Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William J. Bray
1911-2006
William J. Bray, 94, of Great Bend, died Sept. 2, 2006, at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. He was born Dec. 8, 1911, at Burns, the son of Rupert E. and Maggie Jane Corfman Bray. He married
Ruth V. Schulz on Jan. 20, 1946, in Lincoln County. She died March 4, 2003. He was a teacher and principal in several Kansas schools including Dighton, La Crosse and Great Bend. He retired in 1977 after 39 1/2 years of teaching. He was a resident of Great Bend since 1958, coming from La Crosse. Mr. Bray was a member of First Christian Church, IOOF Lodge, Kiwanis, Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, the Retired Teachers Association and Boy Scouts of America. He was an Army veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. Survivors include two daughters, Joyce Marie Bray of Wichita and Vivian Jane Bray of Longmont, Colo. He was preceded in death by one brother, Wylie Rupert Bray, one stepbrother, Jacob Alexander Merryfield, and one sister, Lorena Evelyn Bray. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at First Christian Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, with military honors. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Camp Kanza or the First Christian Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Bertha Conner
WICHITA - Bertha Conner, 93, retired Registered Nurse of Wesley Hospital, died Sunday, Aug, 27, 2006. She was born in Geneso. Survivors: three daughters, Rosemary Conner-Hardy, Elizabeth Conner-Hollis and David Hollis and Beverley Jane Conner-Lasater, all of Wichita; grandchildren, Patrick Wells Conner, Christopher Lynn Conner, Kelly Conner Lasater and Mackenzie Ault Lasater; and two great-granddaughters. Funeral will be at 11 a.m., Saturday at First Baptist Church in Lorraine. A memorial has been established with Kansas Humane Society, 4218 S.E. Blvd, Wichita, KS, 67210. Funeral arrangements provided by Downing & Lahey Mortuary East 6555 E. Central Wichita, KS 67206 1-800-369-8784
Jack Ray Kasselman
1947 - 2006
Jack Ray Kasselman, 59, of Great Bend, died Oct. 29 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Feb. 26, 1947, in Great Bend, the son of Velta Kasselman. A lifetime resident of Barton County, he worked for Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Service, was a driver for Farmland, worked in the oil patch and most recently for Essex Group until his illness forced him to retire. Jack was a member of Central Baptist Church in Great Bend and a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Richard and Velta Krom of Great Bend; one son, Patrick Kasselman and wife Renee, of Ellinwood; one daughter, Jacque Kasselman of Sterling, Colo.; one stepbrother, Bruce Krom and wife Veronica of Great Bend; one sister, Sue Gowdy and husband Dan of Great Bend; one stepsister, Melinda Meyer of Great Bend; five grandchildren, Danielle Kasselman, Amber Kassel-man, Joseph Kasselman, Dylan Wilson and Taylor Wilson; one nephew, Craig Gowdy; one niece, Tammy Gowdy; and three great-nephews, Deric, Dylan and Daulton Gowdy. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lewis and Helen Sloan Kasselman, and one nephew, Eric Gowdy. Jack has touched all our lives and will be missed greatly. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Central Baptist Church in Great Bend with the Rev. David Hill officiating. Burial will be in the LakinComanche District cemetery in Ellinwood with military rites conducted by a Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on today with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Barton County Relay for Life. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Elsa Robel
1914 - 2006
MANHATTAN - Elsa Robel, 92, died Oct. 29 at Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born Feb. 25, 1914, at rural Hudson, the daughter of Gustav E. and Ida Hagedorn Giesler. She married
Howard C. Robel at Alva, Okla., on May 7, 1939. He preceded her in death on Dec. 4, 1969. Elsa was a resident of Great Bend from 1952 until moving to Manhattan in 2002. She was a retired secretary for R & B Petroleum Inc., Great Bend. Elsa was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Hudson. She was a charter member of the former Grace Evangelical & Reformed Church in Great Bend, which was organized in 1953, and she served as a church board member for several years. Survivors include one son, Raydon Robel and wife Barb, Manhattan; three grandchildren, Kristi Roesch and husband Robbie, Hiawatha, Kerry Thurlow and husband Matt, Leonardville, and Kevin Robel, Manhattan; and three great grandchildren, Wyatt and Kylee Thurlow and Reagan Roesch. She was preceded in death by one brother, Otto Giesler, and two sisters, Louise Curtis, and an infant sister, Augusta Giesler. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Trinity Community Church of Christ in Hudson, with the Rev. Wade Russell officiating. Interment will be at Trinity cemetery, Hudson. There will be no visitation. A memorial for Trinity Community Church has been established. Donations may be made in care of Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Donna Lee Peters
1927 - 2006
