Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Penny Jane McClung
1948 - 2006
ATTICA - Penny Jane McClung, 58, died July 21 at her home in Attica. She was born July 2, 1948, in Great Bend, the daughter of Jesse Glenn and Bessie Omelia (Smith) Neal. She married
Perry McClung on Dec. 22, 1970, at Wichita. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, of the home; one son, Patrick Dean McClung of Booneville, Ark.; two brothers, Cecil Neal of Odgeon, Wis., and Willis Neal of Overland Park; three sisters, Glenna Neal Schneedes of Tribune, Sally Neal Hager of Claflin and Phyliss Neal Luerman of Hoisington; and one granddaughter. She was preceded in death by one brother, Bill Neal; and two sisters, Twila Neal Smith and Jessie Neal Kasselbaum. Graveside services were at 2 p.m. Monday at the Attica cemetery, with the Rev. Jeri Smith officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Penny McClung Memorial Fund, in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Williams Chapel, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.
Judith Rose (Herrmann) Cross
1956 - 2006
LEWIS - Judith Rose (Herrmann) Cross, 49, died July 23 at the SouthWind Hospice House in Pratt, after bravely battling breast cancer since September 2005. She was born Sept. 7, 1956, in Kinsley, the daughter of Joe H. and Rosemary E. Miller Herrmann. A resident of Lewis for 14 years, she was a homemaker and ranch manager. Mrs. Cross was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Belpre, Franklin FCE, the American Quarter Horse Association and Edwards County Soil Conservation. On Aug. 4, 1992, she married
Robert L. Cross at Lewis. He survives. Other survivors include: a son, Gage of the home; two brothers, Steven and wife Catherine Herrmann of Stowe, Mass., and Joe and wife Julie of Johnston, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Dora Herrmann of Las Vegas, Nev.; three nieces, Alex Herrmann of Stowe, Jennifer and Jana Herrmann of Johnston; two nephews, Joe Steven and John Herrmann of Stowe; and many uncles, aunts, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father and two brothers, Terrance and Jerome. Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Larned, with Father Bernard Felix presiding. Please join the family for refreshments after the service. Friends may sign the register from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Private burial will be held at a later time. Memorials may be sent to the St. Nicholas School or SouthWind Hospice or the donors' choice, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. P.O. Box 477, Larned, Kan. 67550
Margaret C. Hedge
1931 - 2006
WAKEENEY - Margaret C. Hedge, 75, died July 23, at Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney. She was born on July 23, 1931, in Park, the daughter of Andrew and Teresa (Foster) Weber. She divorced her first husband Buel Taylor and on Oct. 25, 1974, she married
Everett C. Hedge in Phillipsburg. He died on Feb. 17, 1979. A waitress and cook at Quality Café in WaKeeney, she retired in 2003. Mrs. Hedge was a member of the WaKeeney Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3774 Auxiliary and the Senior Companions Program at Fort Hays State University. Survivors include two sons, Jerry Taylor of Fulton, Mo., and Jim Hedge of Lincoln; six daughters, Shirley Eichman of WaKeeney, Linda Reynolds of Rotan, Texas, Donna Buchholz of Collyer, Cindy Hashenberger of Plainville, Susan Boyle of Hoisington and Patricia Anderson of Great Bend; 15 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Mary Chase; a grandchild, Shelly Eichman; a brother, Leo Weber; and two sisters, Nettie Hahn and Agnes Weber. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, with the Rev. Harold Demoret officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Memorial Lawn cemetery in Hill City. Memorials are suggested to the Lutheran Home in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Schmitt Funeral Home 336 N. 12th WaKeeney, Kan. 67672
Robert R. Jordan
1926 - 2006
Robert R. Jordan, 80, died July 22 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Center in Great Bend. He was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Glenn and Vera Jordan. He married
Morna M. Mills on Aug. 24, 1947, at First Christian Church in Burrton. He grew up in Grenola, where he graduated from high school. He graduated in 1952 from Phillips University in Enid, Okla., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Christian education and a master's degree in Christian education in 1962. He and his wife served Disciples of Christ Churches for over 50 years in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. He retired Feb. 1, 1991, and continued his ministry with pulpit supply and interim ministry in the High Plains Region of Kansas. Jordan served in World War II from 1944 to 1946, in Germany. Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Connie Brockhausen of Great Bend; a son, Dr. Stephen Jordan of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; two brothers; four sisters; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A graveside service will at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Fairview cemetery in Phllipsburg. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at First Christian Church in Great Bend, with Dr. Paxton Jones, Kansas Deputy Regional Minister, and the Rev. William (Bill) Johnson officiating. Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church Scholarship Fund, 5230 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530. Funeral arrangements provided by Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel P.O. Box 563, Phillipsburg, Kan. 67661
