Mary Meeker
Mary Anne Meeker, 64, Leawood, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2000, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. She was born, Oct. 5, 1935, in Leavenworth, the daughter of Vernon and Genevieve Tinkler. She was a 1957 graduate of the University of Kansas, where she was active in many campus organizations, was a varsity cheerleader, and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta social sorority. She taught school early in her career. She later entered business and was a partner in The Collector's Cupboard, an English antique shop in the 45th and State Line Road antique district, Kansas City, Mo. She was a member of the Country Club Methodist Church, the Carriage Club and PEO. She was preceded in death by a sister, Connie Joe Tinkler. Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Donald W. Meeker, Leawood; two daughters, Anne Miller, Olathe, and Donna Crouch, Overland Park; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Funeral Chapel, Overland Park. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Country Club Methodist Church, Kansas City, Mo. Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Mount Muncie Cemetery, Lansing. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are by the D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Funeral Chapel, Overland Park.

Thieda Meffert
Thieda D. Meffert, 66, Olathe, died Friday, Aug. 18, 2000, at the Olathe Medical Center. She was born Dec. 3, 1933, in Topeka and had lived in Olathe the past 19 years. Following high school, she went to work for Greyhound Bus Lines in Kansas City, Mo., where she worked for 36 years before retiring. She later worked for Sam's Wholesale Club in Lenexa. She was a member of the Olathe General Baptist Church where she served as the director of the choir, and also was a Sunday school teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur L. Meffert; a brother, Terry Lee Barr; and her father, Charles H. Barr. Survivors include her daughter, Cindy Montgomery, Gardner; her mother, Erma Barr, Olathe; and one grandson. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Olathe. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Garden, Kansas City, Kan. The family suggests contributions to the Olathe General Baptist Church Building Fund, 500 Lee Ave., Olathe, KS 66061.

James Mefford
James "Junior" Mefford, 76, Olathe, died Wednesday, June 21, 2000, at Baptist Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. He was born June 16, 1924, in Stockton, Mo., the son of James and Clettis (Pruett) Mefford. He had lived in Olathe for 22 years. He served in the U.S. Navy from May 1943 to February 1946, and was stationed in Hawaii. He worked as an electronic repairman for 40 years and did carpentry for 33 years. He married Arlene "Grace" Korth Crisco March 18, 1968. He was an amateur ham radio operator. He was preceded in death by a son, James E. Mefford, in 1971; and a brother, John E. Mefford. Survivors include his wife, Grace, of the home; six daughters, Brenda Crisco, of the home, Barbara Kramer, Wellsville, Sandra Todd, Kansas City, Kan., Sharon Myers, Lansing, Deborah Clifton, Springfield, Mo., and Rhonda Lane, Raytown, Mo.; a sister, Peggy Mathis, Slater, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the W.L. Frye and Son Funeral Home, Olathe. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Gum Springs Cemetery, Stockton, Mo.

Brad Meireis
Brad Meireis, 41, Olathe, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, at his home. He was born Aug. 28, 1959, in Olathe, living most of his life in Olathe with exception to 11 years when he lived in Shreveport, La. He was a 1977 graduate of Olathe High School. He played Pop Warner football. He was an estimator for Air Design Company in Gardner. Survivors include his parents, Lee and Jean Meireis, Olathe; a brother, Rick Meireis, Olathe; a sister, Pam Smith, Ozark, Mo.; and a niece and a nephew. The visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Olathe. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the chapel. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the City Union Mission, 1108 E. 10th St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Benny Melton
Benny Lee Melton, 68, Olathe, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2000, at his home. He was born Dec. 27, 1931, in Olathe. Survivors include a daughter, Neila Rodman, Phoenix, Ariz.; two brothers, John Melton, Santa Paola, Calif., and Tom Melton, Olathe; two sisters, Darlene Gillihan, Olathe, and Marva Melton, Kansas City, Mo. Cremation. Arrangements are by Park Lawn Funeral Home, Kansas City, Mo.

