Charles O. Stones, 96, died Sunday, May 8, 2022, at St. Catherine
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born February 25, 1926, on the
family farm in Smith County, Kansas, the son of Glen & Henrietta
(Steward) Stones.
Charles started teaching in one-room country schools in Smith
County right out of Lebanon High School with a “Normal Training”
background. After many summer schools and correspondence courses at
Fort Hays State University, Charles earned a Bachelor’s degree and a
Master’s degree in Education. On May 1, 1949, he married Ardith Nadine
Craig in McDonald, Kansas. They lived in Bird City, Ks., St. John, Ks.,
and Hugoton, Ks., before moving to Garden City in 1973. They have
lived in Garden City since. Charles taught school while living in Bird
City. He became Elementary Principal in St. John and Hugoton. Charles
then went on to become Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for
Garden City Public Schools until his retirement on June 29, 1991. He
also served 1 year as Interim Superintendent for USD #457 in Garden
City. The Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center in Garden City is a
tribute to his contribution to the education of students in the Garden
City district.
Charles was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Garden
City where he served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was also a member
of the Builder’s Sunday School Class, Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, the
Finney County Library, Western Kansas Community Foundation, the Masonic
Lodge, and served for many years as a director of Peoples State Bank of
McDonald, Colby, and Manhattan. He loved to spend his time collecting
bells, gardening, bird watching, and spending time with his children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include two daughters Judy & husband Rich Steinbrink
of Garden City and Gaynelle Beasley of Garden City; a brother Harold
& wife Patty Stones of Topeka, Kansas; four grandchildren Brynn
& husband Jim Shellenberger, Melissa & husband Alex Stofer,
Mekayla & Husband Dustin Petrus, & Britny Sweeney; and six
great-grandchildren Keely, Kambri, Kaia, Isaiah, Kolby, & Brody.
Charles is preceded in death by his wife Ardith who died on November 30,
2021. He is also preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Leatta
Sue Stones; and two sons-in-law Donald Ridder and David Beasley.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022,
at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City Rev. Joel Plisek
officiating. Services may also be viewed on Facebook Live on the
Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will follow at Valley View
Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
on Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday all at Garnand
Funeral Home in Garden City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests
memorials given to the Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center Library or
to the First United Methodist Church, both in care of the funeral home.