Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Virginia Helen 'Gin' Welch 1923-2001
HUTCHINSON - Virginia Helen "Gin" Welch, 77, died Jan. 2 at Thorne Care Center. She was born May 25, 1923, in Turon, the daughter of Andrew "Bud" Enoch and Icea Verneena Koeppel Edwards. She married
Earl L. Welch Aug. 23, 1941, in Eureka. A resident of Hutchinson since 1967, she was a Medicare clerk for Hutchinson Hospital for 28 years. Mrs. Welch was a member of the First Christian Church. Survivors include her husband, of the home; one son, Greg E. Welch of Hoisington; one daughter, Karen L. Wingfield of Hutchinson; one sister, Pauline Durham of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Edwards and Glen "Bus" Edwards; and one sister, Charlotte Allison. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Melvin J. Walton officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park cemetery in Hutchinson. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church or to the Alzheimer's Association, in care of the mortuary.
Arlene L. Todd 1923-2001
BURDETT - Arlene L. Todd, 77, died Jan. 2 at Integrated Health Services in Great Bend. She was born March 16, 1923, in Burdett, the daughter of Robert A. and Ruby Belle Michael Notestine. She married
John A. Todd Jan. 25, 1946 in Burdett. A longtime resident of Burdett, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Todd was a member of the United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary and a past member of the Jolly Dozen Club. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, John R. Todd of Neosho, Mo. and Michael L. Todd of Wichita; and two grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church in Burdett with the Rev. Rob Schmutz officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Alzheimer's Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Doug McNeill 1939-2000
RICHARDSON, Texas - Doug McNeill, 61, died Dec. 31 in Richardson. He was born June 19, 1939, in Portland, Ore. He attended Oregan State University. He was a member of Plano American Legion Post #321 in Plano, Texas. He was a veteran of Vietnam. Survivors include his wife, Cindy McNeill of Garland, Texas; one daughter, Shelly Taggart of Overland Park; two sons, Scott McNeill of Frisco, TX and Brandon McNeill of Garland; three grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 12:30 p.m., Friday at Restland Wildwood Chapel with the Rev. Victor Kollmann officiating. Memorials are suggested to The American Lung Association, in care of the chapel.
Melba May Pfister Converse 1914-2001
GUTHRIE, Okla. - Melba May Pfister Converse, 86, died Jan. 1 at the Golden Age Residence in Guthrie. She graduated from Pawnee Rock High School. She attended Dodge City Jr. College and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in sociology. She married
Lloyd Rice Converse Sept. 15, 1933. He died in 1956. A resident of Guthrie, she was the owner of the Fireside Shop, worked for the Edwards County Deptartment of Human Services and the State of Kansas, Deptment of Social Services. Mrs. Converse was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Kinsley United Methodist Church. Survivors include one son Steven J. Converse of Edmond, Okla.; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter Sally Lynn Converse Davis. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church in Kinsley. Burial will be at Hillside cemetery in Kinsley. Memorials are suggested to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, in care of McNeil's Mustang Funeral Service.
Robert E. 'Bob' Foltz 1946-2001
HUTCHINSON - Robert E. "Bob" Foltz, 54, died Jan. 3 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Jan. 28, 1946, in Salina, the son of Leo W. and Esther Feeback Foltz. He was a 1964 graduate of Abilene High School. He married
Linda Ann Oberle April 8, 1972, in Bushton. A resident of Hutchinson, he was a counterman for Jarvis Supply Company. Foltz was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving in Vietnam. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Thad R. Foltz of Hoisington; one daughter, Amy D. Foltz of Hoisington; one brother, William Foltz of Manhattan; and one sister, Pat Foltz of Kansas City. Prayer service with parish rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Elliott Chapel in Hutchinson. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Holy Name cemetery in Bushton. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the chapel.
Betty L. Ballhorst 1930-2001
Betty L. Ballhorst, 70, died Jan. 3 at her residence in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Barton County, the daughter of Virgil and Lucille Newkirk Amerine. She married
Newton E. "Newt" Ballhorst Nov. 27, 1976, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend, she was a retired personnel manager for Wal-Mart and a former head cashier for Dillons. Mrs. Ballhorst was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Rev. Dennis Wallace and Kenneth Wallace both of Wichita; one daughter, Jan Shaw of Dallas, Texas; two step-sons, John Ballhorst of Smith Center and Rick Ballhorst of Norfolk, Neb.; one step-daughter, Linda Wells of Bend, Ore.; her father, Virgil Amerine of Great Bend; one brother, Wayne Amerine of San Antonio, Texas; one sister, Nadine Christiansen of Hoisington; seven grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bryant-Christians Chapel in Great Bend with the Rev. Dennis W. Wallace officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society,both in care of the funeral home.
