Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
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.
Dr. Clarence E. Thompson (1925-2006)
COEUR D’ ALENE, Idaho — Dr. Clarence E. Thompson, 80, died Sunday, July 23, 2006, at the Pinewood Rehabilitation Center, Coeur d’ Alene. Dr. Thompson was born Oct. 22, 1925, at Oxford, Kan., to Leon and Mary Snyder Thompson. The family later moved to Geneseo, Kan., where he graduated from high school. He practiced medicine in Holyrood, Kan., and at the Ellsworth, Kan., hospital from 1953-60. He also was on the medical staff of the Peace Corps, covering Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. He also practiced in Coeur d’ Alene for 19 years. He was responsible for the establishment of the first Idaho emergency medical technician program and traveled around the state to test EMTs for certification. He married Donna Hunter in 1944 in Geneseo. She died in 1968. He married Cathy Edwards in 1970. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Dr. Thomas Thompson of Roseburg, Ore., and David Thompson of Coeur d’ Alene; two daughters, Ann Poole of Post Falls, Idaho, and Sue Shibley of Coeur d’ Alene; a sister, Sherry James; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 28 at the Coeur d’ Alene Church of the Nazarene. Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 Government Way, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, 83815, or to the Youth Camp Scholarship Fund of the Coeur d’ Alene Church of the Nazarene, 4000 N. Fourth Street, Coeur D’ Alene 83814.
Dorothy Craft (1918-2006)
BLACKWELL, Okla. — Dorothy Craft, 88, of Blackwell died Thursday, July 20, 2006, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. Mrs. Craft was born Jan. 25, 1918, in Holyrood, Kan., to Francis J. and Kathryn H. (Finnin) Murray. She was a resident of Blackwell for 48 years, moving here from Russell, Kan. She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Blackwell, and church Altar Society. She married George C. Wilson in 1945 at Great Bend, Kan. He died in 1963. She married Joseph “Joe” E. Craft Feb. 23, 1970, in Blackwell. He survives. Other survivors include her daughters, Theresa Christenson of Arkansas City, Kan., Rita Freiburger of Verona, Mo., and Mary Jo Byrd of Aurora, Mo.; a stepson, Doyle Craft of Edmond, Okla.; a brother, Francis Murray of Phoenix, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her granddaughter, Stacy Byrd; a brother, Bernard Murray; and two sisters, Mildred Almack and Helen Murray. The funeral was Monday at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Blackwell, with Father Larok Obwanna Martin officiating. Burial was in Blackwell Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Arthritis Foundation in care of Dugger Funeral Home, 301 W. Blackwell, Blackwell, Okla., 74631.
Alfred Henry Huhl (1918-2006)
LINCOLN — Alfred Henry Huhl, 87, Lincoln, died Saturday, July 22, 2006. Mr. Huhl was born Nov. 4, 1918, in Lincoln County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Mayme Wacker Huhl, and a sister. Survivors include his wife, Arlene, of Lincoln; a daughter, Laura Huhl of Lincoln; a son, Richard Huhl, and Gayla of Bloomington, Ill.; four grandchildren, Jason Huhl of Coolidge, Ga., Jessica and Wes Leach of Fort Bragg, N.C., and Nathan and Amy Smith of Bloomington. Memorials may be made to the Vesper Presbyterian Church or the Vesper Men’s Club in care of Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln. The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at Hall Funeral Home. Burial is in Voss Cemetery, Lincoln. Visitation was from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, where the family received friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Terry Martin McGreevy (1941-2006)
LYONS — Terry Martin McGreevy, 64, Lyons, died Friday, July 21, 2006, as the result of an automobile accident. Mr. McGreevy was born Dec. 14, 1941, at Canton, Okla., to Carl and Gladys Edsall McGreevy. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford. He was a teacher, coach and administrator at Buffalo, Okla., St. John-Hudson, Rosehill and Ellinwood schools before he retired in 1996 and moved to Lyons. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960-64 on the USS Midway. He was a member of the Central Community Church, Wichita; the Kansas Association of Retired School Principals and Lyons American Legion Post 58. He married Yvonne King Nov. 4, 1960, at Watonga, Okla. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Kyle McGreevy, wife Tami, and children, Kyli and Jace of Ellsworth; a daughter, Darla McGreevy and children, Alicia, Jarett and Krista of Lyons; and two sisters, Judy Pyron of Weatherford and Mary Bailey of Gracemont, Okla. The funeral was Tuesday at the Christian Church, Lyons, Pastors Tom Eastman and Linda Toms officiating. Burial was in Lyons Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the KSU Center for Basic Cancer Research or Reno County Hospice, in care of Minnis Chapel, St. John.
