Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Helen W. Baier
1914 - 2006
SEWARD - Helen W. Baier, 91, died March 2 at her home in Seward. She was born Oct. 20, 1914, in Greenfield, Ill., the daughter of William and Mabelle Cole Robbins. She married
Charles M. Baier on June 12, 1941, at Seward. He died in May 1992. A 62-year resident of Seward, she was a homemaker and secretary for Larned State Hospital. She was a graduate of Larned High School and attended business school in Wichita. Mrs. Baier was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Alter Society, Seward, and served as church organist for over 55 years. She was also a member of EHU and a past member of First United Methodist Church in Larned. Survivors include two sons, Charles M. 'Mick' Baier Jr., Lecompton, and William H. 'Hank' Baier, Ramona, Calif.; two daughters, Sharon Hays, Wellington, and Barbara J. Braddy, Seward; two sisters, Alice Lucy Templer, Leoti, and Wilma 'Billy' Beck, Urbana, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and five step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Cole Robbins, and two sisters, Margaret Ruthe Duncan and Marian Frances Robbins. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church in Seward with the Rev. Rene Guesnier officiating. Burial will be at Xavier cemetery in Seward. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the Alter Society at the church, in care of Minnis Chapel. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel 526 East 4th Street St. John, KS
Vincent C. Spiers
1955 - 2006
ANDALE - Vincent C. Spiers, 50, of Andale, died March 3. He was born, Nov. 30, 1955. He was a mechanic at RSC Equipment Rental Corporation. Vincent was a U.S. Army Veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division and lifetime member of the American Legion, Thomas Hopkins Post No. 4, and a proud member of the Patriot Riders. Vincent wanted to be remembered as a person who always tried to do the right thing, and was known by some of his friends as the gentle giant. Vincent was preceded in death by his mother, Nell Dyson, and sister, Rhonda Spiers. Survivors include: a daughter, Miriah Spiers of Seattle, Wash.; son, Devon Bayle of Andale; father and step-mother Bud and Virginia Spiers of Wichita; brothers and sisters, Buford C. Spiers, III, Gail Klienfield, Susie Spiers and Bridgette Dyson, all of Picayune Miss., Karla Cravens and Brian Spiers, both of Haysville, Andrew Mullen and Carol Smith, both of Wichita; and loving companion, Kathy Twitchell, of Hoisington; and a host of nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary in Wichita. Memorials can be donated in Vincent's name to the Patriot Riders, in care of the Thomas Hopkins American Legion Post No. 4, 816 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67203. Funeral arrangements provided by Downing and Lahey Mortuary 10555 W. Maple Wichita, KS 67209
Janell Lee Bowman
1930 - 2006
Janell Lee Bowman, 75, died March 1 at the Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born May 15, 1930, at McPherson, the daughter of Walter Jerome and Murial Lee Ittel Sission. She married
Donovan Ernest Bowman on Aug. 5, 1951, in Great Bend. He died Aug. 7, 1978. She was a Program Director for a day care. She was a longtime resident of Great Bend. She was a member of First Christian Church. She worked with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies and Great Bend Recreation Commission. Survivors include three sons, Don Bowman and wife Gloria of Olathe, T. R. Bowman and wife Sharron of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Shane Bowman and wife Darcy of Pawnee Rock; one daughter, Cynthia Gilman of Kansas City; three sisters, Jeanette Tammen of Timken, Shirley Burhenn of El Dorado, and JoHannah Sisson of Laguna Beach, Calif.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Walter T. Sisson, William F. Sisson, John M. Sisson, and Lawrence J. Sisson; and one sister, Lois W. Seago. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Interment will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Parkinson Disease Association in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Rosalee Reeves
1939 - 2006
McCRACKEN - Rosalee Reeves, 66, died March 1 at her home in McCracken. She was born Sept. 20, 1939, at Weston, the daughter of William Harold and Iola Cahali Schultz. She married
James Reeves on Dec. 29, 1956, at Stockton. She was a homemaker and had lived in McCracken for the past 20 years. Survivors include her husband, James Reeves; one son, Alan Reeves of Cheyenne, Wyo.; three daughters, Debra Wilken of Bazine, Diana Reeves of Great Bend, and Julie Elias of McCracken; her mother, Iola Depperschmidt of Ransom; one brother, Gary Schultz of Arizona; two sisters, Bernadine Schultz of McCracken, and Sheryl Salonski of Grand Island, Neb.; and numerous grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Brianna Wilken. Cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service at a later date. Funeral arrangements provided by Fitzgerald Funeral Home 207 N. Pennsylvania / P.O. Box 96 Ness City, KS 67560
Jose Francisco "Frank" Barragan
1918 - 2006
