David Eastland
David Lee "Highpockets" Eastland, 69, Belton, Mo., died Monday, March 20, 2000, at his home. He was born March 26, 1931, in Morris, Kan. He served in the U.S. Army in 1951. He worked for Lakeside Hospital, retiring in 1985, and was a member of the Channel 18 Breakers CB Club. He was preceded in death by two sons, Vincent E. Eastland in 1985, and Curtis J. Eastland in 1993. He is survived by his wife Mary L. "Low Pockets" Eastland, of the home; a daughter, Lisa Hesprich, Overland Park, Kan.; two sons, Mark A. Eastland, Grandview, Mo., and Anthony Q. Eastland, Belton; 14 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, Overland Park. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the chapel. Burial will be at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be sent to Mary Eastland, c/o D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66210.

Lorene Eby
NEWTON - Lorene Marie Prather Eby, 81, Newton, died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000, at Newton Medical Center in Newton. She was born May 19, 1919, in rural Newton, the daughter of John E. Prather and Anna (Harvey) Prather. She married Olin H. Eby on Oct. 11, 1940, in Newton. She was a homemaker and a former teacher at Gingrass School for one year and at the Stone School for two years, both in rural Newton. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Newton, where she was a deacon and elder, and a member of the Crusiers organization. She also was a member of the Thursday Morning Coffee Club. She was preceded in death by a sister, Velma Dreier. Survivors include her husband, Olin H. Eby, Newton; two sons, Richard Eby, Overland Park, and Don Eby, Olathe; a sister, Barbara DuBois, Newton; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral is 2 p.m. today at the First United Presbyterian Church, Newton. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Permanent Endowment Fund, First United Presbyterian Church, in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Ardis Edwards
Ardis F. Edwards, 76, Edgerton, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at Olathe Medical Center. She was born July 26, 1923, in McPherson, the daughter of Eva A. (Smith) Sawyer and Elwyn A. Sawyer. She was a 1940 graduate of McPherson High School. She received a bachelor's degree in religious education in 1945 from Phillips University, Enid, Okla. She married W. Lee Edwards on Oct. 12, 1951, in Wichita. She had lived in Raytown, Mo., 1951-1962; in Overland Park, 1962-1969; and in Edgerton since 1969. After graduating from Phillips University, she was the Christian-education director at First Christian Church, Duncan, Okla., and later at First Christian Church in Wichita. She held the same post (1951-1954) at Country Club Christian Church, Kansas City, Mo. She was a draperies seamstress (1964-1989) for William Bailey Interior Decorating, Kansas, City, Mo. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Gardner and its Keen-agers. She also was a co-chairwoman of the Flower Department of the Johnson County Fair; a past president of Gardner Athena Federated Women's Club; a past president of Rock Creek Club in Edgerton; a volunteer at Meadowbrook Hospital for more than 15 years; and a member of Classic Ladies Masonic Shrine Car Club of Kansas City and Gardner Eastern Star No. 236. She was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Rourke Madron, and their two children, Janae and Rendle They were killed in a traffic accident on Oct. 26, 1999. Survivors include her husband, W. Lee Edwards, of the home; two daughters, Arleta Davey, Olathe, and Sonja Zimmerman, Basking Ridge, N.J.; a sister, Glenda Watson, Lexington, Ky.; a brother, Lowell Sawyer, McPherson; and seven grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner. The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 6, at First Baptist Church, Gardner. Burial will follow at Gardner Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or National Presbyterian Mariners

James Edwards
James W. "Jim" Edwards, 90, Olathe, died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000, at the Olathe Medical Center. He was born Jan. 2, 1910, in Clinton, Mo., the eldest of three brothers. He lived his early life in Eudora, and later married Doris Denley of Olathe. The couple moved to California to work in the aircraft industry during World War II, then returned with their newborn son, Michael. He worked as a maintenance engineer at the Montgomery Ward stores in Kansas City, Kan., until his retirement in the late 1970s. He held several union cards. His hobbies included hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Doris Edwards, in 1998. Survivors include his son, Michael Edwards, Roeland Park; granddaughter, Sherri Edwards, Olathe; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of a formal service, there will be a visitation at 5:15 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at the W.L. Frye and Son Mortuary and Crematory, Olathe. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Animal Haven,9800 W. 67th St., Overland Park, KS 66203.

