Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Pauline M. Rous (1925-2007)
HOLYROOD — Pauline M. Rous, 81, Holyrood, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at the Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. Mrs. Rous was born Feb. 27, 1925, in Ellsworth County to Matthaus and Margaretha Heiken Kahler. She lived most of her life in the Claflin-Holyrood area, where she was a registered nurse and a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. She married Martin A. Rous Dec. 6, 1958, at Espanola, N.M. He died in 1965. Survivors include a daughter, Paula Rous of Holyrood; and two sisters, Rovida Iler of Kankakee, Ill., and Marge Cowser of Sterling, Ill. The funeral was at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, Pastor Deborah Rains officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Faye G. Rush (1910-2007)
Faye G. Rush, 96, Ellsworth, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Rush was born June 11, 1910, in Rice County to Charles Augusta and May Howerton Schmitt. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth and Rice counties, where she was a homemaker and teacher. She married Gordon Rush Dec. 25, 1953, in rural Rice County. He died in 2000. She also was preceded in death by a son, Gary, in 1955; and a grandson, Bobby, in 2002. Survivors include two sons, Kermit Rush of Ellsworth and Lawrence Rush of Geneseo; a sister, Betty Anderson of Little River; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren. The funeral is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Parsons Funeral Home, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Visitation was from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10 a.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village or Ellsworth and Hospice of Salina.
Harland Earl Beebe (1914-2007)
FREDONIA — Harland Earl Beebe, 92, Fredonia, formerly of Iola, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. Mr. Beebe was born March 8, 1914, in Ellsworth County. He was a farmer and later worked updating rural maps and directories. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cornelia, in 1953, and a granddaughter. Survivors include a daughter, Fern Sloan of Tallahassee, Fla.; two sons, Buddy of Forrest, Miss., and Kent of Kanopolis; four stepsons, Martin Canfield of Iola, Steve Canfield of Crawfordville, Fla., Ron Canfield of Maryland, and Rick Hudson of Salsbury, N.C.; his companion, Wilma Condit of Fredonia; a sister, Cleora Mabie of Park City; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. A graveside service was Friday in Buckeye Cemetery, near Kanopolis. Memorials may be made to the Crawfordville United Methodist Church, in care of Timmons Funeral Home, 510 N. Seventh, Box 168, Fredonia 66736. Condolences may be sent to www.timmonsfuneralhome.com.
Katharine A. Kratzer (1921-2007)
GENESEO — Katharine A. Kratzer, 85, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, at her home in rural Geneseo. Mrs. Kratzer was born Aug. 25, 1921, to John and Katharine Hermreck Kueser. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth, and the Ladies Guild. She married Ferdinand Bertram Kratzer Aug. 1, 1939, at Ellsworth. He died April 2, 1968. Survivors include five daughters, Karel Maneth of Salina, and Diana Burris, Linda Monroe and Gina Woodmansee, all of Geneseo, and Kathy Rolfs of Lorraine; four sons, David, Brent and Bradley, all of Geneseo, and Michael of Lorraine; three sisters, Lucille Coupal of Hays, and Mildred Stefek and Monie Wallert, both of Ellsworth; 33 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Friday at the St. Bernard’s Church, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in the Geneseo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Disciples in Mission Monument Fund. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ernest J. Mattas (1935-2007)
WILSON — Ernest J. Mattas, 71, Wilson, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Mattas was born March 18, 1935, in Wilson to Ernest Sr. and Albina Oborny Mattas. His entire life was spent in Wilson, where he was a farmer-stockman and a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He married Darlene Hammersmith-Befort. She survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Rosemary Anne Shiever of Salina, Margaret May Heart of Newton, and Bernadette Franks of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his mother, Albina of Wilson; a brother, Richard of Mt. Vernon, Mo.; and two sisters, Emily Powell of Ravena, N.Y., and JoAnn Whitmer of Ellsworth. He was preceded in death by his father in 1994. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Wencelaus Catholic Church, Father David Metz officiating. Memorials may be made to the church or the Wilson Ambulance Fund in care of Foster Mortuary.