Mae Ecton 1938-2001
SOLOMON - Mae Ecton, 62, died Jan. 2 at Whispering Timber Care Home in Solomon. She was born Feb. 21, 1938, in Gypsum, the daughter of Elmer and Georgia Houska Jordan. She graduated from Gypsum High School and attended Brown Mackie Business College. She married
Dean Ecton March 1962. He died in 1981. She was a resident of Solomon, coming from Salina. Mrs. Ecton was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Salina Moose Lodge and American Legion Auxiliary, all of Salina. Survivors include one son, Bryan Stark of Lincoln, Calif.; two daughters, Yvonne Keenan of Porterville, Calif., and Diane Wilson of Solomon; her mother, Georgia Kolger of Salina; two brothers, Robert Jordan and Cliff Jordan, both of Great Bend; one sister, Lois Nichols of Salina; eight grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church in Solomon with the Revs. Rene Colaw and Sam Owen officiating. Burial will be at Prairie Mound cemetery in Solomon. The family will receive friends until 8 tonight at Carlson-Becker Funeral Home in Solomon. Friends may call until service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Solomon Preschool or to Whispering Timber Care Home, both in care of the funeral home.
Bill Rucker 1924-2001
BURDETT - Billy B. Rucker, 77, died Jan. 4 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Jan. 4, 1924, in Wichita, the son of Ira Martin and Lottie Bridges. He married
Darlene M. Danford Jan. 24, 1954, in Burdett. A longtime resident of Burdett, he was a self-employed aerial applicator. Rucker was a member of the United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 280, both of Burdett, Experimental Aircraft Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was a charter member, lifetime member and past president of the Kansas Agriculture Aviation Association. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran serving in World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Cary A. Rucker of Burdett; one daughter, Myra Jean Conti of Acton, Calif.; one brother, Ira "Junior" Rucker of Clearwater; three sisters, Mildred Kallenbach of Valley Center, Beverly McAllister of Wichita and Patsy Boles of Liberal; and two granddaughters. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the church in Burdett with the Rev. Rob Schmutz officiating. Burial will be at Browns Grove cemetery in Burdett. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Agriculture Aviation Association Scholarship or donor's choice, both in care of the funeral home.
Bobbie Jean Skains Houser Penn 1927-2001
Bobbie Jean Skains Houser Penn, 73, died Jan. 4 at Integrated Health Services in Great Bend. She was born Feb. 1, 1927, in Seagraves, Texas, the daughter of Thomas H. and Hazel Kilgore Skains. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Amarillo, Texas, she was a cook and waitress for Homer's Cafe and Golden Belt Grill of Great Bend. Survivors include one daughter, Glenda Fletcher of Great Bend; one step-son, Mike Penn of Great Bend; two step-daughters, Sherri Penn of Claflin and Debbie Penn Tomlinson of Dodge City; three brothers, Hubert Skains of Timken, Jimmy Stanfield of Claremont, Va., and Charles Troy Skains; two sisters, Loudell Marshall of Pocatella, Idaho, and Imadean Curtin; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronald Joe Smith; two brothers, Tommie Skains and Glen Skains; and one sister, Mary Margaret Nichols. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Great Bend Family Mortuary and Crematory with the Rev. Jana Baxter officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Texas. Friends may call from 8 a.m. until service time Saturday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.
Jim Sander 1948-2001
IRVING, Texas - Jim Sander, 53, died Jan. 4 in Irving. He was born March 5, 1948, in Hays. Survivors include his wife Marcia Sander of Irving; one son, Patrick James Sander of Irving; one daughter, Kelly Ann Sander of Irving; his father, Gilbert Sander of Great Bend; six sisters, Sharon Fox of St. Louis, Mo., Becky Wornkey, Shirley Tomlin and Patty Michael, all of Great Bend, Debbie Shank of Hays, and Connie Sander of Denver, Colo. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Warren Stecklein officiating. Ben F. Brown's Memorial Funeral Home in Irving is in charge of arrangements.