Linda Melvin
Linda Anne (LaRue) Melvin, 58, of Olathe, died Thursday, March 8, 2001, at the Overland Park Regional Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn Kelsey and Dorothy Mae (Green) LaRue. Survivors include her son, Terrance L. Melvin, Olathe; daughter, Lisa A. Wertz, Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Jeri E. Ricketts, Meriden, Kan., and Marsha L. Smith, Carbondale, Kan.; and five grandchildren. Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 10, at the Lincoln Cemetery, Lebo, Kan. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the W. L. Frye and Son Mortuary and Crematory, Olathe. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Missouri, 1900, W. 47th Place, Suite 310, Westwood, KS 66205 or The American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, MO 65203.

Madison Melvin
Madison Maree Melvin, 10-month-old daughter of Alfred Melvin and Rhonda Melvin of DeSoto, died Friday, June 15, 2001, at her home. She was born Aug. 7, 2000, at Olathe. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, H.Q. Melvin. Survivors include her parents; grandparents, Geraldina Melvin, Lebanon, Mo., and Ronald and Mary Pollick, DeSoto; and great-grandparents, James and Edith Pollick, Eagle Rock, Mo.' Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Olathe. Burial will be at the Wellsville Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the W.L. Frye and Son Funeral Home of Olathe where a prayer service will occur at 7 p.m.

Loretta Mencer
Loretta A. Mencer, 82, Olathe, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2000, at Royal Terrace Care Center. She was born Dec. 31, 1917, in Morris, Pa., and had lived in Olathe since 1996. She was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was a member of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Olathe. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Charles H. Mencer, Feb. 1, 1998; he was an Episcopal priest in the West Virginia Dioceses for 30 years before his retirement in 1996. She also was preceded in death by a son, the Rev. John Mencer, in 1997; and a sister, Lillian Kumian, in 1999. Survivors include two sons, Thomas H. Mencer, Olathe, and C. David Mencer, Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Olathe. The funeral will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the church. Burial will be in Olathe Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson's Association of Kansas City, 7808 Foster, Overland Park, Kan. 66204. Arrangements are being handled by Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Olathe.

Margaret Mentzer
Margaret A. Mentzer, 67, Olathe, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. She was born Aug. 4, 1932, in Dumphry, Va., to Lucifer Hedges and Christine Hernden. She was president and valedictorian of her high-school class. She moved to Olathe in 1974. She was a member of the Prairie Center Church of God of Prophecy. She was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Hedges. Survivors include two sons, John and Robert Mentzer, both of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two daughters, Karen Bennett, North Carolina, and Lisa Turnley, Olathe; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at W.L. Frye and Son Funeral Home, Olathe. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Olathe Memorial Cemetery.

Norma Meriwether
Norma Adams Meriwether, 73, Olathe, formerly of Guthrie, Ky., died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, at Olathe Medical Center, after a short illness. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Fuller Jr., of Guthrie. Survivors include a son, Steve Meriwether, Guthrie; two daughters, Barbara Thomason and Beverly Hughes, both of Overland Park; a sister, Dora Saalwaechter, Owensboro, Ky.; and four grandchildren. The memorial service will be 2 p.m. Jan. 30, at Tarpley's Funeral Home, Clarksville, Tenn. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association-Heartland Chapter, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Robert Merritt
Robert J. Merritt, 75, of Olathe, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2001, at his home. He was born May 13, 1925, in Jewell, Kan. He lived most of his life in the Johnson County area, including in Olathe for 20 years. He was a painter for Albert F. Cornell in Kansas City, Mo. for 25 years before retiring in 1991. He was a member of the Olathe Deaf Club. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Max, Lew, Bill and Jay Merritt. Survivors include his wife, Alberta Merritt, of the home; two sons Albert Merritt, Prairie Village, and Ricky Merritt, Shawnee; four daughters, Roberta Durland, Louisburg, Patricia Shadid, Olathe, Toni Elliot, Prairie Village, and Sherry Burks, Olathe; four sisters, Pauline Davidson, Beloit, Ellen Riess, Boise, Idaho; Charlotte Casey, Beloit, and Joanne McCombs, Grandger, Ind.; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Olathe. The family will receive friends following the service. Cremation. The family suggests contributions be sent to Hospice of Olathe Medical Center, 20333 W. 151st St.

