Eileen Arbuckle's Obituary
Kathryn “Eileen” Arbuckle, age 89, a longtime resident of Grenola, Kansas died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at her home, Caney Valley Ranch. She was born April 18, 1923 in Ironton, Iron County, Missouri the daughter of Paul Aloysious and Kathryn Adelaide (Whitworth) Whelehon.
Through the eighth grade, Eileen attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Arcadia, Missouri. She then attended the St. Ursuline Academy for girls as a day scholar. In 1941 she moved to St. Louis, Missouri and was employed by Shapleigh Hardware Company. She worked in the credit and debit department, posting in ledgers. In 1942 Eileen returned to Arcadia, Missouri. She was employed at the Arcadia Post Office until she married. She met her future husband 1st Lieutenant A. Dale Arbuckle by way of her brother Paul Whelehon. Eileen married Dale Arbuckle on December 4, 1943 at Ft. Sheridan, Highland Park, Illinois, near Chicago. Shortly thereafter, they were transferred to Fort Wayne in Detroit, Michigan. Eileen worked in the receiving department of The Post Exchange at Fort Wayne. In 1946 she worked as a checker at the Commonwealth Bank of Detroit. After her husband’s discharge from the army in 1947, they traveled to Fresno, California to be with family members. In April of 1948, Eileen and Dale moved to Jackson, Tennessee where they shared in the ownership of a Falstaff Brewing Distributorship. From Tennessee, Eileen and Dale moved to Arkansas City, Kansas. There they owned and operated a Purina Feed and Hatchery business. In June of 1953 they moved to Dale’s family homestead north and east of Grenola, Kansas. Eileen has resided at this family residence since that time.
Eileen is survived by one son Jon Mark Arbuckle and his wife Trudy Ann (White) of Grenola, one daughter Deborah Ann (Arbuckle) Stonehocker and her husband James Perry Stonehocker of Hendersonville, Tennessee, five grandchildren; Lance Arbuckle and his wife Jennifer of Rogers, Arkansas, Adam Arbuckle and wife Andrea of Grenola, Kansas, Martha Arbuckle of Grenola, Kansas, Kathryn Stonehocker McConnell and her husband Christian of San Antonio, Texas and Austin Stonehocker of Hendersonville, Tennessee, six great grandchildren, four nieces and three nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kathryn and Paul Whelehon, her husband A. Dale Arbuckle, brothers; Paul, Winston, Norman, Jim and Mike Whelehon, sisters; Sue Ellis, Rose Mary and Ann Whelehon.
Eileen will especially be remembered for her gracious manner and countenance. Her acts of kindness, her sympathy for those in distress were part of her character. Eileen’s unselfish regard for the welfare of her family and friends will not be forgotten by those who knew her well. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Per Eileen’s wishes she has been cremated. A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery in Grenola. The family would welcome memorials to the Greenfield Township Board Maintenance and Preservation Fund for the Grenola Community Building or Hospice Care of Kansas in Winfield and may be sent to Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349. The preservation and keeping the Grenola Community Building has always been a priority in the life of Eileen’s late husband Dale Arbuckle. In preserving this hall it will not only have served those before us, but the present and future generations from this area will continue to enjoy this wonderful landmark of Grenola. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside - Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.
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