Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Mary Mae Westervelt
CHEROKEE -- Mary Mae Westervelt, 90, of Cherokee, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, at her home.
Arrangements and additional information will be announced by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main, Weir.
Rena L. Heistand
Rena L. Heistand, 45, of rural Columbus, died at 4:36 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at her home, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
She was born Sept. 19, 1957, at Grants, N.M., to Franklin and Joan Patton Heistand. She attended Columbus schools and was a graduate of Columbus High School. She received bachelor of science degrees in medical technology and biology from Pittsburg State University.
She married Larry D. Zook of rural Columbus. They divorced.
She was laboratory supervisor at Maude Norton Memorial Hospital at Columbus.
Survivors include her mother, Joan Calvin of rural Columbus; two sons, Larry Chad Zook of Overland Park and Cody Robert Zook of rural Columbus; and one sister, Connie Abbott of rural Columbus.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Per her request, no services are planned at this time. The family will be at the home. Arrangements are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, Columbus.
Lorene Jones
COLUMBUS - Lorene Jones, 89, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at Maude Norton Memorial Hospital of Columbus.
She was born Jan. 30, 1913, at McCune, to Oscar and Cora Embry Bateman. She was a graduate of McCune High School.
She married Ernest Jones in 1931. He preceded her in death Aug. 18, 1992.
Mrs. Jones was a homemaker and minister's wife.
She was a member of Sherwin Christian Church.
Survivors include two sons, Glen Jones of Oswego and Merle Jones of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchildren; one niece; and two nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. today at Park Cemetery at Columbus with the Rev. Dennis Johnson and Minister Phil Hayes officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus.
Maxine Joy Love
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Maxine Joy Love, 86, of Kansas City, Mo., died at 12:25 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at Kingswood Health Center at Kansas City, Mo., following a lengthy illness.
She was born Dec. 11, 1916, at Garnett, to Edgar Robert and Kittie Bell McNall Smith. She was a longtime resident of Pittsburg. She moved to Kingswood, a retirement facility at Kansas City, Mo., in 1989.
She married John Edwards in June of 1940. He preceded her in death in October of 1968. She married DeVere Love on March 9, 1974. He preceded her in death in January of 1980.
Mrs. Love was business manager for the United Mine Workers Union office in Pittsburg for many years.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star Rob Morris Chapter and a past queen of the Daughters of the Nile.
Survivors include two step-sons, Sam Love of Collierville, Tenn., and Dee Love of Wichita; one sister, Marjorie Cox of Vacaville, Calif.; six nieces; and one nephew.
Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Garden of Memories Cemetery with the Rev. Thomas D. Sims of First United Methodist Church officiating. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Jack A. Ridley
WICHITA - Jack A. Ridley, 57, of Wichita, formerly of Arcadia, died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, at Wichita.
Mr. Ridley was a staff photographer at the Wichita Eagle.
Survivors include one daughter, Earlita Fisher of Wichita; his mother, Anna M. Smith of the home; one sister, Pat Ridley of Wichita; and one grandchild.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Broadway Mortuary at Wichita. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Edgmand Cemetery at Columbus.
Leona E. Miller
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Leona E. Miller, 82, formerly of Pittsburg, died at 1:20 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at Shelby Nursing Center at Shelby Township, Mich.
She was born Aug. 13, 1920, at Mindenmines, Mo., to Tony and Emma Miller Gaston. She attended Pittsburg schools, and was a 1938 graduate of Pittsburg High School. She attended Kansas State Teachers College.
She married Robert R. Miller at First Methodist Church at Pittsburg on June 19, 1943. He preceded her in death May 6, 1990.
After her marriage, she lived in Texas; Denver; Kansas City, Mo.; Boston; and Chicago. She returned to Pittsburg in 1992. She moved to Rochester, Mich., in 1999.
Mrs. Miller worked for several retail stores.
She attended First United Methodist Church. She was a member of PEO Chapter AQ and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include one granddaughter, Dr. Stacy Miller of Rochester, who provided for her care; and one niece.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Dr. Richard G. Miller on May 24, 1991, Robert R. Miller on Sept. 11, 1992; one grandson, Rob Miller on Aug. 5, 1983; and one sister, Katherine Marquardt on Jan. 7, 2002.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Verl Strong officiating. Entombment will be in the family mausoleum in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before service time at the funeral home, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Arden F. Schoenig
SALINA - Arden F. Schoenig, 90, of Salina, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003.
He was born Sept. 28, 1912, at Bushton, to Arthur and Mattie Brandenstein Schoenig. He received a bachelor of science education degree and a master of industrial arts education degree from Pittsburg State University. He was a U.S. Navy aviation radio technician during World War II.
He married Maxine Jean Richards on Jan. 13, 1939, at Walnut. She preceded him in death Dec. 20, 2002.
Mr. Schoenig was a graphic arts instructor at Washington High School at Kansas City, Kan., from 1951 to 1975.
He was a member of Walnut United Methodist Church at Walnut.
Survivors include two sons, Richard Schoenig of Oceanside, Calif., and David Schoenig of Salina; one daughter, DeeAnn Meister of Maumelle, Ark.; two sisters, Annabel Dillon of Phoenix and Naomi Jones of Grass Valley, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Kurt Michael Schoenig in 1997; and one sister, Martha Jean Richards in 1993.
Services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery at Walnut. Arrangements are under the direction of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.
Ella Dorothy Shanholtzer
Ella Dorothy Shanholtzer, 97, of Pittsburg, died at 6:56 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at Sunset Manor Nursing Center at Frontenac.