Elizabeth Mersman-Hudspeth
Elizabeth M. Mersman-Hudspeth, 77, DeSoto, died Monday, April 17, 2000, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She was born March 4, 1923, in Scipio, Kan. She was a pioneer in the Kansas City floral business and was the first woman manager of Greenhouse Flowers. She also worked at the Sunflower Ordinance Plant in DeSoto during World War II. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Hudspeth, in 1990. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Tyler, DeSoto; a sister, Annette Kueser, Louisburg; a brother, Ralph Mersman, Scipio; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Cremation. Private family graveside services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Burial will be at the DeSoto Cemetery.

Ken Meuser
Kenneth G. "Ken" Meuser, 90, Monett, Mo., former managing editor of the Olathe Mirror, died Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, at St. John's Regional Health Center in Springfield, Mo. He was born May 23, 1909, in Paola, the son of Charles T. and Grace Meuser. He attended elementary school and high school in Paola, graduating in 1927. He graduated in 1931 from the University of Kansas, where he was a member and a chapter president of Phi Delta Theta, a national social fraternity; a member of Sigma Delta Chi, a national journalism fraternity; a member of Sachem, a men's honorary society; president of the KU Men's Student Council, during his senior year; and vice chairman of the National Students Federation of America, during the administration of Edward R. Murrow. He was a reporter on the Concordia (Kan.) Blade-Empire in 1931; the managing editor of the Olathe (Kan.) Mirror from Sept. 1, 1931, to May 1, 1937, when he became editor and half-owner of the Herington (Kan.) Times-Sun. He married Mary B. Whitelaw April 17, 1938, in Kingman, Kan. He was owner and publisher of the Kingman (Kan.) Leader-Courier from 1939 to 1941. He moved to Monett Dec. 8, 1941; and on Jan. 1, 1942, with Menzo Hainline, became co-publisher of The Monett Times and the Lawrence County Record in Mt. Vernon, Mo. In March 1943, he bought Hainline's interest in The Times and sold his interest in the Lawrence County Record to Hainline. He and his wife then became co-owners of The Times. In 1945, he purchased the Monett Printing Company, which he operated in connection with The Times, until August 1972, when he sold both to Carmage Walls Inc. of Montgomery, Ala. He was a member of the Monett Junior Chamber of Commerce and Monett Chamber of Commerce, where he was president in 1951. In 1973 he received the Monett Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. He was co-organizer of the Senior Chamber of Commerce, where he was co-chairman for two years. He was a member and past president of the Monett Kiwanis Club; a past president of Missouri Associated Dailies; and a past member of the board of directors and past treasurer of the Missouri Press Association. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Monett and was a past chairman of the church's board of trustees. He had been active in the early development of Monett's Industrial Park. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, Kenneth G. Meuser Jr., Winnetka, Ill., and Robert W. Meuser, Highland Park, Ill.; a daughter, Ann Meuser, Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Funeral arrangements are pending by Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Geraldine Meyer
Geraldine "Geri" Elizabeth Meyer, 61, of Gardner, died Thursday, April 12, 2001, at the Olathe Medical Center. She was born August 29, 1939, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Roy Brown and Anna (Haase) Brown. She grew up in Minnesota. She has also lived in Lawton, Okla., and Fayettville, N.C., and DeSoto, Kan. She moved to Gardner in 1998. She was a graduate of Ramsey High School in St. Paul, Minn. She was a bookkeeper at Scrippro in Mission, Kan., for one year. She had worked as a bookkeeper in the various locations that she had lived. She married Kenneth (Ken) Melvin Meyer on Nov. 8, 1960, in St. Paul, Minn. She was a member of the New Life Church in Olathe. She was active in her Friday morning Bible study group. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Barbara Flanigan and Pat Dreschler. She is survived by two sons, Jeff R. Meyer and wife, Sally, Ansbach, Germany, and Allen K. Meyer and wife, Michelle, Gardner; a daughter, Lisa Marie Wheatley and husband, Nick, of LaCygne, Kan.; and seven grandchildren. The visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2001, at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner. Funeral services will be 12:30 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2001, at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner. Burial will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth. Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Church, Olathe.

