Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Arlene E. Karst (1925-2005)
DORRANCE — Arlene E. Karst, 79, died Saturday, April 9, 2005. Mrs. Karst was born June 7, 1925, at Dodge City to Alex and Mollie Deines Ehrlich. She was a lifetime resident of the Dorrance area, where she was a homemaker, senior companion and Avon representative. She also was a member of the First Lutheran Church. She married Clarence Karst June 13, 1943, in Susank. He died in 1984. Survivors include a son, Ron Karst of Dorrance; a brother, Ben Ehrlich of Great Bend; a sister, Laura Odor of Garland, Texas; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Lutheran Church, Sister Diane Wagner officiating. Burial was in Russell City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church in care of Foster Mortuary, 610 24th St., Wilson 67490.
Carolyn Gray Kasiska (1923-2005)
Carolyn Gray Kasiska, 81, died Saturday, April 9, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Kasiska was born Aug. 17, 1923, to Gray and Frances Russler Cooney. In 1950, she moved to Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker, co-owner of Maria’s Gift and Fabric Store and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was married to Henry Dean Porter, who preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by her second husband, Dr. Henry St. Clair O’Donnell, who she married April 13, 1952. She married Floyd Kasiska Jan. 23, 1981. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Deanne Carr of Salina and Christina Simmonds of Newton; a son, Henry St. Clair O’Donnell III of Lawrence; two step-daughters, Christina Mertes of Wichita and Patricia Freel of Coffeyville; two step-sons, Paul Kasiska of Canton-Galva and Ernst Kasiska of Kanopolis; four grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by a grandson; and a sister, Mary Frances Combs. The funeral was 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Phillip Hoppe officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Visitation was from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the church or the American Cancer Society.
Lorraine V. Lockhart (1930-2005)
SYLVAN GROVE — Lorraine V. Lockhart, 74, Sylvan Grove, died Friday, April 1, 2005. Mrs. Lockhart was born April 19, 1930, at Ellsworth. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Leroy of Sylvan Grove; two sons, Michael Lockhart of Kirksville, Mo., and Gerald Lockhart of Lincoln; two daughters, Cheryl Anderson of Concordia and Pamela Ernsting of Pratt; a sister, Emma Shively of Kanopolis; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the Sylvan Grove Presbyterian Church. There was a private burial. Memorials may be made to the church, the American Heart Association or a charity of the donor’s choice. Rodrick & Minear Funeral Home, Sylvan Grove, was in charge of arrangements.
Mary A. ‘Mayme’ Matoush (1909-2005)
WILSON — Mary A. “Mayme” Matoush, 95, Wilson, died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Matoush was born Oct. 29, 1909, at Lincoln to Mike and Mary Sweene Cannon. She was raised in Lincoln and then moved to Holyrood, where she was a homemaker and schoolteacher. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Holyrood, and the church Altar Society. She married Elmer Matoush June 1, 1941, at Lincoln. He died in 1999. She also was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Linda, in 1985. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Hunter of Wilson; a grandson, Mike Hunter of Wichita; and two great-grandsons. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Wilson. Memorials may be made to the church. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Eugene ‘Gene’ P. Mullen (1933-2005)
KEARNEY, Neb. — Eugene “Gene” P. Mullen, 71, Kearney, died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at the Mt. Carmel Home. Mr. Mullen was born Aug. 22, 1933, in Ellsworth, Kan., to James P. and Allene M. Henderson Mullen. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and later received a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in 1960 and a master’s degree from Denver University. He returned to Fort Hays State as a teacher. In 1964, he accepted a job with the University of Nebraska, Kearney, where he was a professor of sociology and library science. He retired in 1969. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church. He married Elizabeth A. Young Nov. 5, 1959, at Victoria, Kan. She died in 1983. Survivors include two sons, Sean Mullen of Kearney and Emory Mullen of Lincoln, Neb.; two daughters, Stephanie Dickmeyer of Venango, Neb., and Melanie Mullen of Lincoln; two brothers, Bernard Mullen of Salina, Kan., and Larry Mullen of Sadkatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; and four grandchildren. The funeral was April 6 at the St. James Catholic Church, Father Charles Torpey officiating. Burial was in the Kearney Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kearney Catholic High School Scholarship Fund or the University of Nebraska General Scholarship Fund. Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary, Kearney, was in charge of arrangements.
