Charles Medcalf

Charles William "Chuck" Medcalf, 88, of Wichita, Kansas, formerly of the Iola area, died Thursday, December 22, 2011, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Chuck was born July 3, 1923, at Oil Hill, Kansas, the son of Jacob D. "Jack" and Madeline (Shockey) Medcalf. The family moved to a farm in the Geneva area in 1934. He graduated from Iola High School in 1942 and Kansas State University in 1949 after serving with the United States Navy during WWII as a fighter pilot. On January 23, 1949, Charles married Mary Berdean Storey in Topeka, Kansas. His lifetime achievements consisted of being known as an aviator, businessman, and rancher. He extended his flying experiences by joining the U.S. Navy Reserves. As a businessman, he worked for the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service in Paola, Kansas, owned a farm equipment dealership in Trenton, Missouri, and then became involved in the life insurance industry as an agent and then in the formation of several companies in the state of Illinois. In 1976, he returned to Kansas and purchased land for the development of working cattle ranch. Charles retired in 1996 and he and Mary lived in Ft. Scott, Iola, and Great Bend before moving to Wichita in 2009. He was a life member of V.F.W. Post 1165 in Ft. Scott, Kansas. SURVIVORS: His wife of 62 years: Mary Medcalf of the home 1 Son: Robert Medcalf of Girard, KS 1 Daughter: Nancy Wilkens & husband, Kent of Clearwater, KS 1 Sister: Genevieve Keller of Seattle, WA 6 Grandchildren: Taylor Wilkens, Charley Wilkens, Amanda Womack, Katie Pucket, Emily Medcalf and Joshua Medcalf 2 Great Grandsons He was preceded in death by 2 sons, Scott and William Medcalf, and a brother, Tom Medcalf. FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. The family will be available for visiting an hour prior to the service. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, Iola, Kansas MEMORIAL: Salvation Army Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .