Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Gertrude Novotny (1906-2003)
ELLINWOOD — Gertrude Novotny, 96, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Mrs. Novotny was born July 8, 1906, at Bushton, the daughter of James Curtis and Ida Jane (Rishel) Cook. Mrs. Novotny was a homemaker. She was a liftetime resident of Ellsworth and Rice counties. Mrs. Novotny was a charter member of the Ellsworth Home Extension Unit, and she was also a member of the United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Church in Ellsworth. She was married Sept. 9, 1925, in Geneseo to Louis Novotny. He died in 1990. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Lorelle Wagner, who died in 1974. Survivors include two sons, Larry Novotny of Bushton and Stuart Novotny of Solomon; and six daughters, Alyce Pflughoeft of Ellsworth, Leona Barkow of Ellsworth, Jayne Hill of Bushton, Thelma Janssen of Leoti, Karen Hoffman of Overland Park, and Judith Long of Wichita; 24 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at the United Methodist Church in Ellsworth, the Rev. Jim Newkirk officiating. Visitation is 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at Parsons Funeral Home. Burial will be in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church.
Alice J. Peters (1908-2003)
GUNNISON, Colo. — Alice J. Peters, 94, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, in Gunnison, Colo. Mrs. Peters was born March 8, 1908, in Circleville, Kan., to Richard Andrew Tribble and the former Sarah Alice Amanda Deck. She lived in Scott City, Kan. for 60 years before moving to Gunnison, Colo. in 2001. She was a farmer and homemaker and taught school in Lorraine, Kan., from 1931-35. She was a member of the First Christian Church, CWF, Scott County VIP Center, Rebekah Lodge, National Society Zeta Tau Alpha and Chamber of Commerce, all in Scott City. She married Gerald E. Peters Oct. 18, 1935 in Soldier, Kan. He died in 1984 in Scott City. She also was preceded in death by three sisters, Nell Brown, Kerzie Gordon and Laura Linscott, and three brothers, Lee Tribble, Scott Tribble and Gordon Tribble. Survivors include two daughters and their husbands, Patricia Kay and Gerald W. Howard of Liberal and Sharon Lee and Paul A. Schlegel of Gunnison, Colo.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. The funeral was Friday at the First Christian Church, Scott City, the Rev. John Warring officiating. Burial was in Scott County Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church, the VIP Center or the Willows Associated Living Center in Gunnison in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, Scott City.
Velda Grace ‘Betty’ Schwartz (1910-2003)
LYONS — Velda Grace “Betty” Schwartz, 92, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, at the Lyons District Hospital. Mrs. Schwartz was born Feb. 9, 1910, to George W. and Marie Wohlford Gray. She was a lifetime resident of Lyons, where she was a retired employee of the Lyons State Bank. She was a graduate of Lyons High School and Wichita Business College and a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and Beta Signa Phi, all at Lyons. She was married Jan. 29, 1931, in Lyons to Herman O. Schwartz. He died in 1998. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Gray. Survivors include four nieces, Roberta Gwinner of Ellsworth, Dorothy Byard of Lyons, Virginia Hendrickson of Hutchinson and Pat Oppitz of Topeka. The graveside service was Monday in Lyons Municipal Cemetery, the Rev. Tom Robson officiating. Memorials may be made to the staff lounge, wing four at Lyons District Hospital Swing Bed in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Benjamin F. Sanders (1926-2003)
SALINA — Benjamin F. Sanders, 76, Salina, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003. Mr. Sanders was born Feb. 18, 1926, at Texarkanna, Ark. He retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Bettie of Salina; a son, David of Columbia, Tenn., a stepson, Stephen Gentry of Salina; three daughters, Barbara Runions of Tallapoose, Ga., Jean Pruitt of Haleyville, Ala., and Evelyn Choitz of Ellsworth; 17 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Southern Baptist Church. Burial was in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina. Memorials may be made to the church. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N., Eighth, Salina 67401, was in charge of arrangements.
