Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Stephen Edward Rettig 1945-2001
SALINA - Stephen Edward Rettig, 55, died April 25 at his home in Salina. He was born July 23, 1945, in Wichita, the son of Ross E. and Constance J. Tarrant Rettig. A resident of Salina, he was an MIS operations manager for UMB NBA Bank in Salina. He also worked for First National Bank in Great Bend, Kansas Garden National Bank in Garden City and the Santa Fe Railroad. Rettig was a member of First Southern Baptist Church of Salina, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Garden City J.C., and the Salina Twirlers. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his father of Wellington; two daughters, Jaunita J. Justice of Carneys Point, N.J., and Natasha M. Behner of Salina; one brother, Richard A. Rettig of Wellington; one sister, Laura M. Rettig of Wellington; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Linda Rettig. Memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Glenn Davis officiating. Cremation has taken place. A reception dinner at the church will be held following the service for family and friends. Memorials are suggested to the church, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, or Hospice of Salina, all in care of Ryan Mortuary of Salina.
Carolee Arian Barben 1918-2001
SABETHA - Carolee Arian Barben, 82, died April 25 at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha. She was born Nov. 4, 1918, near Oneida, the daughter of Edwin George and Clara Leone Gage Brinkworth. She graduated from Sabetha High School. She married
Edward Adolph Barben Feb. 1, 1939, in Nashua, Iowa. He died Sept. 21, 1991. A resident of Sabetha, coming from Fairview, she was a farmer and homemaker. Mrs. Barben was a member of Delaware Baptist Church and Ladies Group and the General Federation of Women's Club, all of Fairview. Survivors include two sons, Dr. Joe Barben of Placitas, N.M., and Ross Barben of Great Bend; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Kent Barben; and two brothers, Marvel Quenten Brinkworth and Garth Edwin Brinkworth. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Popkess Mortuary Chapel in Sabetha. Burial will be at Isely cemetery, north of Fairview. Friends may call from 7-8:30 tonight at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the mortuary.
Raymond G. Hainke 1922-2001
RUSSELL - Raymond G. Hainke, 79, died April 25 at Russell Regional Hospital in Russell. He was born Feb. 27, 1922, in Otis, the son of Guy Bruno and Martha Wolf Hainke. He was a graduate of Russell High School. He married
Isabel Danby Jan. 26, 1946, in Durham, England. A resident of Russell, he owned a lawnmower repair shop for many years in Russell. Hainke was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 6240, both of Russell. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Gary Hainke of Wichita; three daughters, Gloria Deem of Seattle, Wash., Rita Hainke of Kansas City, Mo., and Virginia Arend of Topeka; and five grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Pohlman's Mortuary Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Harlan Kaden officiating. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran cemetery in Russell. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church or American Cancer Society, both in care of the mortuary.
Merle R. Peterson 1947-2001
HUTCHINSON - Merle R. Peterson, 47, died April 26 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Oct. 27, 1947, at Lyons, the son of Ralph F. and Helen M. Smith Peterson. Survivors include two sisters, Mildred Dundas of Hutchinson and Elizabeth Rohrbaugh of Olathe. Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary Chapel in Hutchinson with the Rev. Barry Dundas officiating. Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest cemetery, Great Bend. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to TECH, in care of the mortuary.
Charlotte Bea Berry 1944-2001
WICHITA-Charlotte Bea Berry, 56, died April 25 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was born Aug. 21, 1944, at Great Bend, the daughter of Gaylord and Ruth Thompson. A resident of Wichita for one year, coming from Houston, Texas, and Macksville, she was a legal secretary. Mrs. Berry was a past member of Macksville Christian Church, Grace United Methodist Church and OES, all of Macksville. Survivors include three daughters, Jodi Tucker of Dickinson, Texas, Gail Tucker of Wamego and Vicki Mills of Hockley, Texas; one brother, Douglas Miller of Holcomb; one sister, Beverly Coen of Wichita; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Gregory Tucker. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Macksville Christian Church in Macksville with the Rev. Carey Haner officiating. Inurnment will be at Farmington cemetery at Macksville. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Animal Rescue Project, in care of Minnis Chapel of Macksville.
