Harold M. Guilliams
Harold M. Guilliams, 91, a 1924 graduate of Decatur Community High School, died Jan. 5, 1998, at a hospital in Topeka. He was born Feb. 9, 1906, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of George Lee and Daisy (Munns) Guilliams. He attended schools in Kansas City, Mo.; Kemper Military Academy, Booneville, Mo.; and Decatur Community High School. He married Marie Van Orsdol in Topeka on Dec. 28, 1940. She died Jan. 20, 1980. He spent three years in the Navy in World War II and was a member of the PT Squadron in the South Pacific Theatre covering many of the islands, including Okinawa, where he was serving when the war ended. He was a retired realtor and had been a real estate appraiser. He was a member in Golden Rule Lodge; Scottish Rite Bodies, Arab Shrine, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post; and American Legion, all of Topeka. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. He was a brother of the late Ethyl Riley. No services were planned. Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements and burial was at Mt. Washington Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo. A memorial was established to donor's choice.

Maxine Mockry
Maxine Mockry, 76, a native of the Kanona area, died Jan. 5, 1998, in Manhattan. She was born near Kanona on Feb. 26, 1921, the daughter of Glenn and Lora (Hunsaker) Heller. She was reared near Kanona and attended Decatur Community High School. She married Howard W. Mockry on March 8, 1941. She worked as a clerk in the Navy Department during World War II and later worked in food service. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Manhattan. Survivors include three sons, Glenn R. Mockry, Manhattan; Lynn J. and Kathy Mockry, Los Angeles; and Eldon F. and Anita Mockry, Lenexa; a brother, Daughn and Judy Mockry, North Platte, Neb.; two sisters, Roxie Tuller, Cambridge, Neb., and Ruby Taylor, McCook; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant son, Howard Max Mockry; two sisters, Glenda Conry and Bonnie Bethel; and a brother-in-law, Dane Tuller. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin. The Rev. David Randall officiated and burial was at the Oberlin Cemetery. A memorial was established to the American Diabetes Association and contributions may be left at the funeral home.

Gordon Clyde Railsback
Gordon Clyde Railsback, 78, a native of Decatur County and World War II veteran who witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor, died Jan. 9, 1998, at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He was born Feb. 2, 1919, on a farm southeast of Oberlin, one of 11 children born to Clyde and Irma (Brooks) Railsback. He was reared on the family farm northeast of Oberlin. He attended Bethel Country School; Norcatur High School; and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1937. He furthered his education at Denver University in Denver. He served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II and attained the rank of Sergeant before receiving his honorable discharge. He married Ethel Cathcart on Aug. 4, 1946, at the United Methodist Church in Oberlin. They lived in Denver before returning to Decatur County, where they farmed northeast of Oberlin in Sherman Township and was also a truck driver. They retired from farming in 1986 and they moved to Wichita in 1995. He was a member of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church; Oberlin American Legion Post; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Pearl Harbor Survivors; and 49th Air Depot. Survivors include his wife, Ethel of the home; a son, Tom, Great Falls, Mont.; two daughters, Mary and Mike Dicke, Wichita; and Marian and Jim Brink, Fort Collins, Colo.; five grandchildren, Jeff and Penny Hayward, Hays; and Anne, Benjamin and Emily Dicke, Wichita; two brothers, Edward and Florence Railsback, Buffalo, N.Y., and Russell and MaryAnne Railsback, Corvallis, Ore.; a sister, Olive and Walt Hafner, Herndon; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lyle, Cloyce, Leon, and Cloyd; and three sisters, Gail Railsback; Lila Paddock; and Jacquetta Ward. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin. The Rev. David Randall officiated and burial was in the Oberlin Cemetery with committal rites by the Oberlin American Legion Post. A memorial was established to Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church or Oberlin City Library and contributions may be sent to Ethel Railsback, 2011 Porter, #141, Wichita, Kan. 67203.

