Charles Arthur “Chip” Vancuren, 79, of Viola, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at his home near Viola.

Chip was born on March 12, 1947, at Wichita to Billy Gene Vancuren and Helen Lucile (Stout) Vancuren. He attended school in Viola from 1953 to 1958. Following the divorce of his parents, his mother married Bob Earl Ryan. Shortly thereafter, Bob was transferred to Rapid City, S.D., where Chip attended grades 6-9. The family returned to Viola and Chip graduated with the last class of Viola High School in 1965. Later that fall, he attended Wichita Business College for two years while working part-time for Molz-Frick Implement in Wichita.

Chip was united in marriage to Diana Lynn Meredith on July 30, 1967, and they were blessed with two sons, Christopher Allen in 1968 and Chad Allen in 1973. The family made their home in Viola and later moved to their home northwest of Viola in the fall of 1976.

On July 31, 1967, Chip began working for Winters Truck Line in various positions until accepting a position with Cassell Truck Line in 1979. At the closing of Cassell Truck Line, he was employed by Dugan Truck Line, TNT Dugan Truck Line, and later USF Dugan Truck Line. His employment with these organizations spanned 20 years, serving in various administrative and real estate management and construction projects. He was later employed by Home Depot for two and a half years as a department supervisor. The year 2002 brought forth new opportunity as he joined the management team at Land Air Express in Wichita until his retirement in 2013.

Chip proudly served the community and his church in various roles. He was councilman and mayor for the City of Viola, a USD 356 School Board member and board president, long-time member of the Viola Lions Club, and Viola Township treasurer. Chip was a member of the Viola United Presbyterian Church, holding offices of trustee, ruling elder, church building committee, church treasurer and other respective committees.

Chip was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Bob Ryan; and one half-brother, Bobbie Earl Ryan II.

He is survived by his wife, Diana Vancuren, sons, Chris Vancuren (Julie) of Conway Springs, snf Chad Vancuren (Nikki) of Wichita; sisters, Janis Riley (Jim) of Wichita, and Dee Pauly (Rick) of Udall; grandchildren, Clinton Vancuren (Trista), Brent Vancuren, Brian Vancuren (Jessica); Britton Vancuren; three great-grandchildren, Cal Vancuren, Jace and Jaelynn Jeffery; and a number of other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Viola United Presbyterian Church, Viola. Funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Conway Springs Methodist Church, Conway Springs. Interment will follow in Viola Cemetery, Viola.

Arrangements are by Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs, KS. Online condolences and guest book are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

Memorials have been established with the Viola United Presbyterian Church and the Viola Lions Club.