Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Gary Dean Ewing
1948 - 2006
Gary Dean Ewing, 58, died Oct. 8 at his home in Great Bend. He was born July 19, 1948, at Great Bend, the son of Robert Gilmore and Mary Elizabeth Stanley Ewing. He married
Mona Guinn on July 21, 1970, at Great Bend. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, he was a zoo keeper for the city of Great Bend Parks Department. Ewing was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Barton County Fair Board. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Viet Nam War era, serving in Korea. Survivors include his wife, Mona Ewing, of the home; mother Elizabeth Ewing Moore and stepfather Darrell, of Great Bend; son Christopher Ewing and his fiancé Talia Pontius, of Hays; two daughters, Melissa Ewing and fiancé Billy Widiger Jr., and Stephanie Davis and husband Rick Davis III, all of Great Bend; a brother, Douglas Ewing of Ellinwood; two sisters, Terri Kohls of Great Bend and Sandy Parret of Larned; six grandchildren, Anissa Widiger, Jordan Ewing, Korbin Ewing, Zachary Seymour, Lauryn Davis and Jaxen Davis; and 10 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Gilmore Ewing and grandparents William and Jessie Stanley. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Interment will be in Great Bend cemetery North in Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the Barton County Fair Board or Noah's Ark Preschool in care of the funeral home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Leo Henry Swords
1918 - 2006
RUSSELL - Leo Henry Swords, 88, died Oct. 7 at Russell Regional Hospital. He was born Aug. 30, 1918, in Tonkawa, Okla., to Henry R. and Theresa (Veith) Swords. He attended school in Tonkawa and lived there for most of his childhood. He married
Ellen Jeanne Hart on June 1, 1944, in Tonkawa. He worked in the oil industry for most of his life and lived in many different places across the nation but eventually made Garden City his home. He moved to Russell in 1969 and retired as a drilling supervisor from the Murfin Oil Drilling Company. Survivors include one son, Leo K. Swords of Russell; one daughter, Charlotte Roth of Great Bend; two brothers, James J. Swords of Tonkawa, Okla., and Gerald Swords of Spokane, Wash.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ellen; one son, David; two brothers, Harold and Richard Swords; and three sisters, Marguerite Kimber, Catherine Jueschke and Louise Lovin. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the St. Mary Catholic cemetery in Russell with burial following. Memorials are suggested to the St. Mary Catholic cemetery and the Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary & Monuments 610 N. Maple Russell, KS 67665
Robert J. Fox
1930 - 2006
KINGMAN - Robert J. Fox, 76, died Oct. 9 at Southwind Hospice in Pratt. He was born April 7, 1930, in rural Edwards County, the son of Michael and Mary Smith Fox. A farmer and rancher, he was a resident of Kingman for 10 years, coming from Kinsley. Mr. Fox was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Patrick. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army. Survivors include six sons, Dan Fox of Pratt, Jerry Fox of Muskogee, Okla., Tom Fox of Osawatomie, Tim Fox of Benton, Ted Fox of Towanda and John Fox of Fort Collins, Colo.; five daughters, Carolyn Willis of Lebo, Shirley Hammeke of Larned, Rose Norris of Loveland, Colo., Nancy Bradford of Larned and Connie Bell of Olpe; two brothers, Eugene Fox of Great Bend and Melvin Fox of Wilson; 33 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Fox and Leo Fox. A Vigil Service will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Reginald Urban officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend cemetery in Great Bend. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Southwind Hospice in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Fred J. Schmitt
1940-2006
Fred J. Schmitt, 66, of Great Bend, died Oct. 5 in Great Bend. He was born April 15, 1940, at Dalton, Mo., the son of Joseph 'Jay' and Marie Schwartz Schmitt. A cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, he went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, Oct. 5. He was raised in Offerle and graduated from Offerle High School, where he excelled in football, basketball and track. He attended St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, with accounting and business as his major. Fred married
