Buck Conaway

Raney “Buck” Conaway, 88, Iola, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Moran.

Buck was born in Stone Hill, Mo., to Raney Conaway and Doris (Asher) Conaway. As a young boy, Buck talked about his time growing up in Pacific, Mo. He met his wife-to-be when she was working at a Steak and Shake in St. Louis. Buck married Bonnie Fay Sumpter on April 21, 1958, in St. Louis. They traveled a lot with Buck’s construction work, settling in Westphalia in 1972. In 2012, they moved to Iola, where they lived out the remainder of their retirement years.

Buck’s early working years were spent doing assorted types of work in construction-related fields, mainly as a bulldozer operator. He later owned and operated Buck’s Used Cars, in Iola and then in Burlington. Buck was a great storyteller and it served him well as a hobby and in his dealings. He loved hunting and fishing but his true passion was in swapping or trading anything and everything from guns, coon hounds, horses, cars, and boats but never Bonnie (because she was a great cook).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie on Aug. 15, 2018; an infant sister, Emma Jewel; and one brother, Robert Conaway.

Buck is survived by his daughter and son, Marian Conaway of Chanute and Ronald Conaway and Susan Shrum of Iola; three granddaughters, Rachel Waltermire and husband Justin, Misty Taylor and Robyn Ingber and husband Marc; and three great-grandchildren, Emma Waltermire, and Max and Ella Ingber.

Buck’s family is planning a private family inurnment in the Westphalia Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements were under the direction of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service of Iola. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.