Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Oneida Coleman Bell
1920-2004
There Has Been a New Arrival in Heaven! Oneida Bell, 83, left this earth on Friday to join her husband, True Balus Bell. She was born June 6, 1920, at Dalhart, Texas, the daughter of James Alexander and Ella Fair Riddle Coleman. As a loving wife and mother she followed True's work making homes in Paris, Ark.; Alemeda, Calif.; Superior, Wyo.; and Great Bend, where True worked the Kansas oilfields. Her last years were spent in Hutchinson, Kan., with her daughter, Francis Everson. She was a member of Colonial Heights Assembly of God in Wichita, Kan., where she served as a Sunday school teacher, newsletter volunteer and sang in the choir. She married
True Balus Bell on Jan. 14, 1939. He preceded her in death in November of 1979. From their union three children were born: Francis Ann Everson, Hutchinson; James Ray Bell, Hutchinson; and Steven Wayne Bell, Fort Scott, Kan. Three daughters-in-law also survives her: Mary Lackrone Bell, Sharon McLaughlin and Paula Keene; 10 grandchildren: David Glen Everson, Michael Scott Bell, Christopher John Everson, Melissa Lynn Bell, Rebekah Hope Enke; Daniel John Bell, John Mark Bell, Stephen Josiah David Bell, Michelle Moore and Brian Messmer. Seven great-grandchildren: Timothy Everson, Larry Mendoza, Darin Tru Bell, Kari Andrene Everson, Amber Moore, Sara Moore and Alexis Messmer. Oldest of 14 children, Harold Ray Coleman, Clynelle Gamble, Emogene Cox, Arthur Paul Coleman, Charles Ralph Coleman, Jerry Jack Coleman, Donald Bruce Coleman, Judy Sue Alexander, Joe Russell Coleman, and Sammy Lou Campbell survive her. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Carl Coleman; and infant brother, Troy; and baby sister, Nancy Ruth. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 11 at the Resthaven Mortuary Chapel in Wichita. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday at Resthaven. In appreciation of their services, Memorials may be sent to Reno County Hospice in care of the mortuary or Colonial Heights Assembly of God of Wichita. Funeral arrangements provided by Resthaven Mortuary* 11800 West Kellogg Wichita, KS 67209
Alvena Elaine 'Red' Carpenter
1922-2004
Alvena Elaine 'Red' Carpenter, 81, died May 7 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 14, 1922, in Radium, the daughter of Earl and Jesse Ballinger Carr. She married
Arnold Carpenter April 23, 1947, in South Berwick, Maine. A longtime resident of Otis, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Carpenter was a member of the Otis United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Chuck Carpenter of Great Bend and Curt Carpenter of Olathe; one daughter, Carol Schmidt of Salina; two sisters, Beulah Vratil and Maxine Heueisen, both of Great Bend; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Parker, Earl and Clair Carr. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Interment will be at Otis Methodist cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the church. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Otto H. Niedens
1918-2004
Otto H. Niedens, 85, died May 7 at Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Mo. He was born Nov. 18, 1918, in Hodgeman County, Kan., the son of Henry J. Niedens and Bertha 'Bitter' Niedens. He married
Rosie Boxberger Dec. 12, 1945, at Susank. A longtime resident of Hoisington, he was a retired mechanic for Spears-Lehning Buick in Hoisington for eight years and for Dove Buick, Olds & Cadillac in Great Bend for 20 years. Niedens was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428 and American Legion Post No. 286, all of Hoisington. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gerald Niedens of Harrisonville, Mo., and Doyle Niedens of Macon, Ga.; one brother, Albert Niedens of Great Bend; three sisters, Leona Karst of Great Bend, Viola Dumler of Milberger and Lola Wilkes of Rose Hill; and three grandchildren. preceded in death one brother Marvin Niedens. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Garry Dassow officiating. Interment will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Mary Margaret Ann Tenbarge
1933-2004
Mary Margaret Ann Tenbarge, 70, of Great Bend, died May 7 at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation. She was born July 4, 1933, in Cheney, the daughter of Edwin F. and Cecil L. Forward Tenbarge. She received a teachers certificate from Newman University, Marymount College, Bachelor of Science in science and education and a second degree in home economics, Kansas State University with a master's degree in secondary education and home economics. A resident of Great Bend since 1999, coming from Wichita, she was a teacher at La Crosse, Wichita, Garden City and Great Bend, and served as principal for four years at Immaculate Conception High School of Great Bend. She served 23 years as a nun with Dominican Sisters, appointed director of religious education with the Dodge City Diocese, was director of food service at St. Mary's Hospital in Garden City in 1979, and moved on to food service director at St. Joseph Medical Center, Ponca City, Okla. In 1999, Sister Urban Hitschman welcomed her to Cedar Park Place as an associate to the Dominican Sisters. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Edward Tenbarge; and two sisters, Emma Jean Hird and Audrienne Marie Rippee. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at Dominican Chapel of the Plains in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with the Rev. Warren Stoecklein officiating. The body will lie in state from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Monday, all at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, in care of Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road
