Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Larry Ward
ALTAMONT - Larry Ward, 60, of Altamont, formerly of Tyro, died Sunday morning, Feb. 15, 2004, at his home.
He was born on Dec. 15, 1943, in Coffeyville to Leo Almon and Bessie Nadine (Miller) Ward. He was raised in Coffeyville and attended Field Kindley Memorial High School and later Independence High School.
He married Carolyn Walls on May 24, 1962, at Central Baptist Church parsonage in Coffeyville. She survives of the home.
He was a machinist for Funk Manufacturing of Coffeyville, Wheatley Valve of Tulsa and Spears Manufacturing of Caney. He served for 32 years as a volunteer fireman for the Dearing, Havana and Tyro rural fire departments. He also served with Montgomery County Sheriff's Reserve for 25 years.
He was a member of Tyro Christian Church and Circle C Saddle Club of Coffeyville, where he was president for two terms.
He enjoyed mules and trail riding.
Other survivors include one son, Jeff Ward of Coffeyville; two daughters, Paula Kastler of Altamont and Lori Bennett of Derby; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; one brother, Terry Ward of Valeda; and two sisters, Carlene Dilldine of Copan, Okla., and Irene Ward of Claremore, Okla.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Tyro Christian Church with the Rev. David Bycroft and Myron Klesner officiating. Burial will be in Fawn Creek Cemetery in rural Tyro. Visitation will be until 8 p.m. today at Graves Funeral Home Chapel in Coffeyville.
Memorials to Tyro Fire Department of Tyro can be left at or mailed to the funeral home.
Joycie L. Watts
BELTON, Mo. - Joycie Lee Watts, 69, of Belton died Tuesday, June 29, 2004.
She was born Aug. 10, 1934, in Parsons.
She retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 1986.
She was a member of Belton Belles China Painting Club.
She enjoyed oil painting.
Survivors include one son, Chris Watts of Belton.; one daughter, Kelli Watts of Belton; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; her mother, Audrey Wheat of Parsons; one brother, Fred Wheat of Parsons; and one sister, Beryl D. Fultz of Parsons.
The service will be at 12 p.m. Tuesday at McGilley and George Funeral Home in Belton. Burial will be in Belton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to American Heart Association.
Allen D. Waxler
Allen D. Waxler, 81, of McCune died at 11:23 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at the Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center in Pittsburg.
He was born Feb. 6, 1922, in Vliets to Herman and Nettie (Wilson) Waxler. He attended Vliets schools and was a graduate of Frankfort High School.
He was a veteran, serving in the Air Force during World War II and later in the Air Force Reserve until being discharged in 1949.
He worked for Freeto Construction and later P.M. Coal Co. as a mechanic for 17 years, retiring in 1984.
He married Betty J. Shrom on June 17, 1944, in Topeka. She survives of the home.
He was a member of the Independent Bible Baptist Church, Benjamin A. Fuller American Legion Post No. 64 and the United Mine Workers Union.
Other survivors include a son, Wyatt Waxler of Winchester, Ky.; two daughters, Pam Hoobler of Maple Hill and Dayna Herring of Braymer, Mo.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three sisters, including his twin, Helen Fuller, of Cheyenne, Wyo., Ramona Bettencourt of Rico Vista, Calif., and Laura Higgins of Seattle.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Lauren Waxler.
The service will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel in Pittsburg with the Rev. Bill Hill of the Independent Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Fort Scott. A graveside military service will be provided by the Air Force Burial Detail. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Independent Bible Baptist Church and may be left at the funeral home, 114 E. Fourth, Pittsburg.
Barbara Wells
Barbara Wells, 63, of Parsons died at 3:54 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., where she entered Monday morning. Her death was unexpected.
She was born April 23, 1941, in Rockwood, Tenn., to Charles and Ursula (Bearden) Fritts. She grew up and attended schools at Rockwood.
She moved to Parsons in 1968. She worked as a seamstress at the Broderick Manufacturing Co. for several years and later at Signature Sportswear. She had not worked since 1996 because of health problems.
She married Robert J. Steele on Aug. 8, 1958, at Midtown, Tenn. They were divorced.
She married Francis E. "Gene" Wells on Nov. 11, 1977, in Parsons. He survives of the home.
She enjoyed gardening.
