Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Laurence R. Riggs
Laurence R. "Red" Riggs, 86, of Parsons died at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004, at Elmhaven East nursing home. He had been in failing health.
He was born June 3, 1917, in Sumner County to Raymond R. and Ida O. (Baker) Riggs. He grew up on a farm in Sumner County and attended District No. 83 schools and Wellington High School. He attended aircraft sheet metal school in Wichita and later took several courses at Labette Community College.
As a young man, he did farm work. He began working for Santa Fe Railway on Oct. 14, 1941, and was a railroad car journeyman for about 20 years. In the early 1960s he moved to Pittsburg and started Riggs Heating & Air Installation Co., which he operated for several years. In 1965, he began working as a railroad car journeyman with Katy Railroad, moving to Parsons in 1966. He retired from the Katy Railroad in the early 1970s.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Parsons Elks Lodge No. 527 and Railroad Carmen of America union, and had served as its local president.
He enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping and boating.
He was married in February 1941 and was divorced.
He married Agnes L. (Shiroky) Nutt of Nowata, Okla., on Nov. 21, 1965. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, John W. Riggs of Arkansas City and Ronald E. Riggs of Wichita; two daughters, Lavona Marsh and Connie Leach, both of Wichita; one stepson, Bud Nutt of Catoosa, Okla.; three stepdaughters, LeAnna Storm and Elaine Schartz, both of Pittsburg, and LaRue Tiffany of Jay, Okla.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Bonnie Landes and JoAnn Bertrand, both of Wellington, and Doris Hackett of Lake Charles, La.
He was preceded in death by one son, Donald Riggs; a brother, Floyd Riggs; and a sister, Louise Sawyer.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parsons with Kenneth R. Lott officiating. Burial will be in Crocker Cemetery. Friends may call at their convenience at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.
Memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Group may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 405 Main, Parsons.
Angel E. Rios Jr.
Angel E. Rios Jr., 39, of Parsons died at about 5:15 a.m., Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at his home. His death was unexpected.
He was born March 8, 1965, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, to Angel E. Rios Sr. and Margareta Santiago. He attended schools in Puerto Rico until 1981, when he moved to California to finish high school. He then moved to Parsons. In 1986, he started work at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center as a certified training specialist.
He enjoyed yard work and woodworking.
He married Dawn D. Wangler on March 4, 1987, in Miami, Okla. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Jeremy Rios of the home and Eric Rios of Puerto Rico; two daughters, Brittany Rios of the home and Jaqueline Rios of Puerto Rico; one grandson and one granddaughter; one brother, Eric Omar Marrero of Puerto Rico; two sisters, Haydee Pelley of Wellsville, Ohio, and Angiris Rios Kearny of New Jersey; his stepmother, Carmen I. Rios of Kearny, N.J.; and his grandfather, Americo Rios of Puerto Rico.
A celebration of life and visitation will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience to sign the register book.
Memorials may be made to an educational fund for his children.
Josephine G. Robinson
Josephine G. Robinson, 85, of Parsons died at 3:45 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at her home. She had been in failing health for several months.
She was born Nov. 7, 1918, in Nevada, Mo., to Frank J. and Louise D. (Akers) Roskob. As a small child, she came to Parsons with her parents. She graduated from Parsons High School.
She married Eugene C. "George" Robinson on July 15, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. He survives.
She was employed for about 15 years at J.C. Penney in Parsons and about 15 years at Safeway.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella and AARP. For many years she was a member of the former St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Additional survivors are a nephew, Raymond Roskob of Lee's Summit, Mo.; and a niece, Judy Richardson of Independence.
She was preceded in death by one son, Gene Robinson, on Dec. 1, 1992; one brother, Joe Roskob Sr.; and a nephew, Joe B. Roskob.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Wachter officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The Daughters of Isabella rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. today followed by the parish rosary 7 p.m. at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Memorials to American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons.
