HERBERT MELVIN STOCKWELL

CLASS OF 1907

DECEMBER 1, 1888 - MAY 6, 1980 

Herbert Melvin Stockwell, 91, well-known Paolan and civic leader, died early Tuesday morning, May 6, 1980, at the Miami County Hospital.

Son of the late Harrison and Effie Akers Stockwell, he was born Dec. 1, 1888, and grew up in the Plum Creek Community. He was the grandson of the late Orson and Sarah Stockwell, early pioneers of Stanton Township in the Plum Creek Community.

Mr. Stockwell graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1907 and from the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1923 as a civil engineer. April 13, 1913, he was married to Grace Ellen Diediker and she preceded him in death in 1966.

He served as Miami County engineer until he went to work for the Gas Service Company, from which he retired in 1960. Mr. Stockwell had been manager of the Paola and Osawatomie offices a number of years.

He was a charter member of the Paola Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Paola Lodge No. 37, AF&AM, and had receied his 50-year pin.

Mr. Stockwelll was past district deputy of Deputy Grand Masters Association of Grand Lodge of Kansas District No. 6. He had also received a 50-year pin from the Paola Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

He was a member of Three times Nine Council of RSM, St. Elmo Commandery, Knights of the York Cross of Honor and and was a charter member of the Kansas Association of Past Commanders.

Mr. Stockwell was a member of the Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters of Kansas, the Abdallah Knights of Mecca Shrine and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having received his 50-year pin.

For many years he was an active member of the Paola Chamber of Commerce. He had served on the Paola school board and was well known for his work in the American Red Cross. Mr. Stockwell had served the Miami County Chapter of the American Red Cross as chairman of the fund-raising committee during World War II and into the 1970s.

Mr. Stockwell was instrumental in the early routing of U.S. 169 from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

Surviving are a son, Melvin H. Stockwell, and two daughters, Winifred, wife of Joseph Clark, both of Paola, and Evelyn, wife of Harold Young, of Chanute; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A sister also preceded him in death.

Services were held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Wilson & Son Chapel in Paola, with the Rev. Paul Hett, pastor of the United Methodist Church officiating. Music was provided by organist Don Carr accompaning Mrs. Joyce Molina as she sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In the Sweet By and By". Visitation was after 7 Wednesday evening at the chapel.

Burial was in the Paola Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were members of the Paola Rotary Club, Bill Griffin Jr., Jim Queen, David McIntire, Bill Funk, Maynard Elliott and Ed Cahill. Honorary bearers were members of the Odd Fellows.

Memorials were established in Mr. Stockwell's name to the United Methodist Church in Paola.

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