John James Gilkison

John J. Gilkison, 92, of Topeka, former resident of Larned, KS for over 70 years, passed away in Topeka on Jan 1, 2015, four days short of his 93rd birthday. He was born on January 5, 1922 in Larned, Kansas, the son of Charles A. and Olga Sjogren Gilkison. He graduated from Zook High School in 1939 and attended Kansas State University for two years. He joined the military service in 1942 and was discharged in 1945 from the Army Air Corp. He was a farmer and welder for Twin Feed Blower Company and Doerr Metal Products, both of Larned, until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Larned. John moved to Aldersgate Village in Topeka in May of 2012.

On February 9, 1947 he was united in marriage to Lola Mae Barrett in the Radium Methodist Church. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Marsha Elaine Palmberg and her husband Kent of Topeka, a son, Chris Alan Gilkison of Lake Jackson, TX; five grandchildren, Braden (Dawn), Topeka, Valerie Palmberg Stebbins (Jeff), Castle Rock, CO, Scott (Candace), San Antonio, TX, Karissa Gilkison, Chesterfield, MO and Tyler Gilkison, Austin, TX; seven great-grandsons; two brothers, Dwight Gilkison, League City, TX and Paul Gilkison (Betty Jo), Olathe; one sister, Ruth Gilkison Riggins, Lawrence, KS; numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside inurnment service will be held at the Larned Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Larned, 701 Main Street, Larned, KS 67550; the Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, 7220 SW Asbury Drive, Topeka, KS 66614 or to the donor's choice in care of Beckwith Mortuary, 916 Main Street, Larned, KS 67550.