M. Charles Kingry

M. Charles Kingry, 96, died peacefully, Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the Edwards County Hospital in Kinsley, Kansas.  Charles grew up in Kinsley, graduating from Bethany College in Lindsborg in 1941, then returning to Kinsley as the instrumental instructor for Kinsley High School for 15 years, after teaching in several area schools including Walton, Utica, Haviland, Tribune and Rozel.  Charles retired upon completing 33 years of teaching orchestral and choral music.  He was born on October 24, 1918 at his home in Hodgeman County to Albert and Besse Kingry. Charles grew up in Kinsley where his mother taught private piano.  Charles served in the Army during World War II for 3 ½ years, including 18 months in North Africa.

On June 15, 1941, he married his college sweetheart, Martha Nell Pinney.  To this union were born five children, two sons Danny and Lauren and three daughters JoNell, Linda and Thyra.

Charles was an Elder, Moderator, Choir Director and Saint in the First Christian Church.  Member of the North Edwards County Cemetery District, Kiwanis, Kinsley Country Club, Gideons International, Inductee into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame and 2014 Kansas Health Care Association/Kansas Center for Assisted Living Distinguished Citizen Ambassador for Ministry through Music.  He was a man of faith, music lover and educator, avid golfer, bird watcher, natural whistler, harmonica/spoon player, love for his family, enjoyed the mountains, wintering in Arizona.  He was  a man “just high on life.”

He was proceeded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha Nell, son Danny, brother Woodson and sister Besse Welsh.

Family left to celebrate his life include one son Lauren (Ann)  Gilbert, Arizona; three daughters JoNell Lindh (Jody) Dallas, Texas; Linda Wismar (Walt) Auburn, California;  Thyra Strate (Rod) Lewis, Kansas; 12 grandchildren:  Katrina Gray (Dan) Richardson, Texas; Eric Lindh (Heidi) Richardson, Texas; Becky Kingry-Staton Beus (Mike) Salina, Kansas; Joe Kingry-Staton  Salina, Kansas; Katie Staton  Lawrence, Kansas; Alex Staton  Lawrence, Kansas; Luke Kingry (Laurel) Ft. Collins, Colorado; Andrew Kingry (Kaitlyn) Tuscon, Arizona; Matthew Kingry (Marissa) Phoenix, Arizona; Salena Strate  Golden, Colorado; Samantha Strate  Madrid, Spain; and Reed Strate  Stillwater, Oklahoma;  8 great grandchildren:  Nathan, Evan and Joel Gray, Isaac, Clara and Owen Lindh, Charlie Beus and Lauren Kingry.

Services will be held on December 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church of Kinsley with Rev. Sara Davis Blodgett presiding.  Burial will be held at Hillside Cemetery, Kinsley.  McKillip Funeral Home of Kinsley is in charge of services.  The family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church of Kinsley or the charity of your choice.