Gene Gifford, 87, died July 18, 2012 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born April 13, 1925 at Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Henry F. and Leona Maude (Baker) Gifford. He married Doris Eileen Robinson January 1, 1949 at Trousdale, Kansas. She died April 24, 1968. He then married Phyllis Gail Mische Wilcox June 1, 1969 at Larned, Kansas. A Bushton resident since 1952, coming from Trousdale, he was a welder for Enron Corporation for thirty-four years, retiring in 1985. He was a World War II Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Gifford, of the home; two daughters: Kathy Ray and her husband Jim, Lorraine, Kansas; and Mary McClain and her husband Mark, Wichita, Kansas; two step-sons: Bradley Mische and his wife Drucella, Midlothian, Virginia; and Kirk Mische and his wife Annika, Basehor, Kansas; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Gary Gifford; and one sister, Evalena Granger. Graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Haviland Cemetery, Haviland, Kansas. The Reverend Gene Langhofer will officiate. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 20, 2012 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Haviland Cemetery Fund, in care of the funeral home.