Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Lauver, Wilfred Charles, "Bill"
Lauver, Wilfred Charles “Bill”, 72, was killed in an automobile accident on November 16, 2004. He was born in Hutchinson, Ks to D. S. and Alma Lauver. He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Phillip Lauver. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann, daughter, Debra Ann Trotter, granddaughters, Chanelle and Natasha, two great-grandchildren, brother, Norman Lauver and sisters, Ruth and Elizabeth. He served with the Wichita Fire Department for thirty-one years, retiring as Fire Marshal. He later served with the U. S. State Department’s Foreign Buildings Office as Deputy Chief in the Fire Protection Division. He traveled extensively to our Foreign Service Posts around the world. He was a graduate of Wichita State University, a member of Albert Pike Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite Consistory. For the past few years, he has been a volunteer for the American Red Cross. Memorial services will be held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church on Monday, November 22, at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Kansas Firefighters Museum, Inc., 1300 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS, 67211.
Winters, James L.
Winters, James L., 66, retired advertising executive, died Thursday, November 18, 2004 of lung cancer. Jim, a native of Wichita, attended Wichita State University. He is survived by his wife, Peggy (Churchman) Winters of 47 years; son, James Winters & grandson, Tynan Winters of Los Angeles; daughter, Susan Schelberger of Colorado Springs; sister, Jeanne Houghton of Derby and brother, Bill Winters of Wichita. Jim’s career began at KARD in Wichita as Copywriter in 1960. From there to J&T Advertising, Foote, Cone & Belding and Young & Rubicam West, Phoenix, as VP/Creative Services. From 1978 to 1988 he was a founder & President of Winters, Franceschi,Callahan (WFC), Phoenix & San Diego. Then later was Chairman/CEO of Evans Communications, Los Angeles. Jim was the recipient of numerous advertising awards. Writing was his passion, along with golf and a good novel – but mostly he enjoyed being a husband, dad, friend and mentor. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them. We won’t forget you, Jim. Vigil 7:00 pm Sunday, November 21st Church of the Magdalen, followed by a funeral mass, Monday 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and The Lord’s Diner. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
Slicker, Paul A. "Slick"
Slicker, Paul A. “Slick”, 85, a devout Catholic his entire life, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2004. He was born April 11, 1919 in Jefferson City, MO. He moved to Wichita in 1939 and began working at Boeing. On August 13, 1942, he married Roxy Ellen Feltrop of Eldon, MO. He joined the Army, serving in the Philippines during WWII. After leaving the service he returned to Boeing where he worked until his retirement in 1982. During his retirement years he volunteered with the Sedgwick County ARC, serving in many capacities. He was an active member of the Wichita Lions West Club. He is survived by his wife, Ellen of 63 years and children: Paula and Jim Doss, Thomas and Peggy Slicker, Jana Simon and Scott Slicker. He leaves eight grandchildren: Meaghen Briley, Shanna Brown, Issy Doss, Jessica Wissner, Christa Dickey, Jake Simon, Stephanie Simon and Becca Simon. He leaves eight great-grandchildren. He now cares for his great grandson, Eli Briley in heaven. A rosary will be said Friday night at 7:30 P.M. at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. The funeral mass will be at Church of the Magdalen, Saturday, November 27, at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be at Ascension Cemetery. A memorial has been established with Sedgwick County Association for Retarded Citizens, (ARC), 2919 W. Second St., Wichita, KS, 67203.
Walcher, Bernice "Arlene"
Walcher, Bernice “Arlene”, 82, Wichita, died at home Tuesday, November 23, 2004. She was born Bernice Arlene Seibel in Florence, KS, August 26, 1922. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church. Rosary 7:00 P.M., Friday and funeral mass 10:00 A.M., Saturday, both at All Saints Catholic Church. Arlene attended business college and worked as a secretary for Beech Aircraft where she met Alvin Walcher. They were married February 17, 1946. She and Alvin were owners of Walcher Metal Treat, established in 1950. They had three sons. She was preceded in death by husband, Alvin, son, James and granddaughter, Holly. Arlene is survived by brother, Richard Seibel of Wichita and sister, Madeline Johnston of Augusta, sons, Alan of Wichita and Kenneth of Derby; granddaughters, Lisa, Katy, Rosanne, Rachel and Renee; great-grandsons, Jack, Oliver and Maxwell. She is remembered as a loving, giving person who cherished her family and friends. Memorials can be made to All Saints Catholic Church Building Fund, 3205 E. Grand, Wichita, KS, 67218. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
Sullivan, Marnia "Marnie"
Sullivan, Marnia “Marnie”, 62, passed away, Monday, November 22, 2004. She was loved dearly by all that knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family and her best friend, “Abby” her pug. Survivors include daughter, Dee Derezotes-Clark and husband Rick Clark both of Wichita; son, Daniel Derezotes and granddaughter, Mackenzie Derezotes, both of Las Vegas NV; mother, Zelma Sullivan of Lombard, IL; brothers, Mark and Mike Sullivan, both of Lombard, IL. Service: 10:00 A.M. Friday, Downing & Lahey East Chapel. Memorial established with The Marnia Sullivan Memorial Fund c/o of Intrust Bank, 105 N. Main, Wichita, KS, 67201.
