Chilson Wayne Cook

Chilson W. Cook, age 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa Hospital, Wichita, Kansas. He was born February 12, 1943, Kansas City, Missouri; adopted by Ferne and Ellis Cook. 

He was a 1961 graduate of Barkley High School, Haviland, Kansas. He married Delores Cook in 1964, in Newton, Kansas, later joyfully welcomed, one child, Chilson Wayne Cook, Jr. They later divorced in 1967. In 1970, he then married Carol Tipton Cook and their marriage was blessed with one daughter Connie, and three stepdaughters. Carol passed away in 2002. Chilson then was introduced to Lucy Kessler, and later married in June of 2003 where they enjoyed the next 21 years of being best friends.

He worked for many years at Guerdon as a Mobile Home Builder where he learned his trades to later flip homes. He also worked several years at AGCO, Heston, Kansas, in the Fabrication Department. With many skills as a gifted entrepreneur, he had storage units, flipped homes, trailer parks, dirt work, and his favorite working on vehicles and selling. After many years of doing a variety of tasks, he found his true gift of retirement with several building projects and fishing in the pond.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Cook, his son, Wayne Cook (Pam), daughter, Connie (Darren) Knifong, daughter, Arlene, daughter, Kathy, daughter Terri (Steve) Bockhouse, son, Chris (Heidi) Ruhnke and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his former wives, Delores M. Cook and Carol Cook; his biological mother, Etta Graham, and adopted parents, Ferne and Ellis Cook; Theron Cook, brother, Ruth Rich, sister, and half siblings.

Family, friends are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life Service, Salem United Methodist, 115 Old Main Street, Newton, Kansas 67114 on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. visitation and 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life Service. 

Memorial contributions : Salem United Methodist Church, may be left in care of Petersens Funeral Home.