Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Wayne F. ‘Pap’ Nelson (1930-2006)
Wayne F. “Pap” Nelson, 75, died Saturday, June 30, 2006, at his home in Ellsworth. Mr. Nelson was born Aug. 28, 1930, at Salina to Elmer August and Elsie Pearl Nelson. In 1993, he moved to Ellsworth from Marquette, where he was an outside districtman and lineman for Kansas Power & Light. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the VFW, Salina; the American Legion and Lions Club, both at Marquette; and Ellsworth’s United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy with service in the Korean War. He married Marlene W. Harlow Dec. 26, 1951, at Salina. She died in 2005. Survivors include three daughters, Bonita J. DeWitt of Falun, Marita W. Grogg of Ellsworth and Mary E. Marston of Ellsworth; a son, Donald W. Nelson of Paola; three sisters, Lois Kepple of Tescott, Norma Reed of Culver and Joyce Graham of Galveston, Ind.; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, Pastor Linda Toms officiating. Burial was in Culver Union Cemetery. Visitation was from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Parsons Funeral Home and 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Kansas City, Mo., or the Marquette Volunteer Fire Department.
Barbara Seyfert (1940-2006)
SALINA — Barbara Seyfert, 66, Salina, died Thursday, June 29, 2006. Mrs. Seyfert was born June 26, 1940, at Lyons to Charles Webster and Capitola May Boyd Hood. She was graduated from Claflin High School and Emporia State University. She taught for 34 years in Salina elementary schools. She was a member of the National Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. She attended the First Southern Baptist Church of Salina. Survivors include her husband, Ivan; a daughter, Lori of Salina; a son, Scott of Salina; her mother; a sister, Patricia Boline of Austin, Texas; and three grandsons. The funeral was Monday at the First Southern Baptist Church, the Rev. Larry DeLay officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina. Memorials may be made to the Salina Education Foundation, 1511 Gypsum, Salina 67401. Carlson-Ford-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Velma Claire Paull (1924-2006)
Velma Claire Paull, 82, Ellsworth, died Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at her home. Mrs. Paull was born Jan. 11, 1924, at Black Wolf to John A. Jr. and Emma K. Kyler Svoboda. She lived most of her life in Ellsworth, where she was a homemaker and clerk at Seitz Drug and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and Altar Society. She married Allen D. Paull Oct. 10, 1943, at Ellsworth. He died in 1999. Survivors include a son, Robert of Abilene; three daughters, Peggy Block of Scotts Valley, Calif., Pam Zouzas of Salina and Janet Paull of Wichita; a sister, Lorene Barta of Ellsworth; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kanopolis Cemetery Fund.
Eleanor Teresa Ulrich (1923-2006)
SALINA — Eleanor Teresa Ulrich, 83, Salina, died Saturday, June 24, 2006, at the Smoky Hill Rehabilitation Center, Salina. Mrs. Ulrich was born June 21, 1923, in Ellsworth County to John and Katharine Hermerick Kueser. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Salina. She married William E. Ulrich April 12, 1947, at Ellsworth. He survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Genie Ulrich, Peggy Copp and Mary Kirk, all of Salina; a son, Dale W. Ulrich of Sabetha; four sisters, Lucille Coupal of Hays, Katharine Kratzer of Geneseo and Mildred Stefek and Monie Wallert, both of Ellsworth; a brother, John Kueser of Ellsworth; 16 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. The funeral service was 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Father Kerry Ninemire officiating. Memorials may be made to the church, 230 E. Cloud, Salina 67401; St. Francis Academy, 509 Elm, Salina 67401; or the American Heart Association, 5375 W. Seventh, Topeka 66606. Carlson-Ford-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina, was in charge of arrangements.
Ernest Doubrava (1938-2006)
Ernest Doubrava, 68, Ellsworth, died Sunday, June 18, 2006, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Doubrava was born May 24, 1938, at Ellsworth to Stephen and Albina Barta Doubrava. He lived most of his life in the Ellsworth area, where he was retired from the Ellsworth Coop and was a member of American Legion Post 174. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include a son, Matthew of Salina; a daughter Rabecka Eakins of Bentonville, Ark.; two step-daughters, Peggy Rusch and Leslie Hernandez, both of Salina; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 174.
