Maple Hill—Arnold L. Gideon, 83, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the University of Kansas St. Francis Campus, Topeka.
He was born February 15, 1937, on a farm north of Delia, to Garland and Viola Kovar Gideon. He was raised in the Maple Hill Community and graduated from Maple Hill High School in 1955. Arnold served in the Army National Guard.
Arnold was a farmer and was a fourth-generation breeder of registered horned Herefords. In 1947 at the age of 10 he became a charter member of the Maple Hill Hustlers 4-H Club, where he showed his Hereford cattle. He owned and operated Gideon Pallet Manufacturing. Arnold & DeAnn developed and operated Potagold Cattery, which became the largest commercial breeder of registered cats in the nation. These breeds included Persians, Birmans, Burmese & Abyssinians, which they showed as well as shipped all over the U.S. He was a member of the Kansas Cat Club Association in Manhattan. Arnold enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he was never one to rush them out and always said, “Come again soon and stay longer.”. He also enjoyed Chevy performance cars and watching the wildlife that came to feed in the front yard. Arnold always loved going to auctions. In later years, his interest was focused on Victorian furniture. He and DeAnn enjoyed dancing and square-dancing.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons, Garen Gideon, and Jordan Maike.
On the 22nd day of October 1961, Arnold and DeAnn Sump were united in marriage at the Fancy Creek Zion EUB Church. She survives at home.
Other survivors include his children, Shawn (Renee) Gideon, Paxico, Jackie (John) Maike, San Antonio, TX, and Dean (Sarah) Gideon, Maple Hill; a sister, Dianne (Wayne) Dick, Rossville; five grandchildren, Shanee` (Tyrel) Askren, Johnaka (Zane) McCosker, Hunter (Stephanie) Maike, Gentry Gideon, and Lora Larison; seven great-grandchildren, Emmett and Meora McCosker, Ralynn and Maelee Askren, Barrett, Briley, and Huntley Maike; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the Maple Hill (Old Stone Church) Cemetery, Maple Hill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Garen Gideon Memorial Scholarship fund or the Wabaunsee County Fair Association and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. To leave online condolences, go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.
