Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Major Lawton Dangerfield
1938 - 2006
DUMAS, Texas - Major Lawton Dangerfield died April 2 in Dumas, Texas. He was born March 28, 1938, in Topeka, the son of Major Lawton Dangerfield Sr. and Virginia Dangerfield McClanahan. He was a graduated from Topeka High School in 1956. He worked as a mechanic and refrigeration engineer and also had been an EMT in Dumas, Texas. Dangerfield was a member of Central Park Christian Church. Survivors include two sisters, Carol Dangerfield Scheuerman of Great Bend, and Joyce Dangerfield Longsdorf of Rio Linda, Calif. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Dumas, Texas, is in charge of arrangements.
Eva Marie Miller
1921 - 2006
LARNED - Eva Marie Miller, 84, died April 6 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born July 14, 1921, at Palco, the daughter of Paul and Ida I. Benoitt Bedore. She married
Robert J. Miller on Jan. 3, 1967, in Larned. A longtime resident of Larned, she was a retired Nurses Aid. Miller was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Altar Society in Larned. Survivors include her husband; three sons, James R. Crosby of Larned, Gary Crosby of Medicine Lodge, and Robert Crosby of Gatesville, Texas; three daughters, Judy Angel and Jane Smart, both of Medicine Lodge, and Crystal Schearer of Great Bend; one sister, Mary Davis of Newton; 24 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Rose Marie Crosby; six brothers; five sisters; and two great grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Larned cemetery in Larned with the Rev. Bernard Felix officiating. Cremation has taken place. Friends may call Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the Kansas State University basic Cancer Research in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS 67550
Wyatt and Austin Fischer
2006 - 2006
Twins Wyatt and Austin Fischer, died April 7 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. There were born April 7, 2006, at Great Bend to Tom A. and Jennifer L. Carper Fischer. They are survived by: Their parents, Tom and Jennifer Fischer; paternal grandparents, Dennis and Ellen Fischer, Great Bend; maternal grandparents Chuck and Gerri Carper, La Crosse; uncle and aunt Brett and Kari Carper, Great Bend; paternal great-grandparents Frankie Keffer, Great Bend, and Donna Fischer, Seward; and maternal great-grandparents Edna Ruble, Great Bend, and Millie Ideker, La Crosse. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Peace United Church of Christ cemetery in Hudson with the Rev. Don Paden presiding. Interment will be at Peace United Church of Christ cemetery in Hudson. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to noon on Monday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Wyatt and Austin Fischer Memorial Fund Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 675530
Mary Jo Boisse
1948 - 2006
Mary Jo Boisse, 57, died April 5 at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita. She was born Sept. 25, 1948, at Dodge City, the daughter of Emery and Margaret Mary Heinz Dalton. She was a retired counselor at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility in Larned and caregiver to her daughter, Michelle, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. She had been a resident of Great Bend since 2000, coming from Larned. Boisse was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Patrick and Altar Society. Survivors include one son, Michael Gene Boisse of Larned; one daughter, Michelle Renne Boisse of the home; her mother, Margaret Mary Heinz of Canyon City, Colo.; two brothers, Emery Evan Dalton of Canyon City, Colo., and Jimmy Mestas of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and two sisters, Sharon Dalton, and Rita Mestas, both of Canyon City, Colo. She was preceded in death by one infant daughter, Mikeala Marie Boisse; and one brother, Alva Jacob Dalton. Altar Society will be at 4 p.m. today followed by a vigil service at 6:30 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Ted Stoecklein officiating. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. MST Monday at Union Highland cemetery in Florence, Colo. Visitation will be today from 1 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Michelle Renee Boisse Medical Expense Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Joshua Cole Demel
2004-2006
