Dale Finkenbinder

Dale K. Finkenbinder, age 75, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Golden Heights in Garnett, Kansas. He was born on October 8, 1938, at Garnett, Kansas, the second of three children born to Keith and Marjorie (Rook) Finkenbinder. Dale grew up in the Bush City area. He graduated from Garnett High School in 1957. He served in the National Guard from 1956 to 1957 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California from 1957 to 1961; where he was as an Aircraft & Missile Electrical Repairman, A/2C. He later worked for International Atlas Services in Vacaville, California as an aircraft electrician. Dale worked contracts for the government on Wake Island from 1963 to 1964, where he serviced all aircraft flying from the United States to Japan, Philippines and Hong Kong. Dale returned to Garnett in 1964 and was appointed as the Anderson County Undersheriff and lived in the jail during this time. Dale married Lois Ann Feuerborn in 1965. This union was blessed with a daughter, Reva Joan. They later divorced. Dale began working for United Telephone in Garnett during the late 1960's. In 1980, he transferred to Fredonia, Kansas, as the Outside Plant Supervisor, serving southeast Kansas. Dale married Kathy Adams in 1982. In 1990, he started his own business, Fredonia Telephone, an interconnect/computer business. Dale moved to Garnett in 2000, and continued to install business telephone and computer systems in the Garnett and Fredonia areas until he retired in 2005. Throughout Dale's life he always enjoyed his time with friends, especially when they shared a cup of coffee. Dale took great pride in his garden and his yard. He especially loved to share the fruits of his garden with family and friends. Yard "work" was never viewed as work to Dale as it allowed him to enjoy his John Deere mower. Dale spent hours feeding his fish as well as "protecting" them from the turtles. He also enjoyed seeing the purple martins return to their houses every spring and watching his colony grow over the years. After marrying Kathy, Dale soon developed a common love of canine companions. Rarely did you see Dale without a dog by his side. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Finkenbinder, of the home; daughter, Reva Pracht and husband John of Westphalia; four grandchildren, Tyler Pracht of Salina; Storm, Ridge, and Hope Pracht of Westphalia; two sisters, Jeanette Arnett and husband Ray of Garnett; Frances Denoon of Adair, Oklahoma; his mother-in-law Mary (Adams) Finkenbinder of Garnett; brother-in-law Bob Adams of Wichita; nieces Rachel Umbarger of Richmond; Shari Winfrey and Paul of Olathe; Cindy Staten and George of Washington, Kansas; nephews Raymond Arnett and Tonya of Garnett; Steve Ward and Lori of Kansas City, Missouri; Rusty Ward of Huntsville, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, April 7, 2014 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 219 S. Oak, Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4:00-6:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Anderson County 4-H Scholarship or to the Anderson County Hospital Foundation or to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter and may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .