Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Robert Edmond 'Bob' Wyatt, Jr.
1920 - 2004
STERLING - Robert Edmond 'Bob' Wyatt, Jr. died on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004. He was born July 3, 1920, at Sterling, the son of Robert Edmond Wyatt, Sr. and Vella Pearce Wyatt. His mother died during childbirth and Bob was raised for two years by Aunt Amy and Uncle Cecil Hazlett until Granddad Wyatt married
Nina Cuthbertson. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elda Mae Bennett Wyatt; daughter Sheryl Fulton of Topeka; daughter Carol Kruse and husband Lonnie of Sterling; daughter Becky Frederick and husband John of Little Rock, Ark.; son Kent Wyatt and wife Diane of Abilene; brother Bill Wyatt and wife Fran of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother Dick Wyatt and wife Annie of Dodge City. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. In the 1940s, Bob and Elda were married
and spent several years in Anchorage, Alaska, where he worked for the Alaska Railroad. They moved to Seattle, Wash., where he worked on the docks for Anchorage Sand and Gravel. In 1951, they returned to Sterling where Bob came to work with his father at the People Savings and Loan Association. Visitation hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7, at the Sillin Funeral Home in Sterling. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, at the Sterling United Presbyterian Church, 207 N. Broadway, in Sterling. Burial will be at the Sterling cemetery following the church service. Memorials may be given to St. Anthony Indian Mission in Zuni, N.M., where Bob and Elda have supported several school girls for more than 20 years. Send checks in care of Sillin Funeral Home, 203 N. 7th, Sterling, KS 67579. Funeral arrangements provided by Sillin Funeral Homes and Granite Memorials 203 N. 7th Sterling, KS 67579
Hazel Beatrice Merten
1911 - 2004
LINDSAY, Okla. - Hazel Beatrice Merten, 93, died Oct. 31 at Lindsay Hospital. She was born Aug. 6, 1911, in Great Bend, the daughter of Oscar Lee and Nina Mae Smith. She married
George Merten in 1928. She had been a resident of Lindsay, Okla., since 1990. Mrs. Merten was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lindsay. Survivors include her daughters, Nina Hale of Lindsay, and Shirley Glenn Huffman of Bethany, Okla.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Merten; one son, Donald Merten; and one son-in-law, Kenneth Hale. Funeral Service will be at 2:30 p.m. today at the church in Lindsay. Memorials are suggested to the church or Lindsay Place. Funeral arrangements provided by B. G. Boydston Funeral Home 308 S.W. 3rd St. / P.O. Box 338 Lindsay, OK 73052
Clayton William Cooke
1998 - 2004
JUNCTION CITY - Clayton William Cooke, 6, of Junction City, passed away at his residence surrounded by his family and loved ones on Monday evening, Nov. 1, 2004. Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at the First United Methodist Church with the burial at Wreford cemetery. The Rev. Paul Wolf will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel in Junction City. Memorial contributions may be given to the Clayton W. Cooke Memorial Fund and/or United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, both in care of the funeral home. Clayton was born on Feb. 1, 1998, in Junction City, the son of Stacey and Laurie Steiner Cooke. He was a lifelong resident of Junction City, a student at Eisenhower Elementary and a member of the First United Methodist Church. Survivors include his parents, Stacey and Laurie Cooke of Junction City; three sisters, Bethany C. Cooke and her husband Adam, Katie E. Cooke and her husband Gene Wright, and Briana N. Cooke, all of Junction City; maternal grandmother, Barbara Steiner of Great Bend and paternal grandparents, William and Wilma Cooke of Junction City. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Clayton Steiner. Pallbearers will be Jim Steiner, Daniel Steiner, Adam Cooke, Harvey Bauer and Johnnie Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Wright, Larry King and William Cooke. Organist will be Jean Johnson. Funeral arrangements provided by Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel 203 N. Washington / P.O. Box 826 Junction City, KS 66441
Lucile A. Hager
1912 - 2004
OLATHE - Lucile A. Hager died Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, at the home of her daughter in Olathe, where she had resided the last three years. She and her twin brother were born May 10, 1912, on the family farm eight miles northwest of Chase, the daughter of Charles E. and Mary Ella Keyes Boldt. She was a 1929 graduate of Hutchinson High School and attended Hutchinson Junior College. She married
