Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Marie Bitner, 99 of Pittsburg died at 5 a .m. Thursday May 28,
2010 at her daughter-in-laws home in Cherokee, KS. She had been in
failing health for several years.
She was born April 14, 1911 in Frontenac , KS the daughter of
Noel and Alice (Governor) Dieu. She was a lifelong resident of the
Pittsburg area; she attended Frontenac school and was a graduate of
the Pittsburg School of Beauty.
Marie married
Vernon Lee Bitner; they were later divorced.
She worked for the Parsons Ammunition Plant and then was a
beautician/hairdresser working out of her home and the Stillwell hotel.
Marie was baptized into the Episcopal Faith and was a former
member of the Christian Science Society. She was a member of the
Monday-Friday Senior Citizens Group, AARP and past secretary and
treasurer for the hairdresser’s local association.
Survivors include a son Danny Lee Bitner of Pittsburg; three
grandchildren Eric Bitner of Cherokee, Danna Gideon of Weir, Cameron
Bitner of Pittsburg; daughter-in-law and caregiver Linda Bitner; daytime
caregiver and companion Gracie Hall; six great-grandchildren and
several nieces and nephews including Elma Blessant and Marvin Williams
and several great-nieces including Joyce Evans and Nancy Schlaper.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son Dennis F. Bitner; four
sisters Erma Shriver, Eva Vantrepotte, Alida Finley and Bertha Ferguson.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday June 2, 2010 at the
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Reverend Daryl Gaddy
officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The
family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time on Wednesday.
Friends may call the funeral home after 9 a .m. Tuesday. Condolences
can be sent to www.bathnaylor.com Arrangements are under the
direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg,
KS.
===
Raymon Eugene “Willie” Wilson passed away peacefully at his home
after a lengthy illness at 9:40 AM on May 29, 2010. He was born on
January 3, 1935 to Opal Norris Wilson and Raymon Wilson in Stippville,
Kansas. He attended Columbus Schools graduating from Columbus High
School in 1953. Willie enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the
USS Mispillion until honorably discharged in August 1957.
He married
Beverly Leroy on September 22, 1957 at the Scammon
Presbyterian Church. After their wedding, they made their home in Girard
where he worked as the meat market manager at Keith’s IGA for over 21
years. He was one of the original co-owners of J & W Poultry in Girard. In
1978 he accepted a position as a meat specialist for Fleming Foods of
Joplin, MO until retirement. After retirement, he worked part-time at
Crawford County Mental Health in Pittsburg until January 2007.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Girard, serving as
a Trustee and a member of the American Legion Post of Girard. Past
memberships include the Masonic Lodge of Girard, Scottish Rite Chapter
of Ft. Scott, and the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg.
Up until a few years ago, Willie could be seen “running the chains” at
Girard High School home football games which was an activity he
enjoyed for over 30 years. He also served as a commissioner for the City
of Girard for a number of years and was active in the Girard Little
League baseball program.
Willie was an avid KU basketball fan, being a season ticket holder for
many years. He traveled anywhere from Chicago to San Antonio to
support the Jayhawks. He most enjoyed spending time at the family
cabin at Farlington Lake and watching his grandchildren participate in
their activities from twirling, music, swimming, and all sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home, daughter Joeen Burns
and her husband George Burns, and son Scott Wilson and his wife Beth
Wilson, all of Girard. Grandchildren include Adam and Heidi Burns and
Maria, Eric, and Seth Wilson. He is survived by three sisters Dorothy
Kennedy of Sedgwick KS, Betty Bookwalter of Santa Fe NM, and Thelma
Daniels of Joplin MO as well as an aunt Mauona Wilson of West Mineral
KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be 10am Wednesday June 2, 2010 at the First
Presbyterian Church in Girard, KS with Pastor Susan Rosenbaum
officiating. Burial will follow at the Hosey HillCemeteryin Weir, KS.
Family will receive friends from 7-8pm Tuesday June 1, 2010 at the Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Friends may call after 11am on
Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family ask expressions of sympathy be in
the form of memorials to the Mary Leroy Scholarship Fund or the Via
Christi Care Van. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. E-mail
condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are by
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
===
Dennis Patrick Evans 96, of Pittsburg , KS died 5:40pm Friday May 28,
2010 at Medicalodge South in Pittsburg , KS following a long illness.
Dennis was born September 23, 19 13 in Croweberg , KS the son of
Patrick and Amy (McCoy) Evans. He lived in Kansas City most of his life;
moving back to Pittsburg in 1984. He attended area schools on Pittsburg
, KS . He joined the Navy in December of 1941 and worked as an officer’
s chef. He later married
Nina Martin. He worked as a CNA at the VA
Hospital in Kansas City for 23 years retiring in 1980.
