Dr. Ansel B. Searles 1921-2015

Dr. Ansel B. Searles 1921-2015

 

Dr. Ansel B. Searles, 94, Holton, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at Vintage Park Holton.

He was born Feb. 21, 1921, in Wetmore, the son of Joe and Maude Cole Searles. He graduated from Wetmore High School and attended Kansas State University and UMKC Dental School, gradu­ating from the latter in 1951.

Dr. Searles was employed by the U.S. Government during World War II making gun powder in Vir­ginia before being transferred to De Soto when the Sunflower Ord­nance Gun Powder Plant opened. After a short stay there as a super­visor, he joined the Army Air Corps. Later, after graduating from dental school, he moved to Holton in 1951 and became a dentist, staying in Holton for the rest of his life.

He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Holton, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Arab Shrine Temple, where he served as potentate in 1972. He was a charter member of the Flying Dentists Association, served on the Holton school board and was active with the Holton Planning Commis­sion.

He married Phyllis Rae Benthin on Aug. 24, 1946. She died Jan. 12, 2008. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Beth Pollom; a son, Joe Searles; and a grandson, Randy Stotts.

Survivors include a daughter, Kay Stotts, San Antonio, Texas; a son, Mark Searles and wife Sue, Topeka; four grandchildren, Angie Searles, Tracy Stotts, Cole Searles and wife Chelsie and Darren Sear­les and wife Kailey; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Dr. Searles was cremated. A celebration of life service will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at the Holton Veterans Club, 926 W. Sixth St.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thompas Episcopal Church in Holton or Shriners Hos­pital for Children, sent in care of Denison State Bank, 421 New York Ave., Holton, KS 66436.

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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