Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Robert Lewis Ray (1922-2006)
MORRISON, Colo. — Robert Lewis Ray, 83, died Friday, March 31, 2006, at Bear Creek Care & Rehabilitation, Morrison. Mr. Ray was born July 10, 1922, at Ellsworth, Kan., to Lewis W. and Clara E. Barnett Ray. He spent most of his childhood at Kanopolis, Kan., and most of his adult life in Idaho Springs, Colo. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in World War II. He worked as a miner, deputy sheriff, gunsmith, stonemason, electrician, plumber and carpenter. Survivors include two daughters, Bobbie Carolyn Roberts of Porterville, Calif., and Judy Sandness of Loveland, Colo; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by three
brothers, Lawrence, Charlie and Randall Ray; and a sister, Delphia Burmaster, who lived in Salina, Kan. The memorial service was April 5 at the United Center in Idaho Springs. Burial was in the Idaho Springs Cemetery.
Genevieve E. Slaight (1914-2006)
KANOPOLIS — The funeral for Genevieve E. Slaight, 91, Kanopolis, will be at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Ellsworth’s United Methodist Church, Pastor Linda Toms officiating. Burial will be in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, and from 9 to 10 a.m. today at the church.
Lyell Woodmansee (1926-2006)
Lyell Woodmansee, 80, Ellsworth, died Saturday, April 8, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Woodmansee was born March 16, 1926, at Kanopolis to Russell Sr. and Viola Barton Woodmansee. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where he retired after 40 years as a bookkeeper and parts manager for local Ford dealerships. He later worked as a landfill attendant. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy with service during World War II, and a life member of VFW Post 6485. He also was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He married Marie Eilrich April 18, 1960, at Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Dianne Hochman of Lorraine; a son, Brian Woodmansee of Geneseo; two brothers, Harvey Woodmansee of Wilson and Phillip Woodmansee of Great Bend; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery with military rites. Memorials may be made to the church or the OCCK Transportation Fund. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Hilma Baur (1930-2006)
Nebraska CITY, Neb. — Hilma Baur, 75, died Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Mrs. Baur was born Nov. 24, 1930. She married Francis Joseph Baur June 12, 1950, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Kan. They moved to McFarland, Kan., in 1957 and to Nebraska City in 1962. She worked for 35 years as a nurse’s aide, retiring in 1997. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1978; a grandson; and a brother. Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Kendall; two sons, Michael and Gregory; a brother, Delvin of Wichita; a sister, Eleanor of Glendale, Ariz.; a twin sister, Hilda Goetz of Albany, Ore.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Julia Essick (1913-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Julia Essick, 92, died Sunday, April 2, 2006, at her home at Kanopolis. Mrs. Essick was born Dec. 15, 1913, in Ellsworth County to Joseph and Emma Nienke Wild. She was a lifetime resident of the Kanopolis area, where she was a homemaker and a harness inspector for El-Kan. She was a member of Ellsworth’s First Presbyterian Church. She married Lloyd Kenneth Essick May 10, 1935, at Hutchinson. He died in 1989. She also was preceded in death by two grandsons, Scott and Jeff Essick. Survivors include a son, David Essick of Kanopolis; a sister, Ann Wooley of Riverside, Calif.; a granddaughter, Sherry Eddy and husband, Marty, of Plattsburg, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Matt, Levi and Jamie; and two step great-grandchildren, Katie and Kenny. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Buckeye Cemetery, Pastor Stephen Holmes officiating. Memorials may be made to the Ellsworth County Historical Society’s Fort Harker Restoration. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Brian James Houston (1959-2006)
HAYDEN, Colo. — Brian James Houston, 47, Hayden, died Saturday, March 25, 2006, in a motorcycle accident near Grand Junction, Colo. Mr. Houston was born Feb. 18, 1959, at Concordia, Kan., to Fred and Pat Houston. He graduated from high school in Ellsworth, Kan., and received a bachelor’s degree in music from Christian Heritage School. He was a musician who played for more than a decade at the Euzoa Bible Church. He also was the regular pianist for musical productions at Steamboat Springs High School, and he and his wife directed a local choir group, the Columbine Singers. He married Christel Croghan July 17, 1982, at Scotts Valley, Calif. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Tyler, and three daughters, Jessi, Melodie and Andrea, all of Steamboat Springs; his mother, Pat, of Valley Center, Kan.; a brother, Michael of Valley Center; and a sister, Carolyn Gaston of Madera, Calif. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Patrick Steven. A graveside service was conducted March 31 at Hayden Cemetery. A memorial service followed at Steamboat Springs High School. Memorials may be made to the Houston Family Fund, First National Bank of Steamboat Springs, 600 S. Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, Colo. 80477. Yampa Valley Funeral Home, Steamboat Springs, was in charge of arrangements.
