Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Martha Myrtle Sprague
GALENA -- Martha Myrtle Sprague, 85, of Galena, died at 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 2, 1999, at Barker Rest Home of Galena, after an illness.
She was born Dec. 8, 1913, at Galena She was a resident there all her life.
She married Floyd Williams on Nov. 24, 1934, at Galena. He preceded her in death Feb. 3, 1969. She then married Harry Sprague on Dec. 29, 1980, at Harlingen, Texas. He preceded her in death July 15, 1998.
She worked as a grocery clerk for Nu-Way Grocery, Karbe's Grocery, and Piggly Wiggly Grocery stores of Joplin, Mo., until retiring in 1975.
She was a lifetime member of the Retail Clerk's Union, and was a member of the Apostolic Faith Church at Baxter Springs.
Survivors include three sons, Don and Dennis Williams, both of Pittsburg, and Dan Williams, of Joplin; a brother Renice Phipps, of Harbor City, Calif; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Derfelt Funeral Home, 1116 Main St., Galena, with the Rev. Paul Clanton officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena. Arrangements are under the direction of the Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.
William Barcus Jr.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- William Barcus Jr., 81, formerly of Joplin, Mo., died Monday morning, Jan. 3, 2000, at his home in Bentonville, Ark.
He was born Dec. 20, 1918, in Oswego, to William and Leona Dunham Barcus. He lived on a farm outside Oswego and graduated from Altamont High School.
Mr. Barcus was a veteran of World War II. He was engaged in farming, raising cattle and hogs, hauling feed grain and remained physically active throughout his life.
He married Nina Charlene Parrish on July 18, 1952, in Bentonville. She preceded him in death April 5, 1999.
They lived for more than 30 years in Joplin. They moved to Bentonville in 1996 to live with his daughter.
Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Bastian, of Bentonville, and Janet Barcus, of Granby, Mo., and a grandson.
He was preceded in death by nine older brothers and sisters.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. Craig Gavin will officiate. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.
Mildred M. Barrow
GIRARD -- Mildred M. Barrow, 83, of Girard, died at 10:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at Medicalodge South, Pittsburg.
She was born March 2, 1916, at Girard, to J. Roscoe and Bess Kennedy Clutter. She grew up and attended schools in Girard and graduated from Girard High School in 1934.
She married Roscoe W. Barrow on Sept. 3, 1936, near McCune. He preceded her in death Nov. 20, 1984.
They were lifelong farmers southwest of Girard.
Mrs. Barrow was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Girard, a former Sunday School teacher and past president and officer in United Methodist Women. She also was a member of the Quo Vadis Sunday School class.
Survivors include a daughter, Treva Sherman, of Pittsburg; a son, Wendell D. Barrow, of Girard; and four grandsons.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Girard. Rev. Lucille Barb will officiate. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, were friends may call after 2 p.m. today. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Girard.
C. Dale King
JOPLIN, Mo. -- C. Dale King, 65, of rural Joplin, Mo., died at 10:20 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at the Galena Nursing Center, Galena, after a long illness.
He was born July 4, 1934, at Neosho, Mo., to Clifford "Hap" and Mildred Newby King. He had lived in rural Joplin for the past 34 years, moving from Webb City, Mo.
He began working in the grocery business in 1952, while living in Webb City. He began managing the IGA Thriftway in Galena, in 1965. The name of the business was changed to Dale's IGA after he purchased the store in 1976. More recently, the name was changed to Dale's Apple Market.
Mr. King married Sandra Hance on June 1, 1952, in Eureka Springs, Ark. She survives.
Additional survivors include two sons, Michael D. King, of Galena, and Randy King, of Baxter Springs; two daughters, Brenda Smith, of Galena, and Kim Martin, of Riverton; his mother, Mildred King, of Joplin; three brothers, Wes King and Lloyd King, both of Joplin, and Gary King, of Republic, Mo.; a sister, Gaye Wentworth, of Farmington, N.M.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, at First Baptist Church, Galena. The Rev. Howard Whiteley will officiate. Mr. Roy L. Derfelt will be the eulogist. Burial will be in Carl Junction Cemetery, Carl Junction, Mo. Arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena.
Eugene Emmett 'Pat' McFarland
LIBERAL, Mo. -- Eugene Emmett "Pat" McFarland, 78, of Liberal, Mo., died at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000, at Barton County Memorial Hospital, Lamar, after a lengthy illness.
He was born March 29, 1921, at Crystal Lake, Iowa, to Emmett Leroy and Alma Anna Lemme McFarland. He resided in Liberal since 1945.
