Zephry Lewis Lee

Graveside memorial services with military honors for Zephry Lewis Lee, age 84, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute, Kan.

Lee died Friday, Jan. 9. 2015, at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. He was born April 9, 1930 in Manhattan, Kan., the son of Rulie C and Elsie Sara (Noland) Lee.

Lee grew up in Manhattan, and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1948. After graduation he entered the U.S. Navy where he served in the Korean War and on the USS Rochester; he served until September of 1952.

Soon after his time in the service in 1952, Zephry met and married Bertha Catherine (Temaat). Later, the couple divorced. On July 17, 1982, he married Elinor (Patton) Miller. The family made their home in Chanute, and she preceded him in death on April 9, 1995.

Lee was a self-taught carpenter, owned several restaurants and quick-shops and most recently worked for Tri-Valley Development Center until his retirement in 1998. He was a lifetime member of the local VFW.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; and a brother: R.C. Lee Jr.

Survivors include his children, Katherine Merrill, and her husband, Melvin, of Davis, David Lee, and his wife, Lometa, of Arapaho, Linda Johnson, and her husband, David, of Grove, Daniel “Danny” Lee, of Davis and Vickie Houser, and her husband, David, of Chanute, Kan.; his brother, Ralph E. Lee, and his wife, Margie, of Humboldt, Kan.; his grandchildren, Toby Lee, Amberlie Snider, Bryan Lee,

Krissi Heck, and Derrick and Kiesha Houser; great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Conner Snider, Jeffery Cornett, and Allie and Sophie Heck; one great-great-grandchild, Kimber Cornett; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Cremation is planned. There will be no formal visitation.

The family suggests memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Tri-Valley Development Center in care of Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.