Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Anita Belle Malone
RAMONA, Okla. -- Anita Belle Malone, 67, of Ramona, Okla., died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at Ramona.
She was born Nov. 19, 1932, at West Mineral, to Granville and Marie McClure Lovell. She was a graduate of Crawford Community High School at Cherokee. She attended Pittsburg State University and Tulsa Junior College.
She married Roger Malone in Alton, Ill. He preceded her in death March 20, 1995.
Mrs. Malone worked as a secretary for Armco Steel Corporation and Braden Steel Company at Tulsa, Okla. She also worked as a certified professional secretary for Phillips Petroleum Company Legal Division in Bartlesville, Okla.
She attended Friends Community Church at Vera, Okla., where she served as pianist. She was a member of the Elks Lodge and the International Association of Administrative Professions.
Survivors include her mother of Cherokee; two step-sons, James Malone of Edmond, Okla., and Robert Malone of St. Louis; one step-daughter, Darlene Meadors of Bartlesville; three brothers, Jim Lovell and John Lovell, both of Cherokee, and Merle Lovell of Lee's Summit, Mo.; a sister, Lucille Chambers of Overland Park; five step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Friends Community Church with the Rev. Tom Pryor officiating. Burial will be in the Ramona City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Collinsville Funeral Home.
Francis Xavier Ryan
Francis Xavier Ryan, 75, died Friday, Dec. 31, 1999.
He was born Feb. 27, 1924, at Pittsburg, to Edward and Margaret Ryan. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 99th Infantry Division.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon S. Ryan; two sons, Dan Ryan and Tim Ryan; two daughters, Beth Young and Emily Heckroth; a step-daughter, Sally Montoya; two step-sons, Danny Sullivan and Steve Sullivan; a brother, James Ryan; and 13 grandchildren.
Services were Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel at Dallas. Burial was in the Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Vernon O. Windsor
Vernon O. Windsor, 76, of 106 E. Hudson, died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at his home. He had been in ill health for the past several months.
He was born April 9, 1923, at Cherokee, to Walter and Belle McLaughlin Windsor. He attended schools in Cherokee and Pittsburg. He was a lifelong area resident. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 280th Engineer Combat Battalion during World War II.
He married Betty Boyd in 1958. She preceded him in death Jan. 17, 1991. Mr. Windsor worked as a mechanic for Ryder Truck Rental for more than 23 years.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Kristy Lundberg of Frontenac; two brothers, Leo Windsor of Pittsburg and Don Windsor of Lawton, Okla.; a sister, Ardele Hammett of Monahan, Texas; and two grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by four brothers, George, Bud, Billy and Bob Windsor, and two sisters, Dorothy Windsor and Mable Kabonic.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Brenner Chapel with the Rev. Verl Strong of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Park Cemetery, where flag-folding ceremonies will be conducted by the Benjamin A. Fuller American Legion Post No. 64.
Friends may call after 1 p.m. today at the Brenner Mortuary, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Willis Robert Young
OVERLAND PARK -- Willis Robert Young, 76, of Overland Park, died Monday, Dec. 27, 1999, at Villa St. Francis Nursing Home in Overland Park.
Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Highland Park Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McGilley and Hoge Chapel, Overland Park.
Alma Eppright
ORONOGO, Mo. -- Alma Eppright, 87, of Oronogo, Mo., died at 11:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 1998, at a Webb City nursing home following a lengthy illness.
She was born Oct. 17, 1911, at Neck City, Mo.
She married Walter Eppright Sr., on Sept. 6, 1927, at Carthage, Mo. He preceded her in death on Feb. 10, 1970.
Mrs. Eppright was employed 33 years at the Elder Manufacturing Co. at Webb City, Mo., until her retirement in 1977.
She was a member of the New Providence Baptist Church at Oronogo. She also was a member of the Amalgamated Union and the ATA Lodge at Perseverance, Mo.
Survivors include a son, Walter "Pete" Eppright of Oronogo; six daughters, Florence Ragsdale of Miami, Okla., Opal Etcheson of Webb City, Betty Smith of Asbury, Mo., Evelyn White of Carthage, Mo., Shirley DePriest of Harrison, Ark., and Norma Darrow of Oronogo; a brother, Pearl "Curly" Moore of Webb City; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home at Webb City, with the Rev. Mike Wilkins officiating. Burial will be in the Webb City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Hedge-Lewis Chapel. The casket will remain closed.
Joe D. Stephenson
Joe D. Stephenson, 79, of 702 W. Kansas, died at 12:05 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 1999,, at the home of his daughter at Kansas City, Mo.
He was born July 3, 1919, at Pittsburg, to Clayton and Mae Coffield Stephenson. He attended area schools and was a 1937 graduate of Pittsburg High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy for 22 months.
He married Isabel Klein, on April 24, 1940, at Lamar, Mo. She survives of the home.
Mr. Stephenson was employed by the Kansas City Southern Railroad as a ticket agent from 1941 to 1964. He also was employed as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service from 1964 until his retirement in 1981.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He also was a member of the Benjamin Fuller American Legion Post No. 64, V.F.W., D.A.V. and the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Additional survivors include a son, James Clair Stephenson of Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Barbara Jo Vanice of Kansas City, Mo.; and two grandsons.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Calvin and John.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Theodore A. Inman officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday. Friends also may call at the family home.
Bessie A. Dutton
SCAMMON -- Bessie A. Dutton, 91, of Scammon, and formerly of Joplin, Mo., died at 4:18 p.m., Friday, Jan. 1, 1999 at the Beverly Rehabilitation Center of Pittsburg. She had been in ill health for one year.
