Orval L. Ferguson, son of Roy Edward & Sophia Teresa (Howard) Ferguson, was born on a farm in Dayton Township in Phillips County, Kansas on April 17, 1925, and he passed away June 9, 2011 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 86.

Orval was united in marriage to Evelyn E. Ross on June 19, 1949 at the Almena Congregational Church in Almena, Kansas. Their union was blessed with the birth of a daughter, Melody, and a son, Kent.

The couple raised their children on a farm located near Glade, Kansas. Like many typical rural families, they all worked together to maintain the farming and cattle operations. In 2005, Orval & Evelyn moved to the Ferguson farm east of Phillipsburg. They would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on June 19th of this year.

Orval's passion for reading and learning helped him to become a very knowledgeable cattleman and farmer. He was always looking for the latest information on agricultural improvements & advances. Community involvement was also important, and he served as a member of the Glade School Board, the Armstrong Foundation, and the Phillipsburg Coop Board.

His faith and his church were vital parts of his life. He was a devoted member of the First Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg, participating in church organizations and helping with church events.

Orval will be fondly remembered as a kind & caring man who never knew a stranger and didn't have a bad word to say about anyone. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His parents; a sister, Verlene Ferguson and brother, Loren, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home in rural Phillipsburg; his daughter, Melody Murdock & husband, Max, of Concordia, KS; his son, Kent Ferguson & wife, Karyl, of Glade, KS; three grandchildren: Justin Murdock & wife, Megan, of Concordia; Brandon Murdock & wife, Heather, of Salina, KS; and Kaci Ferguson of Glade; and four great-grandchildren: Taley, Tracer, Nash and Hollis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in the First Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Orval will lie in state from Noon until 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church.