WILNERD, Everett Duane - b. August 7, 1934 - d. September 4, 2018

[patyrn]

Known by most as "Tiny", Everett Duane Wilnerd lived nothing short of a giant life.  He started that life on August 7, 1934, being born to parents Odes and Nellie (Earily) Wilnerd outside of Norton, Kansas.

Everett qualified as a state wrestler while attending the Norton Community Schools from which  he graduated in 1951.  Upon graduating, he first earned the nickname "Tiny" while working for the State of Kansas Regional Highway Department.  It was during this period that he met the "catch" of his life, Fort Hays State student, Carolyn Ann Base.

Everett then joined the United States Army from 1954 to 1956.  He was stationed in Germany for almost a year.  After returning from Germany, he immediately took two giant steps.  First, he rejoined the Highway Department, and second, he got "hooked" on October 27, 1956 to then teacher, Carolyn Ann Base in Pawnee Rock, Kansas.  To this union, a school of seven fish were hatched including two sets of twins:  Susan, Craig & Carol, Lauri, Amy & Andy, and the youngest fry, Scott.

Upon leaving the highway department, Everett joined the crew at Gall Motors in Norton, Kansas as a mechanic, but "Tiny" had bigger fish to fry and game to hunt which is what led him to Jetmore, Kansas where he began his life long career as a Game Warden with Kansas Fish and Game which is now known as Kansas Wildlife and Parks.  He and his family were later transferred to Howard, Kansas where Everett was given the territories of Elk, Chautauqua, and part of Greenwood counties to patrol.

During his career, Everett was known as a man of justice, fairness, and kindness by those he ticketed and those he taught.  One of his greatest joys was to teach Hunter Safety Courses for young and old alike.  He is fondly remembered for his humor, his many escapades with other officers and the public, and the infamous "robo" deer.

After retiring in January 1997, Everett and Carolyn began traveling and became heavily involved in various activities like those with the American Legion, the Howard United Methodist Church, Elk County Kids Wrestling, Kansas Peace Officers Association, and scoping out garage sales.  Everett passed away peacefully on September 4, 2018 in Eureka, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn of the home; daughters, Susan Galvan and Carol Hernandez, both of Howard, Kansas and Lauri Brownfield of Blanchard, Iowa; sons, Craig (Tracillia) Wilnerd of Wichita, Kansas and Andy Wilnerd of Kansas City, Missouri; brother-in-law. Steve (Elva) Base of Owasso, Oklahoma and sister-in-law, Betty Harvey of Garden City, Kansas; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  Everett was preceded in death by his parents; his step-dad, Dallas Johnson; his son, Scott Wilnerd; his daughter, Amy Kitchens; his sisters, Mildred Catlett and Joyce Alley; his brothers-in-law, Lanny Harvey, Larry Base, and Gene Alley; his sister-in-law, Vi Base; and his sons-in-law, Joseph Galvan and Carl Kitchens.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Howard United Methodist Church with Pastor Kiburn Kim officiating.  A visitation will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 5;00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  The family suggests memorials to Carter-Rader Post #149 or the Howard United Methodist Church.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)