Ivan Laverne Ater

Ivan Laverne Ater, age 82, resident of Arma, Kansas died Sunday, August 17, 2008 at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born February 26, 1926 in Bourbon County, Kansas the son of Earl Ater and Birdie Judy Ater. He married Nellie Stewart on September 6, 1977. Ivan had worked as an equipment operator for Bourbon County and also ran his own farm and stock operation. He was a member of the Mt. Orum Baptist Church. He was known as a good mechanic and loved woodworking.

Survivors include his wife Nellie, of the home; four sons, Ronald L. Ater and wife Sue, Olathe, Kansas, Timothy E. Ater, Nevada, Missouri, Chuck Stewart and wife Nancy and Donald Stewart and wife Karen, all of Fort Scott; two daughters, Linda Day and husband James, Boswell, Oklahoma and Cory Young, Pittsburg, Kansas. Also surviving is a sister, Ruth Banwart, Fort Scott; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Michael Stewart and grandson, Lenny Stewart.

Rev. Ron Murrow will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in Mt. Orum Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. Wednesday until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Orum Baptist Church and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.