Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Irene Marie Davidson
1918 - 2006
BELPRE - Irene Marie Davidson, 87, died June 20 at Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton, Texas. She was born June 28, 1918, in Walker, the daughter of Joseph and Katherine Schmidtberger Weigel. She married
Robert Gaylord Davidson on Aug. 8, 1942, at Vancouver, Wash. He died Sept. 17, 1989. A longtime resident of Belpre, she had moved to Great Bend, and then Carrollton, Texas. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Davidson was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church, Altar Society and past member of the Federated Women's Club, all of Belpre; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Russell. Survivors include one son, William Davidson of Willow, Alaska; one daughter, Cathy Edwards of Coppell, Texas; and one granddaughter. She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Joseph Davidson. Parish vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Bernard Catholic Church, with the Rev. Bernard Felix officiating. Burial will be at the Belpre cemetery. Friends may call from 12 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home P.O. Box 124 Larned, KS 67550
Carol McWilliams
1922 - 2006
EUGENE, Ore. - Carol McWilliams, 83, died June 22 of a stroke. She was born Dec. 3, 1922, in Oklahoma City, Okla., the daughter of James and Nell Rockey Evans. She married
William Johnson in May 1943 in Norman, Okla. He died in 1944. She married
Jim McWilliams in Sept. 1948 in Norman. He died in 1993. She worked as a choral director, realtor, writer and inventor. Survivors include three sons, Bruce MacWilliams of Noble, Okla., Scott MacWilliams of Eugene, Ore., and Matthew MacWilliams of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Joanna Jones of Waldoboro, Maine, and Sally Thorpe of Nevada, Mo.; one brother, Robert of Lawrence; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, June Evans McNatt of Midland, Texas. Funeral will be held today at Central Presbyterian Church in Eugene. Burial will be at Fairlawn Memorial cemetery in Oklahoma City, Okla. Memorials are suggested to Relief Nursery, First Place Family Center or the Oklahoma University Foundation in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by England's Eugene Memorial Chapel 1152 Olive St. Eugene, OR 97401
Lois Marie Tucker
1918 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Lois Marie Tucker, 87, died June 20 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born Nov. 7, 1918, in Sterling, Ill., the daughter of Fred and Johanna Onchen Beuttel. A resident of Great Bend since 1957, coming from St. John, she had been a Sears sales clerk for 24 years and formerly taught at Hudson School District 95 in the late 1930s. She was a member of First Christian Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3111 Auxiliary and Social Circle Card Club all of Great Bend. Survivors include two daughters, JoLana Dearmore of Wichita and Pam Switzer and husband Roger of Great Bend; one brother, Delmont Beuttel of Morton, Pa.; one sister Glennis Doll of Great Bend; three granddaughters, Tera Switzer of Ft. Gratiot, Mich., Angela Dougherty and husband Brian of Great Bend and Lacey Dearmore of Wichita; and a great granddaughter, Taylor Dougherty. She was preceded in death by one daughter Janice Faye Tucker, one brother Wayne Beuttel and two sisters, Almeda Christiansen and Donna Kimpler. Funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. William F. Johnson and the Rev. Arlyn Thielenhaus officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, with family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Richard "Rich" W. Parson
1968 - 2006
PRATT - Richard 'Rich' W. Parson, 38, died June 19 at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt. He was born Jan. 13, 1968, at Wellington, the son of Richard A. and Elna V. Parson. He graduated from Pratt High School in 1986. He married
Crystal 'Chris' Dean on Feb. 14, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nev. A resident of Pratt, he was the owner and operator of The Concrete Guys. Survivors include his wife, Chris of Pratt; one son, Richie of Pratt; three daughters, Alisha McGuire and Amber Spike, both of Wichita, and Brooke Hammonds of Great Bend; his parents; one brother, Dion Rose of Grand Junction, Colo.; one foster brother, Brian Shore of Hutchinson; one sister, Melinda McBee of Council Grove; and three grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Larrison Mortuary in Pratt with the Rev. Dallas Hull officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn cemetery in Pratt. Visitation will be Thursday from 9a.m. to 8 p.m. at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Rich Parson Memorial Fund in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Larrison Mortuary 300 Country Club Rd. Pratt, KS 67124
Karen Suszan Yeager
1947 - 2006
WAMEGO - Karen Suszan Yeager, 59, died June 20 at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan after a long illness. She was born Jan. 29, 1947, in Hoisington, the daughter of Leo C. and Felicitas T. (Ohnmacht) Meyeres. She graduated from Hoisington High School and attended Cosmetology school. She married
Craig A. Yeager in February, 1996. She owned and operated a beauty salon in Hoisington for many years. She and her husband lived in Joplin, Mo., for several years before moving to Wamego in 2003. Survivors include her husband, Craig of the home; one son, Lenny Thompson of Hoisington; one brother, Joe Meyeres of Olathe; four sisters, Larae Conners of Kansas City, Mo., Nellie Gilkey of Garfield, Mary Balderson of Beaver, and Barbara Urban of Hoisington; and two grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at a later date in Hoisington. Funeral arrangements provided by Stewart Funeral Home 4370 Salzer Rd and Hwy. 24 Wamego, KS 66547
Peter Kunzelmann Jr.