SALINA - Joshua Cole Demel, age 22 months, died April 3 at Salina. Joshua was born June 7, 2004, at Salina. He was the son of Duane and Deb Demel of Salina. Other survivors in addition to the parents include: His brother, Caleb of the home; his grandparents, Lawrence and Sidone Demel of Hoisington, Claudia Rockwell of Irvine, Calif., and Michael and Susan Mohler of Metamora, Ill.; his great grandparents, Merle and Muriel Rockwell of Denver, Colo., and Red and Phyllis Gulliford of Grand Junction, Colo.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. The Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. today at the St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 230 E. Cloud St., Salina. Burial will be in the All Saints Catholic cemetery, Salina. A Vigil Service was held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth St., Salina. Memorials are suggested to the Infant Child Development Program at the Salina Regional Health Center, Salina. Visitation was held Thursday at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Ryan Mortuary, Inc. 137 N. Eighth Street Salina, KS 67401
Erma Jean Sawaya
1926 - 2006
Erma Jean Sawaya, 79, died April 5 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born Oct. 24, 1926, at Wilsey, the daughter of John and Ruth Buckley Gordon. She married
Emerson D. Sawaya on June 20, 1957, in Salina. A resident of Great Bend since 1960, coming from Salina, she was a homemaker. Sawaya was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include her husband, Emerson Sawaya of the home; one son, John Risk Sawaya of Great Bend; and one daughter, Diana Lynn Summers of California. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Gordon, Neil Gordon and Dean Gordon; and one sister, Betty Fick. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with Chuck Marshall officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery North in Great bend. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Gary Wade Bates
1952 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Gary Wade Bates, 53, died April 3 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Oct. 9, 1952, at Great Bend, the son of Melvin Bates and Gladys (Marcum) Bates. He married
Donna Boor June 11, 1977, at Odin. She survives. He was Senior O & M Technician for Northern Natural Gas Co., Bushton. He was a lifetime resident of Hoisington. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington and former member of the Church finance committee. Gary was faithful and a faith filled servant of God. He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, Owen Stanley Bates and Allan Bates. Survivors include his wife, Donna Bates of Hoisington; one son, Neal Bates of Lawrence; two daughters, Jordan Bates of Lawrence and Jacqueline Bates of Syracuse, N.Y.; his mother, Gladys Voos of Hoisington; and one sister, Tammy Nuss of Russell. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Interment will be at Holy Family cemetery in Odin. Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Nicholson Ricke Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Bates Children Education Fund in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Samuel Schlegel
1919 - 2006
OTIS - Samuel Schlegel, 86, died April 2 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 7, 1919, in Otis, the son of Phillip and Lydia (Moore) Schlegel. He married
Margaret H. Lebsack on Oct. 6, 1946, at Otis. She survives. A lifetime resident of Otis, he was a retired farmer. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9137, all of Otis. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Schlegel of the home; one son, Don W. Schlegel and his wife Donna of Otis; one daughter, Connie L. Galusha of Otis; three step-grandchildren, Gerald A. Evans, Steven L. Evans, and David L. Evans, all of West Virginia; one grandson, David A. Galusha and his wife Stephanie of Otis; one great-granddaughter Adison Galusha; and six step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and three sisters. His body was donated to the University of Kansas Medical School in Kansas City. Internment will be at a later date at the Lutheran cemetery in Otis. Memorials are suggested to the Otis Fire Department or the donor's choice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Zita M. Carlson