ST. JOHN - Jose Francisco 'Frank' Barragan, 87, died Feb. 28 at Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. He was born Aug. 20, 1918, at Ario Santa Monica, Michoachan, Mexico, the son of Ramon and Esther (Rodriguez) Barragan. He married
Otilia Ballin on May 1, 1943, at Larned. He was a resident of St. John most of his life coming from Pratt and Stafford. He was a self-employed landscaper and worked for Jennie Owens, Doctor Louis Graves and Mary Ann Heyen. Mr. Barragan was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in St. John. Survivors include two sons, John Barragan of Hutchinson, and Paul Barragan of Great Bend; two brothers; one sister, Sarah Bryant of St. John; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; one son, Raymond Barragan; and one daughter, Lydia Barragan. Funeral will be at 10 a.m Saturday at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in St. John with the Rev. Rene Guesnier officiating. Burial will be at the Greenlawn cemetery in Pratt. Visitation will be today from 1 to 7 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m., both at the Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel 526 E. 4th St. John, KS 67576
Lurena "Lou" Grizzell
1921 - 2006
MACKSVILLE - Lurena 'Lou' Grizzell, 85, died Feb. 26 at Altamontee Springs, Fla. She was born Feb. 10, 1921, at Macksville, the daughter of Arthur Clinton and Molly Myrl Shottenkirk DeBusk. She married
Everett William Grizzell on Aug. 6, 1939, at Great Bend. He died May 25, 1994. A longtime Macksville resident, she had lived in Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Florida. Survivors include one daughter, Rebecca Kay O'Neal, San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Sandra Sue; and three sisters, Lavona Dobbins, Ruth Miller, and Bonnie Miller. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial will be at the Farmington cemetery in Macksville. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Thursday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Shriners, in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Karl H. Pfeiffer III
1951 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Karl H. Pfeiffer III, 54, died Feb. 26 at his home in Hoisington. He was born Aug. 15, 1951, at Great Lakes, Ill., the son of Karl H. Pfeiffer Jr., and Gertrude L. (Stock) Pfeiffer. He was a cook at the Larned State Hospital in Larned. He was a Hoisington resident for the past 10 years. Pfeiffer was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hoisington. He was was an Army veteran during peace time and Kansas National Guard for a total service time of 32 1/2 years. Survivors include two brothers, David L. Pfeiffer of Illinois, and Kenneth J. Pfeiffer of Arkansas; and one sister, Catherine L. Ray of Fort Lewis, Wash. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Richard Monson officiating. Burial will be at the Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Ona Mae McMillan
1918 - 2006
Ona Mae McMillan, 87, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 27, 2006. She was born May 23, 1918 to Rankin and Sadie Smith Wilson in Crescent, Okla. Ona Mae retired from The Fuller Brush Company in 1987 after 15 years of service. She was one of the first group of 12 employees hired by Fuller for the new factory in Great Bend. Ona Mae also worked for the C.O. Mammel's grocery stores after being a homemaker for many years. She was a member of Faith Community Church for many years, and loved the Lord with all her heart. Ona Mae was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, two sisters and two brothers. Ona Mae married
Virgil McMillan on Feb. 10, 1938, and lived in Oklahoma and Illinois before moving to Great Bend in 1940. She is survived by her daughters, Sue Krueger and husband Jerry of Great Bend and Tricia Birkes and husband Gary of Wichita; five grandchildren, Chris Krueger and wife Brenda, Great Bend, Patrick Birkes and wife Christy, Bethany Strange and husband Brian of Wichita, Jason Birkes and wife Alicia of Belle Plaine and Darren Birkes and wife Phoebe of Wichita; 21 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. The family extends a special thank you to caregiver Shirley Arnel and the many others who cared for our mom. Friends may call Wednesday, March 1 from noon to 9 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Bethany cemetery in Hallett, Okla. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Humane Society or Faith Community Church in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Marilyn (Decker) Kellogg
Marilyn (Decker) Kellogg, 73, of Great Bend died April 19. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. May 1 at First Christian Church in Great Bend with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at the Bergthal Mennonite cemetery in Pawnee Rock. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Radium Rangers Senior Center or Kans for Kids in care of Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Hilmer Gene Brack
1942 - 2006
PAWNEE ROCK - Hilmer Gene Brack, 64, died April 25 at his home. He was born Mar. 9 1942 in Great Bend, the son of Phillip J. and Suzanna 'Susie' (Brack) Brack. He married
