Mary Belle Stewart
Mary Belle Stewart, 80, died May 8, 2001, at her home in Bethany, Oklahoma. She was born September 15, 1920, in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma, the daughter of Alphonso and Mozelle Brence. After marriage, they moved to Medicine Lodge, spending most of their married life here. Her husband Bill was head of Sante Fe Railroad for years. She was active in Girl Scout Leadership, BPW, and the Christian Church. She was Elder Emeritus of Western Oaks Christian Church at the time of her death. She was married to William W. (Bill) Stewart.
Survivors include: a son, W. Dale Stewart and wife Judy, Kansas City; two daughters, Jan Ketola, Bethany, Oklahoma and Carol Allen and husband, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two sisters, Ellen Harden and Dollie Green, both of Cordelle, Oklahoma; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother and a sister.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 11, 2001, at Western Oaks Christian Church. Burial was at Lawnview Cemetery, Cordell, Oklahoma. Hahn-Cook/Stewart & Draper Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, (405-848-3744) was in charge of arrangements.

Roy C. Davis
Roy C. Davis, 87, of Wichita, died Thursday, May 3, 2001. He was born July 18, 1913 in Rippee, Missouri, the son of Bert E. and Mabel Ross Davis. He was a retired sales manager from Quality Chevrolet & Swinson Chevrolet of Tulsa. He was from Medicine Lodge and married Geneva Park of Protection. She survives. Other survivors include: daughters and son-in-law, Juli Burke and Susan and Ken Arnold all of Wichita; brother, Ronald Davis, Wichita; sister, Anadayle Cooper, Portland, Oregon; grandchildren Leslie Ann Burke, Aspen, Colorado, Greg Arnold, Lawrence, Natilie Arnold, Newton; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday morning, May 7, 2001, at Plymouth Congregational Church, Wichita. Graveside services were held Monday afternoon at Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. A memorial has been established with Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N. Clifton, Wichita, KS 67208. Downing and Lahey Mortuaries, Wichita, was in charge of arrangements.

Zanoni McGuire Neal Sanders
Zanoni McGuire Neal Sanders was born March 14, 1900, to Jess and Olive McGuire Taliaferro at Sharon, where she attended and graduated from Sharon High School. She moved with her children and mother to Tacoma, Washington where she met and married Albert Sanders February 26, 1949 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She was a school cook and loved it. She was a Boeing Aircraft Riveter at Wichita during World War II. She and Albert loved to hunt and fish. She is survived by her husband "Al" at home, a daughter Ione Bayless of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and two grandchildren Barry BAyless of Talequah, Oklahoma, and four great-grandchildren, Chris, Lisa, and Sarah Bayless, all of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Stacy Bayless of Charleston, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by a son, James Neal, three sisters, Gay, Dot and Joy, and a brother Glendale Taliaferro. A memorial service will be held at a later date and private burial will be in Mountain View Memorial Park in Tacoma, Washington.

James Lee Mayfield
James Lee Mayfield, 66, died May 25, 2001, at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, Medicine Lodge. He was born June 28, 1934 at West Plains, Missouri, the son of James Alexander and Ada Anna Young Mayfield. He lived in Medicine Lodge most of his life. He was a retired Kettle Mill Operator from National Gypsum after 43 years and nine months. He was a member of First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge. On November 3, 1956 he married Joyzell J. Karp at Nowata, Oklahoma. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, James Ray Mayfield, Wichita; other children from the home, Charlene Jackson, Medicine Lodge, Sue McKinney, Clinton, Oklahoma; brothers Ellis Mayfield, Medicine Lodge, Lowell Mayfield, Sedalia, Missouri, Bill Mayfield, Excelsior Springs, Missouri; sisters, Dorothy Wilkens, Mr. Vernon, Missouri, Doris Puckett, Aurora, Missouri, Ruby Gum, Carol Goddard, Jeannie Gray, al of Republic, Missouri, Mary Ann Sappinton, Walnut Grove, Missouri, and Fern Crumrine, Springfield, Missouri. He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Lee Mayfield.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 29, 2001, at First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge with Rev. Tom Walters presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the James Lee Mayfield Memorial Fund in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Henry Reifschneider
Henry Reifschneider, 88, died August 9, 1999, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Center, La Crosse. He was born November 29, 1910, in Russia, the son of Jacob and Mollie Eckes Reifschneider. A lifetime Rush County resident, he was a farmer and rancher. He and his brothers owned and operated the Rush County Sale Barn from 1945 to 1988. He belonged to the United Methodist Church and Lions Club, both at La Crosse. On May 7, 1960, he married Alverta Muth Krug, at La Crosse. She died April 12, 1990.
Survivors include: two step-daughters, Marvel Dellet, Rush Center, and Donna Tharp, Medicine Lodge; two brothers, Harold and LeRoy, both of La Crosse; four sisters, Katie McMillen, Great Bend, Esther Murray, La Crosse, Ida Cortinger, Hoisington, and Helen Appel, Rush Center; six step-grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ed; and a sister, Mollie Bott.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 11, 1999, at Janousek Funeral Home Chapel, La Crosse, with Pastor Maurice Shaus presiding. Burial was in La Crosse City Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to Rush County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Center, La Crosse, in care of the funeral home.

