Gary E. Mapes, 76, of Butler, Missouri passed away peacefully at Butler Rehab in Butler, Missouri on Wednesday, May 26, 2026.

Mr. Mapes was born March 5, 1950 at Oskaloosa, Missouri the son of William Roy Mapes and Daisy Mae Barr. He started working for the Kansas City Southern Railroad in 1970 and retired in 2008. He fought Parkinson’s Disease hard for over 25 years. He lived in Pittsburg most of his life. He was raised in Mulberry and graduated from Liberal High School. He married Ruth Richardson on Sept. 22, 2017, at Girard, Kansas. Survivors include his wife, Ruth of the home, two sons, Gary (Kinnie) Mapes of Topeka, Kansas and James (Carrie) Mapes of Olathe, Kansas, four brothers, seven sisters, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David and Ronnie Mapes, and a sister, Clara Vanwinkle.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026 at the Rosebank Cemetery at Mulberry, Kansas with the Rev. Steve Cole officiating. The family suggests memorials to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research via their direct giving page:michaeljfox.org/give. Your support will help accelerate progress toward a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Donations may be sent directly to the organization in memory of Gary E. Mapes or sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712. Condolences can be left at www.bedenefuneral.com.