Glen Van Bummel

Glen Van Bummel passed away at Christian Health Care, Nevada, Mo., on Friday evening, June 5, 2009. He was born Oct. 8, 1925, in David City, Neb., 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, Mo., where he and his father continued farming.

On July 2, 1949, he married Leora Gill Murphey. 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 of his grandchildren and had continued the tradition with the great grandchildren. (They had to listen to it if they wanted to or not; he was going to sing it.)

In 1954, he went to work for Community Lumber Company for $47.50 per week. He moved his family to El Dorado Springs, Mo., in 1957, where he became the manager of Community Lumber Company.

Glen was looking forward to celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary on July 2. He was planning on inviting all of 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, Bolivar, Mo.; Rindi and Paul Burns, Bolivar, Mo.; Erik and Mary Elaine Pierce, Grain Valley, Mo.; Ryan and Mary Elizabeth Pierce, Odessa, Mo.; Laurel, Katelyn, and G.W. Van Bummel, El Dorado Springs; six great-grandchildren, Camden, Ellie, and Matthew Burns, Bolivar, Mo.; Grand and Will Merryman, Bolivar, Mo.: Karly Pierce, Grain Valley, Mo.; one sister, Delores Corker, Overland Park, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Arletta Probert, Jasper, Mo.; one brother-in-law, Carl Sikes, Baxter Springs, Kan. Also surviving are several nieces, 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, Mo.