Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Jean Shanelec (1926-2004)
Jean Shanelec, 78, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Mrs. Shanelec was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Denton, Texas, to Joseph “Joe” and Wilhelmina “Bea” Fyffe Fladger. She lived in Ellsworth most of her life, living previously in Kingman, Cimarron and Fort Scott. She held a Bachelor of Science degree from Emporia State University and a Master of Science degree in education from Wichita State University. She taught at Ellsworth, Wilson and Kingman schools. She also was a genealogist and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority, the Alumni Association Board of Directors at Emporia State, Rozmberk Society, KNEA, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Fine Arts Club. Mrs. Shanelec also was a member of Ellsworth’s First Presbyterian Church. She married Gail “Pep” Shanelec May 28, 1948, in Ellsworth. He survives. Other survivors include a son, Daniel Shanelec of Lyons; a daughter, Abby Seiler of Ellsworth; a brother, Charles Fladger of San Antonio, Texas; a sister, Betty Ann Barrow of Denton; and 10 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sue Ann Reid, in 1984. The funeral was Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Leonard Goering officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Jean Shanelec Scholarship Fund at Emporia State University. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
J. Glen Shogren (1922-2004)
TOPEKA — J. Glen Shogren, 81, died Saturday, June 5, 2004, in Tampa, Fla. Mr. Shogren was born July 5, 1922, at Lindsborg to Howard and Bernice Linderholm Shogren. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for more than 40 years, retiring as office manager in the traffic department. He served in World War II and the Korean Conflict and was a member of American Legion Post 400. He married Darline E. Steinle Oct. 13, 1950, at Russell. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Mona Rae Sartell of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; three brothers, Harlan Shogren of Lindsborg, Merle Shogren of Manhattan and Orin Shogren of Salina; three sisters, Martha Lee Gillihan and Arcel Ireland, both of Denver, Colo., and Marian Richardson of Lindsborg; and a grandson. The funeral was Friday at Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, Topeka. Burial was in Rochester Cemetery, Topeka. Memorials may be made to the Moffitt Foundation. P.O. Box 550985, Tampa, Fla., 33655.
Tracy Thompson (1940-2004)
PLAINVILLE — Tracy Thompson, 63, died Sunday, June 6, 2004. Mr. Thompson was born July 4, 1940, in Hays. He was a cattleman, farmer and Angus breeder in Rooks County. Survivors include three sisters, Leila Bair and Lanita Ehrlich, both of Wilson, and Norma Jordan of Gem. A memorial service was Friday at the United Methodist Church, Plainville. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Plainville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to House Calls/Home Health and Hospice of Plainville, the church or American Cancer Society, in care of Moore-Overlease Funeral Chapel, 409 S. Cochran, Plainville 67663.
Adaline B. Beagley (1917-2004)
GENESEO — Adaline B. Beagley, 87, died Friday, June 4, 2004, at the Dillon Living Center in Hutchinson. Mrs. Beagley was born Feb. 16, 1917, in McPherson County to George and Ida (Johnson) Rush. She was a lifetime resident of Geneseo. She was a homemaker and retired cook from the Geneseo School. She married Clifford J. Beagley Nov. 17, 1936. He died in 1989. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lois, in 1944, a great-grandson, Brent, in 2001, seven brothers, and two sisters. Survivors include three sons, James Beagley of Corpus Christi, Texas, Roy Beagley of Geneseo, and Larry Beagley of Ellsworth; two daughters, Loretta Schneider of Olpe and Louise Johnson of Hutchinson; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services were Monday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with Chaplain Art Maddock III officiating. Burial was in Geneseo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Geneseo Cemetery Fund.
