Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Robert Mullins
Robert Lee Mullins, 72, of Wichita, father of Randal Mullins of Valley Center, died Feb. 23, 2002. He was a retired U.S. Postal Service letter carrier. Service was Feb. 27 at Valley Center Christian Church with Pastor Doug Fraley officiating. Burial was at Kechi Cemetery.
He was born Sept. 19, 1929, in Stella, Neb., the son of Clyde Edward Mullins and Opal Surprise McDougal. He married Barbara L. Baldwin on May 24, 1950, in Salem, Neb. She survives of the home. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Naomi Wiebel.
Other survivors include his son, Jerold Mullins of Princeton, Minn.; daughter, Linda Shepherd of Lansing; mother, Opal Hollenbach of Falls City, Neb.; brothers, Bill Mullins of Falls City, Neb., Don Mullins of Salem, Neb., Jerry Mullins of Ames, Iowa; sisters, Phyllis Davis of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Karen Kanatzar, Dixie Trusty, both of Kingman, Ariz., and seven grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the church building fund. Baker Funeral Home had charge.
Sylvia Wilbur
Sylvia B. Wilbur, 91, of Wichita, mother of Bill Wilbur of Valley Center, died Feb. 24, 2002. Service was Feb. 26 at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West Chapel and Feb. 27 at West Side Christian Church.
She was a lifetime west-side Wichita resident and a member of West Side Christian Church since 1927. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 57 years, Myrnon; son, Robert; son-in-law, Claude Foltz; daughter-in-law, Betty Wilbur, and sister, Vera McGregor.
Other survivors include her daughter, Myrna Foltz of Wichita; 13 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with the church, 1819 W. Douglas, Wichita 67213, and Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Presbyterian Manor, 4700 W. 13th, Wichita 67212.
Viola Turner
Viola Lois Mullins Turner, 84, of Valley Center, homemaker, died Feb. 21, 2002. Service was Feb. 26 at First United Methodist Church. Burial was at Kechi Cemetery.
She was born May 14, 1917, in Wichita, the daughter of John Thomas Mullins and Leona Ethel DeVore. She married Leon Jacob Turner on Aug. 7, 1938, at Wichita. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Ramona Turner; brothers, Wilbur Mullins, John Thomas Mullins and Kenneth Mullins, and sisters, Vera Schnoor, Eleanor Blaisdell and Wanda Mullins.
Survivors include her sons, Carl Turner, Kent Turner, Tom Turner, all of Valley Center; brother, Lee Mullins of Wichita; sister, Hazel Barkley of Littleton, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Hospice Care of Kansas. Baker Funeral home had charge.
Carl Hamm Sr.
Dated: March 15, 2002
Carl Raymond Hamm Sr., 85, of Valley Center, Santa Fe Railway machinist, died March 6, 2002. Service was March 9 at Sedgwick Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Gail; son, Carl Jr. of Wichita, Myron of Gunnison, Colo.; stepdaughter, Rowena Sonmore of Brownsville, Texas; five grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the church.
Clyde Plumer
Dated: March 15, 2002
Clyde L. Plumer, 81, of Sedgwick, father and father-in-law of Gary and Mickey Plumer and grandfather of Kelley and Cassody Plumer, all of Valley Center, died March 8, 2002. He was the retired owner of Kansas Drywall Supply of Wichita, Hutchinson and Salina. Service was March 12 at Resthaven Mortuary, Wichita.
He was born March 1, 1921, the son of Alvin and Mabel Plumer. He was a 1939 graduate of Sedgwick High School and attended Kansas State University and Wichita State University. He served as captain with the 7th Cavalry in Japan and the Philippines during World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He enjoyed fly fishing and vacationing at his cabin in Colorado.
He and his wife, Marjorie, were married Jan. 1, 1942, in Yates Center. She survives. They were lifelong Sedgwick residents. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Karen Plumer.
Other survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Sherry Plumer of Sedgwick; sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Gerry Rampy of Derby, and several nieces and nephews.
Harvey Nordstedt
Dated: March 15, 2002
Harvey E. Nordstedt, 93, of Wichita, brother of Rosetta Hutchens and uncle of Larry Nordstedt, both of Valley Center, died March 8, 2002. He was a retired Case Manufacturing Co. welder. Graveside service was March 11 at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Bentley.
