N MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
Melvin Lanning
Melvin Thomas Lanning, age 83, of Howard died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at St. Luke Hospital in Marion.
Melvin was born in Howard to Eugene and Hazel (VanBuskirk) Lanning on Nov. 23, 1934. He was one of eight children.
He graduated from high school as valedictorian of his class and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He found a career in the Navy as a chief petty officer and meteorologist.
On leave, he met and married JoAnn Heusner. After traveling the world, he settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was there they began their family. The couple had three children.
Tom retired from the Navy and moved back to Kansas to be near family. They moved to Hillsboro, where he opened Lanning’s Furniture Refinishing and Repair.
Tom was an avid reader, loved antiquing, and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger days. The light of his life were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Lanning, and mother, Hazel Lanning, both of Howard; one brother, Bill Lanning of Howard; and two sisters, Phyllis Friend of Elk Falls and Wanda Clark of Howard.
He is also survived by daughter Cynthia Deutscher and husband Mike of Topeka; son Lawrence “Gene” Lanning and wife Traci of Marion; and daughter LeaAnn Knaak and husband John of Hillsboro.
He also leaves behind grandson Dylan Frantz and wife Emile of Inman; granddaughter Madysen Frantz of Stillwater, Oklahoma; granddaughter Payton Deutscher of Overland Park; grandsons Luke, Seth, and Jack Lanning of Marion; granddaughter Tiffany Funk and husband Jason of Hillsboro; granddaughter Brooke Knaak of Newton; and great-grandson Maddex Frantz.
Other survivors are brothers Larry Lanning of Howard and Terry Lanning and wife Rita of Coffeyville, sisters Mary Wade and husband Roy of Eureka and Kathy Fouts and husband Sam of Augusta, brother-in-law Bob Clark of Howard, and many, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Melvin has been cremated with no services, per his request. Online condolences can be left at www.countrysidefh.com. No memorials are requested.
Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral, 206 E. Washington St., P.O. Box 1233, Howard KS 67349.