Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Dorothy R. Schmidt
1919 - 2006
LARNED - Dorothy R. Schmidt, 86, died Jan. 28 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was born Oct. 5, 1919, in Pawnee County, the daughter of Thomas and Erma Searcy Salmans. She married
Roy Mead on Aug. 13, 1938, at Stafford. He died Jan. 13, 1972. She later married
Basil Schmidt on June 30, 1978, at Cimarron. He preceded her in death. She was a lifetime resident of Edwards and Pawnee Counties, and was a retired secretary in the purchasing office at Larned State Hospital. Mrs. Schmidt was a member of United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, all of Larned. She was a Shriner's widow. Survivors include one daughter, Karen Lewis of Larned; one brother, Robert Salmans of Larned; and two sisters, Helen Vratil, and Maxine Martin, both of Larned; three grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Leon Mead; two brothers, Lawrence Salmans and Kenneth Salmans; and two sisters, Lois Ellis and Clare Thorpe. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Dan Lungren officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time on Wednesday, all at the mortuary. Burial will be at the Larned cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Larned Emergency Medical Service or the church of your choice in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Geraldine Pearl Marsh
1928 - 2006
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Geraldine Pearl Marsh, 77, died Jan. 24 at Boswel Hospital in Sun City, Ariz. She was born July 10, 1928, at Maud, Okla., the daughter of Earless and Elizabeth Wolfe Hook. She married
Harry E. Marsh on Dec. 22, 1945, at Lyons. A resident of Glendale, Ariz., for 10 years, moving from Great Bend, she was a nurse's aide at Central Kansas Medical Center for 35 years. Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Sharon Schneider of Goodyear, Ariz., and Earlene Bratt of Waddell, Ariz.; one brother, Roland Hook of Prescott, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. today at the Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Doyle Smith officiating. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Jean E. Piland
1924 - 2006
WALDO - Jean E. Piland, 81, died on Jan. 29 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born Aug. 8, 1924, at Broughton, the daughter of Harry C. and Edith (Wait) May. She graduated from Codell High School in Codell. She married
James H. Piland on June 6, 1960, at Luray. A resident of Waldo, she worked as a welder in the aircraft industry in Wichita during World War II. Mrs. Piland was a member of the Waldo United Methodist Church, where she taught children's Sunday School for many years. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Bill Lahar of Douglass; one daughter, Karen Carney of Hoisington; three brothers, Bob May of Hays, Charles May of Salina, and Dean May of Branson, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m on Wednesday at the Waldo United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chris Holtorf officiating. There is no visitation; cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or the Waldo Senior Center and may be sent in care of the Pohlman-Heise Mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Pohlman-Heise Mortuary 610 N. Maple St. Russell, KS 67665
Finley Leroy Likes
1928 - 2006
GARFIELD - Finley Leroy Likes, age 77, Garfield, Kan, died at his home Jan. 27. Leroy Likes was born March 15, 1928 in Brownell, Kan., the son of William B and Mary T. (Smotherman) Likes. On Feb. 13, 1959, he was united in marriage to Virginia D. Harris. They raised five children and shared over 46 years together. Leroy proudly served in the U.S. Paratroopers, 11th Airborne Angels during the Korean Conflict. In Phoenix Arizona he was an active member of the Teamsters Union while working for the Firestone Tire & Rubber. After retiring in 1978, Leroy moved his family to Brownell. In 1990 Leroy and Virginia settled in Garfield, Kan where they have many close friends. Leroy always enjoyed taking his family hiking in the Arizona desert. He was skilled in locating caves, Native American relics and old ruins. He also enjoyed collecting antiques, hunting for rare bottles and even panning for gold. Among his prized collections was a group of over 200 unique tin lunch boxes. Leroy was the proud owner of a collectible shop in Garfield and a regular attendee at the area auctions and sales, and was often consulted by others for his expertise. He was a valued member of the American Legion Post 0382. