Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Edith May Jones
Edith May Jones, age 73, of Manhattan, died Sunday, June 17, 2007 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Topeka, KS.
She was born on April 29, 1934 in Cork County, Ireland, the daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Cox) Connor.
On July 11, 1953 in Junction City, KS, she was united in marriage to Clarence J. Jones. He survives of the home.
Edith was a clerk for the U.S. Postal service, where she retired in 1986. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and volunteered as a Cub Scout leader for many years, at Head Start and Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed being a school room mother, gardening, flowers and sewing.
In addition to her husband she is survived by one son Terry Jones of Glendale, CA; one daughter, Peggy A. Zeller and her husband Phillip III of Newtown, CT; one brother, David Connor of Oxford, England; one sister, Marjorie Andrews of Christchurch, England and one granddaughter, Megan E. Zeller of Ann Arbor, MI.
She was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Sunset Cemetery with Rev. Moon-Hee Chung officiating. Family and friends are invited to meet at the funeral home to form a procession to the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established for the Shriners Crippled Children. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Joseph “Joe” K. Campbell
Joseph “Joe” K. Campbell, age 70 of Manhattan, died Monday, June 18, 2007 at his home.
He was born in October of 1936 in Webster City, IA, the son of Frank and Gayle Campbell. He is survived by his wife Shirley and three children, Timothy and his wife Connie of Salem, OH, Scott of Chicago, IL and Jodie Prawl and her husband Larry of Manhattan, KS. He is also survived by a sister, Bonnie Peterson and her husband Clarence of Arlington, TX and five grandchildren, Heather Boillot, Justine Campbell, Garrett Boillot and Kylie and Hayden Prawl.
His mother passed away when he was four. He then lived with several relatives until he was placed in an orphanage in Ottumwa, IA. His father and brother were following the wheat harvest and by chance his father met Ardellia and Frank Nelson. Joe was taken out of the orphanage and lived with the Nelson’s until he joined the Navy in 1954. He attended country schools near Hollis and Cuba, KS. He attended several high schools in Des Moines, IA and graduated from Concordia, KS.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Arnold Campbell.
Joe and Shirley were married in 1958. He taught in the Manhattan school district for ten years and then in the Computer Science Department at Kansas State University for 18 years.
He was a longtime member of American Legion Post 17. He enjoyed golf, traveling, K-State Athletics and attending E.S.A. conventions with his wife. Joe also loved spending time with his grandkids.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2007 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bill Shea officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Fort Riley Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. There will be no viewing, the body was cremated.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for St. Jude’s. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Donald D. “Don” Jensen
Donald D. “Don” Jensen, age 68, died Monday September 3, 2007 at the Mercy Regional Health Center, Manhattan, Kansas.
He was born on February 18, 1939 in Manhattan the youngest son of Mervin A. & Esther S. (Phillips) Jensen. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1957 and worked in the Restaurant business for over 30 years.
On May 18, 1997 he was united in marriage to Erika Bender in Westmoreland, Kansas. Don loved fishing, playing golf, collecting coins, cooking, baking and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Bassmaster Fishermen of America, Manhattan Coin Club & Central States Numismatic Society.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Robert and 2 sisters: Joan & Donna.
Survivors include his wife Erika of the home; 3 sons: Dale, Mervin & Kevin; 2 daughters: Deanna & Kim; 2 step children: Ronald & Astrid. He is also survived by 2 grandchildren: Dale & Jacob; 2 step-grandchildren: Fabian & Franziska and many nieces, nephews & friends.
Memorial Services will be at 3:00 P.M. on Monday September 10, 2007 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home with Jim Newman officiating. There will be no viewing, the body was cremated. The family will receive friends from 1:30 P.M. until service time on Monday at the Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Dr. Francis (Frank) L. Barnett
Dr. Francis (Frank) L. Barnett died, Nov. 30, 2007, at Stoneybrook Retirement Community following a long battle with cancer. He was born October 15, 1924 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of Frederick William Barnett (1981) and Olive Pearl MacKay (1994). Frank was predeceased by his older brother Malcolm Frederick (1982). He is survived by his sister-in-law Cleadie Barnett, two nephews, Michael (Lori) and Vaughn Barnett, two nieces, Marina Airey and Lillis Zimmer, along with numerous grand nephews and nieces. He will be greatly missed by his family, neighbors and close friends Chuck and Marsha Tannehill.