Adams, Roberta Watkins
Adams, Roberta Watkins, died Wednesday, November 24, 2004. Service 11:00 A.M., Monday, St. James Episcopal Church. Preceded in death by husbands, Everett Leon Watkins and Robert Maurice Adams and daughter, Gail Ann Watkins. Survivors: son, Bradford Leon Watkins of Wichita; daughter, Joan Evelyn Watkins of NY; step-sons and spouses, Dr. Robert M. and Donna Adams of CA and Richard N. and Lynne Adams of TX; grandchildren, Kevin Mark Watkins and Jason Paul Watkins. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67208 and the Wichita Public Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS, 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
McDonald, Donia Lelaine Neilan
McDonald, Donia Lelaine Nelain, 56, longtime employee of both Cessna and Boeing, left this earth for a better place, Saturday, November 27, 2004. A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Donia will be best remembered as “Tigerma”, lover of all animals, but especially the tigers she once raised. Donia was known for picking up strays, including the human kind, and welcoming them into her heart and home. Donia is preceded in death by her parents, John and Illinora Neilan and sister, Mary Boen. Her memory will be cherished by her husband, Christopher McDonald, her children and spouses, daughter, Cynthia and Kerrick Opat of Valley Center, sons, David Williams and wife, Sherry of Wichita and Wade Williams, Jr. of Houston, TX. She will also be remembered by her step-daughter Heather Sawyer of Rose Hill and family and step-son, Shawn McDonald of Wichita, brothers, William Wright of North Highland, CA, Raymond Wright of Hemmett, CA and Michael Martin of North Highlands, CA and sister, Linda Mitchell of Wichita; seven grandchildren. Service 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Donations may be made to the family c/o Cynthia Opat, 606 Deerfield Circle, Valley Center, KS, 67147.
Iversen, Mary
Iversen, Mary, 85, homemaker, died Sunday, November 28, 2004. Graveside service 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, Wichita Park Mausoleum. She was born February 26, 1919 to George and Mary Bowen. Preceded in death by husband, Bill and son, Michael R. Iversen. Survivors: step-son, Mike Iversen (Linda) of Chambersburg, PA and step-grandchildren, Andrew Iversen and Michelle Jeffrey; sister, Dorothy Warmack; nephew, Bob Warmack of Rockwall, TX; niece, Phyllis Snyder; many great nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Ursula Iversen and Carmen Ethridge, both of Tulsa, OK; great-granddaughter, Georgina. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
Applegate, William R.
Applegate, William R., 87, retired carpenter, died Saturday, December 4, 2004. Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 8, 2004, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen; son, Roger, of Wichita; daughters & sons-in-law, Barbara & John Gregory, of Wichita, Emma & David Gribben, of Joplin, MO., Elaine & Byron Medlock, of Midland, MI; brother, Harry, of Stratsford, VA; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Potter, Paul E.
Potter, Paul E., 75, retired industrial engineer, died Monday, December 6, 2004, after courageously fighting Parkinson’s Disease for over 25 years. Memorial service 10:00 A.M., Friday, Unity Church of Wichita. Paul was a Navy veteran, avid golfer and bowler. Survivors: sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Reneé Potter of Derby, KS and Warren and Francie Potter of Wichita; daughter, Sandra K. Potter of Wichita; sister, Dorothy Holmes of Kingman; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild. A memorial has been established with Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, NY, NY, 10163. Downing & Lahey Mortuary.
