Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Violet Rose Oppenlander
Violet Rose Oppenlander, age 88, of Manhattan, died January 18, 2004, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
She was born June 19, 1915, in Riley, Kansas, the daughter of Ross and Leona (Willis) Davenport.
Violet was a cook for fraternities and sororities at Kansas State University for many years.
She enjoyed family, friends and Senior Citizen trips. She was a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan.
On September 19, 1933, in Manhattan, she was married to Norman Oppenlander in Manhattan, Kansas. He preceded her in death on September 16, 1974. She was also preceded in death by five brothers and sisters.
Surivors include two sons: Kenneth Oppenlander and his wife Aileen of Manhattan, and Harold Oppenlander and his wife Connie of Strafford, MO; three brothers: Warren Davenport of Topeka, Bill Davenport of Keats, and Gilbert Davenport of Junction City; one sister: Bonnie Quinn of Wamego; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Mrs. Oppenlander willed her body to Kansas University Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday at College Avenue United Methodist Church with Reverend Larry Fry officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Sunset Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to College Avenue United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Norval “Kelly” Neal Hearn, Jr.
Norval “Kelly” Neal Hearn, Jr., age 72, Manhattan, died Sunday, January 18, 2004 at the Mercy Regional Health Center.
He was born on September 22, 1931 in Quincy, KS, the son of Norval Kelly Neal, Sr. and Vera Dell (Ralston) Hearn.
Kelly graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Math and Physics from Emporia State University. He received a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University and went on to teach Electrical and Industrial Engineering at Kansas State University. While in school, he was member of the Phi Delta Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities. Kelly was also a founding member of the Stagg Hill Golf Course
On May 27, 1977 in Manhattan, KS, he was married to Shirley Ann Jennings. She survives of the home.
Additional survivors include five children; Linda Laureen Bagley and her husband Walter of Topeka, KS, Kelly Lynn Hearn and his wife Caryn of Green, KS, Scott Jennings and his wife Linda of Manhattan, KS, Teresa Blair and her husband Matt of Frankfort, KS and Jeff Jennings and his wife Kathy of Manhattan,KS, one brother; Stanley Hearn and his fiancé Lauralee of Emporia, KS, twelve grandchildren; Chris Jennings and his wife Summer, Eric Jennings and his fiancé Michelle, Kelly Hearn, Mallory Jennings, Ashly Hearn, Jordan Jennings, Brittoney Hearn, Lindsay Hearn, Shannon Bagley, Charlotte Hearn, Adam Bagley and Chas Hearn, one great-grandson; Brendon Jennings and the mother of his children; Judith Copp Brady.
He was preceded in death by a son; Hollie Wynn Hearn and a sister; Doris Virginia Selby.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 24, 2004 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the Kelly Hearn Memorial Engineering Scholarship for a Manhattan High School graduate. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Robert Eugene “Bob” Roach
Robert Eugene “Bob” Roach, son of Gavin and Georgia (Atkins) Roach, died January 19, 2004, at his residence in Manhattan.
Bob was born in Great Bend, Kansas, on July 22, 1926, and moved to LaCrosse, Kansas in his first year. He was the youngest of five children. The family moved to Manhattan in 1940.
Bob graduated from Manhattan High School with the class of 1944. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. Bob was employed with Southwestern Bell Telephone for 34 years, retiring in 1982. Following his retirement he worked for Mobile Traveler delivering RV’s, the KSU Safety Programs demonstrating the Safety Belt Convincer, and the National Jazz Association assisting with stage setup.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Elks Lodge, and several antique and classic cars clubs. Bob loved restoring old cars and was especially proud of the 1932 Packard that he owned.
Survivors include his wife Erma L. Roach of the home; one son, David Roach and his wife Colleen of Broomfield, CO, and their daughter, Meghan Roach of Los Angeles, CA; one daughter, Terri Smith and her husband Warren of Denver, CO; one sister, Ruth Malan and her husband Hugh of Pinkneyville, IL; one brother, Paul Roach and his wife Wilda of Sun City, Arizona; and his mother-in-law, Pauline Harlan of Manhattan.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, January 22, 2004, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service until 5:00 P.M. Thursday. Cremation will follow with private family inurnment at a later date in Sunset Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Melba C. Pauli
Melba C. Pauli, age 84, of Manhattan, died January 24, 2004, at Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan.
