Stanley Leroy Bolin

Stanley Leroy Bolin, 83, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022 at his home in Elkhart, Kansas. Stanley (Stan) was born December 7, 1938 to Leroy and Geraldine (Stuver) Bolin in Saint Claire, Kansas.

Stan’s early childhood years were spent in Saint Claire where he began his education in a one-room schoolhouse. Some of his fondest childhood memories were spent at his grandmother Ethel Stuver’s general store. His family moved to the Elkhart-Four Corners area in the early 1950s and he began attending Yarbrough School where he met beloved Joan (Schnaufer) and many of his lifelong friends. After graduating in 1958, he attended Oklahoma Tech in Okmulgee and later moved to Amarillo, Texas, where he was employed by Continental Carbon as a design draftsman. Stan married Joan on August 12, 1961, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Elkhart and shortly thereafter, was drafted and served in the U.S. military at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs and Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. Stan and his family moved to the Houston area in 1963 where he resumed working for Continental Carbon. In 1979 the family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he worked for Mertz, Inc. until 1987. Stan and Joan decided to return to the Elkhart community where he enjoyed wood working, remodeling, and collecting antiques and artifacts. Stan was well-known for his industrious creativity, wit, and unconditional love of his family.

After 60 years of a loving marriage, Stan is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Troy Bolin of Rolla, Kansas, Brien (and Michelle) Bolin of Wichita, Kansas, Susanne (and John) Queen of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Daniel Bolin of Elkhart, Kansas; grandchildren, Joel Queen, Hannah Bolin, Ayden Bolin, Jonah Bolin, Alysa Bolin, Gabrielle Bolin, Alivia Bolin and Trinity Bolin; and great-grandchildren, Jedd Taylor and Alannah Taylor. Stan was preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Darlene Rice.

Rosary will be Monday, April 18, 2022, at 9:30 AM and Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM both at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Elkhart, Kansas, with Reverend Francis Khoi Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery with military rites conducted by VFW Point Rock Post #3162. The family will greet friends from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.