Leona Mckibben

Leona G. McKibben Leona Gertrude McKibben of Sycamore, KS, died Thursday, February 07, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Neodesha, KS. She was 96. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel. A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence with Dr. Jim Burck, pastor, from Columbia, MD, officiating. The daughter of Clarence E. and Clair B. Harvey Fowler, she was born March 27, 1911, in Sycamore, KS. She received her education in Sycamore. She was united in marriage to Erwin W. Burck on June 23, 1934, in Eureka, KS. They were later
orced and he preceded her in death August 23, 1951. She married George E. McKibben on April 10, 1954 in Kansas City, MO. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1993. Mrs. McKibben was employed by North American Aviation in Kansas City, KS, during WWII building bombers for the United States war effort. She was later employed as a waitress in the coffee shop at the Muehlebach Hotel in Kansas City, MO, where she waited on many noted personalities, one of whom was President Harry S. Truman, who she counted as a friend. She also was a waitress at the Booth Hotel in Independence. While there, she once served John Philip Sousa. Besides living in the Kansas City area, she also resided in Borger, TX, Independence, Eureka and El Dorado, KS. After retiring, she moved back to Sycamore in 1975 where she owned and operated the Shanty Antique Shop from 1975-1996. She was a member of the Sycamore Methodist Church, the Sycamore Ladies Aid and the Royal Neighbors. Survivors include a son, John Burck of Sycamore, KS; two grandchildren, Cynthia Burck-Alsobrook and John R. Burck II; and four great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a son, Captain Clarence W. Bill Burck, USN. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sycamore United Methodist Church and may be left at the funeral home.