Joe Slavin, a longtime resident of Burdett, Kansas walked on peacefully at the age of 94, on August 29th, 2011. One of eleven children, Joe was born on December 18th, 1916 to parents James Slavin and Dellie Ott Slavin. He resided in Lexington, Oklahoma until age 16 where after obtaining permission from his father, James Slavin, hitchhiked throughout the United States panhandling and working his way from town to town doing odd jobs. He enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 at the age of 20 where he worked his way up to Senior Leader. He was discharged at the age of 23 which is the age limitation for the corps.

Joe was introduced to his soon to be wife, Clara Faye Leaming, by his sister Alice while excelling in playing basketball. They were married on September 13, 1941 in Dodge City, KS. Joe Slavin enlisted in the US Army in 1942 during WWII, where he ended up as a Staff Sargent in the 16th Armored Division. He was stationed in Kentucky prior to being sent to Germany. He was in Czechoslovakia when the war ended. After being discharged from the Army they lived in Greensburg and Liberal, Kansas before moving to Burdett, Kansas in 1953. They raised two sons in Burdett while he worked as a Natural Gas Compressor Station Operator for thirty three years before retiring from Northern Natural Gas Company.

He was proud of his Indian heritage and was a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Joe participated in the placement of a commemorative marker on the Potawatomi Trail of Death of 1838 to honor his Grandmother, Et Equa Sec, who was age 6 and one of approx. 800 survivors of the forced march to Oklahoma. He was also an active member of the American Legion, The United Methodist Church and involved in the Burdett Senior Citizen Center where he performed in skits and plays with the seniors. He also volunteered as kitchen help for the "Harvest" program once a month. Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, traveling and was quite a prankster. Joe resided in Liberty, Texas for the last two years of his life. He was a devoted family member who was loved by all. He has left a vacancy in our lives but has left many memories for us to cherish.

Joe was preceded in death by both his parents, his loving wife of 54 years and his brothers Roy Slavin, George Slavin, Bill Slavin, Frank Slavin, Thomas Slavin and half-brother John Meyers. He is survived by siblings Bob Slavin, Jessie Slavin, Teresa Reed, Alice Killian; children Larry Slavin and wife Mary, Danny Slavin and wife Carolyn; seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2nd, 2011 at The United Methodist Church in Burdett, KS. Viewing will be preceding services for those who would like to attend. Burial with military honors by Fort Sill Army Base will be at Forgan Cemetery in Forgan, Oklahoma at 3:30 p.m.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church of Burdett, in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.