Larry Keith Soukup (1942-2015)

      Larry Keith Soukup was born Oct. 19, 1942 in Ellsworth, Kan. to Marie (Jezek) and Godfrey Soukup, Jr. Larry passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, after bravely fighting a lung disease.
      Larry graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1960 and attended the Wichita School of Barbering. Larry and Sara McConnell were married at St. Bernard’s on Oct. 17, 1964. He owned and operated Larry’s Barber Shop and barbered in Ellsworth for 42 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 174, served in the Army National Guard, was active in the Ellsworth Correctional Facility Citizen’s Committee, St. Bernard’s Parish Council, Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Bethpage Board, and was a sponsor and member in the Ellsworth Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for 36 years.
      He loved horses and cattle, enjoyed the wide open spaces and had a great sense of humor. He and his wife Sara, of 51 years, enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel camper after retirement and looked forward to spending their winters in Arizona.
      He is survived by his wife Sara  of Kanopolis, Kan.; daughters Sharla (James) Pfeifer of Bel Aire, Kan., Joelle (Rob) Dreiling of Goddard, Kan.; and nine grandchildren, Michaela (Clayton) Stubbs, Topeka, Jacob Pfeifer, Wichita, Lauren, Kristine, Natalie, Isabelle Pfeifer, all of Bel Aire, Brenden Dreiling, Wichita, and Hunter and Ryan Dreiling, Goddard.  
      Other survivors include brother Bill Soukup of Oklahoma City, Okla.; sister Pat Emfinger of Ellsworth, Kan.; and nieces and nephews.
      He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert Soukup; sister Evelyn Hloucal; and nephew David Emfinger.
      Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at Parsons Funeral Home with Rosary to follow.
      Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Ellsworth Cemetery.
      Memorials to the St.Bernard’s Catholic Church and Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation in care of Parsons Funeral Home, 307 N. Lincoln St., Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.