Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Evelyn D. McCrary 1923-2001
RUSSELL - Evelyn D. McCrary, 77, died Feb. 18 at her home in Russell. She was born July 31, 1923, in Rexford, the daughter of Leslie R. and Birdie M. Ogier Childs. She graduated from Rexford High School. She married
Neil M. McCrary Dec. 25, 1944. A resident of Russell since 1945, she was a dispatcher for the police department and a secretary at an insurance office for several years. Mrs. McCrary was a member of Rexford Community Church in Rexford, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Order of the Eastern Star, both of Russell. Survivors include two sons, Richard "Dick" McCrary of Russell and Ronald McCrary of Ellinwood; one daughter, Rita L. Webb of Topeka; two brothers, Cleon Childs of Phillipsburg and Gerald Childs of Olathe; two sisters, Beverly Maris of Wauneta, Neb., and Clois Ann Fiala of Colorado Springs, Colo.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Pohlman's Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Henry Hartman officiating. Burial will be at Russell City cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association, both in care of the mortuary.
Marguerite Virginia Rudicel 1909-2001
LA CROSSE - Marguerite Virginia Rudicel, 92, died Feb. 18 at Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse. She was born Feb. 11, 1909, in Rush County, the daughter of Clyde E. and Daisy P. McCaskey Smith. She was a 1927 graduate of La Crosse High School. A resident of La Crosse, she was a legal secretary. Ms. Rudicel attended the United Methodist Church and was a member of Business and Professional Women's Association. Survivors include one stepson, Dan McClenny of Emporia. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Gladys Peterson and Inez Osborn. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse with the Rev. Kathy Bannister officiating. Burial will be at Rush Center cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse, in care of the funeral home.
Lenora F. West 1920-2001
SEWARD - Lenora F. West, 81, died Feb. 18 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Jan. 24, 1920, in St. John, the daughter of Albion and Elsie Porter. She married
Tom West in 1942. He died in 1992. A resident of Stafford County, she was a homemaker. Survivors include one son, David West of Seward; and two daughters, Lois West of South Hutchinson and Gayle West of Bloomfield, N.M. There will be no service. The body will be cremated. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Minnis Chapel in St. John.
Vallee Wafer Hefner 1934-2001
RIVER OAKS, Texas - Vallee Wafer Hefner, 67, died Feb. 16 at her home in River Oaks. She was born Feb. 14, 1934, in Hill County, Texas, the daughter of James N. "Nick" and Thelma Akins Wafer. She attended Hillsboro High School, Navarro College and Texas Christian University. She married
Frank Read. A resident of River Oaks, she was the retired director of catering for Metro Hotel Management, working with Fort Worth Hilton Hotel, Fort Worth Plaza Hotel, the Clarion Hotels and Ramada Hotels. She was a consultant with the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Control Department. Mrs. Hefner attended the Southern Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, James Randall "Randy" Clinkscales of Hays; one daughter, Rhonda Kay Klima of Great Bend; her mother of River Oaks; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William M. Wafer and Mordaunt Fred "Buddy" Wafer. Funeral was Monday at Biggers Funeral Chapel in Lake Worth, Texas. Burial was at Ridge Park cemetery in Hillsboro.
Mary Burke 1932-2001
GREELEY, Colo. - Mary Burke, 69, died Feb. 16 at her home in Greeley. She was born Jan. 7, 1932, in Little Rock, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Ursula Viola Mayne Isebrands. She married
Andrew Joshua Burke June 21, 1952, in Little Rock. He died March 8, 1993. She attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., and received her bachelor degree in special education. A resident of Greeley, she was a teacher, worked for Weld County School District 6, worked as a data entry clerk, program analyst and managed the MIS department. Mrs. Burke was a member of First United Presbyterian Church of Greeley, serving as church pianist and organist. Survivors include one son, Thomas Andrew Burke of Bonn, Germany; three daughters, Laurie Beth Shaw of Silver Spring, Md., Mimi Costinett and Jane Kristin Burke, both of Greeley; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Thole Isebrands, John Stanley Isebrands and Hillard Isebrands; and four sisters, May Clabaugh, Elizabeth Voss, Laura Marthinsen and Carol Isebrands. Services will be private. Burial will be at Linn Grove cemetery. Friends may call until 7 tonight at Adamson Memorial Chapel at the West Chapel in Greeley, Colo.