Harold C. Rohmiller
CHETOPA - Harold C. Rohmiller, 93, of Chetopa died at 8:08 a.m. today, Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at Elmhaven West in Parsons.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chetopa with the Rev. Larry Parker officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Chetopa. The rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bath Funeral Home in Chetopa, where family will receive friends at 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, Box 346, Chetopa, 67336.
Harold C. Rohmiller
Harold Charles Rohmiller, 93, formerly of Chetopa, died at 8:08 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons, where he had resided the past 2 1/2 years.
He was born Oct. 17, 1910, in Canton, Okla., to Nicholas and Martha (Uhl) Rohmiller. He attended college in Tahlequah, Okla., and high school in Welch, Okla.
He served two terms as Kansas state representative. He also served as tax commissioner under Gov. Robert Docking. He taught school in Chetopa and Welch grade schools and also taught in California.
During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Air Force.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a past member of Chetopa Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club.
He married Berniece Henson in April 1935 in Miami, Okla. She survives.
Other survivors include two brothers, Henry Rohmiller of Chetopa and Nick Rohmiller of Miami, Okla.; one sister, Evelyn Parks of Chetopa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chetopa with the Rev. Larry Parker officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. The rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Wednesday with family visitation to follow until 8 p.m. at Bath Funeral Home in Chetopa.
Memorials to Alzheimer's Association may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, Box 346, Chetopa, 67336.
Merlin G. Rosenstiel
CHETOPA - Merlin Gene Rosenstiel, 61, of Chetopa died at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin.
He was born Jan. 9, 1943, in Wichita to Merle and M. Jewel (Williams) Rosenstiel. He attended schools and graduated from Wichita East High School in Wichita.
He served in the Army.
He married Judy Ann Crocker on Sept. 18, 1965, in Sedan. They later divorced.
Survivors are a son, Troy Rosenstiel of Frontenac; a daughter, Gina Erwin of Columbus; and a grandson.
A graveside service was Wednesday at Greenlawn Cemetery in rural Columbus. Simpson Funeral Home of Columbus was in charge of arrangements.
Leroy L. Ross
JOPLIN - Leroy Logan Ross, 84, of Joplin died Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at National Health Care of Joplin following an illness.
He was born Feb. 15, 1919, in Chetopa to Roy Logan and Julia Augustine (Pearson) Ross. He attended school at Mound Valley. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and then the Merchant Marines during World War II. He was a serviceman for Sears for many years in the Denver area and moved to the Joplin area around 1984.
He is survived by nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mound Valley Cemetery in Mound Valley with Jon Platte and Randy Satterfield officiating. Family and friends should gather at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Murdock Funeral Home in Columbus for the procession to the cemetery.
Ada E. Sanders
ERIE - Ada E. Sanders, 86, of rural Erie died at 10:45 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2004, at Labette County Medical Center. Her death was unexpected.
She was born March 10, 1918, in rural Erie to Don and Thekla H. (Janssen) Beard. She grew up near Erie and attended Erie schools. She graduated from Erie High School in 1936. Following high school she worked at Kansas Ordnance Plant in Parsons and at Olson's grocery store in Erie.
She married Jacob "Jake" Sanders on April 13, 1947, in rural Erie. He preceded her in death on Dec. 29, 1991. They owned and operated a dairy and grain farm southwest of Erie for many years. They later raised cattle. She was a homemaker.
She enjoyed gardening, quilting, baking, playing cards, visiting with friends and spending time with her family.
She was a member of Erie Federated Church.
Survivors include a son, Rex Sanders and his wife, Susie, of rural Erie; a daughter, Sue Jones and her husband, Keith, of Lawrence; two grandchildren, Flora Sanders and Jacob Sanders, both of rural Erie; a brother, Jay Beard of Camarillo, Calif.; and a sister, Mary Volmer of St. Paul.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Vern Beard and Bill Beard.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Erie Federated Church with the Revs. Ralph Jarboe and Charles Clevenger officiating. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie.
Memorials may be made to the Erie Senior Center and may be left at or mailed to P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733.
