Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Kenneth David Hunt
Kenneth David Hunt, 47, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001, in Oklahoma City. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Belle Vista Cemetery in El Dorado.
He was born in Wichita. He was employed as a heating and air conditioning technician at Bricktown Plaza Hotel for 16 years.
Survivors include: his wife, Barbara Hunt of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Heather Hunt of Arizona; a son, Garrett Hunt of Arizona; his mother, Janice Alford of Oklahoma City; a brother, Scott Parks of El Dorado; a sister, Lisa Bowers of Oklahoma City; four step-children, Phillip, Charles, Karen and Sharon of Oklahoma City; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his step-father, P.W. Alford; and brothers, Jerry and Mark Parks.
Carlson Funeral Home has the arrangements.
Randall E. Burnett
Randall E. Burnett, 69, of El Dorado, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Walnut Valley Memorial Park.
He was born July 22, 1932 to Willie and Arlie (Jones) Burnett in Atkins, Ark. He grew up in Tulsa. He served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Air Force. He moved to El Dorado in 1962 from Tulsa. He was the owner and operator of the B-N Trucking Company in El Dorado. In 1991, he sold the company to Ellsworth Motor & Freight and stayed on as a salesman. He was a member of the El Dorado Country Club.
Survivors include: sons, Don and wife Dianne Burnett of Florence and Roger Burnett of Neodesha; brothers, Bill Burnett and Jim Burnett of Tulsa; sisters, Lea Brady of San Francisco, Calif., and Linda Xiques of Mill Valley, Calif.; and a granddaughter, Nikki Burnett of Kansas City, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Larry Burnett.
Memorials may be made to the Kansas Peace Officers Association in care of Kirby-Morris Funeral Home, which has the arrangements.
Talyr Jenee Vickers
Talyr Jenee Vickers, one month, of Wichita, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Friday at Maple Grove Cemetery in Wichita.
She is the infant daughter of Joshua and Nichole Vickers of Wichita.
Survivors include: her parents of Wichita; a brother, Tristan Vickers of the home; a sister, Brandi Wayman of the home; grandparents, Dan Vickers of Wichita, Sandi Vickers of Newton, Karen Cole of Wichita and Lowell Dennis of El Dorado; and great-grandparents, Virginia Vickers of DeWitt, Iowa, and Thelma Dennis of El Dorado.
Robert Jerald Thompson
Robert Jerald "Bob" Thompson, 60, of Blackwell, Okla., died Monday afternoon, June 3, 2002, at his home in Blackwell. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Baptist Church, Blackwell, with Rev. Andy Jobe, Immanuel Baptist Church, Blackwell, officiating. Burial will be 2 p.m. Friday at Sunset Lawns Cemetery, El Dorado, with Rev. Andy Jobe and Rev. Stan Seymour, First Christian Church, El Dorado officiating.
Casket bearers will be Merle Summers, J.C. Dixon, Rick Johnson, Lee McKinney, Roger Clark and Rex McKinney. Graveside military rites by American Legion Post 81, El Dorado.
He was born on April 24, 1942, in Eureka, to H. Clifton and Lucile (Forcum) Thompson. As an infant, he moved with his family to El Dorado where he grew up and attended El Dorado public schools, graduating in 1960. He then furthered his education by attending Butler County Community College and Emporia State University. In 1962, he began working for the Brown Shoe Fit Company in Emporia. He married Nancy B. Tague on May 27, 1962, in El Dorado. He continued working for Brown Shoe Fit in Fairfield, Iowa, and then Alva, Okla. He entered the United States Army National Guard on July 19, 1966, serving in the 169th Engineer Co. in Emporia, Kansas. On Sept. 2, 1970, he was activated into active duty with the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado, with the 5th Army during the Vietnam War attaining the rank of Staff Sgt. On July 18, 1972, he returned to the Kansas National Guard Unit. In 1974, he began working for the Starr Lumber Company in Alva, Okla. On Feb. 10, 1975, he transferred into the Oklahoma National Guard, serving with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 189th Field Artillery in Alva, Okla. In 1983, he moved with his family to Blackwell, Okla, where he began working as the manager for the Starr Lumber Company. On February 9, 1983, he was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States of America. In 1997, he retired from Starr Lumber and began working at the Blackwell Golf Course where he later became the manager until ill health forced his retirement. He was a member of the Blackwell Kiwanis Club and the Blackwell Quarterback Club, where he served as past president of both organizations. He also held membership in the Immanuel Baptist Church in Blackwell, and the Argonia Kloudbusters Rocket Club. He enjoyed collecting car banks, flying his high powered rockets, bowling, and attending sporting events. He especially enjoyed attending and watching his son, Jeff, coach football. He also enjoyed his association with the many golfers he came to know and learning to play the game himself.
