James Luther “Swede” Hemphill, 85, died Sept. 12 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. He was born July 26, 1927, at Byers, the son of Emmett W. and Trella  (Clark) Hemphill. He married Joan Guinn, Oct. 7, 1950. He lived in Great Bend the past year, moving from rural Seward, having lived there 30 years.  He retired from the Great Bend Co-op in 1989.  He had also worked part time for the Stafford County Road Department.
His hobbies were hunting, fishing, yard work and gardening.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; a son, Brad Hemphill and his wife Sue, Great Bend; a daughter, Debbie Munz and her husband Alvin, Seward; a sister, Opal Konkel, Pratt; a brother, Loren Hemphill, Plainville; five grandchildren, Brandon Hemphill and his wife Erin, Great Bend; Brett Hemphill and his wife Erin, Wichita; Mandy Ellis and her husband Mark, Olathe; Emily Yarmer, Seward; and Bobby Munz, Newcastle, Australia; a step-grandchild, Brandon Munz and his wife Julia, Firestone, Colo.; eight great grandchildren, Ty James Ellis, Adalyn Hemphill, Avery Hemphill, Jacob Hemphill, Emma Hemphill, Jackson Yarmer, Trevor Munz and Victoria Munz. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Clyde Hemphill, Clifford Hemphill, Raymond Hemphill, Eldon Hemphill, and Lowell Hemphill; and two sisters, Mary Ann Hemphill and Frances Briggs.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Iuka Cemetery with The Rev. John Grummon officiating. Interment will be at Iuka Cemetery. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 14, 2012#