Marion L. Root, 77, died July 15, 2010 at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born March 25, 1933 at Great Bend, Kansas, the son of William Isaac and Ethel (Booze) Root. He married Beverly A. Kuhn August 1, 1981 at Great Bend. A lifetime Great Bend resident, Mr. Root was a member of the Great Bend Fire Department for forty-two years, retiring as fire chief in 1998. Mr. Root was a member of the Kansas State Firefighters Association, Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs, International Arson Investigators, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #646, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111. Survivors include his wife: Beverly A. Root, of the home; four sons: Bob Root and wife Mary, Fort Worth, Texas; Ron Root and wife Chris, Dallas, Texas; Steve Root and wife Michelle, Great Bend, Kansas; and Paul Root and wife Margaret, Lenexa, Kansas; one daughter, Linda Farthing and husband James A., Great Bend; three step-sons: Scott Keeler, Great Bend; Mike Keeler and wife Melissa, Great Bend; and Kevin Keeler, Wichita, Kansas; two sisters: Olive Haldeman and husband Floyd, Dallas Center, Iowa; and Eva Mae Skinner, Sherwood Shores, Texas; two brothers: David W. Root, Dallas Center, Iowa; and Wilbur Root and wife Betty, Great Bend; sixteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clyde Sharon Root; and two sisters, Rosalie Cross and Emma Hartness. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend. The Reverend Tom Sheldon will officiate. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 19, 2010 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Sunflower Shrine Travel Fund or CKMC Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.