Richard LeRoy McMillan
1927 - 2006
GARDEN CITY - Richard LeRoy McMillan, 79, died July 22 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was born June 3, 1927, in Trego County, the son of Robert Carl and Leona Fern (Squire) McMillan. He married
Kathleen Stickney on Feb. 17, 1951, at Hoisington. A graduate of Hoisington High School and the University of Kansas, he moved to Garden City in 1959 and was the owner/operator of McMillan Plumbing, Electric, Heating and Air Conditioning. McMillan was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and Harry H. Renick American Legion Post No. 9, all of Garden City. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and as a member of the Finney County Sheriff's Posse for many years. Survivors include his wife, of the home; his mother, Leona McMillan; 10 sons, Stan McMillan of Louisville, Colo., Fred McMillan, Mark McMillan, Sam McMillan and Charles McMillan, all of Garden City, Ricki McMillan of Minneapolis, Minn., Randy McMillan, stationed in Iraq; Rod McMillan, Los Angeles, Calif., James McMillan, Montezuma, and Peter McMillan, Lawrence; five daughters, Marcy Sim of Los Angeles, Calif., Judy Smith of Holcomb, Ceci Van Voorhees, San Francisco, Calif., Teresa Prochaska, Lawrence, and Mary Beth Pinkney, Garden City; a brother, Wayne McMillan, Garden City; 35 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A vigil service will take place at 8 p.m. today at the church, with the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, with the Rev. James E. Baker officiating. Burial will be at Valley View cemetery in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary School Endowment or Emmaus House, in care of Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. Funeral arrangements provided by Garnand Funeral Home 412 N. 7th St. Garden City, KS 67846
Sharon Kay Contrerez
1948 - 2006
LARNED - Sharon Kay Contrerez, 57, died July 20 at the Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. She was born Nov. 12, 1948, in Salida, Colo., the daughter of Donald Edwin and Ruby Helen Martin Hollister. On Oct. 20, 1969, she married
Steven Contrerez at Kinsley. A longtime resident of Larned, Kinsley and Great Bend, she was a cashier at Wal-Mart of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Steven Lee Contrerez, and a daughter, Shawna Kay Contrerez, both of the home; four sisters, Joyce Hollister of Caldwell, Idaho, and Linda Cunningham, Juanita Lemon and Melody Gibson, all of Larned. She was preceeded in death by a brother, Craig Hollister. Funeral was on Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. Mark Cowell presiding. Burial was in Larned cemetery in Larned. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. P.O. Box 477, Larned, Kan. 67550
Paul F. Dolechek
1914 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Paul F. Dolechek, 92, died July 21 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born June 29, 1914, in Dubuque, Kan., the son of Paul and Anna Weber Dolechek. He married
Teresa Miller on May 27, 1941, at Claflin. A retired farmer and stockman, he was a lifelong resident of Barton County, moving to Hoisington in 1974. Dolechek was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, both of Hoisington. Survivors include his wife, of the home; son Danny Dolechek of Hoisington; four daughters, Carol Schreiber and husband Joe of Arlington, Texas, Connie Peterson and husband Bob of Albert, Joni Lawrence and husband Brian of Lawrence, and Paula Lumley and husband David of Olpe; a sister, Theresa Ney of Hoisington; 13 grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo Dolecheck and Joe Dolechek, and two sisters, Catherine Lang and Rose Miller. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington with Father Meinrad Miller and Father Pascal Klein officiating. A family rosary will be at 7:30 tonight and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Monday, followed by the Knights of Columbus rosary, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Burial will be at St. John Church cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the St. John Church cemetery Fund or Kans for Kids, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main, P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Hattie Tinkel
1919-2006
Hattie Tinkel, 86, of Great Bend, died July 20 at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. She was born Oct. 15, 1919, at Odin, the daughter of Nicholaus and Emilia Penka Tockert. She married
Anthony Tinkel on April 18, 1945, at Odin. He died Jan. 11, 1966. A longtime resident of Great Bend, moving from Claflin, she was a retired hostess for the Holiday Inn in Great Bend. Mrs. Tinkel was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend and St. Rose Altar Society, both of Great Bend. Survivors include a son Jerry and his wife Jill Tinkel, Topeka; four daughters, Carol Hazen and husband Doc, Gloverville, N.Y., Mary Lou Letourneau and husband Rich, Claflin, Jolene Clarke and husband Bill, McPherson, and Dolores Nienke and husband, Fred, Harding, Ill.; 15 granchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers and eight sisters. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin with Father Charles Mazouch officiating. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery in Claflin. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or Great Bend Ambulance Service, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main, P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Eugene Robert Hurst
