Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Victor P. Smischny
ELLSWORTH — Victor P. Smischny, 98, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006.
Mr. Smischny was born June 15, 1908, in Ellsworth County to John and Anna (Cikanek) Smischny. He was an auctioneer and farmer. He was a 72-year member of Masonic Lodge 146 of Ellsworth. He was a member of 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6485 of Ellsworth, American Legion Post No. 200 of Holyrood, Isis Shrine Temple and Russell Shrine Club. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran.
He was preceded in death by a son, John, in 1992; two sisters, Henrietta Alderson and Sylvia Towle; and his former wife, Vera Smischny, in 2004.
Survivors include a brother, Gilbert of Wilson; his close friend, Vera Meyer of Sylvan Grove; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home, 307 N. Lincoln, Ellsworth 67439, with Masonic rites, Pastor Nathan Loudon officiating. Burial will be in Ellsworth Cemetery, with American Legion graveside rites.
Memorials may be made to Shriner Children’s Hospitals.
Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Eva Belle Zentz
JEWELL — Eva Belle Zentz, 87, Jewell, died Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006.
Miss Zentz was born Sept. 6, 1919, near Levant. She operated a kennel west of Jewell until 1996.
Survivors include a sister, Twila Zentz of Mankato.
A memorial service will be Saturday at the Christian Church in Jewell. Burial will be in Jewell Cemetery, west of Jewell.
Memorials may be made to Solomon Valley Hospice or Jewell County Long Term Care.
Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway, Jewell 66949, is handling arrangements.
Carry R. Brooks
Carry R. Brooks, 52, Salina, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006.
Mr. Brooks was born June 29, 1954, in Salina. He was the owner and operator of Brooks Retail Liquor Store, Salina.
Survivors include his wife, Sheryl, of Salina; a daughter, Heather Wiens and husband Ryan of Olathe; a sister, Becky Birdsong and husband David of Germantown, Tenn.; his parents, Dale and Joan Brooks, of Salina; a niece, Brooke Birdsong of Nashville, Tenn.; and a nephew, Bret Birdsong of Salina.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Salina, the Rev. Ed Foster officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church, Tammy Walker Cancer Center, the Cancer Center of Kansas or Hospice of Salina.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m.
Walter S. Cormack
OSBORNE — Walter S. Cormack, 92, Osborne, died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006.
Mr. Cormack was born Feb. 11, 1914, in rural Solomon. He was a retired carpenter.
He was preceded in death by a son, Edward, in 1977.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of Osborne; two daughters, Louise Gantz of Osborne and Janet Revoyr of Lynwood, Wash.; three sons, Larry of Fort Worth, Texas, Paul of Concordia and Stanley of Leavenworth; a sister, Velma Hinkson of Wichita; two brothers, Lowell of Concordia and Clayton of Arvada, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, Osborne. A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Abilene City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church or Parkview Care Center, Osborne.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Clark-Gashaw Mortuary Chapel, 238 N. First, Box 348, Osborne 67473.
Esther Ewert
HILLSBORO — Esther Ewert, 93, Hillsboro, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Mrs. Ewert was born Esther Funk on April 19, 1913, in Hillsboro. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Menno, in 1986.
Survivors include three sisters, Edna Gaede of Hillsboro, Luella Stucky of Hutchinson and Marie Boldt of Reedley, Calif.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Johannestal Cemetery, rural Hillsboro.
Memorials may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
There will be no visitation.
Jost Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington, Hillsboro 67063, is handling arrangements.
Margaret Ann Faimon
STRATTON, Neb. — Margaret Ann Faimon, 78, Stratton, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006.
Williams Funeral Home, Atwood, Kan., is handling arrangements.
Betty Jane Harris
SHARON SPRINGS — Betty Jane Harris, 85, Sharon Springs, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Mrs. Harris was born Betty Jane Cloyd on July 22, 1921, in Haviland. She was a retired Wallace County Extension Service secretary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; and a daughter, Janie Wigton Wade.
Survivors include a daughter, Valarie Duff of Scott City; two brothers, Dale Cloyd of Goodland and Bill Cloyd of Sharon Springs; three sisters, Gladys Miller of Sharon Springs, Marvel Armstrong of Wichita and Bug Hill of Hope, Ark.; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Mountain time Monday at the Wesleyan Church, Sharon Springs. Burial will be in Sharon Springs Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Wesleyan Women or Greeley County Hospital, and left at Koons Funeral Home, 327 N. Gardner, Sharon Springs 67758 or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland 67735.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Mountain time Sunday at Koons Funeral Home, 327 N. Gardner, Sharon Springs 67758.
Judith Elaine Howard
JAMESTOWN — Judith Elaine Howard, 55, Jamestown, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006.
Mrs. Howard was born Judith Elaine Taylor on May 14, 1951, in San Gabriel, Calif. She was a housekeeper for Sunset Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William F.; and an infant son, Christopher Cleary.
Survivors include two sons, Rodney Cleary of Jewell and Patrick Cleary of Pennsylvania; two daughters, Christine Cleary of Manhattan and Lisa McDonald of Oklahoma; a sister, Bonnie Cleary of Tujunga, Calif.; four brothers, Guy Taylor of Washington, Don Taylor and Robert Taylor, both of California, and Tally Taylor of Texas; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Randall Community Church. Burial will be in Randall Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family funeral expense fund, in care of Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway, Jewell 66949.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Loretta M. Murray
Loretta M. Murray, 78, Salina, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2006.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements.
Patricia J. “Pat” Ostlind
McPHERSON — Patricia J. “Pat” Ostlind, 83, McPherson, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Mrs. Ostlind was born Patricia J. Baugh on June 14, 1923, in Bern. She was a secretary for 25 years at Farmer’s Alliance Insurance.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine Lu “Kay.
