Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Florence L. Melton
1908-2004
Florence L. Melton, 95, of Great Bend, died Jan. 10 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born May 18, 1908, in Topeka, the daughter of John and Freida Galloway. She married
Archie C. Melton Aug. 12, 1931, at Topeka. He preceded her in death. A resident of Great Bend for nine years, coming from Abilene, she was a homemaker and had worked at a landscape and greenhouse business in Topeka. Mrs. Melton was a member of Longford United Methodist Church of Longford and Rainbow Club of Abilene. Survivors include one son, Gale G. Melton of Pocatello, Idaho; one daughter, Darlene Bradford of Pawnee Rock; 10 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death one brother, John Galloway; and one sister, Mildred Galloway. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Burial will be at Rose Meron cemetery in Longford. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral chapel.
Thomas A. Anspaugh
1931-2004
HOISINGTON - Thomas A. Anspaugh, 72, died Jan. 9 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born July 12, 1931, in Atlanta, Mo., the son of Evert and Dora Peters Anspach. He married
Marleeta Barragan Oct. 2, 1987, at Great Bend. A resident of rural Hoisington since 1988, he retired from the U.S. Army in April 1972 with the rank of E-7 Signal Corps. Anspaugh was a member of the Protestant faith, lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428 in Hoisington and American Legion of Great Bend, OV-1 Mohawk Association, American Wing Museum Association of Minnesota, NAUS, TREA, retired member of Auctioneer Association and Good Sams Club. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving two tours in Germany and Vietnam and one tour in Korea. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Tom Anspaugh Jr. and Bill Southhall, both of Florida; two stepsons, Jon Barragan of Nashville, Tenn., and Jaimee Barragan of Fountain, Colo.; one stepdaughter, Jan Reece of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and several step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Allen Anspach. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. There is no visitation, cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to American Lung Association, in care of the funeral home.
Lucile Fletcher
1925-2004
BUCKLIN - Lucile Fletcher, 78, died Jan. 8 at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. She was born Aug. 31, 1925, in Ford County near Bucklin, the daughter of James Thomas 'Bud' and Barbara L. Eskew Lane. She was a 1943 graduate of Bucklin High School and a 1971 graduate of Dodge City Community College, receiving a licensed practical nurse certificate. She married
Carl W. Fletcher July 19, 1947, in Wichita. He died July 12, 1970. A lifetime resident of Bucklin, she was a homemaker and had worked as a LPN at Trinity and Human Hospital, both in Dodge City. Survivors include two daughters, Carol Swayze of Bucklin and Lois Ball of Great Bend; two brothers, Russell Lane of Bucklin and Elvin Lane of Hutchinson; two sisters, Maxine Cecil of Truth or Consequences, N.M., and Betty Speer of Bucklin; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Virgil Lane, Sylvan Lane and Lester Lane; and two sisters, Mary Hampe and Alta Harkey. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Minnis Mortuary Chapel in Bucklin, with the Rev. Jeff Hiers officiating. Burial will be at Bucklin cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Manor of the Plains, in care of the mortuary.
Victor F. Krmela
1935-2004
KANSAS CITY - Victor F. Krmela, 68, died Jan. 7 at Shawnee Gardens Nursing Center in Shawnee. He was born April 1, 1935, in Barton County, the son of Joseph and Libbie Pechanec Krmela. He was a 1954 graduate of Otis High School in Otis. He attended Conception Seminary from 1955 until his ordination in 1961. A resident of Kansas City for more than 20 years, he was ordained May 27, 1961, as a priest for Dodge City Diocese. He served as an assistant pastor at St. Rose of Lima in Great Bend, Sacred Heart in Pratt, St. John in Hoisington and St. Joseph in Ellinwood. He was pastor at St. Joseph in Greensburg, together with St. George in Bucklin. He was a member of a team ministry that served St. John the Baptist in Spearville, St. Lawrence in Jetmore, St. Anthony in Hanston, Holy Rosary in Burdett, St. Joseph in Offerle, St. Mary in Hodgeman County, and Sts. Peter and Paul in North Kinsley. He also served St. John in Kiowa and Holy Family in Timken as an administrator. In addition to his parish assignments, he served as chaplain at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend, diocesan vocation director, coordinator of diocesan marriage encounter program and assisted the tribunal office. After making the request to discontinue the exercise of priestly ministry May 17, 1979, he was employed by Social Security Administration as a computer printer operator until his death. Krmela was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Kansas City. Survivors include one aunt, Leona Krmela in Great Bend. Vigil and rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. today at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Timken. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Ann's cemetery in Olmitz. Friends may call from 4 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Cancer Support Group in Kansas City, in care of the funeral home.
Alva L. Hysom
1923-2004
KANOPOLIS - Alva L. Hysom, 80, died Jan. 9 at Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth. He was born Feb. 11, 1923, in Hutchinson, the son of Bert and Minnie Nelson Hysom. He married
Audrey Colvin June 19, 1943, in Hutchinson. A resident of Kanopolis since 1987, coming from Ellinwood, he was a retired United Methodist Church minister. Hysom was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kanopolis. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Steve Hysom of El Dorado and Jerry Hysom of Alburquerque, N.M.; two daughters, Sue Utterback of Salina and Sandy Hysom of Wichita; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at United Methodist Church, Ellsworth, with Reverend Steve Hysom officiating. A private family burial will take place prior to the service at Kanopolis cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Kanopolis United Methodist Church, Carneiro United Methodist Church, Ellsworth County Medical Center and Ellsworth County Historical Society, in care of the funeral home.
