Nona Darlene (Smith) Barkus McKinney
Age 81
El Dorado, Kansas

Nona’s life began on June 19, 1936, the daughter of Frank Marion and Elsie Margaret (Wootton) Smith in Quincy, Kansas. She attended Toronto Schools and married Vernon Warren Barkus on February 20, 1954, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. To this union five children were born, David, Wade, Aaron, Carol and Vaughn. Vernon passed away August 31, 1977. On December 24, 1979, Nona married Charles “Gene” Eugene McKinney in Yates Center, Kansas. Nona worked for Gott, Beechcraft and Everbrite as an assembler. She loved her dogs and enjoyed being a homemaker, mom and cooking.

Her loving family includes her husband, Gene McKinney of El Dorado; children, Wade Barkus (Peggy) of Leon, Aaron Barkus (Pam) of Augusta, Carol Fisher and Vaughn Barkus both of Leon; a sister, Beverly Holcomb of Yates Center, Kansas; 12 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren.

Nona was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; son, David in 1983; grandson, Justin Barkus in 2016; 4 brothers, Melvin, Leonard, Eugene, and Lloyd Smith and an infant sister. Nona passed away, Wednesday, August 16, 2017, having reached the age of 81 years old.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m. in the Carlson Colonial Chapel. Inurnment will take place at 11:45 in the Latham Cemetery and then at 2:00 in the Yates Center Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, 608 West Douglas, Suite 100, Wichita, Kansas 67203.

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