Survivors include her husband, Bert, of the home; a son, Kelly of Taos, N.M.; a sister, Judy Woolard of Oklahoma City; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at New Gottland Covenant Church, 1700 Pawnee, McPherson 67460. Burial will be in McPherson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.
Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson 67460.
Alice M. Rome
HILL CITY — Alice M. Rome, 81, Hill City, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Mrs. Rome was born Alice M. Owen on July 22, 1925, near Bunker Hill.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Everette Bird Jr., in 1957, and Alvin Rome, in 1990; and a daughter.
Survivors include five sons, Gary Bird of Patoka, Ill., Stephan Bird of Houston, Thomas Bird of Hays, Mark Rome of Early, Texas, and Troy Rome of Hill City; a daughter, Janet Stewart of Victoria; four brothers, Charles Owen of Carmel, Calif., and Billy Owen, Don Owen and Mike Owen, all of Hill City; three sisters, Mabel Harris, Ethel Anderson and Velma Anderson, all of Bogue; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Church of God, Hill City. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Hill City.
Memorials may be made to the church.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City 67642, then prior to the service at the church.
Lee Elmer Sellin
CHAPMAN — Lee Elmer Sellin, 78, rural Chapman, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Mr. Sellin was born Dec. 21, 1927, in Junction City. He was a farmer and rancher.
Survivors include his wife, Estherlene, of the home; a son, Jonathan of Wichita; a daughter, Brenda Morrow of Phoenix; a brother, Wayne of rural Chapman; and 10 grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Lyona United Meth-odist Church, Chapman. Burial will be in Lyona Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the church or Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University, Manhattan, in care of Londeen Funeral Chapel, Box 429, Chapman 67431.
Visitation will be all day Sunday at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sarah A. Simmons
CLYDE — Sarah A. Simmons, 89, Clyde, died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006.
Mrs. Simmons was born Sarah A. Dillard on Oct. 11, 1917, near Aline, Okla., the daughter of Steven and Carrie (Peterson) Dillard. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of Brantford Covenant Church, Clyde.
She married Karl Harvey Simmons on April 9, 1938, in Fairview, Okla. He died May 28, 1976.
She also was preceded in death by her parents, a baby sister and two brothers.
Survivors include two daughters, Deanna J. Buckland and husband Lynn of Eureka Springs, Ark., and Patricia A. Altwegg and husband H. Robert of Oak Hill; two sisters, Eva Henthorn of Enid, Okla., and Lacada Davis of Carmen, Okla.; a brother, Kenneth Dillard of Enid; three grandchildren, VaLynda Porter and husband Curt of Clay Center, Ronald W. Buckland and wife Amy of Concordia and Kristin A. Altwegg of Manhattan; four great-grandchildren, Jennifer Porter of Manhattan, Nicolas Porter of Clay Center, and Dalton and Kaitlyn Buckland, both of Concordia.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Brantford Covenant Church, Clyde, the Rev. Russell Sizemore officiating. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Carmen, Okla., Merle Dean Clemons officiating.
Memorials may be made to the church.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wentworth Mortuary, Carmen, Okla.
Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. Sixth, Concordia 66901, is handling local arrangements.
Joyce Rae Wiley
ST. FRANCIS — Joyce Rae Wiley, 81, St. Francis, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Mrs. Wiley was born Joyce Rae Carmichael on Aug. 13, 1925, in Cheyenne County. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Robert James, of St. Francis; two daughters, Cathy Bandel of Goodland and Marsha Zion of Fort Collins, Colo.; two brothers, Darol of Salina and Bill of Sterling, Colo.; two sisters, Dorothy Carpenter and Carol Lampe, both of St. Francis; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, St. Francis. Burial will be in St. Francis.
Memorials may be made to Joyce Wiley Memorial Fund.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Knodel Funeral Home, 202 S. Benton, St. Francis 67756.
Teresa L. Woody
ATWOOD — Teresa L. Woody, 78, Atwood, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006.
Williams Funeral Home, Atwood, is handling arrangements.
Gregory B “Greg” Abbott
ATLANTA — Gregory B. “Greg” Abbott, 54, Atlanta, died Friday, Dec. 1, 2006.
Mr. Abbott was born Sept. 9, 1952, in Phillipsburg, Kan., the son of Leslie L. and Eulalia E. (Miller) Abbott.
He majored in speech and English at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kan., where he graduated in 1974. In 1976, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Georgia.
From 1976 to 1980 he directed community theater in Albany. After moving to Atlanta, he traveled to Columbus to direct the Springer Theatre Co., its community theater. He served as artistic director of Onstage Atlanta before becoming artistic director of Drama Tech in 1984.
He and his brother managed the family farm in Phillips County.
He loved sports and coached his children’s basketball teams.
He married June Miller of Claflin on Nov. 29, 1974.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, June; a daughter, Lauren, a student at the University of Georgia; a son, Michael, a junior at St. Pius High School, Atlanta; a brother, Kevin and wife Deborah of Hutchinson, Kan.; his mother-in-law, Marie Miller, of Hoisington, Kan.; and his brothers-in-law, Butch Miller and wife Vicki of Odin, Kan., and John and wife Connie of Claflin, Kan.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Christ the King Cathedral, 2699 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta.
Memorials may be made to Georgia Tech’s Drama Tech Theater, through the Georgia Tech Foundation, 760 Spring, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30308, or the Greg Abbott Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Pius X Catholic High School, 2674 Johnson Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30345.
H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, is handling arrangements.
