Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
John F. Tyler
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. John AME Church for John Fredrick Tyler, 96, Topeka, who died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at a Topeka nursing home.
He was born March 29, 1904, in St. John in Stafford County to Milton Hobson and Fannie Minnis Tyler. He attended Topeka public schools. He was an apprentice carpenter for Santa Fe Railway and helped build boxcars. He worked at the Jayhawk Hotel and later was employed by the Topeka Elks Lodge for more than 35 years before he retired July 19, 1977.
He was a member of St. John AME Church for more than 50 years and a member of Bachelor Boys Social Club and the Mr. and Mrs. Club.
He married Pernece Marie Gaines on June 28, 1940. She died Dec. 14, 1992.
Survivors include a son, Milton E. Tyler, El Cerrito, Calif.; and a daughter, Jonece Sue Tyler, Chicago.
Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Tyler will lie in state from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel, where relatives and friends will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Lorraine O'Brate
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Highland Park United Methodist Church for Lorraine O'Brate, 38, Topeka, who died Friday, Dec. 29, 2000, at a Topeka hospital. She had cancer.
She was born March 19, 1962, in Topeka, to George and Nancy Martin Kahn and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1980. She was employed by Jostens Yearbook for 18 years and worked in the desktop department.
She was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Brandon O'Brate and Brian O'Brate, both in Topeka; her parents, George and Nancy Kahn, Topeka; and two sisters, Christina Kahn, Topeka, and Raenise Sampson, Fairfax, Va.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. O'Brate will lie in state during visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Highland Chapel Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Road, 66604.
Wesley Bartlett
HUTCHINSON -- Wesley Clinton "Wes" Bartlett, 77, Hutchinson, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at a Hutchinson hospital.
He was born May 19, 1923, in Stafford County, to William and Cynthia Johnson Bartlett. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1940 and attended Hutchinson Community College. He was an engineer for Santa Fe Railway before he retired.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No. 982, and the Reno County Amateur Radio Association, all in Hutchinson, and a lifelong member of Campbell Post No. 1361 of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Hutchinson.
He married Edith Ellen Heaney on Feb. 22, 1943, in Hutchinson. She survives.
Other survivors include four sons, Wesley L. Bartlett, Scott City, Lesley G. Bartlett, Topeka, William C. Bartlett, Hutchinson, and Ed C. Bartlett, Haven; a sister, Ione McBride, South Hutchinson; and seven grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. A Fort Riley detail will conduct graveside services at Memorial Park Cemetery in Hutchinson. Mr. Bartlett will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary where relatives and friends will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church in Hutchinson.
R. Price Cowan
READING -- R. Price Cowan Sr., 90, Reading, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at an Emporia care center.
Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Reading Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Reading, 66868.
Dr. D. Howard Elliott
WINCHESTER -- Dr. D. Howard Elliott, 85, Winchester, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at home. He formerly was minister of First Reformed Presbyterian Church in Topeka.
Barnett Funeral Home in Oskaloosa is in charge of arrangements
Leliah Farr
OTTAWA -- Leliah M. Farr, 86, Ottawa, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at an Ottawa care center.
Mrs. Farr was deputy register of deeds for Lyon County for several years in the 1930s. She later was a secretary for Ottawa University for more than 30 years before she retired in 1984.
She was born Dec. 31, 1914, in Emporia, the daughter of John Henry and Rose Leliah Murdock Bond. She was raised in Emporia and attended Emporia schools. She had lived in Ottawa since 1941.
Mrs. Farr was a charter member of the Women's Society of Christian Service at Grace Methodist Church in Emporia, where she attended Sunday school and sang in the choir. She and her husband also sponsored the Epworth League youth group at the church for several years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, Sunshine Sunday school class and the Outreach Circle. She was a former member of Soroptimist International in Ottawa, Ottawa University Women's Club and the Ottawa Oasis Club. She was a 25-year member of Union Chapter No. 15 of the Order of Eastern Star in Ottawa.
She married Charles Lowell Farr on May 15, 1938, in Emporia. He died Dec. 21, 1968.
Survivors include a daughter, Janice L. McBride, Olathe; three grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Lamb-Roberts-Heise Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. Mrs. Farr will lie in state after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, where relatives and friends will meet from 12:30 p.m. to service time Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.
