ETHRIDGE NORMAN KARNS

Ethridge Norman Karns, age 87, a resident of Mapleton, died Monday, February 5, 2007, at the Fort Scott Manor, He was born June 5, 1919, in Englevale, the son of Marion Karns and Ollie Jumet Karns. After High School he served in the United States Army. He married Betty Roach on March 26, 1950. He worked construction and especially enjoyed a life of farming. He loved his family and also enjoyed fishing, camping, and watching sports.

He is survived by his wife Betty, of the home in Mapleton; four sons, Dennis Kams and wife Dorothy, Fort Worth, Texas, Norman Kams, Wichita, Robert Kams and wife Brenda, Mapleton, and Kenny Kams, Mission; two daughters, Pat Wallace, Mound City and Carol Ballou and husband Jason, Fort Scott; two brothers, Virgil Karns, Cassville, Missouri, and Merle Karns, Wichita; two sisters, Shirley Brunk, Carthage, Missouri, and Donna Hinderliter, Tulsa, Oklahoma; 17 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Beverly Norma Wamer.

Funeral services for Ethridge Kams will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2007, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, with Mathew Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery, with military honors provided by Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W.

The family will receive friends for visitation Thursday evening from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to a Kams Memorial Fund, and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Condolences may be emailed to the family at cheneywittcondolence@cpol.net.