Harry Lewis Headley, 87, of Chetopa, died at 3:30 a.m., Sunday, January 2, 2022, at his home. Born January 22, 1934, in Oklahoma City, Okla., Harry was the son of Leota Faler Headley and Luther B. Headley. As a small child, his father moved the family to the Melrose, area, where Harry grew up. He attended country schools and graduated from Cherokee County Community High School with the class of 1953. He worked various jobs before being drafted into the army in 1956. Harry served 17 months in Korea as a fireman. Upon returning home, he went to work for Cessna in Wichita.
John and Marilyn Sue Harmon were united in marriage December 29, 1956, at Chetopa. They resided in Wichita when their son, Gary L. Headley, was born. They returned to Chetopa in 1961, where Harry went to work at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant as a fireman. In 1972, John went to work for Yellow Freight, until he retired in 1998. After retirement, he and his wife took several trips across the country. He raised bird dogs and quail and spent time working on rental properties. In earlier years, Harry was very involved in Little League baseball and was the coach for his son, Gary’s, Cardinal team.
John was a member of the Masonic Fraternity for over 60 years, of which he was very proud. He was a member of the Chetopa Christian Church for over 50 years. In recent years, he belonged to the Bartlett Christian Church.
John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marilyn Sue Headley; a sister and brother-in-law; two nephews and a niece.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Gary L. Headley; two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Harmon and Elwin Harmon; and a lifelong friend, Audie Shearer.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, January 7, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa. Burial will follow at Lake Creek Cemetery in Bartlett.
Memorials are suggested to the Missouri Southern State University to benefit the Gary Headley Scholarship or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Forbes Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.