Mansel Burton Gayhart, age 90, of Warrensburg, passed away Monday, August 27, 2012, at the Missouri State Veteran’s Home.

He was born September 18, 1921, in New Harford, MO, the son of James Grant and Gertie (Vanarsdel) Gayhart.

On August 27, 1943, he was united in marriage to Ellen Donnelly in Fort Knox, KY.

Mr. Gayhart was a 1939 graduate of Vandalia High School in Vandalia, MO.  He served in the U.S. Army from December 3, 1942 to January 21, 1946, and served in Africa, France, and Germany during WWII.  After the war, he worked in the grocery business in Mexico, MO, then the owner of Gayhart IGA in Kahoka, MO, and later Gayhart IGA in Warrensburg.  After the grocery business, Mansel worked as an American Family Insurance Agent in Warrensburg for 19 years.  He was named the American Family Insurance Agent of the year in 1976 and retired in 1988.  Mansel was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warrensburg, Warrensburg American Legion Post #131 and VFW Post #2513.  He was past member of the Warrensburg Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Mr. Gayhart is survived by his wife Ellen of the home; two daughters:  Cindy Burton and husband Raymond of Warrensburg; and Kelly Gayhart of Lee’s Summit; one sister, Nadine Dandona of Sault Ste Marie, MI; three grandchildren:  Brent Burton and wife Laura of Springfield, MO; Brian Weeks and Leanna Weeks, both of Lee’s Summit; and one great-granddaughter Genevieve Mae Burton of Springfield, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Cecil Gayhart; and one sister, Eileen Castell.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 31, 2012, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Joseph Miller, C.PP.S., officiating.  Pallbearers will be Don Alferman, Mike Bruch, Joe Good, Charles Roy Parker, David McGinnis, and Rex Smarr.

Interment will follow at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by Warrensburg American Legion Post #131 and VFW Post #2513.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 30, 2012, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, with a prayer service at 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Missouri State Veteran’s Home in Warrensburg and can be left in care of the funeral home.

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