Loran Dale Hodges, 95, of St. George, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. He was a life-long resident of the community.

Loran was born Dec. 14, 1917, on the family farm in rural St. George the son of Elmer and Anna Sees Hodges. He attended local schools and St. George High School.

Loran was a farmer and stockman his entire life and operated the family farm as well as several other locations. He was an active participant of the farm operations right up to his death. He was known for his hard work, and as a younger man he enjoyed dancing and roller skating.

Loran married Irene Ward on December 29, 1940, in Abilene, Kansas. She survives at their home.

He is also survived by his sons, Russell “Butch” Hodges, Dennis Hodges and his companion, Sherill, Willard Hodges and his wife, Jeanette, Edwin “Ed” Hodges and his wife, Cheri, all of St. George and Gary “Doc” Hodges of Iowa; twenty three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, twenty three great-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three grandchildren, Tommy, Randy and Dustin, his daughter-in-law, Amy Sexton Hodges and siblings, Ben, Earl, Ed, Carl, Hesper, Della, and Zella.

A graveside inurnment service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 8, 2013, at St. George Cemetery near St. George, Kansas. Pastor Jim Lowry will be officiating. The family will greet friends following the service at Lighthouse Baptist Church in St. George. They suggest memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego. Online condolences may be made to www.campanellafuneral.com.