Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
JAMES SEILER
James Edward Seiler, 82, of Colwich, brother of Paul Seiler of Valley Center, died Jan. 24, 2007. He was a retired farmer and Utility Contractors construction foreman. Service was Jan. 27 at Sacred Heart Church, Colwich.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish, Colwich, and a fourth degree member of Knights of Columbus 9510. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Rosalie Seiler; son, Thomas; brothers, Bernard and Richard; and sister, Cathryn.
Other survivors include his wife, Julietta, whom he married
on April 25, 1949; children and spouses, Mary Rose and Francis Jirak of Tampa, Ruth Korecki of Englewood, Colo., Daniel and Maria Seiler of Colwich, Rebecca and Chris Dugan of Wichita, Donna and Bill Quaney, Judy Seiler, Jane and Terry Gorges, all of Colwich; brothers, Joe, John Jr., both of Colwich; sisters, Mary Dole, Rosie Mannebach of Colwich; 20 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with the church and Bishop Caroll High School. Wulf-Ast Mortuary had charge.
OVERA RUFLE
Overa Mae Rufle, 78, of Wichita, mother and mother-in-law of Nancy and Rocky Oldfather of Valley Center, died Jan. 28, 2007. Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 1 and service is at 1 p.m. Feb. 2, both at Old Mission Mortuary, Wichita.
She was born Dec. 8, 1928, the daughter of Beamus W. and Neva McCullough. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Rufle, and brothers, Tommy McCullough, Max McCullough and B.W. McCullough.
Other survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Edwin Jr. and wife of Stafford; daughters and sons-in-law, Hepsi Rufle of Lyons, Ore., Danelle Brewer and husband of Goddard, Michelle Ballard and husband of Wichita; sisters, Ouida Frick of Bartonville, Texas, Peggy Baker of Mesa, Ariz.; grandchildren, Jason Oldfather, Crystal Clouse, Tiffany Howell, Alexandra and Connor Brewer, Brayden and Jaret Ballard, Matthew, Derek and Tristan Rufle; and a great-grandson, Elijah Clouse.
RICHARD ROWLEY
Richard F. “Rich” Rowley, 76, of Park City, retired traffic manager for Airsol Co., died Jan. 25, 2007. Service was Jan. 30 at Hillside Funeral Home East, Wichita.
Survivors include his wife, Janet; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Brenda; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Eldon Ivy, Nancy and Rick Norman, all of Park City; sisters, Maxine Nelson of Kiowa, Winifred McMaster of Winnsboro, S.C.; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Alzheimer’s Association, 347 S. Laura, Wichita, KS 67211.
WAYNE MILLER
Wayne Albert Miller, 94, of Furley, died Jan. 27, 2007. Service was Jan. 30 at Furley United Methodist Church. Burial was at Green Valley cemetery.
The oldest of five children, he was born Jan. 30, 1912, in the farm home his grandfather built near 85th North and Greenwich Road, rural Valley Center. He lived nearly his entire life working and farming in the Furley area. He also worked for J.D. Allen near Peabody, the Hunt car dealership in Valley Center, at Boyd Implement Company in Furley, and for Walter Wooster, cleaning up grain and other material from train wrecks. He also drove school buses for Furley’s grade school and the Remington school district. He won the KLEO Good Guy Award, for which he was nominated by students in the school district. He enjoyed a trip to Chicago as a trumpeter in a marching band for the local 4-H Club. He also was a member of a vocal group in Valley Center that was the first group of local young people to sing on area radio. He enjoyed learning, receiving an auto mechanic’s license from Swenney School in Wichita and completing educational requirements to become a licensed real estate agent. He and his wife, Edna Greep Miller, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary July 4, 2006, with a reception in Furley. A month earlier, he was the last member of the Valley Center High School Class of 1929 left to attend the annual reunion. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Edith Miller; a sister, Doris Downey; and a brother, Blaine Miller.
