Elmer Lawver

Elmer Eugene Lawver, 92, of Colby, died Monday, December 30, 2019, at Prairie Senior Living Center. He was born August 31, 1927, in McCook, NE, to Samuel and Beulah (Koon) Lawver.

He lived in a sod homestead located near where the town of Achilles was, in Rawlins County, Kansas. After the death of his father in 1928 he lived in McCook. In 1932 his mother married John Messinger and the family moved to Traer, Kansas. Traer had only two years of high school which he completed. After starting 11th grade at Oberlin, he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to San Diego for boot camp and Hospital Corps School. He served during WWII on the aircraft carriers USS Boxer and the USS Antietam. After returning he finished high school at Oberlin in 1947.

While raising his family he was active in Boy Scouts and later Lions Club where he was a charter member at Goodland and at Colby. He worked as a repairman for Southwestern Bell/AT&T, retiring after 42 years. He worked in many area towns assisting in the changeover to dial service. He moved to Colby in 1973.

Horses were a hobby for him along with traveling, genealogy, woodworking, church and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Arlene (Dareld) Runyan and Norman (Phyllis) Messinger.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, of Colby; children, Alan (Brenda) Lawver, of Bonita Springs, FL, Margaret Anne (Vernon) Becker, of Hays, KS, David (Tracy) Lawver, of Basehor, KS, Steve (Chevelle) Lawver, of Carl Junction, MO, Sherri (Richard) Cork, of Wichita, KS, Shela (Kelly) Reilley, of Aurora, CO; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; sister, Carol (Marvin) Laeger; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Colby United Methodist Church, followed by burial at 2:00 p.m. at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, Wakeeney, KS. Memorials are suggested to the Colby Lion’s Club and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com