1936 - 2006
Harold Peter Kunzelmann Jr., 70, of Great Bend, died June 17 at Fort Dodge Soldiers Home in Fort Dodge. He was born June 6, 1936, at St. Joseph, Mo., the son of Harold P. and Kathryn M. Fulton Kunzelmann Sr. He served one term in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his discharge he worked with mentally challenged children and was instrumental in developing Precision teaching. After returning to Great Bend, he owned and operated Harold's Hearing Aid Center in Great Bend until he became ill. Kunzelmann was a lifetime member of the American Legion Argonne Post No. 180, and helped to send young men to Boys State. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Judy Kunzelmann of Albany, Ore.; nephew Eric Kunzelmann and his wife Dena of Bowie, Va.; and great-nephew Kurt Kunzelmann of Bowie, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jon Kunzelmann. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to American Legion Boys State in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Richard Lee Swartz
1953 - 2006
LOWELL, Ark. - Richard Lee Swartz, 53, died June 16 at his home in Lowell, Ark. He was born Jan. 6, 1953, in St. John, the son of Raymond and Margaret Wagaman Swartz. A former resident of Macksville, he moved to Springdale, Ark., in 1995 from Denver Colo. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked in maintenance for Springdale Health and Rehabilitation. Survivors include his longtime friend Tonya of Lowell; two sons, Caleb Swartz and Logan Swartz of Lowell; his mother, Margaret Wagaman Swartz of Macksville; two sisters Carolyn Hunt of Larned and Betty Hood of Great Bend; three brothers J.R. Swartz of Macksville, Ron Swartz of Turkey and Bob Swartz of California; and one grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, Billy Swartz; and a sister, Virginia Shearrer. There will be a celebration of his life at 5 p.m. Sunday at Murphy's Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bank of America, Springdale, Ark., for the education of Logan and Caleb Swartz. Beards Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville, Ark., is in charge of arrangements.
John A. Bartonek
1943 - 2006
HOUSTON, Texas - John A. Bartonek, 63, died June 14 at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, following a lengthy illness. He was born May 17, 1943, in Great Bend, the son of Abraham and Magdalene (Nemlowill) Bartonek. He married
Sue Powell of Palestine, Texas, on Dec. 3, 1966. A retired mechanical design engineer, he grew up on a farm in the Olmitz area. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Darell Bartonek and William; Bartonek his mother, Magdalene Bartonek of Olmitz; two brothers, William T. Bartonek of Olmitz and Anthony L. Bartonek of Wichita; and two sisters, Jo Ann B. Hetrick of Wichita, and Patricia B. Jones of Pittsburg. Cremation and a family memorial service will be held in Houston, Texas. Disposition of the ashes will be held at a later date in Olmitz.
Janette Sue Arnold
1944 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Janette Sue Arnold, 62, died June 16 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 10, 1944, at Bristow, Okla., the daughter of Claude E. Summers and Billye Bodine. She married
Rex Arnold on Oct. 10, 1988, in Ellinwood. An Ellinwood resident most of her life, also residing in Hutchinson and Bay Springs, Miss., she was a waitress at Alcove in Ellinwood and delivered the Hutchinson News and Wichita Eagle. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Bill Wedgeworth of Bay Springs, Miss.; one daughter, Tamara Okon of Ellinwood; one sister, Ramona Schlotthauer of Ellinwood; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Jack Summers. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at Kimple Funeral Chapel in Ellinwood, with the Rev. Victor Williams officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call today from 1 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Ellinwood Area Health Care Foundation. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Norman F. Komarek
1916 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Norman F. Komarek, 89, died June 16 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born July 1, 1916, at Ellinwood, the son of Frank and Emilie (Peschka) Komarek. He married
Viola Ann McCready on Dec. 2, 1945, at Emporia. He lived most of his life in Ellinwood, and 13 years in Sterling. He retired in 1979 as a tour engineer and field gauger with Arapahoe Pipe Line Co. Komarek was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, American Legion Post No 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 5657, all of Ellinwood, and he was a Boy Scout Commissioner. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II in the 8th Air Depot Group. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Paul Komarek of Atchinson, and Kim Komarek of Topeka; one brother, Donald Komarek of Great Bend; and one grandchild. He was preceded in death by a brother, Franklin Komarek; and a sister, Verline Petz. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Monday at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood, with the Rev. Larry Young officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood and from 11 a.m. to service time on Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Immanuel United Church of Christ Organ Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Verna Lee Kern
1928 - 2006
LYONS - Verna Lee Kern, 78, died June 16 at Lyons District Hospital. She was born May 6, 1928, in Morrison, Okla., the daughter of J.V. and Vinna (Swearingen) Adams. She married
