Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Dorothy C. Wilch
Dorothy C. Wilch, 86, Kansas City, Kan., formerly of Topeka, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, at a Kansas City, Kan., hospital.
She was born Nov. 4, 1914, in Topeka, where she spent her early life and graduated from Highland Park High School. She received a teacher's certificate from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia. She taught in Shawnee County schools and later was a substitute teacher in Kansas City, Kan., public schools. She lived in Kansas City, Kan., for more than 50 years.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kan., United Methodist Women and Akita Sunday school class at the church. She was a member of Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars and Sunflower Chapter of National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She had been recognized for her volunteer work at Kansas City Presbyterian Manor.
Her husband, Kyle Wilch, died in 1995.
Survivors include two sons, Dale Wilch, Kansas City, Kan., and Leon Wilch, Falls Church, Va.; two daughters, Ellen Hill and Anita Andrews, both in Kansas City, Kan.; a brother, Harry Chubb, Topeka; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Porter Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kan. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, Kan. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 5010 Parallel, Kansas City, 66104, or to the Kansas City Presbyterian Manor, 7850 Freeman, 66112.
Robert J. Pusch
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Valley View Cemetery in St. Marys for Robert James Pusch, 73, Topeka, who died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, at a Topeka hospice house.
He was born May 14, 1927, in Alma, to Joseph and Ann L. Wendler Pusch, and lived in Topeka for many years. He worked for Kansas Power & Light at the Tecumseh power plant for 38 years.
He had served in the Navy.
He was a member of Capitol Post No. 1 of American Legion and Local No. 304 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
He married Mary Ann Bower on March 26, 1947, in Lyndon. She died Nov. 22, 1992.
Survivors include two daughters, Latina Ritchie, Topeka, and Vicki Hanour, Aliso Viejo, Calif.; a sister, Sylvia Tibbits, Topeka; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Mr. Pusch will lie in state after 1 p.m. Tuesday at Parker-Price Mortuary where relatives and friends will meet from 7 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice House, 200 Frazier Circle, 66606.
Toni Miotke
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Muscotah Cemetery in Muscotah for Toni Michelle Miotke, 27, Topeka, who died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, shortly after arrival at a Topeka hospital after she was assaulted at her home. Topeka police said a man was arrested in connection with the death.
She was born Dec. 25, 1973, in Newport News, Va., to Russell and Margaret Peabody Miotke. She was disabled.
She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Wamego.
Survivors include her mother, Margaret Janie Rippe, St. George; her father, Russell Miotke, Newport News, Va.; a sister, Heather Miotke, St. George; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peabody, Lodi, Calif.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton.
Marguerite C. McGeeney
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Name Catholic Church for Marguerite C. McGeeney, 83, Topeka, who died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, at a Topeka retirement home.
She was born April 5, 1917, in Pawnee City, Neb., to Thomas A. and Anna Farrell Mitchell, and spent her early life in Frankfort in Marshall County. She owned Marguerite's Bar-B-Que in Sedalia, Mo., in the 1940s and moved to Topeka in 1952. She operated Marguerite's Bar-B-Que in North Topeka and was a distributor for Viviane Woodard Cosmetics for more than 30 years. She entered the real estate and insurance business in the 1970s.
She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and Daughters of Isabella Little Flower Circle No. 503.
She married James Cecil McGeeney of Topeka. He died in 1952. She married Alton Stalcup in 1974. He also preceded her in death. A son, Mickey McGeeney, died in infancy.
Survivors include a son, Tommy McGeeney, Topeka; a brother, Ambrose Mitchell, Hastings, Neb.; a sister, Catherine Nester, Marysville; two grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at St. Gregory's Catholic Cemetery in Marysville. Mrs. McGeeney will lie in state after 2 p.m. Wednesday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, where rosaries will be recited by Daughters of Isabella Little Flower Circle No. 503 at 5:30 p.m. and by the parish at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Name Catholic Church, 1114 W. 10th, 66604; Assumption Catholic School, 204 W. 8th, 66603; or Heart of America Hospice, 3715 S.W. 29th, Suite 20, 66614.
Betty J. Howard
Betty J. Howard, 83, Topeka, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, at a Topeka nursing home.
She was born Nov. 24, 1917, in Oil City, Pa., to Lawrence and Margaret McVaugh Field. She worked at Village Cleaners in Topeka before she retired in October 1995.
She was a former member of United Methodist Church in Riverside, Iowa.
She married Dale R. Howard on July 25, 1936, in Lakewood, N.Y. He died Jan. 14, 1982. A son, Robert Howard, died March 11, 1994.
