Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Katherine Christman
TOPEKA - Katherine Christman, 96, Topeka, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
Mrs. Christman was born Katherine Funk on March 29, 1909, in Russell County.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl J., in 1995; and a son, Claude, in 1935.
Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Turner and Vickie McMurdo, both of Topeka; two sons, Duane and Donald, both of Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 N.W. Independence, Topeka 66608. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church Building Church Building Fund, 1716 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka 66604-3398.
Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday.
Oscar Cook
HILL CITY - Oscar Cook, Hill City, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005.
Spencer-Stinemetz Chapel, Hill City, is handling arrangements.
Kenneth Allen Cronk
BURDICK - Kenneth Allen Cronk, 51, rural Burdick, died May 11, 2005.
Mr. Cronk was born Sept. 14, 1953, in Morristown, N.J. He was an artist.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia, of the home; his father and stepmother, Arthur and Ethel Cronk of Welaka, Fla.; his mother and stepfather, Marion and John Blasenhauer of Herington; two sons, Daniel of Abilene and Christopher of Rancheo Margarnda, Calif.; three daughters, Brandy Cronk of Lincolnville, Angela Cronk of Sullivan, Mo., and Stephanie Helming of Herington; four stepchildren, Kristy Hoard of Salina, Teresa Hawkins of Fort Hood, Texas, and Darren and Keenan Geissert of Herington; two brothers, Martin of Foonton, N.J., and Lawrence of Herington; four sisters, Jenny Cronk of Belvidere, N.J., Lucille Cronk of Budd Lake, N.J., Helen Cronk of Boonton, N.J., and Debra Chism of Katy, Texas; five stepbrothers, John Blasenhauer Jr. of Herington, Edward Berry of Ocala, Fla., Rick Berry of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., George Berry of Walpole, Mass., and Kenny Cronk of Toms River, N.J.; a stepsister, Sherry Berry of Welaka; and eight grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at New Life Church of God, Herington.
There will be no visitation. The body was cremated.
Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 404 S. Broadway, Herington 67449, is handling arrangements.
Don R. Fuertges
HAYS - Don R. Fuertges, 62, Hays, died May 12, 2005.
Mr. Fuertges was born Dec. 1, 1942, in Joliet, Ill. He was a former chairman of the Department of Health and Human Performance at Fort Hays State University.
His first wife, Penelope Susan, died in 2002.
Survivors include his wife, Darla; a daughter, Kathryn Schowe of Sierra Madre, Calif.; a son, Brian of Hays; a brother, Patrick of Aurora, Colo.; and two sisters, Mary Kay Farina and Sarah Fuertges, both of Aurora.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays. Private burial will be at a later date.
A rosary/vigil service will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 20th and Pine, Hays 67601.
Memorials may be made to the Don Fuertges, PhD, Fund for Excellence, Fort Hays State University Endowment Association, 610 Park, Hays 67601.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Helen Koepke
HERINGTON - Helen Koepke, 92, Herington, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
Mrs. Koepke was born Helen Entz on July 21, 1912, at Hope. She was an elementary and middle school teacher in Herington, retiring in 1975.
Her husband, Walter W., died in 1998.
Survivors include a son, John of Topeka; a daughter, Margaret Mertz of Cheshire, Conn.; three grandsons; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Herington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Walter and Helen Koepke Scholarship Fund at Herington School District, in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 404 S. Broadway, Herington 67449.
Idonna C. Leach
HAYS - Idonna C. Leach, 96, Hays, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
Mrs. Leach was born Idonna C. Likens on Aug. 27, 1908, in Lucas. She was a restaurant cook.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Randall R., in 1973; and a son, Jarold, on May 16, 2005.
Survivors include a grandchild.
A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Lucas Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or Good Samaritan Nursing Home, both in Ellis, or Lucas Community Theater or Lucas United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at Rodrick & Minear Chapel, 111 S. Fairview, Lucas 67648.
