Owen Charles Stratton

Owen Charles Stratton, 97, a lifelong resident of Louisville, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center of Wamego. Owen was born December 25, 1912 north of Louisville, the son of Charles M. and Ida Ann (Hall) Stratton. He attended the White Chapel grade school near Laclede and graduated in 1931 from Louisville High School. Owen operated his family farm for most of the years. He later retired from farming and worked as a bus driver and custodian at Louisville schools and then as custodian at Wamego High School for many years until his retirement in 1980. Owen married Reva L. Taylor in Wamego on April 28, 1936. She preceded him in death on January 17, 2008. Owen was a member of the Louisville Methodist Church, Rebekah Lodge 77, and the Louisville Odd Fellows Lodge #122 for many years. He served as the mayor of Louisville for many years, served on the Louisville Cemetery Board and helped manage it for over 40 years, and also served on the Louisville School Board. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and built a lot of things by his own hands. He had a very large garden with a lot of sweet corn, and always invited people to come and pick what they wanted. His survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Lonsinger and her husband Ellis, of Osborne, KS, Donna Eaton and her husband Roger, of Albuquerque, NM; one son, Raymond Stratton and his wife Joyce, of Peoria, IL; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Otha Stratton. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 23rd at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, with burial following in Louisville Cemetery. Rev. Leslie Haller will officiate. The family will greet friends at a visitation at the funeral home Friday, January 22nd from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. He will lie in state beginning at 1:00 p.m. Friday. A memorial has been established in Owen’s name for the Louisville Methodist Church, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, 66547.