Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Richard Kenneth 'Dick' Fisher
WICHITA - Richard Kenneth "Dick" Fisher, 72, formerly of Erie, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, in Wichita.
He was born June 30, 1930, to Kenneth and Elsie Fisher at Walnut. He graduated from Erie High School in 1948. He attended Pittsburg Teacher's College one year, then became a rural school teacher for three years.
He married Patty Nation in 1949 and moved to Sedgwick where they lived 22 years. The were divorced.
He was a general contractor in the 1950s and '60s, designing and building single-family homes and farm buildings. He taught vocational building trades at Derby High School for eight years and worked for Sedgwick County Community Corrections in Wichita as an evaluator and vocational counselor for six years, retiring in 1989.
He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and hunting. He was the former president of the Conway Springs Lions Club and a volunteer worker for Friendship Meals in Conway Springs.
Survivors include one son, Kenneth Charles of Wichita; one daughter, Tara Moorman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his wife Ruby, of the home; three step-daughters, Patty Obrock of Liberal, Valera Lange of Clearwater and Lee Anne Conrady of Wichita; eight step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Lee Fisher; and one daughter, Peggy Jo Fisher.
A graveside service was today at the Shaw Cemetery with Lloyd Houk officiating.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements were handled by Hawks Funeral Home of Wellington.
Marie K. Fleming
NEWTON - Marie K. Fleming, 97, of Newton died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton.
She was born Nov. 21, 1906, in rural Osage City to Axel Frederick and Ruth Ann (King) Kempe.
She married Arthur F. Fleming on April 18, 1937. They moved to Newton in 1974. He preceded her in death on Oct. 6, 1983.
She was a member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ; Kansas Christian Home Auxiliary; and Kansas Christian Home Campus Living Group, all of Newton. She was a RSVP volunteer.
She is survived by one brother, James F. Kempe of Venice, Fla.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Wilma Weaver.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Coffeyville with the Rev. James West and chaplain Evelyn Dodge officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton.
Memorials may be made to Fellowship of John at Kansas Christian Home in Newton.
Clarence E. Flynn
EDGEWATER, Md. - Clarence E. (Ed) Flynn, 68, of Edgewater, Md., died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, in Maryland.
He was born July 10, 1935, in Parsons to Leo John and Katherine (Jungles) Flynn. He graduated from Parsons High School in 1953. He graduated from Rockhurst College in 1957.
He was employed by Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S. from 1958-1996.
He married his wife, Vera, on Oct. 7, 1961. She preceded him in death on July 27, 2000.
He is survived by three sons, Joseph Flynn of Edgewater, Md., Robert Flynn of Bowie, Md., and Thomas Flynn of Madison, Wis.; four grandchildren; and three brothers, Paul Flynn of Las Vegas, Patrick Flynn of Parsons and James Flynn of Albuquerque, N.M.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Clair May and Mary Ann.
The service will be Jan. 10, 2004, in Salt Lake City. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Salt Lake City.
Bernice M. Foreman
Bernice M. Foreman, 93, of Parsons, formerly of Altamont, died at 12:15 p.m. Monday, May 24, 2004, at her home.
She was born Oct. 7, 1910, in Dieterich, Ill., to Herman and Emma (Lude) Miller.
She married Clifford Foreman on Jan. 5, 1929, in Oswego. He preceded her in death on March 1, 1995.
She was a housewife. She worked for a while at the nursing home in Altamont. She spent most of her life in the Altamont and Parsons area.
She was a member of First Baptist Church in Altamont.
She enjoyed flowers and animals.
Survivors inlcude two sons, Robert "Bob" Foreman of Altamont and Donald Foreman of Panama City, Fla.; three daughters, Judy Hernandez and Juanita Main, both of Parsons; 18 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 28 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three grandchildren, one sister and one daughter.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Altamont with the Rev. Leroy Foreman officiating. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Wednesday and the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bath Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont.
Memorials to First Baptist Church of Altamont may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, Box 325, Altamont.
Bertha M. Fritz
CHETOPA - Bertha Mae Fritz, 70, of Chetopa, formerly of Wichita, died at 3:18 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2003, at her home.
She was born Jan. 3, 1933, in Bonner Springs to Aurby and Florence (Kimlin) Kepford. She graduated from Chetopa High School in 1951.
She married Charles B. Fritz on Aug. 19, 1952, in Bentonville, Ark. He survives of the home. They moved to Chetopa in October 1996 from Wichita. They were married 50 years.
She was a homemaker and community volunteer. She was active in PTA, serving as state president from 1981 to 1983; active in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts; a member of the Chetopa Chamber of Commerce; a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 10508; and past treasurer of the Chetopa Historical Museum.
Her family was the joy of her life.
Other survivors include two sons, Bruce Fritz and his wife, Jana, and Bob Fritz and his wife, Angie, all of Wichita; one daughter, Charlotte Brindley and her husband, Chris, of Canton, Mass.; three grandchildren, Andrew, Luke and Miranda; two sisters, Jaunita Honeyman of Tulsa and Rose Cross and her husband, Jim, of Oswego; one sister-in-law, Myrna Kepford of Austin; a special family friend, Elton Raney of Grove, Okla.; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Aurby Kepford; her mother, Florence Kepford Raney; one brother, James William Kepford; and one sister, Eleanor Louise Kepford, in infancy.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Oak Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Wilkinson officiating. Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Bath Funeral Home in Chetopa.