She was born Oct. 20, 1905, at Coatsburg, Ill., to Hiram and Sarah Elizabeth Davis Thompson. She attended rural schools northwest of McCune. She moved from McCune to rural Pittsburg in 1996.
She married Arthur Shanholtzer on Nov. 24, 1926, at Erie. He preceded her in death Nov. 7, 1987.
She was a member of Osage Church of the Brethren. After moving to Pittsburg, she attended Frontenac United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Charles Shanholtzer of McCune and Bill Shanholtzer of Nowata, Okla.; two daughters, Norma Andrew and Roberta Nutt, both of Pittsburg; 15 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one grandson, five sisters and three brothers.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Verl Strong of Frontenac United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Sunday. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Thelma Adeline Braidwood
KENSINGTON, Calif. - Thelma Adeline Braidwood, 99, of Kensington, Calif., died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Bethany Home at Livermore, Calif.
She was born and raised at Weir City and graduated from Kansas State Teachers College (Pittsburg State University). She also graduated from San Francisco University. Mrs. Braidwood taught first grade at Pacheco Elementary School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District for more than 20 years. She was a resident of Kensington for more than 60 years.
She was a member of Thousand Oaks Baptist Church, Contra Cost Group Youth Homes, California Retired Teachers Association and was a life member of the California Parent-Teachers Association.
Survivors include a daughter, Murial A. Haupt, of Livermore; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Braidwood, in 1988.
Memorial services were Saturday at Thousand Oaks Baptist Church with private intermenty at Sunset View Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Sunset View Mortuary & Cemetery, El Cerrito, Calif.
Trevor W. Falkner
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- Trevor W. Falkner, 85, of Russelville, Ark., died at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999, at the Beverly Rehabilitation Center of Pittsburg, where he had been a resident since July.
He was born Aug. 31, 1913, at Edna, to Mr. and Mrs. John Falkner. He lived most of his life at Russelville. He was a professor of sociology at the University of Arkansas - Russelville for 20 years.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He served in Germany and was a prisoner of war for two years. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W.
He is survived by a friend, Steve A. Shry, of Russelville, who helped provide for his care.
The body has been taken for cremation. Inurnment will be at a later date in the National Cemetery at Fort Smith, Ark. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway.
Bernice O. Wooldridge
LOCKWOOD, Mo. - Bernice O. Wooldridge, 96, of Lockwood, Mo., died at 11:46 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.
She was born Aug. 15, 1907, in Dade County, Mo., to Frank B. and Dora (Truman) Neal.
She married Victor Wooldridge on Feb. 19, 1927, at Greenfield, Mo. He preceded her in death.
Mrs. Wooldridge was a homemaker. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Keith Wooldridge, of Lamar, Mo.; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Memory Gardens at Lamar. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Lohmeyer-Konantz Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Lohmeyer-Konantz Funeral Home, 1301 Gulf, Lamar.
Joel K. Parkerson
Joel K. Parkerson, 74, of Pittsburg, died at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
Services are pending and additional information will be announced by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg.
Melvin Brumfield
Melvin K. Brumfield, 79, of Pittsburg, died at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
Additional obituary information and service times will be announced by Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St., Pittsburg.
Phyllis Azamber
Phyllis Azamber, 91, formerly of 309 W. First, died at 4:17 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000 at Medicalodge North. She had been a resident of Medicalodge North since April of 1999.
She was born May 28, 1908, at Chicopee, to Matt and Sodine Senchal Krantz.
She attended West Union and Chicopee schools and had been a resident of the area all of her life.
Mrs. Azamber was a homemaker.
She married Frank Azamber on Nov. 3, 1928. He preceded her in death Sept. 11, 1972.
Mrs. Azamber was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the Altar Society and Pittsburg Senior Citizens.
Survivors include a son, Eugene Azamber, of Fresno, Calif.; two granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, in the Brenner Mortuary Chapel, with Fr. Robert McElwee, of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, officiating. Friends may call after 11 a.m. today at the Brenner Mortuary where the parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.. Family will receive friends following the rosary until 5 p.m. Burial will be in the Highland Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Allena Lavora Bishop
FORT SCOTT -- Allena Lavora Bishop, 78, of Fort Scott, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2001, at Fort Scott Mercy Hospital.
She was born July 2, 1922, at Joplin, Mo., to Carl Bills and Mary Jane Woods.
Ms. Bishop did domestic work in several Fort Scott homes.
She was a longtime active member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include two nephews; two nieces; three great-nieces: and four great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Rozell Hill.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel at Fort Scott, with the Rev. Leroy Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel of Fort Scott.
Flossie Fern Blackmon
PAOLA -- Flossie Fern Blackmon, 88, of Paola, formerly of Osawatomie, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001, at the Olathe Medical Center.
She was born May 6, 1912, at Pittsburg to Henry and Josephine Smith McMurray. She attended the Lone Star Rural School at Pittsburg.
She married Howard B. Blackmon on Oct. 12, 1930, at Pittsburg. They lived in the Pittsburg area prior to moving to Beagle in 1947. After living in Beagle for a few years, they built a new home in Osawatomie, where she lived until 1998. She then moved to Paola to be with her daughter, JoeAnn.
Survivors include two daughters, JoeAnn Gray of Paola and Shirley Ostrander of Osawatomie; a brother, Harold McMurray of Pittsburg; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; three brothers, Bill, Ralph, and Millard McMurray; and a sister, Elma Pence.
Private family funeral services will be held at the Wilson and Son Funeral Home of Paola.
