Lebo service station changes owners
Nancy S. Hawkins
Thursday, April 5, 2007
LEBO — Dean Knight Oil Co. has new owners.
Zach Danler and Mark Swisher took over the Lebo company Friday from Larry and Marilyn Knight. The company has served Lebo for more than 60 years.
“Larry left some mighty big shoes to fill,” Danler said.
Danler and his wife, Randye, have lived in the Lebo area for four years. Danler has spent the past 10 years preparing for this business. His background includes seven years as a mechanic in Emporia.
Danler said he drove by the station often, realizing that Lebo needed the business and that it was for sale. Growing up in the Olpe area, Danler said he especially liked the idea of a business in a small-town setting.
Danler and Mark Swisher have been friends for several years. The two realized the abilities of each other and expressed their common desire to purchase the business. Soon, the friendship became a business relationship and the two made the decision to purchase Dean Knight Oil. At the time the two took over the business, it was renamed D&S Service Station, LLC.
Swisher and his wife, Marlene, live west of Lebo with their two children, Dallas and Ty. Swisher operates a cattle business and a hay operation and is the auctioneer for Swisher Auction Service. Swisher notes that although he has been busy, this will be another activity in his already busy life.
The Knight family has been involved in the business since 1937 when Larry Knight’s father, Dean, began working at the station. In 1942, Dean Knight and his father, Everett, bought the service station.
Through the years of growing up, Larry and his brother, Noble, joined their parents in the operation of the station. Following their high school years, Larry worked for the Kansas Turnpike Association and Noble moved to Colorado. In 1962, Larry and his wife, Marilyn, returned to Lebo to rear their young family.
Both Larry and Marilyn worked at the station and as their young sons were growing up, they joined their parents in the operation. In 1966, Dean Knight Oil built the building currently housing the business. Throughout the many years, other family members joined in the operation of the station, including cousin, Daryl Knight.
Larry Knight will continue to work for the new owners. In addition, Phyllis Johnson will be staying with the business. She has been there for six years.
As the Knights turned over the business to the new owners, they expressed grateful thanks for the many years of community support to their family business, saying, “It was a real pleasure to serve the community throughout the years. We encourage continued support of Zach and Mark.”
Being an avid angler, Larry adds, “I’m gonna miss it, but I am sure I’ll find more time for fishing.”
Danler and Swisher say it is their intent to continue to offer full service to their customers, including mechanical work, gas delivery and tire repair. Danler and Swisher encourage folks to stop by and visit, noting, “We will do whatever we can to help in any way.”