Larned – Gary L. Caplinger, 71, passed away January 29, 2018 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

He was born November 6, 1946 in Salina; the son of Donald R. and Marjorie L. Buhrer Caplinger. A lifetime area resident; he was a former band teacher in the Riley County School system and Larned High School; was owner and operator of Palace Clothier; was a Farm Bureau agent in Pawnee County; was a staff educator and quality management coordinator at Larned State Hospital, and was currently a Pawnee County Commissioner.

He was a member of the Larned United Methodist Church; was a Pawnee County Commissioner; was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Board, Jordaan Library Board, KNEA, Pawnee County Democratic Committee, Larned Country Club, Memorial Golf Association, 7 A.M. Coffee Club, was a past president for the Larned Chamber of Commerce and the Fish and Game Commission.

On January 24, 1987 he married Macel Dunn in Larned, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include; two sisters, Donna Sue (Orley) Morgan, Larned and Linda (Hugh) Mounday, Hutchinson and seven nieces and nephews; Carrie Caplinger, Kala Steffen, Cory Amerin, Marcus Amerin, Nathan Amerin, Evan Dunn and Adie Dunn.

He was preceded in death by; a son, Donnie L. Caplinger and a daughter; Lexie Marie Caplinger.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Larned United Methodist Church with Pastor Berniece Ludlum and Rev. Bethann Black presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Zook, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Pawnee County Humane Society or the Jordaan Library, both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.