Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Elmer L. Fenn 1927-2003
Elmer L. Fenn, 75, of Great Bend, died Feb. 24 at Central Kansas Medical Center. He was born Aug. 22, 1927, in rural Great Bend, the son of Ernest A. and Katherine Drehle Fenn. He was a 1945 graduate of Great Bend High School.He married
Louise E. Behrens June 13, 1954, at Wichita. A resident of Great Bend for most of his life, he owned and operated Fenn's Paint and Wallpaper Store and was engineer for Petrolog. Fenn was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Bend and served on the advisory board of Shafer Memorial Art Gallery. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the 22nd Regimental Headquarters Company 4th Infantry Division from October of 1950 to September of 1952. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Matthew A. Fenn of Liberal; and one sister, Thelma Hipp of Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. David E. Carlson officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery north of Great Bend. Friends may call from noon until 9 tonight, from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Thursday, all at the funeral home, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10: 30 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Shafer Memorial Art Gallery, both in care of the funeral home.
Helen Nicklaus Riedl 1913-2003
HOISINGTON - Helen Nicklaus Riedl, 89, died Feb. 24 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born June 1, 1913, at Haven, the daughter of William and Emma Bauman Nicklaus. She married
Joseph Riedl Jr. Oct. 8, 1936, at Kingman. He died Nov. 3, 1970. A longtime resident of Hoisington, coming from Haven, she was retired from Suburban Laundry of Hoisington. Mrs. Riedl was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Hoisington. Survivors include two sons, Bert Riedl of Hoisington and Martin Riedl of Woodward, Okla.; one daughter, Sharon Sohl of McPherson; nine grandchidren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Arthur Nicklaus, Elmer Nicklaus, Fritz Nicklaus and Robert Nicklaus; and four sisters, Augusta Tindall, Elsie Steinert, Ethel Rumbaugh and Margaret Reimer. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday followed by Altar Society Rosary, both at care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St.John Church cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 1 to 9 today, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hoisington Ambulance Service in care of the funeral home.
LuAnne M. McAllister Poole 1962-2003
ST. JOHN - LuAnne M. McAllister Poole, 40, died Feb. 13 at her home in Denver, Colo. She was born July 25, 1962, at Great Bend, the daughter of Donald L. and Helen Maxine Gerstenkorn McAllister. She graduated from Macksville High School and attended Barton County Community College. Survivors include two brothers, Carey McAllister of Macksville and Clayton McAllister of Great Bend; six sisters, Timarie A. Walters of Hudson, Janet K. McKemy of Sugarland, Texas, Kayla J. Clowers and Cassie L. Miller, both of Belpre, Jamie L. Keiter of Kansas City, Mo., and Melissa G. McAllister of St. John; and father and step-mother, Donald L. and Lynda McAllister of St. John. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel of St. John. The body was cremated. There is no visitation. Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Seward with the Rev. Rene Guesnier officiating. Inurnment will be at Fairview Park cemetery at St. John. Memorials are suggested to Capitol Hill Contingency Fund of Denver in care of the funeral home.
Joyce Nagel 1917-2003
HOLYROOD - Joyce Nagel, 85, died Feb. 22 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born Oct. 2, 1917, at Lilbourn, Mo., the daughter of George W. and Lula Stokes Ford. She married
Martin Henry Louis Nagel on Nov. 21, 1937, at Holyrood. He died Feb. 10, 1987. A resident of Holyrood and Ellsworth County since 1964, coming from Barton County, she was a municipal judge at Holyrood. Mrs. Nagel was a volunteer at Ellsworth Good Samaritan Village. Survivors include two granddaughters, Fawnia Miller of Ellinwood and Marcelle Hawks of Long View, Texas; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Terry Nagel; one sister, Pauline DesBennett; and one grandson, Martin Lynn Hawks. There will be no service. Memorials are suggested to Good Samaritan Village or donor's choice, both in care of the funeral home.