Mr. McFarland married Viola M. Edgar on April 13, 1946, at Olathe. She preceded him in death April 20, 1982. He married Polly Coble on May 8, 1983, at Liberal. She preceded him in death Nov. 3, 1986.
He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in the Liberal Post Office for 30 years. He was promoted from postal clerk to postmaster and retired in 1983.
Mr. McFarland was a past president of the Liberal Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the Liberal Methodist Church and the Liberal Lions Club. He was active in all community affairs.
He was well-known in Masonic Lodge activities throughout the state of Missouri. He was a Past Master of Herman Lodge No. 187 of Liberal. He belonged to the following Masonic related bodies: Past High Priest of Lamar Chapter No. 101 Royal Arch Masons, and also served as Grand Chaplain; a member of Carthage Council No. 41 of Cryptic Masons, also served as Grand Tiler; Past Commander of O'Sullivan Commandery No. 15 Nevada; Past Sovereign of St. Andrew Conclave Red Cross of Constantine; Past Preceptor of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templer Priests; Ray V. Denslow York Rite College; Royal Order of Scotland; Life member and K.C.C.H. Scottish Rite of Joplin; Sword of Bunker Hill; Past Patron Mt. Hope Chapter No. 74 Lamar Eastern Star; and Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield.
Mr. McFarland received the Harry S. Truman Award from Grand Master Thomas K. McGuire in 1988. He was the Deputy Grand Lecturer of the 43rd District for 27 years. He received s 50-year Masonic pin in November of 1999.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, served in the South Pacific in the United States Navy as gunners mate during World War II. He also belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post of Liberal.
Survivors include four step-daughters, Donna Bundy, of High Point, N.C., Ruth Brunner and Betty Danner, both of Carthage, Mo., and Janet Snyder, of Midland, Texas, and two nieces.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Loymeyer-Konantz Chapel, Lamar. The Rev. Brian Chaffin will officiate. Burial will be in Liberal City Cemetery, Liberal. Masonic services will be held at 7 p.m. today, at the funeral home with visitation following.
Richard W. Potter
CHETOPA -- Richard W. Potter, 58, of rural Chetopa, died Monday morning, Jan. 3, 2000, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin,, Mo., from injuries sustained in an auto accident at North High School St. and Highway 160 in Columbus.
He was born March 4, 1941, at Lowell, to John R. and Mildred Kitch Potter.
He lived most of his life in Cherokee County and graduated from Riverton High School in 1959. He attended Friends University at Wichita. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1965 with a vocational agricultural degree.
Mr. Potter married Rebecca Shugart on June 2, 1962, at Wichita. She survives of the home.
He and his wife moved to Webb, Iowa, to farm with his in-laws and teach in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.
In 1979, the family returned to southeast Kansas, where he farmed and was a substitute teacher in Columbus and Oswego school systems. After the Neosho flood in 1986, Mr. Potter acquired his RRT and worked as a respiratory therapist in Coffeyville and Miami, Okla.
He had been a member of Friends churches in Iowa and southeast Kansas. He had been worshipping at the United Methodist Church of Columbus for the past 19 years.
Additional survivors include his parents of Riverton; a son, John R. Potter, of Topeka; three daughters, Ruth Fischer, of Plano, Texas, Betty Epler, of rural Columbus, and Sarah Tyree, of Scammon; a brother, John A. Potter, of Riverton; two sisters, Mary Walters, of Vero Beach, Fla, and Cheryl Roberts, of Beeville, Texas; an uncle; five grandchildren; 10 aunts; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, in the United Methodist Church, Columbus. The Rev. Bob Whitaker will officiate. Burial will be in the Friends Friendship Cemetery, northwest of Columbus. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus. Arrangements are under the direction of Murdock Funeral Home.
Richard E. 'Ootie' Roberts
TOPEKA -- Richard E. "Ootie" Roberts, 73, of Topeka, died Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, at his home.
He was born Sept. 13, 1926, at Pittsburg, to John G. and Margaret Bolinger Roberts.
He graduated from Pittsburg High School and attended Pittsburg State University.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945.
Following World War II, Mr. Roberts worked for the Kansas Highway Patrol from 1949 to 1984, retiring as sergeant.
Upon retiring he served in the U.S. Marshal's Office and worked part-time for Laird Noller Ford in Topeka.
He married Phyllis Roma Wray on March 3, 1950 at Pittsburg. She preceded him in death Nov. 13, 1996.
Mr. Roberts was past chairman of the KHP Retiree Committee. He was a member of the Topeka North American Legion Post No. 400. He also was a member of the Shalom Lodge No. 225, Arab Shrine Temple and International Association of Laryngectomies.