Other survivors include one son, Robert D. Steele of Independence; two daughters, Debra Caldwell of Independence and Kathy Larson of Rock Springs, Wyo.; one stepson, William E. Wells of Rapid City, S.D.; one stepdaughter, Pamela E. Wells of Willmar, Minn.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 10 stepgreat-grandchildren; two brothers, Billy Fritts of Rockwood and Carl Fritts of Herriman, Tenn.; and three sisters, Helen Aldridge of Florence, S.C., Betty Jean McMillan of Lenoir City, Tenn., and Glenda Mae Fritts of Rockwood.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. John Chastain officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Memorials to American Cancer Society may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons.
Kenneth F. Werner
Kenneth F. Werner, 62, 3106 Faye, died at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at the Labette County Medical Center. He had been in failing health for four years and seriously ill for two months.
He was born May 21, 1941, on the family farm south of Sabetha to Martin J. and Mary K. (Grewing) Werner. He moved with his family to a farm in the Kincaid area, where he grew up and attended schools. He graduated from Kincaid High School in 1959. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959 before graduation from high school and upon completion of high school, he entered U.S. Marine boot camp at San Diego. He served at Okinawa, South Vietnam, Camp Mathews, Calif., and McAlester, Okla. He later attended college for one year.
For a brief time, he worked with his brother, Leo, and his brother-in-law, Gary Smith, for Cole-Layer and Tremble. He was later employed as a power meter man for the Kansas Gas and Electric Co. for 23 years, retiring in 1998.
He was a Catholic.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He was a past member of the U.S. Marine Corps League. He loved to fish and would often take his grandchildren fishing on area lakes. His grandchildren were a bright and shining light in his life. He enjoyed cooking and spending time with his family and friends. He had many hobbies, including a travel trailer, which converted into a fast food trailer. He named this "Peaches Feed Bunk" after his granddaughter, and operated this concession stand for two years.
He married Sheryl L. Riggs on Dec. 20, 1969, in Parsons. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include one daughter, Shannon Werner of Parsons; one granddaughter, Dazaneece "Peaches" Werner of Parsons; one grandson, Malik "Mick" Werner of Parsons; his mother, Mary Werner of Bronson; three brothers, Bill Werner of Winston-Salem, N.C., Leo Werner and his wife, Viki, of Newton, and Tom Werner of Cherryvale; two sisters, Jo Ann Houk and her husband, Joe, of Lawrence, and Delores Smith and her husband, Gary, of Topeka; one sister-in-law, Leona Werner of Chanute; one brother-in-law, Lyle Osborn of Lenexa; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Martin "Pete" Werner; and a sister, Cynthia Osborn.
The service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Houk officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery with military honors by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Parsons. Friends may call at their convenience today at the funeral home.
Memorials to the American Cancer Society may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 405 Main.
Pearl Wheeler
WELLINGTON - Pearl L. Wheeler, 93, of Wellington, a former resident of rural Freedom, Okla., died at 12:50 p.m., Monday, June 7, 2004, at the Slate Creek Good Samaritan Center in Wellington. She had been in failing health.
She was born Jan. 1, 1911, at Attica to Benjamin F. and Cinderella (Sellers) Hoffman. She grew up and attended schools in the Lookout Community near Freedom, Okla.
She married Adam W. Wheeler on Feb. 24, 1934, at Coldwater. They lived in Harper County until returning to the Lookout area. They moved to the Buttermilk area where they lived until returning to the Lookout area in 1939. They lived there for 56 years until his death on Dec. 2, 1995. In August 2000, she moved to Wellington to live with her son, Ronald Wheeler. She entered the nursing home March 21, 2002.
She enjoyed painting, embroidering, gardening and raising flowers.
Survivors include two sons, Ronald Wheeler and his wife, Reta of Wellington and Robert Wheeler of Freedom.; one daughter, Laura Lea Malcom of Woodward, Okla.; eight grandchildren, Greg Wheeler, Cindy Daniels, Teri Wren, Heather Claussen, Duane Tuxhorn, Janelle Wheeler, David Malcom and Cody Wheeler; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Virgil Hoffman and his wife, Betty, of rural Freedom, Richard Hoffman of Wichita and Bob Hoffman and his wife, Lois, of Wichita; one brother-in-law, Norris Wheeler of Leon; and several nieces and nephews including Marlan Hoffman and his wife, Joy, of Parsons.
She was preceded in death by a son, Rodney, who died March 10, 1965; one brother, Bill Hoffman; two sisters, Florence Bliss and Laura Mahoney and two infant sisters, Vera and Claressa May Hoffman; and a great-granddaughter, McKinzie Claussen.
