Gary Millbern, Toronto, passed away at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 while a resident at Eureka Nursing Home. Gary was born Dec. 3, 1940, in Ottawa, to Gerald and Frances (Cooley) Millbern.
Gary met Donna Benedict in the early 1990s in Freeport, Texas. They went together for four years before getting married at First Presbyterian Church in Iola, March 30, 1996. They made their home in Iola until the flood, then moved to Toronto in 2006.
They traveled through Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kansas, as part of Gary’s work, driving a Refer semi-truck. Gary was also a driver at Humboldt Speedway in the Derby Specials. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated after a heart attack in 2009.
In 2010, Gary’s health declined and he was admitted to the Yates Center nursing home for two years, then he was transferred to Diversa Care, Chanute, and was a resident there another three years. He was then admitted into Eureka Nursing home prior to his passing.
He is survived by Donna; three sons, Clark, Robert and Glenn, all of Ottawa; one daughter, Beverly, Ottawa; his stepfather, Floyd Schmoe, and two stepbrothers, David Schmoe of Kansas and Ronnie Schmoe of Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Roger Millbern.
Cremation has been requested. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cowboy Church in Toronto. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.
Memorials have been suggested to the Cowboy Church of Toronto and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home 420 S. 20th St., P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736.
Gary Millbern
