Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Sylvia Cole
COFFEYVILLE - Sylvia Jo Ellen Cole, 65, died Monday evening, July 28, 2003, at the Manor House in Coffeyville.
She was born June 3, 1938, in Hunter, Mo., to Walter R. and Sylvia O. (Baldwin) Tiry.
She married Jesse L. Cole on Dec. 2, 1967. They later divorced.
She worked as a medication aide at the Medicalodge in Coffeyville. She received her general education development diploma from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1956.
Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, needlepoint and playing bridge and pitch, and she was learning to play the piano.
Survivors include two sons, Walter Wayne Akkerman of Burlington and Keith L. Akkerman of Parsons; three daughters, Dawn K. Shy of Coffeyville, Tammy Y. Hall of Great Bend and Rhonda Jean "Tiry" Kuehn of Tulsa; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ronald W. Tiry of San Francisco.
She was preceded in death by a son, Blane Curtis Akkerman; and two sisters, Lillian R. Soles and Velva Mae Honeycutt.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Graves Funeral Home Chapel in Coffeyville. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Coffeyville. Visitation will be until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home in Coffeyville.
James R. Collier
CHERRYVALE - James Ralph Collier, 74, of Cherryvale died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at his home. He had been in failing health.
He was born Oct. 19, 1928, in Marfa, Texas, to James Charles and Reda (Burns) Collier. He attended Northern Arizona State University and received a bachelor's degree at Arkansas Tech in Jonesboro, Ark. He was a sports reporter for the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, Ark. He later received a master's of science degree at Pittsburg State University. He was a special education teacher at Cherryvale schools and had been a coach and a counselor at other schools.
He married Mary Frances Sarna on July 16, 1953, in Little Rock, Ark. She preceded him in death on June 3, 2003.
He was a Presbyterian lay minister, a member of the Cherryvale Presbyterian Church and a member of the Cherryvale Country Club.
Survivors include one son, Stephen W. Collier of Ozawkie; five daughters, Velia M. West of Pittsburg, Marta K. Fielden of Hulbert, Okla., Reda K. Ford of Oklahoma City, Lisa E. Collier of Lawrence and Janine O. Collier of Alva, Okla.; and 14 grandchildren.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cherryvale Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Scott Schurle officiating. Cremation will take place afterward. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale.
Memorials to the South Montgomery County Relay for Life or the Mount St. Mary's Catholic School in Little Rock, Ark., may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 801, Independence, 67301.
Floyd M. Collins
Floyd M. Collins, 91, a longtime Parsons resident, died early Thursday, May 27, 2004, at his home. His death was unexpected.
He was born Aug. 31, 1912, in Garden City to Elmer and Nellie Collins. His family moved to Parsons, where he grew up and attended school.
He worked in construction for several years in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. He served in Hawaii in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He returned to Parsons and operated a service station and sold cars. He later moved to Oklahoma and worked in construction before returning to Parsons. He work in logging and owned and operated a landscaping business until he retired.
He was a Seventh-Day Adventist. He enjoyed gardening and selling produce at Parsons farmers' market.
He married Eleanor Merling on Sept. 23, 1933, in Parsons. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Bob Collins and his wife, Pat, of Springfield, Mo., and Gary Collins and his wife, Bonnie, of McKinney, Texas; a daughter, Joyce Lee and her husband, Doug, of Independence; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Forrest Collins, and a brother, Kenneth Collins; three sisters, Lola Collins, Doris Berry and Sadie James; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Lawn Cemetery Patio with the Rev. Arthur Schumacher officiating. Military honors will be by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Parsons.
Friends may call after noon today at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association.
Everett E. Conklin Jr.
Everett E. Conklin Jr., 64, was found dead at his home Sunday evening, March 21, 2004.
He was born Nov. 6, 1939, in Independence to Dr. Everett E. "Doc" and Velma Dessie (Farmer) Conklin. He graduated from Labette County Community High School in Altamont and earned a degree in architecture from Kansas State University of Manhattan.
He served four years in the U.S. Navy.
He lived in Texas and Fort Collins and Pueblo, Colo. In 1999 he moved to Mound Valley to care for his mother, Velma Conklin.
He belonged to the National Rifle Association and the Firearms Coalition of Colorado.
Survivors include two sons, Karl Conklin and his wife, Ilka of Pine, Colo., and Matthew Conklin of Pueblo; and one sister, Sharon Findley and her husband, D.M., of Afton, Okla.
A graveside service was Wednesday at Mound Valley Cemetery.
Memorials to Mound Valley Library may be left at or mailed to Bath Funeral Home, Box 325, Altamont, 67330.
Helen F. Craven
ERIE - Helen Frances Craven, 81, of Erie died at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2004, at Labette County Medical Center in Parsons following a lengthy illness.
She was born April 28, 1923, in Sublette to Henry and Stella (King) Shaw. She moved to Erie during her sophomore year of high school. She graduated from Erie High School in 1941. She married Verle Craven Feb. 10, 1946, in Chanute. He preceded her in death on May 23, 1984. She and her husband owned the Craven Variety Store in Erie until the late 1960s.
She was a member of Erie Federated Church, Order of Eastern Star and American Legion Auxiliary. Her volunteer work included helping at the church and with the American Red Cross bloodmobile.
She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She embraced life with a joyful spirit, positive attitude and sincere compassion that was greatly admired and appreciated by her family and friends.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Tredway of Houston; two sons, Ron Craven and his wife, Shelley, of Erie, and Randy Craven and his wife, JoAnn, of Augusta; eight grandchildren, Chad and Sabrina Tredway, Courtney and John English, Tiffany and Joey Willard and Misty and Ashley Craven; and two great-grandchildren, Garrett and Gillian Tredway.