Vincent Jerome Arends
1942-2004
LAUREL, Md. - Vincent Jerome Arends, 61, died April 25 at his home in Laurel. He was born Nov. 16, 1942, in Great Bend, the son of Nicholas Louis Sr. and Agnes Arends. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after high school. After his initial sea duty, he spent nearly two years in schools learning how to operate and maintain the equipment on submarines and learning about nuclear power. Vince's first ship was the USS Bashaw, an old World War II diesel submarine. He was then transferred to USS Tiru, also a WW II Queen. He then requested and was transferred to the Nuclear Power School. Upon completion of the school he was transferred to the shipyard where the USS Haddock fast attack nuclear submarine was being built, where he helped commission the ship. After serving on this ship for several months, he was transferred to the shipyards where the USS Simon Bolivar was being built, a ballistic missile submarine. He also helped commission this ship, on which he finished his Navy career. A few years after getting out of the Navy he joined his two brothers, Nick and Leonard, on the USNS Vanguard, an Apollo Tracking ship home ported in Port Canaveral, Fla. When the Vanguard was being scheduled to go to Argentina for a year, he took a job on the USNS Redstone, a missile tracking ship home ported out of Port Canaveral. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, in March 2001. He retired on disability in July 2001 from TFE of Greenbelt, Md., a computer maintenance company under contract to NASA, where he was a mainframe engineer. Vince was a member of the Laurel Rotary Club and served as president 2002- 2003. While growing up, he was active in Scouting and 4-H in Claflin. He had been 4-H president and junior leader in electricity. He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was a high priest and served as a stake missionary and later as a ward missionary. He also served in many other positions including secretary of the High Priest Quorum. Vince was lighthearted, optimistic and had a great sense of humor. He loved his friends and family. He was strong, maintained a positive attitude and was heroic throughout his illness until the Heavenly Father called him home. Survivors include his wife, V. Carol Arends of the home; one son, Michael Arends of Laurel; one daughter, Trelana Frazee of Laurel; his mother of Great Bend; two brothers, Leonard P. Arends of Tehachapi, Calif., and Thomas Arends of Gilroy, Calif.; three sisters, Judy Wahaus of Salina, Linda Axtel of Mohave Valley, Ariz., and June Garrett of Claflin; and five grandchildren, Jeffrey Kempt, Tylor Frazee, T.J. Frazee, Tony Frazee and Travis Frazee. He was preceded in death by one son, Vincent Jerome Arends Jr.; his father; and one brother, Nicholas Arends Jr. Vince was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and loved his family deeply. Funeral was April 30 at Church of Latter-day Saints in Laurel, with Bishop Dennis Windley officiating. Burial was at Fort Lincoln cemetery. Memorials are suggested to ALS Association, 615 South Frederick Ave., Suite 308, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
Edward A. Demel
1922-2004
HOISINGTON - Edward A. Demel, 81, died May 6 at Cherry Village Residential Care in Great Bend. He was born July 26, 1922, at rural Odin, the son of Joseph A. and Mary Lamatsch Demel. A lifetime resident of Barton County, he was a farmer. Demel was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, American Legion Post 286, Veterans of Foreign Wars 7428, all of Hoisington, Knights of Columbus 2630 in Odin and a life member of Disabled American Veterans. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II and receiving the Purple Heart. Survivors include three brothers, August Demel and Stephen Demel, both of Claflin, and Jerome Demel of Rose Hill; and two sisters, Viola Axman of Olmitz and Irene Mattas of Wilson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clarence Demel; and six sisters, Mary Gerritzen, Margaret Neuschafer, Ann Wondra, Mathilda Schneider, Eleanor Fiedler and Theresa Demel. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with Knights of Columbus rosary to follow. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John Catholic cemetery in Hoisington, with military committal rites conducted by VFW and American Legion. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Clara Barton Foundation, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 North Main, P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Marilyn Ruth Hutchison
1928-2004
Marilyn Ruth Hutchison, 75, of Great Bend, died May 1 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Dec. 21, 1928, at Lyons, the daughter of Arthur R. and Eunice Holdren Newkirk. She was a 1946 graduate of Trego County High School, attended Kansas State University and received her bachelor of arts from the College of Emporia in 1951. She married
