Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Selma Eubank-Smith
Selma Eubank-Smith of Great Bend died Jan. 28 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born in Otis, the daughter of Henry and Catherine Marie Gorr Goerlitz. She married
Roy Eubank Sr. July 16, 1946. He died July 17, 1965. She married
John Smith July 11, 1980. He died July 13, 1998. Mrs. Eubank-Smith was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church of Great Bend, AARP, Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Auxiliary. Survivors include three sons, Roy Eubank Jr. of Haysville, Richard Eubank of Great Bend and Larry Smith of Wichita; four daughters, Rita Schroeder, Cynthia Wilson, Linda Jacobs and Roberta Holden, all of Great Bend; one sister, Helen Gearhart of Anchorage, Alaska; 15 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Steven Crone; one granddaughter, Kimberly Johnson; one great-grandson; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Shannon Vogelesang officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend City cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, all at Charter Funerals Chapel in Great Bend. Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to Selma Eubank-Smith Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral chapel.
Helen G. Damon Hoge
1911-2004
Helen G. Damon Hoge, 92, of Great Bend, died Jan. 28 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 29, 1911, at Lyons, the daughter of Harry G. and Bertha B. Folck Damon. She married
John A. Hoge Oct. 6, 1940, at Great Bend. He died Sept. 16, 1974. A resident of Great Bend since 1946, coming from Lyons, she was a homemaker and an active volunteer in many causes. Mrs. Hoge was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Great Bend, former leader of women's study group for 12 years, fifth and sixth grade Sunday school teacher for nine years and served several terms as secretary and former board member of Women's Fellowship. She was a former Girl Scout leader for 10 years for Troop No. 62 of Great Bend, former editor of Lyons High School newspaper, life member of Kansas Parent Teacher Association and Great Bend PTA, three term president of City Council of PTAs, past president of Morrison PTA and organized PTAs at Lincoln Elementary, Harrison Junior High and Ellinwood Grade School. She was past president, secretary and treasurer of Great Bend Safety Council, co-chair of Great Bend and Hoisington Safety Parade, and award recipient for National Safety Council. She was former chairman of Creative Arts Group, member of General Federation of Women's Clubs, and held all offices from secretary through president of 7th District of Kansas Federation of Kansas Women's Clubs, recipient of Women of the Year award, editor of Courier newspaper for 20 years, former board member of United Fund of Great Bend, first chairman for American Heart Association city-wide drive in Great Bend and honored as one of Barton County's 13 Patriots of Today in 1976. Survivors include one son, Michael A. Hoge of Great Bend; one daughter, Marsha L. McConnaughy of Dodge City; one grandson, Kyle P. McConnaughy of Kearney, Mo.; and three great-grandchildren, Connor McConnaughy, Corey McConnaughy and Kelsey McConnaughy. She was preceded in death by one brother, Ansel 'Bud' Damon; and one sister, Thelma Barton. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Diana Coberly officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, all at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church or General Federated Women's Club Scholarship Fund for the 7th District of Kansas, both in care of the funeral home.
