Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Gary Alfred Weber (1949-2003)
Gary Alfred Weber, 53, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, June 3, 2003, in Vernal, Utah, while on vacation. Mr. Weber was born Aug. 11, 1949, in Hays to Albert and JoAnn Basgall Weber. He worked for many years in the grocery business as a meat cutter and checker. He also served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include a brother, Francis Weber, Russell, and a sister, Dianne Wacker, Loveland, Colo. The funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Vernal Mortuary in Utah was in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Victoria.
Marceline Barta (1927-2003)
Marceline Barta, 76, died Friday, May 23, 2003, at her residence in Ellsworth. Mrs. Barta was born March 6, 1927, at LaCrosse to George A. and Ethel L. Warner Siebenlist. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and retired owner-operator of Wilson Abstract and Title. She was a past member of the Women’s Circle at the First Presbyterian Church, a past board member of the St. Francis Academy, American Legion Auxiliary and Fine Arts Club, a director of the KTLA-Memoirs Committee and a past member of the Ellsworth County Historical Society. She married George Barta March 31, 1945, in Ellsworth. He survives. Other survivors are two daughters, Marsha Ericson of Jewell and Millie Bickford of Ellsworth; two sons, Max Barta of Shawnee Mission and Mark Barta of Ellsworth; eight grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. A memorial service was Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Mark Kayser officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or Hospice of Ellsworth or Salina.
Michelle Lynn Lumpkins (1975-2003)
ABILENE — Michelle Lynn Lumpkins, 28, Abilene, died Saturday, May 24, 2003, at Abilene. Mrs. Lumpkins was born May 15, 1975, in Kansas City, Kan., to Albert and Jeanetta Whitmer Schendel. She grew up in Wilson, where she was a member of the United Methodist Church. She lived in Abilene for the past three years. She was a cosmetologist at the Cedars and the Hair Salon in Abilene. Survivors include a son, Gage Lumpkins of Abilene, and her parents. She was preceded in death by a sister, Valerie, in 1986. The funeral is today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. at the Wilson United Methodist Church, Pastor Elaine Lord officiating. Burial is in Wilson City Cemetery. Visitation was from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wilson’s Foster Mortuary and from 10 a.m. to service time at the church.
Mike Lumpkins (1974-2003)
ABILENE — Mike Lumpkins, 28, Abilene, died Saturday, May 24, 2003. Mr. Lumpkins was born Aug. 6, 1974, at Great Bend to Loren and Ann Hannaberry Lumpkins. He was graduated from Quivira Heights High School, Bushton. In 1999, he moved from Salina to Abilene, where he was sales manager of Green Ford. Survivors include two daughters, Kristen and Kandyce, both of Wichita; a son, Kanyon of Abilene; a brother, Tom of Wichita; a step-brother, Kristopher Thompson, who is serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq; a step-sister, Brooke Thompson of Ellsworth; two halfbrothers, Dalton Lumpkins and Brady Lumpkins, both of Scott City; his mother and step-father, Ann and Jim Thompson of Holyrood; his father, Loren Lumpkins of El Campo, Texas; the maternal grandmother, Mildred Hannaberry of Holyrood; the paternal grandparents, Delwin and Ramona Lumpkins of Liberty, Texas; and the step-grandparents, Lex and Florence Thompson of Russell. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Tom Hannaberry. The funeral is today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, Pastor Mary Lou Klein officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mike Lumpkins Athletic Fund at Quivira Heights High School.
Lottie Buehler (1911-2003)
CLAFLIN — Lottie Buehler, 102, died Sunday, April 27, 2003, at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center, Hoisington. Mrs. Buehler was born Oct. 14, 1911, at Holyrood to John and Mary Mikulecky Rezac. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth and Barton counties. She was a clerk at the Claflin Drug Store for 35 years and a member of the United Methodist Church, UMW, Martha Circle and Eastern Star, where she was recognized for her years of membership. She married Walter William Buehler March 24, 1931, at Dorrance. He died in 1976. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Emil, Ernest and George. Survivors include a daughter, Geraldine Ann Hauser of Manhattan, Mont.; a son, Ronald Keith Buehler of Anchorage, Alaska; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was April 30 at the United Methodist Church, Claflin, the Rev. Janet Myers officiating. Burial was in Claflin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Claflin Ambulance Service or the American Cancer Society in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.
