Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Elsie Christina Wondra
1907 - 2006
Elsie Christina Wondra, age 98, died Feb. 16, 2006, at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kan. She was born Nov. 28, 1907, in Barton County, Kan., the daughter of Joseph and Mary Cook Skolaut. She married
Andrew Wondra on April 18, 1944, at Olmitz, Kan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 19, 1994. She was a lifetime resident of the Barton County area. She was a homemaker, a registered nurse and worked as a private nurse in Great Bend and Dodge City, Kan. Mrs. Wondra was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and the St. Rose School of Nursing Alumni Association. Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Shuck and husband, Tim Shuck, Lexington, Ky., Alice Wondra and husband Bill Moyes, Columbia Mo.; two sisters, Bertha Haberman, Great Bend, and Minnie Mauler, Olmitz; one granddaughter, Cyndi Shuck, Omaha, Neb.; and one grandson, Ryan Shuck, Omaha. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Joseph Skolaut. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Ann's Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Ultan Murphy presiding. Burial will follow at St. Ann's cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the St. Ann's cemetery fund in care of the funeral home.
Steven Lenhardt Homeier
1956 - 2006
RUSSELL - Steven Lenhardt Homeier, Russell, died Feb. 19 at the age of 46. He was the son of Lenhardt and Alice (Zeman) Homeier of Wilson. He was born Oct. 11, 1956, in Ellsworth. Homeier lived his early life on the family farm and graduated from Dorrance High School. He attended Culinary Arts School in Wichita before moving to San Francisco, Calif., where he lived for several years. His adult years were split between Kansas and Colorado, where he was employed in food service and bartending occupations. He was active in fundraising efforts for several hospices and the Colorado AIDS Project. Preceding him in death was a brother, Robert. Survivors include his parents, Alice and Lenhardt Homeier of Wilson; six sisters, Rita (Richard) Habbart, Mary Lee (Sonny) Bohnen, and Donna Fay (Ron) Major of Dorrance, Barb (Jim) Bowman of Russell, Alice Mae (Terry) Prester of Lyons, and Betty Jo (Tom) Lloyd of Parker, Colo.; two brothers, Will (Sherry) Homeier of Russell, and Ralph (Debbie) Homeier of Dorrance; and longtime companion David Weiland of Russell. Survivors would like to recognize many dear friends in the Russell area as well as in Denver and Florence, Colo. A Gathering will be held at the Russell Funeral Home from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday. Friends and relatives are welcome for this time of fellowship. Services will follow at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Inurnment at the Catholic cemetery in Wilson will be at a later time. Memorials are suggested to South Wind Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Russell Funeral Home 610 N. Elm St. / P.O. Box 566 Russell, KS 67665
Naomi Jean Phillips
1920 - 2005
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Naomi Jean (Walker) Phillips, age 85, died Dec. 11, in West Chester, Pa. She was born Jan. 1, 1920, in Bonner Springs, to William and Ruth (Abbott) Walker. She married
Lloyd H. Phillips on Dec. 25, 1939, at Pratt. He died March 10, 1995. She grew up in Pratt, but spent most of her lifetime in Great Bend. She owned a successful stained glass business. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend. She and her husband Lloyd retired to Florida and she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sarasota, Fla. Survivors include one son, Martin E. Phillips and his wife Jeanne of West Chester, Pa.; two daughters, Marcia Hinton and her husband Sam of Summerfield, Fla., and Cheryl Heggemeier and her husband Terry of Barnum, Minn.; one brother, Kenneth L. Walker of Lewisville, Texas; one sister, Patricia Decker of Cheyenne, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Terraces condominium, 5400 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, Sarasota, Fla. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in memory of Jean Phillips to one of these two organizations: Neighborhood Health Agencies Inc.; Hospice; 795 Marshall Street, Ste 204; West Chester, PA 19380-4412; or In Touch Ministries; Charles Stanley; P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357-9979.