DOWNS - Donna Lee Peters, 79, died Oct. 27. born Donna Lee Poppen Jan. 12, 1927, in Downs, she was a retired nurse's aide. Survivors include her husband Lloyd of Downs; two sons, Terry of Topeka and Rick of Great Bend; one brother, Max Poppen of Lincoln, Neb.; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. today at the Christian Church in Downs. Burial will be in the Downs cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Downs Senior Center or Downs Christian Church. Funeral arrangements provided by Domorey Funeral Home 817 Morgan Ave. P.O. Box 127 Downs, KS 67437
Bernard J. Bahr
1915 - 2006
OLMITZ - Bernard J. Bahr, 91, died Oct. 26 at Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson. He was born Jan. 4, 1915, on the farm near Olmitz, the son of Joseph F. and Frances M. (Riedl) Bahr. He married
Alberta Stoss on June 20, 1950, at Olmitz. She survives. He was a retired farmer/stockman and a lifetime resident of the Olmitz area. H was a member of the St. Ann Catholic Church, a 70-year member of 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Council No. 2100, past Grand Knight and currently 4th Degree, all of Olmitz; Farm Bureau director for six years, township clerk for 20 years, director and past president of the Galatia Co-op and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 646, Great Bend. Survivors, besides his wife, of the home, include two daughters, Karen Nelson and husband Galen, of North Newton, and Bonnie Glaser and husband Kelly of Derby; two sisters, Sister Philomena Bahr of Mulvane and Alice Tholen of Moran; and four grandchildren, Sister Mary Gabriel (Amanda) Nelson, John Nelson, and Jessica and Kayla Glaser. He was preceded in death by a son, William J. Bahr, a brother, Leonard Bahr, and three infant grandchildren. A wake service will be at 7:30 p.m. today, followed by a K of C rosary, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Ultan Murphy and Father Joseph Bahr celebrants. Burial will be at St. Ann cemetery, Olmitz. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial donations for the church may be made in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Helen Marie Fall
1916 - 2006
TULSA, Okla. - Helen Marie Fall, 90, died Oct. 22 at South Crest Hospital, Tulsa, after complications resulting from a hip fracture. She was born May 24, 1916, to Robert A. and Leah Doyle Norris. A resident of Tulsa since 1994, she had moved from Hutchinson and Burdett. Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Marion C. Fall, Tulsa; a son Greg and wife Darlene of Kalamazoo, Mich.; a son-in-law, Bruce Moulton, Seattle; two daughters, Janet and husband Richard Everett of Mystic, Conn., and Judie and husband Grover Bauer of Tulsa; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Fall, and a daughter, Sharon Moulton. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Morell Funeral Home, Larned, with the Rev. Roberta Fall presiding. Burial will be in Browns Grove cemetery, Burdett. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society in care of Morell Funeral Home, Box 124, Larned, KS 67550-0124. Morell Funeral Home 1021 Broadway Larned, KS 67550
Bernard 'Ben' A. Rabenseifner
1911 - 2006
OLMITZ - Bernard 'Ben' A. Rabenseifner, 95, died Oct. 26 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. He was born May 3, 1911, at Olmitz, the son of Adolph and Anna (Kober) Rabenseifner. He married
Margaret L. Kaiser May 2, 1939, at Hoisington. She died Jan. 15, 2001. He was a farmer/stockman and a lifetime resident of the Olmitz area. He was a member of the St. Ann Catholic Church, and Knights of Columbus Council 2100, both of Olmitz; a trustee of the Walnut Township Board and a former school board member at Albert. Survivors include a son, Bernard Rabenseifner, Great Bend; four daughters, Darlene Hoffacker, Colorado Springs, Colo., Diane Zink, Claflin, Elaine Seeman, Lawrence, and Patty Rabenseifner, Great Bend; 10 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two stepgreat-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Adolph and John Rabenseifner and an infant, Marcus Rabenseifner; three sisters, Gertrude Seidel, Mary Langer and Frances Mauler, and one great-granddaughter. A rosary service will be at 6 p.m. Sunday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Ann Catholic Church, Olmitz, with Father Ultan Murphy celebrant. Burial will be at St. Ann cemetery, Olmitz. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Ann Catholic Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Mary L. (Bonnie) Batchman
1920 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Mary L. (Bonnie) Batchman, 86, died Oct. 27 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born June 27, 1920, at Larned, the daughter of Hiram Baxter Sr. and Mary Catherine Simmons Baxter. She married
Ernest E. Batchman on Sept. 26, 1939, at Great Bend. He died March 23, 1971. A homemaker, she was a longtime Ellinwood resident. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Altar Society, and Daughters of Isabella, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include two sons, William (Bill) J. Batchman of Bushton and Edward E. Batchman of Otis; two brothers, Hiram Baxter of Great Bend and Bill Baxter of Canon City, Colo.; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Benita Doherty and Zelma Baxter, and a son, Ronald F. Batchman. An Altar Society Rosary will be at 3 p.m. Monday and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Monday, both at Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Ellinwood, with Father Charles Mazouch officiant. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery, Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made for the St. Joseph School Living Legacy Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Victor E. Higgins