Eunice M. Shrull (1934-2007)
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Eunice M. Shrull, 73, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at her home in Columbia. Mrs. Shrull was born Jan. 7, 1934, at Ellsworth, Kan., to Leonard and Alva Henderson Hudson. She was a graduate of the Fort Hays State University School of Nursing, who retired in 1993 from the Lenoir Skilled Care Center. She was a member of the Little Bonne Femme Church, Columbia. She married Bruce Shrull Jan. 15, 1956, at Hays, Kan. He survives. Other survivors include two sons, Randy of Decatur, Texas, and Richard of Columbia; three daughters, Sherri Briedwell of Centralia, Sandy Rawlinson of Parkville, Mo. and Sharla Leon of Kearney, Mo.; a brother, Robert Hudson of Kanopolis, Kan.; a sister, Martha Myers of Dumas, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the Little Bonne Femme Church. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or to the Cancer Research Center, 3501 Berrywood, Columbia, Mo. 65203. Robinson Funeral Home, Ashland, Mo., was in charge of arrangements.
Helen R. Heffel (1914-2007)
DORRANCE — Helen R. Heffel, 92, Dorrance, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, at the Golden Living Center in Wilson. Mrs. Heffel was born Oct. 15, 1914, in Schneider to the Rev. Johann and Georgina (Borell) Lind. She was a lifetime resident of the area, where she was a homemaker, member of the Dorrance Homemakers FCE, Dorrance EHU, and organist and member of the First Lutheran Church in Dorrance. She married Arthur Heffel Aug. 20, 1936. He died in 1984. Survivors include three sons, Larry Heffel of Lenexa, and Arlan and Marvin Heffel, both of Dorrance; a daughter, Karen Kircher of Indiaola, Neb.; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at First Lutheran Church in Dorrance, Sister Diane Wagner officiating. Burial was in the Dorrance City Cemetery. Foster Mortuary, Wilson, was in charge of arrangements.
Rex E. Howard (1921-2007)
IOLA — Rex E. Howard, 85, Iola, died Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in Joplin, Mo. Mr. Howard was born Oct. 18, 1921, in Claremore, Okla., to John and Gladys Allen Howard. He was a farmer-stockman and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He married Christina E. Gordon Dec. 7, 1946. She survives. Mr. Howard was preceded in death by a son, Michael E. Howard. Other survivors include a son, John Howard of Joplin, Mo.; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Howard of Garden City; a brother, Harold Howard of Wichita; and five grandchildren. Graveside services and intermenty were Feb. 13 at Wilson City Cemetery, with Eva Bray officiating. Military honors were given by Wilson American Legion Post 232. Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola was in charge of arrangements.
John Clement Mog (1923-2007)
WILSON — John Clement Mog, 83, Wilson, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Mr. Mog was born Dec. 13, 1923, in Ellsworth County to Frederick Francis and Elizabeth Barbara Mog. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he farmed and also worked 21 years for Acme Brick, Kanopolis. He was a member of the Hays and Salina Deaf Clubs and the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth. He married Roberta Milner May 19, 1952, at Bushton. She survives. Other survivors include four sons, Bryce of Wilson, John of Oakley, Calif., Terry of Ogden, Utah, and James of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; a daughter, Mary Sweat of Kearney, Neb.; two brothers, Frederick of Wilson and Francis of Littleton, Colo.; four sisters, Betty Rae Webb of Powell, Wyo., Hubertine of Salina, Lee Kuehling of Milwaukee, Wis., and Suzanne Kelly of Green Valley, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by a sister, Clare Soukup. The funeral was Feb. 3 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Father Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Deaf Cultural Museum, Olathe.
