Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Mary S. Demel 1911-2001
ODIN - Mary S. Demel, 89, died April 1 at Cherry Village Residential Care in Great Bend. She was born April 13, 1911, in Hoisington, the daughter of William and Sidonia Moeder Klug. She married
Frank A. Demel Nov. 21, 1932, in Odin. He died April 13, 1989. A lifetime resident of Odin, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Demel was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Odin; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary of Claflin. Survivors include six sons, Robert F. Demel and Ray Demel, both of Great Bend, Thomas Demel and Mark Demel, both of Hoisington, Marvin Demel of Kanopolis and Allen Demel of Woodward, Okla.; two daughters, Dolores Ann Rosenberg of Simsbury, Conn., and Rosie Schremmer of Hoisington; one brother, Ed Klug of Great Bend; three sisters, Odee Murphy and Cecelia McClure, both of Wichita, and Dorothy Mayer of Springfield, Mass.; 23 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 14 brothers and sisters. Vigil service at 7 tonight, followed by an Altar Society Rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at Holy Family cemetery in Odin. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the cemetery, in care of the funeral home.
Earl W. Booth 1916-2001
HOISINGTON - Earl W. Booth, 85, died March 31 at Hoisington Rehabilitation Center in Hoisington. He was born Jan. 30, 1916, in Sedalia, Mo., the son of Earl and Hattie Thompson Booth. He married
Marjorie Ellen Hartman Feb. 13, 1951, in La Crosse. She died April 1, 1971. A resident of Susank, he was a pumper for NCRA, retiring in 1978. Booth was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6240 of Russell. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II veteran, and was the recipient of a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and WW II Victory Medal. Survivors include two sons, Randy W. Booth of Hoisington and Richard E. Booth of Bartlesville, Okla.; five daughters, Darlene Nulton of Hoisington, Brenda Summerville of Grandbury, Texas, Chris Wornkey of Ellinwood, Roberta Wagner of Aurora, Colo., and Terry Crayne of Nevarre, Fla.; two sisters, Gaye Wallace of Sarasota, Fla., and Vivian Page of Aurora; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, B.C, Booth. Memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Cremation has taken place and a private inurnment will be at a later time in the Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, in care of the funeral home.
Douglas 'Fonz' Farnsworth 1948-2001
KILLEEN, Texas - Douglas "Fonz" Farnsworth, 51, died March 30 at his home in Killeen. He was born July 30, 1948, in Hoisington, the son of Kenneth and Ruby Carroll Farnsworth. He married
Karen Wyatt in 1992 in Killeen. A resident of Killeen, coming from Kansas, he was a vehicle-maintenance technician at Fort Hood, Texas. Farnsworth was a U.S. Army veteran, serving for 20 years before retiring as a sergeant first class in 1987. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Christopher Johnson of Killeen; two daughters, Suki Farnsworth of Walkerville, Texas, and Kayleigh Johnson of Killeen; two brothers, Michael Farnsworth of Decatur, Ill., and Terry Farnsworth of Gentry, Ark. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen with the Rev. Joda Weston officiating. Burial will be at Garden of Memories cemetery in Killeen. Friends may call from 6-8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.
Leland W. Deutsch 1930-2001
HOISINGTON - Leland W. Deutsch, 71, died April 1 at his residence in Hoisington. He was born Feb. 3, 1930, in rural Susank, the son of Fred and Emelia Bitter Deutsch. He married
Angeline Radke Feb. 28, 1954, in Milberger. A resident of Hoisington, he was retired from Exxon and was a contract pumper. Deutsch was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428, all of Hoisington. He was a Hoisington City Council member and little league baseball coach. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Steven L. Deutsch and Kent A. Deutsch, both of Wichita; one daughter, Kathryn S. Betts of Fallbrook, Calif.; four brothers, Dean Deutsch of Hutchinson, Junior Deutsch and Robert Deutsch, both of Hoisington, and Edward Deutsch of Topeka; four sisters, Helena Mai and Irene Bitter, both of Hoisington, Theresa Dumler of Russell and Wilma Miller of Hutchinson; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Armin Deutsch, Raymond Deutsch, Paul Deutsch and Edwin Deutsch. Prayer service will be at 7:30 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Garry Dassow officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery with graveside rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the funeral home and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, and Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, all in care of the funeral home.
