TOPEKA — John J. Gilkison, 92, former resident of Larned, for over 70 years, passed away in Topeka on Jan. 1, 2015, four days short of his 93rd birthday. Born on Jan. 5, 1922, in Larned, he was the son of Charles A. and Olga Sjogren Gilkison. In 1939, he graduated from Zook High School and attended Kansas State University for two years.

He joined the military service in 1942, and was discharged in 1945, from the Army Air Corps. On Feb. 9, 1947, he was united in marriage to Lola Mae Barrett in the Radium Methodist Church. She survives. He was a farmer and welder for Twin Feed Blower Company and Doerr Metal Products, both of Larned, until his retirement in 1987. John moved to Aldersgate Village in Topeka in May of 2012.  
Mr. Gilkison was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Larned.

 
Other survivors include a daughter, Marsha Elaine Palmberg and her husband Kent of Topeka; a son, Chris Alan Gilkison of Lake Jackson, Texas; five grandchildren, Braden (Dawn), of Topeka, Valerie Palmberg Stebbins (Jeff), of Castle Rock, Colo., Scott (Candace), of San Antonio, Texas, Karissa Gilkison, of Chesterfield, Mo., and Tyler Gilkison, Austin, Texas; seven great-grandsons; two brothers, Dwight Gilkison, of League City, Texas, and Paul Gilkison (Betty Jo), of Olathe; one sister, Ruth Gilkison Riggins of Lawrence; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside inurnment service will be held at the Larned Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Larned, 701 Main Street, Larned, KS 67550; the Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, 7220 SW Asbury Drive, Topeka, KS 66614; or to the donor’s choice in care of Beckwith Mortuary, 916 Main Street, Larned, KS 67550. To leave condolences for the family online, visit www.DoveCremation.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Dove Cremation and Funeral Service*
4020 SW 6th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66606
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 4, 2015