Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William "Bill" Goode
William J. Goode, 62, of Shawnee, KS, passed away, Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at St. Joseph Health Center. A Requiem Mass will be 11 a.m., Monday at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church with burial in resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 – 5 p.m., Sunday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee where the Rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. The family suggests contributions to St. Vincent DePaul Church and School or Sister Servants of Mary.
Bill was born in Kansas City, Ks and was a life long Shawnee resident. He was a partner with Goode Brothers Asphalt Construction. He was a member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church. Survivors include six brothers, Frank C. Goode, Shawnee, KS, Robert L. Goode, Louisburg, KS, Fredrick J. Goode, Shawnee, KS, Donald E. Goode, Shawnee, KS, Daniel E. Goode, Shawnee, KS and James A. Goode, Overland Park, KS and four sisters, Jeanette T. Goode, Shawnee, KS, Margaret A. Sweeney, Overland Park, KS, Mary Jo Donnici, Kansas City, MO and Geraldine R. Gadwood, Shawnee, KS and he will be missed by all of his nieces and nephews.
Wilbur Unruh
Wilbur Victor Unruh died on January 1, 2008. Bill was born to Sara Penner Unruh and John G. Unruh in Buhler, Kan., in 1915. Bill graduated from Bethel College in 1939 with a degree in Mathematics. He earned a master's degree from KSU while teaching Army soldiers electronics. Bill earned his EdD from KU in 1959. Bill began his teaching career in Lehigh and quickly took a job with Shawnee Mission Schools in 1944. He taught high school mathematics and coached football, basketball, and track. When he and another teacher started the Pep Club at Shawnee Mission North, the students gave him the nickname "Wild Bill". In 1955, Bill opened Hocker Grove Junior High as the first principal. In 1993, he was inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame. Bill was also a founding member and the first president of the Johnson County Credit Union. Bill married Ada Kathryn Ruth on May 29, 1941. They had two children: Ruth Ann and David Unruh. Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Kingswood Manor, 10000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, January 5, at 3 p.m. The family requests that memorials be given to Old Mission Methodist Church, where the couple worshiped for many years.
Vincent Smiley
Vincent Smiley 85, Overland Park, KS passed away on December 17, 2007. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM Friday, December 21, 2007 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Overland Park. Burial in the Resurrection Cemetery of Lenexa. Friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Queen of the Holy Rosary Church or to City Union Mission. Vince was born on September 30, 1922 in Kansas City, MO. He was a highly decorated Naval Aviator in WWII receiving the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Air Medals. He and his family owned the A.E. Smiley Electrical Company in Kansas City for decades, responsible for wiring some of the city’s most prestigious buildings. He was one of the longest standing members of the IBEW, an active member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish for over 50 years, volunteer at the food kitchen in Kansas City, KS, Knights of Columbus, and the American Naval Aviators. But it wasn’t all work – Vince was also an avid golfer. He is survived by his wife Rosemary, his six children, Rick, Cheri, Tish, Tom, Peggy and Mary, eleven grand children, three great grand children, his brother Art and his sister Mary.
Velma Fullerton
Velma Marjorie Fullerton, beloved mother, nana, great nana and auntie, 87, Shawnee, KS (formerly of Wichita, KS were she resided for 50+ years) passed away Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 at the Sunrise Assisted Living, Lenexa, KS. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints 7011 E. 13th Street, Wichita, KS. Visitation will be from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm prior to the funeral; burial in the Old Mission Cemetery. Visitation in Shawnee, KS. will be 4-8 PM, Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Located at 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to either the Salvation Army, Wichita, KS or Special Olympics of Kansas, 5280 Foxridge Dr., Mission, KS 66202.