Lola Isabelle Maddox
Lola Isabelle Maddox, 85, Salina, died Monday, May 16, 2005.
Mrs. Maddox was born Oct. 30, 1919, in Sedan, the daughter of the late Herschel Columbus and Eva Mae (Winchell) Blanchard. She graduated from Sedan High School and was a real estate salesperson at Lee Haworth Construction and Millwood Realty in Salina. She was a member of the Salina Garden Club, Professional Engineer Wives Auxiliary, YWCA, University United Methodist Church and a past member of the Salina Board of Realtors. She was the Real Estate Salesperson of the year for three years during the mid-'70s. She married John Maddox on May 23, 1937, in Sedan. He died in 2003.
Survivors include two daughters, Kay Glover and husband Richard of Red Oak and Carolyn Bice and her late husband Carl of Wichita; five grandchildren, Jim Hager of Wichita, Lt. Col. Gregory W. Bice and wife Susan of Stafford, Va., Julie Hash and husband Steve of Farmington, N.M., Karen Chapman and husband Brian of Salina and Marsha Fisher and husband Todd of Wichita; two sisters, Lena Sanders of Independence and Peggy Willcut of Wichita; and nine great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at University United Methodist Church, Salina, the Rev. David Bolz officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Greenwood Cemetery, Sedan.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Salina, 139 N. Penn, Salina, or Salvation Army, 1137 N. Santa Fe, Salina.
Carlson-Ford-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina 67401, is handling arrangements.
Chester Charles McAllister
SENECA - Chester Charles McAllister, 99, Seneca, formerly of Russell, died Monday, May 16, 2005.
Mr. McAllister was born Sept. 7, 1905, in Ellis County. He was a farmer and stockman in Russell County and also worked at the Russell Livestock Commission and hauled livestock.
Survivors include nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Russell City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Crestview Manor in Seneca, in care of Pohlman-Heise Mortuary, 610 N. Maple, Russell 67665.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m Friday at the mortuary, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m.
Eleanora Anna Marie Mohr
WaKEENEY - Eleanora Anna Marie Mohr, 72, WaKeeney, died Monday, May 16, 2005.
Mrs. Mohr was born Eleanora Anna Marie Meiar on Aug. 6, 1932, in St. Peter. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Robert and Gary.
Survivors include her husband, Martin, of the home; a son, Wayne of Wichita; two daughters, Kathy Scaccia of Hastings, Neb., and Julie Bretton of Hutchinson; two sisters, Mary Lantz of Hays and Imelda Lenker of Denver; eight grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Michael Catholic Church, Collyer. Burial will be in St. Michael Catholic Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Masses or Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment, in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th, WaKeeney 67672.
Betty M. Owens
Betty M. Owens, 79, Salina, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements.
Martha Schneider
WaKEENEY - Martha Schneider, 94, WaKeeney, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
Mrs. Schneider was born Martha Wilhelm on April 27, 1911, in Barton County. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Emanuel, in 1987; a daughter, Dorothy Arlene Brown; a grandson; and a great-grandson.
Survivors include a son, Gary of WaKeeney; two daughters, Bonnie Wagner of Oakley and Geneva Maloney of Pueblo, Colo.; three sisters, Vida Schneider of WaKeeney, Isabel Radke of Great Bend and Jean Bailey of Russell; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Trego Center. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church or the Lutheran Home, in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th, WaKeeney 67672.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Lois Tannehill
CLAY CENTER - Lois Tannehill, 97, Clay Center, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005.
Mrs. Tannehill was born Lois Parker on April 10, 1908, in Broughton. She taught in country schools and at Wakefield. She taught preschool after retiring from Clay Center School District.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, in 1954; and a son, Marvin.
Survivors include two daughters, Janet Fehr of Ellsworth and Rita Glaser of Lavaca, Ark.; a son, Art of Clay Center; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church, Clay Center. Burial will be in Broughton Cemetery, Clay County.
Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church or Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 Seventh, Clay Center 67432.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Hazel I. Teeter
HADDAM - Hazel I. Teeter, 94, Haddam, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
Mrs. Teeter was born Hazel I. Smith on Oct. 30, 1910, in Odell, Neb. She was a homemaker.
Her husband, Frank, died in 1986.
Survivors include two sisters, Bernice Deegan of Trenton, Mo., and Madge Boeckner of Lincoln, Neb.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at United Methodist Church, Haddam. Burial will be in Haddam Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, 1104 20th, Belleville 66935.
Margie L. Thull
CAWKER CITY - Margie L. Thull, 82, Cawker City, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005.
Mrs. Thull was born Margie L. Latham on March 10, 1923, at Barnard. She was a homemaker.
Her husband, Edward, died in 1990.
Survivors include a daughter, Vicki Breault of Assaria; a sister, Barbara Heinen of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Prairie Grove Cemetery, Cawker City.
Memorials may be made to Solomon Valley Hospice.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Waconda Funeral Home, 815 W. First, Cawker City 67430.
Leroy C. Vargas
Leroy C. Vargas, 61, Salina, died Tuesday, May 17, 2005.
Mr. Vargas was born April 19, 1944, at Salina. He was a welder and worked for Great Plains Manufacturing, Salina, for more than 11 years. He was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army and a member of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Germany. He enjoyed listening to music and dancing and also played and coached fast-pitch softball.
Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Salina; four sons, Michael Davis of Ocean View, Del., and Jimmy Davis, Leroy Vargas and John Vargas, all of Salina; five daughters, Laura Cannon, Patricia Tyler, Maria Koury and Amy Vargas, all of Salina, and Rachel Chestnut of Phillipsburg; five brothers, Daniel, Tommy, Robert and Jerry, all of Salina, and Richard of Wichita; three sisters, Mary Soto of Topeka, Marie Vazquez of Puerto Rico and Rosana Anderson of Salina; 27 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401. The body will be cremated following the service.
A vigil/rosary service will be at 7:30 p.m. today at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Leslie Kreps American Legion Post 62.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until the service Friday at the mortuary.
Robert E. "Bob" Boehme
EMPORIA - Robert E. "Bob" Boehme, 67, Emporia, formerly of Goodland, died Saturday, May 28, 2005.
Mr. Boehme was born Aug. 4, 1937, in Spearville. After retiring as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, he farmed in Goodland and worked at Admire Bank and Trust in Emporia.
Survivors include his wife, Judith "Judy," of the home; a son, Robert Lynn of Birmingham, Ala.; a daughter, Cynthia Boehme Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two stepsons, Chris Yearout of Emporia and Doug Yearout of Lee's Summit, Mo.; a stepdaughter, Cynthia Lewis of Emporia; a sister, Marilyn Schlindler of Brewster; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State, Emporia 66801, with rites by Emporia Masonic Lodge 12, AF&AM.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Mountain time Thursday in Goodland Cemetery, with honors by Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Memorials may be made to Emporia Friends of the Zoo or Shriners Hospitals for Children, in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia, or Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland 67735.
Martin H. Eitzmann
BYRON, Neb. - Martin H. Eitzmann, 84, rural Byron, died Sunday, May 29, 2005.
Mr. Eitzmann was born March 5, 1921, in rural Hardy. He was a farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Lola, of the home; three sons, Greg of rural Republic, Kan., and Scott and Tim, both of rural Hardy; a daughter, Melissa Kuhlmann of rural Byron; two brothers, Ernest of Scottsbluff and Adolph of Byron; a sister, Hilda Beckman of Washington, Kan.; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and four stepgreat-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Peters Lutheran Church, rural Byron. Burial will be in St. Peters Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the family's choice.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today and Wednesday at Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th, Belleville, KS 66935.
