Kenneth J. Link, 88, died April 9, 2017, at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born July 4, 1928, at Chase, the son of Louis and Bertha (Gregory) Link. On March 27, 1951, he married Shirley Jean Wallace at Holy Name Catholic Church in Bushton. A Great Bend resident since 1960, coming from Chase, he was employed by Skelly Oil Company, and previously owned and operated Chase Tank Service, Chase Well Service and Strata Drilling.
Mr. Link was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council No. 862, AF&AM Lodge No. 15, Isis Shrine, York Rite and Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA). He was a past president of Great Bend Petroleum Club and a past member of Moose Lodge of Hutchinson.
Survivors include his wife Shirley Link, of the home; two daughters, Linda Meyeres and her husband Jim of Chase, and Denise Barbour and her husband Jack of San Angelo, Texas; one daughter-in-law, Janis Link of Great Bend; one son-in-law, Lynn Bownes of Great Bend; one brother, Vincent Link of Aurora; seven grandchildren, Mike Link and his wife Kristi, Steven Link, Ryan Bownes and his wife Stacey, Derek Bownes and his wife Ashley, Kalesha Schartz and her husband Matt, Jason Meyeres and his wife Darci and Jamee Kizzar and her husband Blake; 13 great-grandchildren, Mikayla Bownes, Brenna Bownes, Emeri Bownes, Mae Lynn Schartz, Jersey Meyeres, Morgyn Meyeres, Cordell Moore, Brayden Moore, Allison Link, Emma Link, Duell Kizzar, Lathem Kizzar and Blakelinn Kizzar; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, Mark Allen Link and Kent Eugene Link; one daughter, Rita Jo Bownes; five brothers, Gregory Link, Russell Link, Norbert Link, Raymond Link and Clifford Link; one sister, Theresa Owens; and two grandchildren, Nicole Meyeres and Curtis Meyeres.
Vigil service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend with Father Ted Stoecklein celebrating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery, with graveside rites by Masonic Lodge No. 15. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials have been established with Holy Family School Endowment or Sunflower Shrine Club or Barton County Relay for Life, 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, April 13, 2017