Carl Hardesty
PARKER -- Carl Duane Hardesty, 66, Parker, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, at an Olathe hospital.
He was born June 2, 1934, in the Selma community in Anderson County, to Albert "Hap" and Dorothy Beckwith Hardesty. He graduated from Parker Rural High School. He lived in Westwood in Johnson County before he moved to Parker in 1972. He was a locomotive painter for Rock Island Railroad and Santa Fe Railway more than 30 years before he retired. He later was a farmer and stockman.
He was a member of the Community Church in Centerville, Parker Lodge No. 341, AF&AM, in Parker, Scottish Rite bodies in Fort Scott and Local No. 850 of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen.
He served in the Army from 1957 to 1959.
He married Joyce Ashburn on May 3, 1959, in Garnett. She survives.
Other survivors include a son, Jim Hardesty, Osawatomie; three daughters, Carla Brocker, Paola, Jonee Hardesty, Carthage, Mo., and Colette Gillespie, Gardner; and six grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Garnett. Military and Masonic graveside services will follow at Parker Cemetery in Parker. Mr. Hardesty will lie in state after 4 p.m. today at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel funeral home in Garnett where visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Church in Centerville, 66014.
Melvin Koelzer
CORNING -- Melvin H. Koelzer, 68, Corning, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, shortly after arrival at a Seneca hospital. He had an apparent heart attack.
He was born Nov. 22, 1932, south of Seneca, to Lawrence and Anna Weber Koelzer, and attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in Corning. He was a livestock and dairy farmer and lived west of Corning many years. He was semi-retired.
He was in the Army from 1955 to 1957, having served in Germany as a message carrier.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Corning, served on the church council and was a lay minister many years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 1769 in Seneca and helped conduct bingo games for the council. He also assisted with bingo games at the American Legion hall in Corning.
He was a member of the Corning Fire Department more than 20 years and had served as chairman of the Nemaha County Fire District No. 2 in Corning. He was a past president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at St. Patrick's School in Corning.
He married Gladys Gudenkauf on Feb. 7, 1959, in Seneca. She survives.
Other survivors include twins, a son, Jerald "Jerry" Koelzer, Corning, and a daughter, Jane Halling, Lancaster; a brother, Sylvester Koelzer, DuBois, Neb.; four sisters, Rita Eisenbarth, Lee's Summit, Mo., Lorene Olberding, Baileyville, Ann Broxterman, Silver Lake, and Mary Haverkamp, Seneca; and four grandsons.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Corning. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Corning. Rosaries will be recited at 2 and 7 p.m. today at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or Emergency Medical Services, both in Corning, 66417.
Mildred Myer
HOLTON -- Leah Mildred Kidney Myer, 91, Holton, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at an Onaga nursing home.
She was born July 16, 1909, in Circleville. She graduated from Soldier High School and lived in Soldier many years.
She was a member of the Christian Church in Soldier.
She married Rollo Adam Myer on Dec. 18, 1929, in Soldier. He died April 25, 1985. A grandson, Larry Myer, died Dec. 7, 1995.
A son, Rollo Milton Myer, Holton, survives.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in Soldier Cemetery. Mrs. Myer will lie in state after 1 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, Golden Acres Nursing Home in Onaga or to the Christian Church in Soldier.
Robert Tadlock
EFFINGHAM -- Robert Dean Tadlock, 68, Effingham, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at a Holton hospital.
He was born Dec. 1, 1932, in Rosalie, Neb., to Donovan O. and Hilda E. Blank Tadlock, and graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, Neb. He served in the Air Force 13 years. He was a hydraulic mechanic for TransWorld Airlines at Kansas City Airport 28 years before he retired in 1992 because of poor health. He was a driver for the Atchison Trolley.
He was a member of the Christian Church in Farmington and attended the Christian Church in Effingham. He was a member of Active Lodge No. 158, AF&AM, in Atchison, and a member and past noble grand of the IOOF Lodge in Lancaster. He was a member of Fleming-Jackson-Seever Post No. 6 of the American Legion in Atchison and the Northeast Kansas Railroaders Association.
