John Karns, 86, Retired Farmer, Dies In Bucklin Hospital July 17

 

Mr. John M. Karns passed away Monday morning, July 17, 1967, at the Bucklin Community Hospital, after being a patient there for nearly three years.

 

He was born July 11, 1881, to Mr. and Mrs. Alvah H. Karns in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where he grew to young manhood. He entered the teaching profession and taught for several years, obtaining a Life Certificate in the State of Pennsylvania.

 

On October 22, 1903, he was united in marriage with Anna M. Buzzard [also spelled Bussard] at Clearville, Pennsylvania, and they lived in Everett, Pennsylvania until 1911 when they moved to Mullinville, Kansas. After teaching there one year, he then entered the farming profession which he pursued until the time of his death.

 

In 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Karns moved to their present farm home in Ford County; since the fall of 1956 they resided in Bucklin.

 

Mr. Karns was a Charter Member of the Bucklin Co-op and was president for twenty years following its establishment. Throughout his life he was active in community affairs, having served on school and township boards, the ASC Office committee on wheat allotment, and various civic organizations.

 

His life was centered around the activities of his home and family. He had accepted Christ as his Saviour as a young man, was baptized in the Christian Church and maintained his faith throughout the years. His courage, faithfulness, patience, alert mind and keen sense of humor, particularly during his long illness, will always be an inspiration to his family and friends. He was very appreciative and grateful for the constant and loyal devotion of his daughter, Helen, who ministered lovingly and faithfully to him throughout his long illness.

 

Mr. Karns is survived by three sons: Melvin E. of Princeton, New Jersey, Carl S. of Ventura, California, and Elbert E. of Anadarko, Oklahoma; three daughters: Mrs. Mary E. Braun of Windsor, Colorado, Mrs. Helen A. Loomis of Bucklin, Kansas, and Mrs. Alma B. Scott of Hoquiam, Washington; three brothers: Arthur of Pratt, Kansas, Elmer of Bethany, Oklahoma, and Carl of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one sister: Mrs. Paul Paxton of Middleton, Idaho; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna, on February 5, 1965, and an infant daughter, Roma Ruth, and a grown son, Harold. He was laid to rest in the Bucklin Cemetery beside Anna, his devoted wife of sixty-one years.

 

Services were held Wednesday, July 19, 1967 at 3:00 p.m. in the Christian Church in Bucklin, Kansas. Mr. Ray Rasar officiated.

 

Mrs. Dale Smith, soloist, sang "The Old Rugged Cross," "In the Sweet By and By," and "When the Curtains Are Lifted." Mrs. E. A. Stephenson accompanied Mrs. Smith at the organ.

 

Casket bearers were Rev. L. B. Vanderhoofven, Dr. Jack E. Randle, Rev. W. Claude Fillingim, C. A. Phillips, Roy Weikal, and Perry Staats.

 

–Newspaper clipping saved by Verna (Dawson) Karns.

[Bracketed comment by Forrest Ladd in 2004.]