He was born Dec. 24, 1908, in Marquette, the son of Carl Robert Nordstedt and Edla Ellentine Blomberg. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arlo Nordstedt; a son, Dean Nordstedt, in 1995; an infant daughter, Rosetta Jean Nordstedt, and an infant son, Donald LeRoy Nordstedt.
Other survivors include his daughters, Janet Staats, Donna Schulte, both of Wichita, Inez Garcia of Buena Park, Calif.; sisters, Roberta Hutchens of Thayer, Rogene Penney of Denver, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Help The Children, Glendale, Calif. Baker Funeral Home had charge.
Julie Malcom
Dated: March 15, 2002
Julie Ann Malcom, 20, of Burrton, sister of Amy Malcom of Valley Center and Christopher Malcom of Park City, died March 8, 2002. She was a student. Service was March 12 at First Church of God, Valley Center. Burial was in Burrton Cemetery, Burrton.
She was born Aug. 16, 1981, in Wichita.
Other survivors include her parents, Kenneth and Linda Ruckle of the home; sister, Lisa Burghart of Maize; grandparents, Burl Clevenger of Wichita, Will and Janet Ruckle of Cheney, and great-grandmothers, Marie Gregory of Andover, Melba Ruckle of Cheney.
A memorial has been established with the church. Baker Funeral Home had charge.
Willard Unruh
Dated: March 15, 2002
Willard H. Unruh, 82, of North Newton, father of Allan W. Unruh of Valley Center, died March 9, 2002. He was a commercial business maintenance engineer. Visitation with family is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at 201 W. 27th, North Newton. Memorial service is at 3 p.m. Friday at Bethel College Mennonite Church with Pastors Heidi Regier Kreider and Norma Johnson officiating.
He was born Aug. 2, 1919, in Dawson City, Mont., the son of Anthony H. Unruh and Anna Albrecht. He married Selma E. Dick on Aug. 18, 1943, in Mt. Lake, Minn. She survives. He worked for CPS for four years in Montana and Nebraska; taught Bible school in Mt. Lake, Minn.; was a missionary to India for five years; did maintenance work at Freeman College in Freeman, S.D.; was a mechanical engineer for 10 years at Hesston Corporation; was a missionary to Haiti and Somalia; was in Nepal from 1976 to 1978; took care of maintenance and grounds for 10 years at Prairie View; worked at Willard’s Technical Service; owned rentals and apartments; worked in the M-2 program, prison visitation, and wrote a column, “World Neighbors,” for Mennonite Weekly Review. He was a graduate of Bethel College, North Newton, and LeTourneau Tech in Longview, Texas. He was a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church. He enjoyed gardening and his fruit trees. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Unruh.
Other survivors include his sons, Paul W. Unruh of Greensburg, Burton W. Unruh of Wichita; daughters, Carol E. Buller of Newton, Louise E. Hurwitz of Palm City, Fla.; brothers, Rev. Verney Unruh of Newton, Leslie Unruh of Bloomfield, Mont., Jim Unruh of Pomeroy, Ohio, Gerald Unruh of Billings, Mont.; sisters, Helen Buller of North Newton, Evelyn Klein of Langdon, N.D., Betty Blough of Midvale, Utah, Phyllis Lobdell of Sun Rover, Mont.; 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Mennonite Central Committee. Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, had charge.
Betty Whittington
Dated: March 28, 2002
Betty Lou Whittington, 74, of Valley Center, died March 25, 2002. She was a cook and owner of Betty's Kountry Kitchen. Service is at 2 p.m. March 28 at First United Methodist Church, Valley Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Lena Rhoades; sisters, Opal Ford, Mabel Nordstedt and Pauline McKibban; and brothers, Harold Rhoades and Alvin "Dotter" Rhoades.
Survivors include her husband, Gene Whittington of the home; sister, Nellie Davis of Wewoka, Okla., and sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Don Slenker of Valley Center.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. March 27 at Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center. Burial will be at Sunnydale Park Cemetery.
Betty Whittington
Dated: March 29, 2002
Betty Lou Rhoades Whittington, 74, of Valley Center, cook and owner of Betty’s Kountry Kitchen, died March 25, 2002. Service is at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Sunnydale Park Cemetery.
She was born April 16, 1927, in Valley Center, the daughter of Chester Arthur Rhoades and Lena Ethel Ballentine. They preceded her in death, as did three sisters, Opal Ford, Mabel Nordstedt and Pauline McKibban, and two brothers, Harold Rhoades and Alvin “Dotter” Rhoades. She graduated from Valley Center High School in 1946. While working at Cudahy Packing Company for several years, she met Gene Thomas Whittington. They were married April 16, 1950, in Wichita. He survives.