He married Ruth Ritchey. They were divorced 11 years later. He married Jan Byers. They were divorced. He married Wanda Lee Forbes Dobbs Jan. 5, 1969, in Atchison. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Wayne A. Tadlock, Horton, and Donovan O. Tadlock, Jacksonville, Ark.; two daughters, Kathrine M. Neill, Atchison, and Maggie L. Large, Topeka; a stepson, Bill Ritchey, Bellevue, Neb.; a stepdaughter, Donna Lowe, Bellevue, Neb.; two brothers, Guy Tadlock, Penn Valley, Calif., and Keith Tadlock, Colo, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; a great-grandchild; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
Services at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Christian Church in Effingham will include Masonic and IOOF services. Cremation will follow. Burial will be in Leavenworth National Cemetery. Relatives and friends will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the church.
Contributions may be made to the Robert Tadlock Memorial Fund yet to be designated and sent in care of O'Trimble Funeral Home in Effingham.
Florence B. James
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. David's Episcopal Church for Florence B. James, 90, Topeka, who died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2000, at a Topeka care center.
She was born April 6, 1910, in Topeka, to Herbert Olin and Minnie Winkler Lawrence, and graduated with honors from Topeka High School. She attended Washburn University. She was secretary to J. Hambleton Abrahams, president of Security Benefit Life Insurance Co.
After passing state examinations, she became a licensed agent in abstracting and title insurance. She was named executive vice president of Capital Abstract Co., representing Kansas City Title Insurance Co., in Topeka, and worked for the company for 15 years. She later worked for Columbian Title several years. She spent a year as a substitute teacher of abstract and title insurance at Washburn University.
She spent 10 years on the staff at the office of the Downtown Rotary Club.
She served on the board of directors of Kansas Abstracters and was editor of the Kansas Abstracters' publication.
She was a member of St. David's Episcopal Church and was a volunteer at the church and at Stormont-Vail and Topeka Veterans hospitals. She had served as county chairman for the Kansas Heart Association.
She married Don James in April 1943. He died in May 1983.
Survivors include a nephew, Danny Lawrence, Paola; and a niece, Connie Tenbrink, Topeka.
Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. James will lie in state after 10 a.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. David's Episcopal Church, 3916 W. 17th, 66604.
Margaret Schmitz
Margaret Jane Schmitz, 71, formerly of Topeka, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at her home in Olathe.
She was born Jan. 29, 1929, in Cawker City, the daughter of Charles and Emma Irey Quillen. She moved to Olathe from Topeka in 1996.
Mrs. Schmitz was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe and the Auxiliary to Topeka North Post No. 400 of the American Legion. She did volunteer work at both churches.
She married John N. Schmitz on Jan. 8, 1949, in Beloit. He died Sept. 8, 1997.
Survivors include two sons, Steven Alan Schmitz, Olathe, and Jeffrey Duane Schmitz, Jackson, Miss.; a daughter, Kelley Ann Carson, Shawnee; three brothers, Frank Quillen and Jim Quillen, both of Salina, and Giles Quillen, Wichita; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Schmitz will lie in state after 2 p.m. today at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Action Society of Kansas City and sent in care of the funeral home.
Thelma Jones
Thelma I. Russell Jones, 87, Topeka, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at a Topeka nursing home.
Mrs. Jones worked for Gill Concessions in Topeka.
She was born June 8, 1913, in Hiawasee, Ark., the daughter of Thomas Edward and Effie Beulah Oakes Walthall. She moved to Topeka in 1940.
Mrs. Jones was a member of the auxiliary to Topeka North Post No. 400 of the American Legion and a former member of the Rebekah Lodge in Topeka.
She married George M. Jones on June 8, 1972, in Topeka. He died March 8, 1991. Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Lynn Russell and Charles Duane Russell.
Survivors include three daughters, Wanda Hartman and Dora Russell, both of Topeka, and Janice Westphal, Des Moines, Iowa; three sons, Dennis Russell and Dean Russell, both of Topeka, and Larry Russell, Fleming, Colo.; three sisters, Ida Kyle, Mission, Texas, Betty Perkins, Decatur, Ill., and Florence Hermann, Topeka; a brother, Robert "Bob" Walthall, Inez, Texas; four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Davidson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Jones will lie in state from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home where visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and sent in care of the funeral home.
