Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Mae Bollinger
1932 - 2006
UTICA - Mae Bollinger, 74, died July 31 at her home in Utica. She was born on June 8, 1932, in Great Bend, the daughter of Ralph and Ella Christiansen. She married
Lee Bollinger on Dec. 13, 1958. He died Nov. 10, 2001. She was a homemaker and lived in the Utica community since 1962. Mrs. Bollinger was a member of the United Methodist Church in Utica, the Utica Lions club, National Rifle Association and AARP. Survivors include two sons, Lee Allen Bollinger of Scott City, and David Hill of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three brothers, Jesse Christiansen of Great Bend, and Gerald Christiansen and Junior Christiansen, both of Hoisington; and 13 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carolyn Sue Hill; one sister, Virginia Hobercht; and three brothers, Richard Christiansen, Andy Christiansen and Leslie Christiansen. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church in Utica, with the Rev. Jim Brackett presiding. Burial will be in the Utica cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City, and Friday at the church until service time. Memorials are suggested to the Utica United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Inc. P.O. Box 96 207 N. Pennsylvania Ness City, Ks. 67560
Marcella Jean (Sally) Smith
1918 - 2006
Marcella Jean (Sally) Smith, 87, of Great Bend, died July 31 at Central Kansas Medical Center. She was born on Dec. 9, 1918 in Oakland, Iowa, the daughter of Irl Daniel and Tacye Margaret (Strong) Cleveland. She married
Dick E. Smith on Feb. 27, 1937 in Maryville, Mo. He died Feb. 4, 1999. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Oakland, Iowa, and the First United Methodist Church in Bushton. Survivors include 3 daughters, Sondra Yeager of Omaha, Neb., and Rae Murray and Sue Kaiser, both of Great Bend; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, LaVetta Marie Madsen. A private family service will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at the Oakland cemetery in Oakland, Iowa. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, Ks. 67530
Floy Louise Coddington
1922-2006
BURDETT -Floy Louise Coddington, 83, died July 31, at Newman Hospital, in Emporia. She was born November 24, 1922, south of Alexander on the family farm, the daughter of Claude T. and Creta Marie Wright Huddleston. A longtime resident of Alexander and Burdett moving to Emporia in 2005, she was a homemaker, farm wife and electrician helper. She belonged to Community of Christ Church of Great Bend, Shiley Township Homemakers Club EHU for 50 years, Alexander High School Alumni, charter member Alexander Golden Keys and Burdett Seniors Inc., Wet & Dry Routes of Santa Fe Trail and the Ness County Historical Society. On August 3, 1942, she married
Cecil Allen Coddington at Great Bend. He survives. Other survivors include two sons, Alan and wife Debbie, of Olathe and Dennis and wife Mary, of Emporia; two daughters, Nancy and husband Barry Romine, of Emporia and Susan and husband C.H. 'Jay' Johnston, of Lindale, Texas; two brothers, Urban Huddleston, of Larned, and Alton W. Huddleston, of Alexander; one sister, Claudine Huddleston, of LaCrosse; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Matthew Johnston. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Morell Funeral Home, in Larned. Burial will be in Alexander cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to Burdett Seniors, Inc. in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 124, Larned, KS 67550-0124. Funeral arrangements provided by Morell Funeral Home 1021 Broadway Larned, KS 67550
Ray Williams Johnson Jr.