Kay Green Aug. 22, 1959, at St. Mary's Church in Hodgeman County. She survives. After their marriage, Fred went to work at the Offerle Co-op. He then went to work at the Farmland Industries Ammonia Plant in 1968 to 1970, but could not stay away from the co-op. He returned to Offerle and worked in accounting and as bookkeeper until 1973, when he became manager of the Great Bend Co-op until he retired in 1997. After several months, he came out of retirement to serve as interim manager of the Bucklin Branch of the Offerle Co-op. He retired in May of this year. While at the Great Bend Co-op, he was instrumental in developing the Ag-21 program, consolidated four bulk-fuel plants into one plant, opened the Great Bend Ampride Store, and merged with the Pawnee Rock Co-op, the Ellinwood Co-op and the Albert Co-op. He also helped develop the Kids Ag program for the fourth-graders in Barton County. Fred was on the Board of Directors of Great Bend High School from 1976 to the present, the advisory board for the Barton County Chamber of Commerce from 1977 until the present, the advisory board for the bank, Kansas Cooperative Council, board of the FFA, Board of Directors for Servi-Tech, director of Southwest Liquid and the advisory board for the Wichita Bank of Cooperatives. Survivors include his wife, of the home; sons, Fritz and wife Lora, and children Hannah and Micah of Springfield, Mo., Brad and wife Vicki, Great Bend, and son Josha Schmitt of Lawrence, Lynn Froetshner and wife Katrina of Round Lake Beach, Ill., Jerod Froetschner and wife Catherine of Orlando, Fla., and Lea Froetschner and children, Dakota and Nicole; a daughter, Rhonda Ravenstein and her daughter, Jericah; his mother, Marie Schmitt of Hoisington; two sisters, Linda Mayhugh of Great Bend and Chris Hayes of Dodge City; and a brother, Anthony Schmitt of Salina. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Renee Schmitt, his father, Joseph, and brothers, Mike, Jim and Jerry Schmitt. A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today, followed by a Knights of Columbus Rosary at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the church, with Father Reginald A. Urban officiant. Inurnment will be at a later date at Maple Grove cemetery, Dodge City. Friends may call from 1 until 5:30 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, and after 6 p.m. today at St. Patrick Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Family School Endowment or to the Renee Schmitt Memorial Scholarship at Barton County Community College. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Ellen Marie Klepper
1920-2006
Ellen Marie Klepper, 85, of Great Bend, died Oct. 5 at Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson. She was born Oct. 19, 1920, at Great Bend, the daughter of Henry John and Teresa 'Doll' Belger Baier. She married
Frank N. Klepper Aug. 2, 1941, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Seward. He died June 2, 1967. She was a homemaker and a lifelong resident of Seward and Great Bend. She attended Sacred Heart College in Wichita, now called Newman University, and was employed as a clerk in the Stafford County Courthouse. She was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Rose and its Altar Society. Survivors include three daughters, Sue Wheeler and Carla Markovich, both of Great Bend, and Cynthia Hogan of Kinsley; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Paul Baier, Charles Baier, Russell Baier and Henry Baier Jr., and three sisters, Dolores Dale, Dollie Sinclair and Peggy Welsh. An Altar Society Rosary will take place at 4 p.m. Monday and a vigil service at 8 p.m., both at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Wesley Schawe officiant. Interment will be at the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home. Donations may be made to memorial funds for the Catholic Community of Great Bend or the Holy Family School Endowment Fund, both in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Gebharde Moeder
1912-2006
HOISINGTON - Gebharde Moeder, 94, died Oct. 6 at her Hoisington home. She was born Feb. 18, 1912, at La Crosse, the daughter of Louis and Magdalena (Unrein) Schuckman. She married
Leonard C. Moeder June 23, 1931, at Liebenthal. He died April 20, 1956. She was retired from the Housekeeping Department at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend. She was a longtime Hoisington resident, having moved from La Crosse. Mrs. Moeder was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Hoisington. Survivors include two sons, Leonard, of Beaver, and Tony, of Brandon, Fla.; two daughters, Valeda Hitschmann and Lois Joiner, both of Claflin; two sisters, Regina Ross, Wichita, and Alexia Basgall, Scott City; nine grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, William Schuckman. A vigil service will be at 6 p.m. today, followed by an Altary Society rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. Funeral service will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hoisington, with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John cemetery, Hoisington. Friends may call from 1 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials have been established for St. John the Evangelist Church, the American Cancer Society or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Elda Levera Kysar
1911 - 2006
RANSOM - Elda Levera Kysar, 95, died Sept. 30 at Grisell Memorial Long Term Care in Ransom. She was born on May 21, 1911, in Plainville, the daughter of Herbert W. and Esta E. Sissell Parkhust. She married
