Joseph R. McLaughlin

A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph R. McLaughlin, 88, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Burial will be Friday at the Great Bend Cemetery.
Mr. McLaughlin died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
He was born March 5, 1923, in Cambridge, Mass., the son of Cornelius R. and Louise D. Gerry McLaughlin.
Mr. McLaughlin served in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He subsequently served in the Kansas National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 1983.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for many years and retired as post master in Stafford. Mr. McLaughlin was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence and a life member of the American Legion and the V.F.W.
He married Grace McCarthy on Feb. 2, 1946, in Hays. She preceded him in death on Jan. 9, 1999.
He was also preceded in death by five brothers, Charles, John, Francis, Paul and Edward; and a sister, Margaret Moeder.
He married Bernice Alexander on Sept. 30, 2006, in Lawrence. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include five sons, Kenneth M. and wife Arlinda, Pinedale, Wyo., Donald R., Great Bend, Lawrence E. and wife Sharon, Phoenix, Daniel J. and wife Julie, Olathe, and Patrick C., Overland Park; a daughter, Kathleen A. McLaughlin Rathbun and husband John, Lawrence; two sisters, Mary Skipton, Rockville, Md., and Regina Quinn, Danville, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A rosary will be said prior to the mass.
The family suggests memorials to the church or to the Catholic Community of Great Bend, sent in care on the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.