1923 - 2006
Ray Williams Johnson Jr., 82, died July 30 at his home in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 15, 1923, at Augusta, the son of Ray W. and Bessy (Ward) Johnson. He married
Stella Mae Jones on Aug. 22, 1955, in Ponca City, Okla. Williams served in the Merchant Marines in World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife. Cremation has taken place. A private service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Robert A. Compton
1938 - 2006
Robert A. Compton, 67, of Great Bend, died Sept. 27 at his home. He was born Nov. 8, 1938, in Allendale, Ill., to Aaron and Monzelle Wolf Compton. He married
Delph Doris McDaniel Jones on June 20, 1989, at Hesperia, Calif. She died Sept. 14, 2004. He was a truck driver and a resident of Great Bend since 2000, coming from Lake Wales, Fla. Mr. Compton was a United States Army veteran and a member of American Legion Argonne Post 180. Survivors include one son, Anthony Compton of Mt. Carmel, Ill.; two daughters, Melissa Payne of Rogers, Ark., and Michelle Wiseman of Browns, Ill.; his father Aaron Compton of Evansville, Ill.; and six grandchildren. There will be no service or visitation as cremation has taken place. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Winifred (Susie) Ann Messex
1921 - 2006
HOISINGTON - Winifred (Susie) Ann Messex, 84, died Sept. 28 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Oct. 3, 1921, in Minneapolis to Roy Bryne and Grace Maude (Travis) Messex. She retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone in Great Bend after 35 years. She was a Hoisington resident since 1936, coming from Arkansas City. Ms. Messex was a member of the First Christian Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428 Auxiliary, American Legion Post 286 Auxiliary, and a life member of Clara Barton Hospital Auxiliary all of Hoisington, a life member of Telephone Pioneer Company and a member of the Eagles Lodge of Great Bend. Survivors include one brother, Roy John Messex of Breaux Bridge, La., and one sister, Opal Georgia McCutchen of Aransas Pass, Texas. She was preceded in death by one brother, Hiram R. Messex and one sister, Edith M. Ogle. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, with the Rev. Paula Bell officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hoisington VFW Post 7428. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, Ks. 67544
Keith W. Kirby
1923-2006
Keith W. Kirby, 83, of Great Bend, died Sept. 27 at his home. He was born July 29, 1923, at Nekoma, the son of William R. and Nellie Leona Felch Kirby. He married
Thelma Wilhelm on Nov. 13, 1946, at Rush Center. She died Jan. 3, 1984. He married
Wilma Nuss Fakes on Oct. 7, 1989, at Great Bend. She survives. He was a service manager for George Asher Ford Motor Company for 18 years and most recently a counter man for Big A Auto parts for 10 years. He had also worked at the CC Camp at Rozel from August 1939 to August 1940. He was a resident of Great Bend since 1979, coming from St. John. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the rank of PFC in the United States Army. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and American Legion Argonne Post 180, both of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Wilma, of the home; two sons, Stephen F. Kirby and wife Tanya, St. John, and Troy N. Kirby and wife Cassie, Greensburg; one daughter, Brenda Urban and husband Mitch, Claflin; one stepson, John E. Fakes and wife Sharon, Aurora, Colo.; one stepdaughter, Nancy Lucas and husband Terry, Sublette; a sister, Laura Gabbert, Flagstaff, Ariz.; six grandchildren, one great-grandson, nine stepgrandchildren and one stepgreat granddaughter. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Kenneth, Donald and Robert. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Julie Shields officiating. Interment will be in Great Bend cemetery with military rites conducted by a Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home. Donations to a memorial fund for Trinity United Methodist Church or for Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice may be made in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Esther M. Keevert Ewing
1912-2006
HUTCHINSON - Esther M. Keevert Ewing, 93, died Sept. 28 at Hester Care Center, Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. She was born Oct. 18, 1912, at Winfield, the daughter of Clinton and Ruby Seabridge Haworth. She married
Charles H. Keevert on Sept. 20, 1931. He died Feb. 8, 1980. She later married
Morton Ewing on Dec. 31, 1982. He died July 13, 1993. She was a Hutchinson resident since 1954, and a homemaker. Survivors include four sons, Gary of Enterprise, Ala., Charles of South Hutchinson, Ellis of Willow Springs, N.C., and Louis of Salem, Ore.; a daughter, Rita Cox of Springfield, Mo.; stepdaughters Carolyn 'Kay' Case of San Jose, Calif., and Marilyn 'Cookie' Jenkins of Loveland, Colo.; a brother, Chalmer Haworth of Atlanta, Kan.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Clinton James 'Jim' Keevert, a daughter, Betty LeAnn Vieta, brothers Shelton, Lowell and Wilber Haworth and sisters Laura Wingert and Carol Smith. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. A graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Burden cemetery at Burden. Friends may call at the mortuary from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Memorial donations in Mrs. Ewing's name may be made for Hospice Care of Kansas in care of the mortuary. Elliott Mortuary 1219 North Main Hutchinson, KS 67501
Sister Miriam Schremmer OP
1912-2006
