Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Annette M. Pellett
1953-2004
BOULDER, Colo. - Annette M. Pellett, 50, of Boulder died July 6 of liver disease in Lafayette, Colo. She was born Oct. 28, 1953, the daughter of Leonard and Edna Kathman Miller, in Great Bend. She married
Kenneth Pellett. They divorced. She lived in Boulder County from 1975 until her death. Survivors include three sons, Scott Pellett, David Pellett and Tim Pellett, and one grandson. A memorial service has taken place. Contributions may be made in her name to Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive E, Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026. Funeral arrangements provided by Avalon Funeral Home 1320 Central Village Drive Lafayette, CO 80026
Michael J. Walts
1950-2004
Michael J. Walts, 54, died July 8 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born April 10, 1950, at Hadley Hospital in Hays, the son of Claire Edgar and Edna Lucille Hocker Walts. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State University, his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas Law School, and received certifications from the National Graduate Trust School and Trust Management School, Northwestern University; and Graduate School of Bank Investments, University of Oklahoma. He married
Mary Brandt on Oct. 1, 1981, in Las Vegas, Nev. She survives. On Feb. 1, 1988, Michael and Mary moved to Great Bend where he took a position as president and chief executive officer of First United National Bank and Trust and later as first vice president of Commercial Federal Bank. He was currently serving as the president and CEO of American State Bank in Great Bend. He had been a resident of Great Bend since Feb. 1, 1988, coming from Bellevue, Neb., Lawrence, Kan., and Hill City, Kan. Walts was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church; the Joyful Noise Gospel Ensemble; former chairman, board member and current member of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce; Mid-Kansas Economic Development past board member and chairman of the board; Barton County Community College Foundation past board member and chairman; Vision 2000 Steering Committee member, Central Kansas Development Inc. board member; Golden Belt Community Foundation investment committee member; Kansas Bankers Association, Kansas Bar Association, Nebraska Bar Association and Golden Belt Bankers Association. Survivors include his wife Mary of the home; two sons, Nathan Walts and wife Briana, Lawrence, and Taylor Walts, Great Bend; one daughter, Courtney Walts, Wichita; two brothers, Charles O. Walts and wife Cherry, San Marcos, Texas, and Timothy L. Walts, Hill City; one sister, Judith Stricker and husband Tom, Hill City; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. James Strasen and the Rev. Jim Hawthorne officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Christian Legal Organizations Alliance Defense Fund or First Presbyterian Church of Hill City or Idana Children's Mission Fun, Idana Presbyterian Church, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Bonna Reinhardt
1925-2004
MISSION, Texas - A former Great Bend resident, Bonna Reinhardt, 78, died July 3 in a hospital in Mission, Texas, following a long illness. She was the wife of Dr. Donald Reinhardt, a Great Bend dentist for many years. Bonna was born Aug. 20, 1925, at Cimarron, KS, the daughter of Charles and Daisy Maxfield. The family later moved to Garden City where Bonna attended school. She earned a degree in home economics in 1948 from Kansas State University, then taught school for several years. She married
Donald Reinhardt in August of 1949, and after he completed dental school, they moved to Great Bend in 1954. Bonna was active in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, was involved in genealogy and historical society groups, and served on several committees during her active membership in First United Methodist Church, Great Bend. She was an active homemaker and enjoyed many friendships. The body was cremated. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Forest at Stone, in Great Bend. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church or the Barton County Historical Society. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons - Russell and wife Theresa of Apple Valley, CA, and Jon of Tulsa, OK; three daughters - Mrs. Norm (Cathy) St. Laurent, Lawrence, KS; Carol, Manhattan, KS; and Mrs. Kirk (Cindy) Rettig, Cincinnati, OH. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, including Erica and Alexis Reinhardt, Apple Valley, CA; Aaron, Laura and Matt Reinhardt of Tulsa, OK; and Jessica and Cassie Rettig, Cincinnati, OH.
