Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Loren L. Langhofer (1916-2004)
ALTUS, Okla. — Loren L. Langhofer, 88, Altus, formerly of Bunker Hill, Kan., died Friday, May 21, 2004. Mr. Langhofer was born March 16, 1916, southwest of Bunker Hill. He had lived in Dorrance. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, in 1994. Survivors include two sons, Kent of Midland, Texas, and Keith of Wichita; a daughter, Diane Dykens, Altus, Okla.; nine grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. Services were 1 p.m.Tuesday at Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel, Russell. Burial was in Bunker Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the Russell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6240. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel, 610 N. Maple, Russell, Kan. 67665 was in charge of arrangements.
Leonard O. Nienke (1921-2004)
SALINA — Leonard O. Nienke, 82, formerly of Ellsworth and Lyons, died Friday, May 21, 2004. Mr. Nienke was born Sept. 20, 1921, in Ellsworth County to Fred and Meta (Ehrhart) Nienke. He was a retired carpenter/builder and owned Nienke Home Improvement in Salina. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was an aircraft mechanic in the Asian theater. After the war he worked on the Kanopolis Dam. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina, and the Dude and Dames Square Dance Club. He married Nadine Folck April 15, 1947, at Ellsworth. Survivors include his wife, Nadine; two sons, Bob and wife Cheri of Andover, and Barry and wife Marilyn of Bakersfield, Calif.; two daughters, Willa Yaw and husband Martin of Mojave, Calif., and Judy Swagerty and husband Lloyd of Bennington; three brothers, Chet and Ervin, both of Holyrood, and Amos of Wichita; a sister, Lola Vidrickson of Salina; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Services were Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, the Revs. Robert Schaedel and Charles Adams officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Bean Cemetery, Little River. Memorials may be made to the church kitchen fund or Bennington ambulance service. Carlson-Ford-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina, is in charge of arrangements.
Metta Marie Stricek (1917-2004)
KANOPOLIS — Metta Marie Stricek, 86, died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Stricek was born July 18, 1917, in Jefferson County, Kan., to William Jr. and Rose (Wunder) Johannes. She lived most of her life in the Ellsworth-Kanopolis area. She was a graduate of Sterling College. She was a homemaker and taught 24 years in rural schools and 15 years at Kanopolis. She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Kanopolis, St. Ignatius Altar Society, the National Education Association and Kansas National Education Association; and was past treasurer of the Kanopolis Library Board. She married Julius F. Stricek June 5, 1941, at Holton. She was preceded in death by her husband Dec. 2, 1988. Survivors include several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Vigil service was May 20, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Services were May 21, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church and the Kanopolis Library. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Alice Juanita Bair Jellison (1905-2004)
ONAGA — Alice Juanita Bair Jellison, 99, Onaga, died Saturday, May 15, 2004, at the Golden Acres Nursing Center. Mrs. Jellison was born May 2, 1905, at Spring Hill to Robert C. and Mary M. (Boring) Bair. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1924, and from the University of Kansas School of Fine Arts in 1929 with a degree in music education. She taught vocal music in schools at Wilson, Strong City, Bennington, Corning, Wheaton and Havensville. She retired in 1974 and then taught piano lessons in her home until 2000. She married Arthur A. Jellison in March 1929 at Denver, Colo. He died in August 1964. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Nancy Miller, a brother, Melvin Wilson Bair, and two sisters, Dorothy Lee Williams and Mary Jo Siegle. Survivors include four sons, Charles Robert “Bob” Jellison of Yelm Wash Kenneth Arthur “Ken” Jellison and his wife Sue of Paradise Valley Ariz William Adam “Bill” Jellison and his wife Eileen of Ridgewater, Md., and John Merritt Jellison and his wife Jane of Omaha, Neb.; two daughters, Mary Miller and her husband Dean of Parsons, and Martha Jane Hole and her husband Rollin of Overland Park; 11 grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 16 step-great-granchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Services were Wednesday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Onaga. Burial was in the Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church, the Onaga Historical Society, or Golden Acres Activity Fund, in care of the funeral home. Tessendorf-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 218 Leonard, Onaga, Kan. 66521, was in charge of arrangements.
