Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Christine J. Sunquist
BELLA VISTA, Ark. - Christine Jane Sunquist, 78, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at Northwest Medical Center of Benton County in Bentonville, Ark.
She was born Nov. 25, 1924, in Oswego to John Carrol and Cleo Carpenter.
She taught school in Winfield with her twin sister and also taught in other school systems in Cincinnati and Pennsylvania. She moved to Bella Vista 13 years ago from Fond du Lac, Wis.
She was a member of Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, a quilting group, Outreach Committee, a choir, a Shephard group and P.E.O.
She enjoyed playing cards.
Survivors are her husband of 53 years, Virgil Sunquist of Bella Vista, Ark.; a son, Scott W. Sunquist of Allison Park, Pa.; a daughter, Sara Quackenbush of Golden, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; and her twin sister, Charlotte Seifert of Parsons.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Warnke; a granddaughter, Kristen Warnke; and her brother, Robert Carpenter.
The service was today at Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista with the Revs. Scott W. Sunquist, James E. Still and Tracy L. Evans officiating.
Memorials may be made to the church, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark., 72715.
Bobby Lou Swanwick
CHETOPA - Bobby Lou Swanwick, 72, of rural Chetopa died at 9:55 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at Chetopa manor, where she had recently entered.
She was born Sept. 30, 1931, to Jake and Lucille (Frogley) Burrows of Chetopa.
She graduated from Chetopa High School in 1949 and spent most of her life in the Chetopa area. She was a bookkeeper and clerk at Warwick's Grocery.
She married Robert Eugene Swanwick on Nov. 3, 1949, at Ellis. He preceded her in death on Aug. 31, 1997.
She was a member of United Methodist Church of Chetopa.
Survivors include two sons, Tony and Larry Swanwick, both of Chetopa; one daughter, Beccy Swanwick of Lenexa; three sisters, Joan Wood and Carol Cassell, both of Chetopa, and Pat Patterson of Parsons; and three grandchildren.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at United Methodist Church of Chetopa with the Revs. Charlotte Coates and Jack Wilkinson officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Chetopa.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Bath Funeral Home of Chetopa.
Memorials to the Chetopa City Library may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, Box 346, Chetopa, 67336.
Mary L. Switlik
THREE RIVERS, Mich. - Mary Louise Switlik, 85, of Three Rivers died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at Mercy Memorial Nursing Center in Frenchtown Township, Mich., where she had resided the past month.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1918, in Fort Scott to Julius P. and Bessie L. (Nail) Karleskint.
She married Matthew J. Switlik, formerly of Parsons, on Sept. 4, 1940, at Fort Scott. He preceded her in death in 1981. They returned to Parsons, where she worked at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. They moved to Three Rivers in 1960, where she was a special education aid at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Three Rivers and was active in the Three Rivers Community Center.
Survivors include one son, Matthew C. Switlik of Monroe, Mich.; one daughter, Johanna Louise Scott of Galena, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Judi Ann Comar, in 1983.
The service was today at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Matthew Illikattil officiating. Burial was in Moorepark Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Scidmore Park Special Projects Fund in care of the City of Three Rivers, 333 W. Michigan, Three Rivers, Mich., 49093.
Paul A. Taylor
CHANUTE - Paul Anderson Taylor, 78, of Chanute died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.
He was born on April 8, 1925, in Hannibal, Mo., to Walter and Ada Hodgden Taylor. He moved with his family to Neosho County at the age of 5. He graduated from Chanute High School. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Dixie. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Neosho County and worked at the Berthot Planing Mill.
He married Marilyn M. Ellison on Oct. 28, 1949, at the First Christian Church in Chanute. She survives.
He started a business with Bob Knapp, TK Construction.
He was a member of the First Christian Church, VFW, American Legion and was a former member of the Bit and Spur Saddle Club and the Do-Si-Do Square Dance Club of Chanute.
