Ray O. "Rip" Van Winkle

Ray O. "Rip" Van Winkle, age 84, resident of 1711 Westbury Lane, Fort Scott, died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, in the Mercy Health Center Emergency Room. He was born May 25, 1924, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Ray Van Winkle, Sr. and Minnie Wohlleneter Van Winkle. He married Elaine Miller and was married 38 years prior to her death. Rip later married Shirley Pickell on March 29, 1992, in Aurora, Colo. He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in both World War II and the Korean War. Rip along with his brother, owned and operated a Tupperware distributorship in Denver, Colo., for many years. He attended the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Iza Stompers and enjoyed square dancing and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife Shirley, of the home; one step-son, Larry Pickell and wife Martha, Montego Bay, Jamaica; and a step-daughter, Vikki Spencer and husband Ellis, Fort Scott. Also surviving is a brother, Wilson Van Winkle and wife Elaine, Omaha, Neb.; sister, Darlene Henry and husband Jack, North Platte, Neb.; and a geat-granddaughter, Rebecca Cathey. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and a granddaughter, Holli Cathey.

The Rev. Paul Babcock will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m., Wednesday in the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery at noon Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Memorials are suggested to either the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of comfort may be emailed to condolences@cheneywitt.com.