Edythe Elizabeth Roelfs (1918-2004)
BUSHTON — Edythe Elizabeth Roelfs, 85, died Saturday, May 15, 2004, at her home. Mrs. Roelfs was born Sept. 19, 1918, at Ellinwood to John and Mary Lillie (Schulte) Komarek. She was a farm wife, homemaker and lifetime resident of the area. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and its altar society, the Quivira Quivers, Bushton Senior Center, and the Rice County Council on Aging. She was a 1936 graduate of Ellinwood High School. She married Chester Delmer Roelfs Oct. 11, 1938, at Ellinwood. He died Aug. 4, 1976. She was also preceded in death by a son; granddaughter Carla Roelfs; three brothers, Lester, Fred, and George Cletus; and two sisters, Lillian Komarek and Lorraine Huckstep. Survivors include four sons, Timothy of Lyons, Michel and Charles of Bushton, and Delmer of Spring Valley, Calif.; a sister, Pat Peschka of Hutchinson; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Rosary was recited Monday at Kimple Funeral Home. Services were Tuesday at Holy Name Catholic Church, Father Steve Sheier officiating. Burial was in Farmer Township Cemetery, Bushton. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County and Bushton First Responders. Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood, was in charge of arrangements.
Lorna Rena Schroeder (1922-2004)
Lorna Rena Schroeder, 82, died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at Ellsworth County Medical Center. Miss Schroeder was born April 14, 1922, at King Fisher, Okla., to Arthur and Katharina (Peper) Schroeder. She had lived in Ellsworth County since 1930. She was office manager at the old welfare office and later at the natural gas service company office, both in Ellsworth. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Norma and Alma; and three brothers, Arthur, Norbert, and Marvin. Survivors include two brothers, the Rev. Lambert Schroeder, Nampa, Idaho, and Kenneth Schroeder, Austin, Texas; three sisters, Anna Hochman, Geneseo, Ruth Kasiska, Kanopolis, and Jeanette Westerhaus, Haysville; and step-mom Hilda Schroeder, Ellsworth. Services will be 11 a.m. June 1, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Philip Hoppe officiating. Private family inurnment is at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth Anna Strella (1915-2004)
Ruth Anna Strella, 89, died Friday, May 14, 2004, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Strella was born Feb. 18, 1915, in Mitchell County to Edward and Ruth Anna (Tice) Tindle. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth and had lived at Mid America Health Center, Lincoln, since May 2000. She attended beauty school in Beatrice, Neb., and was owner/operator of Ruth Ann’s Beauty Shop for 40 years. She married Victor John Strella Dec. 22, 1934, at Ellsworth. She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter 44, Ellsworth, and of the United Methodist Church, Ellsworth. She was preceded in death by her husband Jan. 22, 1978, daughter B. Joan Handlin in 1999, sister Louise Way, and brother Robert Tindle. Survivors include a son, John of Ellsworth; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services were Monday at United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, Pastor Jim Newkirk officiating. Burial was Ellsworth Cemetery with Order of Eastern Star rites. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Edward A. Demel (1922-2004)
HOISINGTON — Edward A. Demel, 81, died Thursday, May 6, 2004, at Cherry Village Residential Care, Great Bend. Mr. Demel was born July 26, 1922, in rural Odin, to Joseph A. and Mary (Lamatsch) Demel. He was a farmer and lifetime resident of Barton County. He was a veteran of World War II, and Purple Heart recipient. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, American Legion Post No. 286 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428 of Hoisington, Knights of Columbus No. 2630 of Odin, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence, and six sisters, Mary Gerritzen, Margaret Neuschafer, Ann Wondra, Mathilda Schneider, Eleanor Fiedler, and Theresa Demel. Survivors include three brothers, August and Stephen of Claflin, and Jerome of Rose Hill; and two sisters, Viola Axman of Olmitz, and Irene Mattas of Wilson. Vigil and rosary services were Friday at the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Services were Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, Father Pascal Klein officiating. Burial was in St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington, with military committal rites conducted by VFW and American Legion members. Memorials may be made to the church, or Clara Barton Foundation, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, Kan. 67544.