Walter E. Harding
Walter E. Harding, 88, died August 24, 1999, at Pratt Regional Medical Center. He was born September 18, 1910, at Nashville, the son of David E. and Christine Suhler Harding. He graduated from Isabel High School and taught in rural elementary schools in the area. A Pratt resident since 1971, moving from Denver, he was a retired bookkeeper for the Federal ureau of Reclamations, Denver. He belonged to First Baptist Church, Pratt, where he had served as a Deacon and played piano. He was a member of AARP, NARFE and had served as a board member of Pratt Senior Citizens. He married Viola Peterson Strong. She preceded him in death. He later married Eunice Ford Oller. She survives. Other survivors include: a daughter, Carol Ann Robinson, Westminster, Colorado; two stepsons, Albert and Gary Sam Oller, both of Holyrood; five stepdaughters, Carolyn Oller Grant, Miami, Florida, Lola Oller Rixon, Seminole, Texas, Billie Hiler, Betty Hain and Joan Rhea all of Colorado; a brother Earl Harding, Pratt; a sister, DelVinia Guthrie, Tacoma, Washington; two grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren. Memorial service was held Thursday at Larrison Mortuary, Pratt, with John Hamm and the Rev. Steve Brecheisen presiding. The body was cremated.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association, both in care of the mortuary.

Allan Murra Gregg
Allan Murra Gregg, 76, died July 20, 1999, at Share Convalescent Center, Alva, Oklahoma. He was born December 29, 1922, at Nickerson, the son of Murra and Sarah Anna Mummey Grett. He attended Nickerson Public Schools, and graduated from Nickerson High School in 1942. In 1948 he went to Chillicothe, Missouri for depot agent training. He was an agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Sweard, Iuka, Larned, Kiowa and Hardtner. He later had a mobile depot route from Hardtner to Wichita, retiring in 1984. He was a member of College Hill Church of Christ, and a member of the American Legion at Hardtner. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. On August 9, 1948, he married Jeanette Eunice Clothier at Great Bend. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Kent, of Alva; a daughter, Vickie Warrington, Hutchinson; a brother, John, Lyons; two sisters, Merla Cunday, Hutchinson, and Martha Holmes, Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Valeria Pentz; and a granddaughter.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 22, 1999, at College Hill Church of Christ, with Kelly McCoy presiding. Burial was in Hardtner Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the College Hill Church of Christ Bible Chair, in care of Marshall Funeral Home, Alva, Oklahoma.

Vernon McDaniel
Vernon McDaniel, 75, died August 27, 1999, at Sharon. He was born August 19, 1924, at Sharon, the son of Ernest Charles and Flora Taylor McDaniel. A lifetime Sharon resident, he was a farmer. He belonged to Community Bible Fellowship, Medicine Lodge, and was a member of the USD 254 School Board, the Alfalfa Electric Trustee Board, the Sharon Township Board and the American Legion. On May 27, 1943, he married Rachel McKeever at Sharon. She survives. Other survivors include: two sons, Rodney, Sharon, and Howard, Wichita; a daughter, Julie Waterworth, Newfolden, Minnesota; three brothers, Virgil, Enid, Oklahoma, Harry, Eureka and Bob, Caney; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, August 29, 1999, at Assembly of God Church, Medicine Lodge, with Pastor Dwaine Richert presiding. Burial was in Attica Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Community Bible Fellowship Building Fund, Medicine Lodge.

Lena M. Heublein
Lena M. Heublein, 70, died August 11, 1999, at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital, Enid, Oklahoma. She was born June 28, 1929, at Isabel, the daughter of Lee and Lorena Renfro Thompson. She attended Isabel schools. An Enid resident since 1977, moving from Kansas, she worked at central supply at St. Mary's for 15 years. On January 6, 1968, she married Otto Heublein at Wichita. He survives. Other survivors include: a son, Steven Oller, Enid; a daughter, Louise Walk, Enid; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her twin sister.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 14, 1999, at Henninger-Allen Funeral Home, Enid, with the Rev. Tom Pullin presiding. Burial was in Isabel Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Division.

