FORGAN – Anthony "Tony" Cornelsen, age 85, died late Monday evening, September 9, 2013, at the Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.

He was born December 11, 1927, in rural Meade County, Kansas, the son of John W. and Katherina T. (Classen) Cornelsen. As a young boy he attended school in rural Meade County. In 1945, he joined the United States Navy serving during World War II. After his discharge, he began his career in the oilfield working for many years as a driller and truck driver moving rigs to various locations.

He was a member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, both of Liberal, Kansas. He enjoyed fishing, boating, watching the Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

On November 4, 1950, he married Bessie Mae Morrow at Dodge City, Kansas.

He is survived by three sons: Kim Allen Cornelson of Cartright, Oklahoma; Kiven Lee Cornelson of Liberal, Kansas; Kelley Ray Cornelson of Kansas; three daughters: Anita Marie Schollenbarger of Forgan, Oklahoma; Tonnia Louise Doran of Forgan, Oklahoma; Antonia Mae Bell of Woodward, Oklahoma; a sister, Esther Brockert of Ponca City, Oklahoma; twenty-eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by a daughter-in-law; parents; seven brothers: Jacob, John, Pete, Abe, Ike, George, and Henry Cornelsen; eight sisters: Marie Cornelson, Katherine Mayes, Helen Bohling, Mary Cornelson, Anna Nuefeld, Gertrude Young, Agnes Webb, and Elizabeth Leakey; two granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral services were held Thursday, September 12, 2013, at the Turpin Mennonite Church, Turpin, Oklahoma. Interment followed in the Forgan Cemetery, Forgan, Oklahoma.

The family would welcome memorials to the Veteran's of Foreign Wars in care of the funeral home.