Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Eva Lucille Johnson
Eva Lucille Johnson, age 85, of Manhattan, died Friday, May 4, 2007, at the Rush County Memorial Hospital Care Center in LaCrosse, Kansas.
She was born on December 27, 1921, in Manhattan, Kansas, the daughter of David C. and Florence Evelyn (Willyard) Smith.
Mrs. Johnson was a longtime Manhattan resident where she graduated from Manhattan High School. She worked in housekeeping at Kansas State University prior to her retirement. Mrs. Johnson had moved to LaCrosse, Kansas earlier this year.
She is survived by four sons: Alvan D. Johnson of Manhattan, Evan Johnson of Aurora, CO, Melvin D. Johnson of Manhattan and Calvin Johnson of Houston, TX, and by three daughters: Kathy Kaler and Sharon Baldon both of Bison, KS and Karen Buckingham of Sterling, IL. One sister: Dorothy Reyer of Manhattan and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive.
Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by two brothers: David C. Smith, Jr. and Merle Smith.
Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan with Reverend Eldon Epp officiating.
Family and friends are invited to meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home to form a procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Cerebral Palsy Research. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Bud Siegle
Bud Siegle, age 77, of Manhattan, died May 6, 2007, at his residence.
He was born April 22, 1930, in Manhattan, the son of Hal and Stella (Blanks) Siegle.
Bud graduated from Manhattan High School in 1949 and then joined the United States Air Force where he served for four years during the Korean Conflict. He later worked for Kansas Farm Bureau as a printer for 32 years, retiring in 1990.
Bud was a member of First Lutheran Church and American Legion Post #17. He enjoyed woodworking, feeding the birds, and taking care of his yard. He was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow and learn.
On October 9, 1955, in the original First Lutheran Sanctuary he was married to the former Darlene Faye Peterson. She survives of the home. Additional survivors include three daughters: Jelane Cook and her husband John of Manhattan, Sheryl Siegle and her partner Vickey Grochowski of Manhattan, and Sandy Siegle of Oakland, CA; one brother, Ross Siegle of Manhattan; one sister, Sherry Ridder of Olsburg, KS; three grandchildren: Andrew and Sarah Cook and Erin Overturf and her husband Wes; one great-granddaughter, Austyn Overturf; and several nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Pat Glenn.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Matthew Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. Wednesday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Marion Virginia Marks
Marion Virginia Marks, age 85, of Manhattan, died May 13, 2007, at Meadowlark Hills Lyle House.
She was born August 30, 1921, in Apple River, Illinois, the daughter of Floyd W. and Caroline L. (Frei) Dunbar. She graduated from Waukesha High School in 1939.
Marion was a beautician from 1939 to 1941 and then joined the Women’s Army Corps from 1941 to 1944 and served in World War II. She later was a bookkeeper for a tax preparation business and assisted in the running of the family businesses which consisted of bowling lanes and grocery stores from 1951 to 1967 in both Oconomowoc and Waukesha.
She was a member of the Oconomowoc Methodist Church and the Elks Lodge.
Marion was an avid golfer and had two holes in one and was also an avid bowler and was inducted as a member of the Oconomowoc Hall of Fame. Marion was a member of the River Green Golf Course at Avon Park, Florida, from 1973 to 2003, where she and John had many memorable moments.
She married John Joseph Connaughton in 1944, they later divorced in 1950. She later married W. John Marks in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 1969. Mr. Marks preceded her in death in 1986. John and Marion spent six months in Florida and six months in Wisconsin during these 17 wonderful years.
Survivors include one son, Jack Connaughton and his wife Georgeann of Manhattan; one granddaughter, Stacey Connaughton and her fiancé John Sherman of West Lafayette, IN; and four step-daughters: Judy, Joyce, Janet and JoAnn.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 15th, at the Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 209 West Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, with Reverend Greg Schrimpf officiating. Inurnment will be in the Glenview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Ixonia, Wisconsin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or Homecare & Hospice, Inc., Manhattan, KS. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, which is handling local arrangements.