Chester E. Bauer 1910-2001
HUDSON- Chester E. Bauer, 90, died April 27 at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. He was born Dec. 9, 1910, at Hudson, the son of Henry J. and Sabena Siefkes Bauer. He was a 1929 graduate of Hudson High School and received a teacher's degree at Emporia State Teachers College. He married
Helen Naomi Anderson on May 31,1935, in Hudson. She died Oct. 12, 1998. A resident of Hudson most of his life, he was a bulk oil distributer for Hudson Oil Company from 1933-1973. Bauer was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Hudson, and a past member of American Legion and Eagles Lodge, both of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include one son, Dr. Thomas A. Bauer of Hutchinson; one daughter, Mary Lou Martin of Wichita; two half-brothers, Charles Bauer and Harold Bauer, both of Hudson; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Johanna Carpenter. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. George Redington officiating. Inurnment will be at Trinity cemetery at Hudson. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the Minnis Chapel of St. John.
Vivan 'V.E.' Cates 1922-2001
CLAFLIN- Vivan "V.E." Cates, 78, died April 27 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born July 10, 1922, at Ellsinore, Mo., the son of Jesse Elmond and Lizzie Carter Cates. He married
Thelma J. Gower on Dec. 18, 1948, at Winfield. A resident of Claflin since 1954, coming from Cushing, Okla., he was an operator of Cates Motor Service since 1954, Cates Custom Combines from 1958-1983 and owner of Cates Service and Supply from 1978 until his retirement, all of Claflin. Cates was a member of First Southern Baptist Church of Claflin. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; six sons, Donald Cates and Robert Cates, both of Claflin, Bruce Cates of Houston, Texas, Raymond Cates of Fort Worth, Texas, Steven Cates of Emporia and Barry Cates of Milwaukee, Wis.; one daughter, Myra Prosser of Claflin; his father, Jesse E. Cates of Cushing; eight sisters, Irene Pack, Kathleen Harrison, Opal Gayhart and Juanita Kirkpatrick, all of Cushing, Lorene Franklin of Manford, Okla., Ernestine Pershing of Stillwater, Okla., Sylvia Myerdirk of Bartlesville, Okla., and Rosilee Mills of Pittsboro, N.C.; 21 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Claflin with the Rev. Matthew Price officiating. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery with military graveside rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County or Vivan and Thelma Cates scholarship fund, both in care of the funeral home.
William 'Don' Donald McCrary 1924-2001
LARNED - William "Don" Donald McCrary, 76, died April 28 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born Sept. 16, 1924, at Davenport, Calif., the son of Earl C. and Goldie L. Burton McCrary. He married
Leona A. Fought March 28, 1950, at Santa Cruse, Calif. A longtime resident of Larned, he was a retired machine operator for Cross Manufacturing in Lewis. McCrary was a member of Church of Christ of Larned. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; five sons, William Daniel McCrary of Pawcatuck, Conn., Willard Daryl McCrary of Boise, Idaho, Warren Dean McCrary of St. Louis, Mo., Wayne Dale McCrary of Hutchinson and Walter Donald McCrary of Walker; one brother, Robert "Bob" McCrary of Portland, Ore.; four sisters, Audrey Keller of Marysville, Calif., Edith Harbert of Riverside, Calif., Esther Greenwood of Soquel, Calif., and Iris Crabb of Valley Springs, Calif.; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. Alvin Leach officiating. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Morehead cemetery in Morehead. Friends may call from noon until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, all at the funeral home. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Alvin A. Hartman 1927-2001
BISON - Alvin A. Hartman, 74, died April 29 at Hays Medical Center. He was born Feb. 7, 1927, in Loretta, the son of George and Catharine Stegman Hartman. He was a 1944 graduate of La Crosse High School. A life-long resident of Rush County, he was a farmer. Hartman was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Liebenthal. Survivors include one brother, Norbert Hartman of Bison. He was preceded in death by one brother, Celestin Hartman; and one sister, Euphrosena Basgall. Wake service with a rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Revs. Ultan Murphy and Eugene Kenny officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's cemetery in Loretta. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Fidelis Jacob Schmidt 1915-2001
PLAINVILLE - Fidelis Jacob Schmidt, 86, died April 29 at Hays Medical Center. He was born Feb. 19, 1915, at Catherine, the son of Fred and Margaret Dinkel Schmidt. He married
Albina Hammerschmidt Nov. 26, 1940, at Victoria. A resident of Plainville, he was a retired oil field pumper, farmer and massage therapist. Schmidt was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, both of Plainville, and a member of American Massage Therapist Association. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Gerald Schmidt and Eugene Schmidt, both of Great Bend, and Patrick Schmidt of Manhattan; three daughters, Patricia Roy of Stockton, Kathlyn Holmes of Manhattan and Jacquelyn Morgan of Menlo; four brothers, Leo Schmidt of Missoula, Mont., Hilary Schmidt and Marcellus Schmidt, both of Hays, and John Schmidt of Great Bend; five sisters, Marge Younger and Mary Pelzel, both of Hays, Albertine Likiardopoulos of Wichita, Ann Schmidt of Plainville and Jane Jacobs of Minneapolis, Minn.; 18 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe Schmidt and Alex Schmidt; and one sister, Kate Quint. Parish vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Brock's North Hill Chapel in Hays. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church in Hays with the Rev. Joe Popelka officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph's cemetery in Hays. Friends may call from 6-8 tonight, from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and from 8:30-9:45 a.m. Wednesday, all at the funeral home.