Survivors include: his mother Lucile, of El Dorado; his wife, Nancy B. Thompson, of the home; son Jeff Thompson and wife Trisha, Hinton, Okla; daughters Sharla Manning and husband Mike, Rogers, Ark.; Staci Channel and husband Greg, Guthrie, Okla.; granddaughter Katlin Channel, Guthrie, Okla.; brother Don Thompson and wife Sandra, Myrtle Beach, SC; and mother-in-law Lois Tague, El Dorado.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Ponca City, Okla. 74601 or Immanuel Baptist Church, 1600 S. 13th, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.
Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Inc., Blackwell, Okla., has the arrangements.
Verna Audene Beck
Verna Audene Beck, 90, of Whitewater, died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Federated Church, Whitewater, with Pastor Scott Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Whitewater Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8:30 p.m. today with the family greeting friends from 7-8:30 p.m.
She was born March 8, 1912, in Argonia, the daughter of Charles Edward Haworth and Selena Warurton. She attended Argonia Grade School and High School graduating with the class of 1930. She attended Friends University for two years. She and Harold Beck were married May 31, 1941, in Argonia. He preceded her in death on April 21, 1977. She was a retired teacher and former editor of the Whitewater Independent. She had lived in the Whitewater area since 1941.
Survivors include: sons, Chuck and wife Georgeanne of Broomfield, Colo., and Tom and wife Vickie of Whitewater; daughter, Margaret Calvert of Wichita; three grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Federated Church Women's Fellowship.
Bob Lamb Funeral Home in Whitewater has the arrangements.
Anne L. Hatch Ulmer
Anne L. Hatch Ulmer, "The Pink Lady," 88, of El Dorado, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Bern United Methodist Church in Bern. Interment will follow in Bern Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday afternoon and all day Monday with a visitation with the family on Monday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Carlson Funeral Home.
She was born Nov. 26, 1914, in Bern, the daughter of John and Louise Hertz Hatch. She was a homemaker and came to El Dorado four years ago from Bern to be with her daughter. While living here she attended Trinity United Methodist Church.
On Aug. 25, 1933, she married Amos Ulmer in Bern. He preceded her in death in May, 1985.
Survivors include: daughters, Shirley Beth Christianson of Chanute, Jane Ann Kaster and husband Franklin Leroy of El Dorado, Karen Ulmer Dorsch and husband Robert of Sanbornton, N.H., Johna Ulmer Merritt and husband Robert of South Hampton, Mass.; and Beverly Ulmer of El Paso, Texas; brother, Delbert Hatch of Fall City, Neb.; sisters, Marie Habagger of Pawnee City, Neb., Helen Hatch of Topeka, Olive Moser of DuBoise, Neb., Rosemary Geweke of Pawnee City, Neb., and Betty Ingwerson of Topeka; 15 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Amos Bernard Ulmer, II in 1970; three brothers; and one sister.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials for the American Cancer Society or memorials of the donor's choice. These may be left at Carlson Funeral Home who has the arrangements.
Wilma L. Herndon
Wilma L. Herndon, 86, of Wichita, and a former El Dorado resident, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, at Cherry Creek Nursing Home in Wichita. Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Carlson Funeral Home in El Dorado. Interment will follow in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.
She was born July 24, 1916, near Leon, the daughter of Lawrence and Ina Morti Beaman. She graduated from Leon High School in 1935. On Aug. 30, 1941 she and Raymond L. Herndon were married in Wichita. She lived in El Dorado for many years and for two years made her home in Rose Hill and in Wichita since 1989.
Survivors include: son, Ron Herndon and his wife Sharon of Rose Hill; daughter-in-law, Donna Herndon of Wichita; brother, Willard Beaman of Lenexa; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond who died on March 20, 1996; son, Don; one brother and one sister.
Memorials in her memory for Hospice Care of Kansas may be left at Carlson Funeral Home where friends may call.
Paul Howell Ward Jr.
Paul Howell Ward Jr., 73, of Oklahoma City, Okla., passed away Monday, Aug. 4, 2003 after a lengthy illness. Services will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Hill Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003. Burial will be at the Blackwell Oklahoma Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
He was born on April 23, 1930 to Paul "Hap" and Lucretia Squires Ward in Covington, Okla. After graduation from Covington High School, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he was affiliated with the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After completing service as a medical corpsman in the Navy during the Korean War, he earned a master's degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota.
