Charles Daniel VanBuskirk

Charles Daniel VanBuskirk, age 74, resident of rural Mapleton, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at his home. He was born Aug. 30, 1935, in Bourbon County, Kan., the son of Don A. VanBuskirk and Letha Mae Beck VanBuskirk. He was a graduate of the Fulton High School. Charles married Roberta Marie Hewlett on April 17, 1960, at the Prescott United Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. VanBuskirk owned and operated their own farm in the Harding area for many years. Charlie had served for many years as a volunteer firefighter with the Mapleton Rural Fire Department. He was a past member of the Mapleton Saddle Club and the Bourbon County Wolf Hunters. He was an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Survivors include three sons, Jay Charles VanBuskirk and wife, Donna, Fort Scott, Mark Robert VanBuskirk and wife, Tammy, Parsons, Kan., and Don Harold VanBuskirk and wife, Jennifer, Butler, Mo.; are five grandchildren, Braea, Dalton, Haley, Brady, and Brett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta, who died on Oct. 22, 2006.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 22, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Mapleton Fire Department or the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.