Bernita F. Tucker (1918-2006)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Bernita F. Tucker, 87, Oklahoma City, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at the Mercy Health Center. Mrs. Tucker was born May 26, 1918, at Culver, Kan., to Floyd and Mary Shade Smith. Since 1951, she had lived in Oklahoma City, where she was a homemaker and a member of the May Avenue Methodist Church. She married Donald Tucker Feb. 13, 1941, at Denver. He died in 1980. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Kelly of Oklahoma City; three sisters, Ruth Cox and Mary Ann Donley, both of Ellsworth, Kan., and Opal Stroede of Kanopolis, Kan.; a brother, Harlan Smith of Haywood, Calif.; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Burial was in Prairie Mound Cemetery, rural Ellsworth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth.
Berniece ‘Babe’ Roby (1918-2006)
GENESEO — Berniece “Babe” Roby, 87, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, at the Hutchinson Hospital. Mrs. Roby was born Oct. 17, 1918, in rural Kanopolis to August and Hattie Cronkite Gustus. She moved to Lyons a year ago after living in Geneseo, where she was a homemaker. She married James H. “Hank” Roby March 24, 1938, at Great Bend. He died in 1995. She also was preceded in death by 11 brothers and sisters. Survivors include a daughter, Janice Lee Sneath of Geneseo; two grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A graveside service was Monday in Geneseo Cemetery, the Rev. Robert Friesen officiating. Memorials may be made to the Geneseo Library or 55 Plus Club in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Patrice ‘Patty’ Heinz Lorence (1950-2006)
BUSHTON — Patrice “Patty” Heinz Lorence, 55, Bushton, died Thursday, May 11, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth. Mrs. Lorence was born Oct. 7, 1950, at Great Bend to Casper A. and Loretta Heinz. She was a graduate of Barton County Community College and Fort Hays State University. She is a former Ellsworth resident who taught at Ellsworth and Kanopolis. She was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church, Holyrood. Survivors include a brother, Mark Heinz of Ellinwood and a sister, Mary Smith of Wichita. The funeral was Monday at the Holy Name Catholic Church, Father Steve Scheier officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Bushton First Responders. Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood, was in charge of arrangements.
Joyce M. Shuttleworth (1943-2006)
LINDSBORG — Joyce M. Shuttleworth, 62, died Monday, May 8, 2006. Mrs. Shuttleworth was born Nov. 30, 1943, at Alba, Mo., to James Earl and Esther Marie Lasiter Sallee. She moved from Osborne to Lindsborg in 1979. She was a retail checker at Wal-Mart and a member of the United Methodist Church, Geneseo. She married Vance D. Shuttleworth Sept. 16, 1972, at Lyons. He survives. Other survivors include four sons, Edward L. Root of Joplin, Mo., Russell D. Shuttleworth of Lenexa, Brian E. Shuttleworth of Bridgeport and Wayne D. Shuttleworth of Joplin, Mo.; four daughters, Daylene Linnville of Lyons, Brenda Jackson of Geneseo, Rhonda Wilson of Lyons and Cheryl M. Ray of Albuquerque, N.M.; three brothers, Willliam Sallee of McPherson, Orville Sallee of Lyons and Chuck Sallee of Hutchinson; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The funeral service was Friday at the United Methodist Church, Geneseo. Burial was in Geneseo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, P.O. Box 386, Lindsborg, Ks. 67456 was in charge of arrangements.
Linda LaRae ‘Linn’ Urbanek (1976-2006)
SALINA — Linda LaRae “Linn” Urbanek, 30, died Monday, May 8, 2006. Mrs. Urbanek was born Jan. 29, 1976, at Smith Center. Survivors include her husband, Benjamin Urbanek; three children, Mikal “Mickey” Terrell and Jessalyn Urbanek, both of Salina, and Tristan Seems of Oak Grove, Mo.; her mother, Dion Leiker of Salina; her step-father, Nick Leiker of Salina; two brothers, Robbie Seiler of Marquette, and Scott Smith; her grandmother, Bernetta Bose of Garnett; her grandfather, Floyd Bose of Athol; and her father, Robert Seiler of Salina. The funeral was May 11 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401. Burial was in Meyer’s Cemetery, Athol. Memorials may be made to the children’s education program.
E. Ronald Zvolanek (1937-2006)
E. Ronald Zvolanek, 69, Ellsworth, died Thursday, May 11, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Zvolanek was born March 29, 1937, in Ellsworth County to Edward and Emma Doubrava Zvolanek. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where he was a farmer and past member of the boards of the Farm Service Agency, Ellsworth Co-op and EFCU, 4-H and FFA. He received the Bankers Award for soil conservation. He married Patricia Hokr June 1, 1960, at Ellsworth. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Kevin of Ellsworth; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa, and a sister, Marsha Vopat. The funeral was Tuesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Linda Toms officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association or the American Diabetes Association.