She was also preceded in death by six sisters and two brothers.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Erie Federated Church with the Rev. Ralph Jarboe officiating. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie.
Memorials may be made to Erie Federated Church.
John O. Copeland
OTTUMWA, Iowa - John O. Copeland, 82, died Saturday, May 29, 2004, at West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a lengthy illness due to complications after a stroke.
He was born March 22, 1922, in Parsons to John O. and Floy J. (Lyle) Copeland. He moved to Iowa in the mid-1950s. He was a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor of arts in history.
An Army veteran, he served in the Philippines during World War II and served in the Korean War.
He married Helen D. Brubaker on July 5, 1958, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She preceded him in death July 3, 1994. He retired from Social Security Administration after 38 years as a claims administrator.
He was a member of Willard Street United Methodist Church, National Federation of Federal Employees and University of Kansas Alumni Association.
He is survived by one daughter, Arlene Houk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one grandson, Adam Houk; and one brother, Donald Copeland of Clarksville, Texas.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Barnett.
The service was Wednesday, June 2 at Robertson-Jay Funeral Home in Ottumwa with the Rev. Stephanie Raphael-Nakos officiating. Burial was in Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Winifred A. Cook
OVERLAND PARK - Winifred "Winnie" Arlene Cook, 88, died Sunday, June 20, 2004, in Overland Park.
She was born Feb. 12, 1916, in Centralia, Mo., to James M. Schmoll and Vinnie Mae Patton. She moved with her family to Parsons in 1920 and then to Overland Park in 1955.
She was a homemaker and a cook and seamstress.
She was office manager for the Jones Store in Prairie Village when it opened in 1959.
She was a member of PTO Sorority for 40 years and the Colonial U.C.C. Church in Prairie Village.
Survivors include one daughter, Charlene K. Green of Kansas City, Mo.; one son, James C. Cook of Prairie Village; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Anna Jean DePoy of Pittsburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Charles P. Cook in 1995; and a sister, Eunice Dienst in 1982.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Colonial United Church of Christ, 7039 Mission Road, Prairie Village, 66208.
Memorials may be made to Outreach Endowment Fund, Colonial United Church of Christ, Prairie Village, or to the Kansas City Hospice, 12006 West 87th, Lenexa, 66215.
Memorial Chapel of Olathe is in charge of arrangements.
John O. Copeland
OTTUMWA, Iowa - John O. Copeland, 82, died Saturday, May 29, 2004, at West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a lengthy illness due to complications after a stroke.
He was born March 22, 1922, in Parsons to John O. and Floy J. (Lyle) Copeland. He moved to Iowa in the mid-1950s. He was a graduate of the University of Kansas with a bachelor of arts in history.
An Army veteran, he served in the Philippines during World War II and served in the Korean War.
He married Helen D. Brubaker on July 5, 1958, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She preceded him in death July 3, 1994. He retired from Social Security Administration after 38 years as a claims administrator.
He was a member of Willard Street United Methodist Church, National Federation of Federal Employees and University of Kansas Alumni Association.
He is survived by one daughter, Arlene Houk of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one grandson, Adam Houk; and one brother, Donald Copeland of Clarksville, Texas.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Barnett.
The service was Wednesday, June 2 at Robertson-Jay Funeral Home in Ottumwa with the Rev. Stephanie Raphael-Nakos officiating. Burial was in Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Bernice Corbett
OTTAWA - Bernice "Bernie" Corbett, 95, of Ottawa died Thursday, March 25, 2004, at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa.
She was born June 6, 1908, in Parsons to Carlos A. and Siene (Ames) Davis. She graduated from Parsons High School.
She lived in Parsons until about 1970 and then lived in North Carolina and Hutchinson before moving to Ottawa in 1972.
She was a lead salesperson, assistant manager and bookkeeper at Pfeiffer's Jewelry in Parsons for more than 30 years. She also worked in Hutchinson at Alexander's, a jewelry store.
She married Claude E. Corbett on Feb. 6, 1946, in Parsons. He preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 2000.
She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ottawa.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa with John Heckert officiating. Friends may call until 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to service time Saturday at Dengel and Son Mortuary in Ottawa.
Memorials to Grace Episcopal Church can be mailed to the funeral home, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, 66067.
Evelyn F. Couch
COFFEYVILLE - Evelyn Fern Couch, 96, of Coffeyville died Tuesday evening, July 29, 2003, at Alterra Sterling House of Coffeyville.
She was born March 27, 1907, in Neodesha to James Madison and Francis (Peed) Peterson. She attended school in Neodesha and graduated from Independence High School.
She married George Clarence Couch on April 12, 1928, in Independence, where they made their home until moving to Coffeyville in 1955. He was retired from Santa Fe Railroad. He preceded her in death on Sept. 23, 1986.
She was a homemaker.
She was a member of First Christian Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 18, of Independence; the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 112, of Coffeyville; the Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem; Quo Vadis Shrine No. 14; and the Order of Beauceant.
Survivors are four sons, Kenneth W. Couch of Houston, Norvelle E. Couch of Taos, N.M., Dale J. Couch of Victorville, Calif., and Richard G. Couch of Wichita; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a sister, Doris Brenner of Parsons.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence. Friends may call until 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Edgewood Chapel in Coffeyville.
Memorials may be made to the Hynes Memorial Hospice or to First Christian Church and may be left at the funeral home.
