Max A. Blanding, 81, of Wichita, died Oct. 6 at his home in Wichitaw.

A retired Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad agent telegrapher, Max was born and raised in Formoso.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 above the 38th parallel in Korea and was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

His parents, Leo and Cleo (Briggs) Blanding and his siblings, Robert and Rex Blanding and Bernice Romero, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Marylyn; a son, David; a daughter, Joni Garcia; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was Saturday at Westlink Christian Church, Wichita.

A military graveside inurnment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence.

A memorial fund has been established with Florence Historical Society-Santa Fe Depot Fund, PO Box 143, Florence KS 66851.