Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ruth Edna Nelson (1931-2003)
LINCOLN — Ruth Edna Nelson, 71, died Thursday, May 8, 2003, at Lincoln. Mrs. Nelson was born Aug. 26, 1931, at Lincoln to Louis and Laura Von Fange Meyer. She was a homemaker and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and the National Rifle Association. Survivors include two sons, Randle of Kanopolis and Ronnie of Lincoln; two daughters, Terri Wilson of Lincoln and Sherri Saunders of Smolan; a sister, Bernita Sweet of Rhinelander, Wis.; and three grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the VFW Auxiliary or to the church. Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
Lt. Col. Robert E. Sheridan (1921-2003)
JUNCTION CITY — Lt. Col. Robert E. Sheridan, 82, Junction City, died Thursday, May 1, 2003. Lt. Col. Sheridan was born March 31, 1921, in rural Ellsworth County during a blizzard to W.E. and Grace Belle Allen Sheridan. He was a retired infantryman, serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He received several decorations and badges, including Purple Hearts for being wounded twice in World War II. He married Alice Wallert April 17, 1949, in Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Rob of Manhattan and Reno of Santa Fe, N.M., three sisters and four grandchildren. A son, Randy, died in 1992. The funeral was Monday at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Riley. Burial was in Humboldt Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Eastern Kansas Horseman’s Association in care of Cris Pilcher, 207 S. Parker, Bennington 67422-9421. Johnson Funeral Home, Junction City, was in charge of arrangements.
Walter Reinhold Warttig (1914-2003)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Walter Reinhold Warttig, 88, Springfield, formerly of Ellsworth and Salina, Kan., died Thursday, May 1, 2003, at Primrose Place Health Care Center, Springfield. Mr. Warttig was born July 7, 1914, in Ellsworth to Berthold and Cecilia Knappe Warttig. He was a retired cabinet maker for Salina Planing Mill and Grants Woodcraft. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Salina and the Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Otto, and a sister, Nora Svaty. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Schwerdtfeger Warttig of the home; two daughters, Barbara Kipfer of Springfield, and Linda Pollock of Elgin, Ill.; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. The funeral was Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Hour in care of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina, or Community Hospice of Southwest Missouri, Springfield. Roselawn Cemetery handled local arrangements. Greenlawn Funeral Home, Springfield, handled arrangements in Missouri.
Robert ‘Bob’ Ziegler (1946-2003)
OVERLAND PARK — Robert “Bob” Ziegler, 56, died Saturday, April 26, 2003, at his home in Overland Park. Mr. Ziegler was born Dec. 9, 1946, in Lancaster, Pa., to Robert and Betty Ziegler. From 1989 until his death, he was an archaeologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Ziegler was the chief investigator of the Fort Ellsworth archeological site. The “digs” of 1995 and 2000 brought renewed attention to the significant role Ellsworth County played in the development of the state of Kansas. He published, “Historical Archaeology at Locality 6 of the Fort Ellsworth Site (14EW26) Kanopolis Lake, Ellsworth County, Kansas” as a result of the 1995 investigations. He was working on a second report aimed at the 2000 investigations when he died. Survivors include his wife, Sharon Reed Ziegler of Overland Park; a daughter, Holly Reed of Wichita; and a sister, Bonnie Horner of Lancaster. The funeral was April 29 at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, Topeka. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. Memorials may be made to Kansas City Hospice, 12006 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, Ks. or in care of the funeral home.