The service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Freedom United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dan Boone officiating. Burial will be at Freedom Cemetery. Friends may call at the church after 11 a.m. Thursday.
Memorials to the Freedom Ambulance Service or the Slate Creek Good Samaritan Center in Wellington may be mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, Kansas 67357.
Emanuel Wiener
Emanuel Wiener, 94, of Parsons died at 9:26 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at Labette County Medical Center. He had been in failing health. His wife, Betty, preceded him in death Dec. 14, 2003.
Further details and funeral information will be announced by Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home.
James E. Wiley
INDEPENDENCE - James Edward Wiley, 76, of Independence died at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2004, at his home.
He was born May 8, 1928, in Caney to Earl E. and Lillie J. (Lawson) Wiley. He graduated from Wayside High School in 1945. He served with the United States Naval Reserve for six years.
He owned and operated Jim's Electric for a time and then worked in oil field contracting for several years. He was a general contractor for several years and semi-retired in 2002.
He married Betty Jean Godsey on Sept. 7, 1947, in Tyro. She survives of the home.
He was a member of Church of the Brethren of Independence, where he had served as stewardship chairman, the Home Builder's Association, Independence Saddle Club, life member of the Handy Man Association of America and was an associate member of the VFW.
Other survivors include one son, Randy Wiley of Independence; one daughter, Gloria Jean Price of Independence; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Jane Norris of Parsons.
The service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Potts Chapel with the Revs. Rich Hanley of McPherson, David Powell of the Brethren Church of Moline and the Charles Rice, interim pastor of the Church of the Brethren of Independence, officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, when the casket will be closed.
Memorials to Church of the Brethren of Independence or Camp Mount Hermon may be left at the funeral home.
Fountain L. Wilson
CHETOPA - Fountain L. Wilson, 72, of Chetopa died Friday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2003, at his home.
He was born April 8, 1931, in Bentley to David and Neva (Jones) Wilson. He attended schools at Bentley and Rose Hill, where he graduated in 1949. He ranched in Grinnell and had a motel and restaurant in Pratt and a resort in Grove, Okla. He was an entrepreneur and owned the F.L. Wilson Co. coffee plant in Chetopa in the early 1980s. He was a goat rancher in recent years.
He married Patricia L. Cramer on March 25, 1951, in Rose Hill. She survives of Perkins, Okla.
He was a member of First Church of God in Wichita and in his early years he sang in a gospel quartet.
Survivors include a son, Greg L. Wilson of Washington; three daughters, Peggy L. Feldt of Santa Fe, N.M., Cynthia W. Adams of Plano, Texas, and Diane R. Jones of Perkins, Okla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Maxine Longstreth of Wichita.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Milhorn.
A graveside service was today at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rose Hill with the Rev. Vernon Frantz officiating.
Memorials may be made to St. John's Hospice and may be left at or mailed to the Bath Funeral Home, Box 346, Chetopa, 67336.
Donald G. Winder Sr.
Donald G. Winder, Sr., 65, former resident of Bartlesville, Okla., died at 10:51 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2004, at Labette County Medical Center at Parsons.
He was born Oct. 3, 1938, at Morton, Texas, to Eugene and Lois F. (Willis) Winder. He attended school in Morton, Texas. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1958.
He had worked in the construction business, trucking, oil fields, agricultural irrigation business and the aircraft industry. He had worked in the United States as well as overseas for nine years including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Libya. He was employed with the international Field Service for REDA Pump Co. and also was a self-employed contractor.
He married Donna Blackburn on May 2, 2002, at Miami, Okla. She survives of the home in Erie.
Additional survivors include three sons, Rodney D. Lutke and his wife, Karen, of Bartlesville, Terry M. Lutke and his wife, Shelle, of Tulsa and Haskell E. Lutke and his wife, Laura, of Killeen, Texas; one daughter, Amanda M. Queen and her husband, David, of Barnard; six grandchildren; and his mother, Lois F. Winder of Lubbock, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his father; his wife, Juanita Alice Winder, on April 13, 2000; three brothers; Harvey, Charles and Davie Joe Winder; and one sister, Geraldine Stark
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville, with the Rev. David Mabon of East Bartlesville Christian Church officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the James H. Teel American Legion Post No. 105 of Bartlesville.
Memorials may be made to American Lung Association of Oklahoma, 2800 Center Suite 806 2305 E. Skelly Drive, Tulsa, Okla. 74105-6252. Stumpff Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