Lois E. Fox 1933-2001
LARNED - Lois E. Fox, 68, died April 30 at her home in Larned. She was born Jan. 28, 1933, in Hudson, the daughter of Paul Frederick and Neva Freda Mellies Fischer. She married
Roger Fox Feb. 18, 1951, in Larned. A lifelong resident of Larned, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Fox was a member of United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, all of Larned. Survived include her husband of the home; two daughters, Sherry Webster and Marsha Erway, both of Larned; three brothers, Robert Fischer of Hutchinson, Rex Fischer of Salina and Lee Fischer of Larned; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the mortuary.
Eula Estelle Rogers 1895-2001
CARTER, Okla. - Eula Estelle Rogers, 105, died April 24 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 7, 1895, in Wise County, Texas, the daughter of Harrison and Dora Dover Smith. She married
Thomas Jefferson Rogers Jan. 15, 1915, in Carter. He died in 1982. A resident of Carter, she was a farmer and homemaker. Mrs. Rogers was a member of First Baptist Church of Carter. Survivors include one daughter, Bettie Trotnic of Hoisington; one brother, Ira Smith of Santa Rosa, N.M.; one sister, Roberta Rouse of Lafayette, La.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Bill Rogers; one daughter, Evelyn Lee; and one grandson, Larry Lee. The funeral was held April 28 at the church. She was buried at Carter cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or the donor's choice, both in care of People's Cooperative Funeral Home in Lone Wolf, Okla.
Katherine Mary Rusco 1912-2001
Katherine Mary Rusco, 88, of Great Bend, died April 30 at Eudora Nursing Home in Eudora. She was born Sept. 23, 1912, in Ellinwood, the daughter of Michael and Theresa Auburger Schartz. She married
Orville John Rusco June 13, 1934, in Great Bend. He died June 8, 1998. A lifelong resident of Barton County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Rusco was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ellinwood. She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend and was a member of its Altar Society. Survivors include one son, Dr. Jim A. Rusco of Little Rock, Ark.; two daughters, Gloria Chediak of Lawrence and Vaunita Schnell of Newton Centre, Mass.; one sister, Dolores Kirkman of Great Bend; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3-9 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to ElderCare or both churches, all in care of the funeral home.
Fred C. Witt 1927-2001
BURDETT - Fred C. Witt, 74, died April 30 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus in Larned. He was born Feb. 19, 1927, at Borger, Texas, the son of Chester and Beatrix Gorden Witt. He married
Caroline M. Scothorn Nov. 10, 1948, in Jetmore. A resident of Burdett, coming from Scotsdale, Ariz., and Denver, Colo., he was a printer for The Denver Post for 40 years. He was a member of the Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kan. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Ronald L. Witt of Golden, Colo., John R. Witt of Aurora, Colo., and Chester Wade Witt of Youngesville, N.C.; one daughter, Connie Ann DePue of Edmore, Mich.; five brothers, Delbert Witt of Missoula, Mont., Lee Witt of Kansas City, Leo Witt of Hanston, Harold Wayne Witt of Crane, Mo., and Thomas Witt of Salt Lake City, Utah; three sisters, Audrey Hess of Newton, Maxine Waterhouse of Jetmore and Joan Freeman of Waxahatchi, Texas; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Freddie Witt. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice, in care of the mortuary.