She entered the restaurant business in 1963, operating B&L Lunch, and later the Dine-A-Rama in Valley Center. She then operated Betty’s Truck Stop at 53rd North and Broadway. She operated the restaurant at Fireside Lanes for a while before operating the Starlite Restaurant at 53rd North and Broadway. She then opened Betty’s Kountry Kitchen in Valley Center, and it was destroyed by arson in August 1992. Her love of people and the restaurant business, as well as concern for her many customers who followed her business through the years, compelled her to rebuild even though she was 65 at the time. In past years, she enjoyed going on bowling trips with the team she sponsored, playing cards and bingo, and occasional trips to Las Vegas.
Other survivors include her sisters and brother-in-law, Louise and Don Slenker of Valley Center, Nellie Davis of Wewoka, Okla., and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association. Baker Funeral Home has charge.
Earlene Williams
Dated: March 21, 2002
Earlene Valda Williams, 57, of Ellis, sister of Judy Berg of Furley, died March 12, 2002. She was a beautician. Service was March 15 at Christ Lutheran Church, Ellis, with Pastor Lyle M. Knuth officiating. Burial was in WaKeeney City Cemetery, WaKeeney.
She was born March 25, 1944, in Ransom, the daughter of Earl Jennings Hendrickson and Fern Valda Hamit. She was a member of the church. She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Elizabeth.
Other survivors include her sons, Gary Williams of Ellis, Jeffery of Leander, Texas; sister, Shirley Peterson of Baxter Springs, and brothers, James Hendrickson, Jay Hendrickson, both of WaKeeney.
A memorial has been established with the church, Ellis Good Samaritan Center or Cancer Council of Ellis County.
Edward Ramey
Dated: March 21, 2002
Edward Wayne Ramey, 57, of Wichita, grandfather of Katie Stark of Valley Center and father of Becky Stark of Wichita, formerly of Valley Center, died March 13, 2002. He was an Asphalt Construction Co. truck foreman. Service was March 16 at Resthaven Mortuary, Wichita.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph, and a sister, Patty Ramey.
Other survivors include his wife, Jo Ann; sons, Steve Ramey, Brad Ramey, Montie Corr, all of Wichita; daughters, Stephanie Kralicek, Susan Dean, both of Wichita, Kim Moses of Lincoln, Neb.; mother, Iva Ramey of Independence; brothers, Tommy Ramey of Independence, Greg Ramey of Parsons; sisters, Shirley Edwards, Mary Bowen, both of Independence; Lois Allen of Dearing; 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society.
James Davis
Dated: March 21, 2002
James A. “Jim” Davis, 82, of Wichita, father of Charles Davis of Valley Center, died March 15, 2002. He was a retired Santa Fe Trail Trucking driver, working in Salina, Emporia and Wichita. Service was March 18 at Lakeview Funeral Home, Wichita.
He was born Jan. 31, 1921, at Beaver, Okla. He was a former Hutchinson resident. He married Freda Lorraine Showalter of Hutchinson. She survives.
Other survivors include his sons, Thomas Davis of Vienna, Va., James Davis of Norman, Okla., Walter Davis of Midwest City, Okla.; daughter, Jane Campbell of Wichita; sister, Reba Grady of Wichita; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with First Church of the Brethren and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, both of Wichita.
John Schrader
Dated: March 21, 2002
John Albert Schrader, 71, of Wichita, father of Michael Schrader of Valley Center, died March 15, 2002. He was a retired Boeing Wichita engineer. Rosary was March 18 at Cochran Mortuary. Service was March 19 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Wichita.
Other survivors include his wife, Betty Jo; sons, John III, Karl, Brian, Roger, all of Wichita; daughters, Becki Ewert of Lawrence, Lisa Beal of Wichita; brothers, Bill, Richard, Warren, Woodrow, all of Wichita; sisters, Carol Schrader of San Francisco, Karen LeFevre of Las Vegas; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
A memorial has been established with the church cares committee, 4411 W. Maple, Wichita 67209.
Laverne Johnson
Dated: March 21, 2002
Laverne I. Johnson, 95, of Manhattan, formerly of Valley Center, died March 15, 2002. A memorial service is at 2 p.m. March 28 at Zeandale Community Church, east of Manhattan on Highway 18.