Louise Repp Brown
Louise Repp Brown, age 87, died on Thursday May 10, 2007 at the St. Joseph Village, Manhattan, Kansas.
She was born on September 10, 1919 in Flush, Kansas the daughter of Paul J. and Nellie May (White) Repp. After graduating from Manhattan High School, Manhattan, Kansas, she made California her home and worked as a secretary for several prominent companies.
Louise was a talented sketch artist, painter and poet. Give her a bit of yarn and she could crochet anything. She had recently become a resident of St. Joseph’s Village in Manhattan following a hip fracture in September 2006.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter: Molly Louise Ziegenfuss, age 7, infant twins: Kelly Ann Brown and Kevin David Brown; and one sister: Julia Smith.
Survivors include one daughter: Kristy East, Castro Valley, CA; 2 grandchildren; and many other family and friends.
Memorial Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007, at the Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas with Rev. Larry Fry officiating. There will be no visitation, the body was cremated.
Memorials may be made in her name and left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Steve Alan Kraxberger
Steve Alan Kraxberger, age 53, of St. George, Kansas, died Tuesday, May 14, 2007, in Manhattan.
He was born on September 17, 1953, in Dodge City, Kansas, the son of Cletus Francis “Clete” and Helen Joetta “Jo” (Sharp) Kraxberger. Mr. Kraxberger was raised in Dodge City where he was a 1972 graduate of Dodge City High School. He had lived in St. George, Kansas for 30 years, moving to the area from Stover, Missouri.
Locally he had been employed with Harding Glass, Manko Window Systems and Shilling Construction Company.
Mr. Kraxberger was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge of Wamego and loved hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his father of Chanute; one brother, Ken Kraxberger and his wife Karen of Chanute; one niece Hannah; one nephew, Benjamin; aunt and uncle: Nate and Eunice Kraxberger of Winter Haven, FL; cousins: Mike and Greg Kraxberger; the Sharp, Tanner and Volz families; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS, with Reverend Larry Fry officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the services from 10:00 AM until service time.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday at the Stover Cemetery in Stover, Missouri, with Reverend Diane Cutler officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home, 204 West 3rd, Stover, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Steve Kraxberger Memorial Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502 or the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home, 204 West 3rd, Stover, MO 65078.
Lloyd Wayne “Doc” Pottroff
Lloyd Wayne “Doc” Pottroff, DVM, age 84, of Manhattan, died May 17, 2007, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.
He was born July 23, 1922, in Waverly, Kansas, the son of Lloyd S. and Jessie Bell (Fann) Pottroff. Mr. Pottroff graduated from Waverly High School and earned his Doctorate of Veterinarian Medicine from Kansas State University in 1954.
Dr. Pottroff served in private practice in Liberal, Kansas, and Springfield, CO, from 1954 to 1965, when he joined the United States Department of Agriculture. He was an Veterinary Medical Officer with ARS,APHIS of the USDA from 1965 until his retirement in 1986. Following his retirement he moved back to Manhattan.
He was a member of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, Kansas Veterinary Medicine Association, Kansas State Alumni Association and a former member of Odd Fellows.
Doc was an avid Kansas State fan and a true outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening and collecting arrowheads. His arrowhead collection was one of the largest collections in several states. He also loved attending auctions and the farmer’s markets.
On November 28, 1942, in Burlington, Kansas, he was married to the former Mildred Koppenhaver. Mrs. Pottroff survives of the home. Additional survivors include seven children: Diane Brummett of Manhattan, Denise Hindman and her partner Steve Bush of Manhattan, Harley Pottroff of Manhattan, Robert Pottroff and his wife Viktoriya of Manhattan, Larry Pottroff and his wife Pat of Horton, KS, Donna Pottroff of Wichita, KS, and Darci Bohnenblust and her partner Jolene Hickman of Manhattan; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents and by one brother, Gerald Pottroff, DVM.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Sedalia Cemetery with Reverend Kevin Larson officiating. Family and friends are invited to meet at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home to form a procession to the cemetery.
