Carl Richard Finney, 78, of Winfield, died in his home Sat., Aug. 7, 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church in Winfield. Visitation will be 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Swisher-Taylor & Morris Funeral Home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery. A memorial has been established with Eagle Nest Inc.
Carl was born July 19, 1932 in Arkansas City, KS. His parents were W. C. Finney and Glenna G (Massingil) Finney. He attended Winfield schools. He joined the U.S. Army and served from 1950-53 spending his overseas portion in Europe. Carl started his life-long passion for food by attending a Army Chefs training in Germany. Carl met his wife, Gilberte, while serving in France. She was a dishwasher at the mess hall where Carl was a cook. Carl and Gilberte married in Gilberte's hometown of Foameix, France, on April 7, 1953.
In 1964 Carl started Finney Heating and Air at 112 E 8th Ave. in Winfield. His son, James joined the business in 1974. Business was a family affair, with Gilberte handling reception and keeping the books. Carl often prepared lunch at the shop for the family. Finney Heating had a good history of employing part-time help from a half dozen different off-duty fire fighters. In the late 1990's, Carl began to withdraw from the day-to-day operations at Finney Heating and eventually retired. James Finney continues to operate the business with 3 other full-time employees.
Carl was a member of American Legion and active member of the Elks Club. Carl and Gilberte were longtime members of the First Christian Church. Carl enjoyed using his cooking talent to participate in men's breakfast fellowships at First Christian Church and First United Methodist Church. Carl and Gilberte loved watching their children, and then their grandchildren, do sports and school activities. Carl enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing.
Carl is survived by his wife, Gilberte; son, James Finney (and wife, Susan) of Winfield; daughters Marilyn Elizabeth Everhart of Brunswick, MD, and Marsha Anne Florence Hatcher (and husband, Bryan) of Lenexa, KS; grandchildren Jeremy Finney (and wife, Jane), Hannah Northerns (and husband, Jordan), Joel Finney, and Esther Finney; great grandchildren, Jasper and Justus Finney; brother, Charles Finney (and wife, Ida) of Winfield; cousins Margaret Taylor of Brookville, FL, Val Finney of Ottawa, KS, Everett Finney of Seabring, FL.

Carl was preceded in death by brothers; Ward Jackson,Jr., Guy H. Finney and John F. Finney.,