Mabel Eva Hardesty
Mabel Eva Hardesty, 95, died July 15, 1999, at the Comfort Home, Anthony. She was born May 21, 1904, at Nortonville, the daughter of Charles Louis and Katherine Rose Wormser Hoffman. A longtime Hazelton resident, moving to the Comfort Home in 1998, she was a homemaker, bank clerk and bookkeeper, retiring from the Farmer's State Bank in 1976. She belonged to the United Methodist Church of Hazelton until it closed and then Kiowa, United Methodist Women, Hazelton, and has been a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, joining in 1929. On May 26, 1928, she married Arthur J.D. "Punk" Hardesty at Medicine Lodge. He died March 28, 1987.
Survivors include: two daughters, Carolyn Marie Simon, Rainbow, Texas, and Nancy Jo Barnes, Dodge City; a brother, Lester Hoffman, Hazelton; a sister, Edith Major, Wimberley, Texas; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur and Howard Hoffman; and a sister, Edna Scott.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 20, 1999, at Community Baptist Church, Hazelton, with Pastor Bradley Daniels presiding. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hazelton.
Memorials may be sent to the Owls Senior Citizen's Center or the donor's choice of charities, in care of Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa.

Mary Louisa Keeland
Mary Louisa Keeland, 83, died August 18, 1999, at Friendship Manor, Anthony. She was born October 6, 1915, at Galena, Missouri, the daughter of William Fredrick and Alberta Amelia Smith Nipple. A resident of Hazelton since 1985, moving from Sheridan, Wyoming, she worked as a welder during World War II, and was a cook and waitress for more than 40 years. She belonged to United Methodist Church, Hazelton, and the UMW. She later joined the Community Baptist Church, Hazelton. She was a member of the OWLS Senior Citizen Center. She was involved with the Southest Area on Aging, the American Legion Auxiliary, and was a primary caregiver for many people. On September 1, 1935, she married Fletcher Kennicut. On May 20, 1945, she married Clifford Keeland in Joseph, Oregon. He died August 11, 1964.
Survivors include: five nephews, Kermit and Stanley Nipple, both of Liberal, Don and Carl Nipple, both of Hays, and Fred Nipple, Alamosa, Colorado. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Lee, Lyle, Leonard, Lowell and Lester Nipple.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 21, 1999, at Community Baptist Church, Hazelton, with Pastor Brad Daniels presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Keith Kaufman
Keith Kaufman, 58, died August 6, 1997, at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital. He was born February 20, 1939, at Kingman, the son of Gilbert G. and Cora Albright Kaufman. A Medicine Lodge resident since 1966, coming from South Haven, he was a retired school teacher and coach, having taught for 33 years. After retiring, he was employed by Farm Bureau Insurance Co. as a crop adjuster. He attended First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, and belonged to the Kansas National Education Association. On June 19, 1969, he married Jean Sisson at Medicine Lodge. She survives. Other survivors include: a son and daughter-in-law, Alan K. and Susan, Bedford, Texas; a daughter, Julie K. Kaufman, LIttleton, Colo.; and two granddaughters, Kristen Kaufman and Kelli Kaufman, both of Bedford.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 9, 1997, at the First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, with Rev. Tom Walters presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery.

Gene Hilton Shirley
Gene Hilton Shirley, 82, died August 11, 1999, at Tomball Regional Medical Center, Tomball, Texas. He was born February 27, 1917, at Alva, Oklahoma, the son of Orvil and Daisy Bagenstos Shirley. He was a graduate of Northwestern State College, Alva. A Syracuse resident for the past 20 years, moving from Medicine Lodge, he served as Hamilton County Hospital administrator for five years before retiring in 1984. He belonged to First Christian Church at Alva, Attica, Medicine Lodge and Syracuse, serving as deacon and elder, was a member of the Elks Club, the Lions Club, the Kansas Arthritis Association, the Syracuse Golf and Country Club, and was a former hospital board member in Syracuse, and was listed in both the Kansas and National Who's Who in Hospital Administration. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. On February 25, 1944, he married Edith "Gerry" Blowers at Corpus Christi, Texas. She died December 9, 1989.
Survivors include: a son, James, Sierra Vista, Arizona; two daughters, Judy Cody, Tomball, and Janice Hatcher, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monay, August 16, 1999, at Zion Lutheran Church, Alva, with the Rev. Dick Cody presiding. Interment was in Alva Cemetery. There was a memorial service Tuesday at First Christian Church, Syracuse, with Bruce Sneed presiding.
Memorials may be sent to the Hamilton County Extended Care Courtyard Project in care of Greene Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Richard Smith
Richard Smith, 61, of Salem, died Saturday, February 3, 1996. He was born in Manito, Illinois, July 19, 1934. He graduated from high school there and worked as a claims specialist and property damage supervisor for State Farm Insurance for 33 years in California and the Salem area. He also served in the Air Force during the Korean War and belonged to the American Legion Capital Post 9 and the Salem Elks Lodge. His interests included youth activities and golf. He married Rosalie Page at United Methodist Church, Hazelton. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Steven, and daughter, Sandra Salter, both of Salem; brother, Marvin of San Diego; and four grandchildren. Services were held at Morningside United Methodist Church, where he was a member. Memorial contributions: American Cancer Society, Marion County Unit, 161 High Street SE, Suite 208-C, Salem 97301.