Family and friends may call anytime Sunday or Monday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas State University Foundation for the Department of Veterinary Medicine. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Opal Arleta Weeda
Opal Arleta Weeda, age 94, of Manhattan, died Monday evening, May 21, 2007, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
She was born on August 29, 1912, in Tingley, Iowa, the daughter of Clark and May (Lisser) Oxenreider.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1935, she was united in marriage to Howard V. Weeda. They made their first home on the family farm in Tingley, Iowa. Later they lived in Clearfield, Iowa, Cainsville, Missouri and retired in Manhattan, Kansas in 1978. Mr. Weeda preceded her in death on October 22, 1999.
Mrs. Weeda was a homemaker. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Her memberships included the College Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan where she was also an active member of the Sunshine Ladies Church Circle. Previously she was a member of the Blue Valley Memorial United Methodist Church, also in Manhattan. Other memberships include the Order of Eastern Star Eagle Light Chapter #449 in Eagleville, Missouri.
Her hobbies and interests included: sewing, knitting, collecting pottery and flower gardening, especially African Violets. She was also a wonderful cook, especially known for her pies, and enjoyed computer chatting, exchanging e-mail with family and crossword puzzles.
Mrs. Weeda is survived by two daughters, Donna McIntosh and her husband Duane of Vancouver, Washington and Shirley Posler and her husband Gerry of Manhattan, Kansas. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Nancy Ashton, Rick, Mike and Randy Busby, Mark, Steven and Brian Posler, nine great grandchildren: Holly Schoolcraft, Jackie, Rikki, Marissa and Brendan Busby and Tiana, Spencer, Timothy and Emma Posler, one great-great grandchild: Rylie Mae Schoolcraft and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband she was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Carroll (Kelly) and Cyril Oxenreider and by one sister, Geraldine Temple Paisley.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2007, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Larry Fry officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2007, at the Tingley Cemetery in Tingley, Iowa, handled by the Wilson-Watson and Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
The family of Mrs. Weeda will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the College Avenue United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Loreta “Rita” Mae Sheppard Atchison
Loreta “Rita” Mae Sheppard Atchison was born in Laclede County Missouri to Ether and Letha Sheppard. She was the eldest of five children, big sister to Faye, Delores, Gerald, and Lynn. During the depression, her family moved to Kansas City, Kansas. Mrs. Atchison attended elementary school in Argentine and graduated from Turner High School. She was an “A” student, excelling in many subjects, and considered a career in nursing. She worked as a candy striper for the Red Cross in the early years of WWII, before working as a stenographer for Sinclair Oil.
While on vacation in Galveston Texas, Mrs. Atchison met her husband Fred, who was serving with the U.S. Navy. They were married in Norfolk, Virginia on October 4, 1946 and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.
In the early years of their marriage the couple lived in Athens, Georgia while Mr. Atchison completed his college degree. While in Athens, Mrs. Atchison worked for the health department. This experience fostered her life-long interest in public health issues. Mrs. Atchison was devoted to her family and had a way of making each one feel like they were her favorite. She was deeply proud of her husband, children and grandchildren and always an active supporter of their careers, talents and interests. This quality of appreciating the best in others was extended to everyone she met. Mrs. Atchison was politically active and served for many years as Democratic Precinct Committee Person for Wildcat Township. She was an avid reader, and for many years a volunteer book mender for the Manhattan Public Library. She was an artist who found many ways to express her creativity, including writing, sewing, painting, cooking, quilting and arranging flowers from her husband’s garden. In response to a recent question, Mrs. Atchison said her hobby was her grandchildren. In addition to the love and devotion Mrs. Atchison felt toward her immediate and extended family members, she valued the many friends who enriched her life.
Survivors include husband Fred, of the home, children Fred, Jr. and wife Sue; Robert and wife Melissa, and David, all of Manhattan; daughter Phoebe and husband Steve, of Shawnee; sons Mark and wife Kirsten, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Bradley and wife Nicole of La Veta, Colorado. Grandchildren include Garth, Nathan, Wyeth, Meghan, Max, Emily, Hannah, Cher, Tara, Paul and Ella Dora. Other survivors include brothers Gerald Sheppard, of Shelby, Alabama; Lynn Sheppard and wife Carol, of Oskaloosa, Kansas; and sister Delores Liston and husband Warren, of Kansas City, Kansas, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mrs. Atchison was preceded in death by her parents, sister Faye Harding, and grandson, Ian Atchison.