Marcelia Edwards
Marcelia "Marcy" M. Lawrence Edwards, 81, died Tuesday, May 1, 2001, in Shawnee, Kan., at her daughter's home. Marcy was born on Feb. 17, 1920, in Gardner. She moved to Topeka 15 years ago when she married Paul Edwards, and she moved to Shawnee just three weeks ago. Marcy worked as an underwriter for Patrons Mutual Insurance Association for 28 years. She was also a real estate agent. She retired in 1982. She was a former member and elder of the Gardner Presbyterian Church, and at the time of death, was a member of Maple Hill Congregational Church in Maple Hill, Kan., where she was also a member of the Maple Leaf Club. Mrs. Edwards was a member of the Gardner American Legion LeRoy Hill Post No. 19 Auxiliary. Her daughters think it was very fitting that their mother was crowned Miss Johnson County Beauty Queen. She was not only beautiful on the outside, but beautiful within. Marcy graduated from Gardner High School in 1938 and she attended Gardner Elementary School and Lanesfield School. In 1939 Marcy married Howard "Chig" Freeman Lawrence. He died on June 19, 1981 and she later married Paul Albert Edwards on Oct. 27, 1984, who survives at the home west of Topeka. Marcy is preceded in death by her parents, George M. Rankin and Ethel Moore Rankin; a brother, Howard Rankin; and a sister, Velma Campbell. She is survived by three daughters, Sandi Lawrence Clement, Olathe, Cheryl Lawrence Betz, Pikeville, Ky., and Cindy Lawrence Gessley, Shawnee; two brothers, Homer Rankin and Harold "Bunnee" Rankin, both of Gardner; two sisters, Merle Winters, Gardner, and Dorothy "Deanie" Kelleher, Olathe; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Gardner Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to a memorial fund at either the Maple Hill Congregational Church or Gardner Presbyterian Church in lieu of flowers.

Ralph Edwards
Ralph Edwards, 62, Olathe, formerly of Erie, Kan., died Jan. 6, 2000, at the Olathe Medical Center's emergency room. He was born April 10, 1937, northwest of Erie, to Marion R. Edwards and Anna Irene (McGowen) Edwards. After graduating from Erie High School in 1955, he joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1959. He married Betty Naff on April 28, 1956, at Erie Federated Church. Following his Navy discharge, he moved to Olathe. He worked for the Perfect Circle Piston and Ring Corporation; the Dana Corporation; and later for the Olathe School District, retiring in 1991. He was a member of the Maple Hill Presbyterian Church, Merriam; the George L. Hendricks Post No. 102, American Legion, Erie; the Erie Lodge No. 76 A.F. & A.M.; the Abdallah Temple, Overland Park; and the Scottish Rite of Kansas City, Kan. He was a past associate guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel No. 36, Olathe. Survivors include his wife Betty of Olathe; two daughters, Debra Widmer, Olathe, and Donna Anello, Paola; his mother, Irene Edwards, Erie; and a brother, Ray Edwards, Erie; and three grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 8 at Erie Federated Church. Burial, with masonic rites and military honors, was in East Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital. Arrangements were by Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Erie.

Craig Eells
Craig Alan Eells, 28, Gardner, died Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000, at his home. He was born Sept. 4, 1972, in Wichita, Kan., where he grew up. He was a graduate of Southeast High School, Wichita, and had attended Wichita State University and Butler County Community College. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gardner. Survivors include his mother, Kathleen T. Ludwick Eells, of the home; a brother, Sean Eells, of the home; and a sister, Brooke Eells, of the home; and eight small service dogs, also of the home. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, with a devotional of the Sacred Heart at 7 p.m., at the Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner. The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gardner. Burial will be at St. Columbia Catholic Cemetery, Gardner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, c/o Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 122 E. Warren, Gardner, KS 66030.

