GREAT BEND — Emerson Dean Sawaya, 80, died Feb. 2, 2012 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
Born June 6, 1931 in Salina, he was the son of George Risk and Olive (Johnson) Sawaya. On June 20, 1957, he married Erma Jean Gordon in Salina. She died April 5, 2006. A resident of Great Bend since 1960, coming from Salina, he was a serviceman for KP&L.
Mr. Sawaya served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and a life member of the American Legion.
Survivors include a son, John Risk Sawaya, Great Bend; a daughter, Diane Lynn Summers, Oxnard, Calif.; two brothers, George Murdock, Hollywood, Calif.; and Norman Craig Sawaya, Hutchinson; and two sisters, Anne Scuitte of Salina and Norene Schnell, Sacramento, Calif.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jack David Sawaya and Buddy Sawaya.
A Vigil service is scheduled at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Bryant Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Don Bedore officiating. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Great Bend Cemetery North, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation is scheduled from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*        
1425 Patton Road      
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Feb. 5, 2012