Survivors include three sons, Don W. Roberts and Kelly W. Roberts, both of Topeka, and Jon D. Roberts, of Wichita, and six grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 7, 2000, at First Baptist Church, 3033 S.W. MacVicar, Topeka. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Topeka. Friends may call after 4 p.m. today, at Parker-Price Mortuary. Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today, at Parker-Price Mortuary. Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Price Mortuary, Topeka.
Flora Mae Stricklin
FRONTENAC -- Flora Mae Stricklin, 70, of Frontenac, formerly of Aurora, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, in Pittsburg.
She was born in 1929, in Lebanon, Mo., to William R. and Ora A. Dismang Lowery.
She was a retired nurses' aide and cook.
Survivors include her mother; two sons, William Stricklin, of Norman, Okla., and Ronnie Stricklin, of Cassville, Mo.; two daughters, Beulah Scott, of Cassville, and Ethel Anderson, of Frontenac; a brother, James Lowery, of Lebanon; two sisters, Cynthia Evans, of Lebanon, and Janie Barber, of Buffalo, Mo.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchilren.
She was preceded in death by her father; her husband, Charles; and a sister, Bessie Perry.
Services will be today at 2 p.m., at Peterson Funeral Chapel, Aurora. Burial will be in Clay Hill Cemetery.
John Allen Bartos
WALNUT -- John Allen Bartos, 79, of Walnut, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at his home.
He was born Feb. 22, 1921, at Muskogee, Okla., to John and Mary Samak Bartos. He graduated from St. Paul College at Paris.
Mr. Bartos taught school for 32 years at New Mexico and Walnut. He retired in 1965 and moved to Oceanside, Calif. He returned to Walnut in January of 1999.
He was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Walnut. Mr. Bartos helped design and build the present St. Patrick's Catholic Church following a fire which destroyed the original church.
Survivors include a sister, Virginia Mark, of Branson, Mo.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Father Joe Bartos in 1998.
Mr. Bartos has been cremated. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Walnut with Father Thomas Scaletty officiating. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial and Memorial mass will be Saturday at the San Luis Rey Mission at Oceanside.
Alois R. Bieber
COLUMBUS -- Alois R. Bieber, 63, of Columbus, died at 9:50 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, at Freeman Hospital at Joplin, Mo., after a long illness.
He was born Aug. 25, 1937, at Dodge City. He graduated from high school at Kinsley. He attended college at Fort Hays State College at Hays, and received his jurist's doctrine from Wahsburn University in 1962.
Mr. Bieber lived in Pittsburg from 1962 until 1967, and lived in Columbus, where he practiced law, since 1967.
He married Clione Beckwith on Aug. 30, 1959, at Larned. She survives of the home.
Mr. Bieber was a member of the Methodist Church, the American Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association, and the Lions Club.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Jeff Bieber of Joplin and Todd Bieber of Atchison; a sister, Joan LaOrange of Pocatello, Idaho; a brother, Sidney Bieber of Salina; and a grandson.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Methodist Church at Columbus, with the Rev. BobWhitaker and Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. The family requests that members of the bar association and their wives be seated together. Burial will be at Park Cemetery at Columbus. Mr. Bieber will lie in state from 4 until 7 p.m. today at the Simpson Funeral Home of Columbus. The family will receive friends at their home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Simpson Funeral Home of Columbus.
Loren Marvin Cribbett
LAMAR, MO. -- Loren Marvin Cribbett, 89, of Lamar, Mo., died at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001, at the ABC Health Care Center of Harrisonville, Mo., after a long illness.
He was born Aug. 16, 1911, at Barton County to George Walter and Hattie O. Phelps Cribbett. He was a lifetime area resident.
Mr. Cribbett served in the Army during World War II.
He married Jean Duke. She preceded him in death.
He was a former iron worker.
Mr. Cribbett was a member of the American Legion, Post No. 209 of Lamar.
Survivors include a sister, Josephine Wellbaum of Springfield, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his wife; and four brothers, Wayne, Richard, Walter and Lester.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Daniel Funeral Home of Lamar. Burial will be at the Memory Gardens of Lamar. Military rites will be performed by VFW Post No. 3691 of Lamar.
Karen Marie Gudgen
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. -- Karen Marie Gudgen, 55, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., died Dec. 31, 2000, after a long illness.
She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1967.
Survivors include her husband, Richard; a daughter, Amy; her father, George L. Coaker of Foley, Ala.; and her sister, Ruth Ann Hiebl of Foley.
She was the daughter-in-law of the late Mr. and Mrs. Prentice E. Gudgen of Pittsburg.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Blount Curry and Roel Carrollwood Chapel.