Jeff and Penny Hayward
John Adolph Riedel
John Adolph Riedl, 69, father of Carol Wessel of Dresden, died Dec. 29, 1997, in a farm accident on his farm near Park. He was born Nov. 12, 1928, at St. Peter, the son of John Joseph and Anna Kay (Rome) Riedel. He married Odilia (Dilly) Weber on June 19, 1956, at Park. They lived at Park, where he was a farmer. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church; was Faithful Navigator for the fourth degree Knights of Columbus; past member and Grand Knight of the Nights of Columbus of Park for 44 years. He was also caretaker of the Knights of Columbus Hall and Sacred Heart Cemetery at Park. Survivors include his wife, Dilly, of the home; his mother, Anna K. Riedel, St. Peter; three daughters, Carol and Bill Wessel, Dresden; Roberta and Burton Pianalto, Goodland; and Alberta and Roy Williams, Colorado Springs; two sons, Steve of Park; and Joseph and Kathy, Quinter; three brothers; seven sisters; and 20 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Joe; and two sisters, Isabelle Fiffe, and Aurelia Artzer. Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 2, 1998, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park. Burial was at the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Park.

Vernon N. Erickson
Vernon N. Erickson, 75, a native of the Jennings area, died Jan. 6, 1998, at Hays Medical Center. He was born Sept. 24, 1922, on a farm near Jennings, the son of Lawrence and Vallie (Walden) Erickson. He graduated from Jennings High School in 1940, and served with the United States Air Force. He married Carol L. Koons in Hays in Dec. 1, 1946. He retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1980. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church; Telephone Pioneers of America; Humane Society; and Ellis County Historical Society, all of Hays. Survivors include his wife, Carol of the home; two daughters, Ruth Ann Aschwege, Hays; and Janet Lynne Staab, Wichita; two brothers, Kenneth, Clarkston, Wash.; and Curtis, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Charles. Funeral services were held Friday morning at the First Presbyterian Church in Hays. The Rev. David Pieplow officiated and burial was in Mount Allen Cemetery, Hays. Memorials were suggested for the First Presbyterian Church choir and contributions may be sent to Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 20th and Pine, Hays, Kan. 67601.

Helen Friedemann
Helen Friedemann, 90, a native of the Herndon area, died Jan. 14, 1998, at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin. She was born near Herndon, the daughter of Theodore H. and Theresia (Pfann) Berndt. She was reared near Herndon in Decatur County and attended rural Grade School District No. 17. She married Robert J. Friedemann on June 24, 1931, near Herndon. They lived in Liberty Township for 13 years before moving to Oberlin. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and Lutheran Women's Guild. Survivors include a sister, Mildred and Roger Day, Greeley, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Eva Berndt, Modesto, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant son, Gilbert; a brother, Harold; and three sisters, Louise, Thelma and Clara. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin. The Rev. Paul Kaldahl officiated and burial was at the Oberlin Cemetery. A memorial was established to the Women's Guild and contributions may be left at the funeral home.

Mary A. Gilbert
Mary A. Gilbert, 68, wife of Lester Gilbert, a native of Achilles in Rawlins County, died Jan. 14, 1998, at her residence in rural Fall River. She was born Aug. 7, 1929, at Burdick, the daughter of Charles and Mary Ann (Friedli) Ziebell, and was a retired seamstress. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary in Newton. Her husband is the son of the late William and Eva Gilbert. Survivors include her husband, Lester, Fall River; a son, William R. Grundman, Hutchinson; five daughters, Mary Ellen Ewy and Linda Lee Simmons, Springfield, Mo.; Debra Ann Hatcher, Hutchinson; Jane Boyce and Cindy Marie Lutes, McPherson; two brothers, Milton Ziebell, Waukesha, Wis., and Lee Friedli, Gateway, Colo.; a sister, Charlotte Harding, Waukesha, Wis.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held Tuesday afternoon at Timmons Funeral Home in Fredonia.

