James R. Stone, Sr.

James R. Stone, Sr., 82 years of age, entered into rest on October 2, 2024 at the Hilltop Lodge in Beloit, Kansas. He was born September 27, 1942 in Rural Jewell County, Kansas to Vernon and Verdena (Broyles) Stone.

James was a 1960 graduate in Burr Oak High School, Burr Oak, Kansas.  He attended a Vo-Tech College in the Kansas City area.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  He continued his service in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard.  James also received the veterans honorary associates degree of technical education from the NCKAVTS Beloit Campus, Beloit, Kansas.

On July 10, 1963, he married Edamarlene Imler at the Jewell County Court House in Mankato, Kansas.

He was a member of the Olive Hill Church, rural Jewell County and the American Legion Post# 263, Burr Oak, Kansas where he was a member for 35 consecutive years.

James’s hobbies included gunsmithing, hunting, golfing, riding his motorcycle, and genealogy.

He worked for the Jewell County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator for 28 years.  James also worked prior for 15 years for John Deere Company in the Superior and Lawrence, Nebraska areas. James was also a local farmer in the Harrison Township community.

James is survived his wife Edamarlene Stone, Mankato, KS; two daughters, Christine Bryant, Mankato, KS; Hollie Stone and Tony Wilkins, Mankato, KS; eleven grandchildren, six greatgrandchildren, sister, Phyllis Oyler, Garden City, KS; many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Verdena, son, James R. Stone, Jr., brother, Dennis Stone, son-in-law, Gary Bryant, brother-in-law, Max Oyler. brother-in-law, Rockey Imler.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024 at the Melby Mortuary in Mankato, Kansas with Bob Angleton officiating.  Burial will follow in the Shaffer Cemetery rural Jewell County, Kansas.  Military Honors will be conducted at the graveside by the Burr Oak American Legion Post #263 and the Big Red One, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 1-8 pm with the family greeting friends from 6-7 pm at the Melby Mortuary.

Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, Kansas 66956 are in charge of arrangements. For online condolences please visit, www.Melbymortuary.com