MECHTLEY, Dean William - b. July 9, 1944 - d. March 25, 2018

[patyrn]

Dean William Mechtley, age 73, of Elk Falls, Kansas, passed away on March 25, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.  He was born on July 9, 1944 at St. Mary's Hospital in Emporia, Knsas to William and Esther (Grimmett) Mechtley.

Dean attended schools in Emporia and would sometimes skip school and sneak away to the livestock sales at the sale barn.  One time, he bought a goat and surprised his mother with his purchase.  He eventually traded the goat at the sale barn for a mule after realizing the goat milk business was tough.  He went on to graduate from Emporia High School.

After graduation, Dean worked various jobs including Department Manager at Montgomery Ward, Service Manager at John North Ford, Service Manager at Crow Murray Ford in Burlington, Kansas, Santa Fe Trucking, Professional Saddle Bronc Rider winning a title; and his proudest business achievement was his paint horse and cattle ranch.  He sold to the movie companies the black and white paint horse used by Little Joe Cartwright on the TV series, Bonanza, and the backup buckskin for Matt Dillon on the TV series, Gunsmoke.  Dean was also the recliner coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.  They would have won many Super Bowl titles if they would have just listened to him.

Dean met Ginny Edwards in Emporia, and they were united in marriage on April 5. 1987.  The couple made their home in Elk Falls where they briefly owned and operated the Circle N Diner, later transforming the diner into their home and ranch where he continued breeding paint horses and custom grazing cattle for over 28 years.  Dean enjoyed working outdoors, camping, training horses, and watching westerns.  Above all, he loved spending time with his granddaughters.  They were his pride and joy.  Over the years, Dean had employed almost every niece and nephew at the ranch, painting fence, building fence, feeding cattle, or painting a barn.

Dean's memories will live on with his wife, Ginny of the home; sons, Robert Traw (Tammy) and Doug Traw (Susan); daughter, Jane Neill; granddaughters, Brandy Lowrance (Asa) and Emily Traw; brother, Ken Metchley (Marsha); 34 nieces and nephews; 83 great-nieces and great-nephews; and 25 great-great nieces and great-great-nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Elk Falls Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.  Friends are invited to sign the register and greet the family on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Christian Community Church in Longton, Kansas from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel in Coffeyville, Kansas.

(taken from the Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel website)