Esther B. Glenn
Esther B. Glenn, 90, a native of Norcatur, died Jan. 15, 1998 in the Meadowlark Hills Health Care Center in Manhattan. She was born at Norcatur on March 31, 1907, the daughter of Emerson and Katherine (Nedrow) Beachel. She was reared at Norcatur, where she attended school, graduating from Norcatur High School in 1924. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina and later received a Master of Science Degree from Kansas State University in 1938. She had also worked on her doctorate at the University of Denver and the University of Wisconsin. She married P.J. Dominick in 1939 at Wichita. He preceded her in death in 1948. She later married Robert E. Glenn in Manhattan in 1954 and he died in 1963. She taught in high schools at Osborne, Norton, and Chanute. In 1948, she moved to Manhattan to teach English at Kansas State University. She taught for 25 years and retired in 1973 as an assistant professor of English. She also served as associate editor of the Beech Aircraft Magazine for five years and as a reporter for the Wichita Beacon. She was a member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Manhattan, and the Altar Society Circle No. 3. Other memberships included the Manhattan Business and Professional Women's Club since 1948, the Delta Kappa Gamma teachers honorary society, and was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi at Kansas State University in 1938. Survivors include several nephews and nieces. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers and one sister. A rosary and memorial service were held Friday morning at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan. The Rev. David Metz officiated and inurnment was Friday afternoon at the Norcatur Cemetery with the Rev. John Walsh officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, c/o the funeral home, 1317 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kan., 66502.

Lois McBride
Lois Annette McBride, 73, a graduate of Selden High School, died Dec. 22, 1997, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Visalia, Calif. She was born at Lebanon, Neb., on June 7, 1924, the daughter of Lee and Mamie (Edwards) Bell. She was crippled by polio at the age of 4 and was reared on her parents' farm northwest of Selden. She earned a bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University and a Masters Degree in Speech Therapy from the University of Denver. She was a speech therapist for 35 years and was employed with the Tulare City School District. She married Richard McBride and he preceded her in death. She was a member of the Tulare Church of Christ; Tulare Palette Club; the Retired California Teachers Association; American Speech and Language Association; Soroptimist Club; and a former member of Eastern Star. Survivors include three nephews, Bob Zimmerman, Liberal; Jerry Hill, Rexford; and Larry Hill, Selden; and a niece, Cheryl Greenlee, Beaver, Okla. Services were held in Tulare, Calif.

Kim Betts
Funeral services are pending for Kim Betts, 43, who died Monday at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colo. Pauls Funeral Home of Oberlin is in charge of arrangements.

Ranie H. Love
Ranie H. Love, a 1930 graduate of Decatur Community High School, died Jan. 1, 1998, in Wichita. He was born Oct. 18, 1913, at Cedar Bluffs, the son of John Ranie and Hattie Bruce Hawkins Love. He was reared at Cedar Bluffs, where his father owned and operated Love General Store. They later sold the store and moved to Oberlin, where he attended school. He was employed at Farmers National Bank for two years after graduating from high school. In 1932 he enrolled at the University of Kansas, where he majored in business and accounting. He graduated in June 1936 and received his appointment as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army. A year later he was recommended to Winkler-Koch Engineering Company in Wichita by an accounting firm which he had joined after graduation, an association which spanned five decades. He entered active duty in 1942 as a 1st lieutenant and after several promotions became a Lt. Colonel in December 1945. He married Alma Eileen Reyer and she died in July 1970. He later married Fannie Marie Rogers. Survivors include his wife, Fannie; a sister, Lorraine Maxine Love, Topeka; a daughter, Karen and Don B. Dale, Coronado, Calif.; two granddaughters, Lauren Eileen Dale, San Diego; and Regan Marie Dale, Coronado; two step-sons, Tony and Rick Rogers; two step-daughters, Teri Rogers and Chris Lob; and eight step-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ranie Reid Love, in 1968. Funeral services were held at Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Wichita and burial was at Rose Hill Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Fort Riley military. A scholarship fund was started by his daughter and contributions may be sent c/o KU Endowment Office; Endowment Fund #853687, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, Kan. 66044.