Sister Miriam Schremmer, 94, died Sept. 28 at the Dominican Sisters' Convent infirmary, Great Bend. born Mary Theresa Schremmer on Aug. 29, 1912, in Beaver, she was the daughter of the late Alois and Caroline Frenzel Schremmer. She entered the Dominican Sisters' Community July 16, 1927, and pronounced her first vows Aug. 13, 1930. She celebrated 75 years of religious profession in 2005. Sister Miriam ministered first as a teacher in Garden Plain. From 1937 to 1988 she worked in the health field as nurse, head nurse, floor supervisor and eventually as administrator of St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. Besides these two hospitals she also worked as a nurse in St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend and lastly at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend in the pastoral care department. Sister Miriam also served as director of the Dominican School of Nursing in Great Bend for six years. In 1989 Sister Miriam assumed directorship of the Dominican Sisters' International Rosary Shrine, a position she held until her retirement in 1998. Sister Miriam is survived by two brothers, John of Gorham and Oswald of Hoisington, and a sister, Loretta Ann Maixner of Hutchinson. Sister Miriam's body will be brought to the hospitality area of the Dominican Chapel of the Plains, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, at 1:30 p.m. today, where it will lie in state until the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Robert Schremmer presiding. A wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today. Burial will be in the Sisters' Resurrection cemetery. Both the wake and the funeral will be held at the convent, 3600 Broadway. Memorials in honor of Sister Miriam Schremmer may be sent to Dominican Sisters Ministry Fund, Office of Mission and Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530-3692. Friends may call at the convent from 5 p.m. until the time of the wake this evening, and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Candelaria Quintana
1935 - 2006
Candelaria Quintana, 71, of Great Bend, died Sept. 27 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Luis and Anastacia Mata Nieto. She married
Roberto Quintana in February 1957 at Chihuahua, Mexico. She was a resident of Great Bend for five years, coming from Chihuaha, Mexico. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Quintana was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Rose. Survivors include her husband, Roberto Quintana; five sons, Jesus Quintana, Roberto Quintana and Carlos Quintana, all of the home, Jose L. Quintana of Ellinwood and Ramon G. Quintana of Great Bend; one daughter, Sarah Ramirez of Great Bend; one brother, Antonio Nieto of Chihuahua, Mexico; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Dominican Chapel of the Plains in Great Bend with Father Wesley Schawe officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery North. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Herbert Wayne McKinney
1938 - 2006
McPHERSON - Herbert Wayne McKinney, 67, died Sept. 25 at Cedars Health Care Center in McPherson. He was born Nov. 6, 1938, in Kansas City, Mo., to Leon and Olive May (Burgtorf) McKinney. He attended Great Bend elementary schools and graduated from Great Bend High School. He married
Maxine J. Fraer on July 15, 1972, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in McPherson. He retired from the United States Army as a Class 6. He served two terms in the Korean War, one term in Germany and one term in Vietnam before retiring after 20 years in 1979 at Fort Ord, Calif. He worked as an extruder operator for Certainteed Corporation and Van Guard Plastics and retired from Ferguson Production, all of McPherson. Mr. McKinney was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 in McPherson. He was a member of First Congregational Church in Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, of the home; and two sisters, Martha Musselman of McPherson and Bonnie Guinn of Omaha, Neb. Funeral service will be at 7 p.m. today at Glidden-Ediger Chapel in McPherson, with Pastor Terry Post officiating. Military honors by members of VFW Post 2715 and American Legion Post 24. Burial will be at the Elmwood cemetery in Lindsborg. Friends may call from 3:30 p.m. to service time today, with family present from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Wheatland Baptist Church or VFW Post 2715, both of McPherson, in care of the funeral home. Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home 222 West Euclid Street McPherson, KS 67460-4207
Sister Joan Forward OP
1913-2006
Sister Joan Forward, 92, of Great Bend, died Sept. 26 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. She was born Oct. 8, 1913, in Clearwater, as Margaret Forward. Sister Joan was the daughter of the late Edward and Johanna Dugan Forward. She entered the Dominican Sisters' Community May 23, 1928, and pronounced her first vows Aug. 17, 1931. She celebrated 75 years of religious profession this year. Sister Joan had a teaching career that spanned the years 1932 to 1978. She taught grades one through eight in parochial schools in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and was principal of eight different schools during that time. After retiring from teaching, she was an office assistant part-time at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned for two years. Sister Joan has no surviving brothers or sisters. Her body was brought to the hospitality area of the Dominican Chapel of the Plains, at 3600 Broadway in Great Bend, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. It will lie in state there until the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 3 p.m. Friday. A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. today. Friends may call at the convent from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. Burial will be in the Sisters' Resurrection cemetery. Both the wake and the funeral will be at the convent, 3600 Broadway. Memorials in honor of Sister Joan Forward may be sent to Dominican Sisters Ministry Fund, Office of Mission and Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530-3692. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Robert Leon Curtis
