Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Edward H. Grant
HUTCHINSON - Edward H. Grant, 79, of Hutchinson, Kan., died March 24, 2000, at Hutchinson Good Samaritan Village. He was born June 16, 1920, at Shawnee, Okla., the son of Lewis E. and Alice Shunk Grant. A lifelong Hutchinson resident, he was a captain with the Hutchinson Fire Department, retiring in 1972.
He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, serving in World War II.
On Feb. 16, 1973, he married Rose Espinoza at Maize, Kan. She survives.
Other survivors include: his son, Larry E. Grant, Miami, Fla.; a sister, Billie Ardene Grant Railsback, Hutchinson, Kan.; a granddaughter, Brooke Grant, Orlando, Fla.; and a niece, Wanda Seaman, Hutchinson, Kan.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; a brother, Bryan Buford Grant; and two sisters, Wanda McMurry and Billie Ardene Deloris Grant.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with Father Brian Egan presiding. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by an Army honor guard. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at 
Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday with a rosary at 7 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to Hospice Home Health Care, in care of Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, Hutchinson.
Ralph Bernard Gribben
HAYS - Ralph Bernard Gribben, 78, died March 23, 2000, at Hays Medical Center, St. Anthony Campus.
He was born Jan. 10, 1922, at Gypsum, the son of Thomas A. and Anna Makins Gribben. A Hays resident since 1952, he was a jeweler and managed Vernon Jewelers until 1987. He most recently had worked at Kuhn's Diamond Jewelers.
He belonged to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the American Legion and was a life member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the 53rd Ferrying Command during World War II.
On Jan. 4, 1943, he married Esther Wolfson at Denver. She survives.
Other survivors include: a son, Bernie, Eureka, Calif.; two daughters, Carolyn Bartelt, Joliet, Ill., and Marsha Erickson, Everett, Wash.; a sister, Rita Gribben, Eugene, Ore.; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Art and Raymond; and a sister, Catherine Smith.
A Daughters of Isabella Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., both at Brock's North Hill Chapel, Hays. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Hays, with the Rev. Earl Befort presiding. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday and 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in the church Cemetery, with graveside military honors performed by the Hays VFW and American Legion.
Memorials may be sent for Masses, to St. Joseph's Church or to a charity of the donor's choice, all in care of the funeral chapel.
Myron F. 'Jack' Herndon
LIBERAL - Myron F. "Jack" Herndon, 77, died March 24, 2000, at Southwest Medical Center, Liberal.
He was born Aug. 18. 1922, at Willow Springs, Mo., the son of Frank and Eula Bolenjack Herndon. He attended school at Perryton, Texas. A Liberal resident since 1951, he was an auto mechanic for Hood Chevrolet and later for Stu Emmert Chevrolet for more than 30 years. He worked as a flight mechanic for Beech Aircraft and was later employed by Firestone Tires, retiring in 1985. He was currently ferrying cars for Emmert Chevrolet.
He belonged to Lane Day Post No. 3166 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Willow Tree Golf Club, Liberal. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
On Feb. 4, 1944, he married Geneva M. Love at Perryton. She survives.
Other survivors include: two sons, Jack, Oklahoma City; and Wendell, Burleson, Texas; a daughter, Beverly Skiles, Katy, Texas; a brother, Kenneth, Liberal; a sister, Helen Pittman, Ashland; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters.
Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Miller Mortuary Chapel, Liberal, with Buddy Bolenjack presiding. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to service time Monday at the mortuary. Cremation is planned.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association or Lane Day VFW Post, both in care of the mortuary.
Kenneth W. Graham
TRIBUNE - Kenneth W. Graham, 44, died March 23, 2000, at his home in Horace.
He was born Aug. 14, 1955, at Tribune, the son of Francis G. and Violet M. Schenck Graham. A lifetime Greeley County resident, he was a backhoe operator.
He belonged to the Southeast Colorado Fish and Game Association, Denver.
