Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Jerry L. Folger 1940-2001
ST. JOHN - Jerry L. Folger, 61, died May 7 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born March 21, 1940, in Great Bend, the son of Floyd A. and Evelyn Potter Folger. A resident of St. John, coming from Houston, Texas, he was a data processor for computer software. Folger was a member of First Baptist Church of St. John, National Rifle Association and AARP. Survivors include his mother of Sylvia; one brother, Tom Folger of Houston, Texas; and one stepbrother, Don Ankerholz of Midland, Texas. A private family service and scattering of the ashes will take place at a later date. Minnis Chapel of Stafford is in charge of arrangements.
Albert L. Dixon 1956-2001
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Albert L. Dixon, 44, died April 25 in San Diego. He was born Nov. 14, 1956, in Warren, Mich., the son of Gerald and Helene Dixon. A resident of San Diego, he grew up in Great Bend. Survivors include his parents of Great Bend; one brother, Gerry Dixon of Stony Point, N.Y.; and one sister, Arlene Exferd of Boise, Idaho. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Brown Grove cemetery in Burdett with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. There will be no visitation. Bryant-Christians Funeral Home of Great Bend is in charge of burial arrangements.
Alan Isern 1935-2001
ELLINWOOD - Alan Isern, 66, died May 8 at Ellinwood District Hospital. He was born April 13, 1935, in Ellinwood, the son of Milton and Helen Weber Isern. A longtime resident of Ellinwood, he was a past president and CEO of Peoples State Bank and owner of Isern Oil Company, both of Ellinwood. Isern was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Grove Park Golf Club, all of Ellinwood; and a University of Kansas Williams Fund member. He was the former mayor of Ellinwood. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include one son, Chad A. Isern of Shawnee; three daughters, Betsy Isern of Overland Park, Amy Mulich of Lewisburg and Molly Curtis of Shawnee; one sister, Carolyn Johnson of Ellinwood; and six grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Ambulance Fund or the Ellinwood School and Library Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.
John Carroll Jarmer 1943-2001
John Carroll Jarmer, 57, of Great Bend, died May 7 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita. He was born Dec. 24, 1943, in Hutchinson, the son of John F. and Albina Sue Horyna Jarmer. A resident of Great Bend, he was an engineer for WelexDivision of Halliburton Services. Jarmer was a member of the Catholic church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Eagles Lodge, all of Great Bend. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include one son, Brett Jarmer of Wamego; two daughters, Rebecca Schroeder of Topeka and Nicole Lentz of Kansas City; and three sisters, Viola Estes of Larned, Loretta Right of Olmitz and Bonnie Reber of Independence. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Great Bend cemetery with a flag presentation by the American Legion Argonne Post 180 of Great Bend. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Hoisington Alcohol Treatment Center, in care of Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Mary A. 'Tommy' Branum 1930-2001
RUSSELL- Mary A. "Tommy" Branum, 71, died May 7 at Wilson Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 11, 1930, at Tescott, the daughter of Buford and Dagmer Everson Thomas. She was a graduate of Ellinwood High School. She married
Joe K. Branum Feb. 25, 1949, in Ellinwood. He died Nov. 27, 1985. A longtime resident of Russell, She was a homemaker and helped in the office with her husband's oil business. Mrs. Branum was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, both of Russell. Survivors include three sons, Kyle Branum, Kelly Branum and Scott Branum, all of Russell; one brother, Dale Thomas of McPherson; one sister, Willabeth Hauser of Red Feather Lake, Colo.; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Theresa Jo Branum Grunwald. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church in Russell, with the Rev. Kelly Talyor-Schauf officiating. Burial will be at the Russell City cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Pohlman's Mortuary in Russell. Memorials are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, in care of the mortuary.
Shirley L. Nickell 1934-2001
MEDICINE LODGE - Shirley L. Nickell, 67, died May 7 at the Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Feb. 19, 1934, at Medicine Lodge. The daughter of Arthur and Bertha May Snyder Ash. She married
Bob L. Nickell on May 15, 1951. He died Nov. 20, 1985. A lifetime resident of Medicine Lodge, she was an operator and clerk at Isaiah's Thrift Shop in Medicine Lodge. Survivors include one son, Robert Nickell of Arlington; two daughters, Kathy Thomas of Woodward, Okla., and Christy Jacobs of Medicine Lodge; two brothers, Bob Ash of Anthony and Raymond Ash of Great Bend; one sister, Betty Hargus of Petersburg, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Restoration Church in Medicine Lodge, with the Revs Mike Shinkle and Jay Morford officiating. Burial will be at Highland cemetery in Medicine Lodge. Friends may call 8 tonight at Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home in Medicine Lodge. Memorials are suggested to Isaiah's Thrift Shop, in care of the funeral home.