Lisa D. Herber (1969-2006)
HOLYROOD — Lisa D. Herber, 37, Holyrood, died Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Herber was born March 11, 1969, at Fort Myers, Fla., to Willard and Carole Wolfe Kizzire. She moved to Holyrood three years ago from the Fort Myers area. She was an emergency medical technician and a member of the St. Pauls Church of Christ, Holyrood. She married Tim Herber Nov. 15, 2003. He survives. Other survivors include two sons, Tristan Bryant and Steven Chantz, both of Holyrood; a daughter, Jordyn Skylar of Holyrood; her mother; two brothers, Bob and Tim Kizzire, both of Cape Coral, Fla.; and a sister, Debborah Lannen of Fort Myers. The memorial service was Saturday at the St. Pauls Church of Christ, Pastor Debra Rains officiating. Memorials may be made to the Ellsworth County Emergency Medical Services in care of Foster Mortuary, Wilson.
Harvey C. Kohls (1938-2006)
SALINA — Harvey C. Kohls, 67, Salina, died Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Kohls was born Dec. 14, 1938, at Ellsworth to Emil and Christina Schmoekel Kohls. He lived in the Salina and Ellsworth area since 1990 and worked as a farmhand for Helvey Farms, Ellsworth. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with service in the Korean War. He married Geneva Bell April 8, 1967, at Ellsworth. She died in 1980. He also was preceded in death by his father, Emil, in 1981. Survivors include a daughter, Christina Albers of Salina; a son, Harvey Kohls II of Overland Park; his mother, Christina Kohls of Ellsworth; three brothers, Kenneth, Delmar and Ralph Kohls, all of Ellsworth; a sister, Linda Kohls of Ellsworth; and three grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Burial was in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ellsworth. Memorials may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6485, Ellsworth.
Eleanora A. Lewis (1914-2006)
HOLYROOD — Eleanora Lewis, 91, Holyrood, died Sunday, May 7, 2006, at the Ellsworth Medical Center. Mrs. Lewis was born Nov. 29, 1914, at Toston, Mont., to John Aloys and Theresa Jurenka Cipra. She had lived in Holyrood since 1980. She was a housekeeper at the Good Samaritan Center at Ellsworth and a member of the Richards Christian Church, Richards, Mo. Survivors include two daughters, Pat Nagel of Holyrood and Kathryn Cockrum of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; two sisters, Laverna Kozisek of Holyrood and Mildred Riha of Sacramento, Calif.; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Loren Lewis, in 2003; and two great-grandsons, Martin Hawks in 1997 and Nathan Breitenberg in 2004. The funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holrood, Pastor Deborah Rains officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritn Village. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Karen K. Small (1930-2006)
WILSON — Karen K. Small, 66, Wilson, died Thursday, April 27, 2006, at Wilson. Mrs. Small was born Sept. 21, 1930, at Great Bend to Henry and Frances Rose Buehler Kenzel. She was a lifetime resident of the Wilson area, where she was a store clerk and homemaker and a member of the Wilson United Methodist Church. She married Gillen Small May 30, 1958. He survives. Other survivors include four daughters, Malia Rich of Garden City, Desdia Prockish of Louisville, Tanaya White of Ulysses and Loretta Small of Lincoln; a son, Gary Small of Wilson; two sisters, Bernadine Eichman of Manhattan and Valetta Smith of Soldotna, Ark.; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry, in 2002. The funeral was May 1 at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Wilson, Pastor John Cousins officiating. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in care of the mortuary.
Pastor Gerald D. Atchison (1924-2006)
SHAWNEE — Pastor Gerald D. Atchison, 81, died Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at the Missouri Veterans Home, Warrensburg, Mo. Pastor Atchison was born Oct. 26, 1924, at Kansas City, Mo. He was a veteran of World War II and a graduate of the Central Bible College, Springfield, Mo. He was ordained in 1951 by the Assembles of God. He built two churches, one at Ellsworth in 1950 and another at Junction City in 1984. He retired in 1996 after also being pastor at the Shawnee Assembly of God Church since 1983. More than 62 years ago, he married Delores Geiss of Ottawa Oct. 26, 1943. She survives. Other survivors include three sons and spouses, Gerald D. II and Tami Atchison of Omak, Wash., Stephen D. Atchison of Wichita and Larry D. and Bonnie Atchison of Bonner Springs; a brother and sister-in-law, Oliver E. and Ina Atchison of Campbell, Calif.; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary G. and Harold Jones of Winston, Ore.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral was May 2 at the Shawnee Assembly of God Church. Burial was in Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Charter Funerals, Merriam, was in charge of arrangements.
