Gilbert Myrrl Boone, passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center January 4, 2010. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 11, 2010 with a visitation prior from 1-2 p.m. at the D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Overland Park Chapel; burial will be at a later date in Eureka, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer’s Assn.
Mr. Boone was born on a farm near Toronto, KS on June 21, 1923. Gil was preceded in death by his parents, Dallas Leo and Gladys Boone; two older sisters, the oldest was Wanda (Boone) Huston, and Leota Boone. Survivors include a younger brother, James R. (Bonnie) Boone of Westerville, OH; 1 niece, Sandra Estep of Westerville, OH; 3 nephews: Stephen Boone of Westerville, OH, Gerald R. Huston, and James R. Boone both of Wichita, KS.
Gilbert attended a one room rural elementary school. Later, he attended high school in Toronto, KS. He slept on a closed-in back porch and ate breakfast prepared by an elderly lady that owned the home. For dinners he had a 5 cent hamburger at the local restaurant. When attending grade school, he and his two sisters would hitch up “Old Ned” to a buggy and Gil would sit on a box and drive “Old Ned” to school. “Old Ned” was given shelter and food in a small shed at the school. At age 14, Gilbert and the sisters attended Toronto High School. After high school, Gilbert joined the Navy serving four years in the medical corp. Upon discharge, Gilbert enrolled and graduated with a B.S. and M.S. degrees from Emporia State Teacher’s College. His major was Business Education. In 1953, Gilbert began teaching business courses at Osawatomie High School. In 1956 he was offered a principalship position at Osawatomie, but chose to accept a teaching position at Shawnee Mission High School. He remained at Shawnee Mission until Shawnee Mission West opened. Gilbert was Department Chairman in the Business Education Department into the early 1980’s at Shawnee Mission West. He retired from teaching in 1988. In 1981 he opened Gilben Cards, Gifts, and Art Gallery and the Post Office Annex on State Line. He and his partner, Ben, closed the shop in 1991. Gilbert loved music and taught himself to play the piano. He was an avid collector of the Dutch Pottery called Gouda.