Robert E. Laughlin, Prairie Village
Americus native Robert E. “Gene” Laughlin died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, at his home in Prairie Village. He was 84.
The son of Chester and Katie Staley Laughlin, he was born on a farm near Americus. He graduated from Americus High School and earned an accounting degree from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia.
Mr. Laughlin served during World War II with the U.S. Army in the European Theater. He married Phyllis Harris on Feb. 1, 1948, at Emporia.
Mr. Laughlin worked in management for International Harvester Credit Corp. After 30 years, he retired in October 1978. He was a member of Old Mission United Methodist Church and the American Legion Dwight Cowles Post.
He is survived by his wife and daughter, Marjorie Laughlin, both of the home; a brother, Wayne Laughlin of Eagle, Idaho; a niece and four nephews, including Richard Evans of Emporia. Two infant children, Steven Eugene and Jeanne Marie, and a sister, Dorothy Best, died earlier.
The funeral service for Mr. Laughlin will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Old Mission United Methodist Church. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Americus Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Road, Fairway KS 66205; or the American Stroke Foundation, 5960 Dearborn St., Shawnee Mission KS 66202.