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Weldon (Bud) Gene Howell, 94, died January 3, 2012, at his home in McPherson, Kansas. He was born June 6, 1917, to Frederick and Myrtle (Fahrney) Howell in Nickerson (Reno County), Kansas. The family moved to rural Larned, Kansas where he attended several country schools and graduated from Larned High School in 1937.
He married Mildred M. Merkel, on April 9, 1939, at her parents farm near Rozel, KS.
Weldon was a farmer in the Larned community until 1957, when they moved to a farm northwest of St, John. He continued farming and raising sheep while Mildred worked 23 years as secretary to the Stafford County Extension Service. A skilled engineer and welder, Weldon often created machinery to facilitate the farming.
A leader in the Eden Valley Church of the Brethren, serving as chairman of the late 1960's building expansion project; he was very dedicated to his church and its beliefs.
After his retirement the couple spent fifteen years camping and traveling in Kansas and across the United States with their 5th wheel camper. Weldon served as president of the Golden Belt camping group several times. When health dictated they moved from the farm to McPherson where he lived the remaining twelve years of his life.
The couple celebrated 62 years of marriage before Mildred died in 2001. They had four children, Veneta (Paul) Ediger and Nolan (JoAnn Reed) Howell, McPherson; Norman (Mei-Feng Lee) Howell, Fremont, CA; and Janice (Terry) Wokaty, Jacksonville, AR.
Weldon and Ruth Giles were married on March 30, 2002, in McPherson, KS. They shared several years of camping and traveling visiting family and friends in nearby states; and were members of the St. John and McPherson camping clubs. Ruth's family welcomed Weldon as their own and with his humor and her loving tender care they enjoyed ten years together.
Survivors besides his wife Ruth and four children include four step-children Sandy Giles, Elbing, KS; Merle (Erika) Giles, Mahomet, IL; Marianne Peoples, Peoria, AZ; and Marcia Stevenson, Wasilla, AK.; ten grandchildren, David (Karen) Ediger, McPherson; Janet (Dennis) Roemer, Wichita; Matthew (Joanna) Ediger, Wichita; Kent Howell, Protection; Angie Howell, Inman; Sheila (Greg) Cornwell, Patterson, CA; Carmen (Mike) Towan, Hayden, ID; Weilan Howell, Fremont, CA; Tara (Bill) Blair, Ft. Worth, TX; and Julie (Erik) Kozma, Newnan, GA; sixteen great grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; fourteen step-grandchildren and twelve step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold, Fred, William, Wayne, Clifford, Vernal and Dale; sisters Cleta and Velda; and step-son, Gary Giles.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Glidden Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday January 9, 2012 at the McPherson Church of the Brethren with Reverend Chris Whitacre officiating.
Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in the Larned Cemetery, Larned, KS.
Memorials to the McPherson or Eden Valley Church of the Brethren or Hospice Care of Kansas in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460
Weldon (Bud) Gene Howell, 94, died January 3, 2012, at his home in McPherson, Kansas. He was born June 6, 1917, to Frederick and Myrtle (Fahrney) Howell in Nickerson (Reno County), Kansas. The family moved to rural Larned, Kansas where he attended several country schools and graduated from Larned High School in 1937.
He married Mildred M. Merkel, on April 9, 1939, at her parents farm near Rozel, KS.
Weldon was a farmer in the Larned community until 1957, when they moved to a farm northwest of St, John. He continued farming and raising sheep while Mildred worked 23 years as secretary to the Stafford County Extension Service. A skilled engineer and welder, Weldon often created machinery to facilitate the farming.
A leader in the Eden Valley Church of the Brethren, serving as chairman of the late 1960's building expansion project; he was very dedicated to his church and its beliefs.
After his retirement the couple spent fifteen years camping and traveling in Kansas and across the United States with their 5th wheel camper. Weldon served as president of the Golden Belt camping group several times. When health dictated they moved from the farm to McPherson where he lived the remaining twelve years of his life.
The couple celebrated 62 years of marriage before Mildred died in 2001. They had four children, Veneta (Paul) Ediger and Nolan (JoAnn Reed) Howell, McPherson; Norman (Mei-Feng Lee) Howell, Fremont, CA; and Janice (Terry) Wokaty, Jacksonville, AR.
Weldon and Ruth Giles were married on March 30, 2002, in McPherson, KS. They shared several years of camping and traveling visiting family and friends in nearby states; and were members of the St. John and McPherson camping clubs. Ruth's family welcomed Weldon as their own and with his humor and her loving tender care they enjoyed ten years together.
Survivors besides his wife Ruth and four children include four step-children Sandy Giles, Elbing, KS; Merle (Erika) Giles, Mahomet, IL; Marianne Peoples, Peoria, AZ; and Marcia Stevenson, Wasilla, AK.; ten grandchildren, David (Karen) Ediger, McPherson; Janet (Dennis) Roemer, Wichita; Matthew (Joanna) Ediger, Wichita; Kent Howell, Protection; Angie Howell, Inman; Sheila (Greg) Cornwell, Patterson, CA; Carmen (Mike) Towan, Hayden, ID; Weilan Howell, Fremont, CA; Tara (Bill) Blair, Ft. Worth, TX; and Julie (Erik) Kozma, Newnan, GA; sixteen great grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; fourteen step-grandchildren and twelve step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold, Fred, William, Wayne, Clifford, Vernal and Dale; sisters Cleta and Velda; and step-son, Gary Giles.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Glidden Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday January 9, 2012 at the McPherson Church of the Brethren with Reverend Chris Whitacre officiating.
Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in the Larned Cemetery, Larned, KS.
Memorials to the McPherson or Eden Valley Church of the Brethren or Hospice Care of Kansas in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460