Shirley Pauline Ronan (1933-2004)
LINCOLN — Shirley Pauline Ronan, 71, Lincoln, died May 5, 2004, at her home. She was born Jan. 4, 1933, in rural Lincoln County to James Maurice and Bernita Mae (Webb) Maze. Mrs. Ronan was a retired nurse, and was the first nurse for the Lincoln County Hospice. She graduated from Asbury School of Nursing, Salina, in 1954. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph Ronan. Survivors include four daughters, Jan Long of Salina, Peg Zachgo of Sylvan Grove, Sheri Suelter of Lincoln, and Sharon Errebo of Denmark, Kan.; a brother, Cliff Maze of Atchison; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services were Friday at Hall Chapel with the Rev. Gerald Radtke officiating Burial was in Lincoln City Cemetery Memorials may be made to hospice or the Lincoln Carnegie Library Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
Rosemary L. St. Clair (1939-2004)
Rosemary L. St. Clair, 64, Ellsworth, died May 10, 2004, at Memorial Hospital, McPherson. Mrs. St. Clair was born July 12, 1939, at Osborne to Lawrence and Loretta (Reidel) Henke. She had lived in Ellsworth since 1972, having moved from California. She was a specialized rehabilitation registered nurse at Salina Regional Health Center. She married Stanley St. Clair Feb. 12, 1957. She was preceded in death by her husband, who died Dec. 27, 2001, and a brother, John, who died in 2001. Survivors include a son, Randy St. Clair of Ellsworth; two daughters, Cindy A. Choitz and Tina Bruning, both of Ellsworth; a brother, Bernard Henke, Beesville, Texas; four sisters, Leona Cavette, Olathe, Dorothy Heatwold, Warrensburg, Mo., Janice Thomas, Ellsworth, and Betty Stokes, Midwest City, Okla.; and six grandchildren. Vigil service was 7 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Services were 10 a.m. Thursday, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Visitation was 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kansas State University Center for Basic Cancer Research. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Marlene Kay Brown (1940-2004)
LINCOLN — Marlene Kay Brown, 64, died Thursday, April 29, 2004, at the Lincoln County Hospital. Mrs. Brown was born April 16, 1940, in Ellsworth to Alfred and Cora (Schneider) Panzer. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School, and had worked as social services director at the hospital. She was a member of Business and Professional Women Club. Survivors include her husband, Howard V. Brown, of the home; two sons, Allen and Dennis, Salina; a daughter, Brenda Hartnett, Casper, Wy.; a brother, Don Panzer, Lincoln; a sister, Jolene Yager, Lincoln; and eight grandchildren. Services were Monday at St. John Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gerald Radtke officiating. Burial was in Lincoln City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church. Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
Elda L. Pistora (1928-2004)
MCPHERSON — Elda L. Pistora, 75, died Thursday, April 29, 2004, at Memorial Hospital, McPherson. Mrs. Pistora was born Dec. 31, 1928, in Lincoln County to Reinhardt and Selma (Schultz) Kohls. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Parochial School, rural Ellsworth, and worked as a seamstress for Morris & Sons Clothiers, McPherson. She married Vernon Pistora June 15, 1952, at Ellsworth. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, American Legion Post No. 24 Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2715 Auxiliary; Beta Sigma Phi, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, all of McPherson. She was preceded in death by a son, Wayne M., her parents, a sister, Lois Seitz, and a brother, Orville Kohls. Survivors include two sons, Rodney D., Wheatridge, Colo., and Bryon T., Westminster, Colo.; a daughter, Juliet Swain, Lenexa; two brothers, Norwin Kohls, Cottonwood, Ariz., and Rolland Kohls; four sisters, Della Billings, Topeka, Leoria Kohls, Wichita, Deniece Roth, Lindsborg, and Nina Borgstadter, Ellsworth; and three grandchildren. Services were Monday at Grace Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dale Dumperth officiating. Cremation followed and burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ellsworth. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, McPherson. Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson, was in charge of arrangements.
Jonathan Edward Wolfe (1915-2004)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Jonathan Edward Wolfe, 88, Little Rock, died Thursday, April 29, 2004. Mr. Wolfe was born June 17, 1915, at Ellsworth to Clyde and Grace Wolfe. He moved to Little Rock in 1939 after graduating from Emporia Teachers College. He taught band, orchestra and voice at East Side Jr. High, West Side Jr. High and Pulaski Heights Jr. High. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the European Theatre of Operations. After the war, he returned to Little Rock where he worked for the federal government until his retirement in 1975. He worked first for the Veterans’ Administration, then as an area supervisor for the state's Selective Service System. He worked 10 years at Medical Towers Drug Store. He was active at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, and Ministry of Praise at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, both of Little Rock. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Murphy Wolfe; two sons, Jonathan James and Gregory Clyde; a daughter, Carolyn Wolfe Prickett; a sister, Eunice Wolfe, Topeka; and seven grandchildren. Services were Monday at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, Little Rock, with Most Rev. J. Peter Sartain, Bishop of Little Rock, and Msgrs. Francis I. Malone, and David LeSieur officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. A rosary service was Sunday at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Chapel. Memorials may be made to Easter Seals Arkansas, 5106 McClanahan, Little Rock, Ark. 72116, (501) 661-9111, or another charity. Griffin, Leggett, Healey and Roth Chapel, Little Rock, was in charge of arrangements.