Helen E. Kottmann
1919-2004
LYONS - Helen E. Kottmann, 84, died Jan. 27 at Good Samaritan Center in Lyons. She was born Feb. 18, 1919, in Lorraine, the daughter of John F. and Margarete Kaiser Rolfs. She was a 1937 graduate of Lorraine High School and attended the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. She married
Louis D. Kottmann June 2, 1940, in Lorraine. A resident of Lyons since 1947, coming from Martinsville, Va., she was a homemaker. Mrs. Kottmann was a member of First Baptist Church, Helping Hands Missionary Circle of Lyons, Kansans for Life and American Baptist Women. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Louis Kottmann Jr. and wife Mary of Great Bend; two daughters, Elizabeth 'Liz' Miller and husband Bob of Scott City, and Mary Lynn 'Lyn' Britton and husband David of Viroqua, Wis.; sister-in-law Violet Rolfs of Lorraine; 11 grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Margaret A. Dix; one brother, Roland Rolfs; one sister, Gertrude Rolfs; and one granddaughter, Kimberly Kottmann. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Karas officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery in Lyons. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Geraldine '˜Geri Jo' Wilson Bobbitt
1933-2004
UNCERTAIN, Texas - Geraldine 'Geri Jo' Wilson Bobbitt, 70, died Jan. 26 at her home. She was born March 20, 1933, the daughter of Willard and Doris Wilson of Pawnee Rock. She received her education in Pawnee Rock public schools. She married
Pat Bobbitt Feb. 20, 1950. He died April 17, 2000. A resident of Uncertain, she worked for Mortan Thikol Army Ammunitions Plant for more than 30 years before her retirement. Survivors include four sons, Michael Pat Bobbitt and wife Patsy of Pearl River, La., TonyJo Bobbitt of Uncertain, Nickey Doyle Bobbitt and friend Elemata of Recklaw, Texas, Leslie Wayne Bobbitt and wife Tilly of Killeen, Texas; one daughter, Tallie Evette Leonardos and friend Mac Owens of Uncertain; one half-brother, Lynn Wilson and wife Sharon of Goddard; and one half-sister, Faye Steffen and husband Tom of Sterling. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and one half-sister, Sharon Livengood. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Andrew's cemetery in Karnack, Texas, with Pat Patrick officiating. Active pallbearers will be Skip Humphreys, Jim Holder, J.R. Procell, Cecil Jones, Mike Fyffe and Benji Crowley. Honorary pallbearers will be all her friends from Caddo Lake. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Sullivan Funeral Home, 100 East Travis St., Marshall, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Greater Hospice of Texas Inc., at P.O. Box 9725, Longview, TX 75608.
Helen J. Johns
1921-2004
ARVADA, Colo. - Helen J. Johns, 82, died Jan. 10 at Arvada. She was born Aug. 25, 1921, at Ellinwood, the daughter of John A. and Clara Debes. She attended Ellinwood High School. She married
George Johns at Hoisington. He died June 5, 1993. Mrs. Johns was a member of North Huron Christian Center in Thornton, Colo. Survivors include seven children; 20 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren. Services were held Jan. 15 at Aurora, Colo. Highland Mortuary in Thornton was in charge of arrangements.
Carmen D. Elsen
1950-2004
DENNIS - Carmen D. Elsen, a former resident of the Great Bend and Seward areas, died Jan. 16 at her home in Dennis. She was born May 3, 1950, at Larned, the daughter of Ray and Edna Yingling Henry. She was a 1968 graduate of St. John High School and a graduate of Hutchinson Community College. She was a beautician in Great Bend until she moved to Parsons in 1987 where she worked as a beautician and a day care provider. Survivors include her husband, Ralph of the home; one son, Allen of Dennis; one daughter, Annette 'Annie' of the home; and two grandchildren, grandson Devon of Dennis and granddaughter, Anayah of the home; one sister, Carol Ann Dyer of Halstead; and three brothers, Rick Henry of Houma, La., Pete Henry and Terry Henry, both of Great Bend. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Ronald Henry. A memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Church in Seward, with Father Rene Guesnier officiating. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Church School in Parsons.
Jesse Thomas Basgall
1986-2004
LA CROSSE - Jesse Thomas Basgall, 17, died Jan. 25 at his residence in La Crosse. He was born Feb. 7, 1986, at Great Bend, the son of Thomas Lloyd Smallridge Jr. and Angela Rose Basgall. A lifelong resident of La Crosse, he was a student. Basgall was a member of Harvest Church of La Crosse, class president of his sophomore class, a three-year letterman in football and a member of FFA. Survivors include his parents; two brothers, Ryan Fidelis Basgall and Jack E. Basgall, both of La Crosse. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in La Crosse, with the Revs. Charles Mazouch and Jeff Goss officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Jesse Basgall Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Teri Jo Wright Korf
1963-2004
LARNED - Teri Jo Wright Korf, 41, died Jan. 24 at St. Joseph Memorial Long Term Care in Larned. She was the daughter of Clyde Jr. and Carol Petersen Wright. She married
Lyle Korf Nov. 2, 1997, at rural Hanston. They were divorced. A resident of Larned since August 2003, coming from Burdett, she was owner and operator of Reflections Hair Stylist. Korf was a member of Faith Fellowship Church in Hanston, The Fathers House Church of Larned and American Legion Auxiliary of Burdett. Survivors include her father and his wife, Betty, of Larned; one brother, Troy Wright of Macksville; and two step-sisters, Michelle Brown of Larned and Becky Hahn of Belpre. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Revs. Bret Hill and Roger Alford officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Heartland Cancer Center in care of the funeral home.
