Murl “Butch” McKibben, age 72, formerly of Fort Scott passed away Thursday October 1, 2020 at his home. Murl was born March 9, 1948 in Winfield, Ks to Jesse and Mary McKibben.
Murl graduated from Winfield High School, class of 1966. He enjoyed playing baseball, coaching, and being an umpire. Murl had a quick wit and funny response. He was always willing to give a helping hand and talk with you about our Lord. He enjoyed singing at Nursing Homes with his wife or having Church in the park.
Murl established K & S Plastic in 1981 in Blue Mound, Ks; utilizing injection and blow molding, as well as silk screen printing to produce items for customers and in 1987 founded FRF Hardware Store & Laundromat in Blue Mound, Ks. He worked in a gas station in Golden City, Mo., a sewing factory in Webb City, Mo., Tri Valley in Fort Scott, Ks., a Hardware & General store in Mapleton, Ks. and Mercy Hospital cleaning department in Fort Scott, Ks.
Murl met his soulmate and wife, Tammy Russell, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in 2002. They married April 9,2003 in Miami, OK and soon after started McKibben’s Bunny Farm raising over 300 rabbits; selling them to pet stores and butchering rabbits for customers. During this time Murl also worked at Moran Manor in Moran, Ks.
Murl became an ordained Pastor at the First Baptist Church, Kincaid Ks. from 2005-2013 and started LaHarp Community Church of LaHarpe, Ks. from 2008-2011. Murl is best remembered as the Fort Scott Maco Ace helpful hardware man where he worked for 10 years. In 2011 he started Little Bug Hardware & General Store of Kincaid, Ks. then moved the business to Bronson, Ks. in 2017. Murl worked Little Bug Hardware on his days off until he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer on October 18, 2019.
Murl is survived by his wife, Tammy McKibben of their home in Fort Scott, Ks. His children Steven McKibben and 3 grandchildren; and daughter Karen and husband Kenny Cunningham and 3 grandchildren.
His step daughter Tiffany and husband Hesston Whitley and grandchildren Logan, Korben, and Caden of Fort Scott, Ks. and step daughter Sierra McKibben and grandchildren Destany, Ashton, Savannah, and Gunner of Fort Scott, Ks. Two sisters, Phylis and husband Pat Kelley of Winfield, Ks. and Ginny and husband Peewee Brown of Garnett, Ks.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Frank and Lloyd E. McKibben.
There is no visitation with the family. Pastor Larry Stevicks will conduct a service at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 2215 Native Road, Fort Scott, Ks. Memorial contributions may be left in care of Emmanuel Baptist Church to help pay Cancer treatment bills.
The chosen memorial flowers are mums because he loved plants. Special thanks to Integrity Home Care and Hospice of Fort Scott for being present during the last week of Murl’s life. They were a great comfort to Murl and his wife.
