Harold Zibell 1944-2025

Harold Lynn Zibell of Emporia died on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor in Emporia. He was 80.

Harold was born on Dec. 17, 1944, in Holton, the son of Charles “Shannon” and Norma Arnold Zibell. He married Elizabeth “Betty” Joyce Boutwell. They later divorced.

He is survived by his daughters, Karen Rose Carl (Joe) of Americus and Donna Marjorie Schumann (Dan) of Emporia; stepdaughter, Lorrie Whitten (Lynn) of Dawson, Neb.; stepson, Mark Allen (Linda) Nelson of Shenandoah, Iowa; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepdaughter Virginia Lynn Nelson.

Harold after high school joined the United States Navy from 1962 to 1965 and was stationed in California. He later returned to Kansas in 1967 and worked for the Holton Police Department and Holton Transport and was a volunteer fireman. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1984 and served in Fort Riley until his retirement in 2009 as a Sergeant First Class. He was also a post commander for Lowry-Funston Post 1980 Veterans of Foreign Wars for a few years in Emporia.

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1 at Lowry-Funston Post 1980 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Cremation will take place following the service with a private inurnment at a later date at the Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley in Manhattan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lowry-Funston Post 1980 Veterans of Foreign Wars and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, KS 66801. You can leave online condolences at www.robertsblue.com

(PAID OBITUARY)