DARWIN F. BAILEY

DARWIN F. BAILEY Matfield Green, KS. Darwin Bailey, age 66, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Stormont-Vail Health Care Center, in Topeka, Kansas. A celebration of his life, with scattering of his ashes, will be held Saturday, August 6, 2011. Since this will be held in a pasture, the family requests that you meet them at 1:30 P.M., at the Hitchin’ Post in Matfield Green so everyone can follow them to the location. There will be a wake Saturday afternoon from 4:00 until 6:00, to share stories and visit with his family, at the Hitchin’ Post. The son of Derward M. and Opal A. Little Bailey, Darwin was born October 12, 1944, in Strong City, Kansas. He grew up in the Matfield Green area and graduated from Matfield Green High School. At the age of 19, he was appointed, as the Matfield Green Post Office Postmaster. At that time, he was the youngest person ever appointed to that position in the state. He married Arlene Wheat on August 14, 1970, in Cottonwood Falls, KS. and they divorced. He married Joan Stuck on September 20, 2003, at the Chase County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls, KS. He served in the U.S. Air Force, in the Philippines, during the Viet Nam War . He was currently a jailer at the Chase County Detention Center in Cottonwood Falls. He worked on the Rogler and Bailey ranches He, also, had worked with his father-in-law, Harold Wheat, as a carpenter. He had been a Chase County Unified District #284 school bus driver. He participated in amateur rodeos, riding bulls and broncs, was a volunteer with the Flint Hills Rodeo for years, and was a member of a Ranch Rodeo team. He was a member of the American Legion, Carpenters’ Union, and the National Rifle Association. He was a volunteer with the Matfield Green Fire Department, played softball and was the driving force in developing the "Bailey Ball Field" in Matfield Green. He had continued to play co-ed softball with the Chase County Recreation Center. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing blackjack, and being with his family. He is survived by his wife, Joan, of the home; a daughter, Cheryl Bailey, of Strong City; his mother, Opal, of Strong City; a brother, Wayne R. Bailey, of Eureka; two step-sons: Rick L. Baldwin, Jr. of Emporia and Randy D. Baldwin of Topeka; three grandchildren: J.D. Sheets, Alex Baldwin, and Sidney Baldwin; his first wife, Arlene Bailey, of Matfield Green; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father. The family will meet with friends Friday, August 5, from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M., at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls. Friends may call Friday, from 9:00 until 7:30, to sign the book. Memorial contributions to the Flint Hills Rodeo Association and Chase County Recreation Commission may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845. Condolences may be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com.

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