Robert E. Schaefer (1926-2007)
HOLYROOD — Robert E. Schaefer, 80, Holyrood, died Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, at Pogue Hospice Center in Salina. Mr. Schaefer was born April 9, 1926, in Ellsworth to John and Adelia (Burmeister) Schaefer. He lived most of his life in the Holyrood area, where he was a retired self-employed oil field worker, member of the Holyrood American Legion Post 200, Ellsworth Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6485, and member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood. Mr. Schaefer was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II. He married Eleanor Sheridan Feb. 6, 1949 in Ellsworth. On Dec. 16, 1972, he married Norma Pedersen in Holyrood. She survives. Other survivors include three sons, Mike Schaefer of Emmett, Danny Schaefer of Lyons, and Warren (Buddy) Bisterfeldt of Desoto; four daughters, Ellen Roehrman of Woodland Park, Colo., Joyce Gunning of Salina, Carla Lamb of Assaria, and Pam Fleming of Holyrood; a sister, Norma Blackett of Denver, Colo.; 17 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 9 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Holyrood, Pastor John Sharp officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with graveside rites by the American Legion. Memorials may be made to the church and American Legion Post #200. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby J. Janda (1915-2007)
WILSON — Ruby J. Janda, 91, Wilson, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, at Sandstone Heights Village Nursing Center, Little River. Mrs. Janda was born Feb. 19, 1915, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Josephine Malir Zelenka. She was a lifetime resident of the area, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson. She married Winslow Janda Sr. Aug. 22, 1933. He died in 1999. Other survivors include two sons, Winslow Janda Jr. of Wilson and Edward Janda of Lyons; two daughters, Lucy Vopat of Wilson and Mildred Spears of Lyons; four sisters, Helen Erhardt and Lillian Urban of Ellsworth, Irene Miller of Kansas City, and Edna Burkhead of Salina; a brother, Elmer Zelenka of Salina; 19 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 3 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Father David Metz officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Wenceslaus New Cemetery Fund. Foster Mortuary of Wilson was in charge of arrangements.
John C. Mog (1923-2007)
WILSON — John C. Mog, 83, Wilson, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Mr. Mog was born Dec. 13, 1923, in Ellsworth County to Frederick and Elizabeth Mog. He was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where he was a farmer and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth. Mr. Mog also worked for Acme Brick of Kanopolis for 21 years. He was a member of the Hays and Salina Deaf Clubs, and was an avid bowler. He married Roberta Milner May 19, 1952, in Bushton. She survives. Mr. Mog is preceded in death by a sister, Clare Soukup. Other survivors include four sons, Robert Mog of Wilson, John Mog of Oakley, Calif., Terry Mog of Ogden, Utah, and James Mog of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; a daughter, Mary Sweat of Kearney, Neb.; four sisters, Bettey Rae Webb of Powell, Wyo., Hubertine Mog of Salina, Lee Kuehling of Milwaukee, Wisc., and Suzanne Kelly of Green Valley, Ariz.; a brother, Frederick Mog, of Wilson; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson. The funeral was Feb. 2 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Father Dan Scheetz officiating. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Deaf Cultural Museum in Olathe. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.
Edward ‘Ed’ Philbern (1934-2007)
BUNKER HILL — Edward “Ed” F. Philbern, 72, Bunker Hill, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, at Hays Medical Center. Mr. Philbern was born May 3, 1934, in Larned to Frank and Pauline Smith Philbern. From 1967 to 1974, Mr. Philbern was the owner/operator of Wildcat Testing and Casing. From 1974 until his retirement in 1995, he worked as a driller in the oil fields. After his retirement, Mr. Philbern started Wildcat Bait and Tackle. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He married Anita Lumpkins June 26, 1954. He later married Gwen Lance April 15, 1977. Mr. Philbern was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Luie Philbern. Other survivors include four sons, Luie Philbern of Dundee, Lonnie Philbern of Great Bend, Larry Philbern of Bunker Hill and Layne Philbern of Radium; a daughter, Lori Grauer of Larned; a stepson, Edward Lance of Juneau, Ark.; two step-daughters, Jenny Lance of Great Bend and Kathy Zelenka of Wilson; two brothers, Jim Philbern of Great Bend and Bill Philbern of Creed, Colo.; two sisters, Luella Ingram of Anna, Texas and Lucille Clark of Great Bend; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A celebration of Mr. Philbern’s life was Feb. 3 at the Lyons Community Center Building in Bunker Hill. His body was cremated. Memorials may be made to the Ed Philbern Memorial Fund in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell.