Robert Lee Rice
1924-2004
Robert Lee Rice, 79, of Great Bend, died Jan. 7 at Fair Acres Manor in Greeley, Colo. He was born Dec. 29, 1924, at Seldan, the son of Charles Burel and Freida Barnett Rice. He married
Evelyn F. Bruns July 20, 1946, at Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1940, coming from La Crosse, he was a carrier for U.S. Postal Service. Rice was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Post No. 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3111, all of Great Bend. He was a veteran of U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, serving in World War II and the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Linda Lee Voss of Williams Bay, Wis., and Kay Thompson of Eaton, Colo.; one brother, Burel Rice of Topeka; one sister, Betty Schmidt of Scott City; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Odessa Klein. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Revs. James A. Strasen and Bill Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery in Great Bend, with military committal rites by U.S. Navy. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church of the donor's choice, in care of the funeral home.
Inez M. Heidrick
1912-2004
BELOIT - Inez M. Heidrick, 91, died Jan. 7 at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit. She was born Dec. 14, 1912, at Hanover. She married
Edward J. Heidrick. He died in 1998. A resident of Beloit, she was a sales clerk. Survivors include four sons, Chuck Heidrick and Max Heidrick, both of Beloit, Don Heidrick of Anthony and Paul Heidrick of Great Bend; one brother, Dr. Franklin Donovan of Atchison; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Rosary will be at 7 tonight at McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Catholic Church in Beloit. Burial will be at St. John's cemetery in Beloit. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Heidrick Scholarship Fund, Solomon Valley Hospice or donor's choice, all in care of the funeral home.
Lawrence E. '˜Mick' Marlett
1921-2004
LARNED - Lawrence E. 'Mick' Marlett, 82, died Jan. 6 at Robert J. Dole Veterans Hospital in Wichita. He was born March 30, 1921, at Beeler, the son of James V. and Della K. Salmans Marlett. He married
Alma M. Smeltzer Sept. 29, 1940, at Kinsley. A resident of Pawnee County most of his life, he was a retired farmer and agricultural businessman and a former owner of A&W restaurants in Liberal and Great Bend. He was a member of First Christian Church, a charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7271, American Legion, past member of Larned Rotary Club, Fort Larned Lions Club and Larned Saddle Club, all of Larned. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Lawrence Vernal Marlett of Pleasant Valley, Mo.; one daughter, Karen M. Hall of Larned; one sister, Margaret Durler of Larned; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Raymond Dean Marlett; three brothers, Delmar Marlett, James A. Marlett and John W. Marlett; and one sister, Viola Kirchgassner. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned, with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Burial will be at Browns Grove cemetery in Burdett. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Larned Emergency Medical Services, all in care of the funeral home.
Janet Arlene '˜Jai' McWilliam
1949-2004
EMPORIA - Janet Arlene 'Jai' McWilliam, 54, died at her home Jan. 6. She was born April 6, 1949, at Lamar, Colo., the daughter of Irby 'Bud' and Nadine Arnold Hughes. She was a graduate of Great Bend High School. She married
Marvin Lee McWilliam May 12, 1990, in Emporia. A resident of Emporia, she was a retired housekeeper and cook at Holiday Inn in Emporia. Survivors include her husband of the home; one stepson, Frederick Allen McWilliam of Dallas, Texas; one stepdaughter, Melinda McWilliam of San Antonio, Texas; her mother of Augusta; and one sister, Joyce 'J.D.' Metcalf of Augusta. She was preceded in death by one brother, Walter Michael Hughes. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Towanda Community Church in Towanda, officiated by family members. Cremation is planned. Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia is in charge of arrangements.
Martin Sherman Williams
1940-2004
HANSTON - Martin Sherman Williams, 63, died Jan. 6 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in Jetmore. He was born Feb. 25, 1940, in Cambria, Okla., the son of Floyd Daniel and Osta Velma Sivil Williams. He married
Ann Blessing Feb. 23, 1980, in Great Bend. A resident of Hanston, he worked for Phillips Petroleum Company in Great Bend as a gang pusher for many years until his retirement in 2001. Williams was a member of United Methodist Church in Healy. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1956 to 1960. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1974 to 1985. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Darren Williams of Great Bend; one daughter, Lisa Williams of Olathe; his mother of Carlsbad, N.M.; one brother, Curtis Williams of Carlsbad; two sisters, Patty Courter and Carol Curbello, both of Carlsbad; and one grandchild. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel in Russell, with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial with full military honors by U.S. Army from Ft. Riley will be at St. John Lutheran cemetery in Russell. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to service time Friday at the mortuary. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to service time Friday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Jay Artaz 'I Can' Scholarship Fund or Hospice of the Prairie, both in care of the mortuary.
Lela L. Fields
1905-2004
Lela L. Fields, 98, of Great Bend, died Jan. 6 at Leisure Homestead in St. John. She was born March 27, 1905, at Panida, Ind., the daughter of Charles and Oma Nina Lesh. She married
Glenn Addison Fields Dec. 24, 1934, at Enid, Okla. He died March 13, 1991. A resident of Great Bend for 30 years, coming from El Dorado, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Fields was a member of First United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star and American Legion Auxiliary. Survivors include one niece, Marilyn Miller of Great Bend; one great-nephew, Sean Miller of Great Bend; one great-niece, Kim Sneath of Great Bend; and two great-greatnephews, Chance DeForest and Tyler DeForest, both of Great Bend. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Great Bend cemetery, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Leisure Homestead in St. John, in care of the funeral home.