Survivors include his wife; son and daughter-in-law, Edbert and Janeth Miller of Berryton; daughter and son-in-law, Deloris and Richard Ewing of Valley Center; sisters, Maxine Green of Wichita, Norma Ulbrich of Valley Center; grandchildren, Susan Miller Dyer of Pulaski, Wis., Richard Miller of Wakarusa, Kim Ewing Neiswender of Benton, Debra Ewing Creekmore of Valley Center; and great-grandchildren, Robert Dyer, Abby Miller, Amanda Miller, Braedan Miller, Makenzie Creekmore.
Memorials have been established with the church memorial fund, 400 E. Fourth, (Furley), Valley Center, KS 67147, and Odyssey Health Care, 125 N. Market, Suite 920, Wichita, KS 67202. Lamb Funeral Home, Whitewater, had charge.
EDITH ABBOTT
Edith Kazumi Kunishi Abbott, 84, of Wichita, homemaker, died July 11, 2007. Service was July 16 at Kechi Township cemetery, Kechi, with Pastor Michael Scott officiating.
She was born in Hilo, Hawaii, the daughter of Guiichi and Masa Kunishi. They preceded her in death, as did her husband, Donald Abbott; brother, Arthur Kunishi; and a sister, Ethel Kunishi.
Survivors include her daughters, Shirleyann Davis and Drew Williams of Wichita, Karen and Mark Carroll of El Dorado; sisters, Leatrice Morita, vivian Tomita, Florence Ichimura, Aileen Tamura, Alyce; brothers, Robert Kunishi, Harry Kunishi, Edward Kunishi; sister-in-law, Hanayo Kunishi; grandchildren, Denise Davis, James Nelsen; and great-grandchildren, Brandon Dennis, Ariadne and James Jr. Nelsen.
A memorial has been established with Hospice Care of Kansas, 3241 Victor Place, Wichita, KS 67208. Baker Funeral Home had charge.
JAMES PHELAN
James Eldon Phelan, 64, of Valley Center, retired Continental Airlines regional manger, died July 12, 2007.
He was born in Ancon, Canal Zone, the son of Eldon Phelan and Mary Doud Phelan-Nagal. They preceded him in death, as did a sister, Sharon Phelan. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War era.
Survivors include his children, Marcy and Dan Niles of Valley Center, Paul Phelan, Matthew Phelan, both of Grandby, Colo., Kelsay Phelan of Wichita; sister, and brother-in-law, Lisa and Jerry Lee of Port Orange, Fla.; and grandchildren, Drugan, Cain and Shamus Niles.
Baker Funeral Home, Valley Cener, had charge.
LOLA JOHNSON
Lola Joyce Johnson, 80, of Haysville, sister of Vera Jones of Valley Center, died July 10, 2007, of brain cancer. She was an in-home respite caregiver for Senior Services. Service was July 13 at Smith Mortuary, Haysville. Burial was at White Chapel cemetery.
She was born april 20, 1927, in Lamar, Colo., the daughter of Charles Atwood and Anna Nunn. They preceded her in death, as did her brothers, Morris and Howard Atwood. She lived most of her young life in the Eureka, Severy and Fall River areas. She maried Garland Johnson on April 20, 1945. He also preceded her in death. The family lived in Wichita and Derby before moving to Haysville.
Other survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Garland and Donna of Wichita, Alvin and Cathy of Chula Vista, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Michael Pokorney of Haysville; sister, Hattie Miller of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Haysville City Library building fund.
DEBRA HUDSON
Debra Sue “Debbie” Stevens Hudson, 48, of Valley Center, died Aug. 1, 2007, after a brief illness. She was a tool coordinator at Hawker Beechcraft. Service was Aug. 4 at Kechi United Methodist Church, Kechi. Burial was at Sunnydale Park cemetery.
She was born Jan. 16, 1959, in Wichita, the daughter of Louis and Sue Underwood Stevens. They survive of rural Valley Center. She was a 1977 graduate of Valley Center High School and attended Fort Hays State University and Wichita State University. She participated in athletics and was a lover and rescuer of animals. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Dean Stevens, who died in 1974.