Clair W. Kysar on Sept. 5, 1929, in WaKeeney. He preceded her in death. She moved to Ransom in 1935 and was a homemaker. Mrs. Kysar was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ransom. Survivors include two sons, Warner Kysar of Great Bend and Vern Kysar of Wichita; one daughter, Clara Laureen Kysar of Ransom; one grandson, Greg Kysa and one great-grandson, Dakota Allen Kysar. She was preceded in death by a son, John Kysar; three brothers, Clyde, Lloyd and Merle Parkhust; and one sister, Ruth Kysar. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Ransom, with the Rev. Barbara McLain presiding. Cremation burial will be in the Ransom cemetery. Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Inc. P.O. Box 96 207 N. Pennsylvania Ness City, KS 67560
David Kinzel
1938 - 2006
David Kinzel, 68, of Great Bend, died Oct. 4 at Taylor Hospice House, Des Moines, Iowa. He was born June 27, 1938, at Great Bend, the son of August and Melvina Grow Kinzel. He married
Charlotte L. Lake on June 22, 1957, at Great Bend. She died Aug. 25, 2001. He was the owner of Bud's Tire & Supply of St. Marys and a salesman for Big A Auto Parts and Marmie Motors, both of Great Bend. He lived in Great Bend most of his life. Mr. Kinzel was a member of the Catholic Community of Great Bend at St. Patrick. Survivors include three sons, Mike of Des Moines, Iowa, Monte of Baxter, Iowa, and Stuart of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Lora Fuss, of Pratt; one brother, Lawrence, of Great Bend; two sisters, Kitsy Rownd of Minneapolis, Minn., and Lorraine Lovenstein of Grandview, Mo.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A vigil service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. Wesley Schawe officiating. Burial will be in the Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or to the Kidney Foundation in care of the funeral home. Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Joseph A. Lopez
1942 - 2006
WICHITA - Joseph A. Lopez, 64, cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, Oct. 4. A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of the Magdalen, Wichita. Joseph was born Jan. 11, 1942. He graduated from the Class of 1960, from Great Bend High School. Joseph came to Wichita in 1969 as an insurance adjuster trainee, founded The Windshield Shop in 1979 and sold it in 2004 after 25 years. He enjoyed his business associates and employees tremendously. Simultaneously, he enjoyed 25 years as a career catastrophe adjuster and for over 20 years he had been associated with Pilot Catastrophe Services. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zenon and Frances Lopez, and brothers, Robert and Jay. Survivors include his wife, Carol, of the home; a daughter, Kelly Chlentzos of Wichita; a daughter and son-in-law, Jacquie and David Albertson of Littleton, Colo.; a son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Karen Lopez of Chicago, Ill.; a daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and James Noelck of Johnston, Iowa; nine grandchildren; four stepchildren and three step-grandchildren from a previous marriage; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Joe Murillo of Wichita; a brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Jolene Lopez of Wichita; and a sister, Rita Lopez of Wichita. Memorials have been established with Victory in the Valley, 3755 East Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 South Market, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary East 6555 East Central Wichita, KS 67206
Kendra Dawn Warner
1988 - 2006
SCOTT CITY - Kendra Dawn Warner, 18, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 1, in Eads, Colo., as the result of an automobile accident. She was born April 14, 1988, in Great Bend, the daughter of Randy L. Warner and Shanna John. Kendra was a resident of Scott City since 1996, moving from Holyrood. She was a 2006 graduate of Scott Community High School in Scott City. Memberships include: Christian Faith and Teens For Christ, Scott City. Survivors include her mother, Shanna John, Scott City; stepfather, Bill John, Scott City; father and stepmother, Randy and Missy Warner, Great Bend; one sister, Kinsey Warner, Scott City; three brothers, Dalton Lumpkins and Brady Lumpkins, both of Scott City, and Nathan Warner of Great Bend; three stepbrothers, Josh John, Dodge City, Bill John, Jr., Scott City, and Tom Lumpkins, Wichita; grandparents, Nora Krier, Claflin, Gary and Joy Lee Warner, Holyrood, Eldon McWithey, Scott City, Charles and Mary Malone, Great Bend, and Roger and Jackie John, Phillipsburg; and one niece, Izabella Hernandez, Scott City. She was preceded in death by a baby sister, Lauren Rose Lumpkins. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Scott City, with the Rev. Randy Robinson officiant. Interment will be in Scott County cemetery, Scott City. Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to Teens For Christ in Scott City and Grace Community Church Youth Group in Great Bend, in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, Scott City. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. today at Price & Sons Funeral Home, Scott City. Price & Sons Funeral Home 401 Washington Scott City, KS 67871
Luz Martinez
1963 - 2006
CHASE - Visitation for Luz Martinez, who died Sept. 29, has been changed to noon to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to service time on Friday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Burial will be at Golden Belt cemetery.
