Howard L. Sell

Howard L. Sell, 93, a lifelong resident of Fredonia, Kansas, died Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at Fredonia Regional Hospital. He was born September 16, 1917 in Fredonia, the son of Irv and May (Myers) Sell. Howard was graduated in 1935 from Fredonia High School and 1939 from the College of Emporia. Following graduation, he worked for Kansas Electric Power Company for two years. Howard served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps 1941-1946 on bases in the United States and Europe. He participated in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns with an ordnance unit of the 9th Air Force. He was awarded the Soldier"s Medal in 1945 for bravery involving black market activity at a supply depot in Belgium. After a year in military hospitals, he was retired in 1946 with the rank of captain. After returning from military service, Howard was employed as the manager of Radiant Electric Cooperative in Fredonia from 1947 until retiring in 1982. He was a founder and first president of KEPCo a bulk power supplier and services provider to rural electric cooperatives in Kansas. Active in civic and community affairs, Howard served three terms as Fredonia"s finance commissioner and two terms as state representative. He was a charter member of Fredonia Jaycees in 1948, the Fredonia Rotary Club in 1951, the Fredonia Arts Council in 1967, and a member of the American Legion. In 1959, he was named a Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts of America. Howard was a long time and active member of the Fredonia First United Methodist Church. He had served on the board of directors of the First National Bank in Fredonia since 1965. Howard was united in marriage with Arlene Fink in 1943 and she preceded him in death in 1979. He later married Betty Kathryn Russell in 1981 and she died in 1999. Howard is survived by: Two children: Philip and Barbara Sell of Topeka, Kansas Nancy Sell Johnson of Fredonia, Kansas One sister: Eunice Timmons of Fredonia, Kansas Four Grandchildren: Chris Johnson, Cindy Johnson, Erin Myers and Amy Jordan Eight Great Grandchildren His parents; four brothers and two sisters; and his wives, Arlene and Betty Kathryn, preceded Howard in death. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Fredonia with Pastor Charlotte Coates officiating. Burial will be in the Fredonia City Cemetery with military rites conducted by Ft. Riley military personnel. The family will receive friends at Timmons Funeral Home on Friday, 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. Memorials have been established in Howard"s name with the First United Methodist Church and the Rotary International Polio Plus program and contributions can be sent to the funeral home. Words of condolence for the family may be left on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736, is in charge of the arrangements.