Former Ignacio resident Howard Vining, 94, of Independence, Kansas, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 in Independence.
Efton Howard Vining was born Oct. 15, 1919 in Wann, Okla., the son of Frances Vining and Lenora (Hawkins) Vining. He grew up in Wann and attended schools in the Wann and Copan areas, relocating to Ackman, Colorado upon the death of his parents at age 14. He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez, then lived and worked in Pleasant View until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He served from North Africa to Italy and France, surviving four beach landings.
He married Margaret Lucile Murphy in Cortez in 1948. They were blessed with 63 years of marriage when she preceded him in death Feb. 20, 2012. He farmed until 1951, when he moved to Farmington and became a surveyor with El Paso Natural Gas. He retired in 1977 back to his dream farm in Ignacio. In later years Howard made his home during the winter in rural Independence with his daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Marc Hoffmeister.
Survivors include his son, David Vining and his wife Marcia of Ignacio; two daughters, Eileen Farnsworth of Peachtree City, Georgia, and Margaret Hoffmeister and husband Marc of Independence; sister Flossie Ann Owen of Grand Junction; 11 grandchildren, including Devin Vining, Sarah Vining and Jamie Vining; and two great-grandchildren, Aizik and Aydyn Vining.
His favorite hobbies were collecting arrowheads, listening to music, and farming. He had a special knack for swinging an ax and sharpening a shovel, and was accomplished at irrigating his farm land. He dedicated himself to serving his church as an elder for many years. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Bayfield and later the Cherryvale Church of Christ in Kansas.
Howard will be remembered for his patient spirit and his desire to help wherever it was needed.
Celebration of life funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at the Church of Christ in Cherryvale. Interment will be held at Pratt Cemetery in Independence.
Memorial remembrances may be sent to the Cherryvale Church of Christ, and they may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 East 4th Street, Cherryvale, KS 66712.
