Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Velma Elsie Willems
d. April 20, 2013
Velma Elsie Willems, 92, died April 20, 2013 at Kansas Christian Home in Newton, Kansas. She was born August 7, 1920 to Peter E. and Mary (Fast) Reimer in Fairview, Oklahoma. She was a nurse. Survivors include: sons, Joe Willems of Hillsboro, Harry Willems of Great Bend, Kansas; daughter, Sunny Christensen of Marion, KS; brother, Leonard Reimer of St. George, Utah; sister, Ruby (Watkins) Dick of Reedley, California; Daughter in laws, Beverly Classen – Willems and Janice Koslowsky – Willems; son in law, Ken Christensen; 14 grandchildren; 33 great grandchldren; 18 great great grandchildren; preceded in death by a son Frank Willems Jr. in 2010. Celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013 Koerner Heights Mennonite Church of Newton, Kansas. Graveside service Thursday 9:30 a.m. at Spring valleyCemeteryrural Canton, Kansas. Memorials to Kansas Christian Home in Care of The Funeral Home.
Vern Miller
(October 1, 1937 - August 17, 2013)
Vernal LeRoy Miller, 75, of Newton, died Saturday, August 17, 2013.
Vern was born October 1, 1937 in Newton, the son of Clark and Elsie (Kimball) Miller. He graduated from Newton High School in 1955 and from Wichita University with an Engineering degree in 1960. Vern worked as an Engineer in the heating and air conditioning industry for over 50 years, most of those years with Honeywell and Superior Supply. In 2001, he was very proud to found Superior Control Concepts with his son, Brad.
Vern married
Elizabeth A. Nickel on September 2, 1956. Music was an integral part of their lives and in addition to being a part-time music and youth minister for over 30 years, their family also traveled for many years performing and singing throughout the Midwest. Vern and Liz lived in various places throughout their married
life, returning to Newton in 1992.
Survivors include his wife, Liz of Newton; two sons Bradley D. (Barbara) of Peck, and Brian E. (Leah) of Kansas City, Missouri; his daughter, Debra Engels of Naperville, Illinois; four brothers Dale, Mark, Neil and Sam; and one sister Becky Jo Crupper. His grandchildren, Jennifer Miller, Elizabeth Engels, Jaclyn Miller, Jonah Miller and Brilee Miller.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Dorothy Ashcraft and Shirley Hall.
The family will greet visitors from 6:00 – 9:00 pm Thursday, August 22 at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton.
The memorial service will be held Friday, August 23 at 10:00 at NewSpring Church, 12200 E. 21st Street, Wichita; followed by a graveside service at GreenwoodCemeteryin Newton.
Memorials are to the KidzWorld extended program at NewSpring Church. Donations can be mailed to the church or you can give online at http://www.newspring.org/giveonline/ and select KidzWorld Gang.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
Jerry Dalke
d. May 20, 2013
Hillsboro – Jerry Dalke, 67, died May 20, 2013 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. He was born October 28, 1945 to William and Opal (Longhofer) Dalke in Hillsboro. He married
Violet (Funk) Klassen on September 24, 2003 in Hillsboro. Survivors include: wife, Violet Dalke of Hillsboro; Daughters, Anita (Warren) Unruh of Rural Tampa, Kansas, Amy (Damian) Ratzlaff of Hillsboro; brother, Warren (Ruby) Dalke of Hillsboro; nephew, Marty (Karen) Dalke of Rural Hillsboro,; niece, Bonnie Hein of Wichita; 7 grandchildren, Nathan Unruh, Kyle Unruh, Jenna Unruh, Christian Ratzlaff, Alex Anna Ratzlaff, Darian Ratzlaff, Grayson Ratzlaff. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry Dalke in 1999. Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013 at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church led by Pastor Adam Utecht. Committal service 10:00 a.m. Friday at Haven of RestCemeteryrural Hillsboro. Visitation with family present from 6 to 8 Thursday at the Church. Memorials to The Hillsboro Community Foundation Jerry Dalke Youth Scholarship Fund.
Lucy McCurdy
(February 21, 1944 - August 9, 2013)
Doris “Lucy” McCurdy, 69, of Newton, died Friday (August 9, 2013) at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita.