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruth Green and Opal Rider; two brothers Gene and Billy Likes. He is survived by his wife, Virginia of the home; two sons, John McConnell, Renton, Wash., Scott Likes, Kansas City, Kan.; three daughters Bobbi Bohnert, Gilbert, Ariz., Sherry Braun, Spokane Wash., Lisa Hall, Lawrence, Kan., fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two sisters and three brothers. Visitation will be Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Morrell Funeral Home, Larned. Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral will be Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. at Morrell. Burial with military honors will be in Vansberg cemetery, Brownell, Kan. He will be deeply missed and will forever remain in the hearts and thoughts of his family and friends. The family suggests memorials to Pawnee County Food Pantry or the Golden Belt Home and Health Hospice, Great Bend, sent in care of the funeral home. Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS. 67550-0124
Carina Valeda Robbins
1911 - 2006
LARNED - Carina Valeda Robbins, 94, died January 28, 2006 at her home in Larned. She was born December 24, 1911, in Lorton, Neb. the daughter of Arendt A. and Ida L. (Seba) Ekhoff. On September 7, 1929 she married
Charles Fredrick Robbins at Kinsley. He died October 13, 1999. A resident of Larned, she was a laundress for the Ideal Laundry, The Hammond Home and the Larned State Hospital. She attended the United Methodist Church, Larned. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, both of Larned. Survivors include; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Robbins Welsch, sixteen step-grandchildren and one step-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by; a son, Jack, two sisters, Valeta Weaver and Lucy; Five brothers; Floyd, Arnold, Richard, Alfred and Walter Ekhoff. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with the Pastor Tim Ault-Duell presiding. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday. Burial will be in the Larned cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Welcome Inn, Methodist Church or the Scouts Museum of Larned, in care of the Beckwith Mortuary . Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.beckwithmortuary.com. Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Mark Edward Lomas
1953 - 2006
ST. JOHN - Mark Edward Lomas, 52, died on Jan. 26 at St. Joseph Hospital in Larned. He was born May 10, 1953, at Great Bend, the son of Leon and Billigene (Wickle) Lomas. He was a resident of St. John. He was in the Army and served eight years with an honorable discharge. Survivors include two sons, Nick Lomas and Alex Lomas, both of Hoisington; one daughter, Connie Konzem of St. John; two sisters, Beth Carson of Great Bend, and Annette Whisnant of Bennington, Okla.; his mother, Billigene Snell of Bennington, Okla.; one grandchild, Braden Konzem of St. John; four nieces; seven nephews; and beloved K-9 daughter, Winnie Girl. He was preceded in death by his father, Leon Lomas. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 at Charter Funerals Chapel in Great Bend with Chuck Carpenter presiding. Interment will be at the Pleasant Ridge cemetery in Radium with full military rights at the gravesite by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be Monday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the chapel with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Edna Bell Cooper
1911 - 2006
Edna Bell Cooper, 94, died on Jan. 26 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born Dec. 13, 1911, at Great Bend, the daughter of Benjaman Franklin and Mamie Rose (Mooer) Baxter. She married
Albert M. Cooper on Dec. 7, 1929, in Great Bend. Formerly a resident of Great Bend, she moved to Stafford County in recent years. Cooper was a member of Free Methodist Church in Macksville. Survivors include two daughters, Andra Kay Bird of Rozel, and Linda Sue Satterlee of Larned; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Albert M. Cooper; three sisters, Mable Barker, Ruth Miller, and Juanita Pederson; and one grandchild, Chris Alderson. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Charter Funerals Chapel in Great Bend, with the Rev. Larry Sadowski officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend City cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 1 to 8 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Free Methodist Church of Macksville Music Fund. Funeral arrangements probided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Rita Jewell Owens
1952 - 2006
