Claud H. Giles

Claud H. Giles, 88, of Mulvane, KS passed peacefully from this life early Saturday morning, October 30, 2021.

Claud was born on June 20, 1933 in Kiowa, OK to William Wesley (Jack) and Lucy Oleta Giles. The family moved to Mulvane in 1941, and Claud was very proud to be such a long time resident of this community. At church he met Merline Banghart, a pretty young redhead who came to Mulvane to teach 5th grade. When the Army came knocking with a draft notice, he quickly joined the United States Navy and proudly served from 1951-1955. Claud and Merline married in April of 1955 and raised five hard-working, determined children who remain a loving, close knit family group. Claud worked for Beechcraft over 44 years, starting in the machine shop and ending his career as a supervisor in tool planning. Claud was an avid gardener, a less-than-stellar golfer and an amazing grandpa. After retirement Claud and Merline traveled extensively, seeing much of the country, visiting their children and grandchildren on both coasts, and wintering in Texas prior to Merline’s death in 2015. They were longtime members of the Mulvane Campers Club. Claud was privileged to experience a Kansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in November 2015. He continued to visit Jane’s Landing, nearly daily when he was able, for coffee and chit chat with regulars, visitors, and the baristas who considered him “grandpa.” Claud was an integral fixture in the Mulvane Church of Christ family. He drew support from his association with his many Christian friends and family locally and across the country. He loved to play dominoes and canasta and made the best peanut brittle and Chex mix on the block. He lived a life of sacrifice in order to bless his family with “luxuries” such as piano lessons, camping vacations, and college educations. Through it all he never complained.

Claud is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Oleta, his brother Billy Don and sister Martha Jean, infant son David, and his wife of 59 years, Merline. Survivors include his children Bobbi (Rick) Erb of Mulvane, Jeff (Diana) Giles of Gloucester, VA, Tim (Debbie) Giles of Ventura, CA, Alison (Scott) Strecker of Mulvane, and Melanie (Steve) Brownfield of Norman, OK; grandchildren Matt (Tiffany) Erb, Marni and Sara Erb, Jake Giles, Laura, Audry, and Emily Giles, Sammy (Bruce) Davies, Abby Strecker, Alec and Atticus Brownfield. His great grandchildren are Amelia, Henry, Evie, and Clara Erb.