Jeanette I. Staley 1930-2001
RUSSELL - Jeanette I. Staley, 70, died March 31 at St. Mary's Hospital in Enid, Okla. She was born Oct. 5, 1930, in Hays, the daughter of Nathan A. and Louise Fern Sander Keener. She graduated from Russell High School. She married
Donald K. Staley Jan. 30, 1953, in Russell. A resident of Enid, coming from Russell, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Staley was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Russell. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Nathan Staley of McPherson and Keith Staley of Enid; three daughters, Lillian Parks of Woodward, Okla., Rena Dolezal of Great Bend and Holly Frazier of Wichita; one brother, Jackie Keener of Russell; one sister, Mary Lou Morgenstern of Russell; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one grandson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pohlman's Mortuary Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Glenn Tombaugh officiating. Burial will be at Bunker Hill cemetery in Bunker Hill. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, in care of the mortuary.
Maxine 'Mickie' Imogene Bolinger 1922-2000
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Maxine "Mickie" Imogene Bolinger, 77, died Nov. 27, 2000, in San Francisco. She was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Minneola, the daughter of O.F. and Blanche Bolinger. She was a 1941 graduate of Great Bend High School. She also attended Minneola, Dodge City and Hays schools. A resident of San Francisco, coming from Denver, Colo., she was a reservation representative for United Air Lines. Miss Bolinger was a member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include one brother, Merritt Bolinger of Eckert, Colo.; and two sisters, Francis Bolinger and Dorothy Beth Bolinger. She was preceded in death by one brother, O.F. Bolinger Jr.; and four sisters, Gwendolyn Shields, Blanche Bolinger, Virginia Reed and Dorothy Mills. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. William Wolf officiating. Friends may call at 3 p.m. Friday, poolside at the Holiday Inn in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Barton County Historical Society, in care of Fryberger Mortuary in Great Bend.
John 'Johnny' Blank Jr. 1915-2001
HOLYROOD - John "Johnny" Blank Jr., 86, died April 2 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born Jan. 11, 1915, in Chase, the son of John Sr. and Anna Dipple Blank. He married
Margaret Smith May 14, 1950, at Lake Benton, Minn. A resident of Ellsworth and Rice counties, he was a farmer and carpenter. Blank was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Holyrood. He was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Daniel Blank of Halstead and Merle Dean Blank of Madison, Ala.; two daughter, Iris Ogden of Great Bend and Marcia Hendrix of Springfield, Mo.; one brother, Lawrence Blank of Lyons; two sisters, Aline Dole of Wichita and Evelyn Shadduck of Holyrood; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Bernard John Blank; and one sister, Mary Mae Blank. Flower service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Mary Lou Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul's United Church of Christ cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 8-10 a.m. Thursday, all at Parsons Funeral Home in Ellsworth and from 1 p.m. until service time Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Kansas State University Center for Basic Cancer Research, in care of the funeral home.
Marjorie Isabelle Mayo 1911-2001
HUTCHINSON - Marjorie Isabelle Mayo, 89, died April 3 at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. She was born Oct. 15, 1911, in Claflin, the daughter of Robert Townsend and Wilhemina Johanna Piel Mayo. A resident of Hutchinson, coming from Claflin, she was a homemaker and was employed by Claflin Flour Mill during the war years. Miss Mayo was a member of United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, both of Claflin; Kansas People to People International, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Daughters of the Union Veterans and Barton County Historical Society. Survivors include one sister, Harriet Mayo of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Roberta Gibler, Gertrude Mix and Elizabeth Hartman. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Janet Myers officiating. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Claflin Community Scholarship Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington.
Margaret S. Worster 1910-2001
LARNED - Margaret S. Worster, 90, died April 1 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus in Larned. She was born Aug. 27, 1910, at Elberfeld, Germany, the daughter of Fred and Marie Pohl Harke. She married
Pete Worster May 7, 1930, at Fort Collins, Colo. He died Dec. 13, 1994. A resident of Larned, coming from Laramie, Wyo., she was a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Hugo William "Bill" Worster of Roundup, Mont.; two daughters, Hellen Collins of Ticaboo, Utah, and Greta Atwell of Larned; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren. Memorial service will be at a later date in Laramie. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice, in care of Morell Funeral Home in Larned.
Jane E. Williams 1918-2001
LARNED - Jane E. Williams, 82, died April 3 at Wellstar-Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga. She was born Aug. 17, 1918, in Dodge City, the daughter of Bruce E. and Beth Warner Josserand. She was a graduate of Kansas State Teachers' College in Emporia. She married
Robert "Bob" Williams Aug. 15, 1942, in Dodge City. He died March 8, 1984. A resident of Larned, she was a librarian at Jordaan Memorial Library in Larned. Mrs. Williams was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Fort Larned Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, all of Larned, and the American Association of University Women. Survivors include four sons, Robert B. Williams and Gregory W. Williams, both of Marietta, Stephen C. Williams of Hampton, Ga., and Roger R. Williams of Rapid City, S. D.; and five grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be in Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the library or the church, both in care of the funeral home.
