Pub. 5 2016 Issue 4

June 2016 19 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s On May 11th, 2016, Virgil Arthur Lair , 88, Piqua, and later Chanute, died peacefully with his loving and devoted wife Mary Alice Lair at his side, holding his hand. Virgil was born September 23, 1927, in Piqua, Kan., the son of Otto W. and Anna J. (Bux) Lair. He grew up on a small farm in Piqua, attending Piqua primary school and later graduating from Iola High School. As a young man Virgil — known by many as “Arnie” — was an avid baseball player for the Piqua team. He entered service in the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II aboard the Navy destroyer USS Tolman, one of the first ships landing in Nagasaki after the bombing. Upon honorable discharge from the service, he entered Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (later becoming Kansas State University) under the GI Bill of Rights. He graduated from K-State in May 1950 with a degree in agronomy. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Virgil, known as a straight shooter both in hunting and business began his banking career in 1970 when he bought a bank in Stark, Kansas. Likewise his banking operation grew to encompass many communities in Southeast Kansas, with its headquarters at Bank of Commerce, Chanute. All this from a man who, by his own admission, knew little in the beginning about the business of banking, except that one could potentially make a good living at it while doing something worthwhile for the community. Virgil served 16 years as a member of the Military Selective Service System from 1958-1976. Instrumental in starting the Piqua Coop, he also served many years on the Cooperative Marketing Association board in the 1960’s and 70s. Memberships include the Kansas Bankers Association Federal Affairs Board, Charter member of Flint Oak, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, St. Martin Catholic Church in Piqua, and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chanute. His family was the most important aspect of his life, and he spent his time both working and in leisure with them. For over 40 years, Virgil and Mary Alice have continued to travel with their four children to celebrate Christmas in Vail, Colorado. Over the years, the family grew and prospered, growing from four children to 29 children, spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren on his most recent Christmas in Vail. He shared his passion and enthusiasm for life with his family through his many stories and lessons that he had learned along the way. He will be truly missed, but his words will remain with us. Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Lair, of the home; three sons and their spouses, Greg Lair (Judy), Piqua, Mark Lair (Karen), Chanute, Casey Lair (Julie), Neodesha and one daughter, Jill Lair Aylward (Mike), Chanute; 14 grandchildren, Damian Lair, Courtney Gonzales (Cesar), Monica Lair, Kevan Lair, Kelli Corwin (Chris), Whitney Schairer (Trent), Conner Lair, Emily Lair, Kate Lair, Valon Jones (Alex), Garick Lair, Ali Aylward, Regan Aylward, Michael Aylward, and great grandchildren Cesar Gonzales, Alexander Gonzales, and In Loving Memory Union State Bank Ron Paulseen Named to Board of Directors of Union State Bank Eric Kurtz, Chief Executive Officer, recently announced the election of Ronald V. Paulseen, leader of the Wichita-based Paulseen Financial Group, to the Board of Directors of Union State Bank. “Ron is a highly successful businessman for over 40 years in the Wichita community. With his solid background in financial services and planning, his knowledge will strengthen the Union State Bank Board of Directors for years to come. We are excited to have Ron join us at USB,” said Kurtz. Ron Paulseen graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas in 1971, where he earned a BA in Business. He and his wife Jenny moved to Wichita in 1972, where Ron started his career with New York Life. He earned the degree of Chartered Life Underwriter in 1979. In 1986, he earned a Chartered Financial Consultant degree. In April of 2016, he was inducted into the National Association Insurance & Financial Advisors Hall of Fame. “I am eager to join the Union State Bank Board of Directors and ready to be a part of the team that will help develop the growth and prosperity of Union State Bank,” stated Paulseen. Ron married Jenny Peck in 1970 and they have resided in Wichita since 1972. They have two children, Aeramy Porter and Brandon Paulseen, who both work in the family business with Ron. Aeramy’s husband, Tyler Porter, is also part of the Paulseen Financial Group team. Brandon’s wife, Lindsay, is the daughter of Rob Pestinger, who joined Union State Bank with the RelianzBank merger last year. Ron also has three grandchildren Trip, Hadley and Brann.