Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Marion H. Henderson (1925-2005)
Marion H. Henderson, 80, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, at her home in Ellsworth. Mrs. Henderson was born Jan. 26, 1925, at Bridgeport, Ct., to Arthur and Alice Booth Kimball. She was a secretary for General Electric, Bridgeport, and Sikorski Aircraft, Stratford, Ct., a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Columbus, Kan., and a former member of the Eastern Star. She moved to Ellsworth in 2002 from Webb City, Mo. She married Herschel W. Henderson Sept. 6, 1947, at Bridgeport. He died in 2005. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Liska. Survivors include two sons, Scott Henderson of Ellsworth and Greg Henderson of Fort Worth, Texas; a brother, Arthur Kimball of Derby, Ct.; a granddaughter; and two great-grandsons. The funeral was 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Carneiro Cemetery. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Graham C. Frevert (1929-2005)
TOPEKA — Graham C. Frevert, 75, Topeka, died Monday, Nov. 21, 2005. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Holyrood, Pastor John Sharp officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Michael Todd Wilson (1965-2005)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Michael Todd Wilson, 40, Scottsdale, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. Mr. Wilson was born Oct. 11, 1965, at Ellinwood to Louis Wilson II and the former Terry Ruth Cox. He lived in Manhattan, Salina and Great Bend before moving to Scottsdale five years ago. He owned Monster Machines Sales. Survivors include a son, Jacob Wilson of Great Bend; a daughter, Amanda Sue Wilson of Great Bend; his parents, Louis Wilson of Raymond and Terry Carr of Ellsworth; a sister, Christy Rohr of Ellsworth; and his grandmother, Ruby Cox of Bethany, Mo. The funeral was Friday at the Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood. Burial was in Hilltop Cemetery, Raymond. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Charles ‘Chuck’ Cumberland Jr. (1964-2005)
BENNINGTON — Charles “Chuck” Cumberland Jr., 41, Bennington, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005. Mr. Cumberland was born Sept. 29, 1964, at Fort Riley to Charles J. and Peggy Lee Cramer Cumberland. He was a maintenance superintendent for Schwan Food Co., Salina. He married Nancy D. Shaw July 22, 1994, at Kanopolis. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Caleb Cumberland of Bennington; two brothers, Robert Cumberland of Larned and Bill Cumberland of Salina; and a sister, Melissa Montgomery of Abilene. The funeral was 2 p.m. Wednesday at Shields Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Caleb Cumberland Educational Fund, in care of the Bennington State Bank.
Rosada ‘Rose’ Janda (1926-2005)
WICHITA — Rosada “Rose” Janda, 79, Wichita, died Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. Mrs. Janda was born Jan. 5, 1926, at El Dorado to Henry W. and Anna C. Teten Talbott. She was a retired medical assistant. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wayne Tomek and Vit Janda. Survivors include three sons, Pat Tomek of Kansas City, Mo., Jack Tomek of Wichita and Steve Tomek of Erie; a daughter, Marty McFarland of Arusha, Tanzania; a brother, John Talbott of Halstead; three sisters, Irene Sommerfield and Mildred Huebent, both of Halstead, and Verna Hills of Rantoul, Ill.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the St. Mary’s Cathedral. A graveside service followed at the St. Wencelaus Catholic Cemetery, Wilson. Memorials may be made to the Halstead Health and Rehabilitaton Center Library Fund. Resthaven Mortuary, Wichita, was in charge of arrangements.
Kathleen Kulich (1920-2005)
WILSON — Kathleen Kulich, 85, Wilson, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at the Wilson Nursing Center. Mrs. Kulich was born May 25, 1920, at Sylvan Grove to Sidney Morton and Helen Mary Cross Lawson. She was a lifetime resident of Sylvan Grove, where she was a homemaker and organist for 60 years and elder at the First Presbyterian Church. She married Joe Kulich in 1966 at Sylvan Grove. He survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Rebecca Tousand of Salina; and Roger Lawson of Simsbury, Ct. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, Sylvan Grove, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Burial will be in Wilson City Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until 8 p.m. today (Thursday) and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Foster Mortuary, Wilson. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Nursing Center in care of the mortuary.