Kim Errol Betts
Kim Betts, 43, a 1973 graduate of Decatur Community High School, died Jan. 19, 1998, at the Lutheran Hospital in Wheatridge, Colo. He was born Jan. 12, 1955, in Oberlin, the son of James R. Betts and Ella (Maggard) Betts. He was reared in Oberlin and attended Oberlin Elementary School. He continued his education after graduating from high school at Kansas State University for two years, then transferred to Auraria College in Denver. He married Stephanie Simons at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Boulder, Colo., on Aug. 21, 1993. They lived in Wheatridge where he worked as a stock broker. He was a member of the Colorado Real Estate Commission; National Association of Security Dealers; and Kansas Insurance Commission. Survivors include his wife, Stephanie, Wheatridge; a son, Jacob Cummings, Shawnee Mission; his father, James R. Betts, Windsor, Colo.; his mother, Ella Betts, Oberlin; two sisters, Jody Olmer, Washington, D.C., and Jan Ray, Mission Hills. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oberlin. The Rev. James Hoover and Sister Marilyn Wall officiated and burial was in the Oberlin Cemetery. Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin-Selden, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be given in his name to the Oberlin Municipal Airport, for Masses, or to the charity of the donor's choice.

John Joseph Lawn
John Joseph Lawn, 74, an employee of the Kansas State Highway Department for many years, died Jan. 22, 1998, at his home in Norcatur. He was born Aug. 23, 1923, at Concordia, the son of John B. and Margaret (Dellere) Lawn. He attended grade school in Norton County and was a 1942 graduate of Norton High School. He served in the Army during World War II. He married Dorothy Foster on July 29, 1948, in Norton. They lived in Norton until moving to Norcatur, where he also farmed. He was a member of St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all of Norton. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of Norcatur; two sons, James and Lea and Kevin and Lori, all of Kearney, Neb.; six daughters, Priscilla and Michael Duncan, Aurora, Colo.; Patricia Beachel, Gothenburg, Neb.; Donna Wiscombe, Bradford, Ontario, Canada; Loretta and Ed Flower, Norton; Marlina Jones, McCook; and Brenda Millan, Salome, Ariz.; 19 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, John Richard; a granddaughter, Berkley Millan; and in-laws, Douglas and Pearl Foster. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the church in Norton. The Rev. John Walsh officiated and burial was in the Norton Cemetery with Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin-Selden, in charge of arrangements. Memorials were established to the Norton County Hospice; Norcatur Citizens Alliance; or donor's choice and contributions may be left at the funeral home.

Maurice Gail Oliver
Maurice Gail Oliver, 70, longtime manager of Bartlett Grain Elevator at Rexford, died Jan. 20, 1998, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby. He was born June 26, 1927, on his grandparents' home northwest of Rexford, the son of Marion Gilbert and Mildred Leora (Preston) Oliver. He was reared in Ellis and Thomas counties and attended schools in Hays and Rexford. He was a 1947 graduate of Rexford High School. He served as a Fireman 1st Class in the Navy following World War II. He married Doris Jean Shaw, daughter of Ernest and Anna (Pavlicek) Shaw, on June 30, 1948, in Colby, and they made their home in Rexford. He was a member of the Rexford Community Church, St. Thomas Masonic Lodge of Colby and Rexford Lions Club, and Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Doris Jean of Rexford; three daughters, Marla and Dennis Rogers, Selden; Mary Lou and Thomas Lambing, McCook; and Marilyn and Carl Medina, Vista, Calif.; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Rexford Community Church. The Rev. Gary Taylor officiated and burial was in the Selden Cemetery with military graveside services by the Rexford American Legion Post. Pauls Funeral Home of Selden was in charge of arrangements. A memorial was established in his name and contributions may be left at the funeral home in Selden or Oberlin.

Robert D. Underwood
Robert D. Underwood, 75, husband of former Decatur County native, Janice (Cleland) Underwood, died Jan. 21, 1998, in Denver. He was born April 10, 1922, at St. Mary's. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1945 and was construction superintendent for Al Cohen Construction for many years. Survivors include his wife, Janice, Denver; a son, L. M. "Mike" Underwood, Denver; a daughter, Jean Ann Howard, Evergreen, Colo.; a sister, Elsie Neff, Durango, Colo.; a brother-in-law, Hank Breeden, Bennett, Colo., and nine grandchildren. Graveside services were held Monday afternoon at the Norcatur Cemetery. The Rev. Bruce Ferguson officiated. Harrison Chapel of Colby was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1280 South Parker Road, Denver, Colo., 80231, or the donor's choice.