Louis D. Kottmann (1918-2006)
LYONS — Louis D. Kottmann, 88, Lyons, died Saturday, July 15, 2006, at the HCA Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. Mr. Kottmann was born April 15, 1918, at Ellsworth to Daniel H. and Anna L. Vladar Kottmann. He was a longtime resident of Lyons, where he was a retired industrial chemist for American Salt Corp. He was a 1941 graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in chemisty, a member of the First Baptist Church, past moderator at the church, boys’ Sunday school teacher and choir director, and past USD 405, Lyons, school board member. He married Helen E. Rolfs June 2, 1940, at Lorraine. She died in 2004. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret A. Dix; a granddaughter; and a great-grandson. Survivors include: a son, Louis Kottmann Jr. of Great Bend; two daughters, Elizabeth “Liz” Miller of Scott City and Mary Lynn “Lyn” Britton of Viroqua, Wis.; a sister, Doris McBride of Manistee, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, Lyons, the Rev. Gary Karas officiating. Burial was in Lyons Municipal Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons.
Dale Evins (1953-2006)
LA GRANDE, Calif. — Dale Erwin Evins, 52, La Grande, died Sunday, July 30, 2006. Mr. Evins was born Aug. 18, 1953, in Ontario to Raymond and Evangeline Kendall Evins. The family moved numerous times before settling in La Grande. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and played baseball for the San Diego Padres organization in the early 1970s. He recorded numerous songs at the studio of Buck Owens in Bakersfield, Calif. He also drove log trucks. He married Cyndi Habiger June 22, 1986. She survives. Other survivors include children Kacey Evins, Trent Evins and Jeremei Evins, all of La Grande; a brother, Ray Lee Evins of Ontario; and two sisters, Marla Nevill of Buckley, Wash., and Nadine Pulse of Grand Ronde, Calif.
Glenn E. Hanzlicek (1925-2006)
WICHITA — Glenn E. Hanzlicek, 81, Wichita, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006. Mr. Hanzlicek was born Jan. 10, 1925, in Lincoln County. He was a retired field superintendent with Layne-Western Co. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith. Survivors include a son, Kip, and wife, Sheri, of Frisco, Texas; a daughter, Kim Bushey, and husband, David, of Towanda; a brother, Bob Hanzlicek of Salina; a sister, Betty Shoaff of Great Bend; grandchildren, Nathan and Hayley Mar of Towanda and Whitney and Cole Hanzlicek of Frisco; and step-grandchildren, Shelby and Cassady Bushey of Towanda. The funeral was Friday at Resthaven Mortuary Chapel, Wichita. Memorials may be made to Riverside Village, 777 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita, Ks. 67203.
Georgia B. Wehling (1935-2006)
DORRANCE — Georgia B. Wehling, 71, Dorrance, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Wichita. Mrs. Wehling was born July 19, 1935, at Moundridge to Gus and Goldie Belle Salmons Cox. She was raised at Thayer and lived most of her life in the Dorrance-Ellsworth area. She was a production worker for more than 20 years at ABCO, Russell. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the United Christian Women, both at Wilson, and was sponsor of the church youth group. She married Max Wehling Nov. 1, 1953, at Galsburg. He died in 1986. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Canon of Great Bend; sons Larry Wehling of Grand Junction, Colo., and Ron Wehling of Russell; a sister, Juanita Wilkerson of Parsons; a brother, Virgil Cox of Thayer; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, Wilson, Pastor Kris Bair officiating. Burial was in Dorrance City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert L. Widdows (1928-2006)
Robert L. Widdows, 78, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006. Mr. Widdows was born March 12, 1928, at Wichita to LeRoy and Mary Dick Widdows. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kansas State University. In 1979, he moved from Boston, Mass., to Ellsworth, where he worked in marketing and sales at Cashco. He was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. He married Alicia Rankin Jan. 27, 1951, at Sharon. She survives. Other survivors include two sisters, Venda Hemken of Wichita and Betty Widdows of Apache Junction, Ariz.; and two brothers, Bill of Springfield, Ohio, and Don of Barstow, Calif. The funeral was Monday at the St. Bernard’s Church, Msgr. John Gilsenan officiating. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. Memorials may be made to the church or the Lyons Good Samaritan Center. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Wilson (1947-2006)
Ronald Wilson, 58, Ellsworth, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006. Mr. Wilson was born Dec. 14, 1947, at Great Bend and attended schools at Sanford and later Rozel. He received a degree in animal science from Kansas State University. He married Dorothy Rucker at Burdett. He lived at Burdett and LaCrosse before moving to Ellsworth this year. He operated a sale barn, managed a cooperative and was a livestock producer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Floyd and Dorothy Johnson Wilson; and a brother, Eldon. Survivors include his wife; a son, Bryon of Ellsworth; two daughters, Sheila Gorman of McPherson, and Audrey Scrivo of Olathe; two brothers, Gary of St. Joseph, Mo., and Galen of Rozel; and eight grandchildren. A memorial service was Monday at the Burdett United Methodist Church. A private inurnment will be planned later. Memorials may be made to Ellsworth County Emergency Medical Services. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th, Salina 67401, was in charge of arrangements.
