Dee Ray Yonning

Dee Ray Yonning, 78, Wamego, passed away at his home Monday, April 6, 2015. On March 17, 1937 Dee was born to Louis and Agnes (Hunholz) Yonning in rural Louisville, KS. Dee attended a country school in the Louisville area and would join the Navy in June of 1954. He was honorably discharged in 1958 after he served on the U.S.S. Fletcher at Pearl Harbor. He had the privilege of raising and lowering the American flag over the U.S.S. Arizona every day for several months. On June 7, 1959 he was united in marriage with Mary Jane Beck in her father’s yard near Westmoreland. Dee was a transmission auto mechanic at Skaggs Motors and then Dick Edwards Ford for many years. During his retirement years along with enjoying his family, he loved making wind ornaments from automobile fan blades. He also enjoyed bird watching and gardening flowers and vegetables. He is survived by his wife; a son: Larry Yonning, Abilene, KS; two daughters: Joyce Rhodeman, Kansas City, MO, and Stephanie Yonning, Manhattan, KS; a sister: Vera Clark, Centralia, KS; three grandchildren: Lena Washington, Robert Rhodeman, and Leslie Black; fifteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by three brothers: James, Earl, and George Yonning; and three sisters: Evelyn Yonning, Ruby Breymeyer, and Mary Pinick. Private graveside services will be held Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Wamego City Cemetery. Dee will lie in-state from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2015, at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. The family has suggested memorials to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Condolences may also be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com