After graduation from high school Frank entered the Canadian Army and served in Western Europe. Upon his return he entered college and received a BS. from MacDonald College of McGill University where he graduated with First Class Honors with Distinction. He was later elected to the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society for agriculture. Dr. Barnett received both his MS and PhD degrees were from Penn State. Dr. Barnett began his career at Kansas State University in 1956 doing research in plant breeding. He taught Forage Crops for 23 years and, in his quiet, unassuming manner, organized and directed the State FFA Crops Contest. He retired in 1991 as a full Professor. He was an able instructor and described by colleagues as having, “a great mind”.
Frank Barnett defined the word independent and lived a self-sufficient life. He was a devoted son to his parents. He loved reading history and was always able to recall important facts regarding most historical periods and persons. Frank was a wonderful harmonica player. With some prompting, he would select one from his collection of chromatic harmonicas and entertain friends and family. He was concerned about the education opportunities for his family members and worked to assist them in their pursuit of learning. He was a long time member of the Manhattan Area Retired Educators Association and served as the President from 2000 to 2001.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, December 6th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend R. Kent Cormack officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Canada.
In lieu of flowers you may send donations to the Cancer Research Institute or Homecare & Hospice Inc. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Ida Louise Thomas
Ida Louise Thomas, age 84, of Manhattan, died January 13, 2008, at Stoneybrook Retirement Community.
She was born March 11, 1923, in Junction City, Kansas, the daughter of Harry E. and Barbara V. (Hartman) Smith.
Mrs. Thomas grew up in Junction City, and had been a Manhattan resident since 1959.
She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Riley County Seniors’ Service Center, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, and participated in the Uptown Band.
On June 19, 1941, in Manhattan, she was married to James P. Thomas. He preceded her in death on January 5, 1997. She was also preceded in death by three infant sons: James P. Thomas, Jr., Kenneth Lyle and Francis Thomas; and by five siblings: Fred Smith, Beverly Rarrick, Albert “Pete” Smith, Arlene Winters, and Jasper Smith.
Survivors include two daughters: Doris E. Nelmes of Overland Park, KS, and Shirley Hyde and her husband Ron of Manhattan; one sister, Charlotte Vance of Junction City; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Her brother Lester Smith died January 19th, 2008.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 8th, at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Herington, KS, with Reverend Moon-Hee Chung officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Stoneybrook Retirement Community or Homecare & Hospice, Inc. of Manhattan. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Lorenz P. “Larry” Bunker
Lorenz P. “Larry” Bunker, DDS, age 89, of Manhattan, died September 7, 2007, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.
He was born May 28, 1918, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Herbert L. and Lottie E. (Pope) Bunker, Sr.
Dr. Bunker graduated from Kansas State College prior to attending Northwestern University and earning his DDS in 1941. He then joined the United States Navy Dental Corps and was attached to the Marines during World War II. He earned the rank of Commander.
Following his military service he joined his father’s dental practice in Junction City in 1945, and served the community until his retirement in 2000 after 59 years of practice.
Dr. Bunker was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Kansas and the American Dental Association, Delta Sigma Delta, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Rotary, and the Junction City and Manhattan Country Clubs. He was awarded the Man-Of-The-Year by the Junction City Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid K-State sports fan.
On November 29, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, in the 4th Presbyterian Church he was married to the former Lenore E. “Lee” Hansen. Mrs. Bunker survives of the home. Additional survivors include five children: Denise K. Gardner and her husband Ralph of San Clemente, CA, Craig L. Bunker and his wife Louise of Scottsdale, AZ, Linda L. DeJong and her husband Ron of Huntsville, AL, Russell J. Bunker and his wife Joni of Manhattan, and Scott C. Bunker and his wife Mary of Mesa, AZ; and twelve grandchildren: Kevin and Chris Brighton, Jay, Michael and Mark Bunker, Aaron and Derek Bunker, Jeffrey, Ryan and Kyle Bunker, Blake and Braedyn Woborny.
Dr. Bunker was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Herbert L. Bunker, Jr.; and two sisters: Mildred June and Shirley Ann Bunker.
Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan with Reverend R. Cam McConnell officiating.
The family of Dr. Bunker will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. Monday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Send Conolences" on this page.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the First Presbyterian Church or the Mike Ahearn Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Vernon Elroy Bjerke
Vernon Elroy Bjerke, age 68 of Manhattan, died Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at the Mercy Regional Health Center.
He was born on January 5, 1939 in Altamont, SD, the son of Alfred and Mable (Anderson) Bjerke.
On July 26, 1963 in Manhattan, KS, he was united in marriage to Bonnie J. Kautz. She survives of the home.
