Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Frank Heinz
1903-2004
ELLINWOOD - Frank Heinz, 100, died Jan. 14 at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood. He was born Nov. 1, 1903, in rural Ellinwood, the son of Peter and Mary Robl Heinz. A lifetime Ellinwood area resident, he was a retired farmer and truck driver for Wolf Mill in Ellinwood. Heinz was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Ellinwood and life member of Knights of Columbus No. 1187. Survivors include one sister, Margaret Feist of Ellinwood. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Jake Heinz, John Heinz, Pete Heinz and Ed Heinz; and three sisters, Mamie Hammeke, Kathryn Jenisch and Loretta Heinz. Altar Society rosary will be at 3 p.m. today at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home, followed by Knights of Columbus rosary. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Revs. John Maes and Gerald Hammeke officiating. Burial will be at Sts. Peter and Paul cemetery, north of Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Long-term Care of Ellinwood District Hospital or Heritage Club Roof Fund, both in care of the funeral home.
Francis D. Blackburn
1923-2004
ROZEL - Francis D. Blackburn, 81, died Jan. 12 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born Jan. 6, 1923, at Larned, the daughter of Herbert A. and Anna Cosgrove Bell. She married
Wayne B. Blackburn Dec. 23, 1962, at Larned. He died Feb. 15, 2001. A resident of Pawnee County, she was a homemaker and a retired registered nurse. Mrs. Blackburn was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Larned. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Paul Bell; and three sisters, Mary Dickson, Rose Clark and Anne Bell. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Dennis Reed officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from noon until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Edith Carey Crawford Garey
1903-2004
STAFFORD - Edith Carey Crawford Garey, 100, died Jan. 9 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born April 11, 1903, at Stafford, the daughter of Harve S. and Bertha C. Carey Crawford. She was a 1921 graduate of Stafford High School. She married
Marshall W. Garey Dec. 7, 1921, at Stafford. He died Sept. 14, 1988. A lifetime Stafford County resident, she was a homemaker. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, past church secretary and communion steward, a member and past president of United Methodist Women, past 4-H leader, cub scout den mother, founding president of Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Society, National Huguenot Society, National Society Magna Charta Dames, Daughters of the American Colonists, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Daughters of Colonial Wars, United States Daughters of 1812, Dames of the 17th Century, North Star Community Club and served as regent of Kanza Chapter, state recording secretary, Southwest District director of Daughters of the American Revolution. Survivors include one daughter, Byrd C. Ford of Stafford; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four sons, John S. Garey, Marshall W. Garey Jr., James D. Garey and Robert C. Garey; one sister, Loise Reiter; and two grandchildren, Janie and Patrick Garey. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church in Stafford, with the Rev. Kasey Crosby officiating. Burial will be at Stafford cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church elevator fund or Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Society, in care of Minnis Chapel of Stafford.
Katherine Hickel Petz
1914-2004
Katherine Hickel Petz, 89, of Great Bend, died Jan. 13 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Nov. 27, 1914, at Galatia, the daughter of Conrad and Marie Brecht Krom. A resident of Great Bend since 1948, coming from Hoisington, she was a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Gerald Hickel of Great Bend; one daughter, Patricia Green of Great Bend; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Gary Lee Hickel; five brothers and four sisters. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Shannon Vogelezang officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to service time Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Great Bend, in care of the funeral home.
Oscar I. Beck
1922-2004
LAWRENCE - Oscar Irvin Beck, 81, died Jan. 10 at Brandon Woods Retirement Community in Lawrence. He was born April 30, 1922, in Melvern, the son of Oscar Irvin Sr. and Hazel Goldsmith Beck. He married
Pauline Dill on Feb. 1, 1942, in Lawrence. She died Jan. 17, 2002. A resident of Lawrence,coming from Holyrood, he was a retired oil field pumper and a self-employed oil field maintenance operator. Previously he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, was a postmaster for the Crow Agency Indian Reservation in Montana, worked in the coal mines in Burlingame and owned the Cozy Cafe in Burlingame in the early 1950s. Beck was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and American Legion Post No. 200. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during World War II. Survivors include one daughter, JoAnn Seitz of Lawrence; one brother, Russell Beck of Emporia; five sisters, Anita Faulkner and Ione Monroe, both of Osage City, Velma McMillin of Hoisington, Wiona Brown of Lawrence and Irene Sattler of Newton; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lawrence Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will be held later at Holyrood cemetery in Holyrood. There is no visitation, cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Oscar I. Beck Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral chapel.
