Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
GEORGINA DOBBE
Georgina “Gina” Dobbe, 74, of Overland Park passed from the loving arms of her children to the welcoming arms of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at her home. Gina was preceded death by her son, Douglas. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Walcott, of the home; and her son, Dennis Dobbe, of St. Joseph. Gina leaves three much-loved grandchildren: Demetrius Walcott (Deanna) of San Diego, CA; Honeye Walcott (Dana) of San Marcos, CA; Matthew Dobbe of St. Joseph, MO; and one great-granddaughter, Bella Georgina, who bears her great-grandmother’s name, in San Marcos, CA; and her precious sister, Carol Ball, in Mesa, AZ.
Visitation will be 4-6 PM, Sunday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral mass will be 10:30 AM, Monday, Sept. 3 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church of Overland Park. Private inurnment. Memorial gifts may be given to Holy Spirit Building Fund or to Sister Servants of Mary at 800 N. 18th ST., Kansas City, Ks 66102.
Renee Elizabeth Rock
After spending a lifetime enriching the world around her, Renee Elizabeth Rock died peacefully in her sleep while surrounded by family on Thursday. She was here for 44 blessed years, inspiring those who knew her with her joyous outlook on life and a smile that lit up the room.
When Renee was born in Green Bay, Wisc., on June 25, 1963, doctors said she was “different.” Family members used another word: perfect.
Though she had Down syndrome, she taught those around her more than they ever taught her. All her life, she cherished two things the rest of us too often take for granted: family, and fun. She lived every day to the fullest, embracing life and everybody in it – sometimes so hard they could barely breathe.
Her needs were simple, basic. She liked nothing more than being with loved ones – parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends – and giggling until her stomach hurt.
Always eager to explore the world around her, Renee as a child attended a developmental program at Shawnee Mission North and later was part of the CLEAR program at Johnson County Community College. She maintained various jobs within the community and most recently worked at Johnson County Developmental Supports.
Renee thrived on extracurricular activity, be it a 2004 cruise to the Bahamas or yet another trip to Wichita for the Special Olympics. And she took tremendous pride in living independently, most recently in an Olathe apartment complex.
Renee was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28 but overcame it the same way she tackled all of life’s problems: with a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a spirited game of Uno. Diagnosed with dementia in 2006, she valiantly fought the illness until her Lord called her home.
Heaven needed another angel.
Renee now moves on to her eternal reward, where McDonald’s is always open, soft drinks are always healthy, “Dirty Dancing” is always playing, and the dance floor is always hopping. We’ll miss you, Nay-Nay!
Renee is survived by her loving parents and greatest advocates, Jim and Loretta Rock; her sister Liza (Rock) Kunkel and husband, Dylan; her brother Chris and wife Aimee; her brother Steve and wife Marilyn; nieces Tori and Olivia Kunkel, Shelby Rock, and Danielle and Kaylie Rock; and nephew Kyle Rock. Survivors also include countless relatives sprinkled throughout the country who were moved and inspired by Renee’s relentless enthusiasm, and the many friends and colleagues she knew through JCDS, Faith Village, Special Olympics and elsewhere.
Visitation will be held Monday at 4:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, KS. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m., though family members hope people will celebrate Renee’s life rather than mourn her death.
The family wishes to prayerfully thank the loving and caring members of Faith Village, who became family members themselves. They treated Renee with the respect and tenderness she so desperately needed, especially after Alzheimer’s disease robbed Renee of her uplifting spirit.
The family suggests donations be made in Renee’s name to Faith Village at 14150 W. 113th Street, Lenexa, KS, 66215.
MARIAN W. HAYS
Marian W. Hays, of Lenexa, KS passed away Thursday, August 30, 2007 at Lakeview Village. Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 2:30 PM followed by funeral services at 3:30 PM at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Graveside services will be at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO at a later date.
