Obituary of Oran Ferris Milner

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ORAN F. MILNER Oran Ferris Milner, son of Fred O. and Lena Florence (Gibbs) Milner, was born July 20, 1927, in Clayton, Kansas, and passed away at the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas, on September 14, 2012, at the age of 85. Oran had two brothers, Byron R. Milner, who was born in 1930, and died in 1986, in California, and Elmer Milner, born in 1921, and died at 13 years of age at the family's home in Clayton in 1934. Oran lived in Clayton until the death of his mother his junior year in high school at which time he transferred to the Norton Community High School where he graduated with the class of 1945. He lived with his Uncle Clifford and Aunt Esther Milner and their family in Norton. After graduation, Oran began teaching in the Lenora schools but before the school year was over he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army in the 24th Corp. He received his license as M-18 Tank Driver training at Camp Roberts, California, in October 1945, and served as company clerk and had other assignments in the 24th Corp Armored Tank Division in South and North Korea. Following his military service, he began teaching in the Norcatur and Oberlin, Kansas school systems for 43 years, where he taught 7th and 8th grades and was the Principal of the Norcatur Grade School and later an instructor in Oberlin. He dedicated his life to teaching in public schools. He received his B.S. degree from Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado, in 1956, his Master's Degree from Ft. Hays State College in 1958, and acquired 22 hours from Colorado State University in Boulder, Colorado. During his time as a teacher in Norcatur, he met and married LaVerne Bishop on November 24, 1949. They were privileged to have been married for 62 years. Oran was a member of the Maple Grove Church of the Brethren where he taught young people and adult classes and served as Moderator for 21 years. He was a member of the Kansas State Teacher's Association, past president of the Decatur County Teacher's Association, and Phil Delta Kappa. He was also listed in the Outstanding Personalities of the West and Midwest 1968 Edition. Survivors include: Oran's wife, LaVerne Milner, Norton; his niece, Barbara Bettencout, Tacoma, Washington; many cousins, and friends. Oran was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers. A memorial has been established to the Oran Milner Memorial Fund.