Milton Gene Ginther

Milton Gene Ginther (Butch), 83, of Russell, Kansas, went to heaven on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell surrounded by his loving family.

Milt was born December 2, 1942, in Russell. He was one of six children born to Alex S. and Helen (Schmidt) Ginther. He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of 1960. After graduating he met and fell in love with Sharlet Eileen Fisk. They were united in marriage on August 28, 1965 in Russell. This union was blessed with three children: Kelly, Natalie and Kyle.

Milt joined the National Guard and then was drafted into the US Army during 1966. He was stationed at Ft. Riley of Kansas before going to Ft. Ord and Ft. Irwin of California. Milton courageously served his country in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967. He was a rifle sharp shooter and mechanic/operator of heavy artillery. After his tour of duty was completed, they moved back and made their home in Russell until Sharlet preceded him in death on August 30, 2015.

He worked for Lee Fisk Tank Service as a tank truck driver and backhoe operator. Later he started his own backhoe service called Rusty Bucket Backhoe and then he became an independent oil operator. In his spare time, Milton enjoyed remodeling and moving homes with Sharlet, over 50 in the Russell area. He was an active member of the Otterbein Methodist Church, Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and the Dorrance American Legion Post #334. He was a member of the singing group, Living Water, produced his own album and enjoyed singing gospel music with Sharlet. Milton comforted many families by singing at funerals for many years.

Milton enjoyed fishing and hunting, flying model airplanes, watching the Chiefs and Jayhawks, going to dirt track races, riding his scooter and attending administrative meetings at USA Express. He was a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandpa and Rusell Broncos fan. He was always willing to share the gospel through singing and his testimony and we know that he is finally home in heaven with Sharlet.

Milt’s surviving family include his daughter, Natalie Yarmer (Justin) of Russell, Kansas; sons, Kelly Ginther (Kimberly) of Russell, Kansas and Kyle Ginther of Russell, Kansas; brother, Glenn Ginther (Daisy) of Hays, Kansas; sister, Elnora Boatright (Robert) of Overland Park, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Dalton Ginther (Dani), Danika Drake (Andrew), Mackenzie Hartman (Alan), Savanna Ryan (Levy), Brittney Mayberry, Kaegan Ginther and Kylee Ginther, ten great grandchildren; friends, Randy Hurlbut and the USA Express Coffee Crew.

Milt was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharlet; brothers, Dwain Ginther, Alan Ginther and Don Ginther.

Celebration of Milt’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, January 12, 2026 at the Otterbein Methodist Church. Burial of Milt and Sharlet’s ashes will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted for Milt by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with the Russell Booster Club or the Otterbein Methodist Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.