Melvin C. Sneath (1920-2003)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Melvin C. Sneath, 82, Bakersfield, died Saturday, Feb. 1. Mr. Sneath was born Dec. 11, 1920, at Carneiro, Kan. and lived most of his life in the Carneiro-Brookville area. He farmed from 1946 to 1958 and was a Civil Service employee at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kan. He retired from David-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. He was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army, a member of the American Legion Post 58, AARP, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Ell-Saline Lions Club, Brookville Senior Citizens and the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Tescott, Kan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther M., in 1992. Survivors include two sons, Thomas C. of Bakersfield, Calif., and Dennis L. of El Dorado, Kan.; a sister, Myra Ochs of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 6 at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Rod Thompson officiating. Burial was in Franklin Cemetery, Tescott. Memorials may be made to the church or Brookville Senior Center. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Sarah A. ‘Sally’ Wiemerslage (1923-2003)
NEWTON — Sarah A. “Sally” Wiemerslage, 79, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, at the Newton Medical Center. Mrs. Wiemerslage was born Oct. 24, 1923, at Newton to Van Renner and the former Annie Hansen. Following graduation in nursing from Hesston College in 1978, she worked at the Axtell Hospital. She was a member of the Newton Business and Professional Women’s Association, where she was the 1989 Woman of the Year, the VFW and American Legion auxiliaries and the First United Methodist Church and its Women’s Circles, at Newton. She married Kenneth E. Wiemerslage Oct. 31, 1961, at McPherson. He died in 1973. She also was preceded in death by a brother, Don Renner. Survivors include two sons, Michael of Wichita and Keith of Oskaloosa, Iowa; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Michael Keating officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the church or the Business and Professional Women’s Association in care of Petersen Funeral Home, Newton.
Katherine V. Couse (1907-2003)
WILSON - Katherine V. Couse, 95, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mrs. Couse was born July 30, 1907, in Iowa City, Iowa to Mark Weatherbee and the former Jenny Olds. She lived in Iowa and El Pasco, Texas, before moving to Wilson in 1991. She was a registered nurse and a member of the Faith United Methodist Church, El Paso. She married William Couse March 30, 1931. Survivors include a daughter, Genevieve L. Honomichl of Wilson and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Gary R. Gipson, in 1957. The funeral was Friday in the Foster Mortuary Chapel, Pastor Elaine Lord officiating. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery.
Goldie Cox (1911-2003)
THAYER - Goldie Cox, 92, rural Thayer, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at the Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Mrs. Thayer was born Jan. 31, 1911, at Alva, Okla., to George and Delia Bales Salmans. The family moved by covered wagon to the Oak Grove area northeast of Parsons when she was a small child. She was graduated from Labette County High School at Altamont and attended a year of college to prepare for teaching. She taught a year. She married Gus Cox Aug. 7, 1931, at Erie. They lived on several farms in Labette County before moving to their present farm in 1948. He preceded her in death in 1986. She was a member of the Dennis United Methodist Church, the prayer group and the Big D Senior Citizens Center. She also was preceded in death by two sisters, two step-sisters and a step-brother. Survivors include a son, Virgil of rural Thayer; two daughters, Georgia Wehling of Dorrance and Juanita Wilkerson of Parsons; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. The funeral was Friday at the Dennis United Methodist Church, the Revs. L.D. Goins and Lewis Smith officiating. Burial was in South Center Cemetery near Thayer. Memorials may be made to the church. Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Parsons, was in charge of arrangements.
Eddie Drake (1942-2003)
GREAT BEND - Eddie Drake, 60, Great Bend, died Friday, Jan. 31, 20003. Mr. Drake was born Aug. 18, 1942, at Ellsworth. He was a truck driver for Swift Transportation, Harrisonville, Mo. Survivors include his wife, Judith of Great Bend; two sons, Carl E. Jr. of Keller, Texas, and Jason E. of Harrisonville; four daughters, Nita Drake of Russell, Dottie Thomson of Marsyville, Wash., Shelly Mallow of Wichita and Denice Seely of Wichita; a sister, Barbara Ritter of Great Bend; and 28 grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the First Christian Church, Great bend. Burial was in Hoisington Cemetery with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428 and American Legion Post 286. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund or Christian Motorcycle Association in care of Niicholson-Riicke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington 67544.
Viola Haase (1911-2003)
Viola Haase, 91, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Miss Haase was born Oct. 9, 1911, at Ellsworth to Fred C. Haase and the former Francisca Grosnick. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a farmer-stockwoman. She was a member of the St. Paul¹s Lutheran Church, rural Ellsworth. Survivors include a niece, Shirley Deiser of Kanopolis; a nephew, Clarence Erhardt of Salina; and three great-nephews. The funeral was Jan. 30 at the St. Paul¹s Lutheran Church, Pastor Richard Andrus officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Ellsworth Senior Citizens Center. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Roy Nienke (1921-2003)
Roy Nienke, 82, Ellsworth, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Nienke was born Jan. 18, 1921, in Ellsworth County to Herman Nienke and the former Kate Erhardt. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he ranched and was a member of the St. Paul¹s Lutheran Church. Survivors include a sister, Elsie Perrymon, Ellsworth; and two nieces, Janet Smith of Springdale, Ark., and Gale Perrymon of Salina. The funeral was Friday at the St. Paul¹s Lutheran Church, rural Ellsworth, Pastor Richard Andrus officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Hilda E. Norton (1921-2003)
DECATUR, Ill. - Hilda E. Mans Norton, 81, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at her home in Decatur. Mrs. Norton was born Feb. 19, 1921, in Red Wing, Kan. to Joseph and Anna Weber Mans. She married William Richard Norton Dec. 27, 1945, in Salina, Kan. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Norton was an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps and a veteran of World War II. As a member of the Holy Family Parish, she worked as a volunteer in the preschool and was a member of the Legion of Mary. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a nurse with the American Red Cross. Other memberships included the National Navy Nurse Corps Association and the St. Mary¹s Hospital Auxiliary. Survivors include four daughters, Suzane Moser of El Cajon, Calif., Mary Ellen Hayes of Bridgeton, Mo., Nancy Norton of St. Lous, and Elizabeth Norton of Rock Hill, Mo.; a son, Robert Norton of Decatur; and four grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by a grandchild, three brothers and two sisters. The funeral was Saturday at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Decatur. Burial was in Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Decatur, with military rites conduced by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Cancer Care Specialists of Decatur. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes was in charge of arrangements.
