Walter Ireland
Walter W. Ireland Sr., 77, Florence, died Sept. 17, 2002, at Florence.
He had owned and operated Ireland Standard Service at Florence for 30 years and for 40 years was an observer for the National Weather Service.
The son of Frank and Marie (Stoewe) Ireland, he was born Jan. 16, 1925, in the Youngtown community.
He and his wife, Betty Jean Padgett, were married April 1, 1955, at Hurst, Texas.
A 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, he also was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served as a volunteer with the Florence Ambulance Service.
A resident of Marion County his entire lifetime, he had strong ties to his family, friends, and church. He collected coins, belt buckles, and old farm equipment.
His oldest brother, Henry William Ireland, died in 1934 from a brain injury while playing basketball and pneumonia. He was a sophomore in high school.
In 1940 the family moved to a farm west of Florence. He graduated from Florence Memorial High School in the class of 1942.
From 1942 until 1950 he carried mail, prior to operating a produce business. He helped his father on the family farm while his brothers were in military service during World War II. He also worked at both the Conoco and Skelly service stations.
Construction of his service station began in 1951 and it opened in 1952.Ireland.
He began work in the shipping department of Hesston Corporation in 1966, retiring in 1989.
Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home; son Walter W. Ireland Jr. and wife Kalen of Topeka; daughters, Wava Ireland of El Dorado and Wanda Ireland Vaupel of Wichita; brothers John and wife Maxine of Enid, Okla., and brother-in-law David Roberts of Mulvane; sister, Norma Bradley of Hutchinson; sister-in-law, Margaret Ireland of Marion; and five grandchildren.
Services were held Friday morning at Florence Christian Church with Pastor Harold Brown officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established with Florence Christian Church and Florence Ambulance Service.