Clarence W. Hokr (1926-2006)
HOLYROOD — Clarence W. Hokr, 79, Holyrood, died Saturday, June 16, 2006. Mr. Hokr was born Aug. 23, 1926, at Kanopolis to William B. and Mary L. Novotny Hokr. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he worked as a field and farm laborer. He was a member of the Ellsworth County Historical Society. He married Norma Yvonne Crane Feb. 25, 1951. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Mari Purdy of Russell and Patti Blackwell of Great Bend; a sister, Marvalee Handlin of Willis, Texas; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was Tuesday at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, Pastor Deborah Rains officiating. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul’s Church or the historical society. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Michael H. Reese (1947-2006)
KEVIL, Ky. — Michael H. Reese, 59, died Thursday, June 15, 2006, at his home in Kevil. Mr. Reese, born Jan. 21, 1947, was a 1965 graduate of Holyrood Rural High School, Holyrood, Kan. He also served in the U.S. Army’s 1st Airborne Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Survivors include his wife, Celia Reese; two daughters; a son; his mother, Leora Reese Simpson of Owasso, Okla.; three brothers, Donald of Casper, Wyo., Billy of Tehachapi, Calif., and Lloyd of Columbus, S.C.; and two sisters, Carolyn of Owasso, and Karen of Port Orchard, Wash. He was preceded in death by his father, Everett, and sisters, Mary and Sue Laine. At his request, Mr. Reese’s body was donated to the Genesis Gift of Life Program of the Medical Education and Research Institute in Memphis, Tenn. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Project Hope, a “non-kill” animal shelter in Metropolis, Ill. The telephone number is (270) 559-5080.
Larry Batt (1951-2006)
HOLYROOD — Larry Batt, 55, died Monday, June 12, 2006, at his home in Holyrood, where he was police chief. Mr. Batt was born Feb. 9, 1951, at Great Bend to Robert and Alice Oaks Batt. He worked for the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Department, the Beloit Police Department and was a Russell County sheriff before moving to Holyrood. He was a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, where he served on the council’s building and grounds committee. He married Carla Phillips Dec. 9, 1973, at Russell. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Tim Batt of Bushton; a daughter, Laurie Ann McQuade of Victoria; his mother, Alice of Russell County; two brothers, Dale Batt of Russell County and Eugene Batt of Hoisington; two grandchildren; and a step-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his father. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Pastors Debra Rains and Mary Lou Klein officiating. Burial will be in the Hoisington Cemetery. A prayer service is planned at 7 p.m. today (Thursday) at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the grandchildren’s education fund in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, Ks. 67544.
Josephine Livingston (1919-2006)
Josephine Livingston, 87, Ellsworth, died Saturday, June 10, 2006, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Mrs. Livingston was born March 18, 1919, at Holyrood to Frank and Mathilda Jindra Harbacek. She was a homemaker who moved to Ellsworth in 1986 from Gresham, Ore. She married James J. Livingston in 1941 in Sheridan, Wyo. He died in 1998. Survivors include a sister, Pauline Masopust of Ellsworth. The graveside service was Monday at Ellsworth Cemetery, Pastor Jim Morford officiating. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Jose Mesa (1902-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Jose Mesa, 104, Kanopolis, died Thursday, June 8, 2006. Mr. Mesa was born April 27, 1902, at Jucutacato Michoacan, Mexico, to Felipe and Francisca Urbina Mesa. He lived most of his life in Kanopolis, where he retired in 1966 from Independent Salt Mine. He was a member of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He married Alvina M. Magana Aug. 28, 1928, at Ellsworth. She died in 1984. He also was preceded in death by two sons, Joseph, in 1988, and M. Philip, in 2005; a daughter, Herlinda, in 1938; and a granddaughter, Genese Heath. Survivors include a son, Timothy of Topeka; three daughters, Mercedes Mesa of Kanopolis, Nathalie Bonilla of Salina and Isabel Hartman of Wadsworth, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Fathers Daniel Scheetz and Basil Torrez officiating. Burial was in Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or Hospice of Salina.