Luella Ruth Carson (1921-2004)
TOPEKA — Luella Ruth Carson, 83, Topeka, died Friday, June 11, 2004, at her home. Mrs. Carson was born Jan. 27, 1921, in Valley Falls to John W. and Luella J. Grahem Strawn. She was in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. She married Clyde B. “Doc” Carson Jr. Jan. 23, 1946, at Auburn. He died in 1989. Survivors include two brothers, Raymond Strawn of Vancouver, Wash., and Marvin L. Strawn of Topeka; three sisters, Mildred Hefty of Valley Falls, Rose Bonebrake of Las Vegas and Juanita Boley of Ellsworth; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral was June 15 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Burial was in Topeka Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kan. 66604.
Layne Louise Mason (1955-2004)
GREAT BEND — Layne Louise Mason, 48, Great Bend, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004. Mrs. Mason was born July 10, 1955, at Great Bend to Louis “Bud” and Violet Wittman Black. She attended the First Christian Church and was plan administrator for CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc. Survivors include a daughter, Carley Lynne Mason of Great Bend; two foster daughters, Nicci Medina, Sand Springs, Okla., and Dani Wilson, Kellyville, Okla.; her parents; a sister, Lynne Scheuerman of Great Bend; and five foster grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Christian Church, Great Bend, the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Memorials may be made to Barton County Relay for Life or the First Christian Church Building Fund. Bryant Funeral Home, 1435 Patton Road, Great Bend 67530 was in charge of arrangements.
Donald E. Setter (1929-2004)
CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Donald E. Setter, 75, died Thursday, June 17, 2004. Mr. Setter was born Jan. 7, 1929, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Chris B. and Bertha M. Setter. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a research chemist who was a pioneer in the field of plastics and their application. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, H. Jay of Wichita, Kan.; and a sister, Mary Rose Fedeli of Sterling, Mass. Survivors include two sons, Michael of Audubon, N.J., and Paul of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a daughter, Catherine Bewick of Haddonfield, N.J.; two sisters, Vi Dolman of Honolulu, and Marjorie Setter of Wichita; a brother, James of Fayetteville, Ark.; and a grandson. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Rose of Lima Church, Haddon Heights, N.J. Memorials may be made to Samaritan Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Esther L. Breford (1914-2004)
REDFIELD, S.D. — Esther L. Breford, 89, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at her home in Redfield. Esther was born Aug. 28, 1914 in Redfield to Axel and Hilda (Johnson) Swanson. She attended country school before graduating from Frankfort High School in 1932. She married Floyd Cook in Canton, S.D. Sept. 18, 1937. They lived for 13 years in Aberdeen, S.D. before moving to Mesa, Ariz. He died in 1957. She married Chris Berford Aug. 27, 1963 in Redfield. Esther returned to Redfield in 1988 from Holyrood, Kan., following his death. She was a member of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church for many years. She also was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, one sister and one brother. Survivors include a son, Alvin and Karen Cook of Ellsworth, Kan.; three sisters: Mildred Wilford and Elsie Miller, both of Redfield, and Hilda DeYoung of Frankfort, S.D.; five grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two step grandchildren, one step great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. Her funeral was Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Redfield, the Rev. Lloyd Miller will officiate. Burial was in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Redfield.
