Floyd Dale Combes

Floyd Dale Combes, 97, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Newman Regional Health in Emporia. 

  He was born June 14, 1927 at his parents’ home in rural Lebo, the son of Alvin and Opal Norris Combes. He attended Lebo High School and graduated with the Class of 1946. 

  Floyd entered the United States Army on March 28, 1946. He was honorably discharged on September 25, 1947 at Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland. He returned home and continued to work with his father on the family farm southeast of Lebo. Floyd joined the Harold “Skinny” Spatz American Legion Post #323 in Lebo and held membership there for 78 years.

  He was joined in marriage to Marilyn S. Woods on July 21, 1957 at the Lebo United Methodist Church. They made their home on the family farm southeast of town and raised their family and he continued his work as a steward of the land and livestock.

  They moved into Lebo in the mid 1980’s. Floyd began driving for Underwood Equipment in Ottawa transporting John Deere equipment until he retired in 1992. They built their new home in 1993 and have remained there ever since. Floyd was not one to remain still after his retirement and began mowing yards in Lebo. He took on driving a school bus for the Lebo Schools and continued until he was 80. He was still mowing yards this year and would be on a mower this fall if death had not slowed him down.

  Floyd and Marilyn were always present for their children’s and grandchildren’s school and athletic events over the years. He had his own parking spot at the corner where he gathered with others each day for coffee and conversation. 

  Floyd will live on in the hearts and memories of his wife, Marilyn of Lebo; daughters, Janel Combes of Emporia and Emily Darbyshire and husband Kevin of Hartford; granddaughters, Bailey Darbyshire and her fiancé Dalen Kistner of Hartford and Regan Darbyshire of Hartford.; a nephew Steve Huddleston and his wife Wendy of Conroe Texas; numerous extended family and a community of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Alvin and Opal as well as a sister, Alberta Huddleston.

  Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, November, 15, 2024 at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Inurnment will follow with military honors provided by Harold “Skinny” Spatz American Legion Post #323 at Lincoln Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 4:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Coffey County Honor Flight or Southern Lyon County Honor Flight and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.