ST. JOHN — Leroy E. Lyon, age 86, passed away at Kenwood Plaza, May 11, 2025. He was born on Nov. 10, 1938 at Burr Oak, Kan. the son of Marion McCannon and Evelyn (Meireis) Lyon.

Leroy wore many hats during his lifetime. He was equally comfortable driving trucks or school buses, or trying to grow businesses or by writing grants, or newspaper and magazine articles. He always strived to build a strong community, most notably faith communities as he served as a pastor in Larned, Stafford, and Springfield, Colo.

He was a member of the Lions Club, Pratt Optimist Club, and the Stafford Co. Ministerial Alliance.

On June 1, 1958 he married Jerolyn A. Archer in Seiling, Okla. She preceded him in death on March 23, 2025.

He is survived by two sons, Kenton (Kimberly) Lyon, Hays, Kan. and Lyndon (Lynda) Lyon, St. John, Kan.; a sister, Marilyn Douty, Greenleaf, Idaho; a sister-in-law, Susan (Jerry) Schmidt; brother-in-law, Joe (Valonda) Vance; four grandchildren, Kaley (Jerome) Conner, Richard Lyon, Jeffrey Lyon, and Jonathan Lyon, and two great-grandchildren, Shane and Kinley Conner; along with many other nieces, nephews, and other family members. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a sister Maizie Vance; a brother Wendell Lyon; and a granddaughter Jessica.

A memorial service celebrating the lives of both Jerolyn and Leroy, on what would have been their 67th wedding anniversary, will be 3 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Minnis Chapel, St. John, Kan. with Pastor Wade Russell presiding. Family will receive friends from 1 until service time on Sunday. Private family Inurnment will be in the Haviland Community Cemetery, Haviland, Kan. Memorial checks may be made to Kenwood Plaza, Gentiva Hospice or donor’s choice in care of Minnis Chapel, Box 34, St. John, KS 67576.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel

Box 34

St. John, KS 67576

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 22, 2025