Vernon worked for the city of Manhattan with the street department and later at the wastewater treatment plant. Vernon was in the U.S. Army and a member of the American Legion and Milford Flying Club.
He enjoyed flying and working on radio controlled airplanes, helicopters, cars and truck. He also loved fishing and riding motorcycles.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Curtis Bjerke of Manhattan, KS; two brothers, Eddie Bjerke of Farmington, MN and Arnold Bjerke of Clear Lake, SD; three sisters, Mavis Braaten and her husband Marion of Sioux City, IA, Edna Zischke and her husband Don of Henderson, NV and Leona Kirby and her husband Manley of Brookings, SD; a sister-in-law, Donna Hill and her husband Earl of Balko, OK and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Maynard Bjerke, Lloyd Bjerke, Oscar Bjerke, Marvin Bjerke and Arvin Bjerke and one sister, Lillian Smith.
The family will receive friends from 2:00p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2007 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorials have been established for the Milford Flying Club and Riley County Humane Society. Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Helen I. Wroten
Helen I. Wroten, age 89, of Manhattan, died January 21, 2008, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.
She was born February 2, 1918, in West Union, Iowa, the daughter of Reverend Homer and Audrey (Iams) Wroten.
Miss Wroten moved to Green, Kansas, while her father was in World War I. She attended local schools and graduated from Green Rural High School. She received her bachelors and master’s degrees from Kansas State University in Manhattan, attended the University of Illinois for 1 year as a graduate Student, and earned her PhD from the University of Illinois, and her Dr. of Humane Letters from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS.
Dr. Wroten taught in public schools for three years, the University of Kansas for 1 year, the University of Illinois for 5 years, Kansas State University from 1949 to 1965, and then Southwestern College from 1965 to 1981. In 1949 she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She was the State President of Delta Kappa Gamma from 1971-1973.
She moved back to Manhattan in 1981 and then moved to Meadowlark Hills in 1986.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 4th, at the Community Room at Meadowlark Hills with Reverend Kay Scarbrough officiating. Private family burial will be in Sunset Cemetery next to her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund, Kansas State University Foundation for the Helen Wroten Endowment for Hale Library or the Southwestern College Endowment Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Basil Curnutte, Jr.
Basil Curnutte, Jr., age 84, of Manhattan, Kansas died Tuesday January 22, 2008 at the Mercy Regional Health Center, Manhattan.
He was born on March 1, 1923 in Portsmouth, Ohio the son of Basil & Lula Alafare (Cooper) Curnutte. After graduating from high school, Basil entered into the United States Naval Academy. He proudly served for four years during WWII, being discharged at the rank of Lieutenant. He returned to Ohio State University and received his Ph.D. in Physics. In 1954, he began his career as an Assistant Professor of Physics at Kansas State University and was later a Professor of Physics from 1964 until his retirement in 1988.
On June 10, 1945, he was united in marriage to Mary Lukemire in Portsmouth, Ohio. This union was blessed with two sons: William and Gregory. For over 62 years of marriage, they rarely left each others side and continued their daily visits until his passing. Basil and Mary loved to travel and visit their children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Leroy, David and George; sister: Betty Jane Rothrock; and an infant grandson: Kyle Morgan Curnutte.
Survivors include his wife Mary of the home; sons: William of Portsmouth, Ohio and Gregory of Portland, OR; 4 grandchildren: Kyla Jordan Curnutte, Jennifer Anne Curnutte, Shannon Joanne Curnutte and Erin Margaret Curnutte. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial Mass Service will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday January 26, 2008 at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manhattan, with Father Tom Miles officiating. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium. There will be a reception at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or to the Basil & Mary Curnutte Scholarship of Physics at Kansas State University in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Robert P. Ealy
Robert P. Ealy, 93, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2008 at Meadowlark Hills, Collins East in Manhattan, Kansas.
Robert Ealy, affectionately known as ‘Doc’ to his family and closest friends, was born in Kay County, Oklahoma, July 14, 1914 to Annie Emily Johnson Ealy and Charles Gustav Ealy. He married Carol A. Smith May 29, 1939. They spent their early married life in Stillwater, Oklahoma, before moving to Manhattan, Kansas in February 1960. His beloved wife Carol preceded him in death in 1991 after fifty years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister Evelyn Ealy Peterman. He is survived by his nieces Jennifer Carter and her husband Michael of Sedgwick, Kansas, Peggy Keen and her husband Danny of Goddard, Kansas and a nephew Michael Peterman and his wife Glennis of Edmond, Oklahoma. He is also survived by several great-nieces and nephews and several very close friends.
