simple pieces of wood into meaningful treasures. From a hand-turned train for his grandson, to a full-size crib for his granddaughter, to hobby horses for his great-nieces and nephews, he loved sharing his gifts with those he loved most. He also shared his skills with the Greenwood Meadowlarks 4-H Club, where he taught woodworking for many years.

Although not a natural athlete (despite excelling in track during high school), Eliseo was a passionate and loyal fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He proudly wore their gear at home and abroad, and for many years enjoyed cheering on the Chiefs as a devoted season ticket holder.

Together, Eliseo and Athena shared a deep love of the arts, especially music and dance. Friday evenings were often spent at a local gym for ballroom dancing, and wherever they traveled, they never missed a chance to take to the dance floor—especially when they found a favorite jazz band playing.

Eliseo’s warmth, charm, and quick sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A visitation reception will be held in the Multi-Ministry Room at Christ Lutheran Church, Overland Park, KS, on Sunday, September 21st, from 5:00–7:00 PM. Funeral services will be on Monday, September 22nd, at 10:30 AM at Christ Lutheran Church, followed by burial with full military honors at 12:30 PM at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to City Union Mission, 1100 E. 11th St, KC, MO 64106.