IOLA — Delbert Lee Rexwinkle, 94, of Iola and formerly of Altamont, passed away at 5:10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at Heartland Meadows in Iola.
Delbert was born on June 17, 1930, in rural Altamont to William and Bessie (More) Rexwinkle. He spent his entire childhood in rural Altamont and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1948. After graduating, he began his farming career in rural Altamont.
On Oct. 28, 1950, he married Erma Jean Bryson in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This union lasted nearly 67 years and produced three children.
As a result of the Korean War, he was drafted by the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country from 1952 to 1954. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, where his first son, Steve, was born. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, he and his family relocated to Fairfield, California, where he worked as a civilian at Travis Air Force Base. During their time in Fairfield, their son, Jeff, and daughter, Debra, were born. He also continued his education in Fairfield and earned an associate’s degree from Vallejo Junior College.
In 1960, he resumed his farming career south of Altamont, while also driving a school bus for Labette County Community High School from 1960 to 1965 and worked as a pipefitter for the Katy Railroad from 1966 to 1982. He also served on the boards of numerous cooperatives and other organizations.
Following retirement, he and Erma purchased a travel trailer and spent several years taking numerous trips, eventually covering all 50 states. In 2007, due to Erma’s declining health, they moved to Iola to be near their son Jeff and his wife, Annette.
Survivors include two sons, Steve Rexwinkle and his wife, Gayle, of Spring, Texas, and Jeff Rexwinkle and his wife, Annette, of Iola; 10 grandchildren, Jason and his wife, Christie, Sarah Lawrence and her husband, Nick, and Tyler Rexwinkle and his wife, Michelle, all of Spring, Texas, Scott Rexwinkle and his wife, Barbara, of Sonora, California, Bryson Rexwinkle and his wife, Amber, of Montgomery, Texas, Kara Bryan of Lawrence, Vance Rexwinkle and his wife, Irene, of Mill Creek, Washington, Amanda Schmidt and her husband, Bryan, of Parker, Colorado, Kaylee Hanf of Des Moines, Iowa, and Rachael Hanf of Overland Park; one stepgranddaughter, Amy Gornick and her husband, Allen, of Indiana, Pennsylvania; 24 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Debra, in 2006; and his wife, Erma, in 2017. In addition to his wife and daughter, he was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Kenneth, Wayne, Lyle, Richard, Marvin and David; and three sisters, Hazel, Louise and Genieve.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. until the service begins. Burial will follow the service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont.
The family suggests memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357. Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
