Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
James Tormey
Dated: March 29, 2002
James Harrison Tormey, 81, of Decatur, Ark., brother of V.S. “Jiggs” Tormey and M.R. “Bob” Tormey, both of Valley Center, died March 4, 2002. He was a retired college teacher and former nuclear physicist for the Atomic Energy Commission. Visitation was March 6 at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Ark. Burial will be at a later date at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Kansas City, Mo.
He was born April 20, 1920, in Wynona, Okla., the son of Marion Seeley Tormey and Mina McCord. He married Mary Katherine Blubaugh on July 14, 1990, in Decatur. She survives. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Decatur and was a veteran of World War II.
Other survivors include his son, James H. Tormey II of Decatur; daughters, Pamela Walton of Prairie Village, Paula Davis of Rangly, Colo.; brother, Paul A. Tormey of San Diego, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and many great-grandchildren.
Juanita Spindler
Dated: March 29, 2002
Juanita Spindler, 73, of Delta, Colo., mother of Kathie Hawk of Wichita, died March 19, 2002. She was a kindergarten teacher for Delta County School District from 1967 through 1988. Service was March 23 at First Baptist Church, Delta. Burial was at Mesa View Cemetery.
She was a member of Heritage Church, Grand Junction, Colo., and LeLectura Book Club in Delta. She also sang with Sweet Adelines and ran a Bible school at Heritage Church. She was a 1951 graduate of Ottawa University, Ottawa, and earned a master’s from Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Karen Spindler.
Other survivors include her husband, Robert; daughter, Connie Townsend of Delta, Colo.; brothers, Lawrence Oyer of Newton, Wesley Oyer of Gardner; sister, Inez Waln of Wellington; grandchildren, Karen and Maxwell Hawk of Wichita, and a step-grandson, Benjamin Hawk of Newton.
A memorial has been established with Delta County Hospice, Box 24, Delta, Colo. 81416.
Kathryn Dunlap
Kathryn Louise Dunlap, 87, of Wichita, mother of Morris Dunlap of Valley Center, died March 25, 2002. She was a homemaker and Ketteman’s Bakery clerk. Service is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Cochran Mortuary, Wichita. Graveside service is at 11:30 a.m. today at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.
Other survivors include her husband, Merle; daughters, Rebecca Blasdel of Boise, Idaho, Kendra Moase of Oshawa, Ontario; brother, Charles Lewellen of Newton; stepsister, Beth Martin of Wichita; three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Mount Olive Christian Church, 3700 E. Pawnee, Wichita 67218, and Fellowship of John Kansas Christian Home, 1035 S.E. Third, Newton, Kan. 67114.
Laverne Strong
LaVerne W. “Verne” Strong, 85, of Wichita, father and father-in-law of Lynda and Ray Woods of Valley Center, died March 23, 2002. He was a retired Cessna Aircraft Co. tool and die maker, Century Plastics of El Dorado partner and local realtor. Service was Wednesday at Central Christian Church, Wichita.
He was an avid sports fan, particularly Wichita State baseball, Iowa Hawkeyes and the New York Yankees. Before leaving Sioux City, he managed a local adult baseball team and served as referee for high school basketball games. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl, in 1996, and brothers, Chester, Edwin and Paul Strong.
Other survivors include his stepgrandchildren and spouses, Mindy and Tony Treadwell of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Debbie and Gary Bushyhead of Arkansas City; six stepgreat-grandchildren; five step-great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established with the church benevolence fund, 2900 N. Rock Road, Wichita 67226.
Maxine Riley
M. Maxine Riley, 76, of Wichita, sister of Don Goodrum of Valley Center, died March 25, 2002. She was a retired Vetrans Administration and Wesley Medical Center PBX operator. Service is at 10 a.m. Friday at Broadway Mortuary, Wichita. Graveside service is at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Byron-Amorita Cemetery, Amorita, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert W. Riley Sr., and a son, Delbert W. Riley Jr.
Other survivors include her sons, Richard Riley of Wichita, Michael Riley of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter, Barbara Midiros of Raytown, Mo.; sisters, Val Tucker, Alma Portra, both of Cobb, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-gandchildren.
Norma Thompson
Norma M. Thompson, 89, of rural Valley Center, died March 24, 2002. Service was March 27 at Furley United Methodist Church. Graveside service was Wednesday at Maple Wood Cemetery, Barnes.
She was born March 12, 1913, at Barnes, the daughter of Matt Knedlik and Edith Darymple. She was a graduate of Barnes High School and taught in one-room grade schools near Barnes. She married Rolland Beem in 1937. He preceded her in death in 1961. She married Eugene Thompson in 1967. He survives. She was a member of Furley United Methodist Church.