Survivors include children Dennis P. Evans III and wife Virginia and
Thelma R. Collins of San Diego, CA; grandchildren Nina Young Boyd
and husband James, Aliso Viejo of CA, Margo Collins of San Diego, CA,
Danielle Evans of Kansas City, Lawrence Collins and Lenora of
Colorado, Van Collins of San Diego, CA and Mark Evans of Kansas City;
seventeen great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and a
host of other relatives and devoted nieces Colita and Jeanny of
Pittsburg, KS.
He was preceded in death by Nina Martin, parents, brother Robert Smith,
sisters Opal Glenn, Winnie Evans, Beatrice Dorsey and Mary Jane
Clark.
Graveside Services will be 1:30pm Friday June 4, 2010 at the Fort Scott
NationalCemeteryin Fort Scott , KS with Rev. Clifford Allmon officiating.
Full Military Honors will be conducted immediately following the service.
E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements
and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of
Pittsburg, KS
===
Claude Junior Huffman, 88, of Longview, Washington died on Sunday,
May 9, 2010 in Longview, WA.
born February 24, 1923 in Lyons, KS, he was the son of Claude I.
Huffman and Florence M. Huffman.
He was a resident of Pittsburg for 20 years, a graduate of Pittsburg
Senior High School, and attended Kansas State Teacher's College in
Pittsburg.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps November 26, 1942. He
served as a marine raider in the S. Pacific in WWII, and was awarded two
Purple Heart medals for injury in combat.
He worked as a security officer for several companies and hospitals in
Washington and Indiana until his retirement in 1994.
Survivors include two brothers, David C. Huffman, of Everett, WA, and
Donald M. Huffman of Pella, IA; a sister, Lillian F. Truman of Irvine, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Theodore C.
Huffman, and Eldon W. Huffman, a sister Virginia Lee Scott.
Graveside services will be 10 am, Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at the Highland
ParkCemeteryin Pittsburg, KS. Local arrangements by Bath-Naylor
Funeral Home, Pittsburg, KS.
===
Darrell M. Dorsey, Sr. 72 of Pittsburg, KS died at 7:55 pm, Saturday,
June 5, 2010 at Joplin Care in Joplin, MO.
He was born Aug 8, 1937 in Yale, KS the son of Walter and Beatrice
(Evans) Dorsey.
He was a U.S. Army veteran.
Darrell worked for Dickey Clay for many years.
Survivors include two sons Darrell Dorsey, Jr. of Carthage, MO and
James Pulley of Parsons, KS; two sisters Bettie Pillar and Deloris
Jackson both of Pittsburg, KS; four granddaughters and a grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Walter Dorsey, Jr.,
three sisters, Dorothy Grayson, Helen Berley and Marie Grayson.
Graveside services will be 10:30 am, Friday, June 11, 2010 at the
Highland ParkCemeterywith Rev. Clifford Allmon officiating. Friends are
requested to meet at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home to follow in procession
to thecemeteryfor the services. Condolences may be left at
www.bathnaylor.com.
Services are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S.
Broadway Pittsburg, KS.
===
PITTSBURG — Mary “Barbara” Phifer, 87, of Pittsburg died t 4:40 a.m.
Tuesday June 8, 2010 at the Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Frontenac.
She was born February 11, 1923 in Shreveport, LA the daughter pf Cecil
and Johnnie (Barkes) Wright. Barbara lived in the Pittsburg area for
most of her life. She was a 1941 graduate from Heavner, OK High
School and attended two years at Wilberton Junior College in Oklahoma.
Barbara married
Arthur “Buzz” Grady Phifer March 18, 1944 in Houston,
TX; he preceded her in death December 19, 1987.
She was a homemaker, a member of the First Christian Church and
AARP. Barbara was a daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt
and friend to many people. She enjoyed playing cards, games, cooking
and doing crossword puzzles. She was be missed by all of those whose
life she touched.
Survivors include a son Ronald Phifer and wife Jessica of Ottawa, KS; a
sister Teresa Monroe and husband Arvid of Oklahoma City, OK a
grandson Sean Matthew Phifer of Pittsburg and many nieces and
nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers J.R.
Wright, Troy Wright and a sister Bettye Jo Haggard.
According to her wishes Barbara will be taken for cremation and no
services are planned at this time.
Condolences can be sent to www.bathnaylor.com Memorial contributions
can be made to the Arthritis Foundation. Memorial contributions can be
sent to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762.
