Great Bend - Howard A. Converse, 95, died, February 2, 2008 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend.

He was born April 18, 1912 in Great Bend, the son of Charles Wesley and Effa May Rice Converse. A lifetime Pawnee County resident. He was a farmer.

He was a member of the Pawnee Rock United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church, Great Bend. He served on the Radium COOP Board, Pawnee Rock United Methodist Church Board as Treasurer, Farm Bureau and worked with the Pawnee County Extension.

On October 17, 1937 he married Heloise Eloise Kelsey in Larned. She died March 12, 1992.

Survivors include; two daughters, Betty Karen Converse, Los Angeles, California and Barbara Jo Converse Stevens, Downs, three grandsons, Michael Todd Colburn, Fresno, California, Joshua Brant Converse Stevens, Pawnee Rock, Seth Lee Converse Stevens, Great Bend; and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by; five brothers, Percy, Glenn, Merle, Paul and Harvey.

Funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Gary Brooks presiding. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Monday and 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Elder Care or the First United Methodist Church of Great Bend, both in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.