Charles J. Florian
1919-2004
WILSON - Charles J. Florian, 84, died Jan. 24 at Wilson Nursing Center. He was born June 9, 1919, at Lucas, the son of Jarry and Marie Tlamka Florian. He married
Vera Eloise Warner June 2, 1936, at Wilson. A resident of Wilson, coming from Lucas, he worked in the communications business and was owner and operator of Florian Hardware, retired from Cashco. Florian was a member of ZCBJ Lodge of Wilson, and Wilson United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Jerry Florian and Jim F. Florian, both of Wilson and Jeffery A. Florian of Russell; two daughters, Barbara Scheureman of Topeka and Debbie A. Whitmer of Wilson; and two sisters, Sylvia Echer of Lucas and Alice Dishman of Lexington, Neb. He was preceded in death by one brother, Frank Posusta; one sister, Mary Cerber; two grandchildren, Danny Whitmer and Michael Whitmer; and one great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Kristine Bair officiating. Burial will be at Lincoln City cemetery. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Foster Mortuary in Wilson and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Wilson Nursing Home, both in care of the funeral home.
Wayne T. Conard
1917-2004
TIMKEN - Wayne T. Conard, 86, died Jan. 25 at his residence in rural Timken. He was born Aug. 22, 1917, in rural Rush County, the son of Elmer Alexander and Rosa May Keast Conard. He married
Eldora Bortz Nov. 6, 1946, at rural Rush County. A lifelong Rush County resident, he was a farmer and a stockman. Conard was a member of United Methodist Church in La Crosse, Walnut City Lodge No. 215 for 59 years, Rush County Fair Board president for 25 years, an inductee into the Kansas Fair Association Hall of Fame, a 4-H leader, Kansas Poultry Association president, Rush County 4-H poultry judging team coach for over 20 years and a member of Walnut Valley Senior Center. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Terry W. Conard of Timken and Dale E. Conard of Nickerson; one daughter, Christie Bittel of La Crosse; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arlyn E. Conard and Russell K. Conard. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Revs. Marilyn Christmore and Mark Conard officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m., and from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Walnut Valley Senior Center in Rush Center in care of the funeral home.
The Rev. Roy Edward '˜Ed' Palmer
1948-2004
PARADISE - The Rev. Roy Edward 'œEd' Palmer, 55, died Jan. 21 at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn. He was born May 8, 1948, at Russell, the son of Willard James and Marjorie Belle Keller Palmer. He was a 1966 graduate of Luray High School and completed a business degree for Fort Hays State University in 1970. He married
Teresa Rondeau Adair Oct. 21, 1994, in Lyons. A resident of Waldo, Paradise and Chase. He managed the Midway Coop in Osborne for a few years then worked as a commodities dealer and in computer sales for several years. He was pastor of Paradise and Waldo United Methodist churches for the past 18 months. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Jon Palmer of Larned and Michael Palmer of Hays; two stepsons, Erick Adair of Lakeside, Calif., and Jeffery Adair of Mayer, Ariz.; one stepdaughter, Jennifer Trout of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; his mother and stepfather, Marjorie and Bill Green of Waldo; one brother, John Palmer of Luray; one stepsister, Roxie Tate of Houston, Texas; and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jimmie Lee Palmer. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Paradise United Methodist church, with the Revs. Carl Ellis and Dan Rondeau officiating. Burial will be at Grand Center cemetery near Waldo. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m.. today at Pohlman-Heise Mortuary in Russell and from 11 a.m. to service time Monday at the church. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Paradise United Methodist Church, Waldo United Methodist Church or Fairview University Medical Center Adult BMT Accommodations of Minneapolis, Minn., all in care of the mortuary.