Leonard M. Wallert (1924-2003)
WILSON - Leonard M. Wallert, 79, Wilson, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003. Mr. Wallert was born Jan. 9, 1924, at Wilson to Alex Wallert and the former Anne Friebus. He was a retired lease operator for Cities Service Oil Co. and a member of the American Legion at Great Bend. He married Osythe Kuck Nov. 19, 1943, at Russell. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Rick of Great Bend; a daughter, Jackie Adams of Bushton; three brothers, Edwin of Olathe, Albert of Wilson and Ray of Kansas City; two sisters, Anna Betz of Wilson and Alice of Junction City; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A son, Rocklin, died in 2000. The funeral was Monday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, 610 24th, Wilson 67490, Pastor Jim Wagner officiating. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to MSGR John F. McManua American Legion Post 262, in care of the mortuary.
Norris Weinhold (1918-2003)
Norris Weinhold, 84, Ellsworth, died Monday, Feb. 3, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Weinhold was born Sept. 10, 1928, in Ellsworth County to Merl Weinhold and the former Mae Armbrust. He was a lifetime resident of the Ellsworth area, where he was a farmer and an electrician for Comfort Air. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of VFW Post 6485 and the First Presbyterian Church. He married Thyra Peppiatt June 24, 1956, in Ellsworth. She died in 2000. He also was preceded in death by a son, Doug, in 1975. Survivors include four sons, Barry and Roger of Ellsworth, Alan of Austin, Texas, and Kevin of Manhattan; a daughter, Cheryl Mann of St. Louis, Mo.; four grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren. The memorial service will be Friday at 22 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Donald Ray officiating. The private burial will be at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the local VFW in care of Roger Weinhold, 103 E. Eighth, Ellsworth 67439. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Terry L. Clark (1955-2003)
HOLYROOD — Terry L. Clark, 47, died Monday, March 10, 2003, at his home in Holyrood. Mr. Clark was born March 17, 1955, in Ellsworth to Fount and Barbara Massey Clark. He was a lifetime resident of the Holyrood and Bushton area, where since 1973 he had worked as an electrical and industrial technician for Oneok Bushton Plant. He was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon, Hays, and a kids’ wrestling coach. He married Coleen “Coke” Suchy Feb. 10, 1979, at Great Bend. Survivors include his former wife, now of Bushton; three daughters, Amanda Stevenson of Bushton, Audra Clark of Holyrood and Amy Clark of Bushton; a son, Justin Clark of Hays; a sister, Sherry Keller of Douglas; his mother, Barbara Clark Massey of Marshall, Ark.; his maternal grandfather, Clifford Massey of Marshall; and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by his father. The funeral was March 13 at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, Pastor Mary Lou Klein officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Terry L. Clark Memorial Fund in care of the Bank of Holyrood, 100 S. Main, Holyrood 67450. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Merkling (1911-2003)
Dorothy Merkling, 91, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at the Ellsworth Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Merkling was born July 6, 1911, in Ellsworth County to Fred D. and Ella M. Sackman Sawyer. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Holyrood. She married Lester Merkling June 6, 1959, at Holyrood. He died in 1995. Survivors include a brother, Earl Sawyer of Lucas and several nieces and nephews. The graveside service was Saturday in the St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Pastor John Sharp officiating. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert L. Peirano (1965-2003)
GARDEN CITY — Robert L. Peirano, 63, died Monday, March 10, 2003, at his home in Garden City. Mr. Peirano was born Oct. 30, 1939, at Ellsworth to Maurice and Ethel Eitel Peirano. He was reared at Wilson, where he was graduated from high school. Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he worked for Layne-Western Drilling Co. in Wichita before being transferred to Garden City in 1970. In 1980, he became a sprinkler operator for Gigot Farms. He was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church of Garden City. He married Nancy F. Buehler May 9, 1965, at Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Shawn of Syracuse and Byron of Garden City; a brother, Mike Peirano of Detroit, Mich.; four sisters, Maureen Gerstner of St. Joseph, Mo., B.J. Stroup of Wilson, Alice Knox of Sedalia, Mo., and Patty Henry of Fort Lupton, Colo.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Terri Peirano. The funeral was Friday at the St. James Lutheran Church, Dr. Richard P. Frederick officiating. Memorials may be made to the Robert Peirano Memorial Fund in care of Garnard Funeral Home, Garden City.
