Lifelong Sharon Springs resident Howard Marshall Finley, 86, passed away at his home in Sharon Springs on Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

Howard was born on December 26, 1932 at home in Sharon Springs to Marshall Joseph and Lena Roberta (Reed) Finley.  He was one of four children.  Howard attended school in Sharon Springs, and graduated from WCHS in 1951.  He joined the military and served in the United States Navy from 1952 until 1956.  After serving four years in the Navy, Howard then went on and completed four years of college at Fort Hays State University and graduated from there in 1960.

On June 8, 1959, Howard married Norma Jean Montgomery in Sharon Springs.  To this union, three daughters were born; Sheryl, Carolyn and Deborah.

From 1960 to 1966, Howard taught Elementary School in Brewster and McDonald, Kansas.  After those six years, Howard decided that he wanted to become a full time farmer and rancher.  Howard retired from farming and ranching in 2006.  He was a member of the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church and the VFW.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Benjamin Finley, his sister Mattie Jackson and one grandson Andrew Newton.

He is survived by his wife Norma of their home in Sharon Springs, his three daughters, Sheryl Finley of Topeka, KS, Carolyn (Scott) Crontinger of Carbondale, KS and Deborah (Danny) Newton of Salina, KS.  He is also survived by his seven grandchildren; Angela Beach, Jerad, Dustin, James and Tyler Crotinger, Collin and Garrett Newton, fourteen great grandchildren, one brother Delgar (Phyllis) Finley of Sharon Springs, a sister-in-law Alice Baehler of Sharon Springs, one brother-in-law Junior (Rosalie) Montgomery of Sharon Springs, KS; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 10:30 AM MT at the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church with Pastor Galen Crippen officiating.  Burial followed in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Friday, August 2, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs.

Memorials may be designated to the Wallace County Ambulance Service or to the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.