Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Audrey Bishop Evans
ARMA -- Audrey Bishop Evans, 93, formerly of Pittsburg, died at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at the Infinia Health Care Center of Arma. She had been in failing health for the past 10 years.
She was born June 20, 1907, at Webb City, Mo., to James A. and Erva Lee Harmon Bishop. She attended schools in Webb City and Pittsburg.
She married Theo E. "Jack" Evans on Aug. 31, 1925, at Girard. He preceded her in death Jan. 23, 1970.
She was a saleslady for the Jones Store Co. for 25 years. She retired in 1972.
Mrs. Evans was a member of the Eastern Star and the AARP.
Survivors include a daughter, Neva Noel of Pittsburg; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Theo M. Evans; a daughter, Eva L. Dubus; two brothers; and two sisters.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Brenner Mortuary Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Bardeen of the Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories. Friends may call from 1 to 6 p.m. today at the Brenner Mortuary. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Reno Edwin Frobish
COLUMBUS -- Reno Edwin Frobish, 97, of Columbus, died at 9:13 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Medicalodge, Columbus.
He was born May 13, 1903, at Graymont, Ill., to William Edward and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Albertson) Frobish.
At the age of 5, he and his parents came to Columbus and lived on a farm north of Columbus. He later helped with farming and continued farming throughout his life. For a period of time, he lived in Detroit, where he was employed as a mechanic.
He married Clytie May Sadler on Oct. 20, 1925, at Columbus. She preceded him in death Oct. 13, 1926, at Detroit.
He married Maude Louise Byland on Aug. 12, 1938, at Fayetteville, Ark. She preceded him in death Dec. 10, 1974.
Survivors include two sons, Merlin Keith Frobish of rural Columbus, and Gene Frobish of Pittsburg; a daughter, Carolyn McKee of rural Columbus; two brothers, Harold Frobish of rural Columbus, and Lloyd Frobish of Raytown, Mo.; two sisters, Nellie Hamilton of rural Columbus, and Flossie Smith of Columbus; three grandchildren; four great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Frobish was a member of the First Christian Church of Columbus, serving as a past Sunday school teacher, elder and various other offices. He also was known for his jail ministry at the Columbus jail. For more than 20 years, he made regular weekly visits to those in jail and distributed more than 200 Bibles and reading scriptures to the inmates. He continued serving the inmates until the age of 96, when his health forced him to discontinue.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Christian Church, Columbus, with the Rev. Garland Bohn and the Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery, Columbus. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Simpson Funeral Home, 323 S. Kansas, Columbus.
Philip J. Iannotta
FRONTENAC -- Philip J. Iannotta, 80, of Frontenac, died at 1:35 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at Mt. Carmel Medical Center.
He was born Jan. 11, 1920, at Capaldo, to Nick and Vita Maceli Iannotta. He moved from Capaldo to Frontenac in 1925. He graduated from Frontenac High School in 1938.
Mr. Iannotta worked as a salesman for Montgomery Ward for 25 years. He then worked for Boeing Aircraft for 10 years.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frontenac.
Survivors include a sister, Ann (Spigarelli) Williams of Frontenac; and a niece, Charlene Spigarelli, who provided for his care.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Antonio Iannotta; and a nephew.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Fr. Robert McElwee as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Parish rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the Friskel Funeral Home, Frontenac, where the family will receive friends following the rosary until 8 p.m. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. today. Arrangements are under the direction of the Friskel Funeral Home, 230 E. McKay, Frontenac.
Sister Flora Mayer
WICHITA -- Sister Flora Mayer, 88, of Wichita, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002.
An educator, Sister Flora taught at St. Mary's Elementary School, at Pittsburg; Holy Name Catholic School, at Coffeyville; St. Patrick Catholic School at Kingman; St. Andrew Catholic School at Independence; St. John Catholic School at El Dorado; was principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School, at Pratt; St. Mary Catholic School at Parsons; St. Andrew Catholic School at Wright; and St. Mary Cathedral High School at Wichita.