Bill Ellis
Bill Ellis, 88, Humboldt, Kan., died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2000, at Pinecrest Nursing Home, Humboldt. He was born Feb. 16, 1912, in Mountain View, Mo., the son of Irvin Greenberry and Ruth Ellis. He lived in the Colony, Kan. area for most of his life. He was a farmer, stockman and trucker who hauled hay and cattle. He married Lois Marie Shepard on Aug. 19, 1939, in Colony. She died July 20, 2000. He also was preceded in death by one son, Jerry Ellis; two grandsons; one brother, Claude Ellis; and three sisters, Pauline Ray, Delight Carnes and Pansy Parks. Survivors include six sons, Jack Ellis, Humboldt,; Guy Ellis, Williamsburg, Kan.; Rex and Rick Ellis, both of Iola; Ron Ellis, Leroy, Kan.; and Randy Ellis, Olathe; three daughters, Pat Baker, Olathe; Sheila Mann, Humboldt; and Lesa Sherwood, Leroy, Kan.; 32 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel, Colony. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Colony Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Bill Ellis Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.

Lois Ellis
Lois Marie Ellis, 78, Humboldt, Kan., died Thursday, July 20, 2000, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. She was born May 3, 1922, in Wayne County, Iowa, the daughter of Madison P. and Bessie V. Maude (Offield) Shepard. She married Oliver Elmer "Bill" Ellis on Aug. 19, 1939, in Colony, Kan. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Ellis; two brothers, Bob Shepard and Melvin Shepard; and two grandsons. Survivors include her husband, Oliver E. "Bill" Ellis, of the home; six sons, Guy Ellis, Williamsburg, Kan., Jack Ellis, Humboldt, Rex Ellis and Rick Ellis, both of Iola, Ron Ellis, Leroy, and Randy Ellis, Olathe; three daughters, Pat Baker, Olathe, Sheila Mann, Humboldt, and Lesa J. Sherwood, Leroy; four sisters, Myrtle Francis, Colony, Norma Kester, Yates Center, Reva Turner, Ottawa, and Murel O'Lecha, Jerome, Idaho; 32 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Her body will lie in state from 8 to 10 a.m. today at the Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel, Colony. The funeral will be 10 a.m. today at the chapel. Burial will be at the Colony Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arrowwood Lane Assisted Care facility in Humboldt or the American Diabetes Association, which may be left in care of the funeral home.

Robert Engle
Robert "Bob" Jerome Engle, 77, Memphis, Mo., died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, at Scotland County Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Mo. He was born Feb. 18, 1923, in Herculaneum, Mo., the son of William McKinley and Bertha (White) Engle. He attended grade school in Herculaneum and graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, Mo. A World War II veteran, he had joined the U.S. Navy on Dec. 7, 1942, where he served as an Aviation Electrician's Mate, Second Class. He earned the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Ribbon, and was honorably discharged in August 1946. He returned to St. Louis, Mo., and began a sales career. He married Mary Elizabeth Kreutzer on June 7, 1952. They moved in 1955 to Kirksville, Mo., and in 1964 to Memphis, Mo., where he managed the J. Burdman Auto Parts Store until his retirement in 1984. He was member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Memphis, the Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4958 in Memphis, and the Disabled American Veterans. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Engle, on Dec. 29, 1998. Survivors include two sons, Robert Engle, Jefferson City, Mo., Cary Engle, Lawrence, and Jeff Engle, Olathe; a daughter, Lisa Tague, Gorin, Mo.; two half-brothers, Don and Richard Engle; and a half-sister, Mary Ann Rout; and nine grandchildren. The funeral will be 11 a.m. today at the Gerth Funeral Chapel in Memphis, Mo. Burial will follow at the Maple Hill Cemetery, Kirksville, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Memphis, Mo., c/o Gerth Funeral Service, 115 S. Main, Memphis, MO 63555.

