Alvin Martin Fishburn, 93, died on 06/10/2026 in Lawrence, KS. He was born March 8, 1933 in Lawrence, Kansas to Aubrey and Dorothy (Griffith) Fishburn. Alvin attended Lone Star Church of the Brethren for most of his life, and was a current member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
He attended Apple Pie rural school for six years, Lone Star school for two and graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1951, where he was active in Future Farmers of America and played on the 1951 state championship football team. During high school Alvin took his turn at driving the school bus, picking up his fellow students in the Lone Star and Clinton area and delivering them to school in Lawrence. Alvin attended McPherson College from 1952-1953 where he was part of the undefeated Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship team.
Alvin married Angeline (Angie) Mae Flora on September 6, 1953 in Quinter, Kansas. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where they worked in the hospital for two years. This was alternative military service for Alvin, as he was a conscientious objector to the Korean War due to religious beliefs.
In 1955 they moved back to the family farm near Lone Star where he was a dairy farmer for 43 years. Alvin served on many boards including Wakarusa Valley School, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Clinton Township, Douglas County Farmers Co-op, and Kaw Valley Electric for 30 years. He also served as District Chairman of Pure Milk Producers, and as Chairman of Douglas County Rural Water District #5. He served on the water district for 18 years. Alvin was recognized for the work he did in soil conservation, and raising champion milk producing Holsteins. The family farm was featured in the Journal-World for its rock fence that was built by Alvin’s uncle by hand in 1938. Much of it still stands today. “Don’t pick up a rock if you don’t have some place to put it.”
Alvin was preceded in death by his wife Angie, his parents, and brothers Melvin and Gordon. He is survived by his children Allen (SanDe), Arlon (Barbara), Anne (Roy) Dare, Adrian (Debra), and Amy Fishburn. Other survivors include 19 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Douglas County Visiting Nurses in Alvin’s name.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 11am at Washington Creek Cemetery, 607 E 550th Rd, Lawrence. To read the full obituary, visit rumsey-yost.com.