Elmer Dale Thompson
Elmer Dale Thompson, 73, died August 8, 1999, at Kansas Heart Hospital, Wichita. He was born July 15, 1926, at Isabel the son of Elmer "Bud" and Ruby Dixon Thompson. He attended Social Plains Country School and graduated from Isabel High School in 1944. He was a retired postmaster and rural mail carrier in Isabel and Nashville and operated the K-42 Rock Shop, Isabel for many years. He belonged to First Christian Church and the Pratt Historical Society, both at Pratt, the Hutchinson Gem and Mineral Society and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. On May 21, 1950, he married Moonyene L. Miller at Great Bend. In 1990, he married Della Thornton Almond at Pratt. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Craig Thompson, Osaka, Japan; a stepson, Vernon Almond, Wichita; a daughter, Claudia Vollbracht, Medicine Lodge; a stepdaughter, the Rev. Rhonda Almond, Wichita; and five grandsons. Graveside service was Wednesday, August 11, 1999, in Isabel Cemetery, with the Rev. Bob Schreiner presiding.
Memorials may be sent to First Christian Church, Pratt, and Isabel United Methodist Church, Isabel both in care of Larrison-Forsyth Mortuary, Pratt.

Bernice Gibson Taylor
Bernice Gibson Taylor, 79, died August 1, 1999, at Kidron Bethel Health Care Center, Newton. She was born July 23, 1920, at Clay Center, the daughter of George W. and Grace Walker Bale. A Medicine Lodge resident since 1954, coming from Isabel, she was a junior high school teacher, retiring in 1990. She belonged to the United Methodist Church, was a life member of Lorraine Chapter No. 39 of the Order of Eastern Star and the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and was a member of Chapter Nu Epsilon of Beta Sigma Phi. In 1996, she received her 50 year pin in the OES and had been a Worthy Matron at Isabel OES in 1958. On February 10, 1945, she married Clyde L. Gibson. He died in July 1972. On March 2, 1974, she married Oscar Taylor. He survives. Other survivors include: a son, Thomas L. Gibson, Newton; a stepson, Jerry Taylor, Lubbock, Texas; four step-daughters, Barbara Harbaugh, Sharon, Joan Myers, Mountainview, California, Sue Gates, San Juan Capistrano, California, and Gloria Myers, Redding, California; a brother, Dr. George W. Bale, Germantown, Tennessee; two grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and numerous step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 4, 1999, at United Methodist Church, Medicine lodge, with the Rev. Jim Godbey presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the church, to USD 254 or the Medicine Lodge Golf Club, all in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Joan Whelan
Joan Whelan, 71, Medicine Lodge, went to be with the Lord on July 31, 1999. She is survived by her husband, Gene Whelan. She is also survived by their four children: Greg of Medicine Lodge, Tim of Joplin, Missouri, Mick of St. Louis, Missouri, and Karen Willits of Oskaloosa, and by 11 grandchildren. Joan was born on August 26, 1927 in Medicine Lodge to Brice and Emma Duncan. Her only sibling, Beuford Brice Duncan, preceded her in death. Joan worked at a variety of businesses in Medicine Lodge, including Bryan Oil, Lodge Chevrolet and the City of Medicine Lodge, but her primary and most loved responsibilities were those of wife, mother and homemaker. Joan was a member of a Bridge Club, Holy Rosary Altar Society, and the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Vigil services were held Tuesday, August 3, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The funeral mass was held at the church on Wednesday, August 4, at 10:30 a.m. with Father Anthony Suellentrop officiating. Joan was laid to rest in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials have been established through Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home for the American Heart Association and Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The family expresses its deepest and most sincere "thank you" for everyone who so generously showered us with flowers, food, cards and most importantly, prayers.

Hazel Lampe
Hazel Lampe, 88, died July 21, 1999, at her home in Pratt. She was born July 30, 1910, in Barber County, the daughter of Robert and Sarah Adams Wilkins. A lifetime Pratt area resident, living in Sharon and Isabel, she was employed for 35 years at Pratt Regional Medical Center. She belonged to Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pratt. On December 25, 1928, she married Earnest H. Lampe at Nashville, Kansas. He died June 15, 1976.
Survivors include: two daughters, Mary Lou Fetterman and JoAnn Pearce, both of Pratt; a sister, Cordelia L. Wilkins, Pratt; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Cecil Wilkins.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 26, 1999, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pratt. Burial was in Green-Lawn Cemetery, Pratt.
Memorials may be sent to the church, South Wind Hospice or cancer research, all in care of Ayres-Calbeck Mortuary, Pratt.