Lawrence W. Gann
Lawrence W. Gann, 95, of 2905 Briggs died at 1:10 a.m. Sunday, May 16, 2004, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor, where he had resided since December 2001. His wife, Laura, survives of the home.
The family has tentatively scheduled the service for Saturday at Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Arkansas City with the Rev. James "Babe" Standerfer officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to either Parsons Presbyterian Manor or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 405 Main, Parsons.
Further obituary details will be announced by the funeral home.
Lorene M. George
OSWEGO - Lorene M. George, 78, of rural Oswego, died at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 20, 2004, at Infinia of Oswego.
She was born Dec. 1, 1925, in Harrisonville, Mo., to Alvin and Mabel (Nation) Reed.
She married Lelin George on Dec. 14, 1941, in Columbus. He survives of the home. She was a housewife.
Mrs. George was a lifetime resident of the Oswego area.
She was a Farm Bureau member.
She enjoyed sewing, quilting and crocheting.
Survivors include three sons, Glen George, Allan George and LeRoy George, all of Oswego; four sisters, Leigh Hubert of San Pablo, Calif., Mildred Benthin of Erie, Goldie Kiister of Oswego and Aliene Padgett of Harrison, Ark.; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three brothers and one son, Virgil George.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa with the Rev. Tom Heflin officiating. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Sunday and the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bath Funeral Home in Chetopa.
O. Dayle Gillespie Jr.
ST. JOHN - O. Dayle Gillespie Jr., 60, of St. John died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at Stafford District Hospital in Stafford.
He was born Oct. 5, 1943, in Oswego to O. Dayle Gillespie Sr. and Ruth Marie Gillespie.
He was a farmer/stockman. He served in the U.S. Air National Guard.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in St. John. He served on the USD 350 school board, USD 350 Recreation Commission and Farm Bureau boards, all of St. John. He was an Eagle Scout and attended Fort Hays State University two years.
He married Dora Elaine (Willson) Gillespie on Nov. 20, 1965, in St. John. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a son, Rusty D. Gillespie of St. John; two daughters, Cindy D. Falk of St. John and Michelle D. Whipple of Kalvesta; five grandchildren; his father, O. Dayle Gillespie Sr. of St. John; and a brother, Lawrence E. Gillespie of St. John.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Minnis Chapel Inc. in St. John with the Revs. Wade Russell and Joel Pavia officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Park Cemetery in St. John. Visitation will be until 7 p.m. tonight at the funeral home.
Charles W. Gomer
THAYER - Charles Willard Gomer of Thayer died Friday, June 11, 2004, in St. Paul.
He was born April 11, 1916, in Doniphan, Mo., to Charles and Lora May (Bolin) Gomer.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ioma Gomer, on Jan. 29, 2000.
Survivors include four daughters, Bette Cornett of Muskogee, Okla., Judy VanCleave of Porter, Okla., Charlene Hammon of Erie and Kathy Doussa of Spearville; one son, Dan Guidry of Locust Grove, Okla.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one sister.
The service was at 2 p.m. today at Millsap Chapel in Fort Gibson, Okla., with the Rev. Gene Bebee officiating. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery under the direction of Millsap Funeral Service of Fort Gibson.
Floyd E. Graham
WICHITA - Floyd E. "JR" Graham Jr., 67, of Wichita, formerly of Independence, died at 2:40 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
He was born Jan. 9, 1937, in Sycamore to Floyd E. Graham Sr. and Maude E. (Osborn) Graham. He grew up in Independence and graduated from high school in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army in Spokane, Wash., from 1956 until his discharge in 1958. He worked for Guys Foods and Frito Lay until retiring in 2001. He was employed by Wal-Mart at the time of his death.
He married Judith Barnes on May 11, 1957, in Parsons. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include two daughters, Shelley Schultz of Independence and Lisa Lumm of Owasso, Okla.; three grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Foster of Overland Park and Kathleen Lawson of Lee's Summit, Mo.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Potts Chapel of Independence with the Rev. Marilyn Gregory of First United Methodist Church of Independence officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home, when the casket will be closed.
Memorials to the Pittsburg State University baseball program may be left at the funeral home.
L. Dean Graham
WELLSVILLE - L. Dean Graham, 58, of Wellsville died Friday, June 18, 2004, at Olathe Medical Center.
He was born June 19, 1945, in rural Earlton to Neil F. and Irmel Marie (Powers) Graham. He graduated from Independence High School in 1963 and from Independence Community College in 1965.
He married Patty Brickens on July 9, 1965, in Independence. She survives of the home.
He worked as an electrical wholesaler for almost 30 years. He lived in Kansas City, Mo., for 12 years before moving to Wellsville five years ago.
He was a trustee of Town & Country Church of Christ in Ottawa.
Survivors include a son, Graig Graham of Kansas City, Mo.; a bother, Dale Graham of Ottawa; and a granddaughter, Cassie Marie Graham of Kansas City, Mo.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Thayer Christian Church with Nobel Gould, John Powers and the Rev. Jim Pelley officiating. Burial will be in Thayer Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel in Chanute. Memorials to Hidden Haven Christian Camp may be left at the funeral home.
