Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
PITTSBURG — DC Smith, 75, of Pittsburg, KS died at 7:15 a.m.,
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at his home after a long illness.
DC was born December 1, 1933 in Summerfield, OK to David Clarence
and Lilah Gertrude (Morrison) Smith.
DC attended area schools, graduating with a Bachelors degree in
chemistry.
On December 17, 1957, in Oklahoma, he married
Eva Sue Miller. She
survives of the home.
DC was the owner/operator of Smith’s Upholstery for 36 years.
DC belonged to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses where he was
an elder.
Additional survivors include his sons DC Smith, Jr. of Coos Bay, OR and
Tim Smith of Dallas, TX; daughters Julia Hudson of Pittsburg and Shalicia
Loyd of Coweta, OK; sisters Estelle Shrum of Bethany, OK and Charlotte
Dixon of Oklahoma City, OK; along with 9 grandchildren and 2 great-
grandchildren.
DC was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Faye Walden and Opal
Hamner and brother Carl Smith.
Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2009 at the
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pittsburg with Greg Brown
officiating. E-mail condolences may be left at our Web site www.
bathnaylor.com. The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in the
form of memorials to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Memorials may be left at or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S.
Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762.
PITTSBURG — Donald Lee LaForte, 74, of Pittsburg died on Saturday,
May 23, 2009 at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
He was born May 7, 1935 in Frontenac, KS the son of Raymond and
Lorene (Woody) LaForte.
Donald entered the U.S. Army in October 1953 and was honorably
discharged in October 1956. He received service medals of honor for his
service in Korea, National Defense Service medal, Sharp Shooter
Combine, and the United Nations Service medal.
On January 31, 1959, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Marie
Hansen in Detroit, MI; she survives of the home.
Donald attended Wayne State University and the Detroit School of
Lettering, where he later taught sign painting for several years. After
returning to Pittsburg, he worked at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant
and was the owner of LaForte signs.
He was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in
Pittsburg. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American
Legion, the Elks, and Mirza Shriners.
Additional survivors include daughters Lorene Joynson and husband
Robin of Peachtree City, GA and Vicki Woodward and husband Craig of
Norwood, NY; son Chris LaForte and wife Monica of Pittsburg, and five
grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers.
Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m., May 29, 2009, at Our
Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, with Fr. Thomas Stroot as
celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery. Parish
rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., May 28 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home;
the family will receive friends after the rosary. The John F. Derby
American Legion Post #43 will do a walk-through at 6:45 p.m. Military
Rites and flag folding ceremonies will be conducted by John F. Derby
#43, American Legion of Frontenac. Condolences may be left at www.
bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic Church, or the American Heart Association; these may be left at
or mailed to the funeral home.
PITTSBURG — Victor T. Herman, 90 of Pittsburg died at 5:10 am Friday,
May 22, 2009 at the Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.
He was born June 20, 1918 in Liebenthal, KS the son of Nick and
Elizabeth (Schoenberger) Herman.
Victor entered the U.S. Army on August 20, 1941 and was honorably
discharged on January 20, 1946.
On October 27, 1947 he was united in marriage to Wilma Schwartzkopf in
Ransom, KS; she survives of the home.
Victor worked in the upholstery business with Joe Rodich for 25 years,
later taking the business over.
He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg
where he was an usher. He was also a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus
in Dighton, KS and a member of the American Legion.
Additional survivors include five sons: Victor Eugene Herman of
Hutchison, KS, Alan Herman of Pittsburg, Michael Herman of Baxter
Springs, KS, James Herman of Pleasant Hill, MO and Steven Herman of
Andover, KS; 2 daughters: Doris Sutton of Hoisington, KS and Diana
Main of Pittsburg; two sisters: Clementina Herman of Dighton and Martina
McCulloch of Milbank, SD; 21 grandchildren and numerous great
grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Lisa Herman, 3
brothers: Robert, Wendlin and Leonard Herman; one sister Louise Zerr.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Our
Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Stroot as Celebrant.
Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Parish rosary will
be recited at 7 p.m. Monday, May 25 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home;
the family will receive friends following the rosary. Military Rites and flag
folding will be performed at the graveside by Benjamin Fuller American
Legion Post #64.
Memorials may be made to OLOL Memorial Fund or the SMC Colgan
Booster Club; these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. The
family will be at the home of Diana Main 703 W. Eighth Pittsburg.
Services by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg,
KS
PITTSBURG — Carolyn Ruth Porter of Pittsburg, loving wife, mother, and
mema, died May 19, 2009 of a stroke following a life of dedication and
devotion.
Carolyn was born April 19, 1938 to the late E.C. and Vivian Simmons in
Carthage, MO. She graduated from Carthage High School in 1956 and
earned BS and MS degrees in Education from Pittsburg State University.
She married
her husband of nearly 50 years, Don Porter, on January 22,
1960. Carolyn served as an elementary teacher in the Frontenac school
district for 25 years, sharing her passion for guiding others with her
husband and many siblings who are also educators. She was a member
of First Christian Church of Pittsburg and a tireless worker whose
greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She enjoyed
cooking for family and friends, gardening, and her morning crossword
puzzles. Her strength and generosity of spirit, and the lessons she
taught, will be remembered by all who knew her. Carolyn is survived by
her husband, Don Porter; her three children: Kim Porter Sprague of
Olathe; Pam Porter of St. Joseph, MI; and Mark and wife Marie Porter of
Missoula, MT.; and her five grandsons: Sean, Michael and Matthew
Sprague; and Henry and Grant Porter. She is also survived by her
sisters: Murlean and husband Jim Bolas; Doris and husband Harry
Greninger; Helen and husband Merv Box; Nita and husband Al Hartman;
and Viki Simmons and husband Joy Eisenhauer; and her brothers: Ray
and wife Sandy Simmons; and Jr. and wife Deania Simmons. She is
preceded in death by her brother Ralph Simmons. Also surviving are
many treasured nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at First
Christian Church in Pittsburg with Pastor Joy Eisenhauer officiating.
Burial will follow at ParkCemeteryin Carthage, MO. The family will
receive friends from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22 at Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS. The family requests that
donations be made to USD # 250 Foundation to benefit Pittsburg public
education and to First Christian Church. Memorials may be left at or
mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
COLUMBUS - Mary Evelyn (Billy) Stocking, 85 of Columbus died
Saturday, May 16, 2009.
Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at the
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus with Rev. Dennis Johnson
officiating. Inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date in
Arkansas City, KS.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Residents Activity Fund at
Medicalodge of Columbus. Memorials may be brought by or mailed to
the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 611 S. East Ave. Columbus, KS.
PITTSBURG — Jane A. Stockard, 70 of Pittsburg died at 2:58 a.m.
Saturday May 16, 2009 at the Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center in
Pittsburg.
She was born February 24, 1939 in Creston, IA the daughter of
Raymond Edward and Claudine Fern (Conrad) Stockard.
Jane has been a resident of the Pittsburg area since 1980 moving from
Springfield, MO.
She received her bachelors of Science degree in nursing and her master
degree in education both from Missouri State University in Springfield.
Jane worked for Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center for over 25
years, at her retirement 5 years ago she was the director of Infection
Control.
She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Pittsburg. She
was an avid golfer, loved animals and enjoyed traveling and spending
time with several special friends.
Survivors include two brothers- her twin Jerry Stockard and wife Cathy of
Pittsburg, Donald E. Stockard and wife Patti of Springfield, MO; several
nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a special friend
Rosemary Reed of Tulsa, OK who help provide for her care. She was
preceded in death by her parents and a brother Bill Stockard.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday May 19th at the Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Reverend Jim Sukraw officiating. Burial
will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends
from 1 p.m. until service time on Tuesday. Condolences can be sent to
www.bathnaylor.com. Memorial contributions can be made to the
Southeast Kansas Humane Society. Memorials may be brought by or
mailed to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS
66762.