Verna V. Gustin 1914-2003
HOISINGTON - Verna V. Gustin, 88, died Feb. 22 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born April 12, 1914, in Barton County, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Lebsack Muth. She married
Ora W. Gustin on Nov. 25, 1942, at Otis. A lifetime resident of the Galatia and Hoisington area, she was a homemaker and worked as a telephone operator in Otis. Mrs. Gustin was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Galatia and a former member of Sunflower HDU. Survivors include her husband of Hoisington; one daughter, Kay Steinert of Hoisington; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Cindy Gustin; and one brother, Elmer Muth. Prayer service will be at 7 tonight at NicholsonRicke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Shannon Vogelezang officiating. Burial will be at Fairview cemetery in Galatia. Friends may call until 9 tonight at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or American Heart Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Beverly Ann Herren 1936-2003
Beverly Ann Herren, 67, of Great Bend, died on Feb. 20 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born Feb. 11, 1936, at El Dorado, the daughter of Emory and Helen Brenzikofer Barnes. She was a graduate of Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City. She married
Roger Milberger on Nov. 23, 1961, at Burns. They were divorced. She was married
to James W. Herren on July 10, 1978, at Wichita. A resident of Great Bend since 1984, coming from Wichita, she worked at St. Rose Hospital in Great Bend, Terramerra Pottery in El Dorado, Topeka Broom in Topeka and Blind Shop in Wichita. Mrs. Herren was a member of First Christian Church of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; and one brother, Don Barnes of Great Bend. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Edith Marie Millberger; and one brother, Craig Barnes. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Ebenezer United Methodist Church of Burns, with the Rev. Steve Hysom officiating. Inurnment will be at Ebenezer cemetery in Burns. There will be no visitation. The body has been cremated. Memorials are suggested to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Earl Healzer 1918-2003
NESS CITY - Earl Healzer, 85, died Feb. 22 at Ness County Hospital in Ness City. He was born Feb. 9, 1918, at Alexander, the son of Adam and Katherine Kerbs Healzer. He graduated from Alexander High School and attended Fort Hays State University. He married
Verneta Steitz on March 5, 1947, at Otis. A resident of Ness City since 1947, he was owner of Healzer Tire Inc. of Ness City for the past 55 years. Healzer was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the church council, Lions Club, city council, Ness County Hospital Board and American Legion Frank Stull Post 153, all of Ness City. He was U.S. Air Force veteran, having served as a B-24 pilot in World War II. Survivors include two sons, Stan Healzer and Paul Healzer, both of Ness City; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, John Healzer and Mark Healzer; two brothers, Fred Healzer and Roy Healzer; five sisters, Pauline Newcomer, Rose Lappin, Lillian Nickel, Elsie Hunt and Katherine Hartwig. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City with the Rev. Barry Levine officiating. Burial will be at Ness City cemetery with military graveside rites by the American Legion Frank Stull Post 152 of Ness City. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Ruth Hanks 1925-2003
Ruth Hanks, 77, of Great Bend, died Feb. 22 at her home. She was born Aug. 24, 1925, at Crosby, Texas, the daughter of James Richard and Willie D. Gibson Dafft. She married
Edwin L. Hanks on Dec. 1, 1945, in Richmond, Texas. He died Nov. 4, 1994. A resident of Great Bend for 47 years, coming from Conroe, Texas, she was a nurse at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Survivors include one son, David L. Hanks of Overland Park; two daughters, Brenda Urban of Wichita and Sharon Hanks of Great Bend; and three grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Julius C. Ellis officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Eastside Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home.
Harry Neil 'Bud' Clothier 1933-2003
'I've gone fishing in the big blue sky, and one day all my friends will join me.' Harry Neil 'Bud' Clothier, 69, of Great Bend, died Feb. 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center. He was born Sept. 20, 1933, at Raymond, the son of Harry I. and Nellie J. Lofland Clothier. He married
Gloria Dorfshaffer on Oct. 6, 1956, at Raton, N.M. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, he was a self-employed brick mason and worked for Fuller Brush Company, retiring in 1994. Clothier was a member of the Protestant Faith. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as private first class. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Tim Clothier of Great Bend; three daughters, Tami Crain of Tribune, Teresa Bartolotta of Rowlett, Texas, and Tonya Mathes of Knoxville, Tenn.; one brother, Dr. Orval Clothier of Wichita; three sisters, Wilma Renfro of Augusta, Helen James Johnson of Saratoga, Texas, and Jean Jordan of Great Bend; nine grandchildren, Candace Scott, Michael Crain Jr., Lance Cpl. Justin Neil 'J.P.' Crain, Ronald Rosignol, Robert Crain, Trista Rosignol, Lucas Crain, Zachary Clothier and Sidney Mathes; and one great-grandchild, Tristin Scott. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Millard Clothier, Everette Clothier and Homer Clothier; and one sister, Ila Scott. Funeral was Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Burial was at Hillcrest Memorial Park north of Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend.