Rosa Katrillis Dipple Yost 1908-2001
LA CROSSE - Rosa Katrillis Dipple Yost, 93, died Feb. 20 at Rush County Memorial Hospital. She was born Feb. 10, 1908, in Chase, the daughter of George P. and Marie Sophia Ruhl Dipple. She graduated from Chase High School in 1928. She married
Nelson G. Yost Sept. 7, 1930, at Salem Methodist Church near Bushton. He preceded her in death. A 71 year resident of La Crosse, she was a homemaker and nurse's aid for 20 years. Mrs. Yost was a member of United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher and superintendent, United Methodist Women, former member of Better Homes Unit and Come Join Us Unit. Survivors include one son, Howard Yost of La Crosse; one daughter, Dr. RoNel Meyer of Bella Vista, Ark.; two sisters, Matilda Boldt of Pratt and Bertha Kretzmann of Lyons; five grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by six sisters, Anna Blank, Elizabeth Cline, Amelia Cox, Elsie Keesling, Flora Riedel and Selma Wikoff. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church in La Crosse with the Rev. Kathy Bannister officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Geraldine Helen Schwartz 1921-2001
Geraldine Helen Schwartz, 79, died Feb. 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Oct. 10, 1921, in Ellinwood, the daughter of Karl and Millie Stroh Kienzle. She married
Harold Schwartz Feb. 9, 1942, in Ellinwood. He died May 2, 1993. A lifetime Ellinwood and Great Bend area resident, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Schwartz was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Survivors include one son, Randy Schwartz of Great Bend; three daughters, Kathleen Pafford of Oklahoma City, Okla., Sherry Shupe of Longmont, Colo. and Candy Pawlicki of Chicopee, Mass.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may call until 9 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.
Wayne 'Rob' Roblyer 1941-2001
SYLVIA - Wayne "Rob" Roblyer, 59, died Feb. 19. He was born Aug. 7, 1941, in Kalamazoo, Mich. He was a resident of Sylvia, coming from Hutchinson and Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Rob Roblyer of Great Bend; two daughters, Jackie Roblyer of West Hills, Calif., Judith Snyder of Lancaster, Calif., and Melinda Chaney of North Hollywood, Calif.; two brothers, Robert Roblyer of Texas and Richard Fry of Los Angeles, Calif.; three sisters, Joelyn Willard and Cheri Acerrio, both of Los Angeles, and Betts Roblyer of Great Bend; and four grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Christ in Sylvia. Resthaven Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Billy D. Gross 1935-2001
GRANTS PASS, Ore. - Billy D. Gross, 65, of Grants Pass died Feb. 17 at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, Oregon. He was born Oct. 30, 1935, in Bazine. He married
Maria Duncas July 1, 1969. A resident of Grants Pass since 1961, coming from Colorado, he worked as a forklift operator for the former Wood Products for 26 years. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Luis Gross of Medford and Jessie Gross of San Diego, Calif.; one daughter, Cynthia Gross Thibault of San Diego; two brothers, Vernon Gross of Grass Valley, Calif., and Clyde Gross of Great Bend; one sister, Virginia McGuffey of Grants Pass; and six grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Chapel of The Valley Funeral Home with Marvin Clark officiating. Committal service will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens.
Julie Ann Hammeke 1978-2001
WICHITA - Julie Ann Hammeke, 23, died Feb. 21 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A resident of Wichita, coming from Great Bend, she was a child-care director for Precious Sights DayCare. Survivors include one daughter, Mikala B. Peeks; her mother, Brenda Werdann of Wichita; her father and stepmother, Allan and Gretchen Hammeke of Wichita; one brother, Anthony A. Hammeke of Wichita; two sisters, Jennifer M. Hammeke and Sara J. Hammeke, both of Wichita; and grandparents, Norman and Jolene Hammeke of Great Bend and Joetta J. Allan of Wichita. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita. Burial will be at Kechi cemetery in Kechi. Memorials are suggested to the Educational Fund for Mikala B. Peeks, in care of DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Funeral Home in Wichita.
