Wilbur Lee Culbertson

WILBUR LEE CULBERTSON

Wilbur Lee Culbertson, age 80, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas, died Monday, June 27, 2011 at his home after an extended illness.

Wilbur was born February 8, 1931 to Carl David and Goldie May (Garren) Culbertson at Fontana, Kansas. He attended country schools and the Pleasanton High School, Pleasanton, Kansas.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on January 11, 1952. He served 2 years as military police mostly in Nevada. He was discharged in January, 1954.

Wilbur was united in marriage to Nancy Jackson in Pleasanton on June 22, 1956. They made their home in Pleasanton and Independence, Missouri before moving to Osawatomie in the early 1960’s. They spent a lot of time in Mound City at Sugar Valley Lakes where he loved to play golf. They also vacationed in Elephant Butte, New Mexico. They became the parents of three children.

Wilbur worked for General Motors at the Leeds Plant as a Lead Man for 30 years. He retired in 1989.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Osawatomie, Elk’s Lodge #921, and U.A.W. Local #93.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, one infant son Douglas Wayne Culbertson, and four brothers Harry Culbertson, Leland Culbertson, Lucian Ray Culbertson, and infant, Wayne Calvin Culbertson.

He is survived by his wife Nancy of the home; one son Johnny Lee and his wife Tricia Culbertson of Lane, Kansas; one daughter Diana Marie and her husband Mark Deering of Osawatomie, Kansas; two sisters Thelma Hammett of Amoret, Missouri and Beulah Johnson of Osawatomie; 5 grandchildren Jared Scott Zaman, Douglas Eugene Zaman, Jessica LeAnn Scherman, John Patrick Culbertson, and Jacob Hadly Culbertson; 9 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 30, 2011 at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie followed by burial in the Osawatomie Cemetery with military honors. He will be in state after 1 pm Wednesday, June 29. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are to either the First Presbyterian Church of Osawatomie or the Miami County Cancer Foundation.