Ira Wilson

Ira Wilson, 83, Iola, died Sunday morning, June 22, 2014 at Allen County Regional Hospital. He was born March 4, 1931 in Hepler, the son of Everett and Effie (Runner) Wilson. He married Arleen Geiger Sept. 8, 1957, in Kansas City, Kan., and she survives of the home.

Ira served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1957. He was employed at Bruce Marble and Granite Works from 1968 until his retirement. He raised his children in the old schoolhouse at Porterville that he and Arleen renovated and then moved to Iola in 2009 to be closer to town and family.

He enjoyed attending children’s and grandchildren’s activities and family get-togethers. Ira adopted his dog Pepper from the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility.

In addition to his wife Arleen, Ira is survived by his children, Connie Lockwood and husband Carey, Fort Scott; Debora Phillips and husband Keith, Shawnee; Karen McKarnin and husband Robert, Iola; a sister, Edna Krog, Girard; six grandchildren, Kimberly Pierce and husband Lee, Timothy Lockwood, Cody Phillips, Emily McKarnin, Casey McKarnin, and Brandon McKarnin; three great-grandchildren, Rayce and Conner Pierce, and Parker Kaifes; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Riley and William Wilson.

The Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Rosedale Cemetery in Walnut, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility, LaHarpe, and may also be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, 66701. Condolences may be emailed to [email protected].