Leonard Alford

Charles Leonard "Punkin" Alford, 86, Topeka, died Saturday, December 22 at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center.

He was born August 16, 1921 in Sedan, the son of Charles Wynton and Myrtle "Myrta" Mae Prichard Alford and graduated from Sedan High School in 1940. Punkin proudly served in the US Army 65th Engineer Combat Battalion during WW II. He was awarded the Silver Star while serving in the Pacific Theatre.

Punkin spent most of his life in Peru, where he served as Mayor and Councilman. He was also the Deputy Sheriff of Chautauqua County in the 1950's, a Boy Scout leader, and a member of the Masonic Lodge, the VFW and the Peru United Methodist Church. Punkin worked as a lineman for the Caney Valley Electric Company for many years before retiring. He moved to Topeka in 2003.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Ruby Lea Darnall. Other survivors include their four children, Cheryl (Daniel) McMillan of Peru, Charles (Jackie) Alford of Topeka, Myrta Jo (Erik) Billings of Marion, Dawna Alford, and a bonus daughter, Marsha Gonzalez, both of Kansas City, KS; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son, William Henry Alford, four sisters, Jesse Nunn, Lela Harris, Mary Flowers, and Dortha Cline, and one brother, Clarence "Bud" Alford.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Thursday at the Sedan United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Sedan. Punkin will lie in state from 12:30 until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Kansas, 4300 SW Drury Lane, Topeka, KS 66604, or to the Peru United Methodist Church, Peru, KS 67360.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, Topeka is in charge of arrangements.