Charles I. Hager on Aug. 10, 1934, at Chase. Before moving to South Hutchinson, in 1992, she lived in Dodge City and Garden City. She also resided in Corpus Christi and Borger, Texas. She was a surgical nurse at Trinity Hospital in Dodge City, the bookkeeper and secretary for Isely Lumber Company, also in Dodge City, and a homemaker. Lucile was a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene where she served as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School director and missionary president. In addition to being an excellent cook, she was extraordinarily talented in sewing, embroidery and crocheting. Many friends, family members and neighbors were blessed with her special creations during the holidays. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; four brothers, Paul, Harold, Lowell and Wayne Boldt; and two sisters, Roma Bordelon and Rosalie Gilbert. Survivors include a daughter, Fayra L. Eckley and her husband Lyle, of Olathe; and a son, Eldon D. Hager and his wife, Dixie, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four grandchildren, Diane Fortner and Neil Hager, both of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Julie Gilmore, Olathe, and Charles Quinn, Lexena; and 12 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. with the funeral service at 6 p.m., in Garrett Chapel at College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe. Visitation will also be held Saturday at 10 a.m. with the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Hutchinson First Church of the Nazarene, in Hutchinson. Burial will be at Memorial Park cemetery, in Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Charles and Lucile Hager Nursing Scholarship Memorial at MidAmerica Nazarene University in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe. Lucile's family would like to thank Odyssey Health Care Hospice for their tender care at Royal Terrace Nursing Center and final days at home. The family also thanks Dr. Sebghati and nurse, Donna, for their loyal support and physical care, and the many friends, neighbors and College Church members who have provided prayerful support. Lucile's spirit now lives on in heaven. Her memory forever resides with family and friends. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. Funeral arrangements provided by Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home 142 75 S. Blackbob Olathe, KS 66062
August L. 'Augie' Zorn
1903 - 2004
ELLSWORTH- August L. 'Augie' Zorn, 101, died Nov. 2, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Retirement Village, in Ellsworth. He was born Sept. 3, 1903, in Odin, the son of Frank and Lena Shusky Zorn. He lived most of his life in Ellsworth, where he was a retired farmer and stockman. Zorn was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, American Legion Post 174, VFW Post 6485, and Knights of Columbus, all of Ellsworth. He was an Army veteran in World War II. Survivors include four sisters, Catherine Zorn of Ellsworth, Eleanor Bradford of Wichita, Mary Mog of Ellinwood, and Matilda Brown of Larned; and several nieces and nephews. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Parsons Funeral Home, in Ellsworth. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, in Ellsworth, with the Rev. Daniel Scheetz and the Rev. Charles Steier officiating. Burial will be at the Ellsworth cemetery with Military Rites. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Bernard's Catholic Church, or Good Samaritan Retirement Village in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Parsons Funeral Home 307 N. Lincoln Ellsworth, KS 67439
Leonard Kober
1913-2004
KINSLEY - Leonard Kober, 91, died Oct. 26 at Independence Manor Care Center, Independence, Mo. He was born Jan. 8, 1913, on the family farm near Albert in Barton County, Kan., the son of Frank J. and Josephine Krestine Kober. As a child and young adult he lived near Otis, Bison and LaCrosse. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he bought a farm near Garfield and Lewis, and later farmed between Lewis and Kinsley. As well as being a farmer and stockman, he drove the propane delivery truck for the Kinsley Co-op for 19 years. On June 19, 1946, he married
Mary Williams. She preceded him in death on Nov. 11, 2001. Survivors include: Two sons, Jim Singleton, Lake Tapawingo, Blue Springs, Mo., and Vernon Kober, Topeka; sister-in-law, Velma Kober, Hays; three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Kober; three sisters, Frances Ochs, Caroline Zimmer and Elsie; and brothers Bill Kober, Alfred Kober, Gus Kober, Frank Kober, Leo Kober, and Gerome Kober. A memorial celebration will be held for the family at 41 Clipper Dr., Lake Tapawingo, Blue Springs, Mo., on Nov. 20. The family suggests memorials to Independence Manor in care of Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, KS; Jim Singleton, 41 Clipper Dr., Lake Tapawingo, Blue Springs, MO 64015; or Vernon Kober, 2427 SW Western Ave., Topeka, KS 66611. Funeral arrangements provided by Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel 1901 N. 14th Ave. Dodge City, KS 67801
Michael R. Axman
1956-2004
OLMITZ - Michael R. Axman, 48, died Oct. 31 at his residence in Olmitz. He was born Feb. 10, 1956, in Great Bend, the son of Jerome T. and Betty Mae Smolik Axman. He married