Other survivors include her sons, Dallas Beem, Bruce Beem, both of Longton; daughters, Joyce McBeath of Washington, Sharon Ferguson of Longton, Mona Rippey of Kimberling City, Mo., Joyce McQuillan of Grandview, Mo.; brothers, Norton Knedlik of McCook, Neb., Virgil Knedlik of Mesa, Ariz.; sister, Wilma Smith of St. Mary’s; 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with the church and SCCS Hospice of Derby. Lamb-Nutter Mortuary had charge.
Roger Parks
Dated: March 29, 2002
Roger Parks, 54, of Keller, Texas, brother and brother-in-law of Kelly and Debbie Parks of Valley Center, died March 27, 2002. He was a Bell Helicopter engineer. Memorial service will be held in Texas. Burial will be at Hoisington, Kan. Service dates and times are pending.
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, has charge.
Vesta Wildman
Vesta A. Wildman, 88, of Haysville, mother of Jerry Decker of Park City, died March 25, 2002. She was a homemaker. Service is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Smith Mortuary.
Other survivors include her daughters, Darline Smith of Thornton, Colo., Eralene Diedrich of Haysville, Arlene “Ann” Baker of Clearwater, Irene “Kay” Ensley of Wichita; 22 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
William Weir
William Thomas “Tom” Weir Jr., 82, of Wichita, father of Richard Weir of Valley Center, died March 26, 2002. She was a retired real estate broker. Service is at 2 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church, Wichita.
He was born July 24, 1919, in Carthage, Miss., the son of William Thomas Weir Sr. and Dolly Ball. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, in 1994.
Other survivors include his wife, Ouida; daughters, Linda Weir-Enegren, Dixie Lee Smith, both of Wichita; stepson, Johnny Grace of Meridian, Miss.; brother, Laurel G. Weir, sister, Alice Lovorn, both of Philadelphia, Miss.; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorials have been established with the church and Rainbows United. Resthaven Mortuary has charge.
Maymie Shelton
Dated: April 05, 2002
Maymie G. Shelton, 81, of Hoisington, mother of Larry Shelton of Park City, died March 30, 2002. She was a homemaker. Service is at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.
Other survivors include her son, Ken Shelton of Hoisington; daughter, Barbara Reese of Great Bend; brothers, Charles Meyer of Sacramento, Calif., Balem McReynolds of Enid, Okla.; sister, Docia Hunt of Wichita; 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with Clara Barton Hospital and American Diabetes Association.
Roger Parks
Dated: April 05, 2002
Roger E. Parks, 55, of Keller, Texas, brother and brother-in-law of Kelly and Debbie Parks of Valley Center, died March 27, 2002. He was a technical director for Bell Helicopter and a former Hoisington resident. Service was April 3 at Hoisington Cemetery.
Other survivors include his wife, Becky; sons, Patrick, Todd, both of Texas, and two grandchildren.
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home had charge.
Velta Terry
Dated: April 05, 2002
Velta B. Terry, 90, of Granbury, Texas, died March 29, 2002. Service was April 1 at Oak Trail Baptist Church, Granbury. Graveside service was April 2 at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Wichita.
She was born June 28, 1911, in Arkansas City. She married Louie H. Terry on July 28, 1927, in Shidler, Okla. He preceded her in death on Aug. 17, 1977. She was a Granbury resident for 31 years and a member of the church. She also was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Randy and Annette Terry.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Joseph Alexander of Granbury; sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Perley Terry of Arlington, Glen and Reita Terry of Shawnee, Okla., Bill and Vicki Terry of Derby; sisters, Lillian Bradley of Sedalia, Mo., Juanita Sperry of Euless; brother, Darrell Cook of Springfield, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the church missionary fund, 4501 Peppertree Road, Granbury, Texas 76048.
William Evans
Dated: April 05, 2002
William J. “Bill” Evans, 74, of Hutchinson, stepfather of Chris Schwind and Patricia Schuessler, both of Valley Center, died March 28, 2002. He was a retired Kansas Department of
Transportation equipment operator. Service was April 2 at Old Mission Mortuary, Wichita.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Rodney Schuessler.
Other survivors include his wife, Pauline; daughter, Bobbi Maddox of Tucson; stepsons, Allen Schwind of Wichita, Mike Schwind of Fort Hood, Texas, Jeff Schwind of Fort Belvior, Va.; 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the William “Bill” Evans Funeral Fund.
Alta Southards
Alta M. Ellis Southards, 85, of Hutchinson, mother of Walter Southards Jr. of Valley Center, died April 2, 2002. She was a Broadacres Retirement Home nurse aide. Service was April 6 at Johnson and Sons Funeral Home.
