Howard "Choc" Rathbun

Howard W. "Choc" Rathbun, 78, of McPherson, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013, at his home in McPherson. He was retired From CertainTeed Corporation where he had worked as a quality control inspector. Choc had been a McPherson resident since 1971. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Choc was born January 4, 1935, in Formoso, Kansas, the son of Elmer and Goldie Rathbun. He attended the local schools, graduating from Formoso High School in 1953. During high school, he was a stand-out on the basketball team and scored 55 points in a single game.

On May 3, 1958, he married Karen Kay Andrews in Mankato, Kansas. She preceded him in death on June 10, 2011.

Survivors include: a son, Curtis Rathbun of Salina; a granddaughter, Ashley Tucker (Deron) of Mansfield, TX; a great-grandson, Easton Tucker of Mansfield, TX; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by four sisters, Wilma, Esther, Dorothy, and Mildred.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 7, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. Graveside service will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Mankato, Kansas at 2:00 PM on Thursday. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday at Stockham Family Funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to McPherson County Humane Society in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Howard "Choc" Rathbun please visit our Sympathy Store.