Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Bernice Clarene Becker
1918-2004
Bernice Clarene Becker, 85, of Great Bend, died April 30 at Hospice House in Hutchinson. She was born May 22, 1918, at Nettleton, the daughter of Adolph and Ethel Welch Unruh. She married
Elmer L. Becker April 3, 1938, at Newton. He died Dec. 18, 1989. A resident of Hutchinson for the past year, coming from Great Bend, she was a homemaker. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Jerry L. Becker of Hutchinson and Ronald G. Becker of Gilbert, Ariz.; one sister, Leota Ross of Eudora; seven grandchildren; one step-grandchild; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Unruh. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
Clifford E. '˜Ed' Stephens
1931-2004
ELLINWOOD - Clifford E. 'Ed' Stephens, 72, died April 30 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Oct. 21, 1931, at Cleveland, Okla., the son of Clifford E. and Stella Boggs Stephens. He married
Hope Calico and then later married
June Redman Hamby. An Ellinwood resident for over 40 years, formerly of Tulsa, Okla., he was a pro ball player for the Boston Braves and St. Louis Cardinal organizations as a pitcher, and owner of Jet Well Service and StepCo Well Service of Ellinwood. Stephens was a member of Vintage Wheels Car Club of Great Bend, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign War and past master of Ellinwood Masonic Lodge, all of Ellinwood. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife June of the home; two sons, Mark Stephens of Las Vegas, Nev., and Dr. Gregory Stephens of Grosse Ille, Mich.; two step-daughters, Rita Orndoff of Ellinwood and Sheila Hacker of Bolivar, Mo.; one sister, Donna Lundsford of Medicine Lodge; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; three step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa. Funeral service will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Calvary Baptist Church in Ellinwood with the Rev. Roy Savage officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Area Health Care Foundation and Ellinwood Garden Club, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Kimple Funeral Home 113 N. Main Ellinwood, KS 67526
Billy Sue Brown
1940-2004
OVERLAND PARK - Billy Sue Brown, 63, died June 28 at St. Francis Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla. She was born Sept. 22, 1940, at Bache, Okla., the daughter of Kenneth and Christine Harton. She married
Hewitt Young. They divorced. She married
Keith Brown in Iola. They divorced. A resident of Overland Park, coming from Ohio, Wichita, Iola and Oklahoma, she was a former employee of Iola Pharmacy, the Jones Store, Jacobson's and recently at Saks Fifth Avenue on the Plaza. Survivors include three sons, Guy Young of Moran, Kevin Young of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Jay Young of Overland Park; one daughter, Kimberly Sue Young of Grandview, Mo.; one brother, Kenny Harton of Great Bend; three sisters, Rita Garnett of Oklahoma City, Okla., Amber Spencer and Sherrie Beckman, both of Pittsburg; and eight grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola with the Rev. Adam Stang officiating. Burial will be at Highland cemetery in Iola. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association, in care of the funeral chapel. Funeral arrangements provided by Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel 16 N. Buckeye Iola, KS 66749
Scott Michael Bryant
1961-2004
ELLSWORTH - Scott Michael Bryant, 42, died June 29 at Ellsworth. He was born Sept. 22, 1961, in Great Bend, the son of Wilbur O. and Doris E. Prather Bryant. Survivors include four brothers, Steven A. Bryant of Concordia, Dennis L. Bryant of Ellinwood, John W. Bryant and Martin Bryant, both of Great Bend; and one stepsister, Patty Jo Tibbets of Quinlin, Texas. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Ellsworth cemetery in Ellsworth, with Chaplain Herbie Harris officiating.
Howard M. Buhrle
1933-2004
WICHITA - Howard M. Buhrle, 70, died Wednesday, June 23, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 22, 1933, in Syracuse, to the late Walter and Anita Buhrle. He was owner of Automatic Doors of Kansas before retiring. Howard was an elder and active member of Central Christian Church of Wichita. He loved farming, the outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed. Howard was an incredible role model, giving unconditional love, selfless sacrifice and endless support over these many years making a difference for all who touched his life. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Zaylon; daughter, Lisa Hanscom and husband Roy, and their son, Luke, of Houston, Texas; sons, Mark Buhrle and wife Betty and children Joel and Jessica of Parkville, Mo., Timothy Buhrle of Wichita; brother, Don Buhrle and wife Mary of Great Bend; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends whom he held closely to his heart. For those so desiring, memorials may be made to Central Christian Church, 2900 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67226. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, June 29, at Downing & Lahey Mortuary, 6555 East Central, Wichita. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at Central Christian Church, Wichita. Interment will follow at Maize Park cemetery, Maize. Condolences may be sent to the family via www.downingandlahey.com. Funeral arrangements provided by Downing & Lahey Mortuary* 6555 East Central Wichita, KS 67206-1997
Earl L. Schremmer
1935-2004
BEAVER - Earl L. Schremmer, 69, died June 28 at his residence in Beaver. He was born May 18, 1935, at Hoisington, the son of August R. and Adelia G. Depiesse Schremmer. He married
Helen R. Phillips March 11, 1989, at Great Bend. A longtime resident of Beaver, he was a farmer and owner of E&R Service in Beaver for 43 years. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, American Legion Post No. 286, both of Hoisington, Holy Family Council No. 2630 Knights of Columbus of Odin, president of St. Joseph cemetery at Beaver, Beaver Volunteer Fire Department and Hoisington Horseshoe Club. Earl was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hunting. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one stepson, Nathan Lopez of Gillette, Wyo.; one stepdaughter, Annette Burton of Great Bend; his father, August R. Schremmer of Hoisington; four brothers, Jim Schremmer of Russell, Ron Schremmer of Blue Springs, Mo., Bill Schremmer and Gene Schremmer, both of Hoisington; three sisters, Patricia Proksch and Lois Klug, both of Hoisington, and Karen Bishop of Great Bend; four grandchildren, Keshia Burton, Aaron Burton, Adam Lopez and Evan Lopez; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Adelia 'Dale' Schremmer. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Knights of Columbus rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 1, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Hoisington, with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Beaver, with flag presentation and taps. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph cemetery Fund or Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, 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
