Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
B.G. (Bill) Fryberger
1922 - 2006
B.G. (Bill) Fryberger, 84, died Oct. 24 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. He was born Oct. 23, 1922, at Great Bend, the son of Vernon and Mabel Stauffer Fryberger. He married
Mary Lou Taff April 17, 1948, at Great Bend. He was a lifelong Great Bend resident. The former owner of Fryberger Mortuary, he retired in 1985 as a funeral director. He was a member of the Great Bend Kiwanis Club and a past president; also a member of Argonne American Legion Post 180, of which he was a past commander; Argonne Drum & Bugle Corps, of which he was general manager, for 18 years; Great Bend Elks Lodge; Great Bend school board, past president; 1956 Distinguished Service Award recipient, presented by the Jaycees; Eagles; Kansas Funeral Directors Association; National Funeral Directors Association; and Barton County Historical Society. He was a World War II Navy veteran, and served in the Pacific Theatre. Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou, of the home; three sons, Kent and wife Ann of Grand Junction, Colo., Lynn and wife Nancy of Great Bend and Vern and wife Michelle of Ellinwood; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Genevieve Schulz, and a brother, Joseph. A public graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday with military honors conducted by Argonne American Legion Post 180 at Great Bend City cemetery, and an 11 a.m. memorial service at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Gary Brooks officiating. Friends may call from 1 until 8 p.m. Friday at Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood. Memorial donations are suggested to the Bill Fryberger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
A. Norrine Hershey
1923 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - A. Norrine Hershey, 83, died Oct. 25 at Ellinwood District Hospital. She was born Nov. 27, 1923, in rural Heizer, the daughter of George and Sylvia Warnken Yost. She married
Louis T. Hershey on April 16, 1944, at Ellinwood. He died July 18, 1998. She was an Ellinwood resident since 1944, and a lifetime resident of Barton County. She was an insurance records secretary at Ellinwood District Hospital for 15 years and did home cleaning. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Ellinwood. Survivors include a son, William (Bill) Hershey of Aztec, N.M.; and two daughters, Lillian Cool and husband Don of Denver and Deana Doll and husband Mick of Raymond; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Deverne Yost, George Yost and William Yost, a sister, Reni Albers; and two grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Ellinwood, with Pastor Merlyn Lohrke officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery, Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood. Memorial donations may be made to the Ellinwood Hospital Auxiliary. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Gilbert Don Hughes
1949 - 2006
FARMINGTON, N.M. - Gilbert Don Hughes, 56, passed away Sunday, Oct. 22, in Durango, Colo., after a brief illness of cancer. He was born Dec. 24, 1949, in Coalgate, Okla., to Dewey and Mildred Hughes. He met and married
Joyce Maas on June 17, 1972. His family moved to Muskogee, Okla., when he was a young boy, where he graduated from Central High School. He attended Oklahoma State Tech, then joined the Air Force, where he spent four years in Omaha, Neb. He and his wife lived in Omaha, Plainville, Kan., Ponca City, Okla., Davis, Okla., and then moved to Farmington, N.M., where he retired from Conoco Oil Co. after 28 years of service. Gilbert was a nature and sports enthusiast. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, skiing and fourwheeling, especially with his family and friends. He will be remembered for his compassion and caring nature, and the love of his family. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; his three sons, Kevin Hughes and wife Lisa of Albuquerque, N.M., and Kyle and Kris Hughes of Farmington; his mother, Mildred Hughes of Coalgate, Okla.; a brother, Glen Hughes of Great Bend; two sisters, Kathy Hughes of Coalgate, Okla., and Connie Hayes of Little Rock, Ark.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Gilbert was preceded in death by his father, Dewey, and two infant brothers. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. MDT today at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Chapel, Farmington, with Pastor Leroy Montoya officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Northwest New Mexico Hospice, P.O. Box 3336, Farmington, NM 87499-3336 or Hospice of Mercy, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Funeral arrangements provided by Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home & Crematory 103 E. Ute St. Farmington, NM
C.R. Curtis
1908 - 2006
C.R. Curtis, 98, of Great Bend, died Oct. 25 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. He was born March 8, 1908, at St. John, the son of Charles and Gertrude Burnett Curtis. He married
Verona Scheuch in 1931 at Ellsworth. She died in 1990. He married
