Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Faye Vivian Pittenger
Faye Vivian Pittenger, age 80, died March 7, 2004, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.
She was born December 31, 1923, in Wheaton, Kansas, the daughter of Lucern and Nan (Godlove) Holder. She grew up in Westmoreland area and graduated from Westmoreland High School in 1941.
Mrs. Pittenger was married to Lou L. Pittenger on December 17, 1941, in Washington, Kansas. They lived in Wheaton for several years before moving to Westmoreland.
She helped with the cream station with her husband and then worked for the Pottawatomie County Treasurer’s Office for more than 30 years, and served several terms as Treasurer.
Mrs. Pittenger was a member of the Westmoreland United Methodist Church, County Treasurer’s Association, and a former member of the Westmoreland Service Club.
Her family was the most important part of her life and she enjoyed celebrating all family occasions. She enjoyed helping people, sewing, and eating out.
She was preceded in death by her husband on March 30, 1993, and by one sister, Rosemarie Prockish.
Survivors include one daughter: Reita Currie and her husband Jack of Manhattan; two grandchildren: Robin Rodgers and her husband Mike of Liberal, and Jeffrey Currie of Manhattan; and three sisters: Betty Whitacre of Topeka, Pat Clark of Silver Lake, and Janie Velen of Topeka.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home with Pastor Dale Levering officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
The family of Mrs. Pittenger will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Meadowlark Hills Foundation or American Diabetes Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Alice Marie Kastner
Alice Marie Kastner, age 103, died Monday, March 8, 2004. She was the oldest daughter of John Simpson and Myra Florence (Chandler) Hays and had been a lifetime Manhattan area resident.
Mrs. Kastner was retired from 28 years with the Saint Mary’s Hospital followed by many years as a volunteer. She was a lifetime member of the historical society and an 83 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was the oldest living member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of various clubs and held offices as well as a volunteer.
On October 21, 1919, in Westmoreland, KS, she was united in marriage to Aldie Merritt Kastner. He preceded her in death on April 1, 1949. She was also preceded in death by two sisters; Maleta Hays in 1942 and Mary Staten on December 31, 2003, two brothers; Leonard Hays in 1961 and Gilbert Hays in 1908 and by one son; Donald Lewis Kastner on May 21, 2002.
She is survived by a son; Denzil D. Kastner and his wife Ilene of Leesburg, FL, a daughter; Dorris Beckenhauer and her husband Dr. Neil Beckenhauer of Manhattan, a sister; Elnore B. Staten of Randolph, KS, four grandchildren; Sharron Klingel of Princeton, IL, Dr. Dwane Beckenhauer of Pittsburg, KS, Kathi Viola of Bogata, NJ and David Kastner of Effingham, IL and seven great-grandchildren; Dr. Greg and Shawn Klingel, Michelle and Danny Viola, Dana, Sara and David Beckenhauer.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, March 12, 2004 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Rev. R.C. McConnell officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials have been established for the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, American Heart Association or the American Legion Auxiliary. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Sandra R. “Boots” Polegay
Sandra R. “Boots” Polegay, age 66, of Ogden, died March 6, 2004, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
She was born July 30, 1937, in Superior, Montana, the daughter of Charles D. and Dorothy L. (Smith) Talbott, and had been an Ogden resident since 1993.
Sandra was a graduate of Southwestern Oregon Community College with an Associates Degree, she worked as a clerk for the city court in Junction City, KS.
She was a member of Ogden Friendship House in Ogden and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons: Terry Polegay of Coos Bay, Oregon, and Robert Polegay, Jr. of Winchester, Idaho; her mother: Dorothy Talbott of Ogden, four brothers: Gary Talbott, Gerald Talbott and Donald Talbott all of Ogden, and John Talbott of Henniker, NH; two sisters: Sharon Hull of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Sheila Glidden of Vacaville, CA; and two grandsons: Bret and Brad Polegay.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Dennis Talbott.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Ogden Friendship House united Methodist Church with Judy Atwood, Diaconal Minister, officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Ogden.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ogden Friendship House Building Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Theodore H. “Ted” Vogelsang
Theodore H. “Ted” Vogelsang, age 91, of Manhattan, died Saturday morning, March 13, 2004, at the St. Joseph Village in Manhattan.
He was born on February 23, 1913, in Rochester, New York the son of Charles Emil and Lillian (Burton) Vogelsang. He had been a Manhattan resident for the past 23 years, moving here from Wyckoff, New Jersey.