Don Miller (1954-2005)
GREAT BEND — Don Miller, 51, Great Bend, died Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at the St. Francis Hospital, Wichita. Mr. Miller was born March 9, 1954, at Fairbury, Neb., to Lester and Agnes L’Ecuyer Miller. He was graduated from North Central High School, Morrowville, in 1972 and Kansas State University, Manhattan. He and his wife, Leisa, lived for 20 years in Campbellsville, Ky., where he worked in the insurance business. Two years ago, he moved to Great Bend, where he worked for the Center for Counseling. He was preceded in death by a foster daughter, Jennifer Atwood; his mother, Agnes Miller; an infant sister, Audra Miller; and grandparents, Joseph Miller and Patrick and Mary
L’Ecuyer. Survivors include four daughters, Erin Miller of Burbank, Calif., Jessica Parrish of Durham, N.C., Juree Miller of Coffeyville, and Michelle Miller of Great Bend; a son, Christopher Simons of Wisconsin; his father, Lester Miller of Morrowville; three sisters, Jan Kastens of Knoxville, Tenn., Marcia Westhoff of Great Bend, and Lisa Lindsley of Ellsworth; two brothers, Fred Miller of Morrowville and Tim Miller of Lincoln, Neb.; a grandmother, Mary Miller of Washington; and five grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Morrowville, Father James Hoover and Sister Marilyn Wall officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Golden Belt Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1911, Great Bend, Ks. 67530. Ward Funeral Home, Washington, was in charge.
F. Louise Albright (1918-2005)
Frances Louise Albright, 87, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Village, Ellsworth. Mrs. Albright was born Frances Louise Brandt to George and Frances (Jennrich) Brandt, Sept. 30, 1918, on a family farm in Russell County near Paradise. She was a former Ellsworth resident. She moved to Hays in 1962 to finish her college education. She received a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Mrs. Albright, who retired as a librarian and sponsor of nursing at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, had the 1981 Coyote yearbook dedicated to her in recognition of her work at KW. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, Altrusa, German Club and Parents Without Partners. She also was a long-time volunteer at the Salina Art Center. She married Carlton G. Albright of Ellsworth Feb. 1, 1942, at Russell. He died in 1962. She also was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers. Survivors include a son, Alan of Shawnee; a daughter, Kay Burns of Salina; two granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter. She was “Aunt Weese” to several nieces and nephews. A family memorial service is planned with burial in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes, Salina Humane Society, Juvenile Diabetes Fund or the library at Kansas Wesleyan in care of Carlson-Ford-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina 67401.
Margaret Charvat (1917-2005)
Margaret Charvat, 88, Ellsworth, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2005, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mrs. Charvat was born April 1, 1917, in Russell County to James W. and Malinda A. Grill Hrabik. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and also worked at El-Kan and Klemas IGA. She was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and Altar Society. She married Henry B. Charvat Nov. 19, 1941, at Wilson. He preceded her in death, as did four brothers, Albert, Henry, Lee and Arthur; and a sister, Doris Chrudimsky. Survivors include two daughters, Sharen Adamek of Ellsworth and Shirley Merrick of Salina; two sons, Larry and Garry, both of Salina; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemtery. Memorials may be made to the Margaret G. Charvat Memorial Fund. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Pauline Polach (1922-2005)
SALINA — Pauline Polach, 82, Salina, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005. Mrs. Polach was born Pauline Erdtmann Dec. 27, 1922, at Ellsworth. She was an administrative assistant for First Bank of Kansas. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Frank Paul, in 1951; brothers, George and William Erdtmann; and a sister, Alma Cochran. Survivors include her husband, Frank, of the home; and a sister, Edith Herrin of Wichita. A memorial service was Nov. 1 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Salina. Inurnment was in Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the church. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Dolecek (1911-2005)
Mary Dolecek, 94, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005, at Smoky Hill Rehab, Salina. Mrs. Dolecek was born Oct. 12, 1911, at Ellsworth to Joseph and Frantiska Birka. She was raised by her step-father, Edwin Stepanek. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a country school teacher. She also was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She married Aaron Frank Dolecek May 1, 1935, at Ellsworth. He died in 1991. She also was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Christine Knorr; a brother, Frank Birka; and a son-in-law, Stanley Packer. Survivors include her daughters and their spouses, Phyllis and Russ Bachelor of Wichita, Millicent and Larry Triplett of Salina, Barbara Packer of Miami, Okla., and Marilyn and Steve Kipp of Iola; a brother, Ron Stepanek of Topeka; 12 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Melba Rosena Finke (1917-2005)
SALINA — Melba Rosena Finke, 88, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005, at Salina. Miss Finke was born July 9, 1917, in rural Vesper to John Henry and Josephine Davis Finke. She was a hairdresser. Survivors include a sister, Lois Caldwell of Ottawa; and 14 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Victor; and sisters, Nellie Siemsen, Alma Weber and Helen Wiegert. The funeral was Tuesday in the Hall Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Voss Cemetery, Vesper. Memorials may be made to the Siemsen Scholarship Fund.