Emmalenea Horton Sept. 16, 1985, at Bentonville Ark. She preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2005. He was a mental health aide at Larned State Hospital and a lifetime resident of the area. Brack was a member of the Christian Church in Pawnee Rock and a member of the National Rifle Association. Survivors include one step-son Rola Horton of Pratt; three daughters Sandra Lynn Brack of McPherson, Sherrie Rene Brack of Muldren Okla., Shannon Elaine King of Great Bend; three brothers Reverend Orlett Brack of Sioux Falls, S.D., LaVern Brack of Las Vegas Nev., Billy Brack of Great Bend; one sister Velda Hess of Rose Hill. and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers Virgil, J. Dean, and Maynard Brack, and two sisters Lola Veda Brack and Shirley Brack. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Don Paden presiding. Interment will follow at the Pawnee Rock cemetery. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Barton County Relay for Life or Alcohol Anonymous in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Phyllis R. Rathbun
1924 - 2006
GENEVA Ill. - Phyllis R. Rathbun, at age 81 of Geneva formerly of Chicago passed away Thursday April 27 at Central Dupage Hospital in Winfield. She was born July 29, 1924 in Taris Pa., the daughter of Howard and Irene ( Thomas) Lowsetter. Mrs. Rathbun worked as a phlebotomist at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also an avid baseball fan, especially the Cubs She is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Weltmer of Geneva; two sons John (Kathy) of Lawrence and Jeffery (Lesley) of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren Stacey and Britton Weltmer; Kelly, John, Chase, and Lauren Rathbun; two sisters Jean Jaram of Ohio, and Norma Tebbs of Fla. She was precede in death by two brothers Kenny and Thomas Lowsetter; daughter Jeanne Ann Rathbun and her husband Harry. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church of Geneva with the Rev. William Obalil officiating. Interment will be private. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, or the United Methodist Church of Geneva 211 Hamilton St. Geneva Ill., 60134. Information can be obtained by calling 630-232-8233. Funeral arrangements provided by Malone Funeral Home 324 E. State Street Geneva Illinois 60134
Orland H. Krug
1919 - 2006
LEAGUE CITY, Texas - Orland was born January 31, 1919 in Hoisington, Kansas to Philip Krug and Anna Siegfried Krug. He was baptized into the Christian faith in 1919 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church where later he stated his confirmation vows. After graduating from Wichita State University he attended Duke University School of Law for one semester before being inducted into the Army-Air Corp in June, 1940 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He remained on active duty through World War II and in the Air Force Reserves until January 1979 when he was discharged at the rank of Colonel. While stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, Orland met and married
2nd Lieutenant Leone Marie Halvorson on Valentine's Day, 1942. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Kurt, Karen, Julie and Mike. Orland worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Kansas City, Missouri; Boston, Massachusetts; San Francisco, California; and Atlanta, Georgia. He and Leone retired to Florida in 1982 where they lived until moving to League City in 2003. Throughout his life, Orland had a deep faith in Christ and actively served to grow the Church. Currently a member of Gloria Dei, he served in the prayer note writing ministry. On April 21, 2006, Orland was called home to be with his Lord. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Leone, their children; Kurt Krug and wife Jan; Karen Plansky and husband Tony; Julie Requadt and husband, Chuck; and Mike Krug and wife Jan; 8 grandchildren. 4 grand sons-in-law, 6 great grandchildren; his sister, LaVera Sullivan and sister-in-law, Margaret Krug. Orland's life was richly blessed by the love of his relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Harold Krug and Robert Krug; and two sisters, Olive Krug and Catherine Rugan. Church services were held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. April 24, 2006. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the building fund of Good Shepard Lutheran Church 439 E. Norvell Bryant Hwy, Hernando Fla. 34442
Gladys White
1912 - 2006
Gladys White, 93, died Friday at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation. She was born Aug. 24 1912 in Madison County Ark., the daughter of George Augustus and Maud (Brown) Ledbetter. She married
Frank White Mar. 1 1930. He preceded her in death in 1985. She was meat wrapper at Dillons for 18 years and resident of Great Bend. Survivors include one brother Paul Ledbetter of Santa Clara, Calif., five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers George, William, and Guy Ledbetter; five sisters Alva, Ehel Overy, Beulah, Gladys, and Velma Howllen. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Church of Christ in Great Bend with Bill Buggeln officiating. Interment will follow at the Great Bend City cemetery. Visitations will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today at the Charter Funerals Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Church of Christ in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS. 6753