Lawson, Mattie Lee
Lawson, Mattie Lee, 82, homemaker and beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2004. She was born March 6, 1922, in Omaha, Arkansas, to Doc and Mertie Widener. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Glen Lawson. They were both very active in Faith Baptist Church for over 50 years. They performed much charity work for many years for both the church and for senior and assisted living organizations in Andover. They received numerous awards and citations for their work and neither of them let their physical infirmities keep them from serving others. She is survived and greatly loved by many friends and by three children, Gary Lawson, of Augusta, Jerry Lawson and wife Joan, of Heath, Ohio, and Karen Conger and husband Bob, of Andover; three grandchildren, Kasey Gooch and husband Jeremy, of Emporia, Kelly Rowland and husband Tanner, of Augusta, and Zackary Conger, of Andover; three great-grandchildren, Riley and Kaden Glen Rowland, and Kamryn Lee Gooch. She was always hard working and selfless in her devotion to her family and her many friends. She will be greatly missed by all. A visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 8, 2004, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East, with services at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 9, 2004 at Faith Baptist Church in Andover. A memorial has been established with Faith Baptist Church, 417 W. Central, Andover, KS 67002.
Diebolt, Mae Ellen
Diebolt, Mae Ellen, of Denver, Colorado, entered eternal life on November 21, 2004. Prior to her move to Denver in 1969, she was a resident of Wichita. She was retired as an executive secretary in banking, and in later years, prided herself in the hours she devoted to volunteer service. Mae was a graduate of the Biblical School in Denver, a member of the National Secretaries Association, the Daughters of Isabella in Wichita, and Catholic Daughters in Denver. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Ella Mae and Lawrence Good of Wichita, and Rita Marie and Gary Herbert of Carbondale, CO; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. The Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial have been held in Denver. Graveside service, 10 A.M., Monday, Resurrection Mausoleum. Memorial to Little Sisters Of The Poor, 3629 W. 29th Avenue, Denver, CO 80211. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.
Milligan, V. L., "Lee"
Milligan, V.L. “Lee”, 92, retired real estate appraiser, died Thursday, November 25, 2004. Service 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, Downing & Lahey East Chapel. Survivors: many nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established with Zion United Methodist Church, 1248 Lulu, Wichita, KS, 67211.
Murfin, Jeanette Penwell Sankey
Murfin, Jeanette Penwell Sankey, a native of Kansas who became a well-known home economist in Arizona and led a two decade-long effort to assist victims of leprosy, died of natural causes November 25, 2004, in Wichita. She was 85.Bornand reared in El Dorado, Jeanette graduated from El Dorado High School, El Dorado (Butler County) Junior College and Oklahoma A&M University. In 1942, she married Kenneth B. Sankey, an employee of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., whom she had met in Great Bend. They had two sons, Bruce and Charles, who were born in Akron, Ohio. After World War II, Jeanette and her family moved to Kingman, where Kenneth operated a Goodyear service store for 10 years. During her years in Kingman, Jeanette was devoted to Christ Episcopal Church, managed a political campaign for long-time Kansas Senate leader Paul Wunsch, and became a popular spirit in the community. In 1956, the family moved to Arizona and Jeanette joined the Oscar Mayer Co. and its Arizona distributor, Kay's Foods, as a home economist. During the 1960s, 70s and early 80s, she was a popular guest on home lifestyle programs broadcast by KPHO-TV, and a regular contributor to the food pages of The Arizona Republic, the state's largest newspaper. During her frequent television appearances, she solicited women across Arizona to crochet bandages for victims of leprosy in Africa and elsewhere. Hundreds of women heeded her call, producing thousands of bandages that were sent around the world. Following her retirement, she traveled and attended scores of "parties" devoted to traditional jazz music at locations across the U.S. Kenneth Sankey died in 1988. A decade later, a high school sweetheart whom she had not seen in nearly 65 years, Fred I. Murfin of Wichita, sought her out and courted her in Phoenix and Wichita. They married in El Dorado in October 2000. For nearly four years, they enjoyed a blessed relationship at their home in Larksfield Place in Wichita. Jeanette is survived by her husband, Fred; her sons, Bruce and Charles of Phoenix and Wichita, respectively; and three grandchildren, Gaylan, Tim and David. Funeral services will at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 29, 2004, in Trinity Episcopal Church in El Dorado. Memorials have been established with Trinity Episcopal Church, 400 Ash St., El Dorado, KS 67042, and Larksfield Health Care Center, 2828 N. Governeour, Wichita, KS 67226.