Kim E. Smith (1958-2005)
SALINA — Kim E. Smith, 47, Salina, died Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005. Mrs. Smith was born Kim Elizabeth Cranston Feb. 12, 1958, in Nantucket, Miss. Survivors include four daughters, Jennifer Parks of Waynesville, Mo., Melissa Parks of Salina, Emily and Taylor Smith of Colony; two sons, Zachary Smith of Salina and Corey Smith of Colony; her mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Cranston of Ellsworth; three brothers, David and Kevin Cranston both of Ellsworth, Jeff Cranston of Houston; two sisters, Barbara Willson of Wilson and Karen Cranston of Great Bend; and eight grandchildren. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Salina. A private inurnment will be in the Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to: Kim E. Smith Memorial Fund or to the church. For more information/condolences, visit www.ryanmortuary.com.
Donald D. Zvolanek (1945-2005)
Donald D. Zvolanek, 60, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, at his home in Ellsworth. Mr. Zvolanek was born Sept. 30, 1945, at Ellsworth to Fred and Blanche Prachar Zvolanek. He was Ellsworth County appraiser between 1975 and 2000. He also was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Presbyterian Church, Vesper. Survivors include a daughter, Robin Zvolanek-Krenzel of Chanute; a sister, Shirley Krueger of Sylvan Grove; his father, Fred of Lincoln; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother. The funeral was Friday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Burial was in Wilson Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Donald D. Zvolanek Memorial Fund.
Alvin Clyde Erichsen (1928-2005)
Alvin Clyde Erichsen, 77, Ellsworth, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Erichsen was born Aug. 21, 1928, at Ogden to Christian and Ada Spittles Erichsen. He moved from Junction City to Ellsworth in 1963. He was retired resident director of St. Francis Boys Home. He also was a former member of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District board and a member of Ellsworth Masonic Lodge AF&AM and the First Presbyterian Church. He married Jewell Lavon Lake Sept. 12, 1948, at Junction City. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Chris Erichsen of Ellsworth; two daughters, Christy Rathbun of Ellsworth and Kathy Tresner of Pratt; his mother, Ada Erichsen of Junction City; a brother, Clarence Erichsen of Junction City; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Junction City, with Masonic graveside rites. Memorials may be made to the church or St. Francis Academy. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dennis A. Fellers (1944-2005)
WILSON — Dennis A. Fellers, 61, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at his home in Wilson. Mr. Fellers was born June 9, 1944, at Russell. He grew up in Rooks County and lived most of his life in Wilson. He was a machinist for Water Well Service and a member of the Kansas Machinists Association and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Plainville. He married Maxine Alice Wells in 1970 at Stillwater, Okla. She died in 1996. Survivors include a son, James Bloesser of Wilson; a daughter, Terina Templeton of Wilson; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Father David Metz officiating. Memorials may be made to the Hays Medical Center Handicapped Foundation in care of the mortuary.
Gladys L. Whitley. (1931-2005)
Gladys L. Whitley., 74, Ellsworth, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Whitley was born April 19, 1931, at Wilson to Ervin Emery and Elsie Zbornik Macek. For the past 51 years, she had lived in Ellsworth, where she was a CNA at the Ellsworth hospital and, following retirement, worked at Custom Care. She was a member of the VFW and American Legion auxiliaries and the First Presbyterian Church, all at Ellsworth. She married Osborne “Bud” Whitley Sept. 3, 1950, at Manitou Springs, Colo. He died in 1986. She also was preceded in death by a grandson, Richard. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Rosemary Whitley of Ellsworth; two daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and Harold Griffith of Ellsworth and Susan and Brian Dillner of Beloit; a brother, Ernest Macek of Wilson; five grandchildren, Terry Griffith, John Griffith, David Dillner, Jilinda Dygert and Crytal Dillner; and three great-grandchildren, Colin Griffith, Zachary Griffith and Dominic Dygert. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
R.A. Bigsby (1923-2005)
MANHATTAN — R.A. Bigsby, 82, Manhattan, died Nov. 27, 2005, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. Mr. Bigsby was born July 2, 1923, in Kirksville, Mo., to Glenn Edgar and Mabel Lenore (Claar) Bigsby. He enlisted in the United States Army, trained as a combat engineer, and served his tour of duty in the China, Burma and India Theatre. In 1945, he was assigned to Ft. Riley and was honorably discharged at the rank of master sergeant. He started his lifelong occupation in 1948 in the finance and installment loan business with Universal Financial Services as a vice president and principal loan officer, retiring in 1988 after 40 years. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, KSU Alumni Association, and the CB’s Veterans Association. He married Gloria Jeanne Robinson June 12, 1945, in Omaha, Neb. She preceded him in death earlier this year. Survivors include four children: Sandra Lou Zavesky of Ellsworth, Allen Glenn Bigsby and Richard Warren Bigsby both of Manhattan, and Sara Beth “Buffy” Caruso of Los Angeles, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Neil Engle officiating. Cremation followed the service with inurnment at a later date in Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