She was born Nov. 16, 1906, in Marion, the daughter of Herbert H. Phillips and Rozella Pracht. She graduated from Valley Center High School in 1924 and attended Wichita Business College. She worked at the Sedgwick County Extension Service office and met J. Harold Johnson, who was serving as the first county 4-H agent in Kansas. They were married June 15, 1930. He preceded her in death. They were active in 4-H. she was an honorary member of Alpha of Clovia 4-H Scholarship House at Kansas State University. She and her husband are recognized at Rock Springs 4-H Center with the Johnson Administrative Building and have provided for Johnson 4-H Scholarships through the 4-H Foundation. She was a 50-year member of Kaw Valley Kansas Extension Unit and a 20-year volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She and her husband were members of the Zeandale Community Church. She was a member of the Merry Matron and Willing to Learn clubs in Zeandale. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Boyd Phillips, and a sister, Loreene Barnett.
Other survivors include nieces, nephews and other relatives. Memorials have been established with the church and Kansas 4-H Foundation. Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz, Manhattan, Kan. 66502, has charge.
Mary Grant
Dated: March 21, 2002
Mary Marcielle Carnahan Grant, 74, of Wichita, cousin of Glenna Miller, Ab Carnahan and Roberta Tormey, all of Valley Center, died March 15, 2002. She was a former legal secretary, receptionist and medical transcriptionist. Service was March 19 at Old Mission Wichita Park Mausoleum.
Other survivors include her son, Kelly; daughter, Chris Blessant; brother, Donald Carnahan, all of Wichita, and four grandchildren.
Baker Funeral Home had charge.
Mary Hoelscher
Dated: March 21, 2002
Mary R. Kitchen Hoelscher, 61, of Wichita, sister of Bill Kitchen of Kechi, died March 11, 2002. She was a Wichita Clinic receptionist. Service was March 14 at Sharon Baptist Church.
Other survivors include her sons, Kevin Schauf of Wichita, David Hoelscher of California, Mark Hoelscher of Milwaukee, Wis.; daughter, Karen Swibold of Wichita; mother and stepfather, Nellie and Ray McPheron of Wichita; brother, David Kitchen of Omaha, Neb.; sister, Joyce Rector of Garden Grove, Calif., and seven grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the church, 2221 S. Oliver, Wichita 67218. Hillside Funeral Home East had charge.
Maxine Williams
Dated: March 21, 2002
Maxine L. Williams, 84, of Wichita, mother of Darrell Williams of Valley Center, died March 15, 2002. She was a retired Avon sales representative. Service was March 19 at DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary.
Other survivors include her sons, Stanley of Wichita, Rex of Haysville; daughter, Jacquie Balkney of Wichita; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Robert Palmer
Dated: March 21, 2002
Robert L. Palmer, 45, of Vernon, Texas, son of Gene and Wilda Palmer of Valley Center, father of Christopher Palmer of Valley Center and Robert Palmer Jr. of Park City, and brother of Harold Palmer of Park City, died March 15, 2002, after a nearly two-year battle with lymphoma. He was a truck driver and former Valley Center resident. Service was March 18 at Park City Nazarene Church. Burial was in Sunnydale Park Cemetery at Sunnydale.
He was born Sept. 15, 1956, in Wichita, the son of Gene Palmer and Wilda Thompson. He attended junior and senior high school in Valley Center. He enjoyed big trucks and driving the open road. He was a self-taught guitarist with a lifelong passion for music. He sang and played with his family’s singing group, “Four Generations.” He enjoyed birdwatching and spending time with his grandchildren. He married Debra Harper on March 16, 2001, in Vernon. She survives.
Other survivors include his son, Jeremiah Palmer of Carbondale; stepson, Thomas Radig; stepdaughters, Misti Radig, Heather Radig, all of Vernon, Texas; sister, Charlotte Hodgson of Newtown Square, Pa., and five grandchildren, Kayla Palmer, Jarrod Palmer, Serena Palmer, all of Park City, Meghan Palmer of Valley Center, and Tommy Freeman of Vernon.
A memorial has been established with Park City Nazarene Church. Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, Wichita, had charge.
Alice Bowen
Alice Evelyn Rogers Bowen, 85, of Wichita, aunt of Jim Skidmore of Valley Center, died March 24, 2002. She was a retired hairdresser and salon (Shreveport, La.) owner and operator. Private family service.
Other survivors include her nephew, Mike Burns of Houston, and niece, Bertha Rush of Wichita.
Baker Funeral Home had charge.