1933 - 2006
NEWTON - Robert Eugene Hurst, 72, died July 21 at his home in Newton. He was born Dec. 22, 1933, at Albert, the son of William 'Tim' and Hilda Matilda (Trower) Hurst. He was a 1952 graduate of Great Bend High School. On Oct. 16, 1969, he married
Thelma (Ploutz) Crotts at Great Bend. When Eugene married
Thelma, he married
into a family of eight children '“ seven girls and one boy. Thelma and Eugene later had one son together. Eugene retired as a manager for Wonder Bread in 1994. He was a member of the former Peace Lutheran Church in Newton and sang in the church choir. He enjoyed completing puzzles and following his sports teams, the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Cardinals. Eugene entertained children and adults by playing Santa Claus for many years. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and their families, and with his many friends. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife, Thelma Hurst, of the home; son John F. Crotts of Great Bend; son Craig and Trisha Hurst of Wichita; daughter Virginia Hartley of Orange, Texas; daughter Linda and Joe Jacobi of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter Janet and Dave Blackburn of Manhattan; daughter Debbie Wheat and Pete Reyes of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter Sonya and Reuben Gomez of Ridgecrest, Calif.; daughter Charlene and Larry Siemens of Newton; daughter Lori and Mike Farrar of Brandon, Miss.; brother Walter 'Walt' Hurst of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Dorothy 'Dot' Tournear of Great Bend; 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, William 'Tim' Hurst; mother, Hilda Matilda Hurts; and grandson Darren Blackburn. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the Rev. Mike Fibrinz of Trinity Lutheran Church in McPherson officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood cemetery in Newton. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, and from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, all at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Petersen Funeral Home Inc. 215 N. Main Newton, KS 67114
James R. 'Jim' Rainbolt
1924-2006
LARNED - James R. 'Jim' Rainbolt, 82, died July 19 at St. Joseph Long Term Care in Larned. He was born March 31, 1924, at Garfield, the son of Clyde K. and Laura V. Randles Rainbolt. He was a longtime resident of Larned and was self- employed as a dirt contractor. Mr. Rainbolt belonged to the First United Methodist Church, Ft. Larned Lions Club and past USD 495 school board member all of Larned, and was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Great Bend. On Sept. 24, 1950, he married
Joan R. Flick at Pawnee Rock. She survives. Survivors include three sons Randy and wife Debbie, Gary and wife Terry, and Kale all of Larned; two brothers Clyde of Pocomke City, Md., Marshall of Beech Bluff, Tenn.; one sister, Ethel Petersily of Topeka, six grandchildren, James, April, Garrett, Karlee, Kiah, Onya, and twin great grandchildren Hayleigh and Taylor. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald, two sisters, Irene Norwood, and Ruth Spyroplis. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church, Larned with Pastor Tim Ault-Duell presiding. Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. today, 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday and from noon until 8 p.m. Sunday at Morrell Funeral Home, Larned. The family will recieve friends from 6 until 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pawnee Rock cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Morrell Funeral Home 1021 Broadway Larned, KS 67550
Rosezella 'Rosie' I. Cruth
1931-2006
STERLING - Rosezella '˜Rosie' I. Cruth, 75, died July 18 at her residence in Sterling. She was born on Feb. 23, 1931, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Harvey and Emma White Postier. She married
Robert 'Bob' Cruth on June 13, 1948, in Hutchinson. A longtime Sterling resident, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Cruth was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, Silver Threads and Friendship Meals, all of Sterling. She was also a Silver Hair Legislator, a long-term care ombudsman, and PTA member. Survivors include her husband of the home; three daughters, Penny Dill of Colorado Springs, Colo., Brenda Dabelko of Colorado Springs and Becky Boeken of Sterling; seven grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother Delmer Postier; two sons-in-law Harvey Boeken and Carl Dill; and a great-grandson Dylan Boeken. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the United Presbyterian Church in Sterling, with the Rev. Lloyd Gross officiating. Burial will be in Sterling Community cemetery in Sterling. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday at Sillin Funeral Home in Sterling. Memorials are suggested to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home. Sillin Funeral Homes & Granite Memorials 7th and Jefferson Sterling, Kan. 67579
Nicholas 'Nick' Stecklein
1928-2006
Nicholas '˜Nick' Stecklein, 77, of Great Bend and a former longtime Munjor resident, died July 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born on Oct. 29, 1928, in Munjor, the son of John and Mary (Wasinger) Stecklein. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He married
