AFTON, Okla. — Rick D. Vannoster, 58, of rural Afton, Okla., died at 11:49 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

He was born July 18, 1954, in Wichita to Robert Daniel and Berthann (Guest) Vannoster. Rick was a 1972 graduate of Field Kindley High School.

He was a railroader, working for Union Pacific Railroad for a time.

He married Dee A. Hoffman on Dec. 31, 1977, in Wichita. 

            Survivors include his wife, Dee Vannoster of the home; his mother, Berthann Lee of Afton, Okla.; two sons, Shawn Darling of Cameron, Mo., and Robbie Vannoster of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a daughter, Summer Reed of Afton, Okla.; five grandchildren; two sisters, Patty Ann Shockey of Afton, Okla., and Tammy Thiele of Cleora, Okla.; a stepbrother, Ricky Lee of Liberty; and a stepsister, Cheral Moore of South Coffeyville, Okla.

            He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Vannoster; and his stepfather, Adrian Lee.

            The service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Ballard Cemetery in Bernice, Okla.  The family will receive friends from 1 p.m., until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

            Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

            Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.