Rose Mary Dlabal (1919-2004)
HERINGTON — Rose Mary Vopat Dlabal, 85, died Saturday, June 5, 2004, after a long illness. Mrs. Dlabal was born March 7, 1919, to Frank C. and Katherine C. Vopat. She was graduated from Wilson High School and received a teaching certificate from Marymount College, Salina. She taught at a one-room schoolhouse before joining the U.S. Navy and serving in World War II. After the war, she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Fort Hays State University. She taught in the primary grades at Herington, Ramona, Navarre and Osborne. She was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church, Herington, and the St. Rita’s Circle of the Altar Society Auxiliary. Survivors include two sons, Dr. Paul W. Dlabal Jr. of Austin, Texas, and Dr. Michael L. Dlabal of Park City, Utah; and a brother, Adolph Vopat of Wilson. She was preceded in death by a brother, Frank G. Vopat of Wilson, and a sister, Christene Vopat Bouska of Wilson. The funeral was June 8 at the St. John’s Catholic Church, Herington. Interment was in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Wilson. Memorials may be made to the Dlabal Foundation, supporting excellence in the arts, education and medical research, at TDF, Box 163237, Austin, Texas 78716. Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Herington, was in charge of arrangements.
Patricia Ann Gier (1942-2004)
RUSSELL — Patricia Ann Gier, 61, died Friday, June 11, 2004, at her home in Russell. Mrs. Gier was born July 5, 1942, in Kansas City, Kan., to James W. and Mildred Mayhew Baker. She was raised in the Kansas City-Wyandotte County area. She moved to Great Bend in the mid 1960s and to Russell in 1980. She worked in health care as a certified nurse aide, certified medical aide and most recently as an activity director at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, where she worked for 15 years. Survivors include two sons, Wendell Keller of Hays and Randy Ehrlich of Russell; three daughters, Kelly Pasek and Shelly Whitmer, both of Dorrance, and Shani Bricker of Gorham; a brother, William Baker of Dorrance; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gary. A memorial service was Monday at Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel, Russell. Inurnment followed at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Russell. Memorials may be made to the Wheatland Nursing Center of Russell in care of Pohlman-Heise Mortuary, 610 N. Maple Street, Russell 67665.
Jack R. Janousek (1954-2004)
SECANE, Pa. — Jack R. Janousek, 49, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at Taylor Hospital, Ridley Park, Pa. Mr. Janousek was born July 13, 1954, in Ellsworth, Kan. to Robert and Elizabeth Vasko Janousek. He had lived in Secane one year, moving from Wichita. He was a registered nurse and graduate student at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at Kansas State University and the First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth. Survivors include his mother of Ellsworth, a brother, Earle Janousek of Sarasota, Fla.; two sisters, Jolene Alexander of Iola, Kan.; and Peggy Hand of Ellsworth; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father in 1998. The funeral was Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Leonard Goering officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the KSU Athletic Department or the First Presbyterian Church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth M. Kerby 1916-2004
SAVANNAH, Mo. — Kenneth M. Kerby, 87, died Friday June 11, 2004 at Shady Lawn Nursing Home. Mr. Kerby was born Oct. 21, 1916 in Coloma, Mo. and resided in the area until moving to the St. Joseph area in 1991. He had served over 50 years as a deacon at his former churches, the Bogard Baptist Church, Browning Baptist Church, and Copeland Baptist Church where he was currently a member. He had been a bookkeeper for Metz Lumber Company of Bogard, Mo., Lumber Product Sales at Eudora, Ks., and Hardin; and Warren Lumber Company of Carrollton Mo. In 1965 Kerby and Sons Construction was started and he worked there until his retirement in 1979. He had also been a substitute mail carrier for 15 years and then worked full time five years before retiring from the postal service. He was a member of the Bogard Masonic Lodge 101 AF &AM before transferring to the Hale City Lodge 216 AF &AM in 1981, receiving his 50 year pin in 1997. He was Worshipful Master 1984-1985, District Deputy Grand Master of District 19, 1985-1986, and was a member of the York Rite. He married Marie Rothove March 22, 1941 in Carrollton, Mo. She survives. Other survivors include five sons, Charles P. of Helena, Mo,. Richard K. of Ellsworth, Kan., Jerry M. of Springfield, Ohio, James D. of St. Joseph, Mo. and John W. of Mission, Kan.; two daughters, Patricia Williams of Mission, and Jennie Wooton of Kansas City, Kan.; a sister, Mina Kerby of Savannah; 19 grandchildren; five step grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, Paul and Jennie Kerby, and a grandson. The funeral was Monday at the Copeland Baptist Church. Burial was in Braden Cemetery, Coloma, Mo., with Masonic services. Clark-Sampson Funeral Home, St. Joseph, was in charge of arrangements.
