Glen Ardean Bazil

Glen Ardean Bazil, 93, of Emporia, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at his daughter’s home north of Emporia.

He was born November 29, 1932, at his family's home in Coffey County, the son of Manford and Ethel Marker Bazil. Glen attended Burlington High School and graduated with the Class of 1950.

Glen took a job as a lineman in Illinois until entering the United States Navy on December 28, 1951. While serving in the Navy, Glen married the love of his life, Margaret Lovett, on March 19, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas. On December 9, 1955, Glen received his honorable discharge from the Navy and returned home.

In 1956, Glen and Margaret moved to Emporia. He briefly worked at a battery factory before testing for a position with the U.S. Postal Service. Glen was a letter carrier for 21 years. He suffered a broken back after taking a fall on ice and received medical retirement from the Postal Service. He would become the primary care giver for Margaret after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Margaret’s MS progressed and eventually claimed her life on July 5, 1998.

Though devoted to Margaret’s memory, Glen would eventually find companionship. He and Norma Beightel, a widow herself, found common ground through their loss and took great comfort in each other's company. They enjoyed the years they had together, spending their time in Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas. Sadly, Norma would precede Glen in death on April 5, 2019.

Glen was an active man that enjoyed coaching his daughter's women’s softball team. Teaching his son the game of baseball and he loved to go fishing, bowling and hunting. He was an avid Royals and Chiefs fan as well. Glen held memberships in the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. He and Margaret attended the First Congregational Church in Emporia prior to her death.

He will live on in the hearts and treasured memories of his daughter, Cheri Tyson of Emporia; a son Leon J. (Carol) Bazil of Emporia; a sister, Joy Barnes of Topeka; a brother, Kenneth (Gayla) Bazil of Emporia; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He considered Betty Stephen a daughter as she lived with Glen and Margaret through her high school years and remained a part of the family to this day. Glen was preceded in death by a daughter, Vicki Bazil and a son-in-law Marlen Tyson.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory in Lebo. Burial will follow services in Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Coffey County Honor Flight, the Burlington High School Alumni Association or to the Olpe High School FFA and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. Condolence may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.