Dorothy Harvey in 1991 at Great Bend. She died June 21, 2001. He graduated from Antrim Rural High School in 1923 and from Kansas State University in 1929. He taught science at Ellsworth High School for five years. Mr. Curtis worked for the Soil Erosion Service at Mankato. He was then with the Soil Conservation Service in Kingman and Mankato, and transferred to Salina in 1941, where he was an agricultural economist. He moved to Great Bend in 1951 and retired in 1972, having served 35 counties at various times. He operated the family farms over his lifetime. He was named Kansas Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year in 1970. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Kiwanis, both of Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Jack Curtis and wife Nancy of Hays, and Tom Curtis and wife Jan of Ellinwood; three daughters, Nancy Gundelfinger of Baldwin City, Barbara Curtis of McLean, Va., and Jody Newlin and husband Harve of Ottawa; a sister, Maxine Brehm of Pratt; 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers: an infant, Randall Curtis and Ronald Curtis; and two sisters, Anna Merle and Marge Burke. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Interment will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Memorial donations for the First United Methodist Church or the Barton County Community College Foundation may be made in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Master Sgt. U.S.M.C. Shirley Deane 'Rocky' Cavender
TOPEKA - Master Sgt. U.S.M.C. Shirley Deane 'Rocky' Cavender, 75, died Oct. 21. Survivors include six sons, Mike Cavender Sr., Pat Cavender, Kevin Cavender, Mike Cavender Jr., Chris Cavender, and Joe Cavender; two daughters, Shirley Dean Goodwin and Kelly Ann Cavender-Arnold; 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 53 great-great grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16 at the Arlington National cemetery. Funeral arrangements provided by Davidson Funeral Home 1035 North Kansas Topeka, KS 66608
Wilma (Billie) P. Davis
1926 - 2006
ELLINWOOD - Wilma (Billie) P. Davis, 80, died Oct. 23 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born Oct. 2, 1926, at Benedict, the daughter of Enos Van Tarter and Augusta Koch. A resident of Ellinwood since 1949, she was a nurse at Ellinwood District Hospital for nearly 40 years. She married
James Edgar Davis on Nov. 19, 1944, at Parsons. He died in 1994. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Ann Davis of Cloquet, Minn., and Rebecca Jo and husband Jearld Wayne Morgan of Ellinwood; one grandson, Bryan Wayne Morgan; two granddaughters, Chelsea Davis Morgan and Kimberly Jo Morgan; and three great grandsons, Myles Wayne Morgan, Joshua Morgan Heredia and Izaiah Wayne Ramirez. She was preceded in death by three brothers and eight sisters. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood with Richard Kimple officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Billie Davis Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple, Inc. Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Donna 'Jo' Huslig
1927 - 2006
Donna 'Jo' Huslig, 79, of Great Bend, died Oct. 22 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 4, 1927, at Enid, Okla., the daughter of Charles Lewis and Mabel Claire Tuttle Rose. She married
Bernard L. Huslig on July 23, 1949, in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend for most of her life, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Huslig was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Rose and the Altar Society. Survivors include her husband, of the home; three sons, David Huslig and wife Carol of Grand Junction, Colo., Donald Huslig and wife Elaine of Wichita, and Tony Huslig of Overland Park; five daughters, Diana Parks and husband David of Galva, Debbie Huslig of Wichita, Mary Folkerts and husband Randy of Pawnee Rock, Shelly Forster and husband Tom of Kimberling City, Mo., and Tami Dykes and husband Matt of Great Bend; daughter-in-law Leata Huslig; brother Charles 'Buddy' Rose and wife Barb of Beatrice, Neb.; sister Norma 'Jean' Schenk and husband Edwin of Olmitz; 24 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie Huslig. Altar Society Rosary will be at 3:30 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with Father Wesley Schawe officiating. Burial will be in the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Catholic Community of Great Bend in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Frank L. Griffin
1919 - 2006
Frank L. Griffin, 87, of Great Bend, died Oct. 19 at Alterra Sterling House, Great Bend. He was born Sept. 13, 1919, at Stockton, the son of Ralph and Emily Pacak Griffin. He married
Mary at Pleasonton. She died in 1979. He then married
Jewell Murphy Finley in Warsaw, Mo. She died May 27, 1994. He worked for Kansas City Power and Light Company. He was a resident of Great Bend since 2001, coming from Yuma, Ariz. Griffin was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army. Survivors include a sister, Ruth Marshall, Great Bend; two stepsons, William A. Finley of Shawnee and Michael Finley of Overland Park; stepdaughter Carol Harms, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and a nephew, Paul Marshall, Great Bend. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lee Griffin and Harry Griffin. Burial will be in Sunset Vista cemetery, Yuma, Ariz. There will be no visitation. Funeral arrangements provided by: Bryant Funeral Home# 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Helen F. Laudick
1919 -2006 HOISINGTON - Helen F. Laudick, 87, died Oct. 23 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born Feb. 13, 1919, in Redwing, the daughter of Emil and Lena (Courange) Hickel. She married
