Cortland Day Wartman

Cortland Day Wartman, Jr., age 87, a lifetime resident of Johnson, Kansas, died Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson. He was born November 28, 1933, in western Stanton County, the son of Cortland D. and Thelma (Roark) Wartman.

Jr. grew up in Stanton County and graduated from high school in 1951. He played football and was a member of the Glee Club. He worked at the family grocery store during his high school years. He then continued his education at Garden City JUCO and Emporia State University. After college, he worked at Johnson Co-op Service Station where he met Emalyn Larson and eventually they married on March 18, 1956. Jr. was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956 and Honorably Discharged in 1958. He and Emalyn returned to Stanton County and worked for Lloyd Batterton, Johnson Co-op Service Station and managed the farm store. In 1970, Jr. opened Wartman Supply which he operated until he sold the business in 2005. Jr. served on the Johnson City Council and also served as Mayor. He was a member of the Stanton County Cemetery Board, Stanton County Development Corporation, Stanton County Jaycees, Johnson Rotary Club, and Stanton County Flying Farmers. Jr. was active at the Prairie Pines Golf Course, with building cart sheds, picnic tables, and placing benches. He also built picnic tables placed at the rest area at the north end of Main Street. After Emalyn’s death in March of 2002, he married Leta Baldwin Lawhead in January 2003.

Jr. is survived by his children, Brad Wartman and wife Martha of Salem, Oregon, Steve Wartman and wife Tracy of Salida, Colorado, and Shari Wiens and husband Roger of Johnson; his Lawhead family, Denise Haggard and husband Randy of Shell Knob, Missouri, and Mary Davison of Johnson; sisters, Carolyn Wartman of Garden City, Kansas, and Katherine Farmer of Ulysses, Kansas; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends.

Jr. is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Emalyn; wife, Leta; and sisters, Jean Bitner and Luella Carrithers.

A come-and-go casual dress Celebration of Life will be Friday, May 14, 2021, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Stanton County Senior Center in Johnson. Memorial contributions may be given to the Stanton County Senior Center or Johnson Rotary Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.