Diane Erickson
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Diane A. Erickson, 56, Kansas City, Kan., died Friday, May 25, 2001. She was a data entry clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. She was preceded in death by her father, Archie L. Sherrell. Survivors include her mother, Vivian I. Sherrell; two sons, Johnny Erickson and Dusty Erickson; a daughter, Julie Dartt; a sister, Karen Howard; and five grandchildren. The funeral will be 11 a.m. today at Charter Funerals/ Kansas Chapel, 10250 W. 63rd St., Merriam. She will be buried at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation.

Oliver Erickson
Oliver J. "Eric" Erickson, 91, died Feb. 16, 2000, at Brighton Gardens, Prairie Village. He was born in Kansas City, Kan., and lived his entire life in the Kansas City area. He was office manager for Katz Drug Company for 31 years, and also became treasurer and a board of directors member. After retiring from Katz, he had a custom marble business in Olathe. He was a member of Village Presbyterian Church, and a former 35-year member of Milburn Country Club. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Bonnie, Brighton Gardens, Prairie Village; two daughters, Pat Pierson, Prairie Village, and Bonnie Smoyer, Wyckoff, N.J.; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Amos Family Chapel, Lenexa. Private burial will be Monday at Highland Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan. The family suggests memorial contributions to Odyssey Hospice, Ste. 350, 9229 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Richard Erisman
Richard A. Erisman, 63, Harrisonville, Mo., died Monday, July 24, 2000, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. He was born July 2, 1937, in Kansas City, Mo., living in Harrisonville, Mo., for the past year, after coming from Trenton, Mo. He was a master plumber for more than 20 years, working out of Plumbers Local Union No. 8 before retiring. Survivors include a son, Richard A. Erisman Jr., Centerville, Kan.; four daughters, Jacque L. Montgomery and Lori L. Sierks, both of Olathe, Becky S. Glaze, of the home, and Patty Emery, Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, Vernon Erisman, Centerville; a sister, Sharon Johnson, Olathe; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Olathe. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Olathe. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Lung Association, 2007 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64108.

Florence Evans
Florence "Leona" Howell Evans, 91, Columbia, Mo., died Friday, March 16, 2001, at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Medical Center in Columbia, Mo. She was born Feb. 11, 1910, in Leon, Iowa. She grew up on a farm south of Gardner. She graduated from Gardner High School, and later from Emporia Teachers College in Emporia. She lived in Sedalia, Mo., Richmond, Mo., St. Joseph, Mo., Higginsville, Mo., Atchison, Kan., for 30 years in Columbia, Mo., and in Lee's Summit, Mo., before moving back to Columbia in 1996. She was a homemaker and taught school in two places-a rural school between Gardner and Olathe and at a day-care center in Columbia, Mo. She retired from teaching in 1976. She was a member of the Lee's Summit Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo., and Gardner Baptist Church in Gardner, Kan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry David Evans, who died in 1983; her parents, Dell B. Howell and Grace Perdew Howell; three brothers, Truman Ellsworth Howell, James Howell and Lester Howell; and two sisters, Frances Losh and Rita Kingsley. Survivors include two sons, Orlynn Evans of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Harry David Evans Jr. of Tustin, Calif.; one daughter, Carroll Evans Medford of Columbia, Mo.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Bruce Funeral Home in Gardner. Burial will be at Gardner Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Volunteer Scholarship Fund of the Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo., in care of Bruce Funeral Home, P.O. Box 192, Gardner, KS 66030.