1933 - 2006
McCRACKEN - Victor E. Higgins, 73, died from complications of a brain hemorrhage on Oct. 26 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita. He was born March 12, 1933, on the farm near McCracken, in Ness County, the son of Leo and Teresa Coleman Higgins. He married
Shirley Lovitt in McCracken on July 28, 1956. She survives. He was a farmer and rancher. He was a lifetime resident of McCracken and a member of St. Mary's Church, McCracken. He was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Vic was also an organ donor. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two sons, Jerry Higgins of Hutchinson and Chuck Higgins of Hoisington; two daughters, Tammy Irvin of Hoisington and Kayla Tacha of Norton; a brother, Wilfrid Higgins of McCracken; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Vincent, Leon and James, and a sister, Angela Higgins. A Parish Vigil Service will be held at St. Mary's Church, McCracken, at 7 p.m. Sunday. Mass of Christian Burial will be at the church at 11 a.m. Monday with Father Labrador presiding. Burial will be in the McCracken cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, and at the church on Sunday from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to McCracken Alumni or to St. Mary's Heritage. Funeral arrangements provided by Fitzgerald Funeral Home 207 N. Pennsylvania Ness City, KS 67560
Charles 'Chuck' William Dreiling
1934 - 2006
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Charles 'Chuck' William Dreiling, 72, passed away Oct. 24 at his home in Springfield after a short battle with cancer. Chuck was born Sept. 13, 1934, in Great Bend. Chuck was a retired food broker with Crumpley and Associates. He enjoyed volunteering with the Retired Volunteer Senior Program where he drove 'his ladies.' Chuck has also served on various charitable boards. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann; daughter Margaret Parrish and her husband Mike; son Steve Dreiling; daughter Marilyn Owens and her husband Steve; daughter Marita Pemberton and her husband Steven; daughter Marcia Passeri; and two extremely special grandchildren, Mariel Parrish and Casey Passeri, whom he adored. Chuck was a very caring husband, father and doting grandfather. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral service at Hazelwood cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, 330 N. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806 or Community Hospices of America - SW Missouri, 1465 E. Primrose, Springfield, MO 65804. Funeral arrangements provided by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc. 1947 E. Seminole St. Springfield, MO 65804
Gunnery Master Sergeant Shirley Deane (Rocky) Cavender
1926 - 2006
YATES CENTER - Gunnery Master Sergeant Shirley Deane (Rocky) Cavender, of Yates Center, formally of Wichita and Amarillo, Texas, passed away Oct. 21 at the VA Hospital in Topeka. He was 80 years old. He was born Dec. 16, 1926, to Clifton Joe and Edith Irene (Shelton) Cavender of Monahan, Texas. Rocky joined the U.S.M.C in 1942 at the age of 15. He earned his high school diploma and a two-year college equivalency while in active duty. He married
his childhood sweetheart, Sylvia Ann (Reneau) Cavender, April 13, 1950, in Tucumcari, N.M. He proudly served his country in many countries and in too many wars; in addition to his distinguished military career he was a lifetime president of the Camp Pendleton Rodeo, owner of 'Rocky's Roost' in Oceanside, Calif. A police officer and a disc jockey at KZLP radio in Amarillo, Texas, and a Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy in Wichita. He had a great sense of humor that all enjoyed. Rocky will be remembered as a proud and dedicated Marine who gave his best years to the United States Marine Corps. An honorable man who did his duty, 'A Marine's Marine.' He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Daniel Penner Martens and a half sister Dorothy Cavender. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sylvia Ann Cavender in Yates Center; two daughters, Shirley Deane Goodwin of Mulvane and Kelly Ann Arnold of Wichita; three sons, Michael Wade Cavender, Sr. of Great Bend, Patrick Daniel Cavender of Wichita and Kevin Thomas Cavender of Yates Center; 28 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. No longer held by earthly bonds or human frailty, we raise him up in honor and prayer to give him back to our creator, to restore his spirit and give him peace of mind. Semper Fi Marine! 'Let freedom ring.' Services will be held with full Military Honors at Arlington (Va.) National cemetery, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. Oct. 27, 2006 Helen Marie Fall Helen Marie Fall, 90, died Oct. 22 at South Crest Hospital in Tulsa, Okla. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Morell Funeral Home, Larned.