Benjamin 'Ben' Franklin Spatz Jr. 1913-2001
BELOIT - Benjamin "Ben" Franklin Spatz Jr., 87, died May 10 at his home in Beloit. He was born Aug. 15, 1913, in Mitchell County. He married
Aileen Spatz. A lifelong resident of Beloit, he was a sales representative for Sunflower Manufacturing. Spatz was a member of First United Methodist Church, Methodist Men, Lions Club and was a past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, all of Beloit. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Cindy Balthazor of Russell and Sheila Hein of Hoisington; one sister, Hester Roles of Beloit; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Kirk Matthew Balthazor. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Bill Brazil officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood cemetery in Beloit. Friends may call at Harrison Funeral Home in Beloit. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Gilbert Joseph Dreher 1930-2001
HAYS - Gilbert Joseph Dreher, 71, died May 9 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Jan. 9, 1930, at Liebenthal, the son of Rudolph Conrad and Magdalena Helen Suppes Dreher. A lifelong resident of Rush County, he was a farmer. Dreher was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Liebenthal and the Kansas National Guard. Survivors include one son, Gilbert Dreher Jr. of Hays,; two daughters; Suzanne Bieker of Ellis and Margi Learned of Liebenthal; two brothers; Charles Dreher of Mesa, Ariz., and Norbert Dreher of Aurora, Colo.; one sister; Mary Ann Flax of Dodge City; six grandchildren; and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Dreher, Julius Dreher and James Dreher. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph's cemetery. Friends may call from 9-9:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Gilbert Joseph Dreher memorial, in care of Janousek Funeral Home.
Helen L. Finney 1909- 2001
EDMOND, Okla. - Helen L. Finney, 91, died May 11 at Edmond Medical Center in Edmond Okla. She was born Dec. 2, 1909, at Canton, the daughter of William L. and Elta Maude Powers Ganson. She married
Kenneth W. Finney Nov. 19, 1929, in Salina. He died Nov. 26, 1980. A resident of McPherson from 1981-1996, coming from Hays and Great Bend, she was a homemaker and a Barton County Resister of Deeds. Mrs. Finney was a member of First Presbyterian Church of McPherson. Survivors include one son, Jack Finney of Henderson, Nev.,; one brother; Leslie Ganson of Vergennes, Vt.; three sisters; Lois Koffel of Lake Placid, Fla., Marjorie Arnold and Pat 'Shirley' Cain, both of Valley Center; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Don Finney; three brothers, Wayne Ganson, Elton Ganson and Ralph Ganson; two sisters, Sue Wintersteen and Maxine Blevins; and one granddaughter; Stephanie Finney. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church in McPherson, with the Rev. William Nelson officiating. Burial will be at McPherson cemetery. Friends may call until 5 tonight at Stockham Family Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Leona Mead 1924-2001
LARNED - Leona Mead, 77, died May 11 at her Larned residence. She was born April 4, 1924, at Trousdale, the daughter of Tony W. and Effie D. Strunk Bell. A lifelong area resident, she was a nurse's aide at Larned State Hospital. In her retirement years, she operated a taxi service. Survivors include one son, Vernon Lynn 'Sonny' Mead of Larned; two daughters; Angel Degenhardt of Hoisington and Sherry Colglazier of Larned; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Darrell Mead; two brothers, Arlin 'Buster' Bell and Otis Bell; four sisters, Cleo Debusk, Marie Stimatze, Agnes Bell and Lively Turner; and one great-granddaughter; Rebekah McCool. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, with Don Degenhardt officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Hospice of the Golden Belt or the American Cancer Society, both in care of the mortuary.