Marie Louise Boxberger
1936 - 2006
NATIONAL CITY, Calif. - Marie Louise Boxberger, age 89, died Feb. 14 at Friendship Manor, National City, Calif. She was born July 2, 1916 at Natoma Kan., the daughter of Chris and Anna M Strange Veh. She married
Ferdinand Boxberger on May 10 1936 at Milberger, Kan. He preceded her in death on June 7, 1987, She was a resident of National City since 2003 moving from Great Bend, and was a former resident of Russell, Kan. She worked as a supervisor for Untied Telephone Company for many years. She worked in cosmetic sales and as an assistant in a nursing home prior to her retirement. Mrs. Boxberger was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Ladies Fellowship, Lutheran Church Women, Silver and Gold Club, RSVP and AARP. Survivors include three daughters, Nancy L. Munsch, and Jolene Bailey both of Bluffton, S.C.; Kathryn Marlene Muldowny, San Diego; one brother, John M Veh, Kansas City, Kan.; one sister Tillie M. Strecker, Va.; five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Chris Veh, Jr., Paul H. Veh; and one sister Helen Mellott. Funeral services will be 10 A.M. on Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. James A. Strasen. Burial will be at the Hoisington cemetery, Hoisington, Kan. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Dollie Mae Bownes
1910 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Dollie Mae Bownes, age 95, died Feb. 17, 2006 at her home in Ellinwood, Kan. She was born Sept. 3, 1910, at Crossville, Tenn., the daughter of Sam and Josephine Brewer Thomas. She graduated from Watson High School, Watson, Mo. She married
Clarence Raymond Bownes on Dec. 5, 1935 at Maryville, Mo. He preceded her in death on Jan. 29, 1988. She was a resident of Ellinwood after moving from Watson in 1953. She was a restaurant owner and homemaker. Survivors include one son, Ronald Bownes, Ellinwood, and one sister in-law, Glee Thomas, Rockport, Mo., four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Billie, Ben, Clay, Matt, and Homer, four sisters, Eliza, Louisa, Alice, and Trenabell. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Kimple Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Young presiding. Burial will follow at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery, Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Barton County Relay for Life, or the Ellinwood Area Health Care Foundation's Hospital X-Ray Machine Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Jerome O. Werner
1924 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Jerome O. Werner, 81, died Feb. 16 at Ellinwood District Hospital. He was born Oct. 10, 1924, at Great Bend, the son of Reinhardt Werner and Eleanor Hartman. He was a 1943 graduate of Ellinwood High School. He married
Peggy Josephine Smiley on Dec. 28, 1949, at Ellinwood. She died Dec. 7, 1995. He was a long-time Ellinwood resident. He was a farmer/machinist for Boeing and Cessna Aircraft, and a USD #355 School Bus driver. Werner was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus #1187 4th Degree, Ellinwood. Survivors include two sons, Gregory A. Werner and Robert M. Werner, both of Ellinwood; four daughters, Patricia L. Werner, Paula J. Murray, and Pauline M. Holton, all of Haysville, and Pamela S. Reser of Ellinwood; 27 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael J. Werner, two brothers, Norbert and Erwin Werner; and one sister, Angela Johanning. Altar Society Rosary will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. followed by a K of C rosary at the funeral home. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ellinwood with the Rev. Charles Mazouch officiating. Burial will be at the Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's School Endowment, American Cancer Society, or Relay for Life. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Freda R. Brauer
1937 - 2006
LA CROSSE - Freda R. Brauer, 68, died Feb. 14 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Oct. 2, 1937, at Nekoma, the daughter of Henry D. and Johanna A. Kolb Brauer. She was a teacher of vocal music and library, K-5 at U.S.D. 395 at La Crosse for 32 years. She retired June 1, 2001. She was a resident of La Crosse for 25 years coming from Nekoma. Brauer was a member of First Lutheran Church in La Crosse and NEA. Survivors include one brother, Frederick G. Brauer of Sacramento, Calif. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry P. Brauer and infant, Gerhard J. Brauer. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in La Crosse with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be at the Union Township cemetery in Nekoma. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Robert Bogard Coyle
1932 - 2006
RUSSELL - Robert Bogard Coyle, 73, died Feb. 14 at the Russell Regional Hospital. He was born Sept. 27, 1932, at St. Joseph, Mo., the son of James and Lola (Bogard) Coyle. He received his early education at St. Joseph, Mo., and later received his GED. He married