She was born May 23, 1919, in Longford, Kansas, the daughter of Fred Darmstatter and Laura (Drumm) Darmstatter, and had been a Manhattan resident since 1947.
She graduated from Longford Rural High School in 1937.
After taking the Normal Training courses she taught for 6 years in one-room schools in Clay and Dickinson Counties before leaving the community. She served as a housewife until her family was grown and then served for 20 years with the Kansas State Union Food Service.
She was a charter member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where she served in many responsibilities. She was a Sunday School Teacher and as a musician singing in the Church Choir and for a time was Church Organist as well as Choir Director.
She was an adept knitter and participated in many more craft projects.
On July 25, 1942, in Longford, Kansas, she was married to Ross I. Pauli. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons: Ronald Pauli and his wife Mary of Keats, KS, Richard Pauli and his wife Judy of Columbia, MO; one daughter, Karen Grant and her husband Todd of Santa Barbara, CA; one sister, Dora George of Colby, KS; and four grandchildren: Heather, Cody and Patrick Grant, and Erin Pauli.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the Trinity Presbyterian Church with Reverend Vanessa Potter officiating. Interment will follow in Valley View Memorial Gardens east of Manhattan.
The family of Mrs. Pauli will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Caroline F. Peine
Caroline F. Peine, age 78, of Manhattan, retired assistant dean of student life at Kansas State University and one of the Universities top supporters, died Saturday evening, January 24, 2004, at her residence.
She was born on April 23, 1925, in Manhattan, Kansas the daughter of Arthur F. and Josephine C. (Perry) Peine. Her parents were both faculty members at Kansas State with her father serving as the first director of the Endowment Association for Kansas State College from 1953 until 1956.
Miss Peine was a Manhattan native, graduating from Manhattan High School in 1943. She then attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and in 1947 received her B.A. degree in modern languages. She taught one year in Duluth, Minn., prior to returning to Manhattan to pursue her master’s degree in English. While working on her degree, she was a teaching assistant in the English department.
After receiving her M.S. degree in 1951, she went to work in Wassau, Wis., as a writer for an insurance agency. She returned to Manhattan and to Kansas State where she spent her first year working as a program advisor for the student activity center. In 1961, she was named assistant dean of students and director of the women’s resource center, and held those positions until the time of her retirement in 1990.
Following the lead of her parents, Miss Peine contributed to a wide variety of programs at Kansas State University. These included funds for the college of Human Ecology, the Music Department, and the Beach Museum. In recognition of the Peine family’s leadership and gifts to the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art construction project, the museum is now home to the Peine Curatorial Center for the conservation and research of the University collection. In support of her appreciation for culture and the finer things in life, Miss Peine established the Caroline Peine Museum Endowment, which provides discretionary funds to aid the Marianna Kistler Beach Art Museum in meeting needs not covered under a regular departmental budget. She also established the Caroline F. Peine Music Scholarship, a scholarship designed to aid students studying any curriculum within the department of music. Most recently a beautiful limestone gateway was erected at the southwest entrance to the Kansas State University campus next to the new Alumni Center. The Peine Family Gate was dedicated in October of 2002, and was made possible by a gift from Caroline Peine and her brother Perry Peine, on behalf of their family.
Caroline was quite active in numerous local groups and organizations including: The International Student Center, Music Service Guild, Friends of Art, Friends of the Library, National Endowment for the Humanities, the Landon Lecture Series, the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research and the Marianna Kistler Beach Art Museum Visitors Board. She was also a member of the K.S.U. Foundation Presidents Club and it’s Board of Trustees, served on the Board of First Bank, and served on a committee with the Columbian Theatre.
Caroline was a tireless worker for the university, its students, and employees. She will be remembered by a large number of students that she worked with when they had academic or personal problems, by parents of these students, and by various groups and individuals she supported. Faculty and staff will remember her for her hard work on various initiatives. Caroline volunteered her time to the Manhattan community and served as a member of the Planning commission for many years.