Verla Maxine Wheaton 1933-2001
LYONS - Verla Maxine Wheaton, 67, died May 11 at Good Samaritian Center in Olathe. She was born July 23, 1933, at Centerview, the daughter of Tom and Verna Turner Stade. She married
Garrett Eugene Wheaton Jan. 17, 1954, at Lewis. A resident of Lyons since 1966, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Wheaton was a member of First Baptist Church, former Sunday school teacher and superintendent, all of Lyons; and former president and volunteer at the Rice County Women's Thrift Shop. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, David Wheaton of Kansas City, Mo., and Sheldon Wheaton of Olathe; her mother, Verna Stade of South Hutchinson; one brother; Thomas DeVou Stade of Grass Valley, Calif.; and two grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Karas officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Wayne cemetery in Lewis. Friends may call from 2-7 p.m. Monday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Memorials are suggested to Rice County Women's Thrift Shop or Kansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes, both in care of the funeral home.
Robert 'Bob' L. Folkerts 1936-2001
TIMKEN - Robert 'Bob' Folkerts, 64, died, May 9 at Hays Medical Center. He was born May 14, 1936, at Great Bend, the son of Harvey H. and Vera Cecila Parker Folkerts. A resident of Timken since 1991 coming from Missouri, he was a heavy equipment mechanic. Folkerts was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include four sons, Ted Folkerts of Timken, Tim Folkerts of Hays and Kelly Folkerts and Kenny Folkerts, both of Tula, Okla.; two daughters, Traci Suppes of Great Bend and Terrie Folkerts of Rush Center; one brother, Max Folkerts of Timken; one sister, Sherrie Litzenburger of Edmond, Okla.; and 12 grandchildren. There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at La Crosse cemetery with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Military graveside service will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Burial will be at the cemetery. Great Bend Family Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Vern Shryock 1920-2001
ST. JOHN - Vern Shryock, 81, died May 14 at his residence in St. John. He was born March 6, 1920, in St. John, the son of Joe and Mary Shryock. He married
Betty Ragsdale. She died. He married
Velda May Mulholland Sept. 4, 1973. A resident of St. John, he was a painter, carpenter and farmer, working at Kansas Highway Department, city of St. John and White Manufacturing in St. John. Shryock was a member of First Southern Baptist Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of St. John. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Jack Shryock of Wichita, Dennis Shryock of Maize and Larry Shryock of Cheney; two stepsons, Jack Smith of Sanbenito, Texas, and Ronald Smith of San Antonio, Texas; one brother, Gail Shryock of Apache Junction, Ariz.; one sister, Nadine Minnis of St. John; 13 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Shryock. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John with the Rev. Ron Miller officiating. Memorials are suggested to Southwind Hospice in Pratt, in care of Minnis Chapel in St. John.
Matilda 'Marie' Waknitz 1903-2001
Matilda "Marie" Waknitz, 97, of Great Bend, died May 16 at Cherry Village Nursing Home. She was born Aug. 8, 1903, at Bazine, the daughter of Frederick and Louise Hartman Waknitz. A resident of Great Bend for six years coming from Bazine, she was an Assembly of God minister. She was a member of the Assembly of God minister's association. Survivors include one brother, Dr. Frederick Waknitz of Seattle. She was preceded in death by one brother, Ed Waknitz. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Assembly of God Church with the Rev. David Hartsell officiating. Burial will be at Bazine cemetery. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. today at Great Bend Family Mortuary and from noon until service time Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Assembly of God Seminary, in care of the mortuary.
Gertrude Shaft Fritzemeyer 1908-2001
STAFFORD - Gertrude Shaft Fritzemeyer, 92, died May 15 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born June 21, 1908, at Clements, the daughter of Augustus Fremont and Ethelind Pyles Shaft. She was a graduate of Cottonwood Falls High School and Salt City Business College in Hutchinson. She married
Ben Fritzemeyer April 4, 1933, in Hutchinson. He died March 29, 2000. A resident of rural Stafford since 1933, she was a secretary for Hutchinson Office Supply and Printing. Mrs. Fritzemeyer was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Stafford. Survivors include two sons, Joe Fritzemeyer of Stafford and Ray Fritzemeyer of Wichita; one daughter, Irma Ethridge of Glasco; one brother, Junior Shaft of Atwater, Calif.; one sister, Edna Keller of Hutchinson; six grandchildren; two step grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Shaft. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church in Stafford with the Rev. David Vetter officiating. Burial will be at Stafford cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the chapel.
