Arthur ‘Art’ Kohls

(1928-2015)

Arthur “Art” Kohls, 87, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015 at his home in Ellsworth. He was born June 3, 1928 in Ellsworth County to Helen (Schmoekel) and Ed Kohls. Art was a passionate farmer, and had been an auto mechanic at Erhardt Motors, a railroad agent for Frisco Railroad, and worked for Vulcan Chemical. He also served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Art married Kathryn Lou Barnett Nov. 20, 1954, in rural Clearwater. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the VFW Post 6485, both of Ellsworth. Art was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Kohls; sister-in-law, Carol Kohls; and brother-in-law, Joe Whalen. Art is survived by his wife, Kathryn of Ellsworth; son, Robin Kohls (Brenda) of Kooskia, Idaho; son, Doug Kohls (Mary) of Clearwater; daughter, Janet Mater (Larry) of Owasso, Okla.; sisters, Aldeen Whalen of Aurora, Colo. and Dorothy Stratman (Bruce) of Worland, Wyo.; seven grandchildren, Brook Hagen (Dr. Chris), Wendy Hough (Corey), Morgan Schmitt ( Josh), Nathan (Becca), Kevin, Jared, and Miranda Kohls; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral service was Saturday, Sept. 26, at the First United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, with burial following in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, or to the Ellsworth County Historical Society, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439. Condolences may be sent to the family at parsonsfh.com. This appeared Oct. 1, 2015, in the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter.