Marion Branum

Marion Branum

Marion Branum, 80, died Friday (Aug. 10, 2007) at Newton Medical Center. He was born on March 21, 1927, in Blackwell, Kay County, Okla., to Samuel A. and Florence (Shaffer) Branum. He grew up in various Oklahoma towns and oilfield communities, attending four high schools and ending his senior year in Lyons - graduating in 1945. In 1946-47 he served in the 13th Army Air Force with overseas time in Manila, Philippines. On Nov. 21, 1947, he married Ethelyn Fern Bachman in in Moundridge, and they have resided in Newton since that time. He was employed for 42 years as a laborer and machinist for the Santa Fe Rail Mill in Newton. He also worked part time for several service stations, namely Williams Brothers, Roy's Texaco and Newells. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, serving on the Usher and Trustee Boards many years. He also belonged to the Newton Public Men's Golf Club and the American Legion. After retirement, he became active in the American Baptists Men's Disaster organization of Central Region and responded to many Kansas tornado cleanups as well as hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Mississippi and Louisiana. They also did maintenance and construction work for several American Baptist Churches and institutions in the area.

He was a competitive golfer and snow skier and enjoyed fishing, boating and water skiing in earlier years. In 1991, he entered the beard growing contest for Harvey County during the 100th Anniversary of Kansas becoming a state of the Union and won the prize for neatest beard.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Larry and Cynthia Branum of Ocala, Fla., Alan and Catherine Branum of Wichita and Scotty and Denice Branum of Wichita; a sister, Fayetta Davis; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Alton and Conrad Branum; and sister Royeleen Branum.

Funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church with the Revs. Terry Tarcila and Larry Oyer officiating. Burial will be at Restlawn Gardens of Memory in Newton.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Petersen Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Memorials has been established with the American Baptist Men's Disaster Organization, First Baptist Church and the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.