After an internship at Topeka's Stormont Vail Hospital, he became the administrator of Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado in 1962. During his tenure, he served four terms as president of the Kansas Hospital Association. In 1973, he accepted a position as administrator of Community Hospital of Anderson, Ind. A true Oklahoman, Paul and his family returned home to work in Oklahoma City in 1980. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed golf and watching the Sooners. He loved his family.
Survivors include: his wife of 52 years, Shirley Reim Ward; daughter Debbie Breen, husband Chipper and children Bridget and Bunker of Tucumcari, N.M.; son David Ward, wife Lesa and their daughters, Michal and Ann of Blackwell, Okla.; daughter Susan Riseling, husband Larry, and children Craig, Madison, Mollie, and Reid of Dumas, Texas; and son Robert Ward, and wife Mollie of Lakewood, Colo. He is also survived by an aunt, Johnafee Peak of Tulsa.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Center of Family Love in Okarche, Okla., where Paul served as administrator.
Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Oklahoma City, Okla., has the arrangements.
Ernest F. Matlock
Ernest F. Matlock, 82, of Fall River, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2001, at his home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Campbell-Kelley Funeral Home in Eureka, with Pastor Bruce Ernt of the Fall River Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Quincy Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by V.F.W. Post 2712 of Eureka.
He was born Oct. 4, 1918 to Joe and Lucie Anna (Holderreed) Matlock in Quincy. He was raised in Quincy and graduated from Quincy High School. Just before his graduation he bought a service station in Quincy, which he operated for several years. In 1938, he sold the service station and worked for an oil drilling company and later for the railroad. In 1941, he entered the U.S. Army and served his country in Africa and Italy during World War II.
On Aug. 4, 1945, he was married to June Garrett in Wichita. Shortly after returning home from the military, he opened a service station/restaurant at Quincy, which they operated for several years until selling it and purchasing a farm north of Quincy. In 1955, he became involved with the K-T Oil Company and managed their service station in Kiowa until moving to Wichita in 1962. From 1962 through 1969 he helped build service stations for the Service Station Equipment Company in Wichita, and in 1969 he became employed as a maintenance supervisor for Fina Oil, retiring in 1979 after 10 years of service. They then moved to Fall River to make their home. June preceded him in death on April 11, 1999.
He was a member, Elder and chair of the Board of the Fall River Christian Church. He also was a member and past commander of the American Legion at Andover and past Chef-de-Gare and member of the 40/8 Vaiture #58 at Wichita.
Survivors include: a son, Terry Lee Matlock of Andover; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Ehrlich of El Dorado; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers.
Memorials may be made to the Fall River Christian Church in care of the Campbell-Kelley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which has the arrangements.
Melinda K. Ades
Melinda K. Ades, 36, of Omaha, Neb., and formerly of El Dorado, died away Monday, Nov. 19, 2001. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kirby-Morris Funeral Home. Cremation has preceded the services.
She was born April 23, 1965 in El Dorado, the daughter of John and Dorothy (Pope) Ades. She grew up in the Halstead area and attended Bentley Grade School. She graduated from Halstead High School.
Survivors include: children, Mathew, Nicole, and Jimmy; her father and step-mother, John and Dale Ades of Moundridge; sisters, Colista McCoy of Oklahoma City and Lavona Larson of Douglass; and her paternal grandmother, Lucile Ades.
She was preceded in death by her mother and a brother, Timothy Ades.
Kirby-Morris Funeral Home has the arrangements.
Charles R. Downing
Charles R. Downing, 83, of Sedan, died Friday May 31, 2002 in Pleasant Valley Manor in Sedan.
He was born March 15, 1919 in Clay Center, to John B. "Jack" and Minnie (Nessman) Downing. He grew up and attended school in Clay Center. Following high school he attended Pittsburg State University receiving his degree in industrial arts and secondary education.
On March 15, 1942 he married Louise Childress in Tulsa, Okla. Mrs. Downing preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 1983.
Mr. Downing was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy from Oct. 4, 1943 to Jan. 1, 1946.
Following his discharge, they moved to Sedan where Mr. Downing taught industrial arts for 39 years. He also taught math and was a drivers education instructor for many years. He retired in 1985.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sedan and the Salt Fork Blacksmiths Club.