From attending nursery school at Kansas State University in the 1930s until her retirement 60 years later, Caroline Peine’s life was intertwined with the University. She continued that association and service to the university until her death. Her efforts and many contributions will continue to be enjoyed by all members of this community for many years into the future.
Miss Peine is survived by her brother: Perry C. Peine and his wife Virginia of Denver, Colorado.
Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held 3:00 P.M. Friday at the All Faith’s Chapel at Kansas State University, with a reception to follow at the K.S.U. Alumni Center. Inurnment of the cremains will be in the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Caroline F. Peine Music Scholarship, the Caroline F. Peine Museum Endowment Fund or to the K.S.U. Study Abroad Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
PHIL ANDERSON
Cecil P. “Phil” Anderson, age 61, of Ogden, died January 26, 2004, at St. Francis-Via Christi Hospital in Wichita.
He was born November 1, 1942, in Wilmar, Arkansas, the son of Cecil and Helen (West) Anderson, and had been an area resident since 1982.
Mr. Anderson retired from the United States Army as a First Sgt., and had served two tours in Vietnam. Following his military service he was an evidence technician for the Riley County Police Department.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Eagles Lodge in Manhattan, American Legion in Ogden and ABATE District 15.
On May 24, 1980, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, he was married to Schwanda Bagwell. Mrs. Anderson survives of the home. Additional survivors include three daughters: Shelly Camille Anderson of Dallas, TX, Cecilia J. Anderson of Manhattan, and Krystal Jean Anderson of Ogden; one sister, Carolyn Curry of Warren, Arkansas; one brother, Michael Anderson of Bath, South Carolina; and one granddaughter, Courtney Norris of Dallas.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Mark Waterhouse officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Phil Anderson Memorial Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Sharon K. Roberts
Sharon K. Roberts, age 51, passed away Thursday morning, January 29, 2004, in Manhattan, after an extended illness. She had resided in Manhattan the past 3 years after living in Topeka and spending her childhood in Auburn, Kansas.
She was born on April 19, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas and Esther Dornes Roberts.
Sharon attended Auburn Elementary School prior to being schooled at home in Shawnee Mission. She returned to Topeka and attended the Capper’s school where she gained her GED at age 16. She later worked for the Kansas Department of Human Resources.
Sharon is survived by her mother, Esther Roberts of Manhattan, by one brother: Thomas E. Roberts and his wife Jane of Topeka and by one sister: Bobbie Flaherty and her husband Glassel, of Manhattan. Also surviving are four nieces and nephews: Diane and her husband Tom Sakers, Erin Staggs, and Brad Roberts all of Topeka, Kevin and his wife Jolee Roberts of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and two great nephews: Bryce and Blake Roberts of Ft. Wayne.
She was preceded in death by her father, her grandparents and a great nephew.
Following her wishes she will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 31, 2004, at the Auburn Presbyterian Church. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Auburn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Capper Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Maxine E. “Mickey” King
Maxine E. “Mickey” King, age 85, of Manhattan, died peacefully Monday afternoon, February 2, 2004, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
She was born on May 17, 1918, in Bennington, Kansas the daughter of C. Samuel and Henrietta E. (Schultz) Shoffner.
Mrs. King was a graduate of Kipp High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College and Kansas State University.
She taught school in rural Kansas schools and following her marriage became a homemaker.
Mrs. King has been a Manhattan resident since 1953 where she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and P.E.O. In addition to her memberships she enjoyed gardening and birds and was an avid Kansas State University sports fan. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and friends.
She was united in marriage to Richard F. King, Jr. on October 12, 1941, in Salina, Kansas. He preceded her in death in 1988. She was also preceded in death by her son: Charles R. King, M.D. in 1999, and by a cousin, Evelyn Pauls, who lived with the family; she died in 1970.