LARNED - Rita Jewell Owens Williams, 53, died Jan. 27, 2006, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. She was born May 20, 1952, at Moreland, Oklahoma, the daughter of Billy Ray and Toshie (Funo) Owens. A resident of Larned since Oct. 2005, she was a retired Licensed Practical Nurse. Williams belonged to the First Baptist Church, and was a Sunday school teacher in Hesperia, Calif. Survivors include four sons; William Humphrey and Christopher Humphrey of Larned, John Humphrey of Nevada, Jason Humphrey, Great Bend; Mother Toshie Owens, Larned; five children, Sushi Owens, Larned, Mary Ann Hammans Wilma Evans and Marie Janzen, all of Woodward, Okla. and Rosie Jacobs, Forgan, Okla., and six grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Larned cemetery with Pastor David Mitchell presiding. Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morell Funeral Home, Larned. Memorials may be sent to the Rita J. Williams Memorial Fund in care of the Morrell Funeral Home Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS. 67550-0124
Dorothy Jane Wagner
1923 - 2006
Dorothy Jane Wagner, 82, was born April 23, 1923, at Larned, to David and Lydia Morlong Wagner. She died Jan. 25 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend. A long time resident of Great Bend had been a housekeeper for some special people. She loved to garden, loved to do crafts and loved to visit with all her special great nieces and nephews. Survivors include one brother, David Wagner of Kansas; two sister-in-laws, Pauline Wagner and Arlene Wagner, Great Bend; special nieces, Roberta Holden of Great Bend; niece, Valarie Wagner of Great Bend; three nephews, Larry Smith of Wichita, Rick Wagner, serving with the Army in Germany, and Lance Wagner of Louisville, Neb.; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, two sisters, Betty Wagner and Delma Smith and two brothers, Robert and Daylon Wagner. Funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with Pastor David LeRoy officiating. Interment will be at the Shaffer Seventh Day Adventist cemetery in Shaffer. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with family to receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Barton County Relay for Life in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
John Franklin Doll
1932 - 2006
EUREKA - John Franklin Doll, 73, died at his farm home near Eureka, Kan. He was born Oct, 7, 1923 in Rice County, Kan. to John P. Doll and Margret E. (Schartz) Doll. He was a 1950 graduate of Ellinwood High School, attended Eldorado Juco. He was a Eureka resident for 15 years, formerly of Chase and Ellinwood Kan. He married
Karilyn K. Willet in 1953 at Wichita. He later married
Margret Messick at Eureka. He was a farmer and also worked at the Eureka Sale Barn. Doll served in the U.S. Army in Frankfurt Germany. Survivors include three sons, Mick Doll, Raymond, Kan., Marty Doll, and Monte Doll both of Ellinwood, Kan.; four daughters, Terri Huslig, Ellinwood, Cheryl Stegman, Lyons, Tami Campbell, Wichita Falls, Texas, and Deb Weve, Wichita, Kan. and one sister, Arleen Shipley, Deer Creek, Okla., 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers Urban, Lot, Melvin and one grandson, Daulton Michael Doll. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Ellinwood. Memorial services 11 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eureka, Kan. with Father Charles Mazouch and Father Mike Klag officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Altar Society Rosary, at 3 p.m. Thursday at Kimple Chapel in Ellinwood. Vigil service 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Ellinwood, Burial will be at Hilltop cemetery in Raymond, Kan. Memorials to St. Joseph's school endowment or Living Legacy Campaign, or St. John Catholic Church in Hamilton, Kan. Kimple, Inc Funeral Home 113 N, Main Ellinwood, KS 67526 620-564- 2300
Kenneth Robert Kuhlman
1940 - 2006
STEVENSVILLE, Mich. - Kenneth Robert Kuhlman, 65, of Stevensville, Mich., passed away on Tuesday, January 24, 2006, at University of Chicago Hospital. A Celebration of Life Service will be held this Saturday, January 28, 2006, at 10:30 A.M., at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, 210 West Napier, Benton Harbor, with Rev. Dr. John Munson officiating. Burial service will follow at Hickory Bluff cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, January 27, 2006, from 6 to 8 P.M., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Fairplain Presbyterian Church or American Cancer Society. Ken was born June 12, 1940, to Elton and Esther (Whitaker) Kuhlman in Great Bend, KS. He graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1964. He married
Judy Gordon on September 2, 1962, in Great Bend, KS. Ken greatly enjoyed his work as an engineer for Heath Company in St. Joseph for 25 years and later with Whirlpool Corporation for eight years. He was an active member of Fairplain Presbyterian Church since moving to the area in 1968, serving the church as trustee for several years. Ken was a very family and friends oriented man, and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and with his family in Kansas. He and his wife Judy enjoyed traveling together, exploring new places, and also spending time with many treasured life-long friends who live throughout the Midwest. He restored a 1957 Austin Healey which he greatly enjoyed driving, as many people will remember seeing him 'cruising' around the area. Ken is survived by his wife Judy; children Tom Kuhlman of Tampa, FL and Molly (Bob) Rittersdorf of Kentwood, MI; grandchildren Cullen, Bracara and Daelan Rittersdorf of Kentwood; and brother Keith (Carol) Kuhlman of Wichita, KS. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim Kuhlman. Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Services 2650 Niles Rd St. Joseph, MI 49085