Mable Irene Mabry (1919-2004)
LINCOLN — Mable Irene Mabry, 85, died Friday, June 4, 2004, at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina. Mrs. Mabry was born July 13, 1919, in a farmhouse southeast of Vesper to Ella Anna and Peter Powers. She was graduated from Lincoln High School in 1937 and worked for Bell Telephone for nine years. She lived southwest of Lincoln and also in Oklahoma and Texas. She was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church, a past president of the hospital auxiliary and also was active in the VFW auxiliary. She married Rex Mabry in June 1946. He survives. Other survivors include a son, Charley of Miami, Fla.; three daughters, Ann Mabry of Puyallup, Wash., Nancy McWhirter of Lincoln and Mary McGill of Casper, Wyo.; and five grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the United Methodist Church, Lincoln, the Rev. Kaye Metzler officiating. Burial was in Lincoln City Cemetery. Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph L. Stiles (1919-2004)
WILSON — Joseph L. Stiles, 84, died Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Stiles was born Sept. 27, 1919, at Fort Scott to Lee and Minnie Stiles. He grew up in Fort Scott and moved to Wilson in 1947. Mr. Stiles was funeral director of Stiles Mortuary and an ambulance operator. He married Pat Weber in September 1944 at Wilson. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Knights of Columbus and the Msgr. John F. McManus American Legion Post No. 262. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Stiles of Wilson; four sons, Tim Stiles of Shawnee, Kevin Stiles of Houston, Texas, Pat Stiles of Claflin, and Dr. Michael Stiles of Leawood; two daughters, Sandra Krusich of Pittsburg, and Sheila Mauro of Wilson; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon, in 1945, and a granddaughter, Carlie Jo. Services were Saturday at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors by the Msgr. John F McManus American Legion Post. Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Violet Verna Smith Castner (1916-2004)
DENVER, Colo. — Violet Verna Smith Castner, 88, died Monday, May 17, 2004, at the Holly Heights Nursing Care Center, Denver. Mrs. Castner was born April 12, 1916, in rural Dorrance, Kan., to Herbert Burkhart and the former Mary Elizabeth Smith. She attended Dorrance schools. She was a homemaker and of the Lutheran faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; a sister, Eunice Marie Freibus; and three brothers, Dell William Smith, Zephie David Smith and William Donald Smith. Survivors include two sons, Roy Wallert of Ellsworth, Kan., and Gerald Anschutz of Denver; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A private graveside service and burial is planned at a later date in the Dorrance Cemetery.
Doris L. Sneath (1920-2004)
LYONS — Doris L. Sneath, 83, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at her home. Mrs. Sneath was born Sept. 8, 1920, at Wilson to Frank and Cora (Sackman) Eitel. She graduated from Wilson High School, and had been a Lyons resident since 1950. She retired from American Salt in 1983. She married Robert Paul Sneath June 4, 1939. He died July 8, 1998. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Arita D. Stark; two brothers, Walter Eitel and Calvin Eitel; two sisters, Alice Eitel and Ethel Kaufman; and a grandson, Robert Dale Talbot. Survivors include a son, Loran D. Sneath, Hutchinson; a daughter, Glenda Sue Talbot, Penalosa; two sisters, Margaret Luck, Lyons, and Melva Uphoff, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Services were Tuesday at Sillin Funeral Home Lyons with the Rev Curtis Fitzgerald officiating Burial was in Lyons Municipal Cemetery Lyons Memorials may be made to the donors’ choices, in care of the funeral home. Sillin Funeral Home, 214 W. Ave. South, Lyons, Kan. 67554, was in charge of arrangements.
Patsy Jo Murrell Ahrens (1948-2004)
CAMERON, Mo. — Patsy Jo Murrell Ahrens, 55, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Mrs. Ahrens worked as a paraprofessional at schools in Nebraska and Cameron, Mo., where she lived from 2001-04. She married Larry Eugene Ahrens on Dec. 19, 1970. He survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Tammy Nicholes of Temple, Texas; a son, Danny Ahrens of Taylor, Neb.; her parents, Bob and Joyce Murrell of Fairmont, Neb.; two brothers, Robert Murrell of Ellsworth, Kan., and Michael Murrell of Chillicothe, Mo.; three sisters, Barbara Scheil of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Sharon Slezak of Fairmont, Neb., and Julie Dillman of Geneva, Neb.; her grandmother, Mabel Ernst of Fairmont; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral was July 19 at the Farmer and Son Funeral Home, Geneva, Neb. Graveside services were at the Fairmont Public Cemetery.
Violet V. Castner (1916-2004)
DENVER — Violet V. Castner, 88, Denver, died May 17, 2004. Mrs. Castner was born Violet V. Burkhart April 12, 1916, in Dorrance, Kan. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence. Survivors include two sons, Roy Wallert of Ellsworth, Kan., and Gerald Anschutz of Denver; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A graveside service was Friday in Dorrance City Cemetery. Foster Mortuary, 610 24th, Wilson, KS 67490 handled arrangements.