Mrs. Fullerton was born Feb. 1, 1920 outside the township of Jacksonville, MO to Willis M. and Emma L. (Compton) Christy. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints and held many leadership positions in the women’s and youth’s organizations. Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Fullerton, two brothers, Orville and Hollis Christy, two sisters, Gladys Gardenhire and Norma Montayne. Survivors include her son, Ernie Fullerton and wife, Jeane, Andover, KS; daughter, Rhonda Evans and husband, Larry, Shawnee, KS; two sisters, Geneva Green, Macon, MO and Naomi Avanell Babson, Clarksville, AR; five grandchildren, Lance Fullerton and wife, Trish, Clint Fullerton, Dan Fullerton and wife, Brandi, Christy Gibson and husband, James, Amy Hunt and husband, Corey; and nine great grandchildren, Michael Fullerton and wife, Lisa, Logan Fullerton, Chelsea Fullerton, Ryan Fullerton, Nathan Fullerton, Jordan Fullerton, Parker Hunt, Colton Gibson, Tayton Gibson. She is also survived by several dear nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Velma spent most of her life providing service for friends, family and others.
Timothy Thurber
Timothy Norris Thurber, 45, Shawnee, KS passed away Sunday, December 16, 2007 at his home. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 22 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Friends may call from 1-2 PM, Saturday at the chapel.
Timothy was born January 16, 1962 in Lansing, MI to Robert and Arletha (Allen) Thurber. He was employed at LSI Midwest Lighting and was a member of the IBEW. Timothy is survived by his wife, Brenda (Greve) Thurber of the home; three sons and their spouses, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Thurber, Shawnee, KS, Justin (Vanessa) Thurber, Havelock, NC and Jared (Hollie) Thurber, Olathe, KS; two brothers, Lester Thurber, Texas and Tom Thurber, Wichita, KS; he was Papa to five granddaughters, Lilly, Emily, Taylor, Jordan and Dakota; He was also survived by nieces, nephews and many other friends and family. Tim was a great husband, father and grandfather who loved his family very much. His sons and granddaughters were his life.
Dr. Thomas Wright
Thomas B. Wright, D.C., 77, of Merriam, KS, passed away, Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Memorial services will be 4 p.m., Saturday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Visitation will be from 3 – 4 p.m., Saturday. The family suggests contributions to the Dr. Tom Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O SORSI, Sacro Occipital Research Society International, PO Box 24361, Overland Park, KS 66283 or Cleveland Chiropractic College.
Dr. Wright was born in Bartlesville, OK and grew up in Kansas City, KS. He was a graduate of Rosedale High School. He attended Baker University and then graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in 1953 and began a career of 54 years as a Chiropractic Physician. He began studying Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) in 1954. After one SOT Chiropractic adjustment, he was cured of the constant headaches which he had for 10 years. Therefore began his journey of studying SOT under the founder and developer of SOT, Dr. Major B. DeJarnette. He taught SOT for over 30 years and started the SOT course at Cleveland Chiropractic College.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Lou Wright; two daughters, Dr. Kim Shara (Dr Mike Shara) and Terri Hatfield (Mike Hatfield); grandchildren, Ashley Mahoney (Mike Mahoney), Tommy and JJ Shara, Amanda and John Hatfield; great granddaughter, Hailey Mahoney and many nieces, nephews, patients and friends.
Thomas Ryan
Thomas M. Ryan, 87, Shawnee, Kansas passed away Friday, December 28, 2007 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Lenexa, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008 at St Joseph Catholic Church, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kansas City , Missouri. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, located at 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas where the rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post # 327, 6521 Nieman Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66203 or Hospice care of Kansas, 15329 West 95th St, Lenexa, Kansas, 66219.
Tom was born October 30, 1920 in Kansas City, Kansas to William J. and Nora Ryan, and moved to Shawnee in 1925. Tom was employed as a jeweler in the Kansas City area for 37 years until his retirement in 1985. Tom was a WWII veteran and a member of the American Legion Post #327 of Shawnee. He was an avid golfer who loved to play the game, travel, and spend time with his friends from the American Legion. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill Ryan and his wife of 39 years Mary G. Ryan. He is survived by two daughters; Michele (Ed) Zook, Olathe, Kansas, and Karel (Dale) Young, Lenexa, Kansas; three grandchildren; Matt (Emily) Young, Des Moines, Iowa, Lauren Young, Lenexa, Kansas, and Calen Young, Lenexa, Kansas.