Doc graduated from Blackwell High School in 1932. He earned his B.S. in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University in 1936, his M.S. in Horticulture from Kansas State University in 1946 and his PhD in Horticulture with an emphasis in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University in 1955, a degree held by less than a dozen individuals in the U S at that time. He served his country during WW II as an Army officer in military intelligence from 1942-1946 and continued in the Army reserves from 1946-1953.
His academic career began at Oklahoma State, in 1941, as a graduate assistant and advanced to full professor by 1958. In February 1961 he accepted the position of professor and head of the Horticulture Department at Kansas State University. In 1963, Dr. Ealy established the program of landscape architecture within the Department of Horticulture, thereafter known as the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. In 1965, along with several others, Dr. Ealy founded the College of Architecture and Design, moving the Department into the new College in 1966, establishing a new five year BLA professional program as one of the first five year programs in the country. In addition, a master’s level professional degree program, the MLA, was established in 1972. Both the BLA and the MLA programs have maintained professional accreditation continuously to this day, with both programs recognized among the best with a national reputation for excellence. Dr. Ealy was Associate Dean of the College of Architecture and Design from 1967-1974 and acting Dean from January 1971-August 1971. He retired from Kansas State University in 1979.
Through Dr. Ealy’s leadership, the landscape architecture registration law was enacted by the Kansas Legislature and signed by the governor in 1968 as one of the first landscape architecture practice laws in the United States, serving as a model practice law to this day. Dr. Ealy served on the Landscape Architecture Registration Board for the State of Kansas for three consecutive terms, from 1968 though 1976, holding the registration number “one” for practicing landscape architects in the State of Kansas.. In addition, Dr. Ealy was a major contributor in the effort to establish national professional accreditation standards and procedures for accreditation of landscape architecture academic programs at the college and university level, serving on the National Board of Landscape Architecture Accreditation for the American Society of Landscape Architects from 1968 to 1974.
Dr. Ealy belonged to numerous Honorary and Professional Societies. He wrote many professional publications, bulletins and papers focused on the practice of landscape architecture, planting design and landscape ecology. Dr. Ealy received numerous awards for his contributions to the profession over his career, including among the more significant, recognition as a “Fellow” by the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1976, the Kansas State University Distinguished Service Award in 1990 and the Oklahoma State University Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997.
Dr. Ealy’s hobbies included color photography, travel, antique firearms, hunting and fishing. He was an avid outdoors man. Above all else, he was a passionate teacher of both the young and the not so young. He always had a smile and a word of encouragement for friends and strangers alike. He had a great sense of humor. Doc was the friend you could count on to be there through the good times and the not so good times. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 28th, at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend R. Cam McConnell officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 P.M. Sunday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made for the Robert P. Ealy scholarship fund established through the Kansas State Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Dorothy M. Lamb
Dorothy M. Lamb, age 82, of St. George, Kansas, died Friday morning, January 25, 2008, at the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, KS.
She was born on January 13, 1926, in Garrison, Kansas, the daughter of Arthur Eugene and Nannie Pearl (Walker) Area.
Mrs. Lamb was a lifetime area resident where she was a loving homemaker, mother and farm wife.
She was a member of Blue Valley Memorial United Methodist Church, Wheathearts Square Dance Club, and camping clubs. She was active with Bonfire 4-H while her children were young. She enjoyed puzzles, sewing, embroidery, and playing cards. She loved spending time with her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
On July 30, 1947, she was united in marriage to Donald L. Lamb. He survives of the home. Other survivors include their children: Larry Lamb and his wife Terri of Lacona, Iowa, Steve Lamb and his wife Jane of St. George, KS, and Linda Lamb of Manhattan, KS; six grandsons: Mark and Jenny Lamb, Cory and Melissa Lamb, Barry Lamb, Tony Lamb and his fiancé Jennifer, Brian Lamb, Jake and Lacee Lamb; one great-granddaughter, Avery Don Lamb; and three sisters: Mabel Shaw of St. George, KS, Lucille Wimmer of Anchorage, Alaska, and June Area of St. George, KS.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and one sister, and two children: Sharon Ann Lamb and Kenneth Dean Lamb.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home with Reverends Neil Gately and Ben Duerfeldt officiating. Interment will follow in St. George Cemetery.
The family of Mrs. Lamb will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. Monday, January 28, 2008, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Valley Memorial United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