Alfred Heier 1931-2001
GRINNELL - Alfred Heier, 69, died Jan. 3 at his residence in rural Grinnell. He was born June 25, 1931, in Gove County, the son of Bernard and Julia Kuntz Heier. He married
Berniece C. Kinderknecht Aug. 5, 1952, in Grinnell. A lifetime resident of Grinnell, he was a farmer and stockman. Heier was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Grinnell, comander of George M. Scott American Legion Post 301 of Grainfield, a life member of Wheatland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2864 of Grinnell, 3rd degree Knights of Columbus Park Council 2538, Immaculate Conception Church Council, board member of Grinnell Township for 32 years and a member of Kansas Chapter of P.O.L.K.A. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, David Heier of Great Bend, Ronald Heier and Melvin Heier of Salina, and Larry Heier of Park; two brothers, Bill Heier of Monument and Frank Heier of Grainfield; three sisters, Margaret Heier and Antonia Weber, both of Oakley, and Magdalena Zerr of Grainfield; two half-brothers, Felix Heier of WaKeeney and Dominic Heier of Oakley; one half-sister, Martina Bockwinkel of Oakley; and 11 grandchildren. Rosary will be at 7:30 tonight at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Grinnell. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church in Grinnell with the Revs. Roger K. Meitl and Basil Torrez officiating. Burial will be at Immaculate Conception cemetery with military graveside rites by George M. Scott American Legion Post 301 and Grainfield and Wheatland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2864. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the parish hall in Grinnell. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Grainfield American Legion or Grinnell V.F.W, all in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home in Oakley.
Raymond E. Bradshaw 1910-2001
Raymond E. Bradshaw, 90, died Jan. 5 at his residence in Great Bend. He was born March 1, 1910, in Hoisington, the son of Edward and Ida Wilmoth Bradshaw. He married
Edith Willie Grey "Billie" Smiley May 1, 1937, in Wichita. A lifetime resident of Northern Barton County, moving to Great Bend in 1996, he was a farmer and rancher. Bradshaw was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hoisington. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Thomas Charles Bradshaw of Corpus Christi, Texas; three daughters, Loretta Miller of Great Bend, Gaynelle Lentz of Garden City and Jaynelle Schmit of Elkins Park Philadelphia, Pa.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and four sisters. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Hoisington cemetery with the Rev. David LeRoy officiating. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.
John C. McDonald 1952-2001
LARNED - John C. McDonald, 48, died Jan. 5 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, in Wichita. He was born Oct. 8, 1952, in Neodesha, the son of Cecil A. and Lela Damron McDonald. He married
Jeane Damm May 12, 1973, in Great Bend. A resident of Larned for 30 years, coming from Neodesha, he was a sanitation supervisor for the city of Larned. McDonald was a past member of the Eagles and organized the Larned Recycling Center. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Jeremy J. McDonald of Larned; one daughter, Janae M. McDonald of Hays; his father of Larned; his mother and step-father, Lester Seitz of Neodesha; three brothers, Roger McDonald of Neodesha, Lewis A. McDonald and Jimmie McDonald, both of Larned; one sister, Barbara Kujath of Wymore, Neb.; three half-sisters, Sandra Gannaway of Galesburg, Sharon McGown of Erie and Sherlinda Brown of St. Paul. He was preceded in death by one sister, Virginia Gevara. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Larned with the Rev. Dennis Reed officiating. Burial will be at the Larned City cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Victory in the Valley in Wichita, in care of the funeral home.
James 'Jim' Sander 1948-2001
IRVING, Texas - James "Jim" Sander, 52, died Jan. 4 at Baylor Hospital in Irving. He was born March 5, 1948, in Hays, the son of Gilbert J. and Joyce Burkhart Sander. He was an 1966 graduate of Hoisington High School. He married
Marcia McAllister June 13, 1970. A resident of Irving, he operated his own business. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Patrick James Sander of the home; one daughter, Kelly Ann Sander of the home; his father of Great Bend; six sisters, Sharon Fox of Manchester, Mo., Becky Wornkey, Shirley Tomlin and Patty Michael, all of Great Bend, Debbie Shank of Hays, and Connie Sander of Denver, Colo. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Warren Stecklein officiating. His body will be cremated. Memorials are suggested to donor's choice, in care of Ben F. Brown's Memorial Funeral Home in Irving.