Survivors include: his father, Horace; five brothers, Lonnie, Larry, Billy and Terry, all of Tribune, and Jerry, Garden City; two sisters, Karen Piper, Tribune, and Lisa Klozenbucher, La Crosse; and 21 nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his mother and a nephew.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. MST Monday at United Methodist Church, Tribune, with the Revs. Keith Fink and Michael Underwood presiding. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today at Price & Sons Funeral Home, Tribune. Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to Pheasants Forever, in care of the funeral home.
Estel 'Pill' Gager
WOODSTON - Estel "Pill" Gager, 67, died March 24, 2000, at Hays Medical Center, St. Anthony Campus.
She was born June 12, 1932, at Syracuse, the daughter of Ustel and Rhada Van Pelt Hutton. A lifetime area resident, she was a former employee of St. Anthony Hospital, worked at the Murphy-Paynter Store, Harwood Nursing Home and Conn's IGA, all at Woodston. She farmed with her husband and was involved in caring for the elderly in Rooks County and doing volunteer work.
She belonged to Woodston United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, the Woodston Booster Club and the Pride Club. She served on the city council and with the fire department. She was a 4-H leader of the Eager Beavers and at one time chaired the Walk for Life. In 1985, she was the Woodston Centennial Celebration president.
On June 12, 1951, she married Gerald L. Gager at Stockton. He survives.
Other survivors include: three sons, Dale Lynn, Plainville, Rick Leon, Hays, and Jack Lee, Kirwin; a daughter, Beckie Jo Holmes, Hays; a brother, Ustel Gale Hutton, Kearney, Mo.; two sisters, Wanda Haines, Stockton, and Shirlee Jackson, Great Bend; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an infant.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Woodston United Methodist Church, with Pastor Tim Ault-Duell presiding
Memorials may be sent to the church, the Woodston Community or the Walk for Life Cancer Fund, all in care of Brock's North Hill Chapel, Hays.
Reinhardt W. Stratmann
HOLYROOD - Reinhardt W. Stratmann, 85, died March 24, 2000, at Wilson Nursing Home.
He was born Sept. 12, 1914, at Bushton, the son of Albert E. and Bertha A. Christian Stratmann. A lifetime Ellsworth County resident, he was a farmer and stockman.
He belonged to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Holyrood, and Paul Aylward American Legion Post No. 174, Ellsworth. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European theater.
Survivors include: a brother, Clarence, Ellsworth; two sisters, Gertrude Newsome, Great Bend, and Edna Jean Pflughoeft, Ellsworth; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in St. Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery, with Pastor John Sharp presiding.
Memorials may be sent to the Lutheran Hour in care of Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
Donnal G. Fuson
LYONS - Donnal G. Fuson, 97, died March 24, 2000, at Lyons District Hospital.
He was born Sept. 18, 1902, on the family farm north of Lyons, the son of Leon and Florence Maupin Fuson. A lifetime Lyons and Pollard resident, he was a retired farmer.
On Aug. 12, 1944, he married Jewel Metcalf at Sterling. She survives.
Other survivors include: five nieces.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Fred; and a sister, Grace Miller.
Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Lyons Municipal Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday at Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 5 p.m.
Memorials may be sent for the new swingbed addition at Lyons District Hospital, in care of the funeral home.
Gale D. Clay
MEADE - Gale D. Clay, 76, died March 24, 2000, at Southwest Medical Center, Liberal.
He was born July 27, 1923, in Meade County, the son of William E. and Muriel I. Cole Clay. A lifetime Meade area resident, he was a farmer.
He belonged to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and had been a volunteer Meade County EMT for 10 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
On Oct. 3, 1943, he married Ann Trainor at New York City. She survives.
Other survivors include: a son Brian, Florence; a daughter, Maureen Bell, Dodge City; a sister, Shirley Brown, Red Bluff, Calif.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Harold; and a sister, Vivian Hatfield.
Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Meade. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with Father Zino Ye Swe presiding. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Fidler-Orme Mortuary, Meade. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Meade.
Memorials are suggested to the Meade County EMTs, Beam Senior Center or to Meade District Hospital, all in care of the mortuary.
Anna M. Miskimen
PRATT - Anna M. Miskimen, 95, died March 24, at Pratt Regional Medical Center.