Thomas John Frith
Thomas John Frith, age 82, of Manhattan, died Wednesday afternoon, May 30, 2007, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
He was born on November 12, 1924, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Charles J. and Loretta (Schermer) Frith. Mr. Frith was raised in Dubuque where he graduated from high school. He earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He moved to Manhattan in the mid 1960’s.
Mr. Frith was a longtime Manhattan resident where he was the Director of Housing at Kansas State University prior to his retirement.
He was married in Spokane, Washington to the former Constance Herting. She preceded him in death in 1955. He was also preceded in death by his parents and by one sister, Barbara Frith who died in 2000.
Mr. Frith is survived by one daughter, Kathy McCarville and her husband Mark of Evanston, Illinois and by one sister, Mary Engel of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by four grandchildren, one great grandchild, four nieces and one nephew.
He will be remembered as a very kind and generous man.
Cremation is planned with a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2900 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan. Private inurnment will be held at a later date in Dubuque, Iowa.
Memorials in his name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Phillip Edward Hedrick
Phillip Edward Hedrick, age 69, of Manhattan, died June 1, 2007, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan.
He was born August 29, 1937, in Montgomery, West Virginia, the son of Carl Wesley and Nancy Ethel (Livesay) Hedrick.
Mr. Hedrick served in the United States Air Force and Army. He had served in Vietnam and Korea and was discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He later worked for facilities at Kansas State University.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.
On August 14, 1963, at Fort Riley, Kansas, he was married to the former Janice M. Habluetzel. Mrs. Hedrick survives of the home. Additional survivors include two daughters: Nancy L. Thompson and her husband Russell and Debbie Hedrick both of Manhattan; two grandchildren: Ryan and Kristen; and three siblings: Peggy Rommell, John Hedrick and Dennis Hedrick.
Phillip was preceded in death by one brother James Hedrick.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend R. Cam McConnell officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Cemetery with military honors.
The family of Mr. Hedrick will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:00 PM Tuesday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Cale Hamon Alley
Cale Hamon Alley, age 13 of Overland Park, KS, died Thursday, June 7, 2007 at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO.
He was born on November 2, 1993 in Hutchinson, KS, the son of Eric Shannon and Kari Lyn (Bratton) Alley. They survive of the home.
Cale enjoyed watching Barney and Blue’s Clues videos, reading books and riding horses. He mostly loved playing with his brother and sisters.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother, Jarrett Alley; twin sisters, Kinsley and Lauren Alley; grandparents, Wayne and De Ann Bratton of Manhattan, KS, Susan Alley of Topeka, KS and Robert and Cindy Alley of Wetmore, KS; a great-grandmother, Mary Kaul of Wetmore, KS and by many aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at Westview Community Church with Pastor Jeremiah Johnston officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cale Alley Memorial Fund. These contributions will be used for Easter Seals of Arkansas, Heritage Elementary School in Spring Hill, TN and Children’s Mercy Hospital. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Adam Thomas Hooks
Adam Thomas Hooks, age 23, died on Sunday June 10, 2007 at his residence in Manhattan, Kansas.
He was born on October 22, 1983 in Columbus, Ohio. Adam graduated from Manhattan High School and was currently working at Manko Window Systems Inc. as a laminated glass cutter.
Adam loved Nascar, fishing, making model cars, playing video games, dune buggy’s, electronics and enjoyed nature.
He is survived by his parents: Stanley W. Gettys, Sr. and Eve Gettys (Deloris Hooks) of Manhattan, KS; a sister: Dolly (Hooks) Price of Abilene, KS; a brother: Stanley Gettys, Jr. of Charlotte, N.C. Grandmother: Edna Leona Hooks, Junction City, KS and many other relatives and friends.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday June 16, 2007 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2812 Marlatt Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas with Bishop David Allen officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be to the Adam Thomas Hooks Memorial Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