Emmerentia ‘Emmy’ Werth (1916-2005)
HAYS — Emmerentia “Emmy” Werth, 89, died Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at her home in Hays. Mrs. Werth was born Feb. 29, 1916, at Vincent to Henry and Mary Schrage Haselhorst. She was a school teacher until her marriage June 10, 1941, to Paul Werth. He died Dec. 20, 1994. She was a homemaker and a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond Haselhorst, Norbert Haselhorst and Irvin Haselhorst; and two sisters, Esther Basgall and Henrietta Byinton. Survivors include six sons, Arlen Werth of Great Bend, Ivan Werth of Hays, Ferman Werth of Ellsworth, Gary Werth of Schoenchen, Wayne Werth of Hutchinson and Alton Werth of Pittsburg, Texas; five daughters, Marilyn Leiker of Hays, Donna Jacobs of McCook, Neb., Carolyn Windholz of Victoria, Joan Leatherman of Joplin, Mo., and Ellen Montgomery of Hays; two brothers, Elmer Haselhorst of Longmont, Colo., and Harold Haselhorst of Hays; three sisters, Dorothy Sauer of Hays, Frances Hutton of Gardner and Mary Jane Schmidt of Wichita; 38 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and 23 step-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial was in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Schoenchen. Memorials in her name have been established at the church or with the St. Anthony’s Cemetery Association. Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Wilbert R. Eilrich (1917-2005)
LARNED — Wilbert R. Eilrich, 87, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Mr. Eilrich was born July 14, 1917, at Ellsworth to Reinhold and Bertha Peterman Eilrich. He was a coin dealer and a resident of Larned since 2003. He was a member of the Faith Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, Colo., Lions Club, Kansas Numismatic Association and Farmers Union. He married Mildred Oldehoeft Feb. 13, 1944. She died Jan. 30, 1994. He also was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Martin; and three sisters, Rosaline Grosnick, Mildred Burmeister and Betty Cleverdon. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Nagel of Ulysses; a companion, Evelyn Galliart of Larned; two sisters, Hilda Schroeder of Ellsworth and Verna Miller of Bremen, Ind.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was March 28 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Pastor Deb Harvey officiating. Burial was in Green Crest Cemetery, Dodge City. Memorials may be sent to Kansas Talking Books, in care of the mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, Ks. 67550.
Edward Ferrell (1938-2005)
WILSON — Edward Ferrell, 66, died Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at his home in Wilson. Pastor Ferrell was born May 27, 1938, in Missoula, Mont., to Leslie Gerald and Virginia Mace Ferrell. He moved to Wilson in 1989, where he was pastor of the First Baptist Church. He married Lenora Andrews June 12, 1959, in Morrison, Ill. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter Becky Hayes of Cedarville, Ohio; three sons, Scott of San Antonio, Texas, Patrick of Atlanta, Ga., and Tim of Atsugi, Japan; a brother, Richard of Racine, Wisc.; and nine grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the First Baptist Church, Pastor Don Michaelson officiating. Burial was in Coax Cemetery, Baskin, La. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Awana and Youth Ministries, in care of Foster Mortuary, 610 24th Street, Wilson 67490-0205.
Ethel E. Fox (1920-2005)
Ethel E. Fox, 85, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, Ellsworth. Mrs. Fox was born March 18, 1920, to Clarence and Ethel Smith Hamsher. Prior to a car accident in March 1969, she was a social worker for the Pawnee County Welfare Department. She had been a resident of the Good Samaritan Retirement Village since March 1980. She was a past member of the Eden Valley Church of the Brethren, St. John. She married Marlow Jene Fox May 11, 1941, at Parsons. He died March 15, 1969. She also was preceded in death by four brothers, John and Carl Hamsher and two infant brothers; and four sisters, Leona Ferguson, Florence McDill, Irene Kaido and Frances Thomas. Survivors include two sons, Philip Fox of Mays Landing, N.J., and Ron Fox of Tacoma, Wash.; two daughters, Linda Vine of Plainville and Neysa Brown of Holyrood; three brothers, Eugene Hamsher of Parsons, Robert Hamsher of Flint, Mich., and Bill Hamsher of Altamont; a sister, Wilma Correll of Olathe; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The graveside service was Wednesday at the Larned Cemetery, the Rev. Debra Rains officiating. The body was cremated. Memorials may be sent to the Ellsworth Good Samaritan Retirement Village, in care of Morell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 124, Larned, Ks. 67550-0124.
Robert G. Katzenmeier (1917-2005)
WICHITA — Robert G. Katzenmeier, 87, died Sunday, March 27, 2005. Mr. Katzenmeier was born May 11, 1917, in Ellsworth to Lewis and Mary Katzenmeier. He worked in the oil fields and at Beech Aircraft before serving in the U.S. Navy. After World War II, he worked for Hobbs/Quality Chevrolet, where he was promoted to service manager and became a member of the “Only the Best Club.” He retired in 1977 and became involved in several volunteer activities, including entertaining and holding church services at nursing homes. He also helped organize a Golden Age Club at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where he was a member for more than 60 years. He married Ramona Funk in 1940. She preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Earnst. Survivors include a daughter, Judy Wacker; a son, David; three brothers, Lester, Lewis and Amos; four grandsons; and two great-grandsons. The memorial service was March 30 at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the church. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East was in charge of arrangements.