Lawrence E. 'Larry' Smith 1934-2003
Lawrence E. 'Larry' Smith, 68, of Great Bend, died Feb. 20 at his residence. He was born Dec. 14, 1934, at Sabetha, the son of Amos Alexander and Myrtle Maude Nieberger Smith. He married
Barbara Jean Easdon in December 1961 at Miami, Okla. She died May 11, 1967. He married
Peggy Jo Duft on Sept. 9, 1967, at Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1952, coming from Sabetha, he was an electrical contractor for Stanion Wholesale and retired from Amerine Electric. Smith was a U.S. army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, David Duft of Great Bend and Daniel Smith of Ness City; two daughters, Monica Lynne Meek and Linda Schneidewind, both of Great Bend; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, John Smith, Marvin Smith and Mervin Smith; and two sisters, Marvell Larkin and Maxine Hartsock. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or Barton County Relay for Life, both in care of the funeral home.
Beverly Jean 'Bev' Ingalls 1935-2003
ELLINWOOD- Beverly Jean 'Bev' Ingalls, 67, died Feb. 19 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita. She was born April 16, 1935, at Wayne, Neb., the daughter of Donald Raymond and Rose Stamm Carlson. Bev was a resident of Ellinwood for 30 years. She was a homemaker, teacher and substitute teacher. Bev was member of United Church of Christ in Ellinwood, Altar Guild and Women's Fellowship. She participated in several bridge clubs and was very involved in her grandchildren's activities. On Aug. 20, 1954, she married
David H. Ingalls, at Yuba City, Calif. He survives. Other survivors include: a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Chris McGuire of Ellinwood; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Don and Kathy Ingalls of Morgan Hill, Calif., John Ingalls of Hutchinson and Jay Ingalls of Wichita; her mother, Rose Carlson of Wayne; one sister, Donna Tietsort of Wayne; one brother, Larry Carlson of Wayne; and six grandchildren, Ryan and Ross McGuire of Ellinwood, Shayla Ingalls of Wichita and Derek, Kylee and Luke Ingalls of Hutchinson. Her father, Donald Carlson, and brother, Ronald Carlson, preceded her in death. A memorial service will be at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood on Monday at 10:30 a.m. No visitation or graveside services are planned. Memorials may be sent to Ellinwood Public Education and Library Foundation or Immanuel United Church of Christ.
Melvin Eugene Blake Sr. 1944-2003
LEBANON, Mo. -Melvin Eugene Blake Sr., 59, died Feb. 17 at his residence in Lebanon. He was born Feb. 15, 1944, at Beloit, the son of Fenton Cool and Ilene Echyner Blake. A resident of Lebanon, he was rancher. Survivors include two sons, Melvin Gene Blake Jr. of Aurora, Mo., and Robert Fenton Blake of St. Robert, Mo.; one brother, Eddy Blake of Lebanon; four sisters, Joyce Fell of Longton, Pat Henson of Great Bend, Janice Nuss of Kansas and Sharon Lavy of Los Alamos, N.M.; and one grandson. Funeral was held Saturday at Thieme-Shadel-Hicks Funeral Service at Colonial Chapel, with Matt Flanders officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rose Memorial Park with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4107 of Lebanon. Memorials are suggested to VFW Post 4107, in care of the chapel.
George Zvolanek 1915-2003
OSBORNE - George Zvolanek, 87, died Feb. 21 at Osborne County Memorial Hospital. He was born March 12, 1915, at Wilson, the son of Joseph and Hermina Houdek Zvolanek. He married
Lillian Mattas on Dec. 23, 1947, at Ellsworth. A resident of Osborne County, coming from Wilson, he was a retired welder and farmer. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Bill J. Zvolanek, Terry L. Zvolanek and Larry G. Zvolanek, all of Osborne; one brother, Richard Zvolanek of Holyrood; and three sisters, Hermina Zvolanek of Salina, Libby Preston of Wichita and Anna Beth Bath of Loveland, Colo. He was preceded in death by one son, Dick Zvolanek. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Foster Mortuary Chapel in Wilson, with the Rev. Elaine Lord officiating. Burial will be at Wilson City cemetery with military honors. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 8 a.m. until service time Monday, all at the mortuary.
Albert Partin 1919-2003
STAFFORD - Albert Partin, 83, died Feb. 20 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. He was born Oct. 26, 1919, at Bell County, Ky., the son of James and Polly Hamblin Partin. He married
Sara Lou. She preceded him in death. A resident of Stafford for most of his life, he was the retired owner of Partin Sand and Gravel. Partin was a member of Stafford American Legion and a volunteer of Stafford Fire Department. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a rear tail gunner. Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie Wendelburg and Barbara Johnson; two granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Stafford cemetery, with the Rev. James Bloom officiating. Military honors and presentation of colors will be by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Minnis Chapel of Stafford is in charge of arrangements.
