Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Walter “Cocky” Johns
Walter Herman “Cocky” Johns, age 86, died Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at his residence in Georgetown, CO.
He was born on September 20, 1917, in Manhattan, KS, the son of Josephine (Wylli) and Joseph Lincoln Johns.
Walter attended the Manhattan schools and was captain of the 1935 football team and a member of Future Farmers of America. With his brother Jim, he owned and operated Johns Creamery at 811 N. Third until 1976. He was a member of the Elks and Masonic Lodge of Manhattan. He loved the outdoors and sports and while in Manhattan he had a small herd of Black Angus cattle at Lake Elbo.
He married Emily Elizabeth Bowles in September of 1937. She preceded him in death in 1978. He later married Frances Van Wie. She survives of the home.
Walter moved to Georgetown, CO in 1977. He owned and operated a Stuff n Such antique shop. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John Johns, a sister, Marie Leonard, three infant children and a daughter, Rebecca Lynn.
In addition to his wife, survivors include , one son; Charles Johns and his wife Connie of Lake Como, FL, three step-children; Kathy Leighton and her husband Henry, Marilynn Pagano and her husband Bob, and Mark Taylor, one brother; Jim Johns and his wife June, six grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, at the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.
The family will greet friends at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home on Friday, at 9:00 A.M. and then form a procession to go to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to the donor’s choice. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
DOROTHY DEAN MILLER
Dorothy Dean Miller, age 85, of Manhattan, died Tuesday, February 10, 2004, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
She was born on May 7, 1918, in Manhattan, Kansas, the daughter of George A. and Minerva (Blachly) Dean. She was raised in Manhattan where she was a graduate of Manhattan High School in 1936 and earned her B.S. degree, with honors, from Kansas State Agricultural College in 1940.
On February 14, 1942, in Manhattan, Kansas, she was united in marriage to Ralph L. Miller. This coming Saturday would have been their 62nd anniversary.
During World War II, Ralph went off to serve his country while Dorothy went to Kansas University Medical Center to receive training to become an X-Ray Medical Technician. She was the head x-ray technician at Kansas University Medical Center from 1942 until 1945.
Following the war, Ralph returned and they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where they made their home for the next ten years.
In 1957, they returned to Manhattan, and in 1961 Ralph purchased the College Drug Store, which then became Miller Pharmacy. Dorothy managed Miller Pharmacy until the time of their retirement, in 1993.
Dorothy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Other memberships included the T.P.M. club, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and the Knitters Club. She enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of a monthly bridge club. She also enjoyed needlework and taught needlework for the University for Man for several years. Mrs. Miller was an avid reader and enjoyed animals especially their family pets. She also loved to travel and take Sunday drives where she developed a passion for old barns. She would photograph barns as well as collect miniatures and barn memorabilia. She enjoyed giving presentations on barns to various organizations in the community. In recent years she had donated her collection to the Agricultural Hall of Fame at Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband, Ralph, of the home. Other survivors include four children: Dorothy Dean Miller, II, of Dodge City, Kansas, Anna Christina Baisinger and her husband Gary of Yakima, Washington, David Eugene Miller and his wife Rhonda of Nashville, Tennessee and Kathleen Adelle Lemke and her husband Michael of Lansing, Kansas; and six grandchildren. She is also survived locally by two nieces: Elisabeth and her husband Richard Vanderlip and Dottie Nonamaker.
She was preceded in death by four brothers and sisters: Helen Dean, Marjorie Nonamaker, and George and Paul Dean.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held 2:00 P.M. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan with Rev. R. Cam McConnell officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Sunset Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the First Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Hazel Jean Krekel
Hazel Jean Krekel, age 67, of Manhattan, died peacefully on Saturday afternoon, February 14, 2004, at the Meadowlark Hills Honstead House in Manhattan, Kansas. She had been battling a malignant brain tumor that was diagnosed August 15, 2003.
She was born on April 3, 1936, in Agnos, Arkansas the daughter of John Henry and Virginia Frances (Mills) Smith. She was the youngest of seven children.
Mrs. Krekel was a life-long member of the Church of Christ and for the last 30 years worshipped with the Dickens Avenue Congregation in Manhattan. Her passion for her faith was shown not only through her church life by being involved in many benevolent activities through the past several years, but also in her daily life. She was a spiritual mentor and a wonderful Christian example to many people with whom she came in contact with throughout her life. She found great enjoyment in helping others and was a faithful friend to many. Hazel had four children of her own but many more “adopted children” too numerous to name. Hazel was also a loving and dedicated homemaker and mother to her children and grandchildren. Later in life after her children were grown she worked for J.C. Penny’s for eight years until retiring in 1999.
