LARNED — Melvin Virgil Bowlus, 83, passed away Oct. 20, 2016, at his home in Larned. He was born Dec. 21, 1932 in Watonga, Oklahoma, becoming the adopted son of Harold August and Augusta Irene Henning Bowlus at the age of three.
He spent his lifetime in the area working for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad as a telegraph operator/depot agent and later as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Larned. He was a veteran, having served in both the Navy and Army, and was a lifetime member of the VFW at the Hanston/Ransom Post.
He was associated with the Church of the Nazarene in Larned, where his parents were charter members, from the age of 11. He attended Bethany Nazarene College, Bethany, Oklahoma.
He had a long interest in the railroads, having built his own model layout in his basement, and was a member of the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society and the Southwest Kansas Railroad Society.
On June 29, 1957, he married Carol Louise Yust in Larned.
Survivors include his wife, one aunt, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with the Rev. Daryl Riffel presiding. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned.
Memorials may be sent to the Larned Church of the Nazarene in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be sent to www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Beckwith Mortuary*
P.O. Box 477; 916 Main
Larned, KS 67550
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 21, 2016