RUSSELL — Vernon Dean Flegler, 83, died Jan. 27, at the Hays Medical Center. Born Jan. 24, 1931 in rural Russell County, he was the son of Jacob, Jr. and Hannah (Deines) Flegler. He grew up south of Russell near the Smoky Hill River and attended local country schools.
He was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Copeland. He worked on the family farm from 1953 to 1958, and in 1959 was employed as a contract pumper. He retired in March of 2011 after more than 50 years.
Mr. Flegler served his country in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1953. He was a member of the Gideon Bible Society and attended various churches.
Survivors include his wife Barbara, of the home; daughter, Connie Golbek of Salina; son, Alan Flegler of Billings, Mont.; daughter-in-law, Susan Flegler of Great Bend; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Clarence; sister DoraLee; son Rick Flegler; and grandson Clint Flegler.
A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery with military rites being conducted by the Russell Veterans of Foreign War Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, with the family present from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Teen Challenge at New Life Center of Hays, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, Ks. 67665
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 29, 2014