Gary Leon Dees (1936-2004)
GARLAND, TEXAS — The funeral for Gary Leon Dees, 67, was July 19 at the Bethel Lutheran Church. Mr. Dees was born Oct. 17, 1936, to Nieta and Kenneth Dees. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Nancy; four children, Jan McInvale, Mary Crawford, Sherri Baxter and Gary Dees Jr.; a sister, Ila Andersen; a brother, Loren Dees of Ellsworth, Kan.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to the church.
Fred L. Houston (1925-2004)
VALLEY CENTER — Fred L. Houston, 79, died Monday, July 19, 2004. Mr. Houston was born Jan. 24, 1925, in Cedar Vale to John Franklin and Lucy Pack Houston. He pastored several churches in Central Kansas starting in 1952. He married Evelyn “Pat” Patrick Aug. 22, 1948 in Peck. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Michael Houston of Valley Center and Brian Houston of Hayden, Colo.; a daughter, Carolyn Gaston of Madera, Calif.; three sisters, Helen Runsvold and Hazel Whiteley, both of Spokane, Wash., and Della Cirillo of Callas, Texas; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frank Houston; and a son, Patrick Steven Houston. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Habitat for Humanity Fund. Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center, was in charge of arrangements.
Agnes Miller (1924-2004)
MORROWVILLE — Agnes Miller, 80, died Friday, July 16, 2004. Mrs. Miller was born Agnes L’Ecuyer on March 12, 1924, in Clifton. She was a teacher and a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Lester of Morrowville; three sons, Fred of Morrowville, Tim of Lincoln, Neb., and Don of Great Bend; three daughters, Jan Kastens Rose of Loudon, Tenn., Marcia Westhoff of Great Bend and Lisa Lindsley of Ellsworth; three brothers, Patrick L’Ecuyer and Robert L’Ecuyer, both of Morrowville, and Richard L’Ecuyer of Washington; five sisters, Mary LaDuc of Clyde, Patricia Bartels of Mahaska, Evelyn Wassenberg of Fort Scott, Martha Nutsch of Morrowville and Helen Linenberger of Washington; 22 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 19 at the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Washington. Burial was in the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Morrowville. A memorial fund has been established in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 W. Second, Washington 66968.
Eleanor Herzig Trump Rathbun (1907-2004)
Eleanor Herzig Trump Rathbun, 96, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at the Ellsworth Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Mrs. Rathbun was born Aug. 19, 1907, in Salina to Leo and Nancy Dick Herzig. She attended three years of nursing school at Ellsworth, serving as a registered nurse at the Ellsworth hospital and also as a private duty nurse. She was an American Red Cross bloodmobile volunteer for more than 50 years and a member of many bridge clubs and the First Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, William, in 1977, and her second husband, Cleo, in 2001; a son, William D. Trump Jr. in 2003; and three brothers, Roger, Richard, and Harold. Survivors include a daughter, Jean Campbell of Ellsworth; three granddaughters, Nancy Campbell of Philadelphia, Pa., Terri Campbell of Ellsworth and Jill Trump of Fruita, Colo.; five grandsons, John Campbell of Philadelphia, Will Trump III, Casey Trump and Robin Trump all of Fruita; and Kirby Trump of West Virginia; and many great grandchildren The funeral was Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Leonard Goering officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.
Peggy Joanne Robertson (1930-2004)
GARDEN CITY — Peggy Joanne Robertson, 73, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at St. Catherine Hospital. Mrs. Robertson was born Aug. 12, 1930, at Scott City to Elmer O. and Lena Mae Crowley Smith. She was a longtime resident of Garden City. She moved to Wilson in 1993 and back to Garden City following the death of her husband. She was a member of the Christian faith. She married Jimmie R. Robertson Aug. 25, 1953, at DeQueen, Ark. He died Nov. 23, 2002, at Garden City. She was preceded in death by a son, Scott Lee Robertson, and a sister, LaReta McKinley. Survivors include a son, Samie Dan Robertson, Wilson; a daughter, Jimmie Anne Ownings, Garden City; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cornerstone Church, Garden City, Stan Fisher officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Joanne Robertson Memorial Fund, in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 620 N. Main, Garden City, KS 67846.
