Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Zelpha Jean McGurk 1929-2003
Zelpha Jean McGurk, 73, of Great Bend, died Feb. 21 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 29, 1929, at Great Bend, the daughter of Amos B. and Fern E. Scott Clark. She married
William McGurk in 1948 in Pratt. He died November 1983. A resident of Great Bend since 1984, coming from Yukon, Okla., she was an area manager for San Inc. in Wichita. Mrs. McGurk was a member of Episcopal Church and Beta Sigma Phi Social Sorority. Survivors include one son, William Michael 'Mike' McGurk of Great Bend; one daughter, Karen Ochs of Hutchinson; one brother, Jon Clark of Dover, Del.; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Patrick Alan McGurk; and two brothers, Allan Clark and Raford Clark. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend, with the Rev. Dave Carlson officiating. Inurnment will be at Larned cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to St. Judes Children's Hospital, in care of the funeral home.
Arley Willard Jones 1917-2003
ELLINWOOD - Arley Willard Jones, 85, died Feb. 17 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. He was born April 14, 1917, at Blocker, Okla., the son of Thomas R. and Haddie E. Phelps Jones. He married
Eula Mae Barker Aug. 28, 1945, at Ft. Smith, Ark. She died March 26, 2000. A longtime Ellinwood resident since 1945, he was a truck driver for NCRA for 26 1/2 years, a gauger and operator, retiring in 1979. Jones was a member of Cornerstone Fellowship of Great Bend and Masonic Lodge 217 of Ellinwood. He was a World War II army veteran, serving in the 158th Infintry Regimental Combat Team from 1941-1945, earning a silver star. Survivors include three sisters, Opal Branham, Ruth Inez Johnson and Ida Mae Foster, all of Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Judy Brooks. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Curtis Reinhardt officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Lasting Life Ministries or the church, both of Great Bend in care of the funeral home.
Matt William Schibbelhut 1963-2003
Matt William Schibbelhut, 40, died Feb. 18, at Hammett Idaho. He was born Jan. 10, 1963, at Las Animas, Colo., the son of Robert and Jeraldine Murray Schibbelhut. He married
Janet Dunham Meyeres in July of 1992 at Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1992, coming from Hasty, Colo., he was owner and operator of J.A.M. Trucking. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Kenny Meyeres of El Dorado and Patrick Meyeres of Hays; one daughter, Jennifer Schroeder of Great Bend; two stepbrothers, Billy Barham and Jackie Barham, both of Texas; half brother, Bobby Schibbelhut of Arkansas; five sisters, Debbie Schibbelhut, Penny Gonzales, Shiela Schibbelhut and Peggy Shankle, all of Colorado and Vicky Slansky of Kansas; half sister, Barbara Weimer of Kansas; and one granddaughter. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park north of Great Bend. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Matt Schibbelhut Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
Lawrence E. 'Larry' Smith 1934-2003
Lawrence E. 'Larry' Smith, 68, of Great Bend, died Feb. 20 at his residence in Great Bend. 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 of 1961 at Miami, Okla. She died May 11, 1967. He married
Peggy Jo Duft 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 American 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, Monnica 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 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 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.
Harry Neil 'Bud' Clothier 1933-2003
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 Oct. 6, 1956, at Raton, N.M. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, he was a self employed brick mason and worked for the 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 will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park north of Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association in care of the funeral home.
Robert L. 'Bob' McCart 1917-2003
LIBERAL - Robert L. 'Bob' McCart, 85, died Feb. 18 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. He was born Sept. 15, 1917, at Edinburgh, Ill., the son of James W. and Ora Etherton McCart. He married
Betty J. Brenner Nellis on March 4, 1957, at Liberal. A resident of Liberal since 1957, he was an operator and tool pusher for Bruce Well Service for 28 years and an oilfield consultant and troubleshooter. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Jimmy McCart of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Mark McCart of Montesano, Wash.; four daughters, Aleta Spreer of Grantsville, Vicki Sandrifer of Shreveport, La., Marsha Melchiori of Coffeeville and Janet McCart of Amarillo, Texas; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, David McCart; one daughter, Laura McCart; one brother; and two sisters. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fellowship Baptist Church in Liberal with the Revs. Bill Prater and Andrew Linder officiating. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Liberal. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, all at Miller Mortuary of Liberal. No memorials are suggested.
