Charles W. “C.W.” Gustin, 88, died Feb. 26, 2020, at HaysMed, Hays, Kan. He was born Feb. 15, 1932, in Great Bend, Kan., the son of Clarence W. and Angeline (Budig) Gustin. C.W. attended Galatia Grade School and graduated from Hoisington High School in 1950. He then attended Fort Hays State College before enlisting in the United States Army, where he served as a corporal from 1952 – 1954 during the Korean War. 

On Nov. 21, 1954, he married LaJune Michaelis at the First United Methodist Church, in Hoisington, Kan.

During their first years of marriage C.W. worked for his father-in-law, Michaelis Excavating and then Galatia CO-OP. He later worked the parts counter for Great Bend Auto Parts, Pistol Pete’s, and then retired from Doonan Trailer Corporation. During his lifetime he was often engaged in farming and had also drove the bus at Hoisington High School for 13 years.

A longtime resident of Galatia, moving to Great Bend in the last few years.  

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Galatia, and later St. Mark Lutheran Church in Great Bend. He was also a member of the American Legion, the Elks Lodge, and had served on the board for the Rural Water District.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, LaJune Gustin of the home; and their four children, Brent Gustin and wife Clare of Hays, Kevin Gustin and wife Kathy of Colorado Springs, Colo., Reneé Cook of Tulsa, Okla., and Craig Gustin and wife Stacey of Ellsworth; a brother, Larry Gustin of Wichita; and seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Friends may call 1 to 5p.m., Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, with family to greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia, Kan., with Rev. Adam Wutka presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Galatia, with military honors. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, St. Mark Lutheran Church, or Fairview Cemetery in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 28, 2020