Glen Close

Glen D. Close, 88, of Oakley, died November 28, 2014 at the Logan County Hospital. He was born March 23, 1926 in Monument, Kansas, to Gilbert and Bernice (Huddelston) Close. He graduated from Monument High School in 1944 and then joined the United States Air Force. He left the service in August of 1946, a Sergeant. He married Ruth “Marie” Gidley on November 8, 1953, in Page City, Kansas. After returning from the Air Force he farmed for his brother-in-law in Gove, Kansas, Charlie Hockersmith. He then farmed with his brother Stuart “Stu” and together they bought the John Deer/GMC dealership in Oakley, which Glen later became the sole owner of. He was a former chairman of the Logan County Hospital Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Logan County Healthcare Foundation, and sat on the Board of Directors of the Farmers State Bank. He was a member of the Gove Masonic Lodge and the Gove United Methodist Church.

Glen was a true salesman. He loved to visit with and sell farm equipment. He always said he sold more equipment in the break room than behind any desk. He was known far and wide for his honesty and integrity. Glen enjoyed collecting old tractors and cars and had a large toy tractor collection.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marie; son, Greg Glen Close; sisters, Lural Barrand, Lora Dell Hockersmith and Mary Lou Shipley and brothers, Boyd and Stuart Close.

He is survived by his daughter, Melinda (Mike) Moeder, Oakley; granddaughters, Melissa (Milo) Lippelmann, Oberlin, Nicole Close, Oakley and Ashlyn Marie Moeder, Oakley; great granddaughter Ryllie Lippelmann; dear friend, Maxine Nickelson and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 6 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, Oakley with burial in the Monument Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Oakley EMS, Fire Department or the United Christian Church Building Fund in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com