Loretta Suzanne Doubrava (1916-2003)
WILSON — Loretta Suzanne Doubrava, 86, died Sunday, May 4, 2003, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mrs. Doubrava was born Nov. 21, 1916, at Dorrance to Joseph H. and Mary Thielen Hirt. She was a lifetime resident of the Wilson-Dorrance area, where she was a homemaker. She married Victor Doubrava in 1940 at Russell. She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dorrance. He died in 2000. Survivors include a sister, Isabelle Fritschen of Wilson and 12 nieces and nephews. The funeral was May 8 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Father Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph’s Cemetery Fund. Foster Funeral Home, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Wyvona Mae Galliart (1936-2003)
HALSTEAD — Wyvona Mae Galliart, 66, died Saturday, May 10, 2003, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, in Wichita. Mrs. Galliart was born May 31, 1936, at Lyons, to Warren and Viola Osborne Cody. She was former co-owner of L&W Sundries and baker for Halstead Hospital, both of Halstead. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and was former cub master of Pack 125, both of Halstead, and the International Order of Rainbows for Girls. She married Leo George Galliart Aug. 31, 1959, at Huntington Park, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant grandson, Peter Stuchlik, and an infant brother, Everett Lee Cody. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Mark of Valley Center, and Nicholas of Wichita; a daughter, Nancy Stuchlik of Newton; a brother, Charles Cody of Ardmore, Okla.; a sister, Marion Hoefgen of Valley Center; and two grandchildren. Services were to be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the First United Methodist Church of Halstead, with the Rev. James Bush officiating. Burial was to be in Halstead Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Halstead Boy Scout Camping Fund, or the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kaufman Funeral Home of Halstead was in charge of arrangements.
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.
AnDee DeAnn Smith (1987-2003)
AnDee DeAnn Smith, 16, died Sunday, July 27, 2003, in rural Ellsworth County. She was born June 13, 1987, in Crawford, Neb., to Jay Dee and Kathy Rising Smith. Her family moved 10 years ago from northwest Nebraska to Ellsworth, where she was a student at Ellsworth High School. She also was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Survivors include her parents; a sister, Tiffany Smith of Ellsworth; a brother, Ryan Smith of Ellsworth; her paternal grandparents, Doreen and Ray Semroska of Harrison, Neb., and her maternal grandparents, Marvin and Ruby Rising of Crawford, Neb. The funeral was 10 a.m. Wednesday (July 30) at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Richard Andrus officiating. Memorials may be made to the AnDee Smith Memorial Fund in care of Parsons Funeral Home, 307 N. Lincoln, Ellsworth 67439.
Yvonne Allen (1936-2003)
Yvonne Allen, 66, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Allen was born Sept. 28, 1936, at Bushton to V.M. and Marion Ruth Pore Stephens. She lived most of her life in Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker and former receptionist at Smoky Hill Electric. She also was a former co-owner of Ark Bend Abstract. She married Donald Allen June 17, 1955 at Claflin. He died in 1973. Survivors include a son, Steve Allen of Ellsworth; a daughter, Terri Myers of Ellsworth; a sister, Vicki Hopkins of Ellsworth; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, Pastor Jim Newkirk officiating. Burial was in Chase Springdale Cemetery, Chase. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church Television Ministry Fund. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Walter C. Anschutz (1919-2003)
PHILLIPSBURG — Walter C. Anschutz, 83, Phillipsburg, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003. Mr. Anschutz was born July 20,1919, at Wilson. He was a farmer. Survivors include a sister, Ernestine Merklein of Phillipsburg. The funeral was Friday at the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stuttgart. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, was in charge of arrangements.
