GREENSBURG — Gene Kile, 84, died peacefully at his home in Pratt, Aug. 26, 2014.
He was born Feb. 26, 1930 in Beaver County, Oklahoma, the son of Asa and Anna (Johnson) Kile.
Gene graduated from Beaver High School and served in the U.S. Army, 25th Infantry in combat during the Korean Conflict. He returned as a Tec Sergeant, receiving several medals including the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars.
On Oct. 21, 1950, Gene married Jeanie Ellis in Perryton, Texas. Gene was a welder and pipeline supervisor for Northern Natural Gas Co. for 35 years. He served as an elder of the Greensburg Christian Church and on the Greensburg school board. Gene lived in Beaver, Okla., Greensburg, and Pratt since 2007.
In 2000, Gene started building portable ramps for J.L. Tucker for the physically handicapped to use primarily at therapeutic riding facilities. Upon J.L.’s death, Gene purchased the “Tucker Project”, building a total of 151 ramps through 2012. He and Jeanie enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. delivering ramps and sightseeing. Gene also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Gene is survived by his wife Jeanie; a son Rick Kile and wife Amy, Great Bend; a daughter, Lynne Brunholtz and husband Rick, Columbia, Mo.; four grandchildren, Jackie Pritchett, White City; Micah Kile and wife Mindy, Derby; Jared Kile and wife Meggie, Olathe; and Matthew Brunholtz, Columbia, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Mattie Pritchett, Kase Kile and Millie Kile; a sister, Roberta Kauk, Leedey, Okla.; and a sister-in-law, Louise Kile, Valley Center.
He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services and celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Greensburg Christian Church with Pastor Keith Dellenbach officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Fleener Funeral Home, Greensburg.
Memorials are suggested to South Wind Hospice House, Pratt and the Twilight Theatre, Greensburg, both in care of Fleener Funeral Home, 514 S. Main St., Greensburg, KS, 67054.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Fleener Funeral Home *
514 S. Main Street
Greensburg, KS, 67504
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Aug. 28, 2014