She was born Nov. 14, 1907 at Brookville, to Clarence E. and Rilla Stone Brittendall. She had been a resident of Scammon since 1982, moving from Joplin.
She married George Duttton on Feb. 11, 1929 at Kansas City, Mo. He preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 1988.
She was a self-employed beautician and antique dealer, until ill health forced her retirement one year ago. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Joplin.
Survivors include a son, Dean Dutton, of Parsons; three daughters, Virginia Cowdin of Wichita, Caroline Dean of Shawnee and Patricia Dabalack of Scammon; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main, Weir, with Pastor David Robinson officiating. Burial will be in the Hosey Hill Cemetery at Weir. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home, where friends may call after 2 p.m. today.
Joseph Cussimanio Jr.
Joseph Cussimanio Jr., 66, of 708 N. Catalpa, died at 2:25 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2001, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, Mo., following a sudden illness.
He was born Oct. 5, 1934, at Pittsburg, to Joseph F. and Emalene A. Jones Cussimanio. He graduated from Frontenac High School. He also graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor of science in social work.
Mr. Cussimanio served in the U.S. Navy for four years as a naval photographer.
He was a lifetime resident of the Pittsburg-Frontenac area.
He married Marilyn Kraner on Nov. 4, 1961. She survives of the home.
Mr. Cussimanio worked for 20 years for the Pittsburg SRS. He was employed as the director of social services at Sheilds Adult Care at the time of his death.
He had been a professional photographer for 30 years.
Additional survivors include three sons, Doug Cussimanio of Marietta, Ga., Brian Cussimanio of Frontenac, and Greg Cussimanio of Pittsburg; a daughter, JoLynn Hite of Cherokee; three brothers, Jim Cussimanio of Mabank, Texas, Bill Cussimanio of Blue Springs, Mo., and Bob Cussimanio of Frontenac; three sisters, Mary Snow Watt, Peggy Remington and Sootie Baugh, all of Frontenac; eight grandchildren; and 14 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Mickey Cussimanio.
According to his wishes, the body has been taken for cremation. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at the Friskel Funeral Home, with Fr. Thomas Stroot officiating. Inurnment of the cremains will follow in the Mount Carmel Cemetery, Frontenac. The John F. Derby American Legion Post No. 43 of Frontenac will provide flag-folding ceremonies. Arrangements are under the direction of the Friskel Funeral Home, 230 E. McKay, Frontenac.
Frank C. Collins Jr.
Frank C. Collins Jr., 80, of Pittsburg, died at 6:35 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2000, at Medicalodge South Nursing Home, after a long illness.
He was born March 11, 1920, at Fleming, to Frank C. and Mae Davis Collins. He attended area schools and graduated from Cherokee High School in 1935. He then attended Pittsburg State College and received a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Mr. Collins was an Army veteran of World War II, serving from July 1, 1942, to Oct. 14, 1943.
Following his tour of duty, he returned to Pittsburg State College, where he received his master's degree in business administration in 1944.
He married Charlot J. Marshall on April 21, 1983, at Miami, Okla. She survives of the home.
He was employed as an accountant by the IRS for more than 25 years. He retired in 1986.
Mr. Collins had received several tournament trophies in golfing.
He was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge No. 412 and the Benjamin Fuller American Legion Post No. 64.
Additional survivors include a sister, Mary Gillespie of Overland Park; two granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter, Terry Adams.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, with the Rev. Verl Strong officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home.
John McConnell Douglass
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. -- John McConnell Douglass, 89, of Blairsville, Ga., formerly of Cobb County, Ga., died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000.
He was born April 6, 1911, at Walton.
Mr. Douglass worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita before joining Lockheed Aircraft at Marietta, Ga., in 1953, from which he retired in 1976.
Survivors include his wife Hazel Shidler Douglass of Blairsville, formerly of Pittsburg; three children, Constance Douglass Allen of Charleston, S.C., R. Duane Douglass of Cautala, Ga., and Craig K. Douglass of Acworth, Ga.; 7 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Memorial Service will be Saturday at the Mountain Presbyterian Church in Blairsville, with the Rev. Travis Adams officiating.
Karen Marie Gudgen
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. -- Karen Marie Gudgen, 55, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., died Dec. 31, 2000, after a long illness.
She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1967.
Survivors include her husband, Richard; a daughter, Amy; her father, George L. Coaker of Foley, Ala.; and her sister, Ruth Ann Hiebl of Foley.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Blount Curry and Roel Carrollwood Chapel.
Ethel L. Frankum
Ethel L. Frankum, 71, of 502 S. Locust, died at 3:10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 1999, at Mt. Carmel Medical Center.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Bedene Funeral Home, Arma.
John D. Genser
John D. Genser, 76, of 1243 S. 230th St., died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 1999, at his home.
Arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. Fourth St.
Kacy Layne Fieser
NORWICH -- Kacy Layne Fieser, 19, died Dec. 31, 2001, at Via Christi Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, at Wichita.
She was born July 20, 1982, at Wichita to Kent and Nancy Holder Fieser. The survive at the family home.
She was a sophomore in the Pittsburg State University Nursing Program.
She attended the Norwich United Methodist Church; was a member of Tri Sigma Sorority and was a 2000 graduate of Norwich High School.
Additional survivors include three brothers, Skylar Fieser, and Gabe and Sam Hubble, all of Norwich; grandparents, Roy and Betty Fieser, of Norwich, and Fritz and Pat Holder, of Milton; and her great-grandmother, Madeline Klaver, of Norwich.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Norwich United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike McGovney officiating. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. today at the Livingston Funeral Home, at Kingman. Burial will be in the Upchurch Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Livingston Funeral Home at Kingman.
