BISON — Edward O. "Peck" Edwards Jr., 86, died June 3 at Hospice and Home Care of Reno County Hospice House in Hutchinson. Born Aug. 18, 1924 in Bison, he was the son of Everett O. Edwards Sr. and Frances M. (Bitter) Edwards. He graduated from Bison High School in 1942. A lifelong resident of Rush County, he was a farmer before his retirement. On Aug. 4, 1948 he married Eunice C. Ficken. She preceded him in death on Oct. 23, 1966. On June 6, 1971 he married Margaret L. (Folsom) Deckert at the United Methodist Church in Bison.

Mr. Edwards was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II. He was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bison, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3147 and the American Legion Post #33, both in LaCrosse.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret L. Edwards of South Hutchinson; a son, Scott Edwards and wife Norma of Bison; a stepson, Richard W. Deckert and wife Andrea of Larned; a daughter, Jan R. Nuss and husband Steve of Hays; a stepdaughter, Lynette K. Kornelson and husband Paul of Hutchinson; three brothers, Elbert A. "Bert" Edwards and Zane K. Edwards of Bison, and Forrest M. Edwards of Russiaville, Ind.; three sisters, Ladine Peterson of Ellinwood, Ruth Ann "Susie" Krug of LaCrosse, and Hollis M. Brack of Spearman, Texas; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett O. Edwards Sr., and Frances M. (Bitter) Edwards; his first wife, Eunice C. (Ficken) Edwards; two brothers, Robert A. Edwards and William T. Edwards; and four sisters, Lois L. Reichert-Finks, Alma E. Edwards, Hazel E. Stump, and Minetta M. Smith.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Janousek Funeral Home in LaCrosse with Dennis McDowell and the Rev. Diana Hill officiating. Burial will be at the Lone Star Cemetery in Bison. Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in Bison or the Hospice and Home Care of Reno County Hospice House in Hutchinson.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Janousek Funeral Home*

719 Pine

LaCrosse, KS 67548

785-222-2517

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 7, 2011