Sherry Lynn Bowsher Barnett
1943-2004
WEST COVINA, Calif. - Sherry Lynn Bowsher Barnett, 60, died July 3 at her home in West Covina, Calif. She was born July 20, 1943, at Springfield, Ohio, the daughter of Donald A. and Dorothy D. Rinker Bowsher. A resident of West Covina for 30 years, coming from Wichita, she was a psychiatric technician for the State of California and had worked in home health care. She was a member of Chapel of Peace Christian Church in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. She had been an active member of the Argonne Rebel Drum and Bugle Corps in Great Bend. Survivors include one daughter, Jacque Richter, Great Bend; two sons, Paul Barnett and David Barnett, both of California; one sister, Vickie Cole, Hays; one half-sister, Betty Yetschke, Great Bend; and one halfbrother, Donald Bowsher Jr., Great Bend. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Great Bend cemetery, with the Rev. Diana Coberly officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Humane Society or First Congregational United Church of Christ, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Sandra L. Newkirk
1941-2004
HOISINGTON - Sandra L. Newkirk, 63, died July 7 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born June 5, 1941, at Ellis, the daughter of Walt and Grace Mickelson Crist. She married
Frank Newkirk Dec. 26, 1970, at Great Bend. A resident of Hoisington since 1970, moving from Great Bend, she was a homemaker and CNA. Mrs. Newkirk was a member of the Tuesday Night Bowling League in Hoisington. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Richard Newkirk, Hutchinson, and Travis Newkirk, Hoisington; one daughter, Debi Von Lintel, Wamego; her father of Pawnee Rock; four brothers, Dale Carr Jr., Pawnee Rock, John Carr, Great Bend, Gordon Crist, Texas, and Ed Crist, Wilson; four sisters, Janet Flint, Great Bend, Gloria Callaway, Pratt, Tonia Appel, Larned, and Karen Gilkey, Hutchinson; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Hoisington Little League Baseball or American Lung Association, both in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home P.O. Box 146 - 415 North Main Hoisington, KS 67544
Eddie Ralph Walker
1927-2004
MACKSVILLE - Eddie Ralph Walker, 77, died July 7 in rural Macksville. He was born May 1, 1927, in rural Macksville, the son of Clarence Sheldon and Sara Wilhemena Johnson Walker. He graduated from Macksville High School in 1946. He married
Jennie Pearl McBride on May 15, 1949, at Radium. A lifetime resident of the area, he was a farmer-machinist and owner/operator of Walker Bros. Manufacturing in Macksville. Walker was a member of the Macksville Christian Church. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Ricki Lee Walker, Seward, and Ronnie Allen Walker, St. John; two daughters, Rhea Darlene Overbey, Macksville, and JoLinda Rae Rains, Salina; one brother, Vernon Walker, Bella Vista, Ark.; one sister, Julia Maple, Wichita; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Terryl Wayne Walker; five brothers, Francis Walker, Harold Walker, Johnny Walker, Russell Walker and Wayne Walker; and two sisters, Edna Chandler and Ruby Beamer. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Carey Haner officiating. Burial will be at Farmington cemetery in Macksville. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Minnis Chapel in Macksville. Memorials are suggested to the church or American Diabetes Association, both in care of the funeral chapel. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel Inc. P.O. Box 34 St. John, KS 67576
Gerald N. Schartz
1928-2004
HAYS - Gerald N. Schartz, 75, died July 6 at Hays Medical Center. He was born Dec. 30, 1928, at Great Bend, the son of Nick and Aileen Kimpler Schartz. He married
Shirley Ross on June 10, 1953, at Hays. Schartz served in the U.S. Army and worked in the oil fields, was a security guard and a B and W factory representative. Schartz was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. Survivors include his wife of the home; five sons, Gerald E. 'Butch' Schartz of Ellis, David L. Schartz of Hays, Stephen E. Schartz of Denver, Colo., and Mark A. Schartz and Alan D. Schartz, both of Salina; five daughters, Jeannine 'Sue' Martinez of Denver, Karen Stadelman of Perryton, Texas, and Laura Schartz, Debra Douglas and Marilyn 'Mernie' Schartz, all of Ellis; four brothers, Vernon Schartz of Oregon, Norbert 'Bert' Schartz of California, Tom Schartz of Arizona and Pat Schartz of Ellinwood; two sisters, Mary Bowes and Clare Desales 'Saley' Fiest, both of Ellinwood; 22 grandchildren; and eight great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by a son, Rick Schartz; four brothers, Kenneth Schartz, Charles Schartz, Loren Schartz and Leon Schartz; and a sister, Celesta Bennett. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. July 16 at the church. Inurnment will be in St. Joseph cemetery in Hays. A memorial has been established with Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home 20th and Pine Hays, KS 67601
Thomas L. Wilson
1908-2004
Thomas L. Wilson, 95, of Great Bend, died July 6 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. He was born Aug. 25, 1908, near Larned, the son of Opal and Mae Golden Wilson. He married