Harold C. Schulte 1919-2003
LOGANVILLE, Wis., - Harold C. Schulte, 83, died Feb. 17 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Sauk City, Wis. He was born Feb. 27, 1919, at Lime Ridge, Wis., the son of John and Anna Seamandel Schulte. He married
Kathryn Pyffereon on Aug. 15, 1941. She died Oct. 11, 1965. He married
Helen Bindl on July 12, 1969. He was a maintenance man for Ithaca High School until 1982 and farmed most of his life. Schulte was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church at Loreto, Wis. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Joe Schulte of Ellinwood and Robert Schulte of Madison, Wis.; three daughters, Mary Kay of Loyd, Wis., Alice Ann of rural Reedsburg, Wis., and Sandy of rural Hillpoint, Wis.; one sister, Mabel Kitzke; nine grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one great-grandson; twin great-granddaughters; one brother, Awald Schulte; and one sister, Alice Schulte. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Mike Resop officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Barton County Historical Society in Great Bend or Ellinwood Library Art Restoration Project, all in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.
Mollie Seltmann 1903-2003
NESS CITY - Mollie Seltman, 99, died Feb. 19 at Ness County Hospital in Ness City. She was born Feb. 23, 1903, at Bison, the daughter of Henry and Mollie Marsh Krug. She married
Dan Ewy on Sept. 6, 1922. He died in 1956. She married
George Yost on Aug. 31, 1959. He died in 1975. She married
Louis Seltmann on March 26, 1983. He died Jan. 17, 1994. A resident of Ness City since 1994, coming from La Crosse, she was an employee at the John Weitzel factory making airplane parts. Mrs. Seltman was a member of United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Silver and Gold Club, all of La Crosse. Survivors include one stepson, Delmer Seltmann of Wichita; one step-daughter, Kay Ummel of Hoisington; and one sister, Esther Hayes of Mishawaka, Ind. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at Bazine cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or donor's choice, all in care of the funeral home.
Arnold William Thurow Sr. 1917-2003
GREELEY, Colo. - Arnold William Thurow Sr., 86, died Feb. 15 at Life Care Center. He was born Jan. 13, 1917, at Dillwyn, the son of Adolph and Emma Lebbin Thurow. He graduated from Macksville High School in 1935 and attended Hutchinson Junior College for one year in 1936. He did leather work in his youth. From 1937 to 1942 he farmed with his father and brother, until he entered the Army. He was a member of the Army Air Corps 18th Fighter Squadron from Oct. 8, 1942, to Sept. 22, 1945, in the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. On March 9, 1946, he married
Marian Held in Denver, Colo. She preceded him in death June 25, 1994. After he left the Army, he lived and ranched in Steamboat Springs from 1946-1961, where he and his sons built the family cabin. He also had ranches in Broomfield and Hayden during that time. He moved to Denver in 1961, where he sold ranches and farms with Wright Realty. He retired in 1978. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Greeley. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge AF & AM, the Elk Mountain Lodge 118 in Steamboat Springs, El Jebel Shrine in Denver, OES Hayden Chapter 99, the American Angus Association, and a charter member of the Broomfield Lions Club. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his boys. He also enjoyed witching for oil and studying geology and mineralogy. He was an avid rock hound. Survivors include two sons, John (Janet) Thurow of Ellinwood and Arnold 'Bill' (Zanna) Thurow Jr. of Greeley; one daughter, Pamela Thurow of Greeley; four grandchildren, Tammy Schneider of Kersey, Colo., Wendy Cunningham of Seattle, Wash., Anliet Weeks of Manhattan and Jarred Milke of Ellinwood; three great-grandchildren, Reno Schneider of Kersey and Alexandria Stirgus and Serena Cunningham, both of Seattle; two nieces; one sister-in-law, Lucille Thurow of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marian Thurow; two brothers, Russell Thurow and Oliver Thurow; and one sister, Ethel Hanson. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Allnutt Funeral Service - Macy Chapel in Greeley. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Fairmount cemetery in Denver. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Children's Hospital in care of AFS, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631.