John Laudick on April 27, 1936, in Beaver. He died Sept. 22, 1963. A lifetime resident of the Hoisington area, she worked at Town and Country Grocery and on the family farm. She retired from the Hoisington hospital as a CNA after 35 years. Mrs. Laudick was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Altar Society and Clara Barton Foundation, all of Hoisington. Survivors include one son, David Laudick of Scott City; and two sisters Eleanor Linsner of Hoisington and Lucille Brannon of Great Bend. She was preceded in death by one brother, Bill Hickel. Altar Society Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 30, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Oct. 30 at the church, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be in the St. John cemetery in Hoisington. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association in care of the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, Ks. 67544
Eileen Viola Curtis
1922 - 2006
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Eileen Viola Curtis, 84, of 1032 9th St., Rock Springs, Wyo., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. A longtime resident of Rock Springs and former resident of Sidney, Neb., Mrs. Curtis died following a sudden illness. She was born on Aug. 21, 1922, in Hudson, the daughter of William and Lorena Tieperman. Mrs. Curtis attended schools in Hudson and was a graduate of Hudson High School. She married
Lester Junior 'Curley' Curtis on June 15, 1941, and he preceded her in death on April 10, 1998. She was a member of the First Congregational Church and Daughters of the Nile. Her main interest in life were her children, grandchildren and her friends. She loved babysitting, gardening, flowers and canning. Survivors include two sons, L.J. Curtis and wife Janie, and William L. Curtis and wife Marguerite, all of Rock Springs, Wyo.; three daughters Cheri Macy and husband Bruce, Vickie Sue Dieckgrafe and husband John, and Tammy Ann Morlock and husband Monte all of Rock Springs, Wyo.; one brother Jerry Tieperman and wife Phyllis of Sterling; one sister, Bonnie Holland and husband Ed of Chesterfield, Mo.; grandchildren Leslie Zanetti and husband Jim, Marnie Potts and husband Randy, Jeremy Kendall and companion Amber, Kenny Curtis and fiance Tammy Kenyon, A J Macy, Ann Dee Hamilton, William Fredrick Curtis, Julia Curtis, Ashlee Morlock and Halee Morlock; great-grandchildren Britania Potts, Koryn Potts, Konstanz Potts, Lauren Zanetti, Zachary Zanetti and Dylan Christopherson; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one brother, Jim Tieperman. Funeral services were conducted Oct. 18 at the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Harvey Joyner officiating. She was buried in the Paul J. Wataha Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Monte Morlock, Kenny Curtis, Jeremy Kendall, A J Macy, Daris White and Jim Zanetti. Honorary pallbearers were Freddie Curtis and Zachary Zanetti. Memorials are suggested to First Congregational Church, 1275 Adams Ave., Rock Springs, WY 82901 or Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital, Fairfax Ave. and Virginia St., Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Funeral arrangements provided by Vase Funeral Home 154 Elk Street Rock Springs, WY 82901
Minnie Beck
1913 - 2006
Minnie Beck, 92, of Great Bend, died Oct. 22 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Nov. 4, 1913, at Ransom, the daughter of John Christian and Minnie Hampel Schreiber. She married
Joseph John Beck on Jan. 30, 1940, in Great Bend. He died Oct. 14, 1983. A resident of Great Bend since 1975, coming from Claflin, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Beck was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Rose, Altar Society, a 50-year member of Daughters of Isabella and a former Girl Scout leader. Survivors include three daughters, Carol Van Steenburgh and husband Glenn, Lois Koochel and husband Michael and Marlan Beck, all of Great Bend; five grandchildren, David Van Steenburgh, Michael Van Steenburgh, Brian Koochel, Matthew Koochel and Rebecca Koochel; and one great-grandchild, Victoria Bogner. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Janice Beck; and two brothers, Raymond Schreiber and Harold Schreiber. Alter Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Vigil Service will be at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Daughters of Isabella Rosary. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Reginald A. Urban officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Holy Family School Endowment Fund. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Gladys Naoma MacDonald
1921 - 2006
Gladys Naoma MacDonald, 85, of Great Bend passed away Oct. 20 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. She was born April 17, 1921, at Winfield, the daughter of Bill and Edna Keeler Glass. She married
Emerson MacDonald on May 29, 1941, at Winfield. He survives. She was a librarian and secretary for USD 428 and Harrison Junior High School for 21 years, retiring in 1983. She was a resident of Great Bend since 1947, coming from Burlington. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Golden Belt Community Concert Board, EHU and Etudian Club, all of Great Bend, and was a volunteer for voter registration. Survivors include her husband, Emerson, of the home; two sons, Emerson MacDonald, III and wife Sheryl, Olmitz, and Greg MacDonald and wife Mona, Great Bend; one daughter, Shirley Gunn and husband Doug, Weaverville, N.C.; one brother, Bill Glass and wife Jeanette, Yakima, Wash.; seven grandchildren, Tammy Larson, Tracy Shoppe, Jeremy Penka, Tavis MacDonald, Brandon MacDonald, Travis MacDonald and Hunter MacDonald; and five great-grandchildren, Allie and Jake Larson and Jordan, Laynee and Corbyn Penka. She was preceded in death by a brother, George Glass. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Interment will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. A memorial fund has been established for the church. Donations may be made in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by: Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Roberta Powers
