LARNED – Leland Sylvester McAlister, 86, passed away October 24, 2020 in Larned.

He was born September 30, 1934 in Wayne, Oklahoma, the son of Grover Wilburn and Veta May Gregory Burris.

A longtime area resident, he was a welder. He served in the United States Air Force at McConnell Air Force Base in the 3520th Flight Line Maintenance Squadron. He was of the Christian faith and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and dancing.

He married Lauralee Cessna; she preceded him in death.

Survivors include: mother, Veta Burris, Great Bend; five children, Lori (Bob) Wilson, Lyons, Curtis (Deb) McAlister, Larned, Kevin (Cindy) McAlister, Overland Park, Deanna (Chris) Harrison, Port Orange, Florida, Donnie (Cheryl) Stejskal, Tualatin, Oregon; three sisters, Laveta Furthmyer, Gorham, Fredia Burris, Great Bend, Wanda Dodson, Hays; a brother, Glenn Burris, Ellinwood; eighteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father; his wife; a sister, Gloria Barrientez, a brother, Rennie Burris, and a great grandson.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Saint Marks Episcopal Church, 520 East Avenue S, Lyons, Kansas, with Pastor Byron Barrientez presiding. Inurnment with military graveside rites will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Lakin Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to St Marks Episcopal Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary

P.O. Box 477; 916 Main St

Larned, KS 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 1, 2020