Alfred "Ray" Almquist
Alfred "Ray" Almquist, 92, GREENWOOD, S.C. - died Feb. 21 at Self Memorial Hospital, Greenwood, S.C. He was born Aug. 4, 1908, at Pawnee Rock, the son of P.P. and Anna Johnson Almquist. He married
Eulah Coykendall on April 28, 1929, in Larned. She died Sept. 30, 1993. A lifetime area resident, he was a former sheriff, farmer and carpenter. Almquist was of the Christian faith and a charter member of the Larned American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include one son, Don Almquist of Larned; onedaughter, Sherrill Inabinet of Greenwood, S.C.; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Marvin; two daughters, Marilyn and Joann; three brothers, Hugo, Ted and Ed; and three sisters, Esther, Hilma and Hazel. A private family graveside service was held Saturday, with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial was at Larned cemetery. Beckwith Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Larned Emergency Medical Services, in care of the mortuary.
Frank Joseph Steffan III
Frank Joseph Steffan III, 87, died Feb. 24 at the Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus. He was born March 5, 1913, at Redwing the son of Frank J. and Louisa Hagar Steffan. He married
Cecelia Younger Oct. 21, 1942, at Marienthal. He was a resident of Great Bend, moving from Marienthal in 1945. He was a rug mechanic working for Rowland's and Falcon Coach Company. Steffan was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Jerry of Great Bend and Ken of Lake Forrest Calif.; three daughters, Betty Zink of Olmitz, Bev Haselhorst and Marilyn Dougherty of Great Bend; 13 grandchildren; sixstep-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Albert and Joe; and three sisters, Annie Steffan, Helen Meggers and Hattie Kaufman. Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Christians Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Warren Stecklein and the Rev. Ultan Murphy officiating. Interment will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick School Endowment Fund, in care of the mortuary.
Alphons Francis Nau
JETMORE - Alphons Francis Nau, 88, died Feb. 23 at the Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore. He was born Jan. 30, 1913, in Windthorst, the son of Henry and Elizabeth Schreck Nau. He married
Anna Mary Beller May 17, 1943, at Bueyeros, N.M. A lifetime resident of Jetmore, he was a farmer, rancher and fur trader. Nau was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Trapper Association and the Kansas Fur Association. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Norbert of Gering, Neb.; eight daughters, Marie Gilchrist of Lakin, Betty Nau of Pawnee Rock, Margaret Phillips and Francine Dixon of Jetmore, Stella Linder of Hanahan, S.C., Loraine Perkins of Westminster, Colo., Christine Herbert and Geneva Cecil of Dodge City; 28 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, William, one sister, Anna Mae Ackerman, and one grandson, David Hutchison. Family rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. and vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the church. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Robert Schremmer officiating. Burial will be at the Fairmount cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at the Beckwith Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Tyson Fritzler Nursing Fund in care of the funeral home.
Betty Colleen Klingler 1928-2001
ELLINWOOD - Betty Colleen Klingler, 72, died Feb. 24 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 5, 1928, in Climax, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Violet Ernestine Wilson. She was a graduate of Russell High School. She married
Charles L. Klingler Oct. 3, 1952, in Hoisington. A resident of Ellinwood since 1972, coming from Hoisington, she was a waitress, babysitter and seamstress. Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Kathleen "Kathy" Dunnaway of Ellinwood and Marcia Jane Melton of Great Bend; one brother, David Wilson of Wichita; two sisters, Helen Mott of Edgerton and Donna Cave of Phoenix, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood with the Revs. David Wesner and Paul Thomas officiating. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Ambulance Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Roy A. Ravenstein 1935-2001
JETMORE - Roy A. Ravenstein, 65, died Feb. 25 at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore. He was born March 9, 1935, in Murdock, the son of Fred and Edna Bitner Ravenstein. He married
Marianne Walters March 2, 1957, in Denver. She died Jan. 14, 1989. He married
Mary Berger May 9, 1992, in Jetmore. A longtime resident of Jetmore, coming from Clint, Texas, he was an installer for Western Electric Telephone Company. Ravenstein was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, American Legion and a retired fireman, all of Jetmore, and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Dodge City. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Mark Ravenstein of Jetmore; three daughters, Catherine Ravenstein of Snyder, Okla., Susan Ravenstein of Goodland and Judy Wasko of Hanston; one stepson, David Berger of Jetmore; two stepdaughters, Sandra View of Kalvesta and Debra Gibbs of Jetmore; two brothers, Wayne Ravenstein of Kinsley and Don Ravenstein of Ellinwood; two sisters, Ellen Werner of Kingman and Dorothy Oliver of Smith Center; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Revs. Bob Schremmer and Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at Fairmont cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, both at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Chester Hawkins American Legion, in care of the funeral home.