Leo O. Bircher (1942-2007)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Leo O. Bircher, 65, died Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at his home in Springfield. Mr. Bircher was born June 7, 1942, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Janet and Oliver Bircher of Kanopolis, Kan. He owned and operated Bircher Machine Inc. for 22 years and Technical Management Consulting for 15 years. He also worked for Acme Brick Co. He married Christine “Tina” Cannon Nov. 27, 1965. He was a member of the Ellsworth Masonic Lodge, American Ceramic Society, Southland Christian Church, of Springfield, and he was a Shriner. Survivors include: wife Christine; three children, Laura Yarrington of Springfield, Jeremy Bircher of Denver, Colo., and Tammy Bircher of Sugarland, Texas; four grandchildren, Johanna Peters and Christina Yarrington of Springfield, and Ashlee Simpson and Brittany Hitt of Sugarland; and two sisters, Dorothy Morris and her husband Roger, of Shawnee Mission, Kan., and Delores Willms of Cameron Park, Calif. A memorial service is planned at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 15, 2007, at the Kanopolis United Methodist Church. Another memorial service was Tuesday at the Southland Christian Church, Springfield. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 1249 E. Montclair St., Springfield, Mo., 65804, American Cancer Society, or the Shriners Hospital.
George Douglas Goforth (1945-2007)
BUSHTON — George Douglas Goforth, 61, Bushton, died Monday, June 18, 2007, at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. Mr. Goforth was born June 24, 1945, in Clarksville, Tenn., to William and Helen James Goforth. He lived the past 30 years at Bushton, where he was a retired helium plant operator for Prax Air. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy with service in Vietnam. He was a member of the Claflin Masonic Lodge, the Russell Shrine Club and the Isis Temple, Salina. He married Pamela French Aug. 31, 1971, at Bountiful, Utah. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Cody W. Goforth of Lyons; two daughters, Danielle Doyle of Sublette and April Phillips of Wichita; a sister, Susan Roberts of Salt Lake City, Utah; a brother, James Goforth of Anchorage, Alaska; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Loyal Goforth, in 1992. The funeral was June 21 at the United Methodist Church, Bushton, with Pastors Sarah Hickson DeSalazar and Deborah Rains officiating. Burial was in Bushton Cemetery with military honors by the Holyrood American Legion organization. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Donnia M. Johnson (1918-2007)
McPHERSON — Donnia M. Johnson, 88, McPherson, died Friday, June 22, 2007, at the McPherson Care Center. Mrs. Johnson was born Nov. 17, 1918, in rural Ellsworth to Don William and Elsie Welch Rush. She was a homemaker and a farmer who served for many years on the Langley Township Election Board in Ellsworth County. She was a member of the Marquette United Methodist Church. She was married to Leslie Dewey Johnson Aug. 10, 1937, at the McPherson County Courthouse. He died Oct. 6, 1999. She also was preceded in death by a grandson, Lantz Platner; two brothers, Bart and Hershel Rush; and a sister, Mary Jane Hill. Survivors include three sons, Dean of Marquette and Verle and John, both of McPherson; a daughter, Elsie Platner of McPherson; two brothers, Glenn and Robert Rush, both of Marquette; three sisters, Viola Sjogren of Texas, Carol Raglen of Georgia and Martha Ritter of Marquette; nine grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Marquette United Methodist Church, Pastor Bob Clemence and Chaplin Scott Watford officiating. Burial in the Bean Cemetery, Little River, preceded the service. Memorials may be made to the church, Hospice Care of Kansas, 1354 N. Main, McPherson, Kan. 67460 or McPherson Care Center in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson.
James D. Marbut (1939-2007)
KANOPOLIS — James D. Marbut, 68, Kanopolis, died Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Marbut was born May 8, 1939, in Barry County, Mo., to Hershell David and Blanche Ellen Baker Marbut. He was a loader operator at the Acme Brick Plant. He also was a veteran of the Kansas National Guard. He married Linda Ann Irvine June 12, 1960, at Kanopolis. She died in 2006. He also was preceded in death by four brothers, Jesse, Leon, Curtis and Onan; and his parents. Survivors include a daughter, Blanche Bosquez of Kanopolis; a son, Jim Marbut of Monett, Mo.; six brothers, Frederick of Joplin, Mo., Royal of Albuquerque, N.M., Joe and Ted, both of Ellinwood, Ralph of Schuyler Falls, N.Y., and Allen of Hemet, Calif.; a sister, Juanita Edwards of Mesa, Ariz.; and a granddaughter, Tara Goforth of Monett, Mo. A memorial service was Saturday at Mr. Marbut’s home in Kanopolis. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Zella Blanche Mize (1956-2007)
HOLYROOD — Zella Blanche Mize, 50, died Monday, June 18, 2007, at Via Christi St. Joseph, Wichita. Miss Mize was born Aug. 17, 1956, at Ellsworth to Jess Jr. and Elizabeth B. Merrill Mize. She lived most of her life in Holyrood. She was a retired secretary for Sohm Express and a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Holyrood. Survivors include a sister, Lila Sohm and her husband, Cliff, of Great Bend; a nephew, David Sohm of Great Bend; a niece, Vicki James, and husband, Matt, of Jetmore; and five great nephews and nieces, Cody Sohm and Taylor, Kaden, Kaylee and Tatum James. She was preceded in death by her father in 2003 and her mother in 2006. The graveside service was June 21 at the Kanopolis Cemetery, Pastor John Sharp officiating. Memorials may be made to the St. Peter Lutheran Church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
