Owen A. Duling, 80, rural Walnut, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 in the emergency room at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute. His death was unexpected.

He was born on Dec. 6, 1927 at Greenbush, to William Joseph and Anna O’Rourke Duling. He grew up on the family farm near Walnut and attended country schools.

He worked as a farmer and stockman on his farm near Walnut for 54 years. He also worked as a cowboy at the Parsons Livestock Association. He also worked as a Gentleman Rancher in his retirement.

He was a member of the St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul and the former St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut. He was also a member of the St. Paul Saddle Club, Knights of Columbus, and the Walnut Ruritan Club. He enjoyed riding horses, coon hunting, raising cattle and horses, and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.

He and Frances Titmus were married on August 28, 1954 St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Walnut. She survives, of the home.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two sons; Jim Duling, Wichita and Chris Duling , Walnut; his daughter, Roberta Mattox and her husband, Don, Erie; four grandchildren, Aaron Mattox, Erie, Broc Mattox, Pittsburg, Kendra Mattox, Erie, and Tyler Duling, Emporia; five sisters, Patricia Riley, Seattle, Wash., Cleo O’Brien, St. Paul, Mary Nelson, Zilliah, Wash., Ann Thomasovich, Sacramento, Calif., and Joann Mengrelli, Granger, Wash.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Pat Duling and Luke Duling, and one sister, Eileen Ermey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4 at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Walnut. Burial will follow in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery at Walnut. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church with visitation following. Friends may call the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie after 9 a.m. Wednesday. Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul Saddle Club and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 303 N. Grant St., P.O. Box 182, Erie, KS 66733.