Marian was born Sept. 26, 1916 near Clinton, MO to Arthur and Pearl Wilson. Marian was an account coordinator and retired from Barickman Advertising, Inc. in 1981. She was a member of Southridge Presbyterian Church, a member of James Ross Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of Henry Woodhouse Chapter National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, a charter member of the Johnson County Genealogical Society and Library and after retirement volunteered at the American Cancer Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Hays, her parents, Arthur and Pearl Wilson, brothers, Clive Floyd and John Wayne Wilson, sister, Ann Wilson Hesemann. She is survived by one brother, Robert Glenn Wilson, Clinton, MO and a number of nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to Southridge Presbyterian Church, or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed at www.amosfamily.com
RUBY M. SHERR
Ruby M. Sherr, 93, of Smithville, MO, formerly of Shawnee, KS, passed away, Saturday, September 1, 2007 at the Gower, MO Convalescent Center. Graveside services will be 3:30 p.m., Wednesday at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
Ruby was born in St. Paul, AR and lived most of her life in the Kansas City area. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Shawnee and the Eastern Star Beatrice Chapter. Ruby was an original “Rosie the Riveter” at the B-25 bomber plant in Fairfax, KS.
Her husband, Ben Sherr, died in 1968. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Paul Laybourne, Platte City, MO; two grandchildren, Kindra Johnson and husband, Dan, and Brian Laybourne and wife Jaime and four great grandchildren, Trevor Johnson, Carli Johnson, Emily Denny and Alyssa Laybourne.
To honor Ruby’s love for animals, the family would like donations to Animal Haven, 9800 W. 67th St., Merriam, KS 66203, in lieu of flowers.
EDITH E. (DEE) McDONALD
11/4/18 – 9/1/07
Edith, age 88, of Shawnee, Kansas passed away on September 1, 2007 at her home. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 6 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS with memorial services to follow at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the College of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 17, Point Lookout, Missouri 65726 in memory of Edith (Campbell) McDonald or to Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Ave., Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.
Edith was born November 4, 1918 to Jesse and Esther Campbell in Branson, Missouri. She graduated from the School of the Ozarks in 1938 and received her B.S. degree from Central Missouri Teachers College in Warrensburg, Missouri and became a high school teacher in the early years. She later worked for many years at Mahorney Furniture Store and the Caster Company. She was a long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village. Edith always enjoyed gardening and tending to her beautiful flowers and cocker spaniels.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, George McDonald and her first husband, Paul Dunn; her parents; step-daughter, Gail Beverlin; brother, Carl Campbell and sisters: Beuhla Chase, Lorene Tibbitt, Lois David and Norma Taylor. She is survived by her stepson, Patrick McDonald and wife, Nancy; son-in-law, Richard Beverlin; granddaughters: Diane McDonald, Karen Vaille (Lyle), Christy Adams (Justin), and Sandra Gerling (Bryan); eight grandchildren and her sisters: Mary Webster, Bessie Hill, Jessie Lincoln and Pearl Crossler; and nephew Calvin (Kay) David, and nieces and nephews.
Edith will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
NORA L. CRAINSHAW
Nora L. Crainshaw, 79, of Overland Park KS, passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at Truman Medial Center.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 6, 2007 at The Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Friday September 7, 2007 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery.
Nora was preceded in death by her husband James Monroe, and four brother’s Arnold, Rufus, Lawrence, and Bill Balke.
Survivors include one son Bob (Shionie) Gerken, Springfield, MO; two daughter’s Bonnie (Neil) Buckman, El Dorando, KS; Brenda(Richard) Cody, Raytown, MO; three step-son’s Jim (Nancy) Crainshaw Gardner, KS; Larry (Joy) Crainshaw, Shawnee, KS; and Mike Crainshaw, Olathe, KS; eighteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family request donation’s to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.
DIANA DEAN HEARLDSON
Diana Dean Haraldson, 77, Merriam, KS passed away Monday, September 3, 2007. Private family services wil be held at a later date. Mrs. Haraldson is survived by her husband, Harold of the home. Two daughters, Nelda (Michael) Radford, Alberta, Canada; Alane (Rick) Kinn, Kansas City, MO; A brother Kay Doyle Jones, five grandchildren Ryan Day, Jennifer Day, Eric Kinn, Brianna Radford, and Kristian Radford. A niece Kathleen D. (Tom) McCormick and daughters Whitney, and Grace of San Antonio, TX a nephew Michael W. (Maya) Jones and son August of South Pasadena, CA.