Survivors include many nieces and nephews, including Fred R. Taylor of Grove, Okla., Barbara Ann Noah of Altoona, Norma J. Barger of Grove and Jim and Debbie Bailey of Earlton.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and James Orville Taylor.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Gibson-Koch-Friskel Chapel with the Rev. Rick Qualls officiating. Burial will be in the Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery, East 21st Street. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 170. Friends may call today at the funeral home.
Memorials to the Heart Association or the American Cancer Society may be left at the funeral home.
Marge Tetens
INDEPENDENCE - Margelaine "Marge" Tetens, 69, of Independence died at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, May 22, 2004, at Wilson County Hospital in Neodesha, where she had been undergoing treatment.
She was born May 30, 1934, in Gillette, Wyo., to Leonard Andrew and Jesse G. (Kelley) Tyron. She attended and graduated from the Altamont school system.
She worked for a time at the sewing factory in Cherryvale and later for Electra Manufacturing Co. for several years. She began employment with H&R Block in 1978 and started the H&R Block Tax Service in Cherryvale. She retired in December 2003.
She married L.R. "Lou" Tetens on June 6, 1953, in Cherryvale. He preceded her in death on June 20, 1989.
Survivors include one daughter, Judith Marie Fletcher of Independence; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Bill Tryon of Independence and Jerry Tryon of Wellington.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Potts Chapel in Independence with the Rev. Wayne Hett, pastor of Riverside Baptist Church of Independence, officiating. Friends may call to register after 9 a.m. Wednesday at Potts Chapel.
Memorials to Ronald McDonald House of Wichita may be mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 801, Independence, Kan., 67301.
Frances J. Thomas
GUTHRIE, Okla. - Frances June Thomas, 72, of Guthrie died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003.
She was born Aug. 5, 1931, in Parsons to Clarence and Ethel Hamsher.
She taught elementary school for more than 20 years and was a substitute teacher after her retirement.
She was a docent at the Publishing Museum and volunteered delivering mobile meals to shut-ins in Guthrie. She was also a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, helping build houses in Mexico and Oklahoma.
She participated in several Friendship Force trips, which included traveling to many countries. While in Poland and Romania she worked in several orphanages.
She served on the election board. She was a member of Friends of the Library and belonged to a reading club.
Survivors include five children, Ann Bucci of Ortanna, Pa., Carolyn Hall of Guthrie, Debra Thomas and John Thomas, both of Des Moines, Iowa, and Nathan Thomas of Reading, Pa.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wilma Jean Correll and Ethel Fox; and four brothers, Robert Hamsher, Bill Hamsher, Carl Hamsher and Eugene Hamsher.
She was preceded in death by two infant brothers; three sisters, Leona Herrin Ferguson, Florence McDill and Irene Caddo; and one brother, John Hamsher.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Presbyterian Church in Guthrie with the Revs. Karen Rogers and John Holderread of the Church of The Brethren of Cushing officiating. A graveside service will be at 4 p.m. in Harmony Grove Cemetery in Parsons. Davis Funeral Home of Guthrie is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Guthrie Public Library, 201 N. Division, Guthrie, Okla., 73044.
Orville W. Thurman
WICHITA - Orville W. Thurman, 88, formerly of Harper, retired Thurman Western Auto Store owner, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003.
He was born on Aug. 16, 1915, in Neosho County to E.R. and Iva Thurman. He graduated from Erie High School in 1933.
He married Shirley Lorraine Heisey on April 7, 1940.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps from 1943 through 1946.
Survivors are his wife of 63 years, Shirley Lorraine Thurman; a son, James K. Thurman of Concord, N.C.; two daughters, Marcia Calvert of Wichita and Kathy Hostetler of Goddard; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mildred McCaskey and Marcellene Wangemann, both of Wichita.
He was preceded in death by a son, Robert; a daughter, Janice; two brothers, Walter and Harold; and a sister, Marjorie Howard.