Evelyn J. Press (1922-2007)
MANHATTAN — Evelyn J. Press, 84, Manhattan, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2007, at the Mercy Regional Health Center, Manhattan. She was born Sept. 9, 1922, at Kanopolis to Wesley Isaiah and Georgia Victoria Linn Reeves. She was a 1940 graduate of the Kanopolis High School and also attended Marymount College, Salina. Mrs. Press lived in Salina and later moved to Manhattan, where she was secretary for the dean of architecture and design at Kansas State University for 17 years. She married Harold L. Press April 27, 1947, at Salina. He survives. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Helen Mae Kalb; and an infant brother. Other survivors include a son, Michael E. Press; a daughter, Michelle L. Netson, all of Manhattan; 10 granddaughters; and a great-grandson. The funeral was Friday at the University Christian Church, Manhattan, the Rev. David Pape officiating. Graveside services were later in the day at Kanopolis Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the University Christian Church, in care of the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, Manhattan.
Shirley Thach Novotny (1928-2007)
HOLYROOD — Shirley Thach Novotny, 78, of Holyrood, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, at the Hutchinson Hospital. Mrs. Novotny was born Aug. 31, 1928, in Eureka to Otis Henry Hall and June Reich. She was a lifetime resident of the Holyrood area, where she was a homemaker. She was married to James E. Thach June 8, 1946, in Hays. He died Aug. 16, 1973. On Nov. 13, 1979, she married Richard L. Novotny in Ellsworth. She also was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Barbara Jean, and two brothers. Survivors include her husband, Richard of Wilson; a son, James L. Thach of Holyrood; two sisters, Nancy Olmsted of Macksville and Rosie Hall of Holyrood; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A private memorial service was held with Pastor Linda Toms officiating. Inurnment was at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Memorials may be made to the Ellsworth Senior Center. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of the arrangements.
Blanche H. Foran (1915-2007)
Blanche H. Foran, 91, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Foran was born Feb. 4, 1915, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Helen Urbanek Homolka. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella. She was married to Edward Foran, who died in 2005. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Ed and Steve. Survivors include a son, Roger Foran of Ellsworth; a brother, Adolph Homolka of Ellsworth; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral is at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Father Dan Scheetz officiating. Burial will follow in the church Cemetery, also at Wilson. Visitation was from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Mortuary, Wilson, with a parish vigil at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Center, Ellsworth, in care of the funeral home.
Gladys Ann Koralek (1946-2007)
Gladys Ann Koralek, 61, Ellsworth, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007. Mrs. Koralek was born Jan. 12, 1946, at Ellsworth to Hubert “Jack” and Alice Nienke Schwerdtfeger. She owned the Koyote Den, Kanopolis, and was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She married Chant Koralek May 19, 1967, in rural Ellsworth. He survives. Other survivors include: a son, Chad Koralek of Ellsworth; three daughters, Melissa Schneider of rural Kanopolis and Machelle Hudson and Rebecca Sneath, both of Kanopolis; two sisters, Alice Rush of Geneseo and Donna Choitz of Ellsworth; a brother, Robert “Bud” Schwerdtfeger of Ellsworth; and 11 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert, in 1985. The funeral was Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Burial was in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church or the Ellsworth Good Samaritan Retirement Center. Parsons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Wallace Krueger (1935-2007)
SYLVAN GROVE — Ronald Wallace Krueger, 71, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, on the farm he was born and raised on and had lived on for the past 30 years. Mr. Krueger was born March 18, 1935, to Walter and Leona Witte Krueger. He was a lifetime member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served on many boards. He worked for the Lincoln County Highway Department from 1962 until his retirement in 1997. He also continued to farm full time. He married Shirley Zvolanek July 10, 1966, at Vesper. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Dale Wallace of Sylvan Grove; a daughter, Rita Ann Sunderland of Osage City; twin sisters, Janis Slate of Glen Elder and Jeannine Lydick of El Dorado; and a grandson. The funeral was Jan. 11 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pastor Brian Tuma officiating. Burial was in Sylvan Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church. Hall Mortuary, Lincoln, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert ‘Bob’ Mehl (1933-2007)
