R.E. ‘Brownie’ Slankard, Pomona

Mr. Slankard died Sunday, March 13, 2005, at his home.

He was born Dec. 12, 1927, in Ottawa, the son of Clarence Raymond and Opal Virginia Decker Slankard. He attended Ottawa High School and later earned his G.E.D. He was a lifelong resident of Pomona.

Mr. Slankard served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1947. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from July 22, 1954, to April 28, 1956. He was a livestock, dairy and crop farmer. He worked for Sunflower Ammunition Plant in De Soto in the early 1960s.

He managed Williamsburg Lumber Yard in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He also was employed by Daniel International as an electrician at Wolf Creek Power Plant near Burlington for six years and retired in 1986.

Mr. Slankard was a supporter of Greenwood Baptist Church, past master of McKinley Lodge No. 41 in Pomona and served as secretary of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for 26 years.

He was a member of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 305 in Pomona, past high priest of York Rite Chapter No. 7 in Ottawa, past commander of KYCH and past illustrious master of York Rite Council No. 18 of Ottawa, and past commander of York Rite Tancred Commandary No. 11 and Scottish Rite Consistory of Lawrence. He also was a member of Knight York Rite Cross of Honor and Shrine Arab Temple in Topeka.

He married Elizabeth Pearl “Beth” Reed on Aug. 29, 1952, in Greenwood. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Jeff, Brownwood, Texas, and Denny, Ottawa; two daughters, Mona Pennington, Ottawa, and Brenda Farrar, Pomona; a brother, James, Pomona; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

An infant son, Matthew Alan, died earlier.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday before the services at the mortuary, where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice or Greenwood Baptist Church, sent in care of the mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa 66067.

E-mail condolences may be sent to dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.