Judith Reveles (1940-2003)
TOPEKA — Judith Ann Reveles, 62, Topeka, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, at a Topeka hospital. Mrs. Reveles had worked for Victory Life Insurance Co. and had worked for Wal-Mart since 1997. She was born July 27, 1940, in Emporia, to Elmer and Alberta Bethke Eubank. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1958. Mrs. Reveles was a 45-year member of the American Legion and past president of the Ellsworth Unit. She had been secretary for the Department of Kansas Auxiliary and for Capitol Post No. 1 of the American Legion. She was a member of the GI Forum. She married Jack Fluke. They were divorced. She later married Viviano Reveles on Oct. 15, 2000, in Topeka. He survives. Other survivors include her parents, Elmer and Alberta Eubank, Topeka; a daughter, Tracy Hayek, Topeka; two stepsons, Ruben and Tony Reveles, Topeka; two granddaughters, two step-granddaughters; and one great-grandson. Services were March 3 at Penwell-Gabel Highland Chapel with burial in Topeka Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 1, sent in care of the funeral home, 2843 S.E. Minnesota Ave., Topeka, 66605.
L. Vernon Splitter (1914-2003)
LYONS — L. Vernon Splitter, 88, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at the Lyons District Hospital. Mr. Splitter was born Sept. 4, 1914, at Lorraine to Louis Benjamin and Anna Eva Kroesch Splitter. He was graduated from Lorraine High School in 1932, attended Sterling College for two years and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University. He moved from Lorraine to Lyons in 1975 and was a retired farmer. Mr. Splitter was a member of the First Baptist Church, Lyons, and a former member of the Lorraine Baptist Church, a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club and the Rice County Historical Society, a former director of the Lorraine Co-op and a member of the Amateur Ham Radio Club. He married Melva F. Janssen Jan. 18, 1942, at Lorraine. She died in 2002. He also was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ethel Mehl; and a brother, Karl Splitter. Survivors include a son, Melvin of Lorraine; two daughters, Clarissa Pound of East Rochester, N.Y., and Rosalie Splitter of Athens, Ga.; two brothers, Dr. Stanford Splitter of Oakland, Calif., and Dr. Earl Splitter of Hobesound, Fla.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, Lyons, the Revs. Gary Karas and Donald Decker officiating.Burial was in the Lorraine Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lyons First Baptist Church or Gideons International in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Viola Mae Thornton (1910-2003)
KANOPOLIS — Viola Mae Thornton, 92, Kanopolis, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Thornton was born Nov. 6, 1910, to Calvin and Leoti Brown Jackson. She was a lifetime resident of Kanopolis, where she was a homemaker and curator at the Fort Harker Museum. She also had been a cook at the St. Francis Academy in Ellsworth. She was a member of the Ellsworth County Historical Society, the United Methodist Church and UMW and AARP. She married Clyde Thornton in June 1970 in Marquette. He died in 1978. She also was preceded in death by a son, Edward Soukup Jr., and a daughter, Marvel Lee Holecek in 1998. Survivors include a son, Gary D. Soukup of Ellsworth; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Kanopolis, the Rev. Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Fort Harker Museum. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
L.F. “Vern” Turgeon (1917-2002)
TOPEKA — L.F. “Vern” Turgeon, age 85, died Nov. 26, 2002, at a Topeka retirement center. He was born Sept. 11, 1917, in Kansas City, Mo., to Dr. Leo V. and Vera F. Weber Turgeon. He spent his early years in Wilson, and graduated from Wilson High School in 1935. The family moved to Topeka in 1937. He attended the University of Kansas and Creighton University in Omaha. During WWII, he served as a tech sergeant in the United States Army. As a civilian, he provided service to the government for 31 years, retiring in 1975 as a logistics specialist for the United States Air Force. Mr. Turgeon lived in Ogden, Utah from 1962 through 1992 and returned to Topeka in 1993. Although he lived in a dozen different places during his lifetime, he always considered Wilson his hometown. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Topeka, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, American Legion and the Notre Dame Club. He married Margaret Lucille Jones on July 5, 1941, in Topeka. She died Nov. 2, 1991. Survivors include two daughters, Judith Turgeon of El Macero, Calif., Suzanne Turgeon, Morrisville, Pa.; two sons, Gregory of Topeka, Daniel of Morgan Hill, Calif.; a brother, Robert Turgeon of Lincoln, Neb.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Topeka. Burial was in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church Building Fund, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, 66614.
