Carlan Honaker

Carlan David Honaker, 93, Topeka, Kansas, master woodcarver, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024. Carlan was born November 16, 1930, in Platte City, Missouri, to Arthur and Mary Dorothy Beck Honaker and grew up in Weston, Missouri. Carlan served in the Kansas National Guard attaining the rank of 1st Sgt. in the 35th Division. During the great flood of Topeka in 1951, Carlan stood guard at the Sardou Bridge for which he received a citation. On June 23, 1950, Carlan and Lois Irene Honaker were united in marriage enjoying 74 years together! Carlan was self-employed as a Public Accountant for many years. He was past president of the Public Accounting Association of Kansas and had been a member of many civic organizations including sitting on the boards of Sheltered Living and the Crittenton Home. He was a member of the Arab Shrine, Scottish Rite and Golden Rule Lodge 90. Carlan was a master woodcarver who studied with a master woodcarver in Austria. Carlan’s beautiful work adorns prestigious places; he carved the Scottish thistles on the doors of the governor’s mansion and the seal of the Kansas Supreme Court which hangs in that courtroom. He taught woodcarving at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska for years. Carlan was a wonderful man, knowledgeable, talented, and fun. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Irene Honaker; children, Carla Honaker, Carbondale, Paul Honaker (Becky), Topeka, Karen Burns (Paul) Dayton OH, and Brian Honaker (Dayana) Knoxville TN; 17 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Carlan was preceded in death by his grandson, Nash Gilbert, and his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Donna Honaker. Visitation will be Thursday, August 1, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Carlan Honaker

November 16, 1930 - July 28, 2024