Mr. Vogelsang was retired from Cargill Company, as the district sales manager of the salt division, which served parts of New York and New Jersey. He was later employed for 10 years at Waters True Value Hardware in Manhattan.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan where he served as an usher for many years. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Rolling Meadows Golf Course in Junction City. In addition he was a skilled woodworker and was affectionately known as a “Mr. Fix-it” in the community, volunteering his help for various projects. He also enjoyed being a photographer.
On November 20, 1938, in Weehawken, New Jersey, he was united in marriage to the former Adele Bleisteiner. She survives of the home. Also surviving are two sons: Douglas Vogelsang and his wife Janette of Junction City, Kansas and Bruce Vogelsang and his wife Aana of Mill Valley, California. Four grandchildren: Julie Switzer, Susan Barth, Diane Gonzalez and Benn Vogelsang and four great-grandchildren: Aaron and Emma Barth and Sam and Jessie Switzer.
Mr. Vogelsang was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Vogelsang and by one sister Alice Van Laarhaven.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jim Reed officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
On-line condolences may be left for the family by clicking on the send condolences button at the top or bottom of this web page.
A memorial has been established for the First United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Norma Faye Cassell
Norma Faye Cassell, age 83, of Liberty, Missouri, died March 13, 2004, at Liberty Hospital.
She was born February 20, 1921, in Beatrice, Nebraska, the daughter of Fred and Cora (Rudder) McCown. She grew up in Clay Center, Kansas, and graduated from high school in 1939. She had lived in Manhattan for many years and then lived in Oregon prior to moving to the Kansas City area.
Mrs. Cassell was a homemaker.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Manhattan Coin Club.
Norma and her husband Mutt enjoyed antiques, fishing, gardening and yard work.
On November 28, 1941, in Alma, Kansas, she was married to Marion L. “Mutt” Cassell. He preceded her in death on July 12, 2002.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandi White of Perry, KS; one son, Steve Cassell of Kansas City, MO; two brothers: Vernon McCown of Lebanon, OR, and Jack McCown of Lake Oswego, OR; one sister, Charlotte Jean Johnson of Brooks, OR; one half brother, Freddie McCown and one half sister, Amy Hayes both of Lebanon, OR; 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Cremation is planned. Graveside services for Mutt and Norma will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday at Valley View Memorial Gardens Cemetery east of Manhattan with Reverend Jim Reed officiating. Family and friends are invited to meet at 1:30 P.M. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home to form a procession.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or Children’s Mercy Hospital. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Gloria F. Borg
Gloria F. Borg, age 78, of Manhattan, died March 17, 2004, at St. Joseph Village in Manhattan with her family at her side. Gloria fought a valiant battle to live following a severe heart attack on December 29th, 2002. Gloria was born August 7, 1925, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Aldon R. and Helen A. Samuelson. She grew up in Blue Rapids and graduated from Blue Rapids High School.
Gloria married Leonard Borg June 13th, 1943, in Manhattan. In 1944, the couple moved to Hastings, Nebraska where they both worked for the Naval Ammunition Depot. In the fall of 1945, they moved back to the Manhattan area to farm. In addition to being a farm wife, Gloria also worked for Production Credit in downtown Manhattan. In 1955, she began work for the membership department at Kansas Farm Bureau where she worked for 32 years, retiring in 1987.
Gloria was a member of Blue Valley Memorial United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school for many years. She also taught Sunday School at Strong School where classes met prior to the church building’s move to Manhattan. Gloria loved playing progressive pitch games at Green Valley, Zeandale and Riley County Seniors’ Service Center. She was an expert at solving crossword puzzles from the Manhattan Mercury. She was an avid gardener, and canned many quarts of fruits and vegetables. In later years, she turned her attention to flower gardening and especially enjoyed daylilies and iris. Gloria loved attending her granddaughters sporting and musical activities and she also had many beloved pets during her life.
Gloria’s family said she had a heart of gold and a smile that could light up a room. Gloria was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be missed more than words can express.
Survivors include her husband Leonard of the home; one daughter, Donna Smith and her husband Delbert and one granddaughter, Carmen Smith, all of Manhattan, and several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Rob Nore officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery southeast of Manhattan.
The family of Mrs. Borg will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Valley Memorial United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
John C. Brown
John C. Brown, 85, Manhattan, died March 17, 2004 at the Mercy Regional Health Center.
