Lytle Gene Cross, 83, of Bunker Hill, Kansas, died on Sunday, December 20, 2020, at the Wilson Care Center in Wilson, Kansas.
Lytle was born on January 29, 1937, in Lyons, Kansas, the son of Marlin and Esther (Kraus) Cross. He grew up in rural Russell County, Kansas, and graduated from Russell High School. He met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Charlotte Burns on May 31, 1958 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell. From this union they were blessed with a son Lyle. For much of his adult life, he co-owned and worked at Cross Seed Company in Bunker Hill. He also worked as a farmer and rancher on his farm near Bunker Hill. He loved caring for the land, cattle, and especially his sheep. He was a longtime member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell.
Lytle lived a life of service, beginning with the Army Reserves. In addition, he was a volunteer on the Bunker Hill Fire Department for over 40 years. He also served on the Bunker Hill Township Board for many years, and he was a supporter of Future Farmers of America. He enjoyed spending time with his family and working on the farm. He was at his happiest sitting around the dining room table telling tales, checking on his cattle and sheep, or working in a field.
He is survived by his son Lyle Dean Cross of Natoma, Kansas; grandson Aaron Lytle Cross of Iowa; niece Michelle Van Der Wege, her husband Andy, and their daughter Alayna all of Russell, Kansas, niece Shawna Noller, her husband Chris, and their children Kayla and Blake all of Russell, Kansas; and Lyle’s adopted daughter Amber Payton, her husband Alex, and their son Christopher all of Natoma, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Charlotte on December 05, 2003, and infant son Dwight. A graveside service to celebrate Lytle’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at the Bunker Hill Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Kansas. A Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at the mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Bunker Hill Fire Department and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.