ROBERT N. TATUM, 79, of Burden, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, September 22, 2014 at his home.

Born on July 28, 1935 on the Tatum homestead north of Burden, he was the son of William L. and Alma (Neill) Tatum. Bob received his education in Burden and graduated from Burden High School in 1953. Mr. Tatum proudly served his country in the United States Marines from 1956 to 1959.

He was united in marriage to Susanne L. "Susie" Ritter on October 29, 1959 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They made their home in rural Burden and owned and operated the family farming operation. The couple received the Farm Bureau Century Farm Award in 1996 and retired in 2000. Susie preceded him in death on December 26, 2005.

Robert was a life member of the Burden United Methodist Church. He also was a member of the Clinton Lodge #233 and Burden Chapter #128 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a past member of the Cowley County District #3 Fire Board, Silvercreek Township Board, Valley Coop Board of Directors and the Farm Bureau Board. He and Susie enjoyed traveling, especially their annual fall trips to Colorado to hear the elk bugle, and every summer they took a grandchild on a trip.


His family includes:
His sons: Robert L. Tatum and wife Kimberly, and Richard D. Tatum and wife Janell all of Burden, KS;
His daughter: Terri S. Tatum-Murray and husband Dennis Goebel of Burden, KS;
His grandchildren: William M. Tatum and wife Ivy, Matthew Tatum and wife Sheila, Sarah Tatum, Caitlyn Bell and husband Dakota, all of Burden, Joshua Tatum and wife Miriam of Winfield, Jillian Henning and husband David of Augusta, KS;
His great-grandchildren: Paislee Hartman, Harleigh, Jasper and Matik Tatum, Jessica and Dakota Bell all of Burden, Brianna Henning of Wichita, KS; Rayleigh Henning of Augusta and one on the way;
His brother-in-law: Marvin Hafenstein of the Kansas Veterans' Home in Winfield;
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, William C. Tatum, and his sister, JoAnn Hafenstein.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Burden United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends an hour before the service at the church. Interment will follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials have been established in Robert's name for the Burden United Methodist Church and the Clinton Lodge #233/Burden. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.