Robert E. Thiry

Graveside services with military honors for Robert E. Thiry, 81, Lawrence, will be 11:00 am, Monday, May 21, 2018, at Hubble Hill Cemetery, Tonganoxie. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday, May 20 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. He died Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at his home. Robert was born August 26, 1936, in rural Lawrence, the son of Clifford Hughes and Evelyn Lola Hayden Thiry. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1955. After high school he was drafted into the United States Army and served from 1959 to 1961. He later worked for Southwest Ornamental Iron in Bonner Springs from 1962-1968. In 1968 he became a carpenter/millwright and was part of the local unions 2279 and 1445. In 1978 Robert became the Director of Carpenter Apprenticeship in Topeka and Lawrence. He was named the state director in 1984. He was named to the Kansas Council on Vocational Education and State Apprenticeship Council in 1987. Robert retired in August of 1998. Robert loved classic cars, could fix just about anything, and was always the first to volunteer his time or expertise. He enjoyed being in the senior bowling league and was a member of the Oldsmobile Club of America. Robert married Shirley Ann Willits on September 10, 1961, in McLouth, Kansas; she survives of the home. Other survivors include his son, Michael Thiry, Lawrence; daughter, Lori White, Lawrence; sister, Neva Leo, Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren, Madeline White, Waylon Banks(Alison), Ashley Flaskerud. He is preceded in death by his sister, Alwilna Stoltenberg, brothers, Willard, Herbert and Donald Thiry. Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas County Visiting Nurses/Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com