Mary Mieras
Mary E. Mieras, 57, Lenexa, died Sunday, June 11, 2000. Mieras was born Nov. 11, 1942, in Halls, Mo., to John A. and Florence D. Leimbach Karn. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Survivors are three sons: Kyle Mieras, Olathe; Kalin Mieras, Overland Park; and Kelby Mieras, Leavenworth; a brother: John Karn, Wathena; and two grandchildren. Memorial services are to be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Faith Lutheran Church. Visitation is to be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. The family suggests contributions to the Mary Mieras Memorial Fund, c/o the funeral home. Cremation.

Duane Miller
Duane Benedict Miller, 76, of Edgerton, Kan., died Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, at his home. He was born Jan. 5, 1925, in Flandreau, S.D., to Edmund Jacob and Ida Ann (Beebo) Miller. He served in the Merchant Marines the Navy and the Army from 1942 to 1948. He married Pamela Barbara Evans Miller on June 22, 1946, in Cardiff, South Wales. He moved to Edgerton in the 1960s. He was the owner and operator of A&B Heating & Air-conditioning Co. in Edgerton for 35 years. He also worked at the A&P Bakery in Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by two sons, Edmund V. Miller and Steven Thomas Miller; two brothers, Clifford and Harold Miller; and two sisters, Eileen and Elizabeth. Survivors include his wife, Pamela Miller, of the home; three sons, Dennis Duane Miller of Wellsville, Kan., Kenneth Lee Miller of Justice, Ill., and Timothy John Miller, Edgerton, Kan.; one daughter, MaryLynn Speakman, of Paola; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bruce Funeral Home. Burial will be at St. Columbine Cemetery, Edgerton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Olathe Hospice.

Kittie Miller
Kittie Waunita Miller, 80, formerly of Russell, Kan., died Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, at CLC of Olathe. She was born May 10, 1920, in Wellington, Kan., living in Olathe the past three months coming here from Russell where she had lived for the past 21 years. She was an assistant manager for Automotive Parts Inc. in several communities throughout Kansas, retiring in 1975. She was a 51-year member of OES, The United Methodist Church in Russell, Kan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Winford Eugean Miller, in 1986; a daughter, Martha Jean Miller, in 1945; two sisters, Emma Shaw, 1991, and Violet Worley, 1998; and one brother, George Houghton, 1994. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia K. LaMar Lundgren and Katherine W. Bean, both of Olathe; a brother, Asa Stafford Houghton, Wichita; a sister, Jewell Chriestenson, Kansas City, Kan.; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Olathe where the family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time Thursday. Cremation. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Russell City Cemetery, Russell, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to a special fund for Katherine Bean. Please make contributions payable to Katherine Bean c/o Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, P.O. Box 3086, Olathe, KS 66062.

Lucille Miller
Lucille (Lucy) Elizabeth Miller, 78, Olathe, died May 26, 2001, at Medical Lodge of Gardner. She was born March 17, 1923, in Edgerton, Kan., the daughter of Francis and Daisy Belle Wheeler Miller. She had been a resident at the Medical Lodge Nursing Center in Gardner since 1987. She had also lived in Olathe with her mother and sister. She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Sunny Miller, Cecil Miller and Charles Miller; and four sisters, Mildred Van Nemingen, Jo Rodgers, Verda Holl and Dorothy DeBout. She is survived by a sister, Opal MacWhorter, Adworth, Ga. Graveside interment will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Olathe Memorial Park Cemetery on Woodland Street in Olathe.