DERBY - Zita M. Carlson, 71, homemaker, passed away March 30, 2006. Visitation was held 1 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Smith Mortuary in Debry. Rosary is at 9 a.m. today with funeral mass at 10 a.m. today, both at St. Mary Faith Center in Derby. Internment will follow at El Paso cemetery. Zita was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Mamie Neeland; her first husband, Paul Kreutzer, Jr.; and brother, Mike Neeland. Survivors include her husband, Norman Carlson of Wichita; two daughters and sons-in-laws, Paula and Jed Delmore and Karla and Alvin Vance all of Wichita; siblings and their spouses, John and Emma Neeland of Colorado, Paul and Bernice Neeland of Great Bend and Chris and Charley Keeler of Great Bend; four grandchildren, Ryan, Shawn, Rachel and Kacie. Memorials have been established with St. Mary Faith Center Building Fund, 2300 E. Meadowlark Road, Derby, Kan. 67037 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 South Market, Wichita, Kan. 67202. . Funeral arrangements provided by Smith Mortuary 1415 N. Rock Rd. Derby, KS 67037
John Scott Gruber
1974 - 2006
John Scott Gruber, 31, died April 2 at his residence in Great Bend. He was born Sept. 24, 1974, at Great Bend, the son of John F. Gruber, Sr. and Betty A. Noblitt Jurgensen. He married
Brandi Shuey on March 6, 1999, at Pawnee Rock. She survives. He was a technician for Primus, Inc. in Great Bend. He was a resident of Great Bend for 15 years, coming from Salina. He was a member of International Motor Contest Association and a long-time popular Kansas dirt track race and overall motor sports enthusiast. Survivors include his wife, Brandi Gruber of the home; two sons, Kamren Scott Gruber and Chayse Michael Gruber of the home; one daughter, Alex Dawn Gruber of the home; his father, John F. Gruber of Great Bend; his mother Betty A. Jurgensen and husband, Perry L., of Salina; two brothers, John F. Gruber, Jr. 'Skeeter' of Wichita, and Zachary Lee Jurgensen of Hays; two sisters, Amanda Gruber of Hays, and Desirae D. Gruber of Salina; two grandmothers, Vada Gruber of Great Bend, Pat Noblitt of Great Bend; two nieces, Mackenzie L. Gruber of Salina, and Dylann N. Haas of Hays; and one nephew, Jaxson R. Romesburg of Salina. He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Vernon Gruber and George O. Noblitt. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Interment will be at Great Bend cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Children's Educational Fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Fredrick F. Gleissner
1924 - 2006
TOPEKA - Fredrick F. Gleissner, 82, died April 3 in Topeka. He was born March 5, 1924, in Olmitz, the son of Frank and Josephine Haberman-Gleissner. He grew up in Olmitz, graduated from Otis High School in Otis, and attended Fort Hays State College before serving in both the Merchant Marines and the Army. He married
Loretta Griesbaum in 1949 at Great Bend. They moved to Topeka, where he was a power plant operator for Western Resources, where he retired in 1986. Gleissner was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, of the home. He was preceded in death by one son, Carl, in 1987. Funeral will be at noon Thursday at the church, with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary cemetery in Topeka. Gleissner will lie in state after 2 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel, where a Parish Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m., and the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Funeral arrangements provided by Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. Topeka, KS 66605
Lorraine F. Younger
1922 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Lorraine F. Younger, 83, died March 28 at her residence in Hoisington. She was born Sept. 24, 1922, in rural Barton County, the daughter of Julius A. and Tillie (Courange) Reif. She married
Herman Schwein on Oct. 2, 1940. He died March 31, 2004. She married
Albert Younger on Sept. 25, 1981, at Great Bend. He died June 2, 2001. A lifetime resident of Hoisington, she was a former bookkeeper for 15 years at Spear and Lehning Motor Co., and a former receptionist for the Hoisington Lutheran Hospital for 11 years. Mrs. Younger was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, both of Hoisington. She was of the Christian faith. Survivors include one son, Rick Schwein of McAllen, Texas; one daughter, Kim Spickard of Wichita; five step-daughters; two sisters, Aileen Oliverius of Great Bend, and Norma Ann Round of McAllen; four grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Ethel Hickey. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Hoisington cemetery with the Rev. Ultan Murphy officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, both in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 145 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Viola 'Vi' Pinkston
1914 - 2006