Mrs. King is survived by her daughter: Pamela Foreman and her husband Joe Foreman of Topeka, KS, by her daughter-in-law: Lynn King of Manhattan and by two sisters: Deane Cox and her husband Nelson Cox of Englewood, CO and Lou Fredrick of Hutchinson, KS. Also surviving are ten grandchildren: C. Richard King and his wife Marcie Gilliland of Pullman, WA, Jason King and his wife Becky of Lawrence, KS, Seth King of Orlando, FL, Sarah Foreman, Joe Foreman, Jr., Rebekah Foreman, Samuel Foreman, Mary Foreman, Christina Foreman and Andrew Foreman all of Topeka, KS and three great-granddaughters: Abigail Gilliland-King and Ellory Gilliland-King both of Pullman, WA and Kelsey King of Lawrence, KS.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Jim Reed officiating. Private intermenty will be in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
On-line condolences for the family may be left by clicking on "send condolences" at the bottom or top of this website page.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Richard F. and Maxine E. King, Jr. Scholarship Fund at Kansas State University. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Beatrice Olive Pine
Beatrice Olive Pine, age 89, of Manhattan, died February 3, 2004, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
She was born April 20, 1914, in Emmett, Kansas, the daughter of Harvey A. and Elma (Morrow) Lasswell, and had been a Manhattan resident since 1939.
Mrs. Pine graduated from Emmett High School, Kansas State University and the Nursing Program at Kansas University Medical Center. For a short time she practiced as a Registered Nurse.
On September 3, 1939, in Emmett, Kansas, she was married to Wilfred H. Pine. He preceded her in death on March 30, 1995. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by two sons Stephen and David who died in infancy and one great grandchild, Tanner.
She was a homemaker but also enjoyed traveling with her husband to several third world countries. The first of these trips was from 1949 to 1952 in Turkey where she took her children.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Bea quietly enjoyed people and had great concern for children, the poor and the underprivileged. For years she would visit people in the mental health wing of the hospital and would choose those who had no one else. She was always thinking of others. She had many dear friends.
Survivors include one son, Stan Pine and his wife Janie of Kalispell, Montana; one daughter, Janet Pine of Vacaville, California; three grandchildren: Travis Pine and his wife Susanna, Stephanie Pine Girardot and her husband Dave and Michael Franco; and five great grandchildren Gabrielle, Trinity, Abigail, Colter and unborn baby Pine.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, February 7, 2004, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Jim Reed officiating. Internment will be at a later date in Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan. Mrs. Pine donated her body to science at Kansas University Medical Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Service League. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Ronald J. Gould
Ronald J. Gould, age 75, of Manhattan, died Wednesday morning, February 4, 2004, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
He was born on October 26, 1928, in Beloit, Kansas the son of Jay A. and Ina (Lockard) Gould. Ron was raised in Manhattan and graduated from Manhattan High School in 1947.
After serving in the United States Army two years for a short tour of duty in Korea he returned to Manhattan to be a door- to- door milkman for Chappell’s Creamery for ten years. He then became an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance Company for 36 years, retiring in 1999.
Ron’s interests varied, working with wood, developing landscaping and giving many wood cutout’s to children, the sick and friends, which he called “Random Acts of Kindness”. He developed a method of reproducing a person’s autograph in wood, of which he completed over 300. He also developed and patented a bicycle lock and wrote a novel about pirates, which remains unpublished.
Clowns have been a part of Ron’s life for 18 years. He enjoyed dressing up and driving the 1963 pink Cushman in many parades locally. The Gould Clown Troupe was an important part of his life.
Memberships included the Sedalia Community Church of which he served as a Deacon for many years. His devotion to his church showed in his active involvement in the numerous planning and building projects that helped in the growth of the church. Ron was also a life member of the American Legion in Manhattan, and enjoyed the many years spent with his friends in the Vista Coffee Group.
He was united in marriage to Dorothy Rush on October 29, 1950, at K.S.U.’s All Faith’s Chapel in Manhattan. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October of 2000.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy of the home, their three children: Randy Gould and his wife Frances of Livonia, LA, Charles Gould and his wife Karen of Manhattan and Chris Beardsley and her husband Craig also of Manhattan. Two sisters: Lucille Achenbach and her husband Dewayne of St. George, KS and Maxine Mohler and her husband Ferald of Wichita, KS, a sister-in-law: Doris Gould of Tulsa, OK and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, by his step-mother: Mary Gould, and by a step-brother: James Gould.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Kevin Larson officiating. Interment will follow in the Sedalia Cemetery, northwest of Manhattan.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday evening at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Sedalia Community Church and may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
