Howard Ira "Toby" Colby, son of Benjamin & Geneva (Arment) Colby, was born into this world on July 12, 1939 in Phillipsburg, Kansas.  He took the stairway to Heaven peacefully on September 30, 2019 at the Parkview Care Center in Osborne, Kansas at the age of 80 with his wife, Rita, by his side.

Toby grew up and attended school in Phillipsburg.  He married the love of his life, Rita J. Nonamaker, on March 12, 1971 in Kensington, Kansas.  The couple settled in Phillipsburg where they made their home.  Toby worked for Kyle Railroad for 20 years, retiring in 2002.

Throughout his lifetime, Toby's hobbies included sports and the outdoors.  In his younger years Toby and some friends formed a basketball team called the Colby Comets. The Comets played out-of-town teams on a traveling league, even bringing home the 1 ^st place trophy at one of their tournaments.  For many years Toby enjoyed umpiring home plate for local softball games.  He & Rita enjoyed playing miniature golf in their backyard with his brothers-in-law, and the train engineers from Kyle Railroad would toss golf balls in their backyard as the train passed by so Toby would never run out of golf balls.  The couple also enjoyed camping and fishing with family members.

Toby had a very caring and helpful nature and always made sure his mother and sisters were taken care of.  He enjoyed spending time with them and doing odd jobs for them.   He also loved hanging out and having fun with his brothers.  In later years his brother, Darrell, stepped in and took care of many chores that Toby could no longer do.

In addition to family, taking care of neighbors and friends was an important part of Toby's life.  Not only did he run errands and help with small tasks, but he gave his "time" to those who needed companionship.  His kind heart will be missed by all those who knew him.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ben & Geneva; an infant son, T.J. Colby; his sister, Dorothy Colby; brothers, Larry and Gary Colby, as well as an infant brother; his father & mother-in-law; and a brother-in-law, Royce Nonamaker.

Survivors include his wife, Rita, of Phillipsburg, KS; his brothers, Darrell Colby & wife, Shirley, of Phillipsburg and Don Colby & wife, Delores, of Dixon, MO; his sister, Marlene Gonzales of McCook, NE; sisters-in-law, Ronda Manchester & husband, Neil, of Lebanon, KS and Faye Colby of McCook, NE; and brothers-in-law, Rod Nonamaker of Goodland, KS and Rick Nonamaker & wife, Lee, of Pueblo, CO; many nieces & nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2019 at the Community Church of God, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Robin McCollough officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Mr. Colby will lie in state from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday evening all at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2nd St., Phillipsburg, KS 67661.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard I. "Toby" Colby Memorial Fund.