Kendall J. Coddington
Kendall J. Coddington, 41, a nephew of Veda Wood and Ona Van Gundy of Norcatur, died Jan. 23, 1997, at his home in Kimball, Neb. He was born June 21, 1956, at Hays, the son of Wayne and Dixie (Van Gundy) Coddington. He was reared and attended schools in Kansas and Nebraska, graduating from North Platte High School. He moved to Kimball, Neb., in 1980, where he was a cook at the Hick'ry Inn for 15 years. Survivors also include his mother and step-father, Dixie and Elvin Wood, Canadian, Okla; aunts, Arlita Akers, Hedville; Margery Carter, Cheyenne Wells, Colo.; Twila and Lee Vernon, Arvada, Colo.; Bonnie Klein, Atwood; and Sheryl and Richard Patteron, Hendrix, Okla.; uncles, Dean and Edith Van Gundy, Manitou Springs, Colo.; and Lee Ival and Vera Van Gundy, Edmonds, Wash. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father; and a brother, Meredith, Coddington. Memorial services are pending. Cremation was at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. A memorial was established to the American Diabetes Association and contributions may be sent to Cantrell Funeral Home, 609 South Walnut, Kimball, Neb., 69145.

Estella Gall
Estella Gall, 86, a 1930 graduate of Decatur Community High School, died Jan. 15, 1998. She was born Jan. 25, 1911, in Sheridan County near Grinnell, the eldest child of Ed and Anna (Cremer) Wegman. The family moved to a farm five miles south of Seguin five years later. She attended high school in Grinnell and after graduating in Oberlin, she graduated as a nurse from Mercy Hospital in Denver. She joined the armed forces in 1938 and worked at the military hospital in Honolulu. She married Clyde Gall on Oct. 2, 1941, and he died in 1985. Survivors include a daughter, Shirley McHugh, Alamosa, Colo.; a son, Robert, Boulder, Colo.; a brother, Victor, Westminster, Colo.; a sister, Esther and Harley Lawson, Centerville, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Sera Wegman, Denver; and Vivian Wegman, Hoxie; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Raymond and Clarence; and a sister-in-law, Jean Wegman. Funeral services were held Jan. 20, 1998, at St. James Catholic Church in Denver. Burial was in Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver.

Walter J. Holmdahl
Walter J. Holmdahl, 87, a native of the Midway community in Rawlins County, died Jan. 29, 1998, at the Lompoc Convalescent and Residential Care Center. He was born Jan. 1, 1911, south of Herndon, the son of Swedish immigrants Erik and Anna Holmdahl. He spent his childhood on the family homestead. He had formerly operated the Sweet Shop in Oberlin with his brother-in-law, Gilbert Anderson. He married Genevieve Rupp in Dodge City in 1937 and they moved to California in 1939. They lived in Torrance and the Santa Ynez Valley before moving to Lompoc in 1950 where he was a farmer and rancher. He was a member of the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau; a former Santa Barbara County Fair Director; and served as a member of the Lompoc Unified School District from 1958-1962. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife, Genevieve "Gene" Holmdahl, Lompoc; a son, DeWayne and Bonnie Holmdahl, Lompoc; a sister, Adelia Anderson, Oberlin; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and five sisters. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the church in Lompoc with the Rev. Ernest Freund officiating. Burial was at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. A memorial was established to the First Presbyterian Church, 1600 Berkeley Drive, Lompoc, Calif., 93438; or the American Diabetes Association.

Lila L. Jones
Lila Lucille Jones, 72, a native of the Traer community, died Jan. 28, 1998, at the home of her daughter in Menlo. She was born April 1, 1925, in Traer, the daughter of Arthur Leon and Clara (Porterfield) Carlisle. She attended Traer Grade School and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1943. She married William "Bill" Jones on Dec. 25, 1953. They made their home in Traer and Oberlin, where they owned and operated grocery stores for several years. She had also worked as a bookkeeper. Since her husband's death she lived at McCook until moving to Colby. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Oberlin; Peace Lutheran Church in McCook; Toastmasters International and Business and Professional Women's Club in McCook. She had also been a volunteer at the McCook Humane Society. Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie and Kelly Schiltz, Menlo, and Connie Gonzales, Albuquerque, N.M.; two brothers, Dale and Lenore Carlisle, Traer, and Don and Shirley Carlisle, Prescott, Ariz.; a sister, Joye Trussel, St. Charles, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Cory, Christopher, Kathleen and Carlisle Schiltz. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son, William Arthur. Funeral services were held Friday morning at St. John's Lutheran Church in Oberlin. The Rev. Don Stuckwisch officiated and burial was in the Oberlin Cemetery with arrangements by Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin-Selden. A memorial was established to the Thomas County Hospice or American Cancer Society and contributions may be left at the funeral home.

