GARFIELD — Melburn Eugene Stude ‘Possum’, 97, passed away Feb. 26, 2026 at his home in Garfield.

He was born Dec. 2, 1928 on the family farm in Garfield to Fred and Lena Blume Stude.

A lifetime Garfield resident and farmer he was a member of the United Methodist Church, Garfield. He was a board member for the church, Orange Township, and Garfield Coop. He loved bowling, cards, hunting, horseshoes, napping in the truck, and being on the southside softball team.

On April 20, 1950 he married E. Joyce Howell in Garfield, she passed March 15, 2020.

He is survived by, two sons, Larry (Marilyn) Stude, and David (Debbie) Stude, both of Larned; two daughters, Peggy Janke of McCracken, and Brenda (Maurice) Hall of Garfield; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three older brothers, Herman, Kenneth, and Harold Stude; a great grandson, Carter Haney; and a son-in-law, Ivan Janke.

Memorial graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2026 at Garfield Cemetery, Garfield with Pastor David Spare presiding. Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026 with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Inurnment in Garfield Cemetery, Garfield. Memorial may be given to Pawnee County 4-H Shooting Sports or Pawnee County Humane Society in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary

P.O. Box 477

Larned, Kansas 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 5, 2026