The service was today at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. A graveside service was today at Mount Hope Cemetery in Galesburg.
Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7901, W. 21st, Wichita, Kan., 67212.
Annette H. Thurston
LENEXA - Annette Hutcherson Thurston, 84, of Lenexa died Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at Lakeview Village.
She was born and raised in Drumright, Okla.
She married Charles W. Thurston; they lived in Parsons. They moved to Topeka and later to the Kansas City area, where she lived for 35 years. He preceded her in death in 1985.
She received her bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1941, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She joined the United Way of Wyandotte County in 1967, and was its executive director from 1979 to 1988, when she retired. She was its first director to raise $1 million. She previously was the executive director of the Columbine Girl Scout Council in Topeka. She was on the advisory board of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; the board of directors of Wyandotte County Alcohol and Drug Advisory Committee; a former secretary of the board of the Wyandotte Association for Child Care Services Inc.; the Developmental Disabilities Council; Project Interweave (Mental Health Planning Task Force); the Kansas Council of Children and Youth; the Governor's Steering Committee for the 1970 Conference on Children and Youth; and was a 1970 delegate to the White House Conference on Children.
From 1975 to 1977 she was the president of the Citizens Advisory Commission, and in 1971 to 1972 she was the president of the Women's Chamber of Commerce. She received the Community Service Award from the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson counties in 1976. She was a member, elder and clerk of the Session of First Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Kan.
She enjoyed traveling, roses, gardening and genealogical research, which resulted in the book "Our Forebears - Our Family."
Survivors include two sons, Charles W. "Bud" Thurston Jr., and Thomas L. Thurston; one daughter, Una Balley of Fort Worth, Texas; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sue Ann.
The service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to United Way of Wyandotte County or to the charity of donor's choice.
Howard L. Tincknell
CHERRYVALE - Howard Lee Tincknell, 81, of Cherryvale died Monday evening, Feb. 2, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Independence. He had been in failing health for several years.
He was born Oct. 6, 1922, on a farm in Cherry Township to James David and Iva (Jones) Tincknell. He graduated from Cherryvale High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. During World War II he served in the Pacific on board the aircraft carrier CV-13, the U.S.S. Franklin. He received two Purple Hearts.
He married Neva Colynn Konkel on Dec. 27, 1944, in Fredonia. She preceded him in death on Feb. 9, 1998.
He worked at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Continental Can and Dixon Industries. He also farmed in rural Cherryvale. The couple operated the Tincknell Christmas Tree Farm for more than 30 years near Big Hill Lake.
He was a member of the Disabled Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include one son, Richard L. Tincknell of Cherryvale; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and one brother, Denver E. Tincknell of rural Cherryvale.
He was preceded in death by two infant daughters and three brothers.
The service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Potts Chapel in Cherryvale with the Rev. Ed Friesen of Cherryvale United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Cherryvale. Military graveside rites will be conducted by a military detachment from Fort Riley.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call from 9 a.m. until service time Friday. The family can be reached at the home of Richard Tincknell, 635 W. First, Cherryvale, 67335.
Memorials to Cherryvale United Methodist Church may be left at the funeral home or the church office.
Duane E. Titus
PECK - Duane E. Titus, 62, of Peck died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004.
He was born Oct. 20, 1941, in Coffeyville to Elmer Glenn and Marie Christine (Englund) Titus.
He married Judy Lee Kirkpatrick on April 8, 1963, in Bartlesville, Okla. She survives.
Other survivors include one son, Duane Obediah Titus of Killeen, Texas; one daughter, Portia Swonger of Peck; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Dale Titus of Dennis; and three sisters, Carole Gonzalez of Haysville, Mary Russell of Fort Peck, Mont., and Marilyn Dockins of Udall.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Don Titus.
A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Council Hill Cemetery in Peck. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today at Senter-Smith Mortuary in Mulvane.
Memorials may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, 67203.