Stuart M. Hutchison Sept. 9, 1951, at Lyons. A resident of Great Bend since 1968, coming from Topeka, she was owner and operator of The Hutch in Great Bend from 1978 to 1997. Mrs. Hutchison was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Chapter HR of PEO, Athenian Club and Pilot Club. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Jon and Cindy Hutchison of Monument, Colo., and Jay and Wendy Hutchison of Littleton, Colo.; two daughters, Janet and Alan Luttrell of Pratt, and Julie and Bruce Deterding of Wichita; one brother, Dr. Howard Newkirk of Overland Park; and 10 grandchildren, Curtis Luttrell, Brett and Lindsay Luttrell, Lindsey Luttrell, Melody Hutchison, Jon Hutchison II, Alexandra Hutchison, Ryan Hutchison, Jenny Hutchison, Kyle Deterding and Kelby Deterding. She was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Newkirk. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home* 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
William Collett Brummett
ELGIN, Ill. - William Collett Brummett, Elgin, Ill., passed away Wednesday, May 5, at his home. He was born in Chrisman, Ill., to Hugh and Frances Brummett, and had been a resident of Elgin for the past 48 years. He was a major and pilot in the Army Air Force in World War II, and was sent by the U.S. government to Great Britain to learn air and sea rescue and flight control before the United States entered the war. He set up operations at several air bases in the United States for the new experimental B-29 aircraft, and was also sent to Jamaica for operations for the British and United States. He was in charge of flight control at Salina and at the Great Bend Army Air Force bases, and remained in the reserves at O'Hare Military Base for 20 years after active service. He married
Beverly J. Phillips on Sept. 15, 1945, at First Methodist Episcopal Church in Great Bend. He was a graduate of Danville High School, Danville, Ill., and a graduate of Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind. He was agency superintendent for United States Fidelity & Guaranty in Chicago for 31 years before retiring. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Anchor Lodge Masons of Danville, Scottish Rite Society, Medinah Temple, American Air Museum of Great Britain, Military Officers Association, and the American Legion, Elks Lodge and Golden K Kiwanis Club of Elgin. He is survived by his wife Beverly Phillips Brummett of Elgin; two daughters, Holliday B. Milby-Hardin of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mellody B. Gartley-Berlage of Hanover, Germany; and two granddaughters, Blythe C. Milby of Phoenix and Rachel C. Gartley of New York City, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., Elgin. Private burial will be in Kansas. Visitation will be at the time of services only. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Golden K Kiwanis Club of Elgin or to Wabash College, Crawfordville.
Bryan L. Hiss
1962-2004
LYONS - Bryan L. Hiss, 41, died May 5 at his residence in rural Lyons. He was born Oct. 30, 1962, in Great Bend, the son of Lawrence and Elinor May Bryant Hiss. He was a 1981 graduate of Lyons High School. A lifetime resident of Lyons, he was a farmer. Hiss was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Lyons and former member of Fairplay 4-H Club of Lyons. Survivors include his parents of Lyons; one brother, Richard L. Hiss of Great Bend; one sister, DeAnn Hauser of Humboldt; and his grandmother, Clara Bryant of Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Richard Andrus officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Lakin Comanche cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons, with family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the church or Sunflower Diversified Services, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Sillin Funeral Home 214 West Ave. South Lyons, KS 67554
Richard Lee Ehler
1930-2004
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Richard Lee Ehler, 74, of Santa Barbara, Calif., was born July 11, 1930, in Holyrood to Katie (Schmitt) and John Ehler. He moved with his parents to Great Bend where he attended junior high and high school, graduating in 1948. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant. His early employment years were with General Electric in Binghamton, N.Y., Tucson, Ariz., and Santa Barbara. At the time of his death, he was president of Richler & Company in Santa Barbara. He was an author and publisher, most recently of the Print Media Advertising series. He was active in civic affairs, a member of Toastmasters International and served as district chairman, and a member of Unity Church. He is survived by a son, Quinton John Ehler of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Victor Hochstatter of Great Bend; and many cousins who mourn his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Paul Ehler; and one grandson, Chad Richard Ehler. Private services were held after his death on Feb. 20. Memorials may be made to Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502; St. Paul's UCC Church, P.O. Box 26, Holyrood, KS 67450; or a charity of the donor's choice.
