EARL HOWARD "RUSTY" BIVANS

Earl Howard "Rusty" Bivans, age 79, of Belton, Missouri passed away August 18, 2017, surrounded by the love of his family at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Friday, August 25, 2017 at Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri. The Lions Rose Ceremony will be followed by a Celebration of Life Service that will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will take place at Bryant Cemetery, Belton, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105; or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 6811 Shawnee Mission Pkwy #202, Mission, KS 66202.

Rusty was born July 27, 1938 on Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas. He was the youngest of seven children, the son of William and Lula (Gilbert) Bivans. On September 23, 1961, Rusty entered into marriage with Joyce Evans. Together, Rusty and Joyce were blessed with four children, Sheila, Laura, Michael, and Cindy.

Rusty lovingly supported his family as a Radio Relay Equipment Technician for the United States Air Force until his retirement in 1977. During his service for the United States, Rusty served in the Air Force, the Navy, and the Army National Guard-AR.

He worked at the Marine Corps Finance Center for the Defense Finance Accounting Service and Military Pay. He was stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base 442nd AFR in Police Security, and the National Guard- MO #135 Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H).

Rusty was a member of several organizations including a life-time member of the Belton Host Lions Club and a Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient, the Belton EOC (Emergency Management), served as an Alderman in Belton, Missouri for Ward 1, the American Legion, he also served on the Belton Park Board and the Cass County Sheriff's Air Wing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Marshall Bivans and Lula (Gilbert) Bivans; six siblings, Opal L. Bivans (Kelly), Ford W. Bivans, Claude D. Bivans, Raymond E. Bivans, Neoma J. Bivans (Guinn), and half-brother, C. Kirby Gilbert.

Rusty is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce E. Bivans; his children, Sheila Hamilton (Richard), Laura Tolbirt, Michael Bivans (Michelle), and Cindy Bivans; nine grandchildren, Derek, Blake, Amanda, Taylor, Ian, Justine, Hannah, Bailey, and Easton; one great-granddaughter, Lily; along with a host of family members and many friends.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278