Other survivors include her husband, Jeff, stepdaughter, Tia; brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Pam Stevens of rural Valley Center; nephews and nieces including Troy and Lindsay; uncles and aunts, Charlie and Sally Alstatt, Bruce and Pam Underwood, all of Valley Center; and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the church, 4533 E 61st North, Kechi, KS 67067, and with the Sedgwick County Humane Society, 4218 Southeast Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67210. Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center, had charge.
HARLEY DICKEY
Harley “Glen” Dickey, 63, of Wichita, brother and brother-in-law of Betty and Dan Baldwin of Valley Center, died Aug. 5, 2007. Service is at 10 a.m. Aug. 10 at Andover Cemetry, 2544 N. Andover Road.
Other survivors include his wife, Ruth; sons and daughter-in-law, John Dickey of Newton, Jason and June Dickey of Wichita; daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Dickey of Wichita; stepsons and spouses, John Maskarid of El Dorado, Don and Mistie Maskarid of Wichita, Ron and Bev Maskarid of Kansas City; brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Cheryl Dickey of Lincoln, Neb.; sisters and brother-in-law, Judy Miller of San Diego, Calif., Barbara and Roger Hammonds of Lincoln, Neb.; mother and spouse, Doris and Dale Barkhurst of Weeping Water, Neb.; grandchildren, Dustin, Paton, Jason Jr., Jasmine, Julie, LeAnna; stepgrandchildren, Donald Jr., Autumn, Ronald Eugene.
Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center, has charge.
JOAN UNDERWOOD
Joan Underwood, 76, of Wichita, mother and mother-in-law of Cynthia and Glaine Russell of Valey Center, died Aug. 3, 2007. Service was Aug. 7 at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita.
She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Fred D. Underwood, and by a grandson, Frederick J. Underwood, who died in March 2007.
Other survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Fred D. III and Martha Underwood of Wichita; sister, Saundra Bosler of Las Vegas, Nev.; granddaughters, Elizabeth Underwood, Cynthia Marie Underwood; and a great-grandson, David Ethan Underwood.
A memorial has been established with the Alzheimer’s Association, Sunflower chapter, 347 Laura, Wichita, KS 67211. Cochran Mortuary had charge.
REGINA SCHAFFER
Regina Schaffer, 91, of Wichita, grandmother of Kyle and Christy Schaffer and great-grandmother of Brayden, Tori and Rylee, all of Valley Center, died July 29, 2007. Service was Aug. 3 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Wichita.
She was born March 30, 1916, the daughter of Frank and Rose Pfieffer Depperschmidt. She married
Reinhold Schaffer in 1937. He preceded her in death on Christmas Eve in 1986. She also was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Robert Schaffer.
Other survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph and Kathy Schaffer of Derby, Roy Schaffer of Wichita; Treva Schaffer of Derby, Carol Schaffer of Kearney, Neb.; grandchildren, Derek Schaffer and fiance Amanda and son Blake of Wichita; Sean and Jennifer of Derby, Jimmy Schaffer of Derby, Liane and Delmar Youngwirth and children Bailey and Emily of Florence, Ky., Shannon Schaffer of Orlando, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the church building restoration fund. DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary had charge.
EMILY BONNESEN
Emily Kaetin Bonnesen of Park City, 3-month-old daughter of Wayne and Kandace Bonnesen, died Aug. 15, 2007. Service was Aug. 21 at Baker Funeral Home Chapel, Valley Center. Burial was at Kechi Township cemetery.
She was preceded in death by her great-grandfathers, George Bonnesen and Charlie Flower.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sisters, Meaghan and Korrine Bonnesen of the home; grandparents, Kenneth and Carol Flower of Park City, Ralph and Evelyn Bonnesen of Haven; great-grandparents, Vernie Bonnesen of Winfield, Eva Flower of Blue Rapids; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A memorial has been esetablished with the Emily Kaetin Bonnesen Trust Fund at any Bank of America.
LOIS HEMME
Lois Marie Hemme, 81, of Valley Center, accountant, died Aug. 16, 2007. service was Aug. 20 at Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest Clarence and Olive Sarah Forbes Hemme, and a brother, Donald Keith Hemme.
Suvivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Don Jacob of Valley Center; nieces and nephews, Judy and Dale Wilson, Nancy Laffey, Keith Jacob, Kenneth and Becka Jacob, Jim and Tish Jacob; and numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established with First United Methodist Church, 560 N. Park, Valley Center, KS 67147.
LOUISE SLENKER
Ethel Louise Slenker, 84, of Weston, Colo., formerly of Valley Center, died Aug. 16, 2007. Service was Aug. 22 at Baker Funeral Home Chapel, Valley Center. Burial was at Sunnydale Park cemetery.
She was born April 18, 1923, in Sunnydale, the daughter of Chester Arthur and Lena Ethel Ballentine Rhoades. She married
William “Don” Slenker on Aug. 14, 1954. He survives. She was a member of Faith Bible Baptist Church Valley Center, and was a cook for many years in the Valley Center and Wichita area. She did cooking and baking from her home, and was happiest when making a dish or dessert for other people. She was a cook and baker for many years with her sister, Betty Whittington, the former owner of Betty’s Kountry Kitchen in Valley Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold Rhoades and Alvin Rhoades; and sisters, Betty Whittington, Mabel Nordstedt, Pauline McKibbon and Opal Ford.
Other survivors include her daughter, Gerri Stevens of Weston; sister, Nellie Davis of Wewoka, Okla.; grandchildren, Debbie Hicks of Wichita, Connie Gilbert of Richland, Mo., Don Blanchard of Lebanon, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Jacob Hicks of Wichita, Zachary Blanchard, Patrick Blanchard, both of Lebanon, Candace Gilbert, Ramona Gilbert, both of Richland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established with the Alzheimer’s Association, 347 Laura, Wihita, KS 67211.
CYRL FOOTE
Cyrl V. Foote, 73, of Wichita, father of Rachel Hayes of Park City, died Sept. 28, 2007. He was a retired U.S. Postal Service employee with 35 years of service. Service is at 11 a.m. Oct. 11 at First Church of God in Christ, 1418 N. Piatt, Wichita.
Other survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Trent Patterson of Wichita; son and daughter-in-law, Virlin and Octavia of Riverside, Calif.; brothers, Thomas of Wichita, Arthur of Dodge City; sisters, Mary Bell, Geraldine Ray, Wanda Brown, all of Wichita, Iola Pounds of Cincinnati, Ohio; and seven grandchildren.
Jackson Mortuary has charge.
DAVID KENNEDY
David Wayne “Catfish” Kennedy, 52, of Valley Center, died Sept. 28, 2007. He was a USD 262 employee. Service is at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at First United Methodist Church, Valley Center.
He was born Feb. 5, 1955, in Halstead, the son of Joseph W. and Louise Carmen Kennedy. He graduated from Valley Center High School in 1973. He was preceded in death by his father. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, horseshoes, music, and spending time with famiily and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Sheryl; brothers, Bill Kennedy of Linden, Va., Joe Kennedy of Aurora, Ind.; mother, Louise Kennedy of Valley Center; niece, Erin Dunbar of Valley Center; nephew, Patrick Kennedy of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and a great-nephew, Tyler Dunbar.
A memorial has been established with the David Kennedy Football and Baseball Fund, in care of Baker Funeral Home, Box 242, Valley Center, KS 67147.
JOE VELASQUEZ
Joe E. Velasquez, 82, of Wichita, died Sept. 29, 2007. Service was Oct. 3 at Downing & Lahey East Chapel, Wichita.
He was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Anthony. He served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked as a drafting engineer for Boeing, and retired from Kice Industries in 1990. He was a longtime Lions Club member and an active member of Kechi United Methodist Church, Kechi.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marilyn; sons and daughters-in-law, Lee and Vivian of Ark City, Tony and Susan of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; daughter, Elisa Balleau of Wichita; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Lil of Berryton; sisters, Mary Velasquez, Betty Maricle of
Derby; grandchildren, Sarah, Ben, Anna Balleau, Frankie, Olivia Velasquez; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been establishd with the church.