Elmer Edgar Mehl (1916-2005)
TOPEKA — Elmer Edgar Mehl, 88, died Friday, March 11, 2005. Mr. Mehl was born Aug. 16, 1916, to William and Augusta Christian Mehl. He moved to Wichita and joined the Wichita Fire Department in 1942. He retired from the department in 1967 and moved to Topeka, where he worked for the Kansas State Insurance Department. He married Elizabeth M. “Betty” Block Feb. 24, 1939. She preceded him in death. Survivors include a son, William Ted Mehl of Lawrence; a daughter, Melissa G. Haug of Topeka; s sister, Della Mueller of Ocala, Fla.; and three grandchildren. The memorial service was at the Faith Lutheran Church. Inurnment was in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Midland Hospice Care Inc., 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka 66606 or Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage, Topeka 66604. Newcomer Family Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lois Tannehill (1908-2005)
CLAY CENTER — Lois Tannehill, 97, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the Clay County Medical Center, Clay Center. Mrs. Tannehill was born April 10, 1908, at Broughton to Willis and Jennie Hemphill Parker. She was graduated in 1961 from Kansas State University with a degree in education. She taught in country schools and at Wakefield. She also taught pre-school following her retirement. She was a member of the Clay Center United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Retired Teachers’ Association and Modern Arts Club. She married Harry Tannehill Oct. 25, 1935. He died Sept. 22, 1954. She also was preceded in death by a son, Marvin, and a brother. Survivors include two daughters, Janet Fehr of Ellsworth and Rita Glaser of Lavaca, Ark.; a son, Art Tannehill of Clay Center; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Clay Center, the Rev. Gerald Martin and Pastor Glenn Tombaugh officiating. Burial was in Broughton Cemetery, Clay County. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or the Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th St., Clay Center, 67432.
Melba H. Wise (1915-2005)
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Melba H. Wise, 89, Glendale, formerly of Salina, Kan., died Saturday May 14, 2005. Mrs. Wise was born May 15, 1915, in Wilson County, Kan., to Ada and Charles Weinhold. She married Aubrey A. Brumley in 1940. He died in April 1945 in Germany during World War II. She married Everett E. Wise in 1950 in Salina. He died in 1995. Survivors include two daughters, Judy Boyette of Raleigh, N.C., and Ginger Clubine of Glendale; a sister, Mary Fishburn of McPherson; four granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. June 6, 2005, at the Excelsior Lutheran Church, Wilson, Kan. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In leu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Excelsior Lutheran Church Lighted Cross Fund, in care of Joyce Kraus, 310 32nd St., Wilson, Ks 67490.
Dorothy Richard Headley (1899-2005)
Dorothy Headley, 106, died Saturday, May 14, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village. Mrs. Headley was born April 12, 1899, in Chicago, Ill., to Benjamin and Elizabeth Reigel Berg. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a nurse’s aide at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village and the Ellsworth Hospital. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She married William Richard Sept. 17, 1918, He died in 1970. She married Lowell Headley in October 1975. He died in 1983. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Elda Ostermann in 2000. Survivors include a son, Loren C. Richard of Ellsworth; a brother, Vernon Bettenbrock of Salina; a sister, Henrietta Doubrava of Ellsworth; two stepdaughters, Delores Headley of Nicoma, Okla., and Shirley Kempke of Ellsworth; a stepson, Ronald Headley of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Philip Hoppe officiating. Burial was in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ellsworth. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul’s or the Immanuel Lutheran churches. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Olya Pearl Hull (1907-2005)
GARDEN CITY — Olya Pearl Hull, 98, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at the Terrace Garden, Garden City. Mrs. Hull was born March 27, 1907, in Rydel, to Harland and Martha Elizabeth (Davis) Kendall. She graduated from Belleville High School, Brown Mackie Business School, Salina, and attended one year at McPherson College. Mrs. Hull was a homemaker and worked for Farmer’s Alliance Insurance Company, McPherson, for 13 years. She also taught china painting for 18 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, McPherson. She married Edgar Allen Hull April 29, 1928, at Hebron, Neb. He died in 1957. She was also preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Roy Tipton Kendall. Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Jane and husband Kent Garhart of Garden City; one sister, Martha Dunham of Lindsborg; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday, May 16, at the First United Methodist Church, McPherson, with Rev. Harold Nelson officiating. Interment was at McPherson Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association, both in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, Kan. 67460.
