Donald R. "Pops" Vining, 72, of Thayer, died at 10:43 a.m., Thursday, July 2, 2009, at his home. He had been in failing health.
He was born September 30, 1936, in Thayer, Kansas, to Franklin Irwin and Gladys Opal (Carter) Vining. As a young boy, he grew up in Thayer, and later moved with his family to Washington. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the military police from 1955-1956. He also served in the Kansas National Guard 891st Engineer Battalion from 1979-1996.
He and Patricia Roney were married November 26, 1960, in Las Vegas, Nevada. For several years, they lived in California where he worked as a roller skate instructor and also at Kaiser Aluminum Manufacturing Company.
Upon returning to Thayer in 1978, he worked for Bush Hog Manufacturing Company in Galesburg. In 1985, he began working at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, in security, retiring from there in 1995. Following retirement, he worked at Oil Patch for two years.
He was a member of Thayer Christian Church, and a former member of Moose Lodge in California. Don enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include:
Wife – Patricia Vining of the home, Thayer, KS
Three Sons – Anthony J. Vining and wife, Tammy Thayer, KS
Donald F. Vining and wife, Mindy Yates Center, KS
William M. Vining and wife, Amy Thayer, KS
Three Daughters – Bettina J. Wheeler and husband, Stan Thayer, KS
Brenda J. Cox and fiancé, Kevin Thayer, KS
Kelli J. Vining Thayer, KS
Sixteen Grandchildren
Ten Great-Grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Franklin I. Vining, Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 6, 2009, at the Thayer Christian Church. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery, rural Thayer, with military honors given by the Kansas National Guard 891st Engineer Battalion. The family will receive friends from 3-5:00 p.m., Sunday, at Forbes Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.
Memorials are suggested to the Thayer Pre-School. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald R. "Pops" Vining, please visit our flower store.
He was born September 30, 1936, in Thayer, Kansas, to Franklin Irwin and Gladys Opal (Carter) Vining. As a young boy, he grew up in Thayer, and later moved with his family to Washington. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the military police from 1955-1956. He also served in the Kansas National Guard 891st Engineer Battalion from 1979-1996.
He and Patricia Roney were married November 26, 1960, in Las Vegas, Nevada. For several years, they lived in California where he worked as a roller skate instructor and also at Kaiser Aluminum Manufacturing Company.
Upon returning to Thayer in 1978, he worked for Bush Hog Manufacturing Company in Galesburg. In 1985, he began working at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, in security, retiring from there in 1995. Following retirement, he worked at Oil Patch for two years.
He was a member of Thayer Christian Church, and a former member of Moose Lodge in California. Don enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include:
Wife – Patricia Vining of the home, Thayer, KS
Three Sons – Anthony J. Vining and wife, Tammy Thayer, KS
Donald F. Vining and wife, Mindy Yates Center, KS
William M. Vining and wife, Amy Thayer, KS
Three Daughters – Bettina J. Wheeler and husband, Stan Thayer, KS
Brenda J. Cox and fiancé, Kevin Thayer, KS
Kelli J. Vining Thayer, KS
Sixteen Grandchildren
Ten Great-Grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Franklin I. Vining, Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 6, 2009, at the Thayer Christian Church. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery, rural Thayer, with military honors given by the Kansas National Guard 891st Engineer Battalion. The family will receive friends from 3-5:00 p.m., Sunday, at Forbes Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.
Memorials are suggested to the Thayer Pre-School. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald R. "Pops" Vining, please visit our flower store.
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