Clifton Paris Gunnels, 84, of Great Bend, died Sept. 22 at Cherry Village in Great Bend. He was born Nov. 16, 1925, at Climax, the son of George Washington and Sarah Aileen (McComb) Gunnels. He was a World War II veteran, proudly serving his country as a signalman in the U.S. Navy. He married Dorothy Ann Tieszen Aug. 12, 1950, at Marion, S.D. They were married 52 years before her passing on March 22, 2003. He graduated from Ottawa University, after which he attended the Berkely Baptist Divinity School and received his Bachelors of Divinity degree. He served more than 50 years as a minister in the American Baptist churches. He was a Great Bend resident since 2003, coming from Hutchinson.

Mr. Gunnels was a member of the First Baptist Church in Russell.

Survivors include one son, Chuck and wife Mary Kay, Kansas City, Kan.; two daughters: Marsha Frink and husband Cliff, Woodland Park, Colo., and Susan West and husband Terry, Great Bend; six granddaughters; five great-grandsons; and two great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Warren Gunnels and Larry Gunnels.

Graveside services with military honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. The Rev. Dr. Raymond Reimer will officiate. Friends may sign a register book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Navigators, Colorado Springs, Colo., in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

(620) 793-3525

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 23, 2010