Bobby Gene “Bob” Matney age 90, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas.

Bob was born December 21, 1923 in Osawatomie, Kansas. He was the only child born to Rufus Silas and Fern M. (Bridges) Matney.

Bob grew up in Osawatomie and attended school in the Osawatomie school system graduating from Osawatomie High School with the class of 1942.

Bob went to work for a short time for North American Aircraft in Kanas City, Kansas, leaving there on October 15, 1942 he enlisted in the United State Navy Air Service on January 6, 1943, Bob was a pilot for the USNAS. He was sent to Liberty, MO for training, then to Lexington, MO, then to St. Mary’s in Livermore, CA for Pre-Flight training, next off to Corpus Christi for Advanced Basic training, then to Jacksonville, Florida for Operational instruction and finally to Pensacola, Florida for four weeks of instructor training, from that point on he was a flight instructor in Pensacola until his discharge on December 19, 1945.

Bob returned to Osawatomie and later married Betty N. Shields in Paola, KS. They became the parents of two children. Unfortunately during the late stages of Betty’s pregnancy a fall resulted in the death of their second son and she died two days later.

Seven years later he married Verna Dean Huber on June 6, 1958 they were married for fourteen years when Verna Dean died.

On June 22, 1973 Bob married Lois Pearl (Lancaster) Wilkins at the First Methodist Church in Osawatomie. They made their home in Osawatomie, Bob and Lois have been married for forty-one years.

Bob was employed by Taylor Forge Engineered Systems Inc. in Paola, Kansas and retired from there in 1983. Bob was employed there for thirty-two years.

He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Osawatomie, a member of the Abdullah Temple of Kansas City, Kansas (Shriners) and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Bob enjoyed yard work and like to tinker in the basement, he was always doing something down there. But his love was fishing. He and Lois had a vacation house in Grove, Oklahoma for over twenty years. That was Bob’s favorite place to be so he could fish. He and Lois also loved road trips, they went on many not only throughout Oklahoma but Colorado, California, Texas, Missouri and Wisconsin to name a few.

Bob was preceded in death by two wives: Betty Matney who died on May 6, 1951 and Verna Dean Matney who died on October 2, 1972 and his infant son Robert Gene Matney who died May 4, 1951.

He is survived by his wife Lois of the home, one son James Lee “Jim” Matney and wife Carol of Tiburon, CA, three step-sons Steve Wilkins of Olathe, KS, Stan Wilkins of Louisburg, KS and Greg Wilkins of Osawatomie, KS. One grand-daughter, five step grandchildren, one year old twin great-grandsons, three step great-grandchildren and a host of friends, he will be missed by many.

VISITATION WILL BE 6-8 PM TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014 WITH MILITARY HONORS AT 7 PM AT THE EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME.

A PRIVATE COMMITTAL OF ASHES WILL BE AT A LATER DATE AT THE OSAWATOMIE CEMETERY, OSAWATOMIE, KS

MEMORIALS: THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS

Memorials may be sent in care of the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home P.O Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064