Paul Lanpher

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Paul Gene Lanpher of Advance passed away Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, at his home at the age of 88.

Paul was born Sept. 8, 1929, in Advance, the son of Buel Franklin and Mayme Elizabeth Jenkins Lanpher.

After graduating from Advance High School, Paul joined the U.S. Army. He was introduced to Wanda Ingram, who stole his heart with homemade pralines. They were married April 17, 1953.

Farming was Paul's passion, and he was always experimenting with new techniques to maximize crop yields. He won many corn-growing contests. In 2002, Paul obtained a patent for a knife he developed to more effectively apply nitrogen to corn crops.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda Lanpher; siblings, Lyman (Joyce) Lanpher, Eleanor Bennett, Evelyn Ashby, Harry (Concheta) Lanpher, Don (Charlotte) Lanpher and Dennis (Doris) Lanpher; his five children, Rus (Nancy) Lanpher, Ben (Kerri) Lanpher and Kim (Ronnie) Veale, all of Advance, Lyn Fortner of Scott City and Jeanie (Greg) Seabaugh of Wentzville, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Paul's proudest accomplishment was his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Buel Lanpher Jr., Charles Lanpher and Roger Lanpher.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance. A reception will follow at Paul and Wanda's home.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Siteman Cancer Center at gifts.wustl.edu or St. Louis Children's Hospital.