Paul E. Kern on May 10, 1946, in Wichita. A lifetime resident of Lyons, she graduated from Lyons High School in 1945. She was a 27-year employee of the Kansas State Agriculture Statistics Service. She was a member of First Christian Church in Lyons. Mrs. Kern was also a member of Rice County Democrat Women, the Foretravel Motorcoach Club, Family Motorcoach Association and Escapees R.V. Club. She was a former U.S. Census supervisor for Rice County and volunteered at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona for nine winters. Survivors include her husband of the home; four sons, Michael D. Kern of Belleair Beach, Fla., Edward W. Kern of Chase, Richard F. Kern of Hollywood, Fla., and James P. Kern of Salem, Va.; two brothers, J. T. Adams of Pawnee, Okla., and William Adams of Walnut Creek, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the First Christian Church in Lyons, with the Rev. Tom Eastman officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Rice/Reno County Hospice or Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Sillin Funeral Homes and Granite Memorials 214 W. Ave. South Lyons, KS 67554
Clarence W. Hokr
1926 - 2006
HOLYROOD - Clarence W. Hokr, 79, died June 17 at his home in Holyrood. He was born Aug. 23, 1926, in Kanopolis, the son of William B. and Mary L. (Novotny) Hokr. He married
Norma Yvonne Crane on Feb. 25, 1951, in Geneso. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth County, he was an oilfield and farm laborer. He was a member of the Ellsworth County Historical Society. Mr. Hokr was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Mari Purdy of Russell and Patti Blackwell of Great Bend; one sister, Marvalee Handlin of Willis, Texas; four grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Danny Hokr. A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Holyrood, with the Rev. Deborah Rains officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul's United Church of Christ or Ellsworth County Historical Society in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Parsons Funeral Home 307 N. Lincoln Ellsworth, KS 67439
Harold L. Becker
1915 - 2006
Harold L. Becker, 90, died June 15 at his residence in Great Bend. He was born June 19, 1915 in rural Great Bend, the son of Lewis L. and Ellen Howard Becker. He married
Lois Gilbert on June 14, 1936 at Pawnee Rock. She survives. A lifetime resident of Barton County, he was founder of Becker Tire and Treading, Inc. Becker was a member of First United Methodist Church and Elks Club both of Great Bend. He was a member of the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association where he served on the executive board for many years. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Lois of the home; one son Wayne Becker and wife Karen of Great Bend; three daughters, Linda Sisson of Great Bend, Jean Radke and husband Ron of Great Bend, and Ann Engel and husband Al of McPherson; one brother, Larry L. Becker and wife Joy of Papillion, Neb.; nine grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Elmer Becker; son-in-law, Larry Sisson; one granddaughter, Pam Sisson Schenk, and a great-grandson Aaron Sisson. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m., Sunday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or C.K.M.C. Foundation for the benefit of Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Glen E. Jurgensen
1929 - 2006
HUTCHINSON - Glen E. Jurgensen, 77, died June 16 at his home. He was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Barton County. He was the son of Frederick H. and Alma (Schuster) Jurgensen. He was a retired lithographer for the Bank of America printing department. He was a member of the Evangelica United Bretheran Church in Great Bend. He was an Army Korean War veteran. On March 4, 1956, he married
Lois D. Adams at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Mark E. Jurgensen of Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Lisa R. Hatcher and her husband Terry of Hutchinson; a brother, Roy Lee Jurgensen of Great Bend; a sister Mable Ankerholz of Great Bend; and two grandchildren, Tyler J. and Sara Hatcher. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Lester, Howard and Melvin Jurgensen. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday at the 10th Avenue United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, with the Rev. Steve Schmidt presiding. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today, with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m., all at the Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Burial will be at Fairlawn Burial Park in Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County or the 10th Avenue United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home, 528 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Funeral arrangements provided by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services 528 N. Main Hutchinson, KS 67501
David E. Schmidt
1921 - 2006
CLAFLIN - David E. Schmidt, 85, died June 17 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. He was born May 12, 1921, in Dorrance, the son of Reinhardt Schmidt and Katherine (Milberger) Schmidt. He married
Patricia L. Jenkins on June 30, 1948, at Dorrance. She died May 24, 2005. A resident of Claflin since 1968, coming from Dorrance, he was retired from the oilfield and Fry's Tank Service. Schmidt was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Ralph B. Praeger Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8668 of Claflin and a former member of the American Legion. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in World War II. He was an avid auction attender and loved St. Louis Cardinal baseball, fishing and lottery tickets. Survivors include three sons, Gregory Schmidt and Michael Schmidt and wife Sue all of Raleigh, N.C., and David Schmidt and wife Patricia of Claflin; a daughter, Cassandra Shuey of Russell; a brother, Willis 'Bill' Schmidt of Dorrance; three sisters, Helen Ginther of Russell, Leona Herpel of Dorrance, Edna Kruckenberg of Wilson; an aunt, Mary Blehm of Salina; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Alvin Schmidt. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Claflin, with the Rev. John Sharp officiating. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery in Claflin with military graveside rites conducted by the Ralph B. Praeger VFW Post No. 8668 of Claflin and VFW No. 7428 and American Legion Post No. 286 both of Hoisington. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or Claflin Ambulance Service in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