Norman Lee Wagner
1929 - 2006
OTIS - Norman Lee Wagner, 77, died Oct. 4 at his Otis home. He was born June 16, 1929, in rural Otis, the son of Sam and Mollie 'Adolph' Wagner. He married
Lois M. Alexander on June 4, 1961, at Coldwater. She survives. A lifetime resident of Otis, he was a mechanic for Kansas Refined Helium, retired after 27 years, also retired from Meisinger & Schneider International Harvester of Otis, after 25 years. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Mr. Wagner was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Otis, and a life member of VFW Post 7428 of Hoisington. Survivors include his wife, Lois, of Otis; a son, Richard Wagner, of Great Bend; a daughter, Lorie Wagner, of Wichita; two brothers, Raymond Wagner and Harold Wagner, both of Otis; a sister, Arlene Maier, of Oakley; and two granddaughters, Jessica Wagner of Burleson, Texas, and Kori Wagner of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Wagner, a sister, Elsie Boxberger, a niece, Mary Ann Boxberger, and a godson, Gary Wagner. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Otis, with Pastor Bruce Adamson officiating. Burial will be at the Lutheran cemetery, Otis. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and from noon until time of service Saturday at the church. Memorial donations for the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association may be made in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main/Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Victor W. Rasmussen
1933 - 2006
COLBY - Victor W. Rasmussen, 73, died Sept. 30 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. born April 10, 1933, in Colby, he was a retired owner and machinist of Elmer's Machine Shop in Colby. He married
Velma H. Rasmussen in Colby on Aug. 3, 1952. Survivors include his wife of Colby; three sons, Gordon L. and Terry W., both of Colby, and Lyle R. of Osage Beach, Mo.; one daughter, Cindy D. Warner of Great Bend; one sister, Alice Ackerman of Park; 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby. Burial will be at Beulah cemetery in Colby, prior to the funeral services. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel in Colby. Memorials are suggested to the Orphan Grain Train in care of the funeral chapel. Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel 745 S. Country Club Drive Colby, KS 67701
Roy Jesse Barber
1929-2006
ELLINWOOD - Roy J. Barber entered into eternal life with Christ on Oct. 3 in Ellinwood after a long fight with cancer. Roy was born March 14, 1929, in Hugoton, the son of Otto E. Barber and Goldie G. (Flower) Barber. Roy was a local farmer/stockman for 40 years, retiring in 1994. He also received several honors and awards for soil conservation and was involved in FFA. He was a member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ, Ellinwood, where he taught Sunday school for 20 years. Additionally, he was a member of the American Legion. Scoutmaster for 15 years of Boy Scout Troop 153, and past president of Parent-Teachers Association, Ellinwood School Board (1979-87). He also served on the Peoples State Bank (now Sunflower Bank) Board 12 years, was the first director of the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce and helped organize the first Ellinwood After-Harvest Festival. An alumnus of Fort Hays State University (agriculture-botany, 1948-1951), he was an active supporter of the university and served in the U.S. Air Force - staff sergeant (1951-1955). Roy loved the church, his family, friends and the great outdoors. He was an avid 'rock hound' and collector of Indian artifacts and also enjoyed bird hunting and fishing. He enjoyed telling and hearing a good joke. He loved to read, especially history of the American Indian and settlement of the West, and was a student all his life. Roy was a real people person and was a friend to all that came acoss his path. Survivors include his wife, Arlene L. (Peters) Barber; four children, Rex A. Barber of Colorado Springs, Colo., Renee M. (Barber) Button of Wichita, Rhonda K. Barber-Groves of Kansas City, Mo., and Kristie E. Barber of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Survivors also include two brothers, Carl E. and 'Jack' C.R., both of Hugoton; two sisters, Lucille F. Mitchell of Hulbert, Okla., and Joy R. Crippen of Lexington, Okla.; a stepmother, Marceline (Behnke) Bratton of Lyons; and five stepbrothers and stepsisters, Melvin J. Behnke of Wichita, Marilyn J. Behnke of Shawnee Mission, Myretta J. (Behnke) Bell of Bedford, Texas, Myron J. Behnke of Lyons and Meredith J. Behnke of Bushton. He was predeceased by a brother, Garold O. Barber, of Prescott, Ariz., a stepmother, Jewell M. (Rich) Barber, and a stepbrother, Morris J. Behnke. Friends may call at Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood, between 3 and 8 p.m. Thursday and between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood. Burial will be in Ellinwood cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Ellinwood Hospital Auxiliary or to Fort Hays State University Alumni. Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Willetta B. Williams
1909-2006
ELLINWOOD - Willetta B. Williams, 97, died Oct. 2 at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born Aug. 18, 1909, at Burgettstown, Pa., the daughter of William E. and Mary A. Scott Bare. She had lived in the Ellinwood and Great Bend community since 1937. She was a retired agent for Pyramid Life Company, of Ellinwood, Chase and Great Bend. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Kansas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Survivors include a nephew, Jack R. Flenner Jr. of Chester, Va., and a great-nephew, Jarret M. Flenner, also of Chester. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery, Ellinwood, with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Kimple Funeral Home, Ellinwood. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Kansas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Kimple Funeral Home 113 North Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
