Raymond Lee Van Sickle

Raymond Van Sickle 95 of Emporia, Kansas passed away Monday, April 20, 2026 at his home.

Raymond was born on December 15,1930 in Americus, Kansas, the son of Lee Roy Francis Van Sickle and Bertha Mae (Smith) Van Sickle. He married his High School Sweetheart Shirley Ellen (Mays) on February 26,1952 at Castle Air Force Chapel in Merced California.

He is survived by his wife Shirley of the home, his son Roy (Debra)Van Sickle of Emporia, his daughter Ellen Van Sickle of Emporia. Also survived by 5 grandchildren, Matthew Beeson of Emporia, Lora Beeson of Emporia, Stacie Miser of Strong City, Justin (Megan) Van Sickle of Emporia, Kelsey (Quin)Vinze of Girard. 12 great grandchildren, Austin Beeson, Madison Beeson of Emporia, Remington Van Sickle of Emporia, Emily (Alec)Huddle of Manhattan KS, Wyatt Miser of Strong City and Lacey Miser of Emporia, Bailee Van Sickle, Kasen Van Sickle and Carlee Van Sickle of Emporia, Qoy Vinze, Qrew Vinze and Qy Vinze of Girard. Additional survivors include his sister Evelyn Frazier of Lafayette, CO, Sister-in-Law Donna Mays Curry of Iola, KS along with many nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by his parents, his sisters Esther Rich, and Elise Adams, and his brother Ralph Van Sickle.

Raymond grew up on a farm southwest of Emporia, Ks in the Lakeside Community, as a young boy he went with his dad, Lee everywhere he could. His dad farmed and was a mechanic for Walt Larkin, who was an Oliver Dealer in Emporia in1935. Raymond's dad Lee had him clean parts for Oliver engines at the shop. His mom Bertha said (Raymond was always taking apart his toys to see what made them work). Later his uncle Frank Van Sickle helped him to overhaul a 1930 Chevrolet. As a teenager in High School, he worked after school at the Van Sickle Oliver Equipment Shop in Emporia that was later purchased by Lee Van Sickle and Don Van Sickle. After school he also helped his dad and brother farm and repair Oliver machinery. One corn field where he farmed is now where the Lyon County Fairgrounds is.

He was called into service in 1951 and enlisted in the United States Air Force, while in training he married his high school sweetheart Shirley Mays at Castle Air Force Base Chapel in Merced California. He was deployed to England where he served 4 years during the Korean war . He was sent home and lived in Topeka, Kansas and worked at Forbes Air Force base during the last few months he served. He was honorably discharged and returned to the farm in 1955 in the Saffordville, KS area where he farmed, raised cattle and broke horses and cowboyed in the Flint Hills. Due to his health in 1960 he took a job in Emporia at Didde Glaser Inc. then later moved to southeast Emporia where he purchased 40 acres of land. He later retired from Didde’s in November of 1992, with 32 years as a production supervisor. Upon retirement Roy took his little 60 Oliver tractor down thinking he and his father could restore it together. The next time Roy came down, the tractor was in every piece that would come apart. After they got it painted and reassembled it they decided to take up restoring Oliver Tractors.

He restored 10 Oliver tractors. He was a member of the HPOCA, CSHPOCA and the local Flint Hills Antique Power Association. He enjoyed tractor pulling contests and helping at the Howell house during the weekend of the farm days. He was asked to use one of his Oliver tractor's to operate the thrashing machine. He also enjoyed the tractor club plow days and always came home with some interesting stories.

He would always help his neighbors, whether it be roping a bull on horseback, blading their driveways or if someone needed help getting pulled out of the mud or their cattle got out and needed a cowboy to help them.

Raymond and Shirley loved to travel, Raymond loved Rodeo's and they traveled to Cheyenne, WY several times to see them and then to Oklahoma City to the National Finals Rodeo and then to Calgary in Canada.

Raymond and Walter Blankley Jr. and Lee Van Sickle and Roy built dad's house, dad drew up the blueprints and gave them to Walter to build his house. Raymond also plumbed his house and did all the electrical work himself.

He was one of a kind. He was our hero to us kids, not another father or grandfather was like him. We are all going to miss him. See you down the trail dad.

A Graveside service will be held at the Cottonwood Cemetery on May 12, 2026 starting at 10:30 am with military honors following.