Robert E. “Bob” Button, 94, passed away Oct. 30, 2020, at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend. He was born Sept. 17, 1926, in Great Bend to Dee E. and Grace B. (Dorshaffer) Button. He married Peggy L. Geil Jan. 6, 1952, in Great Bend. Peggy passed away Aug. 5, 1996. He later married Coralie J. (Niedens) Murphy April 21, 1999, in Great Bend. She survives.

Bob, a lifetime resident of Great Bend, was an area farmer and previously owned and operated Button Honda. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, holding many past offices, church chancel choir, Golden Belt Carvers Club, Kansas State Anthropological Association, Santa Fe Trail Association, Barton County Historical Society past president, Great Bend township treasurer, Shafer Art Gallery board member and Great Bend Public Library board member. Bob’s love of history, artifact collecting and nature lapped over into his passion and skill in wood carving, being known for his intricate craft in creating decoys and Native American and historical figures. Many in which are displayed at the Barton County Historical Society Museum

Survivors include wife Coralie Button, of the home; two sons, Robert J. “Rob” Button and wife RoAnn of Great Bend, Randy E. Button and wife Renee of Great Bend; two daughters, Debra Sue Hill and husband Bill of Bountiful, Utah, and Judy K. VonFeldt and husband Jim of Larned; ten grandchildren and many great grandchildren; two sisters in law, Marilyn Button and Mary Lou Button, both of Great Bend; and two step children, Steven Murphy of Great Bend and Kathleen Asher of Derby. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles S. Button and William H. Button.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Jon Brudvig and Rev. Barb Jones presiding.  Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Bryant Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or Barton County Historical Society, in care of Bryant 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, Nov. 4, 2020