Helen A. Mickley (1914-2006)
WILSON — Helen A. Mickley, 91, Wilson, died Saturday, June 10, 2006, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Mickley was born July 26, 1914, at Wilson to Frank and Anna Boda Vlcek. She was a lifetime resident of Wilson, where she was a homemaker and a member of the CSA Lodge, ZCBJ Lodge, West End Homemakers, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the First Presbyterian Church. She married John Glenn Mickley Jan. 19, 1937, at Wilson. He died in 1962. She also was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Pfeiffer and Rose Vlcek. Survivors include a daughter, Gail Weinhold of Wilson; a brother, Joe Vlcek of Wilson; two sisters, Bert Allsup of Hutchinson and Frances Montgomery of Eugene, Ore.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Foster Mortuary, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Burial is in Wilson City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian 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.
Hilda Martha Louise Schroeder (1912-2006)
Hilda Martha Louise Schroeder, 94, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, May 23, 2006, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Mrs. Schroeder was born Feb. 28, 1912, in Ellsworth County to Reinhold and Bertha Peterman Eilrich. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she worked for Dryden Pottery, Safeway Food Store, Farmers Union Co-op Grocery and the City of Ellsworth as a deputy clerk. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and its Fellowship Club. She married the Rev. A.H. Schroeder in 1939. He died in 1947. She also was preceded in death by six children, Arthur J. Schroeder, Norma Pflughoeft, Alma Hubbell, Norbert Schroeder, Lorna Schroeder and Marvin Schroeder. Survivors include two sons, the Rev. L.H. Schroeder of Nampa, Idaho, and Ken Schroeder of Austin, Texas; three daughters, Annie Hochman of Geneseo, Ruth Kasiska of Kanopolis and Jeanette Westerhaus of Haysville; a sister, Verna Miller of Bremen, Ind.; 27 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Saturday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pastor Dennis Dufon officiating. Burial was in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ellsworth. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Fredya T. Long (1933-2006)
LORRAINE — Fredya T. Long, 73, Lorraine, died Saturday, May 20, 2006. Mrs. Long was born March 13, 1933, at Georgetown, Miss., to John H. and Lula William Berry. In 1972, she moved to Lorraine, where she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church and the Peace Makers Quilt Guild of Lyons. She married Donald J. Long Nov. 26, 1954, at Hazelhurst, Miss. He died in 2004. Survivors include three daughters, Donna Coykendall of Kingman and Janice Klug and Leah Watts, both of Lorraine; a sister, Inez Davis of Temple, Texas; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Douglas; four brothers and four sisters. The graveside service was 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Lorraine Cemetery, the Rev. George Reddington officiating. Memorials may be made to the Kansas Soldiers Home, Fort Dodge, in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Loretta Ann Lowery (1960-2006)
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Loretta Ann Lowery, 45, Columbia, died Friday, May 19, 2006, at the University of Missouri Hospital, Columbia. Mrs. Lowery was born May 23, 1960, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Louis and Theresa Kratky Kasper. She was a computer support specialist for the University of Missouri System. She was a member of the St. Thomas Moore Newman Center and the Midway Heights Elementary PTA and was a volunteer in many of the organizations and activities involving her children. She married James B. “Jim” Lowery Oct. 18, 1986, at Wilson, Kan. He survives. Other survivors include her parents, of Wilson; two daughters, Michelle Ann and Melissa Grace Lowery of Columbia; a son, Daniel Louis Lowery of Columbia; a brother, John Kasper of Wilson; and a sister, Mary Vopat of Wilson. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Thomas Moore Newman Center, Columbia. Memorials may be made to the Loretta A. Lowery Memorial Fund, in care of Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. 10th Street, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Linda Ann Marbut (1942-2006)
KANOPOLIS — Linda Ann Marbut, 64, a lifelong resident of Kanopolis and former mayor, died Sunday, May 21, 2006, at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Mrs. Marbut was born Feb. 2, 1942, at Carneiro to Dale and Ruby Irvine. They preceded her in death, as did a sister, Joyce. Survivors include her husband of 46 years, James Marbut; a son, James Marbut of Kanopolis; a daughter, Blanche Bosquez of Monett, Mo.; and two sisters, Elaine Fitzhugh of Portsmouth, Va., and Nancy Kent of Baldosta, Ga. A memorial service was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mrs. Marbut’s home, 303 S. Colorado, Kanopolis, Ks. 67454. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association in care of Baker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 242, Valley Center, Ks. 67147.
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.