Hazel was united in marriage to Robert Wesley Krekel on October 1, 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri. They were married for 48 years and he still lives in their home in Manhattan. Other survivors include: one son, David Krekel and his wife Y-Vonna of Buhler, Kansas; and three daughters: Judy Wendland and her husband Mark of Topeka, Kansas; Mary Blake and her husband Marco of Kansas City, Missouri; and Debbie Kuhlman and her husband James of Great Bend, Kansas; her brother: William Clifton Smith of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and eleven grandchildren; Katherine Anne Krekel, Benjamin David Krekel, Clarissa Jean Krekel, Christian Taylor Wendland, Jarrett Thomas Wendland, Marissa Lynne Blake, Aric Bradley Blake, Jaime Michelle Kuhlman, Jacob Wesley Kuhlman, Jessica Lyn Kuhlman and Justin Donald Kuhlman.
Mrs. Krekel was preceded in death by five sisters; Mary Bell Smith, Annie Bell Smith, Orbree Lee Smith, Nova Earline Smith and Eletha Euleen Taylor and by one grand child; Daniel Lee Krekel.
Friends may call anytime beginning Tuesday afternoon and all day on Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 6:00 until 9:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home at 1616 Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, Kansas.
Memorial services will be held 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 19, 2004 at the Manhattan Church of Christ, 2510 Dickens Avenue. Mrs. Krekel has chosen to be cremated.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the Maude Carpenter Children’s Home in Wichita, Kansas or to a charity of the donor’s choice in Hazel Krekel’s name. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poytnz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 or the Manhattan Church of Christ, 2510 Dickens Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Cecelia J. “Ceal” Riat
Cecelia J. “Ceal” Riat, age 88 of Manhattan, died Monday morning February 16, 2004 at St. Joseph Village in Manhattan.
She was born on March 19, 1915 in Flush, Kansas the daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Voelker) Helget.
Cecelia was a graduate of Flush High School. She worked for 17 years at the St. Mary Hospital in Manhattan in the OB Nursery and later sold permits at Tuttle Creek State Park. Her memberships include Seven Dolors Catholic Church and Seven Dolors Catholic Women.
She married Mark Riat on November 30, 1940 in Flush, KS. He survives.
Additional survivors include a daughter, Linda Lake of Manhattan, three sons Ronald Riat of Woodbine, Kansas, Michael Riat of Arcadia, Oklahoma and Randy Riat of Manhattan, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, five brothers and a great-grandson.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan with Fr. Michael Elanjimattathil and Msgr. Armand Girard as Celebrants. Interment will follow in the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.
A rosary service will be held at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Joseph Village and Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Kenneth Wayne Parker
Kenneth Wayne Parker, age 80, died February 15, 2004, at his residence.
He was born September 10, 1923, in Manhattan, the son of Orville O. and Cora K. (Kimble) Parker, and had lived in the Ashland Bottoms Community since he was five years old.
Mr. Parker was a farmer and rancher. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1942 and received his State Farmer Degree from Future Farmers of America. He later attended and graduated from Kansas State Agricultural College in 1958 with his bachelors in Agricultural Economics.
He was a member of Ashland Community Church. He served as a leader of Ashland Boosters 4-H Club, several terms on the Riley County Planning Board, several terms on the Riley County Farm Bureau Association in numerous positions including president, as secretary for the Board of Ashland Community Church, and was a charter member of the Kaw Valley Rodeo Club.
Mr. Parker loved having a large family and enjoyed spending time with them. He also was an avid reader and his family thinks he had read over 90% of the books in the Manhattan Public Library, and he also enjoyed playing cards.
On August 2, 1947, in Manhattan, he married Bernis E. Graves. Mrs. Parker survives of the home. Additional survivors include seven children: Wayne L. Parker and his wife Margaret of Westmoreland, Deanna K. Selby and her husband Kenneth of Manhattan, Carol A. Mortimer and her husband Robert of Manhattan, David A. Parker and his wife Tamala of Riley, Douglas E. Parker and his wife Ruth of Manhattan, Daryl L. Parker and his wife Michelle of Manhattan, and Candy C. Rudolph and her husband James of Manhattan; 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by one brother, Charles O. Parker in 1997.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Pastors Paul Barkey and Dale Levering officiating. Interment will follow in Ashland Cemetery south of Manhattan.
The family of Mr. Parker will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ashland Community Church or Homecare & Hospice, Inc. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Kenneth D. Cordry
Kenneth D. Cordry, age 73, of Manhattan, died February 18, 2004, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
He was born May 30, 1930, in Mahaska, Kansas, the son of Burton B. and Stella Ferne (Hamilton) Cordry, and had been a Manhattan resident since 1951.
Mr. Cordry graduated from Narka High School.
He was a carpentry supervisor for Bayer Construction for 21 years, retiring in 1988.
His hobbies included coin collecting, woodworking and miniature trains.