Howard D. '˜Sleepy' Ewert
1925-2004
Howard D. 'Sleepy' Ewert, 78, of Great Bend, died Jan. 11 at his home. He was born Feb. 18, 1925, in Newton, the son of Sam and Linda Thimm Ewert. He married
Dixie M. Bledsoe May 10, 1947, at Wichita. A resident of Great Bend since 1972, coming from Bristow, Okla., he had worked as office manager for Rains and Williamson. Ewert was a member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Mike D. Ewert of Lee's Summit, Mo.; one daughter, Linda Heitland of St. Louis, Mo.; one brother, Stan Ewert of McPherson; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by one sister, Marge Bledsoe. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at McPherson cemetery in McPherson. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church, both in care of the funeral home.
Eual E. Douglas
1912-2004
LARNED - Eual E. Douglas, 91, died Jan. 10 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. He was born Sept. 18, 1912, at Cloud Chief, Okla., the son of Joseph F. and Idelger Bratcher Douglas. He married
Donna M. Wonsetler Oct. 28, 1933, at Larned. A resident of Larned since 1928, coming from Weatherford, Okla., he was a farmer and carpenter. Douglas attended First Christian Church in Larned. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Larry Douglas of Antelope, Calif., Dennis Douglas of Gas City and Steven Douglas of McAlester, Okla.; one daughter, Donna Kay Maska of Hays; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Jesse Douglas, Charles Douglas, Clyde Douglas, Ted Douglas, Albert Douglas and Joseph Douglas; and one sister, Gladys Scott. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the mortuary.
Gerald J. Boos
1941-2004
ELLIS - Gerald J. Boos, 62, died Jan. 9 at Comanche County Hospital in Coldwater. He was born Dec. 30. 1941, in Hays, the son of Paul P. and Irene Leiker Boos. He attended Ellis schools. Boos was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his parents of Ellis; three brothers, Thomas Boos of Great Bend, Dennis Boos of Salina and Mark Boos of Ellis; and four sisters, Amelia 'Millie' Winterscheidt of Oakley, Rita Younger of Ellis, Lila Margreiter of Chanute and Barbara Barkley of Lindenhurst, Ill. He was preceded in death by one infant sister, Lucy Boos. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis. Burial will be at St. Mary's Church cemetery in Ellis. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Wasinger Funeral Chapel in Ellis.
Herlan S. Miller
1902-2004
Herlan S. Miller, 101, of Great Bend, died Jan. 10 at his home in Great Bend, where he was lovingly cared for by his son, Lee. He was born Aug. 21, 1902, in Lane County, Kansas, the son of Marion and Anamillia Hobbs Miller. He married
Edith Ester Cavanaugh Nov. 18, 1925. He was a farmer and stockman in Gove County. His passion was breaking horses and raising cattle. After retirement in 1976, they moved to Great Bend where they joined the Senior Citizens Center and Silver and Gold Club, where they made many friends and enjoyed playing cards. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years together until her death in 1990. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith; one son, Harold; three sisters, Bernice, Vernie and Olive; and his twin brother, Merlan, who died at the age of 98. Survivors include one son, Lee Miller of Great Bend; one daughter-in-law, Dorothy Miller of Great Bend; six grandchildren, Bob Miller of Indianapolis, Ind., Cathy Peacock of Lowell, Ark., Ron Miller of Highland Ranch, Colo., Larry Miller of San Diego, Calif., Pam Finley of Lowell, Ark., and Sandy Mull of Great Bend; nine great-grandchildren, Angelia Peacock of Lowell, Darcy Rakaskas of Wichita, Craig Miller of Wichita, Wes Turnbull of San Ramon, Calif., Carrie Miller of Wichita, Marcus Mull of Great Bend, Brandon Miller of Highland Ranch, Luann Miller and Dustin Miller, both of San Diego; and two great-great-grandchildren, Breann Peacock of Lowell and Audrey Turnbull of San Ramon. He will be missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Senior Citizens Center of Great Bend or Golden Belt Hospice, both in care of Charter Funerals of Great Bend. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Grummon officiating.