Sarah Frances Nitcher
Sarah Frances Nitcher, 96, a native of Decatur County, died Jan. 29, 1998, at her home in Harbor City, Calif. She was born on Nov. 20, 1901 in a sod house on the farm of her parents, Arthur and Mary (Payne) Nitcher, southwest of Oberlin. She graduated from Decatur County High School in 1921 and taught for five years in country schools. She worked in the statehouse in Topeka before moving to Los Angeles in 1941. She worked as an accountant for an electrical equipment company until her retirement in 1966. She was a member of Dr. J. Vernon McGee's Church of the Open Door. Survivors include a sister, Florence Muller, Salina; and nephews and nieces, including Odene Koehler, Elaine Mines and Irel Lohoefener, Oberlin. Her remains were interred at Pacific View Memorial Park, Newport Beach, Calif., next to her sister, Maude Hoffman.

Libbie E. Shaw
Libbie Erma Shaw, 88, a native of the Jennings community, died Jan. 29, 1998, at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born May 12, 1909, one of seven children of Cedelie and Mary (Petrasek) Vacura, on a farm near Jennings. She was reared there and attended Jackson Grade School District No. 33 and Jennings High School. She married Lawrence L. Shaw, son of Elmer and Laura (Carman) Shaw, in Colby on Oct. 16, 1946. They lived on a farm northwest of Selden on the Prairie Dog Creek, and later moved to his parents' farm. She was active in the Selden United Methodist Church and Selden United Methodist Women, attended a Bible study group; and was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge No. 153; National Campers and Hikers Association and Ringneck Camper Club. She and her husband moved to Oberlin in 1977, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 9, 1979. Their only child, Connie Lynn, was killed in an accident in Atwood on May 7, 1963. Survivors include a sister, Marie Carman of Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin; a sister-in-law, Eva Marie Vacura, Oberlin; and nephews and nieces. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Jerry, Anton, and Rudolph Vacura; and two sisters, Oliva Petracek and Emma Shimek. Funeral services were held Monday at Pauls Funeral Home in Selden. The Rev. Ralph Jarboe officiated and interment was in the Selden Cemetery. Pauls Funeral Home, Oberlin-Selden was in charge of arrangements. A memorial was established to Cedar Living Center, Oberlin, or donor's choice.

Margaret Sloan
Margaret Sloan, 90, a homemaker from the Selden community, died Jan. 28. 1998, at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center. She was born Sept. 4, 1906, in Peoria, Ill., the daughter of John and Rosa (Hurni) Bielser. She was reared on a farm in the Hoxie area and attended Sunshine Country School. She married Lew Monteith and they lived in Selden for 17 years before his death. She married Orris B. Sloan on Oct. 31, 1954, at the Methodist Church in Selden. They also lived in Selden. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Garden Club, and Selden Senior Center. Survivors include a step-son, Leonard and Wilma Sloan, Carthage, Mo.; step-daughter-in-law, Virda Sloan, Wichita; a sister, Ruth Currier, Hoxie; four step-grandchildren; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; step-son, Robert W. Sloan; brothers, John H. and Robert E. Bielser; and a sister, Helen Padget. Funeral services were held on Saturday at Pauls Funeral Home in Selden. The Rev. Ralph Jarboe officiated and burial was at the Selden Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given in her name to the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center.