Charles Wayne Duncan 1931-2001
PRATT - Charles Wayne Duncan, 69, died April 2 at Pratt Regional Medical Center. He was born April 14, 1931, in Collyer, the son of Charles N. and Myrtle Vansyke Duncan. He married
Loretta M. Wood Feb. 2, 1972, in Boulder, Colo. A resident of Pratt, coming from Boulder, he was owner and operator of A & A Propane in Pratt. Duncan was a member of a trap shooters' club. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, George Long of North Kingstown, R.I., and John Long of Lafayette, Colo.; six daughters, Gaylene Thayer of Meriden, Waynette Reese of Paducah, Ky., Denise Bertram and Vickie Basye, both of Hoisington, Linda Northway of Pratt and Cindy Pearce of Boulder; one sister, Lois Swanson of Sun City, AZ.; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Larrison Mortuary in Pratt. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Collyer City cemetery. Friends may from 7-8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Pratt County Humane Society, in care of the mortuary.
Cecil Tobias 1912-2001
LYONS - Cecil Tobias, 88, died today at Good Samaritan Center in Lyons. He was born May 4, 1912, in Lyons, the son of Edward A. and Pearl Hamm Tobias. He married
Frances Kimple June 4, 1946, at Lyons. A resident of Lyons, he was a farmer and stockman. Tobias was a member of United Methodist Church, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and IOOF Lodge, all of Lyons. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific theater of operations. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Ed Tobias of Lyons and Dan Tobias of Lincoln, Neb.; one daughter, Elaine Brandenburg of Lincoln; two brothers, the Rev. Robert Tobias of Racine, Wis., and Jim Tobias of Lyons; two sisters, Helen Long of Hutchinson and Mariella Sawin of Lyons; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Tobias; and one great-grandson, Cody Maw. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. Robert Tobias and Cindy Watson officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Good Samaritan Center, all in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.
Jacepine Diane Myers 1934-2001
CANON CITY, Colo. - Jacepine Diane Myers completed her physical life's journey March 30, 2001, at her home in the Colorado mountains she loved. Jacepine was born in Great Bend Jan. 3, 1934, the daughter of John Wendell and Phyllis Smith. She met her future husband in grade school, and, as a young women, fell in love with and married
Walter Franklin Myers. On Jan. 13, 1950, after eloping to Dodge City, Jacepine began her career as a Cherished Wife, Terrific Mother and Wonderful Grandmother. Jacepine is survived by her husband of 51 years, Walter Myers. Her children: John Walter Myers (Mary) of Longmont, Colo., Lucinda Diane Stegman (Don) of Penrose, Colo., Kimberly Kay Saiyers (Dave) of Rosita, Colo., Tracy Neile Hokanson (Bill) of Clifton, Colo., and Amanda Jane Weakland (Pat) of Windsor, Colo. Grandchildren: David, Kerri, Wendy and John Myers; Erin, Jennifer, Callie and Kaitlin Stegman; Caleb and Jacepine Hokanson; Zachary and Rachel Weakland. Her mother, Phyllis Smith of Hutchinson. Sisters, Linda Deckert of Manhattan, Sherry Mundehenke of Hutchinson also survive Jacepine as well as nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to mention. Her father, Wendell Smith preceded Jacepine in death. Cremation with private family service was held on March 31. With treasured memories, family and friends will lovingly remember Jacepine Diane Myers.
Stewart William Rife 1912-2001
LYONS - Stewart William Rife, 88, died April 5 at Lyons District Hospital. He was born Aug. 22, 1912, in rural Windom, the son of Marshall and Josie Whorton Rife. He was a graduate of Lyons High School. He married
Ethel M. Fischer Nov. 5, 1936, in Sylvan Grove. She died June 14, 1981. He married
Ruth Brubaker Burgess March 28, 1982, in Chase. A resident of Rice County, he was a farmer. Rife was a member of Ebenezer Methodist Church and the Liars Fishing Club, both of Lyons. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Mervyn Rife of Lyons; two daughters, Anita Doheny of Nevada City, Calif., and Karen Smith of Huntsville, Ala.; one stepson, Richard Burgess of Lyons; three stepdaughters, Linda Eades and Nancy Henry, both of Lyons, and Norma Zajic of Holyrood; one brother, Kenton Rife of Oswego; two sisters, Janice Brubaker of Lyons and Lowella Day of Longmont, Colo.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Dean Rife; and two sisters, Bernadine Rolfs and Arlene Martin. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church with the Revs. Janet Weathersbee and Kevin Butler officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery. Friends may call 2-6 p.m. Sunday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