Clarice Turner on Nov. 27, 1953, at Savannah, Mo. He joined the U.S. Air Force in the early 1950s and served until he was placed on the temporary disability retired list in 1966. He worked as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was also employed by Standard Oil, BP Hoidale, Fuller Brush, ABCO Wire, and Boeing. He was also employed by Gates-Learjet, and worked on the Space Shuttle program. Mr. Coyle was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and member of the VFW Post #6240, both of Russell. He was a Boy Scout leader and helped with the Girls Scouts. Survivors include his wife, Clarice of the home; one son, Robert Steven Coyle of Topeka; two daughters, Deborah Ann Rainbolt of Larned, and Linda Kay Walton of Russell; one sister Ann Carney, Bloomfield, Iowa, one brother, Louie Coyle, Lehigh, Kan.; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Coyle; half-brothers, Milton, and Billy D. McGaughey, one-half sister Mildred McGauhey and one granddaughter Elizabeth Coyle. Funeral services were Saturday at First Southern Baptist Church, with burial at the Russell City cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Salvation Army in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Pohlman-Heise Mortuary 610 N. Maple St. Russell, KS 67665
Robert "Harold" Willard
1921 - 2006
Robert 'Harold' Willard, 84, died Feb. 16 at his home in Great Bend. He was born Aug. 16, 1921, in Great Bend, the son of Bill and Gladys (Myers) Willard. He married
Florence Juergensen on Oct. 27, 1940. He then married
Eileen Foltmer on Feb. 24, 1964, she survives. He was a lifetime resident of Great Bend. He operated the Wards Texaco Service and Tavern from April 1946 to closing of business in August 1968 because of ill health. In addition to his love of family, he loved his dogs, camping trips to Colorado, fishing and outdoor barbeque dinners. He was a member of Eagles Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars post #3111 and the DAV, all of Great Bend. He was a World War II veteran, serving three years in the South Pacific, with the 1279 combat engineers outfit, 158RTC receiving the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Survivors include his spouse, Eileen Willard of Great Bend; two sons, Lloyd Willard of Manhattan, and Larry Willard of Glendale, Ariz.; three step-sons, Larry Foltmer of Billings, Mont., Nick Foltmer of Great Bend, and Jon Foltmer of Ellinwood; one daughter, Janice (Willard) Juergensen of Past Falls, Idaho; one sister, Erma V. Moore of Great Bend; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lloyd, Neil and Jack. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Charter Funerals Chapel in Great Bend with the Pastor John Grummon presiding. Interment will be at the Great Bend City cemetery with full Military Rites conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be Monday from 1 to 8 p.m. at Charter Funerals Chapel with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Cheyenne Bottoms Sportsman Club or the Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Elsie Christina Wondra
1907 - 2006
Elsie Christina Wondra, age 98, died Feb 16, 2006 at the Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kan. She was born November 28, 1907, in Barton County Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Cook Skolaut. She married
Andrew Wondra, April 18, 1944 at Olmitz, Kan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 19, 1944. She was a lifetime resident of the Barton County area. She was a homemaker, a registered nurse and worked as a private nurse in Great Bend and Dodge City, Kan. Mrs. Wondra was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and the St. Rose School of Nursing Alumni Association. Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Shuck and husband, Tim Shuck, Lexington, KY, Alice Wondra and husband Bill Moyes, Columbia MO.; two sisters Bertha Haberman, Great Bend, Minnie Mauler, Olmitz; one granddaughter Cyndi Shuck, Omaha, Neb.; and one grandson, Ryan Shuck, Omaha. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Joseph Skolaut. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Ann's Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Ultan Murphy presiding, burial will follow at St. Ann's cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday vigil service will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday followed by a D of I Rosary at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials suggested to the St. Ann's cemetery fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Dee Anna Adams Bridges
1974 - 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Dee Anna Adams Bridges, 31 died Feb. 15. She was born July 10, 1974, in Liberal. She married
Jess Bridges on June 4, 2005, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Workey cemetery in Oklahoma City, Okla. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Church of God in Great Bend.
