Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ruth Scheuch Daniels (1910-2004)
Ruth Scheuch Daniels, 93, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Center, Manhattan. Mrs. Daniels was born April 24, 1910, in Ellsworth to Henry and Bertha Nienke Scheuch. She lived most of her life in Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker and grade school secretary and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She married William Wesley “Bill” Daniels Nov. 8, 1936, at Ellsworth. He died in 1995. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol McAtee, in 1982 and a grandson, Jeff McAtee, in 1962.
Survivors include a son, Richard of Marietta, Ga.; four daughters, Carla Friesen of Ellsworth, Joyce Roy of Hilton Head, S.C., Judy Rule of Needville, Texas, and Darlene McGraw of Manhattan; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Rev. Larry McDermott officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Charles J. Florian (1919-2004)
WILSON — Charles J. Florian, 84, Wilson, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mr. Florian was born June 9, 1919, at Lucas to Jerry and Marie Tlamka Florian. He worked in the communications business, moving to Wilson in October 1968, where he owned and operated Florian Hardware. He was retired from Cashco. He was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge of Wilson and the Wilson United Methodist Church. He married Vera Eloise Warner June 2, 1936, at Wilson. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Jerry and Jim
E., both of Wilson; two daughters, Barbara Scheureman of Topeka and Debbie A. Whitmer of Wilson; and two sisters, Sylvia Echer of Lucas and Alice Dishman of Lexington, Neb. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Posusta; a sister, Mary Gerber; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral was Wednesday at the Wilson United Methodist Church, Pastor Kristine Bair officiating.
Burial was in Lincoln City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Wilson United Methodist Church or Wilson Nursing Center.
C. Wayne Smith (1919-2004)
KANOPOLIS — C. Wayne Smith, 85, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at his home in Kanopolis. Mr. Smith was born Jan. 25, 1919, in Kanopolis to Bruce and Orva Wright Smith. He lived most of his life in Kanopolis, where he was retired city marshal. He also retired in 1981 from Cashco in Ellsworth. He was a member of Kanopolis American Legion Post 329, Ellsworth VFW Post 6485 and the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War II. He married Betty Shively May 30, 1941, in Ellsworth.
She survives. Other survivors include five sons, Dennis of Pocatello, Idaho, Mike of Mesquite, Nev., Terrill of Ellsworth, Tim of Assaria, and Kevin of Salina; two daughters, Roxann Newbrey and Debbie Cisneros, both of Salina; a brother, Bud Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah; a sister, Vivian Breitweiser of Ogden, Utah; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral mass is 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Kanopolis, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery with American Legion and VFW services. The vigil was 7 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Memorials may be made to the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.
Charles ‘Chuck’ S. Wilkins (1918-2004)
SALINA — Charles “Chuck” S. Wilkins, 85, Salina, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004. Mr. Wilkins was born April 5, 1918, in Mound Valley. He was a colonel serving in the Army-Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force until his retirement after 25 years of duty. He worked as plant manager and flew helicopters for Sikorsky Aircraft in Stanford, Ct. He also worked as a procurement manager for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration headquarters in Washington, D.C. Following his retirement, he was a rancher in Ellsworth County for 15 years. He was a graduate of the Flying Class of 41G and served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Survivors include his wife, Gayle M. Duffield Wilkins of Salina and several nieces and nephews. The funeral was Wednesday at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Burial was in Falun Cemetery with military honors by McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita.
Charles H. ‘Charlie’ Adams (1918-2004)
LINCOLN, Neb. — Dr. Charles H. “Charlie” Adams, 85, Lincoln, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003. Mr. Adams was born Nov. 7, 1918, in Burdick, Kan. to Henry Lory and Bertha Westbrook Adams. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry in 1941 from Kansas State University, a master’s degree in 1942 at KSU and a doctor’s degree in 1971 from Michigan State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46 in Texas and the Pacific Theater. Mr. Adams taught thousands of students over the years, first at Kansas State and
later at the University of Nebraska, where he was promoted to assistant dean of the College of Agriculture, serving until 1983. During his career, he received numerous academic awards. He also was a permanent member of American Legion Post 3, and a life member of Harris-Fraley Post 131 Veterans of Foreign Wars He served on a number of lay committees of the First Christian Church of Lincoln teaching Sunday School classes for 52 years, and he was past president of the Lincoln East Rotary Club. He married Eula Mae Peters of Oxford, Kan. April 29, 1943, at Lincoln. She died in 1999 at Lincoln. He married his lifelong friend, Beryle Supple Somer Janousek Dec. 23, 2000, in Wilson, Kan. She survives. He also is survived by nieces and nephews. A memorial service was Saturday at the Eastridge Presbyterian Church, Lincoln. Mr. Adams willed his body to science. Interment will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Charles H. Adams Scholarship Fund, University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln 68508.