She was born in Iowa on February 21, 1944. The family later moved to the Peabody/Walton area. Lucy married
Tony P. McCurdy, Sr. in August 1966 in Kingman, Kansas.
Lucy had worked at Hehr International, Norcraft and Wal Mart until retiring.
Survivors include her husband Tony of the home; son Tony, Jr. and his wife Renee of Newton; daughter Sheila Bernet of Wichita; brother Charles Haney of Aire, Nebraska; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Lucy is preceded in death by her father, Guy Haney; mother and step-father Minnie Marie and Lloyd Gates; brother Rex Haney; and sisters Iris Reynolds, Nola Mosley and Waneta Stender.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday (August 15, 2013) at the GreenwoodCemeteryin Newton.
Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday 9am til 8pm, where the family will receive friends between and 6 and 8 in the evening.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
Dale Winter
d. April 25, 2013
Dale Winter, 55, died April 25, 2013 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born July 4, 1957 to Floyd and Lillian (Ediger) Winter in Hillsboro, Kansas. Survivors include: spouse, Rachel Winter of Hillsboro, Kansas; daughter, Erin Winter of Hillsboro, Kansas; brothers, Rolland (Jewel) Winter of Denver, Colorado, Kevin (Kathy) Winter of Sugarland, Texas; sister, Denise Winter of Sugarland, Texas; step mother, Carolyn Winter of Farview, Oklahoma. He was predeceased by a son; David Winter in 2012; sister, Judy Winter in 1960. Celebration of life will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro, Kansas officiated by Pastor Steve Schroeder. Family will receive guests from 5 to 7 Monday at the residence of Dale and Rachel Winter. Memorials suggested to the Parkview Church Parking Lot Fund, in care of the Funeral Home.
Grant Elder
(April 30, 1946 - August 8, 2013)
D. Grant Elder, 67, died Thursday, August 8, 2013, at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO.
He was born April 30, 1946, in Arkansas City, Kansas, the son of A. Lee Elder and Duana Berneice Grant Elder. He attended schools in Ark City, graduating from Arkansas City High School in 1964. Shortly after graduating, Grant joined the Kansas Army National Guard, transferring to the California Army National Guard after moving to California in 1967. While in California, he met and married
Marie Diane Powers in 1968. They divorced in 2007.
After graduating from the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, Grant returned to Arkansas City in 1973 to join his grandmother, Bernice Grant, and his mother, Duana Elder, in the family owned Grant-Elder Funeral Home, which his grandfather, C.D. Grant, had founded in 1922. Grant became the owner of the business until it closed in August, 1982.
While living in Arkansas City, Grant was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served on several committees. He was an active member of the Ark City Jaycees, Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce, Tiger Booster Club, A.C. Industries, DeMolay, Crescent Lodge #133, A.F. & A.M., and Albert Pike Lodge Scottish Rite Consistory of Wichita. Grant had also been a member of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, for which he had served as a district officer.
Grant and his family moved to Wichita in September, 1982, where he worked for Cochran Mortuary, Downing & Lahey Mortuary, and ServiceMaster. After retiring, he worked at Box Central, owned by a younger brother, Clifford.
Survivors include his daughters, Jennifer Lynn Follmer (C.J.) of St. Louis, MO, and Christina Marie Gonzalez (Nick) of Lansing, KS; grandchildren Kaitlyn, Karlie, and Micah Follmer, and Alec Gonzalez; brothers Roderic Elder of Manhattan, KS, and Clifford Elder (Sherilyn) of Park City, KS; sister Leanna Elder Tyler of Arkansas City, KS; 5 nephews and 1 niece.
Grant is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wilbur.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, August 30th, 2013 in the Chapel of Memorial LawnCemeterynear Arkansas City, Kansas.
The family will visit with friends prior the services at 1:00 P.M.
A memorial has been established with Compassion International, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, KS.
Gilmer Stubby
(November 15, 1930 - July 9, 2013)
Gilmer Stubby, 82, passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2013 in Wichita, Ks.
