Howard E. Wakefield

Howard Eugene Wakefield, 93, of Marysville, died Sunday, May 3, 2009 in Marysville at Cambridge Place. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5 at the United Methodist Church, Marysville. The Rev. Dale Lewis officiated. Deb Landoll played the organ while Pam Harrison sang “In the Garden” and “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. The pallbearers were Mike Wakefield, David Wakefield, Steve McGhee, Bryan McGhee, Kevin Harmer and Bob Connell. Burial with military honors was Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Sunny Slope Cemetery, Blue Mound, KS. Howard was born December 27, 1915 in Mound City, KS, the son of Eugene and Ethel Spears Wakefield. He graduated from Mound City High School in 1935. He attended Pittsburg State College where he earned a teaching certificate and had taught at Oberlin and Keokuck schools. He joined the National Guard in 1939 and was called in to serve in WWII in 1944 in the 35th Infantry Division Artillery. He participated in five campaigns in Europe: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. When he returned from service, Howard worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as agent-telegrapher on the St. Joe and Grand Island Branch at various locations until he came to Marysville in 1960. He remained there and retired in 1978 with 32 years of service. He married Marie West on March 18, 1942. She died in October 1969. He married Genevieve Pope on May 1, 1977. After he retired from UP, he drove a school bus, sold used cars, and was municipal judge in Marysville, Blue Rapids, and Frankfort. Later he was bailiff in Marysville Municipal Court. Howard had belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion where he was a past commander. He served 25 years as an adviser for the American Legion Boys State program, serving 3 years on their executive board. He also served on various American Legion committees. He was a long time member of the Honor Guard and had served at many veteran funerals. He belonged to the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge where he received his 50-year pin, Shriner’s Arab Temple in Topeka, NeMar Shrine Club and the Shrine Oriental Band. He was a member of UP Old Timers Employee Club and the United Methodist Church where he had served on all boards. He also was active in Boy Scouts and was an RSVP volunteer. He regularly attended the Old Buzzards Coffee Club. He enjoyed golf, walking, and dancing. Survivors are wife, Genny; his son Ronny and wife Maria of Durango, Colorado; stepson Jerry Pope and wife Janice of Blue Rapids; stepdaughter Gail McGhee and husband Larry of Shawnee, KS; 2 grandchildren; 6 step grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Marie, 2 sisters, Cleo Scott and Alta Robinson, and a brother Lloyd Wakefield. Memorial may be made to the Marshall County Veterans Memorial Fund and sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard E. Wakefield, please visit our flower store.