Oscar Irvin Beck (1922-2004)
LAWRENCE — Oscar Irvin Beck, 81, Lawrence, died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at Brandon Woods Retirement Community. Mr. Beck was born April 30, 1922, in Melvern to Oscar Irvin and Hazel Goldsmith Sr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War II. He was a retired oil field pumper who worked previously for the Union Pacific Railroad, was a postmaster for the Crow Agency Indian Reservation in Montana and worked at the coal mines in Burlingame. He and his wife owned the Cozy Cafe in Burlingame during the early 1950s. Before moving to Lawrence, he lived in Holyrood, where he was a member of the St. Paul United Church of Christ and American Legion Post 200. He married Pauline Dill Feb. 1, 1942, in Lawrence. She died in 2002. Survivors include a daughter, JoAnn Seitz of Lawrence; a brother, Russell Beck of Emporia; five sisters, Anita Faulkner of Osage City, Ione Monroe of Osage City, Velma McMillin of Hoisington, Wiona Brown of Lawrence and Irene Sattler of Newton; four grandchildren; and one greatgranddaughter. The memorial service was 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lawrence Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will be conducted later at the Holyrood Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Oscar I. Beck Memorial Fund in care of Lawrence Funeral Chapel, 3821 W. Sixth, Lawrence 66049. The fund will be designated by the family at a later date.
Stephen S. Dlabal Sr. (1920-2004)
WILSON — Stephen S. Dlabal Sr., 83, Wilson, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Dlabal was born Sept. 20, 1920, at Wilson to John and Mary Wanasek Dlabal. He was a lifetime resident of the Wilson area, where he was a farmerstockman. He was a charter member and past president of Smoky Hill Electric Co-op and member of the Knights of Columbus and Nocturnal Adoration Society. He married Ida Vlcek Jan. 13, 1942 at Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Stephen S. Dlabal Jr. and James Dlabal, both of Wilson; a brother, Pete Dlabal of Ellsworth; a sister, Mary Kirk of Ellsworth; and eight grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 8 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Father Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ellsworth County Medical Center in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson.
Marie Hubbs (1907-2004)
WILSON — Marie Hubbs, 96, Wilson, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mrs. Hubbs was born July 22, 1907, in Cimmaron to Christian and Elizabeth Funk Biesterfeld. She was a lifetime resident of the Dorrance-Wilson area, where she was a homemaker and member of the Royal Neighbors of Russell and the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wilson. She married Ralph Hubbs April 21, 1940, at Bunker Hill. He died in 1987. Survivors include a son, Galen Hubbs; a step-granddaughter; and five step-greatgrandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wilson, Pastor Jim Wagner officiating. Burial was in Dorrance City Cemetery.
Alva L. Hysom (1923-2004)
KANOPOLIS — Alva L.Hysom, 80, Kanopolis, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Hysom was born Feb. 11, 1923, to Bert and Minnie Nelson Hysom. He moved from Ellinwood to Kanopolis in 1987 and was a retired United Methodist Church minister. He was a member of the Kanopolis United Methodist Church and a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in World War II. He married Audrey Colvin June 19, 1943, at Hutchinson. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Steve Hysom and his wife, Arlene, of El Dorado, and Jerry Hysom of Alburquerque, N.M.; two daughters, Sue Utterback and husband, John, of Salina, and Sandy Hysom of Wichita; 14 grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren. The memorial service was Monday at the United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, the Rev. Steve Hysom officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Churches at Kanopolis or Carneiro, the Ellsworth County Medical Center or the Ellsworth County Historical Society. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Lawrence Katzenmeier (1921-2004)
NORTON — Lawrence Katzenmeier, 82, formerly of Oakley, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at The Manor, a part of the Clearwater Retirement Center. Mr. Katzenmeier was born June 6, 1921, at Oakley, to Joseph and Mary Eichman Katzenmeier. He grew up on a farm southeast of Oakley and graduated from Oakley High School. He served in the U.S. Army during W.W. II in India and China. He married Myrtle Stevenson July 6, 1946, at Scott City. They lived in Oakley until 1962, when they moved to Atwood, and in 1967 then moved to Norton. He was an accountant, having retired from the Kansas State Highway Department in 1983. He was a member of Lutheran churches at Oakley, Atwood, Norton and Stockton. and was a longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a brother, Floyd, and a sister, Laura Dell Merriman. Survivors include three sons, Larry Dean of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Dana Joe of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and Obie Dale of Branson, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 10 at the Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, Pastor Tim Llewellyn officiating. Burial was in Oakley Cemetery, with military graveside rites by a U.S. Army detachment from Fort Riley. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, 217 Freeman, Box 221, Oakley, Kan. 67748.