1927-2006
Robert Leon Curtis, 79, of Great Bend, died Sept. 27 at his home. He was born April 1, 1927, at Emporia, the son of Ira and Emma Hubley Curtis. He married
Hazel I. Fowler Dec. 24, 1948, at Emporia. She survives. He had lived in Great Bend since 1951, coming from Emporia. He was an electronic repairman and owner of A-1 Radio and CB Service. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Navy. Mr. Curtis was a member of First Christian Church, VFW Post 4111, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 646, all of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Hazel, of the home; four sons, Robert Ira Curtis, Pawnee Rock, David Christopher Lee Curtis, Truth or Consequences, N.M., Leon Henry Curtis, Austin, Texas, and Timothy Gayle Curtis, Greenwood, Mo.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. A private family inurnment will occur at Chicago Mound cemetery, Emporia, at a later date. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Janice Larie Johnson
1960 - 2006
STRASBURG, Colo. - Janice Larie Johnson, 45, died Sept. 16 in Aurora, Colo. She was born Nov. 11, 1960, in Hastings, Neb., to Roy and Leona McConnell of Strasburg. She had lived in the Strasburg community since 1961. She was a graduate of Strasburg High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder. She was a member of the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad for 17 years. She worked in economic development for several government agencies including the cities of Castle Rock, Englewood and Aurora, and the governor's office. On Aug. 16, 1980, she married
Fred Johnson, formerly of Larned. They have two sons, Brian, a student at the University of Colorado, and Kevin, a student at Strasburg High School. Jan was the youngest of five children. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph McConnell, and Philip Johnson. Survivors include two brothers, Dennis McConnell (Dena) of Broomfield, Colo., and John McConnell (Cathy) of Colleyville, Texas; six nephews and four nieces. She's also survived by Jim Johnson (Judy) of Great Bend, Bud Johnson (Brenda) of Larned and Mary Johnson of Great Bend. She was a loving, caring person who will be greatly missed by all. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, positive outlook, inner strength and her amazing sense of humor. A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Sept. 22 at the Strasburg Presbyterian Church. A memorial fund has been established at the Guaranty Bank of Strasburg, Colo., in the name of Jan Johnson.
Ruby Jewel Smith
1920-2006
CLAFLIN - Ruby Jewel Smith, 86, died Sept. 27 at Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson. She was born Jan. 8, 1920, at Crowder, Okla., the daughter of Walter Harrison and Minnie 'Brickey' Payne. She married
Charles Smith Sept. 3, 1952, at McAlester, Okla. He preceded her in death Feb. 21, 1999. A homemaker, she was a resident of Claflin since 1952, coming from Crowder, Okla. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church, Claflin. Survivors include two sons, Mark Smith, Claflin, and Danny Smith, Olmitz; a daughter, Cindy Smith, Claflin; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Claflin cemetery, Claflin, with Keith Bryant officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorial donations are suggested to the Claflin Ambulance Service in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Steve L. Bray
1951-2006
Steve L. Bray, 55, of Great Bend, died Sept. 25 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. Steve was born Feb. 10, 1951, at Quinter, the son of Chester 'Bud' and Doreen Ringer Bray. He married
his wife Linda on Dec. 12, 1986. He was a resident of Great Bend since 1976, coming from Quinter. He owned and operated Steve's Photography and was the manager of the Buff Car Wash in Great Bend. He was former superintendent of grounds at the Club at StoneRidge for more than 20 years. Steve loved to ride motorcycles, and enjoyed capturing life's moments on camera, golfing and spending time with his family and friends. Steve always lived life to the fullest. Steve was a member of the Kansas Sidewinders, the First Presbyterian Church of Great Bend, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Barney Masonic Lodge 279 of Dighton. Survivors include his parents; his wife Linda of the home; children: Jeff Berges, Kansas City, Shawndra Harbaugh and her husband Mike and grandson Michael, Great Bend, Michael Schmidt, Kansas City, Andrea Schmidt and granddaughter Madelynn of Great Bend; and his brother, Stan Bray of Dighton. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. Hal Staats and Chaplain Chuck Carpenter officiating. Interment will be at Great Bend cemetery North. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, with the family to receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. A Steve Bray Memorial Fund has been established. Contributions may be made in care of the funeral home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