Survivors include two sons, Larry Howard, Las Cruces, N.M., and Gale Howard, Boulder, Colo.; a daughter, Maggie Turner, Topeka; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Topeka Cemetery. Mrs. Howard will lie in state after 1 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Funeral Home where visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 S.W. 29th, suite 20, 66614, or Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas, 66608.
Lou Houdyshell
Luella Dinsmore "Lou" Houdyshell, 86, Topeka, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, at a Topeka nursing center.
She was born Dec. 31, 1914, in Larned, to Ralph Eldred and Mary Lawton Taylor. She spent her early life in Larned and graduated from Larned High School in 1932. She moved to Topeka in 1936 and worked at Houdyshell's men's wear store. She worked for the Kansas Department of Administration from 1960 to 1976.
She was a member of First Congregational Church and Chapter FI of PEO Sisterhood.
She married Galen Smith "Buzz" Houdyshell on July 5, 1937, in Larned. He died Feb. 12, 1985. A daughter, Ann Houdyshell Koehler, died May 9, 1965.
Survivors include three daughters, Mary Lou Anderson, Topeka, Sue Houdyshell, Richmond, Va., and Jayne Houdyshell, New York City; two brothers, Harry Turbet Taylor, Larned, and Maxwell Lawton Taylor, Topeka; a sister, Virginia Marie Keast, Larned; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The casket will remain closed.
Memorial contributions may be made to KANU-FM Public Radio, Broadcasting Hall, Lawrence, 66045.
Rev. Howard Brumme
BOWIE, Md. -- The Rev. Howard Lee Brumme, 88, Bowie, died Dec. 15, 2002, in Bowie, of complications related to Parkinson's disease.
Rev. Brumme became an ordained minister in 1942 while serving as the pastor of First Church in Lancaster, Wis., from 1941 to 1947. He presided over Seward Avenue Baptist Church in Topeka from 1947 to 1964 and was pastor for Grace Bible Church in Elmhurst, Ill., from 1964 until 1981. He retired to Topeka, where former members of Seward Avenue Baptist convinced him to build a new church. In 1981, Howard and his wife founded Country Chapel.
He was born Dec. 1, 1914, in Cookesville, Ill., to Frank Julius and Stella Baum. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1934 with a degree in theology and Bible studies. He graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1939, and he earned a doctorate in theology from Loyola University in 1941. He was a Phi Beta Kappa. He lived for several years in Tucson, Ariz., before moving to Bowie in 1999.
Rev. Brumme was also a major organizer for and voice of various youth groups, including the Tri-State Youth for Christ in Lancaster, Wis. He founded Shawnee Bible Camp and Stoney Crest Bible Camp in Kansas and was a regular on "The Old Sunday School" radio program in Topeka. He was a member of the General Association of Regular Baptists.
He married Marjorie Vivian Danielson on Sept. 2, 1938. She survives.
Other survivors include four sons, Richard F. Brumme, Annapolis, Md.., Stephen J. Brumme, Wheaton, Md., James P. Brumme, Watsonville, Calif., and John P. Brumme, Carlsbad, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services will take place Jan. 18 at East Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Bloomington, Ill.
Donna Carleton
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Donna Scott Carleton, 97, Rochester, died Dec. 24, 2002.
Mrs. Carleton worked for the Santa Fe Railway in Topeka years ago.
She was born in Salina, Kan., Sept. 11, 1905, to Clinton L. and Nellie Richolson Scott, and as a child had lived in western Kansas, Plainville, Lucas and Topeka. She graduated from Washburn University in 1927 and attended Columbia University in New York City.
Mrs. Carleton was a member of churches in the New Jersey cities of Teaneck, Oradell and Lakehurst.
She married Steve Carleton on Sept. 6, 1933, in Topeka. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include children, Scott Carleton, Pittsford, N.Y., and Betty Mahin, Los Osos, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka.
Anthony Funeral Chapel Inc. in Rochester is in charge of arrangements.
Edna Kyle
GARNETT -- Edna M. "Toddie" Kyle, 72, Garnett, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, at a Garnett nursing home.
Mrs. Kyle was a nurses' aide and worked in the kitchen at area nursing homes and at the Anderson County Hospital. She also worked in the Nutrition Center and with the Meals on Wheels program for five years.
She was born July 26, 1930, in Greeley, the daughter of Edward N. and Alice H. Perkinson Scates.
She married Chester L. Kyle on Oct. 2, 1952, in Lovington, N.M. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include two sons, James Allen Kyle and Vernon Dale Kyle, both of Garnett; a daughter, Aletha May McTheeney, Fort Scott; a brother, Duane Edward Scates, Rantoul; a sister, Emma R. Ponder, Iberia, Mo.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel in Garnett. Burial will be in Garnett Cemetery. Mrs. Kyle will lie in state after 10 a.m. today at the funeral chapel, where visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nutrition Center -- Meals on Wheels program and sent in care of the funeral chapel, 219 S. Oak, P.O. Box 408, Garnett, 66032.
