Arsenius ‘Tony’ Anthony Urban, 87, passed away Sept. 2, 2026, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home in Little River, Kan. He was born Nov. 28, 1938, in Catherine, Kan., to Joseph and Josephine (Pfannenstiel) Urban. He married Rosalie Ann Richmeier on Feb. 20, 1960, in Great Bend. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2023.
Tony was a lifetime Great Bend and Seward resident. He served in the United States Army for three years, serving as corporal and being stationed in Alaska when it became a state in 1959. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Seward and Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Xavier council and volunteered many hours of service. Tony worked as a welder, beginning his lifetime career at O’Niell Tank Company for 20 years, transitioning to Sherman Machine Works for 10 years, and retired in 2010 with Roto-Mix in Hoisington after being employed for 15 years. He dedicated his time serving as a Stafford County volunteer firefighter and was promoted as former fire chief. He was an avid fan of the Chiefs and KU basketball. His talents were limitless in woodworking and was a go-to as a handyman. Above all, he dedicated his life to creating a life based in faith, hard work, and love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, a legacy he was most proud of.
Survivors include sons, Wayne Urban and his wife LuAnn of St. Joseph, Mo., Bryan Urban and his wife Joyce of Wichita, Daryle Urban and his wife Shelley of Ozawkie; daughter, Denise Joslin and her husband Dr. Charlie Joslin of Ellinwood; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Joseph Urban, Jr. and his wife Sheila of Dodge City; sister, Alberta Klein of Wichita, and Twila Kush of Colorado Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife of 63 years; grandson, Nicholas Joslin; brothers, Julius Urban, Melvin Urban, Ervin Urban; sisters, Lillian Beck, Delores Weddel, Johanna Brodie, Lorraine Wedman, Virginia Zimmerman; sisters-in-law, Ann Urban, Helen Urban, Lela Mae Urban; brothers-in-law, Jim Klein, Ron Kush, Gene Beck, Bob Wedman, Delmer Brodie, and Larry Zimmerman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Amir Duraisamy and concelebrant, Father Edmond Kline presiding. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, in Seward, with Fort Riley military honors. Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home, with a Knights of Columbus Rosary with Vigil at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 5, 2026