Thomas S. Jones
1905-2004
RICHLAND, Wash. - Thomas S. Jones, 98, of Richland died March 21 at Kennewick Life Care Center in Kennewick, Wash., from complications of pneumonia. He was born Dec. 15, 1905, on the family farm south of Cameron, Mo., the oldest son of J. Lake and Goldie Alice Jones. He attended Park country school, Cameron High School and Missouri Wesleyan College, all of Cameron. After graduation he worked for General Mills, where he invented a product later marketed as Bisquick. He also was a grain inspector for the state of Kansas in Wellington and Dodge City. In 1943, he moved to Richland to work for the U.S. government at the Hanford Atomic Reservation, part of the highly classified Manhattan Project. He helped design and oversee the construction of the 'B' nuclear reactor. After World War II, he continued to work for DuPont as a metallurgist in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. He continued to educate himself throughout his life. His idea of light reading was scientific journals and physics publications. He enjoyed books and seldom watched television, except for Pittsburgh Steelers games. He enjoyed a good mind until his death. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Jane, in January 2004. Survivors include three children from a previous marriage, Elizabeth Ann Caldwell of Anchorage, Alaska, Evelyn Alice Sanborn of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Dr. Edward Lake 'Dusty' Jones of Great Bend; and grandchildren including Sheila Jones and Kim Vink, both of Great Bend, Thomas Jones of Overland Park and Matthew Jones of North Holywood, Calif. Graveside service and inurnment was June 12 at Graceland cemetery in Cameron.
Velma Louise Abrahamson
1919-2004
GARFIELD - Velma Louise Abrahamson, 84, died June 24 at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt. She was born Dec. 2, 1919, at Larned, the daughter of John O. and Ara Mae Clark Barger. She married
Roy W. Abrahamson May 15, 1940, at Garfield. He died Nov. 25, 1997. A lifetime resident of Garfield, she was a retired secretary for the state of Kansas and a farmer. She was a member of Garfield Lutheran Church and Community Card Club, both of Garfield. Survivors include one son, Stanley Abrahamson of Lee's Summit, Mo.; two daughters, Thyla Aldrich of Larned and Tamara Gold of Plano, Texas; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Eunice Schultz and Fern O. Warner Harris. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. Ken Walker officiating. Burial will be at Garfield cemetery in Garfield. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Monday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Garfield cemetery Tree Fund or Garfield Lutheran Church, both in care of the mortuary. Funeral arrangements provided by Beckwith Mortuary Inc. Box 477 Larned, KS 67550
Zela Dora Wilson
1910-2004
Zela Dora Wilson, 93, of Great Bend, died June 24 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation. She was born Nov. 15, 1910, at Glade, the daughter of Lynn Theadore and Elizabeth Libby Watson Elliott. She married
Edward Wilson July 15, 1928, at Glade. A resident of Great Bend, she was an employee of Woolsworth, C.O. Mammel of Ellinwood, Ellinwood District Hospital and a volunteer for Central Kansas Medical Center of Great Bend. She was a member of Golden Belt Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Edward D. Wilson of Tulsa, Okla., and Robert Z. Wilson of Ellinwood; one brother, Leonard Elliott of Phillipsburg; two sisters, Ruth Stanley of San Diego, Calif., and Reba Friese of Fairfield Bay, Ark.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one son, Danny Eugene; three brothers; and four sisters. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Charter Funerals Chapel with the Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to M. D. Anderson, St. Jude Cancer Research Dept., in care of the funeral chapel. Funeral arrangements provided by Charter Funerals Chapel 2115 Washington Great Bend, KS 67530
Linda M. Wilson
1944-2004
CLAFLIN - Linda M. Wilson, 59, died June 24 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Dec. 21, 1944, at Formoso, the daughter of Melvin and Geraldine Samuelson Joerg. She married
William A. 'Bill' Wilson Dec. 23, 1962, at Courtland. A resident of Claflin for 25 years, she was employed by CPI Qualified Planned Consultants Inc. She was a member of United Methodist Church and treasurer of United Methodist Women, both of Claflin, Breast Friends Support Group of Hoisington, a volunteer for Barton County Relay For Life and a die hard KU Basketball fan. Survivors include her husband of Claflin; two daughters, Shari L. Wilson and husband Chris Steineger of Kansas City and Dana S. Moore and her husband John of Lyons; her mother, Geraldine Joerg of Courtland; two brothers, Kenneth Joerg of Formoso and Charles Joerg of Carson City, Nev.; and four grandchildren, Austin Ferguson, Dalton Ferguson, Caitlin Ferguson and Demi Moore. She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Joerg. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church in Claflin with the Rev. John Radenberg officiating. Burial will be in Claflin cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. to service time Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Angel Flight West or American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main St. Hoisington, KS 67544
Glenn H. Sprague
1931-2004
Glenn H. Sprague, 73, of Great Bend, died June 24 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born May 23, 1931, the son of Harold W. and Mabel C. Cole Sprague. He married
Faye E. Ecklund Feb. 15, 1951, at Denver, Colo. They were divorced. A resident of Great Bend for one year, coming from Elizabeth, Colo., he was a contractor. Sprague was a member of American Legion of Elizabeth and was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include three sons, Michael Sprague of Hays, Steven Sprague of Denver and Karl Sprague of Great Bend; and nine grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or services. Memorials are suggested to Central Kansas Library System in care of Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530