1912 - 2006
Roberta Powers, 94, of Great Bend, died Oct. 9, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born Jan. 18, 1912, at Morristown, Tenn., the daughter of Robert and Nettie Witt Cutts. On Dec. 24, 1930, she married
Ralph Powers at Sidney, Iowa. He died May 15, 1962. She graduated from Strahan High School. A resident of Great Bend since 1981, coming from Manhattan, she was a home maker and house mother at Indiana State University, Kansas State University and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Mrs. Powers was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. Survivors include a son Bill Powers of Great Bend; a brother Gene Cutts, of Cottage Grove, Ore.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three sons, Ralph Powers, Jackie Powers and Richard Powers; two brothers, Bob Cutts and Jim Cutts; and three sisters, Edna O'Dowd, Rowena Otte and Lucile Evans. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Philip Youngquist officiating. Inurnment will be in Shenandoah cemetery in Shenandoah, Iowa. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to St. Mark Lutheran Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by: Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Donald Leroy "Don" Graves
1938 - 2006
LIBERAL - Donald Leroy 'Don' Graves, 68, died Oct. 20 at Southwest Medical Center, Liberal. He was born Sept. 15, 1938, at Great Bend, the son of D. L. and Gladys (Bell) Graves. On July 14, 1956, he married
Helen Jo Loyton at Hoisington. He has been a Liberal resident for the past 27 years. He had served in the Army National Guard. He was a truck driver for J & R Sand Co. in Liberal. A race car driver for 50 years with car number No. 20, Graves loved to work on cars and was a Tony Stewart fan. He most loved spending time with his family and grandkids. Survivors include three sons, Jim L. Graves and wife Fran, John A. Graves, and Randolf J. Graves and wife Anavel, all of of Liberal; a brother, Richard Graves, in Washington state; and five grandchildren, Jeremy Graves and wife Casie, and Katie, Tabitha, Travis and Tony Graves. He was preceded in death by one son, David; granddaughter Amanda; his parents; three brothers, Eugene, Kenny, and Denny; sister Lois Roth; and mother-in-law Lucille Vining. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Monday at Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church in Liberal with Pastor Wyatt Carpenter presiding. Burial will follow at Restlawn cemetery, Liberal. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home in Liberal. Memorial donations may be made to the American Caner Society or to the Crossroads Center, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by: Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901
Frank L. Griffin
1919 - 2006
Frank L. Griffin, 87, of Great Bend, died Oct. 19 at Alterra Sterling House, Great Bend. He was born Sept. 13, 1919, at Stockton, the son of Ralph and Emily Pacak Griffin. He married
Mary at Pleasonton. She died in 1979. He then married
Jewell Murphy Finley in Warsaw, Mo. She died May 27, 1994. He worked for Kansas City Power and Light Company. He was a resident of Great Bend since 2001, coming from Yuma, Ariz. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army. Survivors include a sister, Ruth Marshall, Great Bend; two stepsons, William A. Finley of Shawnee and Michael Finley of Overland Park; and a nephew, Paul Marshall, Great Bend. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lee Griffin and Harry Griffin. Burial will be in Sunset Vista Cemetary, Yuma, Ariz. There will be no visitation. Funeral arrangements provided by: Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Evelyn L. Mettling
1935 - 2006
BURDETT - Evelyn L. Mettling, 70, died Oct. 19 at Hays. She was born Dec. 12, 1935, in rural Burdett, the daughter of E. Rex and Leona Evelyn Smith Shuck. She married
Forrest G. Mettling on Oct. 20, 1955, at Larned. He died Sept. 21, 1994. A resident of Burdett since 1998, moving from Wright and Dodge City, she was a retired department manager for Wal-Mart. She belonged to the Burdett United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Burdett Seniors, and was a Methodist lay speaker, a foster grandparent, and a senior companion, all in Burdett. Survivors include three sons, Terry and wife Stella of Bremerton, Wash., Raymond of Wichita and Randy and wife Michelle of Hays; one daughter, Rebecca Kilpatrick and husband Bryan of Cumming, Ga.; two brothers, Lester Shuck, Burdett, and Donald Shuck, Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters, Beverly Kay Maness, Hutchinson, and Janice Rein, La Crosse; and six grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Mary Ohlemeier presiding. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home, Larned. Burial will be in Brown's Grove cemetery, Burdett. Memorials may be sent to Liberty Fellowship Youth Mission Fund or the church, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by: Morell Funeral Home Box 124 Larned, KS 67550