Keith David Ogburn (1942-2005)
HUTCHINSON — Keith David Ogburn, 62, died Monday, May 9, 2005, at his home in Hutchinson. Mr. Ogburn was born Sept. 20, 1942, in Ellsworth, to Ray and Sireda Arnold Ogburn. He graduated from Ellsworth High School and Fort Hays State University with a Masters in School Psychology. Mr. Obgurn was a retired school psychologist for USD 308 and Reno County Educational Co-Op. He was a member of the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post 66, and served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include a son, Cory of Hutchinson; two brothers, Gene of Washington, D.C., and Neil of Colorado; and three grandchildren. The funeral was Friday, May 13, at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Todd Sinclair officiating. Cremation and a private inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dillon Nature Center, in care of the funeral home, Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kan. 67501.
Dalton Donald Ploutz (2002-2005)
KANOPOLIS — Dalton Donald Ploutz, 3, died Thursday, May 12, 2005, at Childrens Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. Dalton was born Jan. 11, 2002, in Salina, to Shawn and Kendra Pruitt Ploutz. Dalton was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth. Survivors include his parents, Kanopolis; a sister, Blake, Kanopolis; grandparents, Karl and Gloria Ploutz, Kanopolis, and Don and Lois Pruitt, Geneseo; great-grandparents, Alice Ploutz, Kanopolis, Thelbert and Darlene Janzen, Geneseo, and Edith Kratzer, Ellsworth. The funeral was Monday, May 16, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Leonard Goering officiating. Interment was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Childrens Mercy Hospital Cardiac Unit, Kanopolis City Park, or the Dalton D. Ploutz Memorial Fund, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
Donald Frederick Schepmann (1937-2005)
CLAFLIN — Donald Frederick Schepmann, 67, died Thursday, May 12, 2005, at his home in Claflin. Mr. Schepmann was born May 22, 1937, in Kansas City, Mo., to Henry and Louise (Wachs) Schepmann. Mr. Schepmann was a farmer and cattle buyer. He was a lifetime Claflin and Holyrood area resident with the exception of living six years in Lincoln, Neb. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend. He married Marie Chance, Oct. 27, 1955, at Holyrood. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Don, Jr. of Holyrood, and Jerry of Hoisington; a daughter, Michelle Heckele of Great Bend; nine grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday, May 14, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kris Bjerke-Ulliman officiating. Interment was at St. Peter Cemetery, Holyrood. Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, both in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 16, Hoisington, Kan. 67544.
Arthur Charles Vanek (1920-2005)
LOCKEFORD, Calif. — Arthur Charles Vanek, 84, died Saturday, May 7, 2005, at a hospital in Lockeford. Mr. Vanek was born Oct. 5, 1920, in Kansas to Charles and Theresa Houdek Vanek. He worked for Boeing Aircraft Co. in Wichita before serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II as a SeeBee. He was a sheet metal worker and member of the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union. He married Zetta Ruth Dye Winans in 1958. His wife and a sister, Barbara, preceded him in death. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Wallace of Linden, Calif.; three sons, Ronald of Citrus Heights, Calif., Craig of Dupont, Wash., and Alan Winans of Stockton, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 11 at the Frisbie-Warren & Carroll Mortuary, Stockton. Burial was at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, Calif. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1212 W. Robinhood Drive, Suite 5D, Stockton, Calif. 95207.
Myrtle Sadie Sittner (1913-2005)
BUSHTON — Myrtle Sadie Sittner, 91, died Sunday, May 15, 2005, at the Lyons District Hospital. Mrs. Sittner was born Oct. 8, 1913, at Wilson to Charles and Ada Krappf Weinhold. In 1934, she moved from Wilson to Bushton, where she was a homemaker and a member of the Salem United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women and a former member of Farmineers EHU and Quivira Quivers. She married Max C.F. Sittner June 12, 1934, at Wilson. He died in 1991. She also was preceded in death by an infant son, Larry Dean Sittner; two sisters, Meta Johnson and Melba Wise; and four brothers, Victor, Lester, Gene and Leo Weinhold. Survivors include a son, Marlin of Ellinwood; a sister, Mary Fishburn of McPherson; four grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Wednesday at the Salem United Methodist Church, the Rev. Vernon Maezler officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Salem United Methodist Scholarship Fund or to Bushton Community Development, Inc., in care of Sillin Funeral Home, 214 W. Avenue South, Lyons 67554.