GODDARD — Robert “Bob” Mehl, 73, retired, passed into the hands of the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007. He died at his home after a short but courageous battle with melanoma skin cancer. Services were held Saturday, Jan. 20, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Wichita. Interment was in the Ellsworth Cemetery. Robert was a loving father and grandfather and his spirit will live on for all who knew him. He was born in Ellsworth Aug. 30, 1933, to Florence and Harm Mehl. Robert was 11 years old when his father died in 1945. His mother then married Fred Schultz, who Robert came to love as a real father. His greatest loves were first and foremost his family, then his hobby of woodworking. He loved being outdoors and his expansive gardens, flower beds, and stacks of firewood are proof of that love. A sports enthusiast, he was a big fan of the Rams, Phillies, Lakers, Jayhawks and Wildcats. He loved listening to Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. He was preceded in death by parents; and a brother, Leon. Survivors include: wife, Meredith; daughters and son-in-law, Audrey Worley of Joplin, Mo., and Chandra and Kevin Stauffer of Wichita; sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Aimee of Tulsa and Jason and Angela of Wichita; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Bonnie of Wichita; grandchildren, all who loved him dearly, Brandon, Corinne, Jake, Jack, Henry, Tasha, Lindsey, Raysha, Jethren, Jade, Brent, Charley and Allison. In lieu of cut flowers, plants are requested so that his family may continue to garden in his memory. Memorial established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West, Wichita. Online tributes via www.downingandlahey.com.
Valoris ‘Val’ Davis Patton (1917-2007)
HUTCHINSON — Valoris “Val” Davis Patton, 90, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at the Dillon Living Center, Hutchinson. Mrs. Patton was born Jan. 13, 1917, in rural Nickerson to Arthur Melville and Letha Hunter Davis. She moved to Hutchinson in 2006 from Chase, where she was a homemaker and educator. She was graduated from Kansas State University in 1939 with a degree in secondary education with an emphasis in home economics and from Fort Hays State University with a Master’s Degree in education counseling. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Hutchinson; Immanuel United Church of Christ, Ellinwood; the Chase Christian Church and Women’s Circle; and the Mother’s Club and Friends of Reading, both at Wilson. She married Kent Leonard Patton Oct. 19, 1940, in rural Hutchinson. He died in 2004. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Harold and Richard Davis; and two sisters, Frances Prout and Lucille Conrad. Survivors include four sons, Carl Patton of Great Bend, Allan Patton of Chase, Dale Patton of Wichita and Donald Patton of Brookfield, Wis.; three daughters, Janet Mathews of Hutchinson, Patti Soldan of Salina and Anita Patton of Russell; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, Pastor Larry Young officiating. Burial was in Chase Springdale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross Blood Bank, Central Plains Region, in care of the funeral home.
Vernon H. Schneider (1917-2007)
LUCAS — Vernon H. Schneider, 89, Lucas, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007. Mr. Schneider was born Oct. 15, 1917, in Lincoln County. He was a farmer-stockman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elfreida, in 2006. Survivors include four sons, Ronald of Lake Wilson, Steven of Ellsworth, Gregory of Manasas, Va., and Leslie of Lucas; a daughter, Sharon Markley of Vesper; 14 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Tuesday at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lucas Area Community Theater or a charity of the donor’s choice. Rodrick & Minear Funeral Home Chapel, 111 S. Fairview, Lucas 67648 was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to rodrickminear@wtciweb.com.
Blanche H. Foran (1915-2007)
Blanche H. Foran, 91, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mrs. Foran was born Feb. 4, 1915, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Helen Urbanek Homolka. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, where she was a homemaker and a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella. She was married to Frank Foran, who died in 2005. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Ed and Steve. Survivors include a son, Roger Foran of Ellsworth; a brother, Adolph Homolka of Ellsworth; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral is at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wilson, Father Dan Scheetz officiating. Burial will follow in the church Cemetery, also at Wilson. Visitation was from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Mortuary, Wilson, with a parish vigil at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Retirement Center, Ellsworth, in care of the funeral home.
