Dodge City - George Edward Bland, Sr., 68, died November 19, 2017 at St. Francis in Wichita.  He was born on February 19, 1949 in Hempstead County near Hope, Arkansas, the son of Andy and Irene (Willis) Bland.

George spent his early childhood in Hope, Arkansas.  In 1958, the family moved to Wichita.  George attended elementary school and Wichita North High School, from where he graduated.  He went on to further his education at the area vocational school for automotive repair.  On January 21, 1978, George married Sherece Anthony in Hutchinson.  She survives.  The couple moved to Dodge City in 1983.  George went to work at Cargill in the maintenance department for 34 years.  George liked to work on cars in his spare time.  He was a handyman and was able to fix about anything that needed repairing.

He was a member of the Hannah Memorial Church of God in Christ of Dodge City and a 34 year member of the UFCW District Local 2 where he was a steward and served on the union board.

George is survived by his wife Sherece of Dodge City; four children, Marcus Wiseman and wife Stacie Grimes of Wichita, Katherine Vontress and husband Anthony, George Bland Jr., and Andrew Bland all of Dodge City; two brothers, Sandy Bland, Sr. and wife Sue and Charles Bland all of Wichita; four sisters, Bertha McKenzie, Jimmie-Dale Clendenon and husband Jim, and Minnie Harvell all of Wichita, and Margie Young  and husband Charlie of Prescott, Arkansas; 14 grandchildren, DaShonda, Kierra, Dezera, Howard, D'Anthony, D'Andre, Frio, Maliyah, Marqulia, Marquahn, Keyonia, Khadija, Kiara, and Kyreece; and six great grandchildren, Jaxxton, Dmitrius, Dahlia, Kahmari, Josiah, and Kingston.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Dodge City on Saturday December 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM with Bishop Melvin Watson presiding.  Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Friday December 1, 2017 from noon to 8:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to the family in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.