Harold Lee “Red” VanHouden, 78, Iola, died Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at Olathe Medical Center.
Harold was born Jan. 8, 1938, in Fredonia, the son of Lloyd and Thelma (Davis) VanHouden. He served in four branches of the U.S. military: Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard and received honorable discharges from all of them. He worked in the aviation industry and in the oil field industry. He settled in Iola in 1984 and worked for Thermoid in Chanute until he semi-retired. He worked part time at Cedarbrook Golf Course and the Allen County Country Club golf course before his health failed. Harold enjoyed aviation, golf and NASCAR.
In 1975, he married Donna Anthoney and they later divorced. Survivors include five children: Jessica (Bruce) Naas, Oakfield, N.Y., Belinda (Travis) Knavel, LaHarpe, Chris (Cindi) VanHouden, Iola, Robert VanHouden, Iola, and Richard (Tammy) Thurston, Auburn, Maine; 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Millard VanHouden, brother Ivan and sister Esther.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. Memorials are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project and may be left at the funeral home. To leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Red VanHouden
