Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
George A. Newton
1926-2004
Kansas City, Mo.
Services with military honors for George Abraham "Fig" Newton, 77, Kansas City, Mo., will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Mr. Newton died Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004, at Carondelet Manor in Kansas City, Mo.
He was born Dec. 11, 1926, in Lebanon, Ky., the son of Sylvestor and Consuelo Hill Newton. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural High School. He graduated in 1951 from Kansas University, where he was a member of the football team and Sigma Chi fraternity.
He lived primarily in the Kansas City area and briefly in Washington, D.C., and Tallequah, Okla., until he retired in Lawrence.
Mr. Newton served in the Merchant Marines during the Korean War. He also served in the Coast Guard and its reserves until 1989, when he retired with the rank of commander.
Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Newell, Prairie Village; and Susan Newton-Rhodes, Chestertown, Md.; a sister, Ruth Malay, Aspen, Colo.; and five grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to the KU Endowment Association, sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence 66044.
Jeffrey E. Schmidt
1955-2004
Bonner Springs
Jeffrey E. Schmidt, 49, of Bonner Springs, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004, at Providence Medical Center. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bonner Springs United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Bonner Springs Cemetery.
Mr. Schmidt was born Aug. 14, 1955, in Edwardsville, Ill. He moved to the Kansas City area in 1963. He was a 1973 graduate of Shawnee Mission South and then graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Psychology from Kansas State University. Later he married Audrey Miller in 1982. He previously worked as a manager for Heartland Vending Co. in Kansas City, Mo. for many years before becoming a supervisor for U.S. Maintenance.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Bunny Schmidt. Survivors include the wife, Audrey Miller, of the home; two sons, Joey and Mark Schmidt, both of the home; three brothers, Ron Harris, East Alton, Ill.; Rick Schmidt, Shawnee; and Lance Schmidt, Webster Grove, Mo.
Rexine Martha Masters
1927-2004
Shawnee
Rexine Martha Masters, 77, Shawnee, died Sept. 25, 2004, at the home of her daughter. She was born Rexine Martha Copp on July 21, 1927, in Kansas City, Kan., the second child of Rex Orlando and Berniece Davis Copp.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her father in 1939 and her mother in 1992; a sister, Catherine Curran; two grandchildren, Matthew Eric and Shaleen Loreelle and one great-grandchild, Johnathan Robert.
Mrs. Masters lived most of her life in Kansas City, Kan. She was an active participant in PTA while her children attended Francis Willard Elementary School.
During World War II she worked at the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. She held a wide variety of jobs in the Kansas City area. Mrs. Masters was recognized for 11 years of volunteering at The Shepherd Center. She also volunteered for the United Way R.S.V.P. program from 1994 to 1997.
She was a member of University United Methodist Church and UMW in Kansas City, Kan. She was a member of Navy Mothers Sunflower Club #75, Order of Easter Star -- Mendias Chapter #1, Hyacinth #156 and K.C. Waitresses Union, Local 503.
Mrs. Masters moved into a nursing home for health reasons in May of 2000, giving up her residence of 28 years at Quindaro Homes in Kansas City, Kan.
She is survived by four children and their spouses: Rex & Judi Masters, Aurora, Colo.; Sharyn and Steve Graham, Shawnee; Robert Masters and fiancée Becky Fulghum, Lee's Summit, Mo.; and Richard and Denise Masters, Kansas City, Kan.; 13 grandchildren: Kate, Christine, Sean, Joshua, Michael, Mark, Todd, Ryan, Andrea, Christa, Robin, Daniel and Stephanie; 21 great-grandchildren: Justin, Danielle, Matthew C., Ryan, Erin, Caitlyn, Kristen, Matthew S., Benjamin, Mark Jr., Angel, Jacob, Sarah S., Karisa, Georgia, Jessica, Logan, Sarah K., Abby, Cody and Conner; and three sisters: Lorene Smith, Jacqueline Phillips and Colleen Cook, all of Kansas City, Kan.
Mrs. Masters donated her remains to the University of Kansas Medical Center.
The family wishes to thank everyone from Odyssey Hospice who were involved in her care.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, with a "Celebration of Life" from 3 to 4 p.m., at University United Methodist Church, 3148 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, Kan. The family suggests memorial contributions to the church in her name.
Marissa J. Massey
1982-2004
Leavenworth
Marissa J. Massey, 22, of Leavenworth, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004, at the Kansas University Hospital from injuries she received in an automobile accident.
She was born the daughter of Terry Hattemer and Wilma (Higgins) Drinkard on May 31, 1982, in Winchester, Kan.
She married Bradley A. Massey on April 21, 2001, in Lawrence.
Mrs. Massey had attended classes to become a nurse. Se had attended St. Theresa Catholic Church in Perry, Kan., and the County Side Baptist Church in Oskaloosa. She continued giving after she passed away by donating her organs. Many people will be helped by her gift.
She is survived by her husband, Brad, of the home; three sons, Allen, Zachary, and Keith, all of the home; her father and stepmother, Terry and Deanna Hattemer, Oskaloosa; her mother and stepfather, Wilma and Charles Drinkard, Atchison; a sister, Hollie Lansing, Platte City, Mo.; four brothers, Jordan Thornton, Lawrence; Alex Hattemer and Travis Hattemer, both of Oskaloosa; and Jeremy Hattemer, Lawrence; and grandmother, Mickey Rockhold, Winchester.
Her grandparents, Delbert Higgins and Harold and Lavina Hattemer, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, at the Belden-Sexton-Sumpter Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth.
Pastor Vic Peterson will conduct services at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Oakridge Cemetery in Perry.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to the Massey Children Education Fund in care of the funeral home, 500 Oak St. Leavenworth, KS 66048.