Lillian Katherine Butler
MULBERRY CANYON, Texas - Lillian 'Lillye' Katherine Butler died Feb. 13 at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born Feb. 13, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of Brad and Amye Butler of Merkel, Texas. Other survivors include one brother, Jake Butler of Mulberry Canyon, Texas; two sisters, Natalie Butler of Abilene, and Audye Butler of Mulberry Canyon, Texas; paternal grandparents, Bill and Sandra Bulter of Mountain Home, Ark.; maternal grandparents, Gene and Iris Amerine of Merkel, Texas; great-grandparent, Dorothy Shelton of Minnealo; aunts and uncles, Shelly Lundquist and Steve Debenham of Great Bend and Abilene. Sharlet and Denver Gulley of Mountain Home, Ark.; and cousins, Nathan and Brian Lundquist of Great Bend, and Shelbi Hardin of Mountain Home, Ark. Graveside service was held Thursday at White Church cemetery in rural Taylor County, Texas with the Rev. Terry Brannon officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Starbuck Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Starbuck Funeral Home 201 Edwards St. Merkel, TX 79536 3
Robert Bogard Coyle
1932 - 2006
RUSSELL - Robert Bogard Coyle, 73, died Feb. 14 at the Russell Regional Hospital. He was born Sept. 27, 1932, at St. Joseph, Mo., the son of James and Lola (Bogard) Coyle. He received his early education at St. Joseph, Mo., and later received his GED. He married
Clarice Turner on Nov. 27, 1953, at Savannah, Ga. He owned and operated his own Fina Service Station, worked at Fuller Brush, worked in aircraft repair and sheet metal, was employed at Boeing and Learjet and most recently with Standard oil now BP Hoidale petroleum in their equipment division. He retired in 1990. Coyle was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and member of the VFW Post #6240, both of Russell. He joined the U.S. Air Force in the early 1950's and served until he was placed on the temporary disability retired list in 1966. His service was during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Survivors include his wife, Clarice of the home; one son, Robert Steven Coyle of Topeka; two daughters, Deborah Ann Rainbolt of Larned, and Linda Kay Walton of Russell; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Coyle; half-brothers and sister, Milton, Billy D. and Mildred McGauhey. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Southern Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Russell City cemetery. Visitation will be today from 9 to 8 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pohlman-Heise Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Salvation Army in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Pohlman-Heise Mortuary 610 N. Maple St. Russell, KS 67665
Howard Ralph Fisher
1916 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Howard Ralph Fisher, 90, died Feb. 15 at Ellinwood Hospital Long-term Care. He was born Feb. 14, 1916, at Drumright, Okla., the son of Homer and Hilda Braum Fisher. He was a 1935 graduate of Blackwell High School in Blackwell, Okla. He married
Jatta Lucille Barnes on July 5, 1939, in Great Bend. A longtime resident of Ellinwood, he was a retired oilfield worker. Fisher was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Ellinwood. Survivors include his wife, Lucille Fisher of the home; one son, Stephen H. Fisher of Ellinwood; two daughters, Linda Orser of Pasadena, Fla., and Brenda Phillips of Topeka; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church in Ellinwood with the Rev. Roy Savage officiating. Burial will be at the Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call today from noon to 8 p.m., and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at Kimple Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the church. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