Wayne Evans
Wayne F. Evans, 77, Olathe, died Monday, April 2, 2001, at the Olathe Medical Center. Evans was born Feb. 3, 1924, in Humansville, Mo., living in Olathe since 1966. He was an Army Veteran of WWII and served 20 years before retiring in 1963. Following his retirement from the military, he worked for the Sunflower Ammunition Plant in DeSoto and was a security guard for Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. He was a member of the Earl Collier Post #153 of the American Legion, Olathe. He bowled in the Tuesday Night Business League at Olathe Lanes West, and he and his wife Grace bowled in the Wednesday Night Mixed league at Olathe Lanes West. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lloyd, Floyd and Gene Evans, and two sisters, Goldie McBride and Evelyn Paxson. He is survived by his wife Grace T. Evans of the home; three daughters: Sheila M. Bourland, of Osceola, Mo.; Barbara D. Watterson, Olathe; and Judy A. Gilliam of Abilene, Kan.; two sisters: Cleo Hazlett, of Nevada, Mo. and Viola Parks of Roscoe, Mo.; and six grandchildren. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 143rd and Black Bob Road, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. The Earl Collier Post #153 of the American Legion in Olathe will provide military burial rites at the cemetery.

Peggy Evinger
Peggy Evinger, 68, Overland Park, formerly of Osawatomie and Paola, died Thursday, April 6, 2000, at the Villa St. Joseph Nursing Home in Overland Park. She was born May 11, 1931, in Osawatomie to Harold B. and Alice Morris Grimes. She attended grade and high schools, and grew up, in Osawatomie. She married William H. Evinger Dec. 7, 1956, in Osawatomie. She had worked for Mode-O-Day Clothing Factory (1954-1960), Osawatomie, before the family moved to Paola. She also had worked for Smith's Garment Factory (1960-61), before working for Buy-Right Grocery Store, from which she retired in 1980. Shortly after retiring, she and her husband moved to Johnson County. She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. Evinger, on July 18, 1993. Survivors include a son, Steve Begshaw, Lee's Summit, Mo.; a sister, Jo Ann Young, Tulsa, Okla.; a grandson, Brian Begshaw, Raytown, Mo.; and a granddaughter, Leslie Begshaw, Manhattan, Kan. The graveside service will be 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, at the Osawatomie Cemetery, rural Paola. Memorial contributions may be made to Villa St. Joseph Nursing Home, c/o Wilson and Son Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071.

Esther Ewing
Esther Lucille Ewing, 88, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., died Saturday, June 24, 2001, at the Golden Heights Nursing Center in Garnett, Kan. She was born Oct. 16, 1912, the daughter of James LaFayette and Ida Mae Campbell Gambill. She married Samuel W. Ewing Jan. 14, 1933, and he preceded her in death on May 5, 1971. She married Clyde Goodno on Oct. 9, 1986, and he preceded her in death on May 31, 1998. She was a real estate agent before retiring. She was a member of the Blue Mound Federated Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Lotus Chapter, Jolly Sewing Circle, and Married and Glad of It, clubs all of Blue Mound; and the VFW Aux. No. 1125 in Fort Scott, Kan. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Jeanette Ewing; four brothers, Oscar, William, Edwin and Stephen Gambill; and one sister, Cora Harter. Survivors include one son, Jerry Ewing of Blue Mound; one daughter, Joyce Vanlandingham of Olathe; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the Blue Mound Federated Church with interment in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Blue Mound. Family suggests contributions to Golden Heights Activity Fund or Midland Hospice.

Margaret Ewing
Margaret J. Ewing, 57, of Olathe, died Friday, May 11, 2001, at her home. She was born April 17, 1944, in Olathe, where she lived all of her life. She was a 1962 graduate of Olathe High School. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Olathe where she served on the board of deacons and was a member of the church choir. Survivors include her husband, Tom Ewing, of the home, two sons, Michael Thomas Ewing and Mark Edward Ewing, both of Atlanta; a daughter Linda Beth Nellor, Gardner; six brothers, D. Wayne Zimmerman of Olathe, J. Zimmerman of Lubbock, Texas, Charles Zimmerman of Olathe, Ray Zimmerman of St. Louis, Mo., Ron Zimmerman of Edgerton, and Howard Zimmerman of Norman, Okla.; three sisters, Martha Lightcap of Hugoton, Kan., Mary Sell of Belton, Mo., and Marge Ludwig of Olathe; five grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at The First Presbyterian Church, Lee and Hershey Street, Olathe. There will be a private burial prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, 5960 Dearborn St., Ste. 100, Mission, KS 66202.