Cecil Bill Wohlford (1945-2004)
WICHITA — Cecil Bill Wohlford, 59, died Saturday, July 3, 2004, at Wichita of complications from melanoma. Mr. Wohlford was born June 25, 1945, at Lyons to Cecil and Ida Wohlford. He was a former resident of Geneseo. Mr. Wohlford was a two-time All-Big Eight football player at the University of Kansas and received many awards at KU, including the Hilltopper Award. When he graduated he had earned more academic and athletic awards than any other KU varsity athlete before him. He worked 26 years as general counsel for Slawson Companies. He was campaign manager of Sen. Bob Dole’s 1974 re-election campaign. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Carol of Wichita; four sons, Brice, Luke, Will, Trevor and daughter-in-law Stacey Wohlford of Wichita; daughter and sonin- law Keri and Scott Meinking of Wichita; two grandchildren; and three sisters, Kathy Pollard of Fort Worth, Texas, Mary Murphy, Natoma, and Jean Stefek, Ellsworth. Services were July 9 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Wichita. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery, Wichita. Memorials may be made to the Andover Public Library, P.O. Box 970, Andover, Kan. 67002. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East, Wichita, was in charge of arrangements.
Roy Birka (1949-2004)
Roy Birka, 54, died Sunday, July 11, 2004, at his rural residence. Mr. Birka was born Aug. 13, 1949, at Ellsworth to Louis and Anna Kopecky Birka. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth county, and worked at the Ellsworth County Co-op. He was single. Graveside services were Saturday at Ellsworth Cemetery, Eddie Milbradt officiating. His parents, a half-sister Betty Donley, and half-brothers Harold Birka and Ernie Harbarta, preceded him in death. Survivors include a sister, Elaine Smith, Mesquite, Nev. Memorials may be made to Jehovahs Witnesses Church and the Ellsworth County Emergency Medical Service. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Helen Marie Jensen (1918-2004)
LINCOLN — Helen Marie Jensen, 86, Lincoln, died Monday, July 12, 2004. Mrs. Jensen was born Helen Marie Huehl on March 27, 1918, in Lincoln. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Gaylen Jensen, in 1970. Survivors include her husband, James Bradley Jensen of Lincoln; a daughter, Sharon K. Zier of Lincoln; a brother, Orvin Duane Huehl of Lincoln; and two grandchildren. The memorial service was Saturday at the Denmark Community Evangelical Lutheran Church. Inurnment was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lincoln County Health Department or the Lincoln County Hospital Nursing Scholarship Fund. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, was in charge of arrangements. For condolences, visit www.ryanmortuary.com.
Walter John Oden Jr. (1925-2004)
RUSSELL — Walter John Oden Jr., 79, died Saturday, July 17, 2004, at the Hays Medical Center. Mr. Oden was born Feb. 3, 1925, on the family homestead near Saxman to Walter John Sr. and Sadie Ellen VanWinkle Oden. He attended Sterling College for two years before entering the military during World War II. He served with the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant-trained bombardier for two years until his discharge. He attended the University of Kansas for a year after he returned home. He lived in Sterling until moving to Russell in 1952. He worked in the oilfield industry as a driller and tool pusher for Red Tiger Drilling Co. for more than 25 years. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Russell and a former member of the American Legion at Sterling. He married Birdie Mae Hall Sept. 24, 1949, at Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Bruce Oden of Russell; three daughters, Connie Sue Brack of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Linda Ann Tittel of Russell and Stacey Lea Frimmel of Wilson; two sisters, Olive Sherman of Des Plaines, Ill., and Phyllis Foster of Sterling; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A private family memorial service is planned Friday at the Pohlman- Heise Mortuary, Russell. Private family inurnment services will be conducted at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the American Cancer Society in care of the mortuary, 610 N. Maple St., Russell, Ks. 67665.
