Richard Grabner

Richard E. Grabner, 86, of Neodesha, died Thursday morning at Wilson County Medical Center in Neodesha. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Ignatius Catholic with the Reverend Stephen Mahn Thapwa, pastor, and Reverend Eugene Grabner, officiating. Interment will be at the Grandview Cemetery. Friends may call at the PenwellGabel Loran Fawcett Chapel from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. The family has suggested memorial remembrances to the St. Ignatius Catholic Church Building Fund and remembrances will be received at the funeral home. On April 20, 1947, Richard was united in marriage to Shirley Marie Vandaveer. Richard and Shirley enjoyed 59 years of farming, playing bridge, family, friends and traveling. Richard was a longtime resident of Neodesha. Born July 9, 1925, to Ida and John Grabner, Richard was the youngest of eight children. He attended Brooks School, graduated from Neodesha High School and attended Kansas State University for one year. He then came home to help farmers in the area during wartime. He went on to own and operate Grabner Service Station, later bought the family farm and began a long career with Standard Oil. In 1970 Richard took a job with Standard Oil in Whiting, In. when the Neodesha Refinery closed, and moved with his wife and daughter to Munster, Indiana where he lived until 2009. He got his wish to come back to the family farm and lived out his years happily there in the company of his son, Dick, and daughterinlaw Clara. Survivors include: a son, Dick and his wife Clara Grabner of Neodesha a daughter, Jan and her husband Dale Sprinkle of Tell City, Indiana and four grandchildren. He is presided in death by his wife, Shirley, grandson, Richard Edward Grabner III, and all of his brothers and sisters.