Jessie M. Chandler
Jessie M. Chandler, 91, aunt of Florence Vavroch, Charles Lincoln and JoAnn Ufford of Oberlin, died May 31, 2001, at Decatur County Good Samaritan Center. She was born Sept. 2, 1909, at the family farm near Cedar Bluffs in Decatur County, the daughter of George Spencer and Sarah Ellen (Goodenberger) Lincoln. She attended Valley View School, rural Cedar Bluffs, and graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1930. She furthered her education at Fort Hays State College and San Diego State College and received an education degree. She taught school 13 years at rural schools in Decatur County. She married Harry E. (Dick) Chandler on Sept. 10, 1943, in Atwood. After their marriage, they moved to California, where she taught a oneroom school in San Onofre and 20 years at Mary Fay Pendleton School in Oceanside. She retired in 1972 after dedicating 42 years to the teaching profession. She returned to Oberlin several years ago and later became a resident of Decatur County Good Samaritan Center. Survivors include two nephews, Charles and Donna Lincoln, Oberlin, and Paul Ambrose, Oregon; two nieces, Florence Vavroch and JoAnn and Calvin Ufford, Oberlin. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband;, brothers, Howard A. and George E. Lincoln, and sisters, Grace Dell Hawkins and Lucy Marietta Muller. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin. The Rev. Gary Fisher officiated and burial was in the Oberlin Cemetery. Memorials were established to the Oberlin City Library and Decatur County Good Samaritan Center. Contributions may be left at Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn, Oberlin, Kan., 67749.

Marjorie Belle Cooper
Marjorie Belle Cooper, 87, a longtime resident of Rawlins County, died May 31, 2001, at Decatur County Hospital in Oberlin. She was born Oct. 3, 1913, in Clay County, Texas, the daughter of Emerson David and Mary H. (McKelvey) Lindsey. As a baby, she moved from Texas to Oklahoma and graduated from High School at Shawnee. She later graduated from William Jennings Bryan Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Lincoln, Neb. She married Walter Hamilton Cooper on Jan. 24, 1938, and they lived on a farm northwest of Atwood. He preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 1971. She was a member of the Atwood United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, and was a former member of Eastern Star Radiant Chapter and Rebekah Lodge of Atwood. Survivors include: a son, W. Lindsey and Cheryl Cooper, Grand Junction, Colo.; a daughter, Juleta Jo and Perry Cook, Olathe; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents and two infant children, Karen and Randall Cooper. Funeral services were held Monday morning at the United Methodist Church in Atwood. The Rev. James Larson officiated and private burial was at Fairview Cemetery at Atwood. Memorials were established to the Rawlins County Ambulance Fund and contributions may be sent to Brantley Funeral Home, 215 S. Fourth, Atwood, Kan., 67749.

Josephine E. Kinser
Josephine E. Kinser, 78, mother of Linda Stanley of Oberlin, died May 31, 2001, at her home at the family farm near Clayton. She was born Dec. 12, 1922, in Jennings, the daughter Hugo and Anna (Stramp) Von Schuetz. She grew up in Jennings and graduated from Jennings High School in 1940. After attending Stewart s Beauty Academy in Topeka, she operated a beauty shop in Jennings with her sister, Elaine Mizell. In the 1960s, she owned and operated Jo s Beauty Shop in Jennings, retiring in 1990. She married Joseph G. Kinser on June 1, 1944, in Jennings. They lived on the Kinser family farm east of Allison. They attended the Allison Christian Church and later she was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Jennings, serving as a lay speaker. She was a member of Royal Neighbors of America; Tuesday Study Club; Jennings Heritage Association; American Legion Auxiliary; United Methodist Women and sang with the Sweet Adelines. Survivors include her children, Jerry and Sandi Kinser, Concordia; Linda and John Stanley, Oberlin; Kay and Tom Reedy, Hoxie; Janet and Damon Morrin, Miamisburg, Ohio; John and Kay Kinser, Pampa, Texas, and daughter-in-law, Mary Kinser, Jennings; a sister, Elaine Mizell; sister-in-law, Lois Bratt, and brother-in-law, Robert J. Burns; grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Doris and Frances; husband, Joe, and son, Tim. Funeral services were held Monday morning at the United Methodist Church in Jennings. The Rev. Glenn Krebs officiated and burial was at the Jennings Cemetery. Memorials were established to the church at Jennings or Jennings Heritage Association. Contributions may be left at Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn, Oberlin, Kan., 67749.