She also taught art at St. Mary of the Plains High School and St. Mary of the Plains College at Dodge City.
She moved to Joseph Hall in the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita motherhouse complex in 1992 and to Marian Hall in 1999.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for her in Resurrection Chapel at Wichita at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4.
Barbara J. McNeely
RAYTOWN, Mo. -- Barbara J. McNeely, 70, of Raytown, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001.
She was born Aug. 27, 1931, at Atchison, to Adolph and Mary (Barnes) Ehert. She moved to the Kansas City area in 1992.
Survivors include three daughters, Michelle Brown, Sandra Berney, and Lisa Wenzel; one son, Steven Adams; one sister, Jacqueline Thornton; a brother, Aloph Ehert Jr.; five grandchildren; and numerous step-children and step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Clinton Ehert, and a sister, Carolyn Webb.
Mrs. McNeely has been cremated, and no services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St., Pittsburg.
Sherlyn Morton
COLUMBUS -- Sherlyn Morton, 54, of Columbus, died at 8:22 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at St. John's Regional Medical Center at Joplin, Mo. following a sudden illness.
Arrangements are pending and are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main St., Weir.
Johnnie Joe Ward
ARCADIA -- Johnnie Joe Ward, 66, of Independence, Mo., formerly of Arcadia, died at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at Independence.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Bedene Funeral Home at Arma.
Cecil Ziers
ARMA -- Cecil Ziers, 81, died at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, at Infinia Health Care Center at Arma.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Bedene Funeral Home at Arma.
Edna Mildred Gascho
Edna Mildred Gascho, 93, of Pittsburg, died at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Medicalodge South of Pittsburg.
She was born Sept. 14, 1910, at Richmond, to Andrew Jackson and Pheobe Fugate Bowman. She attended schools at Caney and Walnut and graduated from Walnut High School. She later attended business school at Wichita.
She married Lewis J. Gascho on March 21, 1937 at Walnut. The couple moved to Girard, then to Pittsburg in 1948. He preceded her in death Aug. 12, 1984.
Mrs. Gascho was a homemaker.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Esther Circle. She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Survivors include two daughters, Janice Harrel of The Colony, Texas, and Kathryn White of Albuquerque, N.M.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a twin brother, Edward M. Bowman; four brothers, Walter Bowman, James Bowman, William Bowman and Garland Bowman; and two sisters, Vesta Bowman and Mary Ringle.
Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Thomas D. Sims officiating. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brenner Mortuary Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Chester L. Phelps
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. - Chester L. Phelps, 76, of Midwest City, Okla., died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003.
He was born Dec. 2, 1927, at Pittsburg, to Ralph and Viola (Badart) Phelps. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years and the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.
He married Iris Cochran on Jan. 15, 1946, at Erie. She survives of the home.
Mr. Phelps retired from the city of Midwest City.
He was a longtime member of First Southern Baptist Church. He was a Mason at Midwest City No. 532, a 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite and a member of Order of the Eastern Star.
Additional survivors include two sons, Wayne Phelps and Keith Phelps; three daughters, Sandy Stoner, Traci Wheat and Kris Wheat; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray Phelps and John Malle; and three sisters, Elizabeth Stover, Donna Pepper and Martha Pedro.
Services were Wednesday, Dec. 31, at First Southern Baptist Church. Burial was in Arlington Memory Gardens.
Edna M. Rink
Edna M. Rink, 78, of Frontenac, died at 11:54 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at \Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center in Pittsburg, following a sudden illness.
She was born Jan. 17, 1925, at Weir to John and Lilly Smalley Allred. She attended Cherokee elementary and high schools. She was a lifetime resident of southeast Kansas.
She married Bill M. Rink on May 27, 1945, at Girard. He survives at the home.
She was a homemaker.
Additional survivors include three sons, Billy L. Rink of Pittburg, Terry Rink of Pittsburg and Dennis Rink of Humboldt; two daughters, Debbie Keller of Branson, Mo., and Jeannine Standlee of Pittsburg; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, four sisters and two granddaughters- Marny Rink and Lindsey Keller.
