Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Nina Jean Keas
OKLAHOMA CITY — Nina Jean Keas, 82, Oklahoma City, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005.
She was born Nina Jean Wray on Nov. 14, 1922, in Elk City.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Beuford; and a grandson.
Survivors include two sons, Jimmie of Salina, Kan., and Timothy of Fayetteville, Ark.; two daughters, Sawana Shipley of Hutchinson, Kan., and Minyon Rusher of Chesapeake, Va.; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mayfair Church of Christ, Oklahoma City.
There will be a visitation at Whinery-Savage Funeral Service, 403 W. Country Club, Elk City, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday with a graveside service to follow at 4 p.m. in Fairlawn Cemetery.
Dorothy Jean McFadden
PARK FOREST, Ill. — Dorothy Jean McFadden, 87, Park Forest, died Thursday, April 14, 2005.
Survivors include three daughters, Janet Trulove, Jean Ann Thompson and Greta Prince, all of Illinois; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Marion Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Faith United Protestant Church, Park Forest.
Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion 66861, is handling arrangements.
Evelyn Morgan
LEONARDVILLE — Evelyn Morgan, 84, Leonardville, died Thursday, April 14, 2005.
Mrs. Morgan was born Evelyn Miller on Jan. 31, 1921, in Greenleaf.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, in 2003; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.
Survivors include four daughters, Ruth Chartier of Clay Center, Rita Bak of Denver, Alice Miner of Lenexa and Evelyn Brownlee of Kingman; a son, Edward of Tyler, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Christian Church, Clay Center. Burial will be in Greenleaf Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church.
Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 Seventh, Clay Center 67432.
Alicia Pippin
MARION — Alicia Pippin, 18, Marion, died Wednesday, April 13, 2005.
Ms. Pippin was born June 18, 1986, in Emporia.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Warren and Kay Sells, H. Dean Pippin and J. Phillip McAdoo.
Survivors include her mother, Sherri Sells, of Marion; her father, Brett Pippin, of Dumas, Texas; grandparents, Lauren and Luetta Enns of Hillsboro, Jane McAdoo and Margaret Pippin; and stepbrothers, Jesse and Zach Murray of Dumas, Texas.
The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Trinity Mennonite Church, Hillsboro. Burial will be in Johannestal Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Straussburg Baptist Church Building Fund, Hillsboro, or Camp Mennoscah, in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion 66861.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m.
Juanita Ruth Potter
McPHERSON — Juanita Ruth Potter, 72, McPherson, died Thursday, April 14, 2005.
Mrs. Potter was born Juanita Ruth Shaw on Dec. 8, 1932, in Leroy, Iowa. She worked as a pianist and musician and, after moving to McPherson, she worked for Midtec of America for 10 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Leland; a son, James “Jimmy”; a daughter, Tammy Rogers; and a granddaughter.
Survivors include three daughters, Tonya E. of Santa Fe, N.M., Tina M. of Douglass and Teresa L. of McPherson; two sons, Tony L. of Santa Fe, N.M., and Jerry L. of McPherson; a sister, Laura May Weppler of Beatrice, Neb.; 22 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at First Baptist Church, McPherson. A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. today in Grainfield Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Juanita R. Potter Memorial Fund, in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson 67460-4207.
There will be no visitation.
Ellen L. Regnier
RICHARDSON, Texas — Ellen L. Regnier, 60, Richardson, formerly of Junction City, Kan., and Salina, Kan., died Tuesday, April 5, 2005.
Mrs. Regnier was born Ellen L. Coleman on Feb. 18, 1945, in Denver.
Survivors include her husband, Ronald, of the home; two daughters, Rhonda Saunders of Tupelo, Miss., and Linette Burch of Plano, Texas; a sister, Ruth E. Coleman of Bennington; a brother, John Knisley of LaPlata, Md.; and three grandchildren.
The funeral was April 8 at Restland Wildwood Chapel, Dallas. Inurnment will be at a later date in Pinecrest Memorial Park, Little Rock, Ark.
Memorials may be made to National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 7777 Forest Lane, Building C, Suite A-94, PMB#105, Dallas, TX 75230, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Elmer A. Taylor
SOLOMON — Elmer A. Taylor, 95, Solomon, died Thursday, April 14, 2005.
Mr. Taylor was born March 21, 1910, in Solomon. He was a farmer and stockman.
He was preceded in death by two wives, Josie, in 1952, and Irma, in 2000.
Survivors include his son, James E. of Winter Springs, Fla.; three daughters, Katherine Worthen of Colorado Springs, Colo., Sheryl Kelgard of Palatine, Ill., and Twyla Strange of Ponca City, Okla.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Solomon Methodist Church. Burial will be in Prairie Mound Cemetery, Solomon.
Memorials may be made to Solomon Senior Citizen Center, in care of Carlson-Becker Funeral Home, 208 W. Fourth, Solomon 67480.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday and until service time Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Marjorie Joan Thorup
SMITH CENTER — Marjorie Joan Thorup, 71, Smith Center, died Thursday, April 14, 2005.
Mrs. Thorup was born Marjorie Joan Lewis on Dec. 25, 1933, near Otego. She was employed at Smith County Extension office for three years and Smith County Highway Department as a secretary for 32 years.
Survivors include her husband, Bob, of the home; a son, Larry Lynn of Kansas City, Mo.; and two sisters, Marilyn of Kansas City, Mo., and Barbara White of Burr Oak.
There will be no public visitation or service. The body was cremated. A private family service will be at a later date. Inurnment will be in Burr Oak Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Smith Center United Methodist Church, Burr Oak Methodist Church or Hospice Services of Smith County, in care of Simmons Olliff-Boeve Chapel, 116 W. First, Smith Center 66967.
Arlene A. Yuhl
ABILENE — Arlene A. Yuhl, 90, Abilene, died Friday, April 15, 2005.
Mrs. Yuhl was born Arlene A. Cheney on Feb. 25, 1915, in Glasco. She was a retired nurse’s aide at Memorial Hospital, Abilene.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Wilson of Wichita and Jan Williams of Bremerton, Wash.; and three grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Abilene Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church, in care of Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Box 758, Abilene 67410.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Gertrude E. Baker
GOODLAND — Gertrude E. Baker, 86, Goodland, died Sunday, April 10, 2005.
Mrs. Baker was born Gertrude E. Rueb on Jan. 31, 1919, in St. Francis. She was a retired dietitian at Goodland Regional Medical Center. She was also a home economics teacher, home management supervisor and home electrification advisor.
She attended Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
She was married to Robert C. Baker on May 12, 1951, in Hutchinson, and he preceded her in death.
Survivors include two sons, Dr. James W. and wife Vicki of Goodland and John R. and wife Kathy of Castle Rock, Colo.; a daughter, Jean Ann Reid of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three brothers, Dr. A.O. Rueb of Kansas City, Kan., Dr. Marlin Rueb and wife Annabelle of St. Francis and Lewis Rueb and wife Betty of Kingman; two sisters, Manette Thornburg of Williamsburg, Va., and Phyllis K. Rueb of St. Francis; and five grandchildren, Stephanie and Samantha Reid and Tyler, Connor and Jackson Baker.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Mountain time Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Goodland, with the Rev. Scott Grimshaw officiating.
The memorial service is also for Robert C. Baker, who died Oct. 30, 2003.
Memorials may be made to Goodland Regional Medical Center Dietary Department, Colby Duplicate Bridge Club or Gertrude E. Baker Scholarship Fund.
There will be no visitation.
Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland 67735-1555, is handling arrangements.
Max V. Bell
JAMESTOWN — Max V. Bell, 88, Jamestown, formerly of Burr Oak, died Thursday, April 21, 2005.
Melby Mortuary, Mankato, is handling arrangements.
Evona Chloris Driscoll
CLYDE — Evona Chloris Driscoll, 98, Clyde, died Thursday, April 21, 2005.
Mrs. Driscoll was born Evona Chloris Tilson on May 2, 1906, in Rush, Mo. She owned and operated Rite Way Cafe, Salina, from 1943 until 1963.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John “Dink,” in 1965.
Survivors include two sisters, Edith McDaniel of Concordia and Zana Hill of Loveland, Colo.
A memorial service will be at a later date.
Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 Seventh, Clay Center 67432, is handling arrangements.
Virgie Arleen Fretz
INMAN — Virgie Arleen Fretz, 91, Inman, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005.
Mrs. Fretz was born Virgie Arleen Lewis on Jan. 16, 1914, in Inman. She was a homemaker and an elementary grade school teacher until her retirement in 1973.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thad; and a son, Keith.
Survivors include a son, Michael of Tulsa, Okla.; three sisters, Myra Bigelow of Prairie Village, Miriam Ely of Inman and Joan Lewis of Wichita; two granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Inman. A private family burial will precede the memorial service in North Inman Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church or Inman Senior Center, in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson 67460.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tony C. Garza
GOODLAND — Tony C. Garza, 51, Goodland, died Tuesday, April 19, 2005.
Mr. Garza was born April 25, 1953, in Paris, Texas. He worked as a carpenter for many years.
Survivors include two sons, Anthony of Goodland and Michael of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; two daughters, Myra of Fort Collins, Colo., and Olivia of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; four brothers, Jessie of Tulsa, Okla., Roy of Tulia, Texas, Joe of Lorraine, Texas, and Manuel Garza of Kansas City, Kan.; two sisters, Mary Lou Luna and Janie Villarreal, both of Tulsa, Okla.; and nine grandchildren.
The funeral will be at noon Mountain time Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Burial will be in Goodland Cemetery.
A prayer vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 E. 11th, Box 278, Goodland 67735.
Memorials may be sent to the funeral home.
Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday and before services on Saturday.
Sherman J. Hart
GENESEO — Sherman J. Hart, 82, Geneseo, died Thursday, April 21, 2005.
Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, is handling arrangements.
Brent W. Hockersmith
OAKLEY — Brent W. Hockersmith, 22, Oakley, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005.
Mr. Hockersmith was born Nov. 12, 1982, in Tacoma, Wash. He was a restaurant waiter and actor in theater productions.
Survivors include his parents, Luther and Margie Hockersmith, of Oakley; his father, Clyde M. DeCrow of Colorado; his grandparents, Danny and Katherine Bauer of Eaton, Colo., and Clyde DeCrow and Marcella Margarttes, both of Fruita, Colo.; a brother, Neal Hockersmith of Colby; a sister, Mary Kunkel of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and two stepsisters, Tanya Schwarz of Rexford and Misty Finlay of Oakley.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Oakley.
A rosary and wake will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, 217 Freeman, Box 221, Oakley 67748.
Memorials may be made to the church or Heart of America Men’s Choir, Wichita.
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Leona G. Johnson
WICHITA — Leona G. Johnson, 94, Wichita, died Thursday, April 21, 2005.
Mrs. Johnson was born Leona G. James on Feb. 14, 1911, in Belleville. She was Republic County treasurer for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald F., in 1989.
Survivors include six nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home Chapel, 1104 20th, Belleville 66935. Burial will be in Belleville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