Burl Davis Croomes Jr. (1930-2003)
Burl Davis Croomes Jr., 72, Salina, died Tuesday, July 8 2003. Mr. Croomes was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Macon, Ga. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1972 after 25 years of service and was chief of police for the city of Lindsborg, retiring in 1989. Survivors include four sons, Burl E. and Arnold D., both of Salina, Corbit J. of Kearney, Neb., and Larry of Mobile, Ala.; four daughters, Annette M. John of Los Angeles, Delila W. Pilcher, Robin L. Berggren and Dacia B. Berry, all of Lindsborg, and Selina C. Croomes of Ellsworth; his former wife, Wilma Croomes of Lindsborg; 15 grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild. Inurnment service was Monday in the Fort Riley Post cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Rd., Topeka 66604. Carlson-Ford-Geisendorf Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Helen W. Grant (1908-2003)
Helen W. Grant, 95, Ellsworth, died Friday, July 11, 2003, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Grant was born May 31, 1908, in Lincoln County to Benjamin F. and Iva Mae Nobel Thayer. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker, co-owner of Grant’s Bookstore and a school teacher for more than 20 years. She also was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She married Harold Grant July 4, 1954, at Ellsworth. He died in 1997. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane. Survivors include two nieces, Mooydeen Frees of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jacquelyn Scott of East Bay, Nova Scotia. The graveside service was Monday in Ellsworth Cemetery, Pastor Mark Kayser officiating. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Velma Tummons (1919-2003)
Velma Tummons, 83, Ellsworth, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Tummons was born Dec. 28, 1919, at Wishart, Mo., to Archie and Addie Waggoner Childress. In 1999, she moved from Sterling to Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker. She married Don M. Tummons Dec. 21, 1935. He died in 1993. She also was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth, in 1950. Survivors include seven sons, Donald Lee of Lawrence, Sammie of Blairstown, Mo., Bob of Fairview, Gervis of Omaha, Dearrell of Council Grove, Dwight of Quinter and Philip of Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Lena Campbell of Geneseo; a brother, Clifford Childress of Springfield, Mo.; 24 grandchildren; and 30 greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Exie Barber officiating. Burial was in Geneseo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village.
Scott D. Pflughoeft (1970-2003)
LOVELAND, Colo. — Scott Duane Pflughoeft, 32, Loveland, died Friday, June 20, 2003, as the result of an automobile wreck. Mr. Pflughoeft was born Aug. 5, 1970, in Loveland to Carol Pflughoeft. They moved to Fort Morgan, where he attended school. He studied to receive a class C driver’s license for driving large trucks and heavy equipment. He worked as a truck driver and later as a painter and with a trailer manufacturing company. He was a jack of all trades who enjoyed painting, auto mechanics, models, motorcycles and fishing. He married Heidi M. Gneiser Sept. 23, 1989, at Fort Morgan. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Nicholas and Eric; a daughter, Lacey; his mother, Carol, and her husband, Richard Doman of Fort Morgan; a sister, Dawn Homer of Fort Moran; and the grandparents, Harvey and Betty Pflughoeft of Loveland. A memorial service was June 26 at Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home, the Rev. Glen Schlecht officiating. Memorials may be made to Heidi Pflughoeft to be used for the children’s educational fund in care of the funeral home, 1102 Lincoln Ave., Loveland 80537.
William Ross Spears (1947-2003)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — William Ross Spears, Nashville, died Wednesday, June 11 at Vanderbilt Hospital from complications related to cancer and cancer treatments. Mr. Spears was born in Greeneville, Tenn., Jan. 16, l947. He was the son of the late James L. Spears, and Lucille Bullen Spears, Johnson City Tenn. He attended the University of South Carolina and graduated from the University of Tennessee where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Mr. Spears was the executive vice president of Technical Resource Group and president of JobMaster, Inc., Nashville. Mr. Spears career in consultation and training reflected his commitment to competency- based training in industry. He is survived by his wife, Ann P. Kaiser of Nashville; and a brother James L. Spears, Jr. (Alita Marks), Tiverton, R.I. He was the son-in-law of the late Loretta Kaiser of Ellsworth. Private services for Mr. Spears was conducted in Nashville and Johnson City, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Integrative Healthcare Center, 1711 19th Avenue South, Nashville, TN.
