ELLINWOOD — Wilbert V. Sanko, 83, died July 12 at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood. He was born Oct. 12, 1928, at Spearville, the son of Edward and Mary Shinstock Sanko. He married Imogene M. Hayden on Sept. 8, 1951, at the Cathedral in Dodge City. She died May 29, 2012. An Ellinwood resident for 58 years, he was a farmer, a mechanic at Ward Pivonka, Gaughn Motors, Knop Butane & Davis Childs Motors, all of Ellinwood.
Mr. Sanko was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Parish Council; St. Joseph’s School Board; American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all of Ellinwood; and past commander of DAV Chapter 27, Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Sanko and Richard E. Sanko, both of Great Bend; and four daughters, Beth Bruno and Verna Klema, both of Great Bend, Debora Frank, Wichita, and Mary Janelle Larabee of Hesston; 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Gary Lee Sanko; grandchildren John Michael and Russell; brothers Herman, Ed, Leo, Robert and Floyd; and sisters Sister Mary Grace Sanko, Emma Calhoun and Catherine Rinhart.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 16, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ellinwood with Father Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Calling time will be 1-8 p.m. Sunday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. There will be a 3 p.m. altar society rosary and 7 p.m. vigil service, both Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Kimple Funeral Home
113 North Main; P.O. Box 246
Ellinwood, KS 67526
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 13, 2012