Michael A. Grant, age 65 of Columbus, KS passed away at 8:44 p.m. Tuesday May 16, 2006 at the St. Johns Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO, after an illness.

Michael was born May 22, 1940 rural Scammon, KS, the son of James R. and Dora (Theis) Grant. He grew up and attended Mineral School graduating from Mineral High School in 1958, and then attended the Independence Community College. He worked for the Empire Electric Co. from 1969 to his retirement in 1995. He was presently employed with the USD 493 as a school bus driver.

He received an honorable discharge from the US Army Reserves in 1968.

Membership includes the Center Christian Church of Columbus, KS.

He married Judith Westervelt September 21, 1968 in Scammon, KS, she survives of the home.

Additional survivors include one son and his wife Mark and Kendra Grant of Caney, KS; two daughters and their husbands: Tracy and Jason Simpson of Columbus, KS and Erin and Joshua Fletcher of Parsons, KS and one sister Catherine Gilmore of Pittsburg, KS; and seven grandchildren: Garrett, Renee, Gage Grant all of Caney, KS, Grant and Austyn Simpson of Columbus, KS, Alexa and Josiah Fletcher of Parsons, KS

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Tom, Jim, and Maurice Grant.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2006 at the Center Christian Church, Columbus, KS with Tom Goettel, Pastor, and the Rev. Justin Coberley officiating. Burial will be in the Greenlawn Cemetery rural Columbus, KS.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday May 18, 2006 at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus, KS. The family suggests memorials be given to the Center Christian Church, Columbus, and may be left at or mailed to Simpson Funeral Home 323 S. Kansas Ave. Columbus, KS 66725.