He was born July 31, 1937, in Kackley, the son of Wendell R. Else. He earned his high school diploma while serving in the military. He lived in the Ottawa area for 21 years after his military service. He also lived in Russell and Hesston.

Mr. Else joined the U.S. Army in 1954 and served in Vietnam, Germany and Italy. He attained the rank of sergeant first class before retiring in 1977. He then worked at Quaker Oats until he retired in 1995.

He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Alford-Clarke Post No. 852 in Lawrence.

Survivors include his stepmother, Doris Marshall, Pineville, Mo.; his foster mother, Arla Patton, Hugoton; four brothers, LeRoy Haehn, Granbury, Tex., Dennis Else, St. Cloud, Minn., Bob Else, Eidson, Tenn., and Dickie Haehn, Bogata, Columbia; and five sisters, Annita L. Weber, Hesston, Zelda Kraber, Hugoton, Kaye Exler, San Antonio, Sheryl Else-Parks, Anderson, Mo., and Dodie Ortega, Eudora.

A daughter, RaVonda Lee Else, died earlier.

The family suggests memorials to St. John’s Hospice of Joplin, Mo., sent in care of Dengel and Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa 66067.

Online condolences may be sent at www.dengelmortuary.com.