Survivors include one daughter her husband, Cristy and Larry Light of El Dorado, KS; one son and his wife, Grant and Toni Downing of rural Sedan; six grandchildren, Terry Light of Wichita, Patrick Light of El Dorado, Shelby Downing of El Dorado, Bo Downing, Kylee Downing and Boone Downing all of rural Sedan. In addition to his wife and parents, one brother Jack Downing preceded him in death. He died on the U.S. California during World War II.
Memorial Services were at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the First Baptist Church in Sedan with Reverend Stan Cover officiating. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be at a later date in Ozro Falls Cemetery at Hewins, KS.
The family suggests memorials to Pleasant Valley Manor in Sedan, contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 209 N. Douglas, P.O. Box 7, Sedan, KS 67361.
David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Sedan is in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Iva Burns
Hazel Iva Burns, 91, longtime resident of Augusta, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002, in Jacksonville, Fla. Memorial services are 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Fellowship Hall at the First Christian Church, Augusta. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Dunsford Funeral Home, Augusta.
She was born Nov. 4, 1910, on a family farm near Potwin, the daughter of Claude and Ressie Thomas. She attended Blue Mound School, where she traveled three miles, even in blizzards and received an award for eight years of perfect attendance. She graduated from Burns High School, while working each morning before school at a local dairy. She was a member of a large farm family of six sisters and one brother.
She was the widow of Dean C. Burns, who was an Augusta State Farm Insurance agent for almost 50 years. They raised their family in Augusta, residing for many years at 218 Broadway and later at 2002 Prairie Lane, overlooking Augusta Lake. They were active in the community and members of the First Christian Church.
Survivors include: daughters, Marie White of Jacksonville, Fla., Judith McCrea of Lawrence and Deanna Mertes of Wichita; sisters, Claudine Goode of Charleston, S.C., and Grace Brower of El Dorado; four grandchildren, Stacey Lovelock of Tampa, Fla., Wendy Philcox of St. Augustine, Fla., Heather McCrea of Ridge, N.Y., and Blair McCrea of Olathe; and three great-granddaughters, Anne and Emily Lovelock of Tampa, Fla., and Liliana Krysco of Ridge, N.Y. She is also a part of a large extended family of many cousins, nieces and nephews living throughout the country.
Donations in her name can be made to the Kansas State School for the Deaf, Olathe, KS (www.ksdeaf.org).
Dunsford Funeral Home of Augusta has the arrangements.
Meryl P. Davis
Meryl P. Davis, 95, a life long resident of this area, died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, at LakePoint Nursing Home in El Dorado. Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Rock United Methodist Church with Rev. Riet Stonger officiating.
She was born Nov. 25, 1906, in Douglass, the daughter of Wallace and Cordelia (Hall) Parsons. She graduated from Douglass High School in 1925 and received a degree in education from Southwestern College in 1941. She taught school in Butler and Cowley counties.
She married F. Rudolph Davis on May 24, 1942, in Winfield. He preceded her in death in 1988.
She was a member of the Rock United Methodist Church and a charter member of Common Cause and the Rock E.H.U.
Survivors include: son and daughter-in-law, Rusty and Elvira Davis of El Dorado; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann Davis and Steven Parman of Johnson; sister, Tadley Brogden of Wichita; two stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials have been established with Southwestern College and The Arthritis Foundation.
Hilyard-Smith Funeral Home in Douglass has the arrangements.
Ruth Irene (Smith) White
Ruth Irene (Smith) White, 94, of Augusta and formerly of El Dorado, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2001. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Dunsford Chapel.
She was born Feb. 13, 1907 to Overton and Mattie (Peirce) Smith in Cabool, Mo. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include: a daughter, Mary K. Wilson and husband Bob of Augusta; a sister, Pauline Burnham and husband Mac of El Dorado; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great-grandchild.
Memorials may be made to Cunberland Church, 5476 SW 157th Ter., Douglass, KS 67039. Dunsford Funeral Home has the arrangements.
Don E. Whiteside
Don E. Whiteside, 81, of Potwin, died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002. Services are 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church in Potwin with Rick McNary officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in El Dorado. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. Wednesday with family greeting friends from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Bob Lamb Funeral Home in Whitewater.
Ethel LaVonna Hignite
Ethel LaVonna Hignite, 76, of El Dorado, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Graveside services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Leon Cemetery.
Edna M. Frye
Edna M. Frye, 82, of Potwin, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, at Via-Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Graveside services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sunset Lawns Cemetery.
Helen M. Hiedeman
Helen M. Hiedeman, 63, of El Dorado, died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002, at her home in El Dorado. Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at Carlson Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Sunset Lawns Cemetery.