Other survivors include her sons, Kenneth of Hutchinson, Ronald of South Hutchinson, Bruce of Partridge; daughters, Janet Bibbs, Sharon Yoder, both of Hutchinson; twin sister, Alcha Snook of Hutchinson; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the American Heart Association.
DeWitt McEntire
DeWitt “Mac” McEntire, 81, of Wichita, father and father-in-law of Kent and Kathleen McEntire of Valley Center, died April 11, 2002. He owned Jayhawk Optical until his retirement. Service was April 13 in St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Wichita, with Rev. Dr. Helen R. Betenbaugh of St. Alban’s and Rev. Albert Schuessler of Faith Bible Baptist Church, Valley Center, officiating. Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren. Inurnment will be at Kechi Cemetery, Kechi, at a later date.
He was born Feb. 7, 1921, in Newark, Mo., the son of Michael John McEntire and Dale Preston. He joined the service Dec. 23, 1940, and was a member of the motorcycle reconnaissance troop during World War II. He was honorably discharged Oct. 12, 1945, at the rank of T/5 after serving in Ardennes, central Europe, the Rhineland, northern France and Normandy. He married E. Fern Claybrook on Sept. 26, 1948. She preceded him in death, as did his parents and a brother, Bud, and sister, Mildred.
Other survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Robert Masters of Aberdeen, S.D.; son and daughter-in-law, Kean and Debbie McEntire of Dallas; sister, Margaret Rich of Jefferson City, Mo.; six grandchildren, Chad Masters, Karie Javier, Kane McEntire, Keith McEntire, Sarah McEntire, Jaclyn McEntire, and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with St. Alban’s, 7230 E. 29th North, Wichita, Kan. 67220. Hillside Funeral Home East had charge.
Esther Edmond
Esther Roberta Edmond, 83, of Wichita, mother of Mary George of Valley Center, died April 12, 2002. She was a homemaker. Service was April 15 at Old Mission Mortuary.
Other survivors include her sons, Bob of Augusta, Bill of Wichita; daughter, Jerolene Cornell of Towanda; 10 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Peabody Community Living Center, Peabody.
Gary Baxter
Gary Joe Baxter, 52, of Wichita, son of Doris Baxter and brother of Darrell Jarman, both of Valley Center, died April 14, 2002. He was an auto mechanic and tow truck driver. No service. The body was cremated.
He was born Aug. 21, 1949, in Wichita, the son of Floyd Martin Baxter and Doris Irene Faulkner. He married Sharon Perkins. She survives. His father preceded him in death.
Other survivors include his sons, Gary Joe Baxter Jr. of Arkansas, Jamie Baxter of Missouri; stepsons, Coy Meikle, William Meikle, both of Wichita; daughter, Ruth Ann Baxter of Wichita; stepdaughter, Tosha Schofield of Wichita; sister, Letha Ritter of Wichita, and 15 grandchildren.
Baker Funeral Home had charge.
Marilyn Mackey
Marilyn Ruth Weseloh Mackey, 65, of Derby, mother and mother-in-law of Mary and Rodney Schumock of Park City, died April 15, 2002. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Thursday) at Smith Mortuary, Derby. Service is at 2 p.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church, Derby. Burial will be in El Paso Cemetery, Derby.
She was preceded in death by her father, Arnold Weseloh.
Other survivors include her husband, Robert W. Mackey of Derby; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Nicole Mackey of Hominy, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Jim Kiker of Haysville; brother, John Weseloh of Yates Center; sisters, Lois Burris of Iola, Pat Fronk of Sun City, Ariz., Janet Clarkson of Houston, Texas; mother, Clara Weseloh of Moran, and 10 grandchildren: Brad, Amy, Drew and Carrie Kiker, Quinton Pogue, Joey and Jeremy Schumock, and Frankie, Aaron and Luke Mackey.
A memorial has been established with Faith Lutheran Preschool, 214 S. Derby, Derby, Kan. 67037.
Morgan Rudell
Morgan Rudell, 77, of Edna, sister of Nancy Brim and Reda Luna of Valley Center, died April 12, 2002. She was a former waitress. Service was April 17 at North Edna Cemetery.
Other survivors include her sons, Sid Pruett of Edna, Churchel Pruett of Wichita; sister, Ruby Slaughty of Wichita; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Service, Coffeyville.
Raymond Hutchens
Raymond Hutchens, 90, of Galesburg, brother of Juanita Purkey of Valley Center, died April 14, 2002. He was a retired U.S.D. 101 bus driver and custodian. Service is at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at Galesburg Christian Church.
Other survivors include his wife, Roberta; daughter, Cheryl Melton of Madison, Rebecca Newberry of Topeka; brother, George of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister, Nellie Fry of Wichita; two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Hidden Haven Christian Camp. Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Parsons, has charge.
