Robert Erie Honeyman
March 28, 1923 — April 30, 2013
Robert E. Honeyman
Robert E. Honeyman, longtime resident of Eureka, KS, died April 30, 2013, at Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita, KS. He was 90 years old.
The son of Erie Earnest Honeyman and Mildred (Fuller) Honeyman, Bob was born March 28, 1923, in Madison, KS. He was raised in rural Kansas on farms in Wilson and Greenwood counties. He attended a series of one-room schoolhouses that dominated rural elementary education in the 1920s. He graduated from Madison High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1954.
Bob’s father died in a farming accident when Bob was 13 years old. With few income options in the late 1930s, Bob enlisted in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Riley, KS, and served eight years of active duty. During World War II, Bob saw action in North Africa and in Europe, serving under General George Patton in both theaters. After V.E. Day, Bob returned to Europe with the U.S. Constabulary occupation forces and was stationed at Wetzlar, Germany, in Bavaria. In October, 1947, Bob was released from active duty and joined the Kansas National Guard, 137th Infantry Regiment where he served as Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion. When he left the service, he had attained the rank of Major. He retired from the National Guard in 1979.
At the end of the war, Bob married Delorice Irene Davis, daughter of James T. and Irene Brookover Davis, of Reece, KS. Delorice joined Bob in Bavaria as he completed his active tour of duty. Upon returning to Kansas, Bob ranched in partnership with his father-in-law for four years before deciding to take advantage of the G.I. Bill. Majoring in political science at K-State, Bob also achieved notable status in the department of history, earning membership in Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. After graduation, boasting a growing family, Bob entered the property and casualty insurance business. He pursued a corporate career with Grain Dealer’s Mutual Insurance Co., that sent him to posts of increasing responsibility in Emporia, KS; Omaha, NE; and Indianapolis, IN. In 1969, Bob returned to Kansas. He accepted an invitation to become a partner in the Wichita insurance brokerage firm of Orrell, Ward, and O’Neal, from which he retired in 1985.
Bob was a member of the Christian & Congregational Church in Eureka, KS; Fidelity Masonic Lodge #106; Kiwanis; the Greenwood County Historical Society, which he served as president; the Kansas State University Alumni Association; and V.F.W. Post 2712, in which he served a term as commander.
He is survived by his wife, Delorice, of Wichita; his son, James E. Honeyman, of Wichita; his daughter, Carol Honeyman Dewar, of San Angelo, TX; and grandsons Bret Honeyman, of Bloomington, IL; and Eric Honeyman, of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Allen Honeyman and four sisters, Martha Naffsinger, Mildred Hartung, Maxine Gray, and Corrine Green.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, May 25, 2013 at the Christian & Congregational Church in Eureka, with Reverend Rhonda Almond officiating. Cremation has been effected. A private family inurnment was held at an earlier date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian & Congregational Church or to the Kansas Masonic Home. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
Robert E. Honeyman, longtime resident of Eureka, KS, died April 30, 2013, at Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita, KS. He was 90 years old.
The son of Erie Earnest Honeyman and Mildred (Fuller) Honeyman, Bob was born March 28, 1923, in Madison, KS. He was raised in rural Kansas on farms in Wilson and Greenwood counties. He attended a series of one-room schoolhouses that dominated rural elementary education in the 1920s. He graduated from Madison High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1954.
Bob’s father died in a farming accident when Bob was 13 years old. With few income options in the late 1930s, Bob enlisted in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Riley, KS, and served eight years of active duty. During World War II, Bob saw action in North Africa and in Europe, serving under General George Patton in both theaters. After V.E. Day, Bob returned to Europe with the U.S. Constabulary occupation forces and was stationed at Wetzlar, Germany, in Bavaria. In October, 1947, Bob was released from active duty and joined the Kansas National Guard, 137th Infantry Regiment where he served as Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion. When he left the service, he had attained the rank of Major. He retired from the National Guard in 1979.
At the end of the war, Bob married Delorice Irene Davis, daughter of James T. and Irene Brookover Davis, of Reece, KS. Delorice joined Bob in Bavaria as he completed his active tour of duty. Upon returning to Kansas, Bob ranched in partnership with his father-in-law for four years before deciding to take advantage of the G.I. Bill. Majoring in political science at K-State, Bob also achieved notable status in the department of history, earning membership in Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. After graduation, boasting a growing family, Bob entered the property and casualty insurance business. He pursued a corporate career with Grain Dealer’s Mutual Insurance Co., that sent him to posts of increasing responsibility in Emporia, KS; Omaha, NE; and Indianapolis, IN. In 1969, Bob returned to Kansas. He accepted an invitation to become a partner in the Wichita insurance brokerage firm of Orrell, Ward, and O’Neal, from which he retired in 1985.
Bob was a member of the Christian & Congregational Church in Eureka, KS; Fidelity Masonic Lodge #106; Kiwanis; the Greenwood County Historical Society, which he served as president; the Kansas State University Alumni Association; and V.F.W. Post 2712, in which he served a term as commander.
He is survived by his wife, Delorice, of Wichita; his son, James E. Honeyman, of Wichita; his daughter, Carol Honeyman Dewar, of San Angelo, TX; and grandsons Bret Honeyman, of Bloomington, IL; and Eric Honeyman, of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Allen Honeyman and four sisters, Martha Naffsinger, Mildred Hartung, Maxine Gray, and Corrine Green.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, May 25, 2013 at the Christian & Congregational Church in Eureka, with Reverend Rhonda Almond officiating. Cremation has been effected. A private family inurnment was held at an earlier date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian & Congregational Church or to the Kansas Masonic Home. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
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