Rickman, Mary M., (Brown)
Rickman, Mary M., (Brown), 89, homemaker, died Tuesday, December 7, 2004. Service 1:00 P.M., Saturday, St. James Episcopal Church. Mrs. Rickman was a member of the Junior League, the Garden Club and Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She was also active for many years in a weekly gin rummy group and for nearly 30 years in a Saturday night social group. Preceded in death by first husband, George McKibbin Brown, daughter, Lynn Culver, and sister, Helen McClary. Survivors: husband, Dean Rickman; children and spouses, Beccy Vaughan of K.C., MO, Sally Brown Crank of Denver, CO, George and Melissa Brown of Eugene, OR, John and Ofra Brown of Tel Aviv, Israel and Tom and Susan Brown of Austin, TX; step-children and spouses, Jim and Diana Rickman, Whit and Kim Rickman and Patti Rickman; 13 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren. A memorial has been established with St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS, 67208. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
Hingston, Dennis Edmond
MAIZE - Hingston, Dennis Edmond. Visitation with the family, 6-8 P.M., Friday; service, 10 A.M. Saturday, both at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Dennis passed away, Thursday, December 9, 2004. He was 56. He retired from the Kansas Air National Guard as a Master Sergeant. Dennis loved the outdoors. He enjoyed horseback riding, scuba diving, and playing his guitar on the porch. Preceded in death by his mother, Betty (Dennis) Hingston. Survivors: wife, Betty; son, Daniel Hingston and his wife, Joy, and granddaughter, Samantha, of Elmore, OH; daughter, Heather Hingston of Maize; father, Thomas B. Hingston of Oak Harbor, WA. Memorial established with American Cancer Society, 435 S. Broadway, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67202.
Richstatter, Paul Joseph
Richstatter, Paul Joseph, 76, retired Colonial Floors installation mechanic, died Thursday, December 9, 2004. Rosary, 7 P.M., Monday; service, 1 P.M., Tuesday, both at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Preceded in death by parents, Otto and Rose Richstatter. Survivors: wife, Sammie; son, Brian (Jessi) Richstatter of Coffeyville; brother, Reverend Thomas Richstatter of St. Meinrad, IN; sisters, Isabell DeBacker of Independence, MO, and Viola Norfleet of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Chandler and Jenna Richstatter. Memorial established with The Salvation Army, 350 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.
Wheat Edward M.
Wheat, Edward M., 67, retired Boeing Industrial Engineer, died Friday, December 10, 2004. Visitation 4:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. Service 10:30 A.M., Monday, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Edward was a board member at Tallgrass Country Club and WGA and was a volunteer at KGA. He played tournament golf in Kansas and Oklahoma. Preceded in death by son, Michael Edward Wheat and son-in-law, Neal France. Survivors: wife, Phyllis; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathryn and Gary Seamster of Wichita, Margaret and Ray Youngs of Derby and Patricia France of Wichita; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Eunice Wheat of K.C., MO and William and Pauline Wheat of Parsons; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with Victory In The Valley, 3755 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS, 67218 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS, 67202.
Eck, Orestes L. "Rusty"
Eck, Orestes L. “Rusty”, 76, former owner of Rusty Eck Ford, died Friday, December 10, 2004, after quietly fighting cancer for the past year complaining to no one. He was an entrepreneur, a businessman, and a philanthropist, and loved this community deeply. He spent most of his life giving back to the community. Vigil service, 7 P.M., Sunday; service, 10 A.M., Monday, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Preceded in death by parents, John and Anna (Thimmesch) Eck; brothers, Alphons, Urban, Reverend Vincent and Joe Eck. Survivors: wife, Joan; sons and daughter-in-law, Les and Pam Eck, Steven Eck; daughters and son-in-law, Jane Blasi, Diana and Troy Pfaff, all of Wichita; brothers, Reverend Reinhard Eck of Andale, Reverend Ivan Eck of Ost, George Eck of McLean, TX; sisters, Mary Scripsick of Sharon, Jo Ann Becker of Garden Plain, Ida Rau of Wichita; grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, and Christy Eck, Nathan and Nicholas Blasi, Johanna, Michaela, Keaton, Trinity and Cadence Pfaff; step-grandchildren, Zachary and Nikita Fugate. Memorials established with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Building Fund, 645 N. 119th St. W., Wichita, KS 67235, Hospice Care of Kansas, 3241 E. Victor Pl., Wichita, KS 67208, St. Joseph Ost Education Fund, 13015 E. Maple Grove Rd., Mt. Hope, KS 67108, Victory In The Valley, 3755 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.