Ryan James Kingsbury (1984-2004)
DORRANCE — Ryan James Kingsbury, 19, Dorrance, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004. Mr. Kingsbury was born Jan. 10, 1984, at Russell. He worked for K&C Construction and Welding, Quinter. Survivors include his parents, Duane and Karla Kingsbury of the home; a grandmother, Lois Kingsbury of Smith Center; a brother, Steve Kingsbury of Hays; and a sister, Jeney Kingsbury of Temecula, Calif. A memorial service was Monday at the Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel. Burial was in Dorrance Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Midtown Ronald McDonald House of Wichita in care of the funeral home, 610 N. Maple, Russell 67665.
Clarence J. Knoll (1931-2004)
LUCAS — Clarence J. Knoll, 72, Lucas, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004. Mr. Knoll was born Aug. 24, 1931, at St. Peter. Survivors include two sisters, Lidwina Irwin of Sterling, Colo., and Clarice Branda of Wilson. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Burial was in the church cemetery. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Oletha M. Corn (1923-2004)
SALINA — Oletha M. Corn, 81, Salina, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004. Mrs. Corn was born Oletha Hoffman on Jan. 18, 1923 in Ellsworth County. She owned Fast One Hour Dry Cleaners for 25 years. Her husband, Gene, died in 2002. Survivors include two sons, Gary G. of Abilene and Fred J. of Salina; two daughters, Dana L. Schaich of Abilene and Cynthia A. Hilt of Lenexa; two sisters, Matilda Hoth of Salina and Arline Kerns of Lindsborg; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Salina’s Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, 2508 Belmont Blvd. Burial is in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation was from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina 67401. Memorials may be made to the church. Online condolences may be made at www.roselawnsalina.com.
Lillian E. Grabbe (1917-2004)
HAYS — Lillian E. Grabbe, 87, Hays, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at the Hays Medical Center. Mrs. Grabbe was born Feb. 3, 1917, at Palco to Moise and Regina Dumas Coupal. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse, the Fairview School, south of Palco, for two years before attending nursing school in Concordia. She was a homemaker and worked in Central Supply at St. Anthony Hospital, Hays, before retiring in 1989. She and her husband also owned and operated the Rainbow Motel from 1946-65. She was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and the VFW auxiliary, all at Hays. She married Clarence Grabbe Nov. 7, 1938, at Hays. He died in 1972. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and Raymond F. Coupal; two infant brothers; and five sisters, Edna Berland, Edith Thyfault, Lena Coupal, Julia Berland and Irene Warren. Survivors include three sons, Wayne of Russell, Richard of Overland Park and David of Indianapolis, Ind.; five daughters, Frances Gordon of Hays, Donna Farrell of Hill City, Marian Warfel of Denver, Colo., Patricia Newell of Salina and Lorri Leibbrandt of Prairie Village; 26 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. The funeral was 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial was in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Thomas More Prep-Marian High School or to the Fragile X Foundation. Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard A. ‘Rick’ Myers (1983-2004)
Richard A. “Rick” Myers, 21, Ellsworth, died Thursday, Feb. 19, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Myers was born Jan. 4, 1983, at Hutchinson to Jesse and Terri Allen Myers. He lived his entire life in Ellsworth and was a student at Barton County Community College, Great Bend. Survivors include his fiance, Crystal Sitlington of Ellsworth; a daughter, Madeleine Myers of Ellsworth; his mother of Ellsworth; his father of Claflin; a sister, Shantell Myers of Ellsworth; and a grandfather, Gerald Myers of Fulton, Mo. The memorial service was Saturday at the United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jim Newkirk officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family to defray funeral costs.