Richard Miller
Richard Miller, 61, Kinsley, Kan., died Saturday, July 8, in Kinsley. He was the son of George F. and Alfreda Heyne Miller. He was a retired 24th Judicial District Magistrate of Edwards County, serving from 1969 to 1997. He was a 1957 graduate of Kinsley High School and a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and St. Edwards Council Knights of Columbus, both of Kinsley. He was preceded in death by a grandchild, Jacob Wheaton. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Jacobs Miller, of the home; four sons, Richard D. Miller and Eric B. Miller, both of Emporia, Mitchell C. Miller, Olathe, and Aaron L. Miller, Wichita; a daughter, Denise Wheaton, Lewis; his mother, Alfreda Heyne Miller, Kinsley; and 11 grandchildren. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Kinsley. Burial will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at St. Catherine's, Dubuque. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday. The rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. today at McKillip Memorial Chapel. A parish vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Nicholas Church, Kinsley. The family will receive friends in the church basement following the parish vigil. Memorials are suggested for the St. Nicholas School Endowment Fund or Dubuque Catholic Cemetery Trust in care of the funeral home.

Ronald Miller
Ronald D. Miller, 55, Overland Park, died Friday, April 7, 2000, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center following a heart attack. Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Amos Family Chapel of Lenexa where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the National Kidney Foundation. Arrangements have been made by the Amos Family Chapel of Lenexa. Mr. Miller was born Sept. 12, 1944, in Topeka to William E. and Alberta J. Wilkins Miller. He was married to Reba Turner Aug. 27, 1966. He was a University of Kansas graduate with a degree in civil engineering. He was employed by Hunt Midwest Realty. He was previously the Franklin County engineer and was a project engineer for Amoco Oil Company in Overland Park and Minneapolis, Minn. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Theta Tau and ASCE. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Reba, of the home; three sons, Brian, Jerod and Andy Miller; his parents, William and Alberta Miller; eight brothers, Don, Rick, Darrell, Keith, Steve, Terry, Michael and Ernie Miller; and three sisters, Janet Powell, Kathy Perney and Karen Madden.

Jack Mills
Jack P. Mills, 75, of Valley Falls, Kan., died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at his home. He was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Topeka, the son of Presco N. "Bonnie" and Fera M. (Sterrett) Mills. He had lived in the Topeka and Jefferson County area his entire life. He attended Highland Park Grade School and Highland Park High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Awards and decorations earned include The World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Award, American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon, with three stars for Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). He also served active duty in the Korean War. He was a working member of Local No. 165 Plumbers and Steamfitters until he retired in 1991. He was a life member of VFW Post No. 1650 in Topeka and the American Legion Post No. 400 in Topeka. He married Alice Lee Coffman on Jan. 9, 1947, in Topeka. She preceded him in death on April 26, 1992. He also was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Joyce Ann Mills; and a sister, Carolyn M. Reagan. Survivors include four daughters, Mary Lou and Steve Crum, of Moore, Okla.; and Joyce and Larry Heinen, Judi and Gary Hisey, and Jacque and Chris Biester, all of Valley Falls; one sister, Margaret June Cain, Olathe; one brother, Robert K. "Bob" Mills, Shawnee Mission, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. The visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Davidson Funeral Home in Topeka. He will lie in state after 8 a.m. today. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Mount Hope Mausoleum, Topeka. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Military services will be conducted by Fort Riley Funeral Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Hospice or to the United Methodist Church at Valley Falls.