Wendle J. Redinger (1929-2006)
Wendle J. Redinger, 77, Ellsworth, died Friday, April 28, 2006. Mr. Redinger was born Jan. 4, 1929, at Halstead. He was a retired car salesman for McCurdy Motors. Survivors include two sons, Dennis of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Bruce of Las Vegas; a daughter, Kathleen Jarret of Ellsworth; two brothers, Darwin of Burrton and Gerald of Halstead; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was Monday at the Assembly of God Church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robbin L. Reeves (1942-2006)
RUSSELL — Robbin L. Reeves, 63, died Sunday, April 16, 2006, at Russell. He was born May 4, 1942, at Eureka to Norman and Betty Reeves. They preceded him in death. Survivors include three daughters, Noel, Theresa and Sharen; two brothers, Richard Reeves of Sylvan Grove and Delbie Reeves of Garden Grove, Calif.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association.
Karen K. Small (1930-2006)
WILSON — Karen K. Small, 66, Wilson, died Thursday, April 27, 2006. Mrs. Small was born Sept. 21, 1930, at Great Bend to Henry and Frances Rose Buehler Kenzel. She was a lifetime resident of the Wilson area, where she was a store clerk and homemaker. She also was a member of the Wilson United Methodist Church. She married Gillen Small May 30, 1958. Survivors include three daughters, Malia Rich of Garden City, Desdia Prockish of Louisville and Loretta Small of Lincoln; a son, Gary of Wilson; two sisters, Bernadine Eichman of Manhattan and Valetta Smith of Soldotna, Ark.; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry, in 2002. The funeral was Monday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Pastor John Cousins officiating. Burial was in Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association in care of the mortuary.
Robert L. Whitmer (1911-2006)
WILSON — Robert L. Whitmer, 94, Wilson, died Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Whitmer was born July 3, 1911, at Dorrance to George and Anna Wenger Whitmer. He was a lifetime resident of Dorrance, where he was a farmer-stockman. He also was a member of Beulah Lodge 291, Bunker Hill, and the Wilson United Methodist Church. He married Cora Duryee July 16, 1936. She died in 1974. He also was preceded in death by a son, George M., in 1996. Survivors include three sons, Richard L., Eldon L. and Lionel, all of Wilson; a daughter, Iris J. Mog of Wilson; 18 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Foster Mortuary Chapel, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Burial was in Dorrance City Cemetery with graveside rites by the Masons. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Senior Center or the church.
Jimmie Jewell (1928-2006)
Jimmie Jewell, 78, Ellsworth, died Saturday, June 3, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Jewell was born May 17, 1928, at Ellsworth to Ray and Thelma Fischer Jewell. He lived most of his life in Ellsworth and Ogden, Utah, where he was a process engineer for Thiokol Chemical Corp. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion and a past member of the Ogden B.P.O.E. He married Coleen McMillien in 1954 and Beverly Folk in 1981. Survivors include his wife, Beverly; a son, Mark Jewell of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Jamie Morgan of Nashville, Tenn., and Susan Jewell Klema of Windsor, Colo.; two stepsons, Michael Folk of Satanta and Mark Folk of Holyrood; three stepdaughters, Debbie Oeser of Claflin, Sherry DeWerff of Ellinwood and Vicki Miller of Odin; his mother, Thelma Jewell of Kanopolis; a brother, Rodney Jewell of Kanopolis; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; and four step great-grandchildren. The graveside service was Monday at Kanopolis Cemetery, Pastor Stephen Holmes officiating. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 174 or VFW 6485, both of Ellsworth, or the American Lung Association. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond T. Bray
VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Raymond T. Bray, a former resident of Kanopolis, Kan., died May 15, 2006, at his home in Victorville. Mr. Bray was graduated from Kanopolis High School in 1938. He was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS West Virginia Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California and two Master’s Degrees from the University of Southern California. He worked as a teacher, vice principal and principal of the new Hook Junior High School, a job he held from 1960 until his retirement in 1980. He married Betty Jo Soukup in 1944. She survives. Other survivors include Carol Henderson of Reno, Nev., Joan Rose of Williamson, Mich.; Gail Wolf of Roseburg, Ore., and Craig Bray of Redlands, Calif., and seven grandchildren. A memorial service is planned at 11 a.m. June 3 in Fellowship Hall of the Methodist Church in Victorville. Memorials may be made to VNAIC Hospice, 12421 Hesperia Rd., Suite 11, Victorville, Calif. 92395.