He was born in Durham, Kansas on November 15, 1930 to Jacob and Edna Stubby, the third oldest of nine children. He graduated from Lehigh Rural High School in 1948, and then went to work as a lineman for SouthWestern Bell. He married
Dorothy McCarty, the love of his life, on February 18, 1951; they were together in marriage for over 62 years. Then on June of 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. In May of 1953 he was transferred to Army Reserve and was honorably discharged June 19, 1959. He continued to work for SouthWestern Bell both as a lineman then later in his career as a Construction Foreman. He retired from Southwestern Bell in 1987 with 40 years of accredited service.
Gilmer was extremely active his entire life with hobbies that included basketball, bowling, dancing, pool shooting, camping, boating, water skiing, bird hunting, fishing and above all his favorite, big game hunting in Kansas and Montana. He loved the outdoors and spent most of his spare time in it. Almost every activity he was involved with included his wife and/or his kids; he lived to be around family.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Stubby of Newton, son Terry Stubby and wife Kim of Helena, Montana, daughter Sandy Flaming of Newton. Grandchildren Brandi Peterson of Townsend ,Montana, Brent Flaming of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Michelle Morris of Fall City, Washington, Kristal Flaming of Lincoln, Nebraska and Dustin Flaming of Newton; great grandchildren Emmeline Peterson of Townsend, Montana, Payton, Michael and Bennett Morris of Fall City, Washington and Abigail Flaming of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Brothers, Donovan, Loren, Rodney and Jerry Stubby, sisters Janet Hubbard and Helena Saylor, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parent’s, sister, Lila Wasemiller, and brother Earl Stubby.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday (July 13, 2013) at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. Interment will be in the GreenwoodCemeteryin Newton.
Friends may call at the funeral home Friday 1pm til 8pm where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8.
A memorial has been established with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.
Mary L. Danby
(September 30, 1932 - October 19, 2012)
Mary L. Danby, 80, died on October 19, 2012 at the Newton Medical Center in Newton. She was born on September 30, 1932 to Bernice (Watchous) and Horace L. Hull in Mattfield Green, Kansas. On July 3, 1952 in Emporia, Kansas she married
Chester Lee Danby . They celebrated 60 years of marriage this July. She enjoyed her gardening and her plants and had worked in several greenhouses before entering retirement. Mary also loved animals, especially her cats. Her family enjoyed her excellent cooking, especially the apple pies. Of course her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Delmer Hull. Survivors include her husband Chester, of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Theresa Danby, Newton; brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Ginger Hull, El Dorado, KS; sister, Della Lawrence, Newton; 2 grandchildren, Shawn and Summer Danby and 3 great grandchildren, Tyler and Emma Brockman and Maddey Danby. Visitation will be Monday, October 22, 2012 from 1-8 PM at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. The family will greet visitors from 5-6PM. Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at the CassidyCemeteryat 2:00 PM
Lena L. Marcellus, 84
Lena L. Marcellus, 84, died March 2, 2016, at Via Christi St. Francis, Wichita.
She was born July 11, 1931, at Burlington, the daughter of Cecil and Beryl Marlow Rivers.
On Sept., 22, 1950 she married
Donald Marcellus at Jacksonville, Florida. He passed away on Feb. 28, 2011.
She is also preceded in death by brother, Gene Rivers, and sister Joann Upton.
She is survived by her children, David of Mission, Texas, Mike of Austin, Texas, Kathy Marcellus of Wellington, Donna Marcellus of Wichita, Tina Meyers of Haysville; brother, Guy Rivers of Sequin, Texas, 15 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held March 4, at Greenwood Cemetery, Wichita, with a memorial service to following at Midway Baptist Church, Wichita.
Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston, is handling the arrangements.
Alice E. Zimmerman
HESSTON — Alice E. Zimmerman, 102, homemaker, died Dec. 26, 2001, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
She was born Feb. 13, 1899, to Frederick and Margaret (Sirris) Vollweider in rural Burrton. They preceded her in death. She married
Samuel Richard Zimmerman Feb. 25, 1920, in Bentley. He preceded her in death May 22, 1968.
She was a lifelong Burrton and Halstead area resident, moving to Hesston in 1996. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Halstead Hospital Auxiliary and the American Legion Post No. 231, all of Halstead.
Survivors include: a son, Richard Zimmerman of Salina; a daughter, Pauline Crawford of Mission, Texas; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by: a son, Frederic Zimmerman; a daughter, Nadine Zimmerman; two brothers, Frank and Hans Vollweider; a sister, Anna Thach; and a granddaughter, Anita Kay Zimmerman.
