Obituary of Earl L. Wiles

Earl L. Wiles, age 95, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2019 at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas.  Earl was born November 19, 1923, on the family farmstead northeast of McDonald, Kansas, the son of Arthur & Lydia (Peckham) Wiles.  He lived his first eleven years in rural Rawlins County, Kansas, where he attended school.  The family relocated to northeast Wichita County, Kansas in 1935, where his father Arthur, established a new farmstead on land he had purchased.  Earl completed grade school in a one-room country school in Wichita County.  He attended high school in Scott City, graduating in 1941.  He operated the family farm with his father until his father’s retirement, after which Earl continued to manage the farm.  On November 10, 1943 he married Evelyn Shumard in Wichita County, Kansas.  They had three children, Larry Arthur, Robert Earl, and Joann Kay.  Following Robert’s graduation from Kansas State University and completion of his Army enlistment, Earl & Robert operated the family farm.  Robert gradually assumed primary responsibility for the farming operation and added a cattle operation as Earl neared retirement.  After nearly forty years of marriage, Evelyn passed away on February 21st, 1983 in Garden City, Kansas.  Earl married Lois V. Fischer on September 1, 1984.  They enjoyed thirty-five years of marriage.  Earl retired in 2006.

Earl was active in local and the church communities.  He served on the East Liberty district of Wichita County School Board, was a former member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer, trustee and Sunday School Superintendant until Pleasant Valley’s assimilation into Leoti United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas.  He was a past member of the Wichita County ASC/FHA committee and an associate member of the Scott Cooperative Association board of directors.  Earl was a lifetime member of the Wichita County Museum and the Wichita County Amusement Association for which he and Lois ran assorted booths for many years.  He served twenty-three years on the 25th Judicial District nominating committee and he was a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Earl’s surviving family includes his wife - Lois V. Wiles of Leoti, Kansas, Two Children - Larry (Galena) Wiles of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Joann (Richard) Gimple of Emporia, Kansas, Daughter-in-law - Rita Ann Wiles of Leoti, Kansas, Step-Children

Dennis (Laura) Fischer, Charlotte (David) Stephenson, Debra Clark and Darla Altman.  Numerous loving grandchildren, step grandchildren, great grandchildren, step great grandchildren and two great great grandsons.

His parents, his first wife, his brother Clifton Wiles, his son Robert Wiles, and a grandson Russell Wiles preceded him in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas with Pastor Travis King officiating.  Burial will be in Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas.

Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Thursday and from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wichita County Health Center or Wichita County E.M.T.’s in care of the funeral home.