Duane McGhee

Duane O'Dell McGhee, 78, of Iola, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, September 19, 2011. Duane was born January 9, 1933, on a farm at rural Colony, Kansas, the son of Claude Robert and Mary Jane (O'Dell) McGhee. He grew up at rural Colony and attended rural Anderson County schools. He was baptized at the Northcott Church at the age of 10. He graduted from Colony High School in 1950 and was attending Iola Junior College when he was called into the United States Army. He served two years and was stationed in Korea for 16 months. He was honorably discharged as a Specialist 3 in March of 1957. On June 24, 1951, Duane married Dorothy Tippie at the Northcott Christian Church. They made their home on a dairy farm west of Colony where they raised their four children. Duane served on the original board that organized Water District #5 and served on the board until 1981. He also served several years on the LeRoy Coop board. He was on the Northcott Church board helping with additions to the original church. He went to work at Gates Rubber Company in Iola in 1980. Duane retired from the dairy and farming in 1981 and they moved to Iola. He retired from Gates in 1998. Following retirement, he and Dorothy did volunteer work at The Stonecroft Conference Center in Hollister, Missouri. He was currently a member of the First Christian Church in Iola. He and Dorothy were members of the Iola Red Hots Square Dance Club. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with Dorothy. SURVIVORS: His wife of 60 years: Dorothy McGhee of the home 4 Children: Leslie Duane McGhee & significant other, Linda Hughes of Greeley, KS, Kendall Dean McGhee & wife, Christy of Neosho Falls, KS, Terri Jean Louk & husband, John of Kincaid, KS, and Pamela Kay Campbell & husband, Duane of Wahoo, NE 2 Brothers: Gerald McGhee & wife, Shirley of Rural Colony, KS, and Jack Ellis & wife, Marylyn of Humboldt, KS 4 Sisters: Roberta West & husband, Robert of Rural Colony, KS, Thelma Haley & husband, A.D. of Yuba City, CA, Sharon Kay Voorhees & husband, George of rural Colony, KS, and Mona Tinsley & husband, Jerry of Springfield, MO 1 Brother-In-Law: William J. Stahl of rural Colony, KS 16 Grandchildren & 23 Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude & Mary McGhee, infant daughter Anita Rae, daughter-in-law Carol Sue McGhee, and sister Mikell Diane Stahl. VISITATION: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at the First Christian Church in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 22, 2011, at the First Christian Church in Iola. Pastor Dave McGullion will officiate. BURIAL: Colony Cemetery, Colony, Kansas MEMORIAL: First Christian Church 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 .