David A. Slead

David A. Slead, 70, passed away Saturday, December 8, 2018 at his home near Lebo.           He was born on July 23, 1948 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Frank and Mildred Gunkel          Slead. Dave attended Lebo High School and graduated with the Class of 1966.  Following High School, Dave joined the Kansas National Guard. He went on to attend Kansas State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, graduating in 1971. He would conclude his military obligation after returning home to the family farm to work with his father. He was married to Linda M. Kirkham on April 6, 1968 in Manhattan, Ks. They had two sons together, Dustin and Jarrod. They were later divorced after many years of marriage.  Dave married Kay Gilligan on February 14, 1996 in New Orleans. Kay would precede him in death on April 20, 2018.  Dave was a member of the Lebo United Methodist Church. His other numerous memberships over the years included, U.S.D. #243 School Board Member, Past President of the Kansas Soy Bean Association, F.S.A. Committee Member, Kansas Cattleman’s Association Kansas, Corn Growers Association, Wholesale #12 and RWD #3 board member.  Dave continued to own and operate Slead Farms until his retirement in 2012.  He will live on in the hearts of his sons, Dustin Slead and his wife Kelli of Lebo and Jarrod   Slead and his wife Heather of Lawrence, Kansas; a sister, Joann Slead of Pasadena, California; sixteen grandchildren; three step sons, Brad Spielman and his wife Denise, Brian Spielman and Jason Pankaskie and his wife Dolcey.  The family invites you to come and visit with them Saturday evening, December 15th from 4:30 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. A Special time of sharing memories will begin at 6:00 P.M. Cremation is planned with inurnment at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Center for Basic Cancer Research at K.S.U. and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.