BUNYARD, Melvin W. - b. July 18, 1921 - d. December 22, 2006

[Janet Harrington]

Melvin W. Bunyard, 85, of Fall River, died Friday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Timmons Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Pameticky officiating.  Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery near Fall River.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthritis Foundation.

Mr. Bunyard was born July 18, 1921 in Fall River, to Harvey and Viola (Cornett) Bunyard.

He was a sergeant in the United States Army during in  World War II, and worked for 29 years as a foreman for Beech Aircraft in Wichita, retiring in 1980.

On July 14, 1942, in Howard, he married Mary I. Copenhaver.  She died in 1999.

Suriviors include four sons, Jim, Elk City, Robert, Fall River, Jee Dee and Jayme, both of Fredonia; two daughters, Sherry Sexton and Bonnie Lassley, both of Severy; four brothers, Paul, Eureka, George, Whitewater, Lee of Florida, and Buck, Howard; three sisters, mary Burt, Fall River, Ruby Robert, Severy and Betty Riggs, of Washington state; 33 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
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(The following was taken from the Flint Hills Express, Dec. 27, 2006, page 4)

Melvin W. Bunyard, 85, a lifelong resident of Fall River, Kan. died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006 at Wesley medical Center in Wichita, Kan.  He was born July 18, 1921 in Fall River, the son of Harvey Samuel and Viola Belle (Cornett) Bunyard.  He was a sergeant in the United States Army, serving during World War II.  He worked for 29 years as a foreman for Beech Aircraft in Wichita, retiring.

On July 14, 1942 in Howard, Kan. he married Mary I Copenhaver.  She preceded him in death September 21, 1999.  He was an avid outdoors-man, especially enjoying fishing and hunting.

He is survived by four sons, Jim Bunyard of Elk City, Kan., Robert Bunyard of Fall River, Kan., Jo Dee Bunyard of Fredonia, Kan; two daughters, Sherry Sexton of Severy, Kan., Bonnie Lassley of Severy, Kan.; four brothers, Paul Bunyard of Eureka, Kan., George Bunyard of Whitewater, Kan., Lee Bunyard of Florida, Buck Bunyard of Howard, Kan.; three sisters, Mary Burt of Fall River, Kan., Ruby Robert of Severy, Kan., Betty Riggs of Washington State; 33 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 2 Great-great grandchildren.

Melvin was preceded in death by two sons, Billy Joe Bunyard Toby Bunyard; one sister, Virgie Hemry; and two brothers, Robert Bunyard and D.R. Bunyard.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 at Timmons Home Chapel with Rev. Tony Pameticky officiating.  Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery near Fall River.  A memorial has been established in his name with the Arthritis Foundation and may be sent to the funeral home.

Family condolences may sent to www.timmonsfuneralhome.com.