Obituary of Clifford Sells

Coffeyville - Clifford Franklin Sells, 86, of Coffeyville, passed away Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. He was born March 28, 1926 in Wichita, KS to David Henry & Leota Frances (Close) Sells. Clifford He was preceded in death by his Mother, Leota, his Father David, his sister, Lois Lieber and oldest son D. David Sells. He is survived by his wife Wanda, 2 daughters, Karen Goodman and husband Gary of Vinita, OK, Marilyn Woodward and husband Gary of Rawlins, WY, 2 sons, Ron Sells and wife Bobbi Jo and Rob Sells and wife Jana both of Coffeyville; 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Clifford spent his youth in Mountain View, MO and later moved to Coffeyville. He graduated from FKHS in 1944 and entered The United States Army during WWII. He was a Corprel in the Army where he served as a mechanic/communicator. After discharge he returned to Coffeyville where he worked for Kansas Wholesale Grocery. On November 24, 1946 he married Wanda B Brinkman and resided on the family farm for the duration of his life and marriage. He worked at Redfords Grocery, Kansas Wholesale, Karbes, Farm & City, 4th Street Grocery, Elmores Grocery, Page Milk, where he was a member of the Teamsters Union starting out as a truck driver and working his way up to Lead Maintenance Man, Jensen Mfg., Funk Mfg., and Coffeyville Sektam where he retired. After retirement he worked at Outdoor Power, worked with his son, Ron, and daughter-n-law, Bobbi Jo of Midwest Firewood for 6 years splitting wood and the Bowling Alley. He was a graduate of Tri County Tech Refrigeration School of Bartlesville, OK. Graduated from SEK Tech in welding and Small Engine Repair. He was an active, devoted member of Holy Name Catholic Church where he was a lector. He belonged to the ToastMasters, where he learned Public Speaking and Communications. Clifford loved taking care of Wanda and all of his family. Cliff & Wanda enjoyed Square Dancing, 4H, and cutting wood with his son, Ron and daughter-n-law, Bobbi Jo, being with his family and friends, lawn work, gardening and Blackberry Cobbler. He was a very hard working man, usually worked at least 2 jobs at one time and he never turned his back on anybody. After retirement from everything he spent his last couple of years at home with Wanda just resting and enjoying life. A Rosary Vigil Service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2012 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville. Followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., July 9, 2012, at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Andrew Heiman of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Independence officiating. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville. Friends may sign the register book on Sunday, July 8, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. Thank you to Windsor Place and their Staff for all that they did while he resided there for the last year.