Gary B. Colbern

Gary Bishop Colbern, 73, of Wellsville, received his promotion into heaven at noon on Monday, September 23, 2019, at AdventHealth Ottawa. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, October 11, 2019, at LifeMission Church, 16111 S Lone Elm Rd, Olathe, KS in the Family Life Center at 1:00 p.m. A gathering for family and friends will also be held on Friday, October 11, 2019, at Celebration Hall, Franklin County Fairgrounds, 1737 S. Elm Street, Ottawa, KS, from 5-9:00 p.m. Please bring your tractor for a mini show at Celebration Hall. Gary was born August 6, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Charles A. and Doris R. (Bishop) Colbern. He lived in Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado and Ottawa, KS during his school years and graduated in 1964 from Wasson High School, Colorado Springs, CO. He lived in Kansas City, MO before moving to Wellsville, KS in 1972. Gary was a lifelong electrician, working in Colorado and the Kansas City metro area before starting his own business, Colbern Electric in Ottawa, KS. If you have heard “just a watt better” or “we get in your shorts”, you know Gary and his business. He married Carol Ralston in November 1965 – they later divorced. Gary was united in marriage to Lori (Jesseph) Hoy on January 1, 1992 in Vail, CO. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three children, Shannon Colbern and wife Melissa of Meriden; Shane Colbern and wife Chris of Osawatomie; Ande Nash and husband Justin of Nashville, TN; four grandchildren, Kevin, Keegan, Cabrini and Marigrace Colbern of Meriden; and brother, Gregg Colbern and wife Beverly of Ottawa. He is preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Tamara A Colbern. Gary had a spirit that touched many lives. He loved God, family, friends, working, haying, cows and especially tractors. He was very open about his love of God and strived every day to make a deposit in another person’s life. He was devoted to family and friends. He frequently gave people a special nickname which he never forgot. He loved to have fun and lived by the moto: work hard, play harder. Gary will be so missed, but his family is so excited for his forever home. Gary was a member of the Franklin County Fair Board, a leader for the Franklin County Horse Club, a member and supporter of the NRA. He assisted in a church build in Thailand in 2000. The family suggests memorial contributions to Tauy Baptist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Gary’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com