Athol D. Betts (1927-2003)
DORRANCE — Athol D. Betts, 75, died Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in McPherson. Mr. Betts was born Aug. 23, 1927, to Martin and Elsie Miller Betts at Dorrance. He was owner/ operator of AJ &E Oil Field Service. He married Mary A. Schepmann Feb. 4, 1951, at Holyrood. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Dorrance. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a life member of the Russell VFW Post No. 6240, Dorrance American Legion, and the Dorrance Volunteer Fire Department. He was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin, and a sister, Verba Gilmore. Survivors include his wife of Dorrance; two sons, Larry of Sherman, Texas, and Michael of Hays; a daughter, Jacque Lyn Bay of Dorrance; a sister, Imogene Galliart of Wilson; and three brothers, Leroy “Tiny” of Russell, Edward of Gillette, and Lester “Butch” of Dorrance; 10 grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Monday, April 28, at the First Lutheran Church in Dorrance, Sister Diane Wagner officiating. Internment was in Dorrance City Cemetery with military rites. Memorials are suggested to the either the First Lutheran Church of Dorrance, or the Dorrance Volunteer Fire Department. Foster Mortuary of Wilson was in charge of arrangements.
Helen Hoffman (1914-2003)
KANOPOLIS — Helen Hoffman, 88, Kanopolis, died Wednesday, April 23, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, Ellsworth. Mrs. Hoffman was born Aug. 25, 1914, in Ellsworth County to Fred and Jennie Rezac Branda. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the United Methodist Church of Kanopolis and the United Methodist Women. She married Henry Hoffman Aug. 25, 1938, at Ellsworth. He died in 1972. Survivors include a son, Jeff Hoffman of Kanopolis; two daughters, Joyce Harris of Salina and Eloise Ray of Belleville; four grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, the Rev. Gene Langhofer officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.
George Rezac (1918-2003)
CALDWELL — George Rezac, 84, died Monday, April 7, 2003, at the Integris Baptist Hospital, Oklahoma City. Mr. Rezac was born May 2, 1918, to John and Mary Mikulicky Rezac in the farmhome nine miles north of Holyrood. He moved to Caldwell in 1939, where he farmed until 1957. He went to work for Layne Western Water Well Contractors of Wichita, where he was foreman on a drilling rig and a pulling maintenance rig, working in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Nebraska. He retired in 1986. He returned to Caldwell that same year. He married Helen Bruey in 1940. They divorced in 1957. Survivors include a companion, Agnes Pauly of Viola; two sons, Duane of Cowgill, Mo., and Ed of Mancos, Colo.; three daughters, Blanche Hunt of Perry, Okla., Elnita Miller of Oklahoma City and Mary Schmitz of Wakita, Okla.; a sister, Lottie Buehler of Claflin; nine grandchildren; 17 greatgrandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a grandson. The funeral was April 10 at the Elliott-Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, the Rev. Jan Mc- Daniel officiating. Burial was in the Czechoslovakian Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Caldwell Fire Department or Alzheimer’s Research.
Charles A. Lindsay (1928-2003)
BROOKVILLE — Charles A. Lindsay, 75, Brookville, died Sunday, June 22, 2003. Dr. Lindsay was born May 9, 1928, at Tulsa, Okla. He was a veterinarian at the CK Ranch in Brookville for 48 years. He attended Oklahoma A&M from 1946-49, and worked summers at the Brookville CK Ranch. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1953 as a doctor of veterinary medicine. He practiced at Claremore, Okla., with Dr. F.D. Ratliff, from 1953-55, before returning to CK Ranch. He was a member of the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, KSU Alumni Association and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Salina. He married Gaylene Deines on Oct. 21, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Salina. She survives. Others survivors include three sons and their spouses, Luke and Becky of Hillsboro, Brian and Cindy of Brookville, and Paul and Teresa of Maysville, Ky.; a daughter, Kate Lindsay of Salina; two sisters, Frances Patterson and Ivy Dempsey, all of Tulsa, Okla; and seven grandchildren.
Ralph Edward Steinhaus (1932-2003)
LINCOLN — Ralph Edward Steinhaus, 71, Lincoln, died Tuesday, June 17, 2003. Mr. Steinhaus was born May 8, 1932. He was a heavy equipment operator for Lincoln County. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Lincoln; two sons, Steven and Mark, both of Lincoln; a sister, Vona Schmoekel of Ellsworth; and a grandchild. The funeral was Friday at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Lincoln. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Hall Funeral Home, 111 E. Elm, Lincoln 67455-2003 was in charge of arrangements.