Robert ‘Bob’ Reed (1916-2004)
FORT SMITH, Ark. — Robert “Bob” Reed, 88, died Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in Fort Smith. Mr. Reed was born May 28, 1916, in Ellsworth County, Kan. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army with service in World War II and a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife Johnnie of the home; a daughter Valoria of Ninnekah Okla ; four sons Earl Reed of Fort Smith Shelby Essman of Charleston, Ark., Clinton Norton of Formoso, Kan., and Fred Norton of Nottingham, Pa.; a sister, Helen Wilson of Salina, Kan.; 17 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the First Free Will Baptist Church. Burial was in the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Smith. Memorials may be made to the Voice of Revival, 4001 Armour Ave., Fort Smith 72904. Lewis Funeral Home, Fort Smith, was in charge of arrangements.
Cecil Bill Wohlford (1945-2004)
WICHITA — Cecil Bill Wohlford, 59, died Saturday, July 3, 2004, at Wichita of complications from melanoma. Mr. Wohlford was born June 25, 1945, at Lyons to Cecil and Ida Wohlford. He was a former resident of Geneseo. Mr. Wohlford was a two-time All-Big Eight football player at the University of Kansas and received many awards at KU, including the Hilltopper Award. When he graduated he had earned more academic and athletic awards than any other KU varsity athlete before him. He worked 26 years as general counsel for Slawson Companies. He was campaign manager of Sen. Bob Dole’s 1974 re-election campaign. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Carol of Wichita; son and daughter-in-law, Trevor and Stacey Wohlford of Wichita; daughter and son-in-law Keri and Scott Meinking of Wichita; four grandchildren; and three sisters, Kathy Pollard of Fort Worth, Texas, Mary Murphy, Natoma, and Jean Stefek, Ellsworth. Services were July 9 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Wichita. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery, Wichita. Memorials may be made to the Andover Public Library, P.O. Box 970, Andover, Kan. 67002. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East, Wichita, was in charge of arrangements. Nathan Harper Breitenberg LONGVIEW, Texas — Graveside services for Nathan Harper Breitenberg, infant son of William and Marci Breitenberg of Longview, were Tuesday at Rosewood Park, with Rev. Phil Fenton officiating. Nathan was born Thursday, July 8, 2004, and died the same day. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, William Christopher Breitenberg Sr.; his maternal grandfather, Terry Nagel; and a brother, Martin Lynn Hawks. Survivors include his parents; brothers and a sister, Kip Breitenberg and Trenton and Terri Hawks; maternal grandmother, Pat Nagel of Holyrood, Kan.; maternal great-grandmother, Eleanor Lewis of Ellsworth, Kan.; and paternal grandmother, Sybil Breitenberg Holmes of Lindale, Texas. Leroy Rader Funeral Home, Inc., Longview, was in charge of arrangements.
Donna Hoffman (1925-2004)
KANOPOLIS — Donna Hoffman, 79, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at the Wilson Nursing Center, Wilson. Mrs. Hoffman was born June 9, 1925, at Kanopolis to Louis and Clara Edenburn Priddy. She lived most of her life in Minneapolis and Kanopolis. She was a homemaker and owner of Donna’s Grill at Minneapolis. She married Don Hoffman Feb. 5, 1945, at Ellsworth. He died in 2000. She also was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lori, in 1960. Survivors include two daughters, Janis Krein of Kanopolis and LeAnn Thompson of Odessa, Texas; a son, Dale Hoffman of Minneapolis; a sister, Kathryn McGar of Fort Worth, Texas; a brother, Art Priddy of Russell; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The graveside service was Monday at the Kanopolis Cemetery, Pastor Stephen Holmes officiating. Memorials may be made to the Kanopolis Library or the United Methodist Church, Kanopolis. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Isabelle Jackson (1909-2004)
Isabelle Jackson, 94, died Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Ellsworth’s Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Jackson was born Aug. 25, 1909, in Illinois to John and Bessie Scott Hoffmire. She was a homemaker who moved to Ellsworth 18 years ago from Bethany, Ill. She married William Eugene Jackson Jan. 7, 1929, in Effingham, Ill. He died in 1968. She also was preceded in death by a brother and greatgrandson. Survivors include a son, John William Jackson of Ellsworth; two daughters, Ruth Ann Rinewalt of Fort Worth, Texas, and Wanda Haviland of Minneapolis, Minn.; a granddaughter raised by Mrs. Jackson, Carolyn Sue Artis of Sullivan, Ill.; seven other grandchildren; and a step-grandchild. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Mount Zion Cemetery, Mount Zion, Ill. Memorials may be made to Ellsworth’s Good Samaritan Retirement Village.