She was born April 9, 1904, at Preston, the daughter of Fred and Carrie Brinkman Hoener. She graduated from Preston High School and earned her teaching certification from Fort Hays State Teachers College in 1924. She taught at Green Valley.
She belonged to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Natrona, and the church women's organizations. She was a former member of the Bunker Hill HDU.
On Nov. 25, 1925, she married Ernest V. Miskimen at Preston. He died April 11, 1982.
Survivors include: two daughters, Geraldine Green, Pratt, and Velma Henrichs, Wellington; a sister, Laura Spurgeon, Pratt; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Earl.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Natrona, with the Rev. Michael Schotte presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Ayres-Calbeck Mortuary, Pratt. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt.
Memorials may be sent to the church or to the Pratt County Heart Association, both in care of the mortuary.
Thomasena Pearl Medlam
WICHITA - Thomasena Pearl Medlam, 78, died March 24, 2000, at Bartlesville, Okla.
She was born March 1, 1922, at Kiowa, the daughter of Orie and Edith Koons Humphrey. A former Wichita resident, she was a retired secretary for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, at Dewey, Okla.
She belonged to Church of Christ.
On Sept. 28, 1940, she married Raymond K. Medlam at Medicine Lodge. He died Nov. 15, 1982.
Survivors include: a daughter, Judy Arlene VanDyck, Bartlesville, Okla.; four brothers, Arthur Humphrey, Oregon, Chris and John Humphrey, and Vern Humphrey, Mobile, Ala.; three sisters, Janette Shrum, Nowata, Okla., Clarabelle Ging, Wichita, and Ethelda Temple, Shawnee, Okla.; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Freeport Cemetery, Freeport, with Russell Jolly presiding. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Williams Funeral Home, Anthony.
Memorials may be sent to a charity of the donor's choice, in care of the funeral home.
John A. Vrtiska
MINNEOLA - John A. Vrtiska, 78, died March 25, 2000, at Western Plains Regional Hospital, Dodge City.
He was born July 15, 1921, at Steinauer, Neb., the son of Anton and Emma Obrist Vrtiska. He was the district welder for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America for 35 years, retiring in 1984. He later owned and operated Vrtiska Welding, Minneola.
He belonged to St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, both at Fowler, the American Legion, Minneola, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1714, Dodge City. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
On March 27, 1948, he married Norma Jean Krikava at Marysville. She survives.
Other survivors include: three sons, Dr. John N., Tucson, Ariz., James L., Sedgwick, and Gregory G., Evans, Colo.; two daughters, Cindy Seidner and Lisa Hoffman, both of Minneola; two brothers, William Michael and Charles, both of Beatrice, Neb.; five sisters, Donata Prendergast and Dorothy Gunzelman, both of Omaha, Neb., Madeline Matthews, Paw-nee City, Neb., Mary Rinne, Burchard, Neb., and Betty Bedea, Table Rock, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Anthony and Adrian; a sister, Sister Mary Walter; and a grandson.
Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Minnis Mortuary Chapel, Minneola. Funeral Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Fowler, with Father Zeno presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial in Minneola Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Minneola American Legion Post, in care of the mortuary.
Paul H. Nelson
McPHERSON - Paul H. Nelson, 92, died March 24, 2000, at The Cedars, McPherson.
He was born March 27, 1907, at McPherson, the son of Peter and Carrie Pearson Nelson. A lifetime McPherson resident, he was a retired farmer.
He belonged to First Christian Church, McPherson, the Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Livestock Association, American Angus Association, Kansas Master Farmers and the Rotary Club.
On Sept. 1, 1935, he married Madeline J. Ferris at Conway. She died Oct. 21, 1992.
Survivors include: two sons, Armin, McPherson, and Arlyn, Livingston, Texas; a daughter, Luann Boyer, Fort Morgan, Colo.; two brothers, Glenn R., San Mateo, Calif., and Lucian E., Riverside, Calif.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Clella Nelson and Frances Ferguson.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Stockham Family Funeral Home Chapel, McPherson. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., both at the funeral home. Burial will be in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the McPherson County 4-H Development Fund or the Kansas State University Foundation-Nelson Memorial Scholarship for Education Majors from McPherson County, both in care of the funeral home.