Berniece Sprinkle Brewer (1916-2003)
TOWANDA — Berniece Sprinkle Brewer, 86, of Towanda died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at Lakepoint Nursing Center, El Dorado. Mrs. Brewer was born Dec. 1, 1916, at Dorrance to Floyd and Carrie Koetkemeyer Sprinkle. She was graduated from Dorrance High School in 1934 and from Brown Mackie Business College, Salina, several years later. She worked as a secretary in Russell, Washington, D.C. and Seal Beach, Calif. She married Ben Herbel of Dorrance in 1942. He was killed in 1944 in World War II. Her next husband, Richard Siler, died in 1971. She married Newt Brewer in 1971 and he died in 1981. Survivors include two brothers, Roy Sprinkle of Westminister, Colo., and Gilbert Sprinkle of Hutchinson; a sister, Dolores Langhofer of Towanda; a host of nieces and nephews; five stepchildren; and several stepgrandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at Foster Mortuary, Wilson. Burial was in Dorrance Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, El Dorado, or the Dorrance Lutheran Church.
Charles E. ‘Charlie’ Caruthers (1936-2003)
LANE RONAN, Mont. — Charles E. “Charlie” Caruthers, 66, Lane Ronan, died Thursday, June 5, 2003. Mr. Caruthers wa born June 7, 1936, in rural Ellsworth County, Kan. Survivors include two brothers, Wayne of Geneseo, Kan., and Richard of Pratt, Kan.; two sisters, Ruby Palmer of Lindsborg, Kan., and Martha Faust of Charleviox, Mich. A memorial service will be at a later date. Hays-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Box 386, Lindsborg 67456, is handling arrangements.
Rosella Marie Kejr (1923-2003)
BROOKVILLE — Rosella Marie Kejr, 80, Brookville, died Thursday, June 12, 2003. Mrs. Kejr was born Rosella Marie Balzer Jan. 24, 1923, in Inman to Jacob P. and Marie F. Balzer. She was a homemaker and she and her husband farmed near Brookville. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and served in its preschool department and assisted in child-care for Mothers’ House at the First Covenant Church. She was also a volunteer at Salina Regional Health Center. She married Harry J. Kejr Aug. 15, 1944, at Inman. He survives. Other survivors include a sonin- law, Al Zink of Eagle River, Alaska; a daughter, Bernice Omli and husband, John, of Brookville; four sons, Steve and wife, Carol, of Fort Mill, S.C., Larry and wife, Susan, and Mel, all of Salina, and Joe and wife, Geena, of Brookville; a brother, Dave Balzer of Inman; 16 grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the First Southern Baptist Church, Salina. Burial was in Brookville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Southern Baptist Church, Hospice of Salina or Gideons International. Roselawn Mortuary, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Laura Mae ‘Pat’ McCall McKinnon (1929-2003)
ROANOKE, Va. —Laura Mae “Pat” McKinnon, 74, died Monday, April 14, 2003, of cancer. Mrs. McKinnon was born April 9, 1929, to Roy and Edith McCall. She was graduated from Ellsworth, Kan., High School in 1947. Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Bill and Dottie McKinnon of Christiansburg, Val.; Cheryl and Craig Dobson of Colorado Springs, Col.; Diane and Gerald Atkins of Roanoke; and Tammy McKinnon of Abingdon, Va.; two brothers, Wayne McCall of Moran and Eldon McCall of McPherson; and eight grandchildren. The funeral was April 16 with intermenty at Roselawn Cemetery in Smyth County, Va.