Lela Parker on Sept. 2, 1933, at Trousdale. A resident of Great Bend for 10 years, coming from Pratt, he was a farmer and also had worked for Cross Manufacturing in Lewis, was manager of R&R Tank in Pratt and worked for Southwest Truck, also in Pratt, retiring in 1994. Wilson was a member of First United Methodist Church in Trousdale, a 50-year member of the Mason Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star and the Elks Lodge in Pratt. He also had served on the Trousdale, Kansas, School Board. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Donna Thill, Great Bend; three grandchildren, Kristie Thill of Great Bend, David and Shellie Thill of Great Bend, and Michelle Doll of Fort Collins, Colo.; four great-grandchildren, Emilie, Ashlie and Thomas Thill, Great Bend, and Sean Doll, Fort Collins, Colo. He was preceded in death by a sister, Opal Gray. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Christian Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Interment will be at Belpre cemetery in Belpre. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at First Christian Church. Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in Great Bend or First United Methodist Church in Trousdale, all in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Laird L. Metheny
1927-2004
NORTON - Laird Lee Metheny, 76, died July 4 at Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colo. He was born July 15, 1927, at Morland, the son of John J. and Lillian Ila Wanamaker Metheny. He grew up in the Norton-Graham county areas and graduated from Bogue High School. He married
Alberta Edgett on Aug. 3, 1952, at Hill City. They lived in the Lenora area until 1966, when they moved to Norton where Laird was a mechanic and shop foreman for Norton County. Laird was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Harmonson-Redd American Legion Post No. 63, Eagles and United Commercial Travelers of America, all of Norton. He was also a member of the Norton City Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years. Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Sheryl Smith, Golden, Colo., Deona Cook, Norton, and Connie Holliday, Claflin; two brothers, Morris Metheny, McPherson, and Delmar Metheny, Vienna, Va.; one sister, Norma Catron, Whittier, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Eleanor Milner and Mary Newson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Enfield Funeral Home in Norton, with the Rev. Jeff Nielsen officiating. Interment will be at Norton cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Laird Metheny Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Enfield Funeral Home of Norton 215 W. Main Norton, KS 67654
Marian B. Mayberry
1907-2004
ELKHART - Marian B. Mayberry, 97, died July 5 in Austin, Texas. She was born Jan. 18, 1907, in Great Bend, the daughter of Willis and Avice Bolinger. She was raised in Kansas and attended the University of Kansas where she was affiliated with Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. On Aug. 11, 1929, she married
Willard Mayberry of Emporia. He preceded her in death. In the 1930s they moved to Elkhart, where they purchased the Elkhart Tri State News and soon followed with other business ventures, including a car dealership, rental properties and ranching. Mrs. Mayberry was a member of the PEO sisterhood and supported numerous scholarships at Emporia State University. While in Elkhart she served as an officer of the library board and in the women's circles of the Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn Hilgers of Arvada, Colo., and Jocelyn 'Jolly' Schram of Austin; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Carey and Margaret Eldredge. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Elkhart cemetery, with the Rev. James L. Brackett officiating. Funeral arrangements provided by Garnand Funeral Home P.O. Box 854 Elkhart, KS 67950
Edward J. Schukman
1920-2004
HAYS - Edward J. Schukman, 83, died July 6 at Hays Medical Center. He was born Nov. 24, 1920, at Hays, the son of Jacob and Bertha Kohn Schukman. He married
Sybillia Giebler on June 14, 1949, at Hays. She died Feb. 3, 1989. Prior to his retirement, he was the vocational agriculture instructor at Hays High School for 37 years. Schukman was a member of St. Joseph's Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Hays. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Survivors include four sons: Jay Schukman of Richard, Va., John Schukman of Leavenworth, Kevin Schukman of Hays and Mark Schukman of Great Bend; one daughter, Ruth Schukman-Dakotas of Desoto; two brothers, Jacob Schukman Jr. of Battle Creek, Mich., and Ralph Schukman of Hays; one sister, Irene Leiker of Hays; and nine grandchildren. Parish vigil service will be at 7 tonight at Brock's North Hill Chapel in Hays. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph's cemetery with graveside military honors by the Hays Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Hays Medical Center or Shantivanam House of Prayer in Easton, all in care of the funeral chapel. Funeral arrangements provided by Brock's North Hill Chapel P.O. Box 86 - 2509 Vine Street Hays, KS 67601
