Glen Van Bummel, 83, passed away at Christian Health Care, Nevada, on Friday evening June 5, 2009. He was born Oct. 8, 1925, in David City, NE, to William and Laurel (Smith) Van Bummel.
Glen was a member of the Butler County 4-H Group. He developed a love for showing hogs, sheep and especially Black Angus cattle. Shortly after he graduated from David City High School in 1943, his family moved to Lamar where he and his father continued farming.
On July 2, 1949, he married Leora Gill Murphey. To this union three children were born.
In 1954, he went to work for Community Lumber Company earning $47.50 a week. He moved his family to El Dorado Springs in 1957 where he became the manager of Community Lumber Co. From 1965-1968 in addition to operating the lumber yard, Glen and Leora built and managed the Bee’s Restaurant. In 1968 Glen was promoted to general manager of the Community Lumber Yards.
Glen’s love of El Dorado was shown by’“His take the bull by the horns attitude”. He was instrumental in bringing new businesses and upgrades to the community. He semi-retired in 1986, but continued as an advisor of the Lexington Yard.
Probably Glen’s favorite hymn was the Old Rugged Cross. He loved it so much that he sang it to all three of his children, all seven grandchildren and had continued the tradition with the great grand children. (They had to listen to it if they wanted to or not: he was going to sing it.)
Glen was looking forward to celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary on July 2. He was planning on inviting all his family and friends to dinner at Chicken Annie’s.
He was a member of The First Baptist Church .
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Leora. Also surviving are his children; Claudia and Gary Hardison - El Dorado Springs, Kathy and Gordon Pierce - Lexington, MO and Richard and Glenda Van Bummel - El Dorado Springs; seven grandchildren - Dawn and Randy Merryman, Rindi and Paul Burns - Bolivar, Erik and Mary Elaine Pierce - Grain Valley, Ryan and Mary Elizabeth Pierce - Odessa, and Laurel, Katelyn and G.W. Van Bummel - El Dorado Springs; six great-grandchildren: Camden, Ellie and Matthew Burns and Grant and Will Merryman – Bolivar and Karly Pierce - Grain Valley; one sister, Delores Corker - Overland Park, KS; a sister-in-law, Arletta Probert - Jasper; one brother-in-law, Carl Sikes - Baxter Springs, KS; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be given to the First Baptist Church Building Fund in care of Sheldon Funeral Home El Dorado Springs.
Services were held Monday, June 8, at the First Baptist Church with John Holt and Brent Bland officiating. Erik Pierce sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and Mary Elizabeth Pierce sang “Amazing Grace.” Rita Farris was the pianist. Casketbearers were Glen “GW” Van Bummel, Randy Merryman, Ryan Pierce, Paul Burns, Steven Probert, John Corker and Erik Pierce. Honorary casketbearers were Douglas Probert, Sam Corker, Charles Rice, David Rice, Dennis Rice and Mike Potter. Internment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery under direction of Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.
