Warren Everett Inskeep, 94, formerly of Cawker City, went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 14, 2015, in Larned, Kansas. Warren was born on November 26, 1920 in Cawker City, Kansas to the parents of Lester and Josephine Inskeep. He was one month from turning 95.
Warren attended grade school in the Cottonwood country school. He graduated from Cawker City High School. He went to Ottawa University where he attended for 2 ½ years before enlisting in the Army Air Force. It was at Ottawa University where he met his life-long love, L. Jean Burris. They were married on May 26, 1944. To this union, three daughters were born, Joan, June and Jennifer.
As a flying cadet, Warren trained in various locations in Texas before receiving B-24 training in Fort Worth, Texas and Massachusetts. Warren served in the 15th Air Force in Cerignola, Italy, with the 461 Bomb Group-764 Squadron. He was flight commander and pilot of his crew from 1942-1945, flying a tour of missions into Austria and Southern Germany. Warren was honorably discharged in 1945 as a 2nd Lieutenant and given the air medal with four battle stars. His involvement and membership with the American Legion #379 was an important to him, serving as chaplain for many years.
Warren returned to the family farm in Cawker City to farm the land he loved. He was a long time farmer stockman, working and harvesting the land for over sixty years.
Warren was a community servant, understanding the need to give back to the community that had given him so much. He served as a local school board member and was a member of the charter board to establish the North Central Vocational Technical School in Beloit. Warren served on numerous agriculture boards and committees throughout Mitchell County and the state of Kansas. He served on the board of Farmers and Merchants State Bank, Cawker City, for over thirty years. He served on the boards for the Heritage Village and Historical Hesperian Museum Society. He loved history and the preservation of documents and photographs. Photography was a life passion. Beginning in 1995, he wrote a weekly column of “Remembering the Past with Pictures” for The Cawker City Ledger. A book of his stories was published in 2012.
As a young man, Warren committed his life to Jesus Christ. He loved his home church, First Baptist, Cawker City. He served faithfully as a member, deacon, moderator and Sunday school teacher. Warren loved to sing and served in many capacities with his gift. In 1964, he served as an agricultural missionary to Thailand. Upon his return, he served the cause of missions to American Baptist churches in several states. Warren was a faithful member of Gideons International, Beloit Camp, for 61 years.
Warren was preceded in death by his wife, L. Jean Burris Inskeep; his parents. Lester and Josephine Inskeep; a brother, Keith Inskeep; a sister, Joyce Inskeep Berry; and a great grandson, Jack Barger.
Survivors include daughters Joan (Kent), Wichita; June (Bill), Larned; Jennifer (Darris), Salina; a brother, Willard Inskeep (Shirley), Sterling, CO; seven grandchildren: Sherri Brummer, Wichita; Steve Brummer (Lisa), Wichita; Scott Brummer, Wichita; Clint Barger (Lynn), Larned; Emily Del Rosario (Rick), Houston, Texas; Elizabeth DeBruyn (David), Lenexa; and Andrew Larson (Noelle), Crested Butte, CO. He also leaves behind 18 great grandchildren: Katya Brummer, Madison Brummer, Kaleb Brummer, Mia Brummer, Elijah Brummer, Noah Brummer, Chloe Brummer, Allison Brummer, Emma Brummer, Alex Barger, Taylor Barger, Tyse Del Rosario, Elise Del Rosario, Rebecca DeBruyn, Sarah Kate DeBruyn, Luke DeBruyn, Benaiah Larson and Gabriel Larson. He has one great great grandchild, Jackson Brummer.