Gerald A. Peirano (1923-2003)
SALINA — Gerald A. Peirano, 80, died Friday, June 13, 2003, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Peirano was born April 16, 1923, at Wilson to Augustine and Pearl Gustus Peirano. He lived in Wilson until his retirement as a truck driver and then he moved to Salina. He also served in World War II as a pilot, achieving the rank of second lieutenant. He was a member of Wilson’s St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He married Shirley Claussen Nov. 19, 1963, in Guymon, Okla. She survives. Other survivors include four sons, Ronald Peirano of El Dorado, Sheldon Lilak of Salina, Randall Lilak of Walber, La., and Craig Lilak of Wilson; five daughters, Jennifer Everitt of Fortson, Ga., Barbara Spartz of Ellington, Ct., Beth Bartell of Salina, Susan Leiker of Hays and Debra Wahlmeier of Hastings, Neb.; three brothers, Melvin of Seattle, Frank of Russell and Jim of Merriam; three sisters, Geneva Heinze of Tulsa, Okla., Mary Savage of Moore, Okla., and Eleanor Hunter of Wilson; 40 grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Father Jerome Morgan. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Teresa K. Shipley (1920-2003)
HOLYROOD — Teresa K. Shipley, 82, Holyrood, died June 14, 2003, at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. Mrs. Shipley was born Aug. 22, 1920, in Ellsworth County to Chris and Emma T. Feist Stumps. She was a lifetime resident of the Holyrood area, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Altar Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. She married George K. Shipley March 19, 1945, at Hays. He died in 1989. Survivors include a son, Chris of Seaside, Ore.; a daughter, Linda Jones of Logan; two sisters, Dolores M. Emmerich of Hastings, Neb., and Joan M. Breford of Holyrood; two brothers, Jerome J. Stumps of Downey, Calif., and Walter Stumps of Bushton; three grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. The funeral was Wednesday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Cemetery, Holyrood. Memorials may be made to the church or to the Altar Society. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Van Earl Whitmer (1933-2003)
SALINA — Van Earl Whitmer, 70, Salina, died Friday, June 13, 2003. Mr. Whitmer was born June 6, 1933, at Wilson. He was an electrical maintenance worker for the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center, retiring in 1996. He was preceded in death by a son, Greg Lee Whitmer, in 1961. Survivors include his wife, Shirley, of the home; two sons, David and Randy, both of Salina; a daughter, Kathy Ann Wing of Salina; and a sister, Evelyn Bolte of Lincoln. The funeral was Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church, the American Cancer Society or Central Care Cancer Center of Newton. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Randall Shaffer (1928-2003)
WILSON — Randall G. Shaffer, 75, died Monday, June 2, 2003, at his home in rural Wilson. Mr. Shaffer was born March 8, 1928, at Wilson to Rolland and Mildred Krammer Shaffer. He lived all his life in Wilson, where he was a farmer-stockman. He was a veteran of the Army who served in Korea. He also was a member of the Excelsior Lutheran Church. Survivors include a brother, Don Schaffer of Redwood City, Calif.; a niece and a nephew. The funeral was Friday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Sister Diane Wagner officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors.
Robert Dale Toman (1931-2003)
Robert Dale Toman, 71, Ellsworth, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Toman was born Aug. 29, 1931, in Ellsworth County to Joseph and Rose Shanelec Toman. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County and a member of the United Methodist Church. Survivors include two aunts, Helen Shanelec and Elsie Toman, both of Ellsworth; a sister- in-law, Jackie Toman of Ellsworth; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. The graveside service was Saturday in the Ellsworth Cemetery, Pastor Jim Newkirk officiating. Memorials may be made to Bethphage. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lester S. ‘Les’ Weinhold (1911-2003)
McPHERSON — Lester S. “Les” Weinhold, 91, died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at the Leisure Homestead, Stafford. Mr. Weinhold was born Oct. 31, 1911 in Wilson to Charles Samuel Weinhold and the former Ada M. Kroppf. He farmed in Lincoln County until 1963, when he moved to Eugene, Ore., where he worked for Sears and Roebuck until his retirement in 1976. He moved to McPherson in 1985 and to Stafford in 2002. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, McPherson, and a former member of the Excelsior Lutheran Church, Wilson, the Denmark Lutheran Church and the United Lutheran Church of Eugene. Other memberships included the Couple’s Club and the Church Property Committee, both at Trinity Lutheran Church, McPherson, the Masons, the Scottish Rite and the Shriners at Eugene and McPherson, the Order of Eastern Star in Sylvan Grove and Eugene and the Lions Club in McPherson. He also was a member of the Grange in Eugene and a volunteer for Trash to Treasure in McPherson. He was past master of the Masons in Sylvan Grove. He married Emma Louise Sittner July 25, 1934, at Hudson. She survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Anna Maye “Ann” Waters of Turon, Alice Steuber of McPherson and Reta Joy Campbell of Hutchinson; a son, Harold S. “Harry” Weinhold of McPherson; three sisters, Mary Fishburn of McPherson, Myrtle Sittner of Bushton and Melba Wise of Phoenix, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Victor, Leo and Gene Weinhold, and a sister, Meta Johnson. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Trinity Lutheran Church, McPherson, Pastor Michael Fibranz officiating. A graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Excelsior Lutheran Cemetery, Wilson. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson. Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the Lions Club Eye Bank, both at McPherson, or the Excelsior Cemetery Light Fund, Wilson.