Michael E. Sears
AUGUSTA - Michael E. "Mike" Sears, 62, of Augusta, formerly of Erie, died at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at Lakepoint nursing home in Augusta. He had been in failing health.
He was born Dec. 28, 1940, in Erie, to Cecil "Bing" and Zoe (Beard) Sears. He graduated from Erie High School in 1958. He attended the Labette Community College in Parsons.
During the Vietnam War, he served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Wichita and Japan. After he returned home, he was employed as a dispatcher with the Katy Railroad, which later became the Union Pacific Railroad, for 29 years. At the time of his retirement, he was working in Omaha, Neb. He had recently moved to Augusta to be near his family.
He was a member of the American Legion.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Survivors include four sons, Clint Sears of Erie, Todd Sears of Augusta, Troy Sears of Parsons and Josh Sears of Glenwood, Iowa; one daughter, Hallie Sears of Sherman, Texas; one stepson, Chris Sampson of Glenwood, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; one brother, Gene Sears of Branson, Mo.; and two sisters, Doris Roets of Erie and Cathy Cook of Parsons.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Lakeview Cemetery in Erie with the Rev. Ralph Jarboe Jr. officiating. Military honors will be given by the George L. Hendricks Post No. 102 American Legion, Erie. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 405 Main, Parsons.
Jennie Seibert
OSWEGO - Jennie Seibert, 98, died at 5:07 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, at Infinia Health Care Center in Oswego. She was the widow of Victor Seibert, who preceded her in death on March 18, 1985.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Parsons. Burial will be at Lake Creek Cemetery in Bartlett.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Jennie F. Seibert
OSWEGO - Jennie F. Seibert, 98, of Oswego, formerly of Bartlett, Parsons, Columbus and the McCune area, died at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, at Infinia Health Care Center of Oswego. She had lived there for three years.
She was born Feb. 5, 1906, in Bison to Charles P. and Julia (Doll) Erni. She attended rural school in Rush County and graduated from Bison High School in 1924. She attended Kansas State Teachers College at Hays and took nursing training in Denver. She taught rural school in Rush County before her marriage.
She married Victor C. Seibert on Aug. 1, 1928, in Bison. They lived in Alvins, Mo., Bison and LaCrosse, teaching and farming in that area until 1940. In 1941 they moved to Parsons and lived here until 1955. They farmed in the McCune area until 1978. In 1978 they moved to Columbus and in 1983 moved to Bartlett. He preceded her in death on March 18, 1985.
She was on the nursing staff at the Parsons Mercy Hospital and at Labette County Medical Center in Parsons until she retired in 1964.
She enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading, fishing and outdoor activities. She was a KU basketball fan.
Survivors include two daughters, Lorraine L. Davis of rural Edna and Marilyn Kay Long of Aransas Pass, Texas; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Charlene Kraft of Wichita.
She was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with her grandsons, Lyndon and Larry Davis, officiating. Burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery at Bartlett. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials to Labette County Humane Society may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons.
Clara P. Shaw
CHERRYVALE - Clara Pauline Shaw, 74, of Cherryvale died at 4 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at Hynes Memorial Hospice inpatient unit in Wichita.
She was born April 2, 1929, in Hale to Walter Randolph and Rosa Lee (Piesker) Phillips. She had worked for the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Independence and Dixon Industries in Coffeyville. She also was a homemaker.
She married Francis Shaw on Nov. 22, 1949, in Bentonville, Ark. He preceded her in death on April 14, 1986.
Survivors include two sons, Clide Shaw of Milwaukee, and Michael Shaw of rural Cherryvale; two daughters, Deborah Beye of Cherryvale and Sharon Smith of Phoenix; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Rosie Capps of Wichita and Hazel Tucker of Mound Valley.
She was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cherryvale Christian Church with the Rev. Doy Jones of Believers Southern Baptist Church in Wichita officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Cherryvale. Friends may call from noon until 8 p.m. Friday at Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friends may call after 9 a.m. at the church on Saturday.
Memorials to Hynes Memorial Hospice inpatient unit may be mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 801, Independence, 67301.
