Frank Gunsauley

F rank Gunsauley, 75, of Morrill, Kansas died Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at his residence.  He was born on October 2, 1938 at his home in Midland, Pennsylvania to Martha (Stanley) Gunsauley and Larkin Gunsauley.  After his mother passed away at the age of 11, Frank went to live with his sister, Betty and her husband, Pete and their children.  They lived in West Virginia until Pete took a teaching job in Cedarville, Ohio.  Frank graduated from Cedarville High School in 1957.  He was involved in football and basketball.  The day he graduated Frank went to Chicago with his uncle Charlie to take an iron working job.  He kept in touch with a girl from his high school, Joellen through letters.  Frank and Joellen Stokes married on November 19, 1960 in Cedarville, Ohio.  They returned to Chicago where they had two daughters, Susan (1962) and Lorie (1963) who were the light of his life.  Iron working took the family to Indiana then to the Morrill, Kansas area in 1970, where they settled.  Frank started is company, Rebar, Inc. in 1979 based in St. Joseph, Missouri.  Over the past 35 years he grew the company to be a staple in the industry, carrying over 40 men and women full time who he cared for deeply.  Frank ran his company with vigor, but always maintained a close loving relationship with is family.  He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He supported them, pushed the importance of education, spoiled them (they say they are blessed not spoiled!).  His 4th great grandchild is due to be born in April.  He lived an Amazing life and has left a wonderful legacy behind in which is family vows to continue.  Frank was the longest running active union iron worker in the region.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sarah May and Elizabeth “Betty” Honaker.  He is survived by his loving wife, Joellen of Morrill; his daughters, Susan Brotz of Olathe, Kansas and Lorie Bowman of Platte City, Missouri; his brothers, Bob Gunsauley of Bradenton, Florida and Tommy Gunsauley of Shawano, Wisconsin and Brother-in-law, E.C. “Pete” Homaker of Springfield, Ohio; his grandchildren, Ryann Sickel, his wife, Samantha of St. Joseph, Missouri, Melissa Westbrook, her wife, Magan of Canton, Texas, Cassie Feickert, her husband, Ryan of Platte City, Missouri, John Bowman, Jr. of Belton, Texas and Tyler Brotz of Lawrence, Kansas; great grandchildren, Tori Sickel, age 9, Rylan Feickert ,age 5, Hunter Feickert, age 4 and Grayson Carter Westbrook due in April 2014.

Funeral service is Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha.  Visitation will be from 9:30 to service time at the church.  The interment will be made in the Morrill Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Morrill Baptist Church sent in care of the Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Sabetha, Kansas 66534