Jane Saunders (1920-2004)
Jane Saunders, 84, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Saunders was born Jan. 16, 1920, at Seattle, Wash., to L. Pierre and Mabel Black Morris. She lived in Ellsworth, moving here three years ago from Gering, Neb. She was a homemaker and claims representative for Van-Gilder Insurance Group, Denver, Colo. She was a member of the Smoky Hill Baptist Church. She married Francis G. Saunders Aug. 5, 1945, in Chicago, Ill. He died in 1994. Survivors include four daughters, Jane Sorensen of Ellsworth, Francine Lowe of Lexington, S.C., Margaret Effinger of Stauton, Va., and Mary Andre of Scottsbluff, Neb.; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home. Burial was Monday in the Logan National Cemetery, Denver. Memorials may be made to the Smoky Hill Baptist Church.
Faye Evelyn Vague (1911-2004)
SALINA — Faye Evelyn Vague, 93, Salina, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004. Mrs. Vague was born Jan. 19, 1911, in Lincoln County. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Richard of Salina; a son, Harold D. Trapp of Salina; a daughter, Nelva Thompson of Geneseo; a sister, Thelma Smith of Salina; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina 67401. Burial was in Excelsior Cemetery, Wilson. Memorials may be made to the Excelsior Lutheran Church, Wilson.
Georgia K. Winner (1939-2004)
DURANGO, Colo - Georgia K Winner 64 died Wednesday Feb 18 2004 in Durango Colo Mrs Winner was born Sept 6 1939 in Sylvan Grove, Kan. to Louis and Ruby Kroboth. She moved to Durango in 1955. She owned and operated San Juan Travel. She married Jack Winner Nov. 11, 1962 in Las Vegas, Nev. He survives. Other survivors are a daughter, Cyd Waddell of Durango; a son, Bill Winner of Durango; her mother, Ruby Faye Kroboth of Sun City, Ariz.; a sister, Vonda Lea Weems of Palm Springs, Calif.; a brother, Joseph Kroboth of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her Father Louis Kroboth. The memorial service was Monday at Hood Mortuary. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Wilbert Elwood Zachgo (1916-2004)
LINCOLN — Wilbert Elwood Zachgo, 87, Lincoln, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004. Mr. Zachgo was born Oct. 26, 1916, at Lincoln. He was an operating engineer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie Lee nee Crooks; and a great-grandson. Survivors include a son, Robert of Lincoln; two daughters, Betty Gulledge of Lincoln and Joan Novotny of Bushton; two brothers, Donald of Lincoln and Kenneth of Hunter; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the St. John Lutheran Church. Burial was in Beverly City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Hall Chapel, 111 E. Elm, Lincoln 67455 was in charge of arrangements.
W.E. ‘Buck’ Cromwell (1923-2004)
WaKEENEY — W.E. “Buck” Cromwell, 80, WaKeeney, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004. Mr. Cromwell was born Feb. 23, 1923, in Russell County. He was an elevator manager. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Kelvin. Survivors include his wife, Lucille M. of the home; three sons, Wayne of Abilene, James A. of Carlton and Nolan of Seattle; five daughters, Sharon Marsh of Ellsworth, Mary Vogts of Moundridge, Korene Triplett of Logan, Darlene Tillitson of Ransom and Vae Nihas of Ellis; 22 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church, WaKeeney. Burial will be at a later date in Germantown Cemetery, Kensington. Memorials may be made to Trego-Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term, WaKeeney, in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th, WaKeeney 67672.
Alvin Lewis Phelps (1924-2004)
BELTON, Mo. — Alvin Lewis Phelps, 79, Belton, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004. Mr. Phelps was born June 22, 1924, in Ellsworth County, Kan. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of the home; three daughters, Janice Johnson of Wichita, Kan., and Judith Dyke and Felicia Thornhill, both of Belton; four brothers, Wayne and Lloyd, both of Salina, Kan., Dallas of Brookville, Kan., and Robert of Littleton, Colo.; a sister, Roberta Albright of Brownsville, Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the Heartland Baptist Tabernacle Church, Belton. Burial was in the Belton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. McGilley and George Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 611 Chestnut, Belton 64012 was in charge of arrangements.
Frieda Caroline Schultz (1917-2004)
LINCOLN — Frieda Caroline Schultz, 86, Lincoln, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004. Mrs. Schultz was born Feb. 23, 1917, to Paul and Martha Steinhaus Suelter. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Lorence; a son, Larry, and wife, Joyce of Lincoln; a daughter, Myrna Lou Meyer and husband, David, of Guymon, Okla; two brothers, Louis Suelter of Lincoln and Larry Suelter of Salina; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Edmund, Gilbert, Adolph, Elmer and Paul Junior. Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. The funeral followed at the church, the Rev. Gerald Radtke officiating. Memorials may be made to the church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
