Henry McCorkle

Henry Earl McCorkle, the son of Mabel Ruth and James Ellsworth McCorkle, was born August 14, 1914 near Mankato, Kansas. He departed this life on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at the Hilltop Care Center in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 98 years, 10 months and 19 days.

He was part of a large family of seven children, which meant there were others to share the labor, but also others to share the meals and spaces. For a time they also shared their home with an aunt and her children. He told stories of gathering corn cobs from a neighbor's hog pen not only to burn for heat, but to use to plug holes in the floor of the home. Nothing was wasted.

Henry attended rural schools near Randall and Jewell, and graduated from Jewell High School. Following the completion of his formal education he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked on project near Cawker City and Valley Falls, Kansas. After coming home, he, his brother Ralph and a friend traveled to Idaho to work on farms. He returned to Burr Oak where he began farming for local farmer, Ted Isaac, a job he held for many years. When he left the farm and moved to tow, Henry worked for the city of Burr Oak for several years. He was a resident of Hilltop Lodge Nursing Home in Beloit for the past eight years.

Henry was united in marriage with Wynona June Miner on April 17, 1939 at Hastings, Nebraska. This union was blessed with four children, one of whom died at birth. They made their home in the Burr Oak community. In later years he lovingly cared for his wife as she experienced the ravages of Alzheimer's until her death on January 7, 2005.

Family was very important to both Henry and Wynona. They were devoted completely to each other for 65 years, setting a good example for their children. They always went places and did things as a family.

Left to treasure his memory are his son, Ardean and wife Dee of Euless, Texas; daughters, Phyllis Stoppel of Moundridge, Kansas and Janet Merrill and husband John of Mankato, Kansas; 8 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers Clarence McCorkle and wife Lois of Ft. Lupton, Colorado and Kenneth McCorkle and wife Edna of Osborne, Kansas; sister-in-law Naomi Doughman of Hastings, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held Monday, 10:30 a.m., July 8, 2013 at the Burr Oak Cemetery.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970