Mildred Minnick
Mildred Strider Minnick, 95, Olathe, died Friday, July 28, 2000, at the Olathe Medical Center. She was born Feb. 3, 1905, in Hardin, Mo., the daughter of Bushrod Nixon and Nada V. (Noblet) Strider. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe. She had lived in Olathe since 1940. She married Y.D. Minnick of Ray County. He preceded her in death on Aug. 10, 1971. She was also preceded in death by seven brothers, Elmer Strider, Jesse Strider, Everett Strider, French Strider, B.N. Strider, Glen Strider, and Walter Lee Strider; and two sisters, Minnie Strider and Luna Peters. Survivors included nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe. Graveside services and burial will be 1:30 p.m. today at the Hardin Cemetery, Hardin, Mo. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. today at the Thurman Funeral Home in Hardin.

Virginia Mirakian
Virginia "Ginny" Mirakian, 76, Olathe, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001, at The Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Olathe. She was born Jan. 30, 1924, in Union, S.C., living in Olathe since 1996 coming from Leavenworth where she lived for 30 years. She was the wife of the late Col. Peter Mirakian who died in 1990, who was a decorated U.S. Army officer who retired in Leavenworth after a distinguished military career. Throughout their married life, she worked side by side with "Pete" in supporting and furthering his career and in raising their family. She was an active member of The Post Chapel at Fort Leavenworth for many years and was a board member of the Protestant Women of the Chapel, and the Officers' Wives Club. She was preceded in death by one brother, Lester C. Pearson. Survivors include three sons, Pete Mirakian, Olathe, Steve Mirakian, Lenexa, and Gary Mirakian, West Point, N.Y.; a sister, Margaret Norwood, Ocala, Fla.; a brother, Charles Pearson, Orlando, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Private interment, at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, will precede a memorial service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Presbyterian Church of Stanley. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Olathe. The family suggests contributions to Good Samaritan Nursing Center, 20705 W. 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66061.

David Mitchell
David A. Mitchell, 61, Paola, died Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at his home. He was born July 22, 1939, the son of Richard and Mildred Mitchell of Edinburg, Mo. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1957, attended Trenton Junior College in Trenton, Mo., and in January 1962, graduated from the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, Mo., with a degree in mechanical engineering. He received a master's degree in business in 1966 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He married Karen Murphy on Aug. 21, 1960, in Trenton, Mo. He retired as a staff engineer from Allied Signal in Kansas City, Mo., in May 1994. Upon his retirement, he became a real state agent for Crown Realty in Paola. He was a long-time member of Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo. He enjoyed many sports and hobbies, including softball, running, hunting, fishing, and trap shooting and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Kevin Tyler Wisniewski. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Karen Murphy Mitchell, of the home; three daughters, Lori Brittell and husband Patrick of Overland Park; Linda Lewer and husband Charles of Louisburg; and Lisa Wisniewski and husband Martin of Paola; one sister, Pat Swoffard and husband Gene of Ozark, Mo.; six grandchildren and one grandchild on the way. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the Wilson and Son Funeral Home, Paola. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Paola. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the David Mitchell Memorial Fund at Holmeswood Baptist Church, 9700 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, and/or Olathe Hospice, in care of Wilson and Son Funeral Home, 305 North Pearl Street, Paola, KS 66071.

Mildred Mixon
Mildred "Drenn" C. Mixon, 35, of Olathe, died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000, at her home. She was born Feb. 11, 1965, in Dodge City. She attended Newton High School and graduated from Olathe High School in 1983. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Emporia State University in 1987. She was employed with the Johnson County Public Library System for seven years as an information specialist. Most recently, she was pursuing a literary career writing music lyrics, poetry and short stories. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Frances Mixon. She is survived by three sisters, Lorraine Mixon-Page, Columbia, Mo., Laura Mixon, Olathe, and Carolina Mixon, Orlando, Fla.; two brothers, Jimmy Mixon Marcellus Mixon, both of Olathe; one brother-in-law, Hugh A. Page, Columbia, Mo.; and one niece, Chelsea Page of Columbia, Mo. A memorial service will be 11a.m. today at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 400 W. Spruce, Olathe.