Richard '˜Dick' Chrest
1934 - 2006
WAMEGO - Richard '˜Dick' Chrest, 71, died Tuesday, Jan. 24 at his home in Wamego, Kan. He was born on Dec. 16, 1934 at Louisville, Kan., the son of Joseph Dale and Juanita (Peddicord) Chrest. He attended the St. Mary's Grade School and the Wamego High School. He graduated in 1953. He married
Janice Armstrong on Nov. 11, 1955. He worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka from 1958 to 1975. He then worked at Farmers Union Co-op in Wamego for ten years. He was also a self-employed painter and contractor. Chrest was a past member of the United Rubber Workers Union. In Belvue and Wamego he attended the Methodist Churches. He was inducted into the Wamego High School Sports Hall of Fame for All-State Basketball honors. He was a member of the Prairie Band Pottawatomie Nation. Survivors include his wife of the home, his mother, four sons; Roger Chrest, Burdett Kan., Ron Chrest, Great Bend, Kan., Rusty Chrest, and Richie Chrest; one daughter, Renee Chrest, one sister RaEtta Wilson all of Wamego. 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the Stewart Funeral Home, Wamego. Burial will follow at the Wamego City cemetery. The family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m. Friday. He will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego on Thursday, Jan 26, from 1 to 6 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dick Chrest Memorial Fund designated for the Wamego Kansas River Front Park Boat Ramp. They may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home. Stewart Funeral Home P.O. Box 48 Wamego, KS. 66457
Donald W. Gibson
1933 - 2006
EMPORIA - Donald W. Gibson, 72, of Emporia passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kan. Don was born on August 4, 1933 in Emporia. His parents were Wallace Edward and Hazel Florence (Pearce) Gibson. On June 13, 1954, Don married
Eva Delores Langley at Grace United Methodist Church in Emporia. She survives of the home. Other surviving family members are, sons Stephen M Gibson of Great Bend, Kan, and Rodney E. Gibson of Wichita, Kan., daughter Tamara (Tammie) S. Bugner of Wichita Kan., brother Rolland (Ron) N. Gibson, Emporia, Kan., four grandsons; Chad, Chase, and Dalton Gibson, and Bob Galliart; four granddaughters, Stephanie, Ashley, Brooke, and Candy Bunn, Great-grandchildren, Adelyn, Jessica, Taci, and Kira, numerous nephews and nieces. Don was preceded in death by his parents, a son Randall E. Gibson, and a brother Curtis G. Gibson. Following high school, Don worked for Gibson Bros Hay and Grain in Emporia for 20 years. He then owned Gibson's Hallmark Card and Gifts for 15 years in Great Bend, Kan. For 17 years he worked for the First National Bank in Great Bend. He then handled pre-need planning for Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend, and also for Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, Kan. from 1988 to 1998. In 1998, Don and his wife, Delores returned to Emporia to take care of pre-need planning for the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Don belonged to the following organizations of Great Bend; the Sunflower Shrine, where he served as President, and Treasurer, Masonic Lodge, Convention Bureau Board, Chamber of Commerce Board Ambassadors (President for 2 terms), United Way Board (President), Cougar Booster Club, (President), 3-I Show Chairman (2 terms), Hospice Volunteer, Fund Drive Chairman of the Billy Graham Crusade, and Associate Guardian Job's Daughters. Don belonged to the following organizations of Emporia, Arab Shrine Temple, Arab Shrine Mini-Ts, Neosho Valley Shrine, current Vice-president, Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Lyon County Fair Board President (three terms). The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 at the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the First United Methodist Church in Emporia, Kan. Services conducted by Reverend Nancy Gammill, and Jayne Duncan of the Church. Interment will be at Memorial Lawn cemetery with graveside services conducted by Emporia Masonic Lodge #12 A.F. & A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Arab Shrine Temple in Topeka, Kan., or the Arab Temple Mini-T unit in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home 6005 State St. P.O. Box 175 Emporia, KS 66801
