Earl Dean Medlen

Earl Dean Medlen was born November 10, 1927, at Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He was the son of Jess Hardin and Ruby Grace (Parker) Medlen. At the age of one year, he moved with his family to Miami County and came to Franklin County in the mid 1930's. He made his home in Princeton, in Franklin County, Kansas, until his death Thursday, January 15, 2004, at the age of seventy-six years. Earl attended Paola and Rantoul elementary schools and Rantoul High School with the class of 1945. In April of 1964, he became employed by the United States Postal Service. He worked as Postmaster of Rantoul for three months before starting as a rural carrier. Prior to that time, he worked in the oil field and as an automobile and aircraft mechanic. He was a past member of International Order of Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodge Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. He served on the first school board of Central Heights Consolidated School. Earl served in the United States Air Force from February 5, 1946, to March 16, 1947. Earl was an extremely talented craftsman and could make anything out of wood in his extensive shop in his home. He also did small motor repair. He loved hunting and fishing and watching his John Wayne movies. He also loved music and could play the piano, organ and accordion. For years, he played for dances in the community. Even though he was not a churchgoer, Earl did listen to Dr. Charles Stanley every Sunday morning and read many of his books. On March 8, 1948, Earl was united in marriage with Glenda Mae Burgoon at Paola, Kansas. They were later divorced. He is survived by four daughters, Diana Cole and her husband, Bill, of Coffeyville, Vicki Johnson and her husband, Bill, of Rantoul, Shelly Welch and her husband, Bud, of Princeton, Brenda Kratzberg and her husband, Leroy, of Richmond; son, Dean Medlen and his wife, Cindy, of Rantoul; two sisters, Lois Haines of Topeka, Bernice Jones of Topeka; brother, William 'Bill' Medlen of Lawrence; fourteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Calvin Medlen and Verneal Medlen. SERVICES: Memorial services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2004, followed by a family visitation. The service will be followed by a private family inurnment. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Alcoholics Anonymous, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.