He was born in rural Palco, KS on September 9, 1918, the son of Logan O. and Jessie (Keith) Brown.
John was a farmer and rancher and worked for the Sheridan County Highway Department until his retirement.
On July 26, 1939, in Hill City, KS, he was married to Stella Irene Miller for 64 years. She survives of the home.
In addition to his wife, survivors include, three children; Charles Brown and his wife Judy of Manhattan, KS, Lola Taylor of Manhattan, KS and Johnnie Brown and his wife Sue of Fort Lupton, CO, eight grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Larry, one granddaughter, three brothers and two sisters.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 3, 2004 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel.
A memorial has been established for the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Lloyd Wendell Davenport
Lloyd Wendell Davenport, age 81, of Manhattan, died August 3, 2003, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
He was born October 12, 1921, in Riley, Kansas, the son of William Ross and Leona Elizabeth (Willis) Davenport.
Lloyd served with the U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces in the Pacific theater his entire WWII service from 1941 to 1945. He served on the Amphibious Assault Ship USS J. Franklin Bell. He was a Gunners Mate and captain of a landing craft. Before invasions he worked as a “Frogman” in the underwater demolition teams preparing the beaches for invasion.
Following his military service he worked at Kansas State University’s Department of Housing as the Physical Plant Director from 1946 until his retirement in 1984.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1786 in Manhattan.
Lloyd enjoyed woodworking, making wine and clocks.
On June 18, 1948 in Manhattan, he was married to Marilyn F. Burt. Mrs. Davenport survives of the home. Additional survivors include three children: Teresa Morse and her husband Richard of San Andreas, CA, Stacy Chapman and her husband Joseph of Fountain, CO, and Timothy Davenport and his wife Mary of Manhattan; three brothers: Gilbert of Junction City, Ross of Manhattan, and Warren of Tecumseh; three sisters: Violet Oppenlander of Manhattan, Bonnie Quinn of Wamego, and Gayle Elliot of Independence, MO; and nine grandchildren: Jennifer, Steven and Michael Morse, Eli, Ona, Isabel and Ezra Chapman, and Katy and Emily Davenport.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by four siblings: Everett and Leo Davenport, Alberta Devoe and Ruby Threewit.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, August 8th, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Reverend Tom Miles officiating. Private family inurnment will be in Grandview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to 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.
Donald Rogers Zahnley
Donald Rogers Zahnley, age 64, of Manhattan, died June 3, 2004, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
He was born February 19, 1940, in Manhattan, the second son of James Walter and Hazel L. (Anderson) Zahnley.
Don graduated from Manhattan High School in 1958. He then served for four years in the United States Marine Corps. Following his military service he returned to Manhattan and attended Kansas State University, graduating in January 1966 with his degree in Business.
He worked for the Coleman Company for several years prior to becoming a Federal Bank Examiner, retiring in February 1995.
Don had lived in Topeka and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and returned to Manhattan 8 years ago.
He was an avid supporter of the KSU Women’s Basketball Program, and was a very active KSU Alumni supporter. He also enjoyed golf and other sports.
Survivors include his brother, James Zahnley and his wife Beverly Schneider, of Oakland, CA; four nephews: Tim and Paul Zahnley, Paul and Charles Schneider; and three great nephews: Ethan Zahnley, Benjamin and Brandon Schneider.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Jim Reed officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Valley View Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Manhattan.
Don’s family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the KSU Women’s Basketball. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Howard Kemp Caskey
Howard Kemp Caskey, age 53, of Manhattan, died June 10, 2004 at his residence.
He was born on July 29, 1950, in Mobile, AL, the son of Lawrence Lowell and Sylvia Mary (Kemp) Caskey.
On November 1, 1999, he married Janita Kay Smith in Kansas City. She survives of the home.
Howard served in the U.S. Air Force for one year and the U.S. Army for twenty years. He earned numerous medals and served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. While in the army he received a National Defense Service Medal with a bronze star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. After his retirement from the military, he worked as a tech support for Wang, a computer consulting company.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his father; a daughter, Christina of Reno, NV; a brother, Martin Kemp Caskey of Paso Robles, CA; a son, Aaron of Atchison, KS and two grandchildren, Alexis and Austin of Atchison, KS.
He was preceded in death by his mother.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 16, 2004 at the Fort Riley Cemetery with full military honors.
Family and friends are invited to meet at the funeral home at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday to form a procession to the cemetery.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502 is handling the arrangements.
