Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
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.
Bonnie D. Laflin
1935-2004
Basehor
Bonnie Laflin, 69, of Basehor, died Sept. 22, 2004, at her daughter's home in Rio Rico, Ariz. from pancreatic cancer. Services were held Tuesday at Open Door Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan., with burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery. The family suggests donations to the Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terr., Kansas City KS 66109, to be used for the Bonnie Laflin Memorial Fund.
Mrs. Laflin was born April 27, 1935, in Offerle, Kan., to Cecil and Vivian (Block) Livengood. She married Philip Laflin in 1952 in Wichita, and they made their home in the Kansas City area in 1967. She was a graphic artist for the Nazarene Publishing House for 30 years.
Survivors include a son, Tom Laflin and his wife, Charlene, of Basehor; a daughter, Anne Thornton, and her husband, Alan, of Rio Rico, Ariz.; her grandchildren, Cassie, Dustin, Zachary, Hannah, Abby and Adriana; her father, Cecil Livengood; a sister, Kathy Livengood, Shawnee Mission; three brothers, Don Livengood, Wichita; Eugene Livengood, El Dorado, Kan.; and Ken Livengood, Overland Park. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip, and her mother, Vivian Livengood.
Myrna J. Johanson
1942-2004
Edwardsville
Myrna Jean (Wagner) Johanson, 61, of Edwardsville died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2004, at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Edwardsville United Methodist Church with burial at a later date in Edwardsville Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Edwardsville United Methodist Church.
Ms. Johanson was born Sept. 26, 1942, in Kansas City, Kan. She was a lifelong Bonner Springs and Edwardsville area resident. She was a veteran of the U.S. Army in the Vietnam war, where she served as a nurse. Upon her return she worked for many years as a nurse at the Leavenworth V.A. Medical Center until she retired. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Edwardsville United Methodist Church and the American Legion. She was also a long-time member of the Edwardsville Cemetery Board. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Johanson and her sisters Georgia Nell Wisely and Janet Ruff. She is survived by one brother, Laurence Wagner of Tonganoxie; two nephews, Kirk Wisely of Bonner Springs and Mitchell Ruff of Edwardsville; one niece, Michelle Ruff of Savannah, Ga.; two great-nieces and one great-nephew.