Finn, Leo J.
Finn, Leo J., 88, retired owner of Finn’s, Inc., a local cabinet and appliance distributorship, died Friday, December 10, 2004. A rosary will be offered at St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday, December 14, at 7:30 P.M. The funeral Mass will be at St. Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday, December 15, at 10:30 A.M. Leo was born in Carroll, NE and graduated from Wayne State College in 1938. He married Wilma Chichester, his wife of 65 years, and they had seven children: Dick (Tanya) and Tom (Denice) of Kansas City, MO; Patrick (Rose) and John (Linda) of Wichita, Jane of Greenwich, CT, Rosemary of Dallas and Natalie Groff (Steve) of Chandler, AZ. He had nineteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Leo was the oldest of seven children. His five living siblings are brothers, John (Marge) of Wichita, Richard (Edna) of Alpine, TX, Dean of Omaha, NE and sisters, Ellen Lantaff and Betty Budler (Chuck) of Sun City, AZ. Brother Gene died in 1979. Leo was past president of the Wichita Serra Club, member of the Builders Association, Knights of Columbus and Rolling Hills Country Club. He was an avid golfer and bridge player. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with Georgetown Village, 1655 S. Georgetown, Wichita, KS, 67218. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
Harris, Orpha Glee
Harris, Orpha Glee, 76, homemaker, died Monday, December 13, 2004. Service 2:00 P.M., Thursday, Plymouth Congregational Church. Survivors: husband, Frank; sons and daughters-in-law, Marc and Kim Harris and Kirc and Mary Harris, all of Wichita; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Lo Ree Beeler of Lawrence, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS, 67202 and Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N. Clifton, Wichita, KS, 67208. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East.
Bouska, Shane Thomas
Bouska, Shane Thomas, 23, Wichita State University student, died Monday, December 13, 2004. Vigil service, 7:00 P.M., Friday; service, 10:00 A.M., Saturday, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Graveside service, 3:00 P.M., Saturday, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Wilson, KS. Preceded in death by grandparents, Frank and Christine Bouska of Wilson, KS. Survivors: parents, Charles and Sally Bouska of Wichita; brothers and sister-in-law, Seth and Kim of Hillsboro, OR, Scott of Lawrence, Sasha of Wichita; grandparents, Lyle and Merilee Berry of Hooker, OK. Godparents, Gordon and Carla Lee of Wichita. Memorial: The Shane Thomas Bouska Varsity Baseball Memorial Fund for Wichita East and Bishop Carroll High Schools. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.
Hanks, Dorothy M.
Hanks, Dorothy M., 92, died Saturday, December 18, 2004. Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 23, 2004, at Kechi United Methodist Church. Dorothy was born May 31, 1912 to Arthur F. and Florence (Cone) Gulliver, in Bloomfield, NE. She was preceded in death by husband Ross B. Hanks, Sr. Survivors include son, Ross, and daughter, Nancy Hanks Meeker; brother, Arthur W. Gulliver; sister, Mary Ellen Marx; grandchildren, Jeanne and Frank Daharsh, Robert B. and Patricia Meeker; great-grandchildren, Chelsea and Joshua Meeker, and Christopher Daharsh. Moving to Wichita in 1941, Dorothy served the World War II effort as a worker on the Mother’s Shift at Cessna Aircraft. Following the war, Dorothy obtained additional degrees and certifications at Wichita University (BA in Education), Emporia State Teacher’s College (MA in Counseling and Psychology), Pittsburg State College (School Psychologist Certification), and Parsons State Hospital and Training Center (Psychology). She taught elementary classes in Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools. In 1962, she became school psychologist and counselor for the Wichita Board of Education, serving many schools throughout the city. Dorothy was an active leader in many organizations, including the Sedgwick County Mental Health Association, Kansas State Mental Health Association, Chair of that organization’s Children’s Committee, and appeared before the state legislature on behalf of children and youth. Dorothy and Ross, Sr. shared a passion for music, frequently performing together in string ensembles. Later in life, Dorothy composed music for handbells. An Active member of Kechi United Methodist Church, Dorothy served as editor of the church newsletter, gathering information and seeing it was distributed to many area newspapers, radio stations, and television stations. Memorials have been established with the Kechi United Methodist Church, 257 W. Kechi Rd., Kechi, KS, 67067 and The Mental Health Association for South Central for Children’s Mental Health, 555 N. Woodlawn, S-3105, Wichita, KS 67208.