Peggy Tomanek on Aug. 27, 1977, in WaKeeney. He had been a lifetime resident of Olmitz, where he was a mechanic for Jomax Construction. Axman was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz and was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Survivors include his wife, of the home; two sons, Chad Axman of Hutchinson, and Greg Axman of Olmitz; one daughter, Lisa Axman of Olmitz; his mother, Betty Mae Axman of Olmitz; two brothers, Joe F. Axman of Olmitz, and Paul Axman of Hoisington; three sisters, Lillian Palsmeier of Conway Springs, Barb Boldt of Oakley, and Rita Hickel of Hoisington; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father; infant son Joseph Jerome Axman; and one sister, Judy Axman. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today with Knights of Columbus Rosary following, at the church. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Ultan Murphy officiating. Burial will be at St. Ann cemetery, in Olmitz. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church. Memorials are suggested to Knights of Columbus Council No. 2100, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
Melba Ruth Bigham
1915-2004
ST. JOHN - Melba Ruth Bigham, 88, died Oct. 30 at Hynes Hospice Center. She was born Dec. 7, 1915, at St. John, the daughter of Marvin D. and Fannie M. Dowdy Broadfoot. She graduated from St. John High School in 1933. She married
Fred Benford in 1937, and then married
William H. Bigham in 1943. Both are deceased. A resident of Derby for four years, coming from St. John, she was a homemaker and worked in a department store. Mrs. Bigham was a member of the Church of Christ in St. John. Survivors include one son, William H. Bigham Jr. of Hot Springs, Ark.; three daughters, Mary Jo Mendenhall of Yakima, Wash., Judith Straw of Hampton, N.H., and Susan Green of Derby; and one brother, Marvin Broadfoot of Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Winford Broadfoot, and Frank Broadfoot; and three sisters, Alice Benford Abbey, Iva Wolf Marsh, and Mary Richardson. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Fairview Park in St. John, with the Rev. George Shelton officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Maude Carpenter's Children's Home in care of Minnis Chapel Inc. Funeral arrangements provided by Minnis Chapel Inc. 526 E. 4th St. John, KS 67576
Billy Gene 'Bill' Going
1922 - 2004
Billy Gene 'Bill' Going, 82, of Great Bend, died Oct. 28 at Centennial Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. He was born Feb. 5, 1922, at McPherson, the son of Vern and Pearl Sullivan Going. He married
Ella Louisa Bridgman on Oct. 27, 1947, at Topeka. A lifelong resident of Great Bend, he was a retired carpenter and had worked for Lindholm Construction Co. Going was a member of the First Christian Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 11th Armor Division. He was a life member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and Cheyenne Twisters Square Dance Club, all of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Ella, of the home; one son, Norris Going of Reston, Va.; one daughter, Marla Brack of Ft. Oglethorp, Ga.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at First Christian Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Entombment will be at Calvary Garden Mausoleum in Ft. Oglethorp. Family and friends may call from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church building fund in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, KS 67530
Twila Louise McCurdy
1924-2004
EMPORIA - Twila Louise McCurdy, 80, died Oct. 30 at Newman Regional Health, in Emporia. She was born April 1, 1924, in Gove County, the daughter of Albert Julius and Elsie Rader Ashworth Anderson. She married
Orville C. McCurdy on Feb. 8, 1948, in Newkirk, Okla. He died Oct. 2, 1995. A 52-year resident of Hoisington, having lived in Emporia the past four years, she was a retired registered nurse. She previously worked at the Hoisington Lutheran Hospital and Homestead Villa Nursing Home, both of Hoisington. Mrs. McCurdy was a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Hoisington. Survivors include one son, Gary McCurdy of Emporia; one daughter, Linda McCurdy of Emporia; one step-son, Ronald McCurdy of Tulsa, Okla.; two stepdaughters, Inez Major of Tulsa, Okla., and Louise Hancock of Portland, Texas; one brother, Merrill Anderson of Quinter; two grandchildren; and 14 step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Dean Anderson; and three sisters, Beulah Molnar, Luetta Stucke and Merrillee Anderson. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. today at Hoisington cemetery, in Hoisington, with James Simons officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to the Clara Barton Foundation or the Edward Kroesch Scholarship Fund, in care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements provided by Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 415 N. Main / P.O. Box 146 Hoisington, KS 67544