Arthur R. Jones
1929-2004
BONNER SPRINGS - Arthur R. Jones, age 74, of Bonner Springs and previously of Goodland, passed away Jan 10 at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, Mo. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, with burial to follow in the Bonner Springs cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Bonner Springs Educational Foundation or St. Elizabeth's School in Kansas City, Mo., both in care of Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, 214 Oak St., Bonner Springs, KS 66012; (913) 422-4074. Art was born March 13, 1929, on a farm near Ogallah in Graham County. He was a graduate of Hill City High School and went on to receive a bachelor of science and masters of science degree in education from Fort Hays State University. While at FHSU he was a varsity football letterman. In 2002, Art was inducted into the FHSU Alumni's Half-Century Club. Art was drafted and served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His career in education began as an elementary school teacher and principal in Winona and continued as a teacher and elementary school principal in Great Bend. He worked as a banker at Farmer's National Bank in Osborne from 1972 to 1975 and Goodland State Bank (later renamed Bankwest) in Goodland from 1975 until his retirement in 1994, where he continued serving on the Bankwest board of directors until his passing. Art was a longtime member of the Lion's Club and the American Legion. He was a member of the Selective Service Board since 1981. Art's retirement years were spent tending to his garden with his wife Mary and following the activities and events of his five grandchildren. He was an avid fan of the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. He was preceded in death by his father William Jennings Jones; mother Ethel Belle Gordon Jones; sisters Arbutus Persinger, Mary Lofstead, and Maude Staples; and brothers James, Leslie and Lester Jones. Art is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Elizabeth Garrison Jones; daughter Arla and partner Kimberley Kreicker of Lawrence; son Michael and wife LeAnn and their sons Shawn and Aaron of Bonner Springs; and son Joel and wife Jane and their daughters Bridget, Kate and Tess of Kansas City, Mo.; brothers Leonard Jones of Arvada, Colo.; Francis Jones of Norton and Darrell Jones of Oberlin; and sister Ada Belle Jones Tomanek of Wakeeney; as well as several nieces and nephews. Alden-Harrington Funeral Home of Bonner Springs was in charge of arrangements.
Father Jacob J. '˜Jake' Dreher
1917-2004
Father Jacob J. 'Jake' Dreher, 86, of Great Bend, died Jan. 11 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born March 17, 1917, at Liebenthal, the son of J. Phillip and Mary Rohr Dreher. He was the youngest of 13 children. He attended grade school at St. Joseph's School in Liebenthal and St. Joseph's Military Academy in Hays for high school and two years of college. He took philosophy and theology studies at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. Father Dreher was ordained by the Most Reverend Christian H. Winkelmann in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception Convent Sept. 18, 1943, in Great Bend. His first assignment was assistant pastor at St. Mary's Cathedral in Wichita on Sept. 27, 1943. After only 13 months, he was given his first pastorate at Mother of God Church in Oswego. On Dec. 16, 1946, he was named pastor of St. Mary of Moline where he served less than two years before being transferred to St. Joseph of Offerle with St. Mary of Hodgeman County as a mission. In 1955, he became pastor of St. Anthony of Fowler where he served for 10 years. During his tenure a new rectory was built and the church was extensively renovated. Much of the furnishings of the latter were the products of his personal skills as a carpenter and a metal craftsman. Father Dreher also served as pastor or administrator of the following parishes: St. Michael of La Crosse; St. Joseph of Scott City; Holy Family of Odin; St. Joseph of Beaver; and St. Catherine of Dubuque. Father Dreher retired in Great Bend on July 2, 1991, and celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Sept. 18, 2003. Father Dreher was a craftsman who enjoyed carving and making clocks. His timepieces always included symbolic and ornate carvings. He created more than 125 clocks and sold 68 when he moved from the rectory at Odin. In addition to his parish assignments he served the diocese in the following positions: diocesan building committee, diocesan consulter, diocesan pastoral council, priests, senate and diocesan priest's trust fund. Survivors include one sister, Helen Albert of Mt. Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Vincent Dreher, Anton Dreher, Frank Dreher, Lewis Dreher, Rudolph Dreher and Phillip Dreher; and six sisters, Catherine Herrman, Anna Koechner, Sister Mary Phillip, Theresa Dreher, Clara Dreher and Agatha Schuckman. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today followed by Knights of Columbus Rosary, all at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Most Rev. Ronald N. Gilmore officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's cemetery in Liebenthal. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Holy Family School Endowment, in care of the funeral home.