Almeda Kuhn on Feb. 4, 1961, in Victoria. He was a truck driver for Ellis County prior to his retirement and was a member of St. Francis Church in Munjor. He is survived by his wife, Almeda, of the home in Great Bend; one daughter Jolene Stecklein of Great Bend; one sister-inlaw Sylvia Stecklein of Pratt; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on July 22 at St. Francis Church in Munjor. Burial will be in St. Francis cemetery in Munjor. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Brock's North Hill Chapel in Hays. There will be a Parish Vigil Service at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to St. Francis Church, the American Diabetes Association or for masses. Brock's North Hill Chapel P.O. Box 86 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kan. 67601
Marvin D. Basye
1935-2006
STAFFORD - Marvin D. Basye, 70, died July 13 at his home in rural Stafford. He was born Sept. 30, 1935 at Kanopolis, the son of Richard George and Viola (Kempke) Basye, both deceased. He attended both Hitchman and Holyrood schools. He married
Eunice (Brack), now Dreher in Hoisington on Oct. 23, 1955. She survives in Great Bend. He married
Pamela (McAfee) King at St. John on Dec. 5, 1980. She survives of the home. He was a resident of Stafford since 1966 coming from Hoisington. He was a retired owner/operator of Basye Well Service in Stafford Mr. Basye was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and River Bend Country Club, both of Brownsville, Texas. He was a member of the Stafford Country Club in Stafford. Survivors include his wife Pamela Basye of the home; mother Velma (Anderson) Basye of Great Bend; son Aaron King and wife Lisa of Hutchinson; four daughters, Kim Hessman of Newton, Gina Gould and husband Steve of Cheney, Amy Harris and husband Jami of Stafford, April Green and husband Darren of Nickerson; seven brothers Dick of Hoisington, Lewis of Smithville Mo., Del of Kemp, Texas, Jim of Cassville, Mo., Ronnie of Waco, Texas, Dennis of Sedwick, Garlan of Alvin, Texas; two sisters, Janet Stephens of Fairfax, Okla., Jan Martin of Larned, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Bryon 'Butch' Basye, and two sisters, Roxie and Alissa Basye. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford with Rev. Eric Taylor presiding. Burial will be in the Stafford cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 - 8 p.m. today at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to USD 349 Educational Foundation in care of the funeral home.
Alice A. Ward
1941 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Alice A. Ward, 65, died July 18 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born May 24, 1941, in Odin, the daughter of W. J. and Mary (Zeman) Gerritzen. She married
Milton B. Ward on Jan. 27, 1961, at Salina. He died July 27, 1999. A resident of Hoisington since 2001, coming from Hutchinson, she was a cook and caregiver for the mentally handicapped. Mrs. Ward was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hoisington; AA since 1970; and Big Sisters. She was a former member of the Kansas Activity Directors Association. Survivors include three sons, Steve B. Ward, and Robert M. Ward, both of Hutchinson, and Mark G. Ward of Hays; one brother, Leo Gerritzen of Denver, Colo.; five sisters, Frances Aumiller, and Mary Alexander, both of Hutchinson, Margaret Bieberle of Lorraine, Virginia Gross of Little River, and Dorothy Jordan of O'Fallon, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, William A., Lawrence and Francis Gerritzen. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Hoisington Food Bank 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
Coette Elaine Litzenberger
1938 - 2006
WAYNOKA, Okla. - Funeral services for Coette Elaine Litzenberger, 67, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2006, at the Waynoka First United Methodist Church with Rev. Marvin Stuckey officiating. Interment will be 3:30 p.m. at the Claflin cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Coette Elaine Litzenberger, daughter of the late Benjamin Theodore and Thelma Elaine (Jacobs) Strube, was born Oct. 2, 1938, in Emporia and passed away July 16, 2006, at Edmond, Oklahoma, at the age of 67 years, 9 months, and 14 days. Coette graduated from Claflin High School. On June 17, 1956, she was united in marriage to Morris Gene Litzenberger at the Methodist Church in Claflin. They lived in Great Bend until 1973 when they moved to Waynoka where they established Litzenberger Construction Company and Exploration where she worked in the office. She was a member of the Waynoka First United Methodist Church. She was also a member of P. E. O. and the Waynoka Historical Society. She loved to cook and collect cookbooks. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending their activities. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Morris, in 1996; one son, Scott Litzenberger in 1978; and two brothers, Dale Strube and Robert Strube. Coette is survived by one son David Litzenberger and his wife, Susan, of Waynoka; one daughter, Shelly Fees and her husband, Scott, of Edmond; five grandchildren, Karissa Litzenberger of Enid, Benjamin, Heath, and Danielle Litzenberger of Waynoka, and Jessica Fees of Edmond, Oklahoma; two brothers, Joseph Strube of Claflin, and Arthur Strube and his wife, Donna, of Claflin; other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Alzheimer's Association, the Waynoka FFA, or the Waynoka Historical Society. Funeral arrangements provided by Marshall Funeral Home 230 Flynn Alva, OK 73717
