HOISINGTON — LaVon Richard Urban, 75, passed away peacefully in his home in Hoisington on Dec. 1, 2023. He was born Aug. 15, 1948, in Cheyenne Wells, Colo., the son of Leonard and Matilda “Tillie” Urban. He grew up in Loretta, Kan. and attended school in Bison, Kan. He proudly served as a A02 in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. After which he met his former wife, Donna Hejny and had four children. He was a lifetime farmer and stockman, growing up on the farm and later co-owning a farm with his brothers. He enjoyed helping his brothers on the farm and was always the fix-it man, if there was something that needing fixed he was on the job. He spent many hours in his garage doing all sorts of jobs for friends and family. In addition to farming, LaVon also worked for many years in the oil field, most recently for Mallard Drilling as a tool pusher retiring in 2013.

He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing and just spending time at the lake. He had numerous hobbies and interests throughout life and retirement but his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his main focus. He rarely missed a sporting or school event and looked for every opportunity to bring up how proud he was of them. 

Survivors include three sons, Kelly (Laura) Urban, Kent (Heather) Urban, Kirk (Amanda) Urban, and a daughter, Kenna (Corey) Mercer; six siblings, Ron Urban, Bob Urban, Mike Urban, Mark Urban, Debra Witte, and Charles Urban; numerous nieces and nephews; 14 grandchildren, Avery, Landen, Jenna, Kadence, Olivia, Aleah, Logan, Miriya, Sean, Joshua, Hayden, Kavyn, Kwinn, and Kholette; and four great grandchildren, Linkin, Lukas, Lake, and Evie with one more on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Leonard Urban, Jr.

Friends may sign the book today until Thursday at the funeral home. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place per LaVon’s wishes. Inurnment services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 8th, 2023 at Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kan., with Father Reggie Urban presiding and military honors conducted by the United States Naval Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Tunnels for Towers or Hoisington High School Athletics, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 5, 2023