Anthony “Tony” Cornelsen, age 85, died late Monday evening, September 9, 2013, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.

He was born December 11, 1927, in rural Meade County, Kansas, the son of John W. and Katherina T. (Classen) Cornelsen. As a young boy he attended school in rural Meade County. In 1945, he joined the United States Navy serving during World War II. After his discharge, he began his career in the oilfield working for many years as a driller and truck driver moving rigs to various locations.

He was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, both of Liberal, Kansas. He enjoyed fishing, boating, watching the Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

On November 4, 1950, he married Bessie Mae Morrow at Dodge City, Kansas.

He is survived by:

Three sons, Kim Allen Cornelson of Cartright, Oklahoma

Kiven Lee Cornelson of Liberal, Kansas

Kelley Ray Cornelson of Kansas

Three daughters, Anita Marie Schollenbarger of Forgan, Oklahoma

Tonnia Louise Doran of Forgan, Oklahoma

Antonia Mae Bell of Woodward, Oklahoma

A sister, Esther Brockert of Ponca City, Oklahoma

Twenty-eight grandchildren Numerous great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by a daughter-in-law; parents; seven brothers, Jacob, John, Pete, Abe, Ike, George, and Henry Cornelsen; eight sisters, Marie Cornelson, Katherine Mayes, Helen Bohling, Mary Cornelson, Anna Nuefield, Gertrude Young, Agnes Webb, and Elizabeth Leakey; two granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2013, at the Turpin Mennonite Church, Turpin, Oklahoma. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow in the Forgan Cemetery, Forgan, Oklahoma.

The family would welcome memorials to the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com