Vera Belle Lunsway

Vera Belle Lunsway, age 86, of Corona del Mar, passed away Saturday June 29, 2013 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach California. She was born October 7, 1926 to James Herbert McCorkle and Iva Lou (Mallory) McCorkle in Gem, Kansas. She had one older brother, Charles Lee McCorkle.
Vera married her high school sweetheart and WWII veteran, Samuel Augest Lunsway, on March 17, 1944 in Seattle, Washington, while waiting for Sam’s ship, the USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87), to take Sam into action in the South Pacific. After Sam’s discharge from the U.S. Navy, Sam and Vera settled in Colby, Kansas. Sam and Vera started the Thomas County Title Company, an abstract and real estate company which introduced title insurance to western Kansas, developed new subdivisions in the town of Colby and lots of other activities. Sam then became a developer building houses, commercial buildings and motels. Vera continued working full time in the real estate business, most recently as a real estate consultant for the city of Banning, California. Both Sam and Vera were involved with Masonic organizations, Sam with the Scottish Rite and Vera with the Order of the Eastern Star. Vera retired from the city of Banning in 1995 and she and Sam moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2001, Sam and Vera moved to Corona del Mar to be closer to their family and grandchildren. Vera enjoyed sewing, reading, crossword puzzles and surfing the internet.
Vera is survived by her husband of 69 years, Sam; daughter Nancy Lee French; son-in-law John French and grandsons Sam and Max French. Vera was predeceased by her daughter, Lynda Lou.
Funeral services at graveside will be held on Friday, July 12, 2013 at Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona del Mar, California at 3:00 pm. A memorial for family and friends to honor Vera will be scheduled at a later date. Donations in memory of Vera Lunsway can be made to: OES Grand Chapter of Kansas, Scholarship Fund 320 SW 8th Avenue, Floor 2 Topeka, Kansas 66603.