Lloyd Lee Breckenridge
CENTER CITY, Pa. — Lloyd Lee Breckenridge, 68, died Thursday, May 15, 2003, at Graduate Hospital. Mr. Breckenridge was born and raised in Woodston, Kan. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, in 1956. He served in the Army from 1958 to 1959 as an intelligence specialist at Fort Holabird, Md., and Fort Hood, Texas. In 1962, Mr. Breckenridge moved to Center City and went to work as a chemical engineer for Mobil Oil at its research facility in Paulsboro, Gloucester County. He stayed with the firm until his retirement in the late 1990s. In retirement, Mr. Breckenridge was a docent at the Rosenbach Museum and Library and a volunteer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and with the IRS, where he helped people complete their income tax forms. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Kit; two sisters, Anne Grothusen of Ellsworth, Kan., and Imogene Hughes of Topeka, Kan., and a brother, Dick Breckenridge of Tyler, Texas. A private service was conducted May 25 at Woodston.
Kenneth A. Hutton (1921-2003)
HOLYROOD — Kenneth A. Hutton, 81, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at Via Christi-St. Francis, Wichita. Mr. Hutton was born Dec. 22, 1921, at Claflin to Alvin and Frieda Eggers Hutton. He worked for the city of Holyrood as a policeman and head of city maintenance. He also farmed and was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He married Mary Frances Wesely Oct. 30, 1943, at Wilson. She survives. Other survivors are a son, Tom Hutton of Jefferson City, Mo., two daughters, Mary Woodward, Lee, N.H. and Laurie Hutton, Corr, Covent Station, N.J.; a sister, Harriett Downie, Kansas City, Kan.; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Michele Petermann, and a sister, Grace Bush. The service was Wednesday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Father Dan Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Holy Name Catholic Cemetery, Bushton. Memorials may be made to the Sister Mary Rose McGeady Covenant House, P.O. Box 731, Times Square Station, New York, N.Y. 10108-0731. Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, was in charge of arrangements.
Marsha L. Vopat (1940-2003)
Marsha L. Vopat, 63, Ellsworth, died Monday, May 26, 2003, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Vopat was born March 23, 1940, in Black Wolf Township to Edward and Emma Doubrava Zvolanek. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a farmwife and operator of the Ellsworth H&R Block franchise. She also taught tax preparation. She was a member of the Willing Workers Society, where she served for many years as treasurer; Friendly Neighbors EHU, Nobel 4-H Club, Ellsworth County Extension Open Class Fair Board and CB Whip Club, where she was secretary- treasurer. She married Louis Vopat Dec. 28, 1959, in Santa Fe, N.M. He survives. Other survivors include two sons, Valan Vopat of Salina and Vawn Vopat of Lyons; a brother, E. Ronald Zvolanek of Ellsworth; and three grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at Parsons Funeral Home. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the KSU Center for Basic Cancer Research.