Dane Anderson
1962 - 2006
SAMMAMISH, Wash. - Dane Anderson, 44, died Oct. 21 at Camano Island, Wash. He was born March 1, 1962, in Concordia, the son of Warren and Barbara (Forkner) Anderson. He grew up in the Russell and Lawrence areas. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School and the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. He attended the university on a football scholarship and participated in the Hall of Fame Bowl while there. He met his future wife while they were both attending KU. Dane and Jennifer L. Engleman were married
in March of 1992 at Independence, Iowa. Those who knew Dane know he always had a smile on his face and no one was ever a stranger to him. He had a joy for life that was contagious and was always a joy to be around. He lived his life, with his wife Jennifer, with enthusiasm and playfulness. Dane was a truly loved husband, son, son-inlaw and friend, a respected co-worker, businessman, avid golfer, enthusiastic fisherman and a gifted carpenter. He will be missed. Dane was preceded in death by his brother Troy in 1989, and his grandparents Herbert and Berta Anderson and his grandfather Ralph Forkner. Survivors include his wife, Jennifer Anderson of Sammamish, Wash.; his parents Warren and Barbara Anderson of Clay Center; one brother, Eric and wife Lori Anderson of Lingle, Wyo.; one sister, Lisa and husband Andrew Contreras of San Antonio, Texas; his grandmother, Rosalie Forkner Rose of Torrington, Wyo.; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Clay Center with the Rev. Brian High officiating. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. today at the Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society MidAmerica Chapter in care of the funeral home. Memorial services will be held in Seattle, Wash., and will be announced at a later date. Funeral arrangements provided by Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home 918 7th St. Clay Center, KS 67432
Bernard J. Bahr
1915 - 2006
OLMITZ - Bernard J. Bahr, 91, died Oct. 26 at Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson. He was born Jan. 4, 1915. Service arrangements are pending with Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, and will be announced. Oct. 27, 2006 Ray E. Johnson 1935 - 2006
NICKERSON - Ray E. Johnson, 71, died Oct. 26 at Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson. He was born Aug. 6, 1935, in Burbank, Okla., the son of Roscoe Sherman and Cora Susan Christy Johnson. He married
Brenda Nelson March 13, 1983. She survives. He was a Nickerson resident for the past 15 years, moving from Great Bend. He was a graduate of Oklahoma State University, with a degree in geology. He had been plant manager for Rice Engineering, Great Bend. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Salem Community Church, Nickerson, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the Grove Park Golf Club, Ellinwood. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a son, Tom Ray Johnson and wife Kathy of Sulfur Springs, Texas; three daughters, Kim Burns of Fayetteville, Ark., Shawn Maddox and husband Steve of Norman, Okla., and Jenny Hughes and husband Sean of Hutchinson; a brother, Rusty Johnson of Sand Springs, Okla.; two sisters, Ollie Bayard of Fairfax, Okla., and Dorothy Rehorn of Sand Springs, Okla.; and nine grandchildren, Hayes, Mitch and Trace Maddox, Justin, Rhandi and Sadie Johnson, Coleson Burns and Dakota and Wyatt Hughes. He was preceded in death by a sister, Clairene Brotherton. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Salem Community Church, Nickerson, with Pastor George D. Hinton officiating. Burial will be at Salem Community Church cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorial donations for Salem Community Church may be sent in care of Elliott Mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Elliott Mortuary 1219 North Main Hutchinson, KS 67501
Verna Carolyn Krom
1931 - 2006
Verna Carolyn Krom, 75, of Great Bend, died Oct. 24 at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita after suffering a heart attack at her home in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 30, 1931, in Barton County, the daughter of William and Vernie Murphy. She married
LeRoy Krom on Aug. 29, 1949, in Great Bend. He died Dec. 2, 2002. She was a retired insurance salesperson. Survivors include two sons, Kent Krom and wife Margaret of St. John and Shaun Krom of Great Bend; five daughters, Donna Breitkreutz of Topeka, Bonnie Thomas and husband Kenneth, and Kimberly Schwartz and husband Keith, all of Colorado Springs, Colo., Pamela Cropp and husband Steve of Farmington, N.M., and Kelly Hapes and husband Jim of Great Bend; two sisters, Margaret Murray of Great Bend and Patricia Breitkreutz of St. Marys; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Earl, George, Jack and Jimmy Murphy. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Seward with Father Rene Guesnier officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The body has been cremated. Funeral arrangements provided by Resthaven Mortuary, Inc. 11800 W. Hwy. 54, Wichita, KS 67209