McKennon Stuber
YATES CENTER -- McKennon Dean Stuber, infant son of Tara Stuber, Yates Center, was stillborn Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, at an Iola hospital.
In addition to his mother, other survivors include grandparents, Keven and Shelly Stuber, Yates Center, and great-grandparents, Frances Bowen, Yates Center, Norman and Nyla Eccles, LeRoy; and great-great-grandmother, Lois Hofer, Burlington.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Yates Center Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodson County Educational Fund and sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center, P.O. Box 188, Yates Center, 66783.
Harold Anderson
CLAY CENTER -- Harold Emil Anderson, 86, Clay Center, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, at a Clay Center care center.
Mr. Anderson farmed and raised livestock in the Hayes Township in Clay County, and he was a trucker.
He was born Nov. 19, 1916, in Clay County, the son of Emil and Birdie Bergstrom Anderson.
Mr. Anderson was a member of Hayes United Methodist Church.
He married Frances Olsen on May 20, 1942. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Steven Anderson and Scott Anderson, both of Clay Center; a daughter, Sheryl Tatum, Wetmore; five granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren.
Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by a granddaughter.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center. Mr. Anderson will lie in state from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hayes United Methodist Church and sent in care of the funeral home, 918 7th St., Clay Center, 67432.
Gale Compton
WESTMORELAND -- Gale Charles Compton, 64, Westmoreland, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, at a Wamego hospital following an apparent heart attack.
Mr. Compton retired from the Santa Fe Railway in 1988 after 31 years of service. He had worked in New Mexico, Glendale, Ariz., and Bakersfield, Calif., and later drove a school bus for Unified School District No. 323 and a propane truck for the Westy Coop until 1998.
He was born March 3, 1938, in Wichita, the son of Merle D. and Helen M. Stephenson Compton. He attended school in Turner and graduated from high school in Amarillo, Texas. He also attended junior college in Amarillo, Texas.
He married Joyce Long on Nov. 23, 1956, in Kansas City, Kan. She survives.
Other survivors include four daughters, Sandy Akey, Wittman, Ariz., Joanna Heaslet and Loretta Yates, both of Westmoreland, and Chris Campos, Topeka; a sister, Marietta Hammer, Denver; and nine grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Cremation will follow the services. Mr. Compton will lie in state at the funeral home after 2 p.m. today, where visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the Gale Compton Memorial Fund to be designated later and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, 66547-0048.
Delbert Ekart
MANHATTAN -- Delbert L. Ekart, 69, Manhattan, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at a Manhattan hospital.
Mr. Ekart taught vocational agricultural and chemistry classes at Harveyville Rural High School for two years and worked for the Kansas Farm Bureau in Manhattan where he retired as safety director in 1996 after 35 years. He also had served in the Army.
He was born Feb. 16, 1933, in Flush, the son of Clarence L. and Genevieve M. Umscheid Ekart. He graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Manhattan and earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Kansas State University.
Mr. Ekart was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan, past president of the National Institute for Farm Safety and the Heart of America Fly Fishing Club.
Mr. Ekart received an honorary State Farmer Award from the Future Farmers of America.
Survivors include two sons, Michael P. Ekart, Kingsport, Tenn., and Douglas D. Ekart, Salt Lake City; a daughter, Stephanie A. Rodrock, Overland Park; his mother, Genevieve M. Ekart, Manhattan; four brothers, Sylvester C. Ekart, Bismark, N.D.; and Raymond J. Ekart, David E. Ekart and Donald F. Ekart, all of Manhattan; two sisters, Dolores A. Wells, Topeka, and Kathleen M.. Ekart, Denver; and six grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in the Elbow community east of Manhattan. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rock Springs 4-H Center, a project of Kansas 4-H Foundation, and sent in care of the funeral home, 1317 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, 66502.
Irene George
NORTONVILLE -- Irene E. George, 77, Nortonville, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at her home.
She was born Jan. 30, 1925, in Silver City, N.M., to Robert and Sarah Ward Bible. She graduated from high school in Las Vegas in 1941 and worked in the San Pedro, Calif., shipyards during World War II. She moved to Nortonville 15 years ago.
Mrs. George was a member of St. Ann's Parish at Las Vegas and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.
She married Dean George on April 20, 1946, in Las Vegas. He survives.
Other survivors include a daughter, Lanell Mauzey, Nortonville; a son, Robert George, Mayetta; and two granddaughters.
Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Nortonville. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at O'Trimble Funeral Home in Nortonville, where a rosary will be recited at 6 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home.
