Verlyn Farlee

Verlyn Scott Farlee was born Nov. 10, 1957, in Concordia, Kansas, to Merlyn and Jean (Hallgren) Farlee and died on Aug. 25, 2023, at the age of 65. 

Verlyn grew up in Republic and attended Republic schools until 1973, when the district consolidated with Belleville. He graduated from Belleville High School in 1975, and went to Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina to play football. He graduated in 1980 with a degree in physical education with a minor in psychology. He was a team captain and played on the defensive line, a time he had fond memories of. 

On April 12, 1980, he married Julie Walker, and they had two daughters, Sarah and Amy. They were the light of his life. They made their home in Belleville and then Republic. 

Verlyn taught junior high physical education and health for 23 years and touched countless lives as a teacher, mentor and coach. In 1992, he joined the Belleville Police Department as a part-time officer. After he left teaching, he pursued a lifelong dream of driving a truck. He worked for CA Picard in Belleville, driving a sales route through the Midwest until he decided to be closer to home for his family. He then went to work at Norder Ag Services in Byron and was currently working for Aurora Co-op in Republic. 

Although he held multiple jobs, he was a farmer his entire life. He started farming with his grandfather, then his father, and then with his daughters. Most summers, when the girls were not in school, they could be found alongside Dad and Grandpa, learning life lessons and how to be people of good character with a work ethic that would forever make them the women they are today. When his girls left, Julie stepped in, and they were rarely apart. 

He did things he enjoyed with people he enjoyed. 

Verlyn lived for his family. He did whatever needed to be done to ensure they were cared for and taught them to care for others. He did what needed to be done. No questions asked. He was there for his family, neighbors, coworkers and friends. 

He was a noble of the Isis Shrine for 25 years, and a 25-year member of the Belleville Masonic Lodge No. 129 as a third-degree Mason.

Verlyn was also a member of the Republic Fire Department and served as the president, a role which he took great pride in serving as a mentor to the next generation of first responders. 

Verlyn was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; daughters, Sarah Farlee, Lawrence, and Amy Farlee, Silver Lake; mother, Jean Farlee; mother-in-law, Marge Walker; sister, Marilyn (Blake) Nichols; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Cornett, Vicky (Lewis) Novak; brothers-in-law, Scott Walker, Gary (Linda) Walker, and Curtis (Rhonda) Walker; and several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 

Public viewing was from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home.

Rosary and vigil services were 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville. The family greeted friends following the rosary services at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., today (Thursday) Aug. 31, at St. Edward Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Washington Cemetery, rural Byron.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Republic Rural Fire District No. 9 or the Verlyn Farlee Memorial and may be sent in the care of Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Farlee family with these arrangements, http://www.tibbettsfischer funeralhome.com