According to her wishes, Mrs. Rink has been taken for cremation. Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Fr. Thomas Stroot officiating. The family will receive friends following the services until 8:30 p.m. Inurnment of cremains will be at a later date in the Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg.
Josephine G. Robinson
PARSONS - 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 several months.
She was born Nov. 7, 1918, at Nevada, Mo., to Frank J. and Louise D. (Akers) Roskob. She came to Parsons with her parents as a small child. She attended Parsons schools and graduated from Parsons High School.
On July 15, 1949, she married Eugene G. "George" Robinson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. He survives.
Mrs. Robinson was employed about 15 years at the J.C. Penney store and about 15 years at the Safeway Store.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Altar Society, the Daughters of Isabella and the A.A.R.P.
Additional survivors include a niece and nephew.
She was preceded in death by a son, Gene Robinson on Dec. 1, 1992; and a brother, Joe Roskob Sr.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with Fr. Robert Wachter officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Daughters of Isabella will recite the rosary at 7 p.m., Monday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.
Alta Westberg
LAMAR, Mo. - Alta Westberg, 89, of Lamar, Mo., died at 8:04 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Barton County Memorial Hospital, Lamar, after a lengthy illness.
She was born Jan. 11, 1914, in rural Barton County, Mo., to George and Anna (Sorenson) Creamer. She lived in Barton County most of her life.
She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Liberal Baptist Church.
Survivors include one nephew, one niece, and two sisters-in-law.
She was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.
Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Liberal City Cemetery. Friends may call at their convenience at Lohmeyer-Konantz Funeral Home, Lamar, which is in charge of arrangements.
David W. Schoenhofer
WICHITA - David W. Schoenhofer, 80, of Wichita, retired Schoenhofer Construction Company owner, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003.
He was born Oct. 18, 1922, at Walnut, to Carl and Matilda Smith Schoenhofer.
Survivors include one daughter, Carrie Rose Bennett of Wichita; Bennett's mother, Savina, of Wichita; five brothers, Earl Schoenhofer of Augusta, Charles Schoenhofer of Wichita, Larry Schoenhofer of Eureka Springs, Ark., Art Schoenhofer of Andover and Bill Schoenhofer of Lyons; three sisters, Margaret Stevens and Claire Ryan, both of Wichita, and Peggy Otis of Littleton, Colo.; and one granddaughter.
Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Savior Catholic Church at Wichita. Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Monday at St. Francis Cemetery at St. Paul. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East Chapel, Wichita. Arrangements are under the direction of Downing & Lahey Mortuary East Chapel at Wichita.
Sidney E. Trimmell
INDEPENDENCE - Sidney E. Trimmell, 87, of Independence, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Windsor Place at Coffeyville.
He was born April 20, 1916, at Altoona, to Ernest and Maggie (Steenhoek) Trimmell. He grew up at Longton and was a 1934 graduate of Longton High School. He received a bachelor of science degree from Pittsburg State University in 1938. He received his master's degree in January of 1946. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was a commander of communications in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a lieutenant in 1946.
He married Marjorie Pittenger on May 25, 1941, at Arma. She survives of Independence.
Mr. Trimmell taught at Wayside, Howard and Fall River. He farmed and ranched in the Coyville area. He was superintendent of schools at Uniontown from 1966 to 1976. He moved to Independence following his retirement.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post No. 149 at Howard and AARP. He served on Memorial Hall Board and the Memorial Board of First United Methodist Church.
Additional survivors include one son, Dr. Larry Trimmell of Hutchinson; one daughter, Sidna Small of rural Neodesha; one brother, William G. Trimmell of Wamego; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother, John Trimmell; and one sister, Anna Fitzgerald.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church at Independence with the Rev. Jack Gregory, the Rev. Marilyn Gregory and the Rev. Donald Harper officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery at Independence. Visitation will be noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Webb & Rodrick Funeral Home at Independence.
