Robert L. “Smokey” Stover, 68, of Parsons died at 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at his home. He had been in failing health.

He was born Feb. 6, 1942, at Mercy Hospital in Parsons to Loraine Short. He was raised by his grandmother, Goldie Short, until graduating from Labette County Community High School in 1960.

Following high school graduation, he worked as a lineman for Iola Cable and Jackson/Jackson Power and Light companies on distribution systems and communication towers located around the country. While working in Wisconsin, Robert met his wife, Mary Boushack. They were married on March 1, 1963, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Marshfield, Wis.

In 1974, they moved back to his hometown of Parsons, where he was employed by the city of Parsons as supervisor at Oakwood Cemetery until retiring in late 2000. During this time, he served as a commander in the civil defense program. He also served as 4th Ward alderman and ran for the Parsons City Commission in 2007.

He enjoyed playing golf, watching football and baseball and talking on citizens band and ham radio sets. He was a member of the Sunflower CBers, chaired the club’s board and was involved with organizing various fundraising activities, including the March of Dimes walkathons.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Stover, of the home in Parsons; four children, Terry Stover and his wife, Mary, of Olathe, Becky Ramsey and her husband, Merlyn, of Fredonia, John Stover and Robert W. Stover and his companion, Morgan Kelley, all of Parsons; and 10 grandchildren, Taylor Lawson, Zachory Ramsey, Elizabeth Stover, Andrew Stover, Benjamin Stover, Michael Stover, Kylie Stover, Hailey Stover, Michael Fay and Chance Hornback.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; a daughter, Virginia Ann Stover; an aunt, Mary Jane Pierce; and an uncle, Melvin Short.

The body has been cremated. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

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