LARNED - Viola 'Vi' Pinkston, 91, died March 31 at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. She was born Nov. 15, 1914, in Milberger, the daughter of Samuel and Johanna Nuss Radke. A longtime resident of the Great Bend, Larned and Radium Communities, she was a cosmetologist at Bob's Beauty Shop, Melba's Beauty Shop, Alice's Beauty Shop, and Dorothy's Beauty Shop. She was very active in the First Christian Church of Larned. She later became a member of the First Christian Church in Garden City. On April 15, 1934, she married
Jesse 'Duke' Pinkston in Great Bend. He died June 6, 1980. Survivors include a son, Larry and wife Luanna of Clearwater; a daughter, Viann Brougher and husband Joe of Hutchinson; four grandchildren, Sherri Massey of Hutchinson, Vicki Brown of Tomball, Texas, Patti Patzell of Canal Fulton, Ohio, and Toni Rice of Great Bend; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond; and three sisters, Nora Williams, Vera Crouse and Gertrude Fuhr. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Dan Lundgren presiding. Friends may call today from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be at the Larned cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Larned or Wesley Towers, Thorne Care Center in Hutchinson, both in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary P.O. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Henry Bernard Commerford
1921 - 2006
Henry Bernard Commerford, 84, of Great Bend died April 1 at Central Kansas Medical Center. He was born August 27, 1921 at Salina, the son of Edward and Ruby Berg Commerford. He married
Patricia Ann Whitehair on April 29, 1950 in Abilene. A longtime resident of Great Bend, he was a retail sales manager for Duckwalls and later Alco for 40 years. Commerford was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Patrick, Knights of Columbus, and Elks Lodge No. 1127, all of Great Bend. He was a Cpl. in the Army Air Corp serving in WWII. Survivors include his wife of the home, three sons, Paul M. Commerford, Albuquerque, N.M., Bernard M. Commerford, Norfolk, Neb., Matthew J. Commerford, Denver; two daughters, Anne L. Reif, and Suzanne E. Bussen, both of Great Bend; one sister Suzanne Gallion, Steamboat Springs Colo.; 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, James, Edward, Charles, and Thomas Commerford; and two sisters, Mary Huffman, and Helen Maxwell. Vigil service and K of C rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church with Rev. Reginald A. Urban officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery with full military honors provided by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the Holy Family School Endowment Fund or Catholic Community of Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Winifred Hope Stockstill
1928 - 2006
LYONS - Winifred Hope Stockstill, 77, died May 29 at HCA Wesley Hospital in Wichita. She was born June 19, 1928, at Lyons, the daughter of Henry Franklin and Edith Grigsby Temple. She married
Bobby G. Stockstill on Aug. 24, 1956, in Oklahoma. He died Aug. 25, 1993. A lifetime resident of Lyons, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Stockstill was a member of First Christian Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, all of Lyons. Survivors include two daughters, Vicky Badgett and Jody Lindsay, both of Lyons, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Rex Temple; three sisters, Myrte Nichols, Charlyne Tipton, and Verne Kite; and two granddaughters, Stacy Jo Badgett and Shelby Lynn Badgett. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church in Lyons with the Rev. Tom Eastman officiating. Burial will be at the Lyons Municipal cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Memorials are suggested to the church or Bell & Star Fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Sillin Funeral Home 214 West Ave. South Lyons, KS 67554
Paul Jason 'PJ' Wilson
1975 - 2006
Paul Jason 'PJ' Wilson, 31, of Great Bend died May 27, in Great Bend. He was born March 4, 1975, in Great Bend, the son of David L. and Susan R. (Siemer) Wilson. Survivors include his father, David L. Wilson, of Hutchinson; his mother, Susan Wilson, of Wichita; one brother, Matthew Nimmo, of Kansas City, Mo.; one sister, Kathy Patton, of Kansas City, Mo.; two nephews, Matt Nimmo and Paul Maine, both of Kansas City, Mo.; and best friends, Mike, Stacie, Emilie, Jacob, Madison and Tate Murray, of Great Bend. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Charter Funerals Chapel with Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend City cemetery North. Friends may fall from noon to 8 p.m. today, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