On August 2, 1953, in Diller, Nebraska, he married Joyce D. Freitag. Mrs. Cordry survives of Manhattan. Additional survivors include two children: Gail L. Brown and her husband Greg, of Overland Park, KS, and Kevin D. Cordry of Gilbert, Arizona; three brothers: Harold Cordry of Florissant, CO, Delbert Cordry of Abilene, TX, and Alan Cordry of Manhattan, KS; two sisters: Louise Coffey of Augusta, KS, and Barbara Meier of Manhattan, KS; and two grandchildren: David and Danny Brown.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by one sister, Lois Jennings.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Kevin Larson officiating. Interment will follow in Valley View Memorial Gardens Cemetery east of Manhattan.
The family of Mr. Cordry will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Arlene Ione Pittenger
Arlene Ione Pittenger, age 81, died February 19, 2004 in the Honstead House at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.
She was born on May 30, 1922, in Omaha, NE, the daughter of Charles and Clara (Witte) Hadan.
On August 28, 1943, she was married to Thad H. Pittenger, Jr. in Dallas, TX. He preceded her in death on March 31, 2003.
Arlene was a homemaker and a member of the First Lutheran Church.
She is survived by one son; Tom Pittenger of Manhattan, KS, two daughters; Julie McCullough of Lancaster, PA and Susie Robetorye of San Antonio, TX, two sisters; Bernette Hamel and Myra Lee Christiansen, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 23, 2004 at the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Keith Weins officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established for the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research. Memorials may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Isla Irene King
Isla Irene King, age 90, died Wednesday, February 18, 2004, at Holton Manor, Holton, Kansas.
She was born March 6, 1913, in Frankfort, Kansas, the daughter of Elva and Bessie (Niegberger) Holliday. She had lived most of her life in Manhattan, and moved to Holton in 1999.
Mrs. King had worked at J.C. Penney’s and Duckwall’s in Manhattan.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Home Demonstration Unit, Thimble Club, and a former member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha.
On June 10, 1933, in Junction City, KS, she married William C. “Bill” King. He preceded her in death on September 21, 1995.
Survivors include two daughters: Donna J. Reed of Lubbock, Texas, and Wilma Springer of Reno, Nevada; a special niece Sandy Studebaker and her husband Jim of Holton, KS, five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several other nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by a sister Frances Murphy, and two brothers Lawrence and George Holliday.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, at the Sunrise Cemetery with Reverend Jim Reed officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 P.M. Monday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. A procession will be formed to leave for the cemetery at 1:45 P.M. from the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Donald T. Holmberg
Donald Theodore Holmberg, age 82, Randolph, died Thursday, February 19, 2004 at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community.
He was born on June 24, 1921 in Randolph, KS, the son of Ernest C. and Delpha Ethel (Peterson) Holmberg.
Donald was a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service and a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp. He was an avid gardener, golfer, and a member of the Randolph United Methodist Church, Rural Letter Carrier’s Association, American Legion and the Rural Letter Carrier’s Million Mile Club.
On July 12, 1942, in Wichita, KS, he married Mary Maxine Vaughn. She preceded him in death in 1992.
Survivors include two daughters; Debra Myers and her husband Joe of Manhattan, Dianne Rasmusson and her husband Dave of Austin, TX, one son; Donald D. Holmberg and his wife Colene of Larned, KS, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Ernest Holmberg.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at the Randolph United Methodist Church with the Reverends Michael and Sharlan Graber officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Randolph/Fancy Creek Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until the service time at the church on Tuesday.
A memorial has been established for the Donald T. Holmberg Memorial Fund. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Edith Neola Hofman
Edith Neola Hofman, daughter of John Lewis (J.L.) and Minnie (Busch) Hofmann, was born September 7, 1906, at the farm home north of St. George. She died February 20, 2004, at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Home in Wamego.
Edith graduated from St. George High School in 1925. She attended the College of Emporia (then the Emporia State Teachers College). She taught at the Glenwood School (also known as Cracker Box) just west of St. George; seventh and eight grade in St. George four years and the fifth grade at Wamego, two years. After marriage she substitute taught at St. George.
Edith and Raymond Hofman were married June 1st, 1924 at Lyndon, KS, by Rev. George B. Clay, a former pastor the Mt. Zion E.U.B. Church. She and her husband, Raymond, were active in the organization of the Black Jack 4-H Club and were leaders for a number of years.
She was a charter member of the St. George Extension Unit, which was organized in 1947.
She was a charter member of the College Avenue United Methodist Church, Manhattan, KS.
Raymond and Edith lived on a farm west of St. George for ten years before purchasing their farm on the Flush Road. The Hofman’s moved from their farm of fifty years the Valley Vista in 1993.
She is survived by a granddaughter, Wendy Neary of Trussville, Alabama; her great grandson, Steven Neary also of Trussville; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond; and by four brothers: Fred, Wallace, Lawrence and Wilbur.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home with Reverends Larry Fry and Nancy Gammill officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Vista Good Samaritan Home. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