Funeral service was Saturday at Kaufman Funeral Home in Halstead with the Rev. James Bush officiating.
Burial was in Halstead Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with First United Methodist Church in Halstead and Schowalter Villa, both in care of Kaufman Funeral Home, 418 Chestnut St., Halstead, KS 67056.
Fred Gonzalez
(August 27, 1933 - April 6, 2012)
Frederick Gonzalez, 78, of Newton, died Friday (April 6, 2012) at the Kansas Christian Home. He was born on August 27, 1933 in Newton, the son of Eleodoro and Herlinda Castillo Gonzalez. Fred was raised in Newton, graduating from Newton High School in 1952. He was married
to Mona Jimenez. Fred served in the U.S. Air National Guard, retiring in October 1993. He had served on the Newton City Commission during which time he was a Mayor of Newton in the 1970’s. Fred was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Midwestern Polka Club, he was an Eagle Scout and had been a scout master. Fred was retired from the Derby U.S.D. 260 Maintenance Dept. Survivors include sons Freddie of Newton, Tony of Harlingen, Tx., Terry of Tulsa, Jimmy of Minneapolis, Minn., and Carlos of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; brother Roman Gonzales of Walton; sister Jennie Sanchez of Derby; 13 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Manuel and John; and sister Mary Margaret Gonzalez. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday (April 10, 2012) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday (April 11, 2012) also at the church with The Rev. Juan Garza officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday 9am til 5pm. A memorial has been established with Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114. Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
Jean Jost
d. April 15, 2015
Hillsboro – Jean Jost, 84, died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 in Hillsboro. She was born July 12, 1930 to Sam and Marie (Bartel) Neufeld at Dalhart, Texas. She married
Kenney Jost June 4, 1950 at Balko, Oklahoma. She was a Interior Finisher. Survivors include: husband, Kenney Jost of Hillsboro, Kansas; sons, Dallas (Paula) Jost of rural Hillsboro, K.C. (Lesa) Jost of rural Marion; daughter, Bev (Wade) Knust of rural Peabody; sister, Sue (Lloyd) Vogt of rural Newton, Kansas; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Hillsboro M.B. Church officiated by Pastor Loyal Martin and Pastor Brian Allan. Family will receive guests from 6 to 8 Thursday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorials to Mennonite Central Committee in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, Kansas 67063.
Joaquin J. Estrada
Joaquin J. Estrada, 76, died Dec. 21, 2001, at Newton Medical Center. He was born Aug. 16, 1925, to Leonardo J. and Delores Vasquez Estrada in Newton. They preceded him in death.
He married
Belen Jaso April 22, 1944, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton. She survives of the home.
In 1942, he began working for Santa Fe Railmill, then left to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon completing his enlistment in 1946, he went back to work for the railmill and worked until 1987. He also worked for Excel Industries in Hesston as a machinist. After his retirement, he opened Chuck’s Familia Restaurant in Newton which stayed open for 11 years, closing in 1999. He enjoyed fast pitch softball, playing from 1945 until 1959. He helped build Our Lady of Guadalupe’s softball field and coached many little league softball teams for his grandchildren.
He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Francisco I. Madero Society, both of Newton. He also was a member of the Lito and His Latinaires band, playing the drums.
Other survivors include: three sons, Stan Estrada and Albert Estrada, both of Newton, and Patrick Estrada of Grand Prairie, Texas; five daughters, Ramona Sandoval, Bunny Sanchez and Paula Estrada, all of Newton, Magdeline DeWitt of Pineville, Mo., and Denise Estrada of Overland Park; three brothers, Frank Estrada and Salvador Estrada, both of Newton, and Larry Estrada of North Newton; seven sisters, Claudia Jaso, Margaret Corona, Martina Montano, Cecelia Corona and Jenny Arellano, all of Newton, and Mary Campa and Josie Palmer, both of Wichita; 20 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by: a son, Felix Estrada; a brother, Pete Estrada; and three sisters, Nancy Arellano, Denise Estrada and Ramona Estrada.
Funeral service was Dec. 24 at Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Floyd McKinney officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with the American Diabetes Association and Newton Dialysis Center, both in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