Keith R. Sitterley 1918-2003
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Keith R. Sitterley, 84, a 26-year resident of Grand Junction, passed away peacefully Feb. 14 at his home surrounded by his family following an extended illness. Keith was born on March 14, 1918, in Great Bend, to Jay and Evelyn Sitterley. He graduated from Great Bend High School, attended the University of Kansas and enlisted in the army in 1941. The earlier part of his service was spent in the last U.S. unit of the horse-drawn artillery at Fort Riley. As a World War II veteran of the 9th Armored Division, Keith honorably served in the Battles of the Bulge and Remagen Bridge. Keith met Elaine Kurtz at Kansas State University in 1941, married
in 1944 and was anticipating the celebration of their 59th wedding anniversary on Feb. 27, 2003. He was a third generation skilled carpenter and building contractor, retiring at the age of 74. He was an avid outdoorsman who passed on his love of camping, fishing and hunting to his children and grandchildren. He was active in scouting in his youth and continued to support scouting programs through his children and grandchildren. He was an active member of the Redland's United Methodist Church, an active Lion in Kansas, Arizona and a former president of Clifton Lions Club. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Elaine; children and their spouses, Brian Sitterley of Broomfield, Colo.; Gordon Sitterley and Francis Sitterley of Westminster, Colo., Carl and Laurie Sitterley of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Coleen and Steve Lovato of Scottsdale. Also his grandchildren, Paul Sitterley, Ilene Svaldi, Stephanie Jones, Todd Sitterley, Joshua and Blaine Lovato along with four great-grandchildren. Entombment will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. He will be honorably laid to rest with a ceremony by Ft. Riley Color Guard. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church Youth Program or Great Bend Lions Club, both in care of Charter Funerals of Great Bend.
Ruth Krentzel 1913-2003
ABILENE - Ruth Krentzel, 89, died Feb. 14 at Geary Community Hospital in Junction City. She was born June 15, 1913, at Ft. Supply, Okla., the daughter of Bert and Elizabeth Willinger Rice. She married
John Ervin Krentzel Sept. 21, 1930, at Great Bend. He died July 27, 1974. A resident of Abilene, coming from Chapman, Garden City, Ulysses, St. John and Hudson, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Krentzel was a lifelong member of Eagles Auxiliary and Church of Christ. Survivors include one son, Marlin Krentzel of Kimberling City, Mo.; one daughter Berneice Ashby of Abilene; one brother, Albert Rice of Ellinwood; one sister, Lillie Miller of Lyons; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, George Rice and Leonard Rice; three grandsons; and one great-great-grandson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Londeen Funeral Chapel in Chapman with the Rev. Kenneth Trickle Jr. officiating. Burial will be at Indian Hill cemetery in Chapman. Friends may call until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association in care of the funeral home, Box 429, Chapman KS 67431.
Eric D. Riley 1979-2003
LA CROSSE - Eric D. Riley, 23, died Feb. 15 at Great Bend. He was born Dec. 7, 1979, at Hoisington, the son of Robert C. Riley and Yvonne A. Pangburn Briney. He was a graduate of La Crosse High School. A resident of La Crosse for the past seven years, coming from Great Bend, he was employed as a pulling unit hand for the oil industry. Riley was a member of Future Farmers of America and enjoyed baseball, football, basketball and soccer. Survivors include his father and step-mother, Robert and Regina Riley of Port Clinton, Ohio; his mother and step-father, Yvonne and Rick Briney of La Crosse; three brothers, Douglas A. Riley of Hutchinson, and Rickey O. Briney and Billy D. Briney, both of Ness City; two sisters, Nicole R. Briney of La Crosse and Desiree Briney of Colby; grandparents, Gerald and Barbara Kaiser of Great Bend and Harold and Lorene Riley of Amarillo, Texas; and great-grandparents, Herb and Gladys Tyler of La Crosse. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Janousek Funeral Home Chapel in La Crosse with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Babe Ruth Baseball of Great Bend in care of the funeral home.
Candida Rosa Ruiz 1904-2003
Candida Rosa Ruiz, 98, of Great Bend, died Feb. 15 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. She was born Oct. 3, 1904, at Sagua, La Grande, Las Villas, Cuba, the daughter of Serafin and Rosa Santos. She married
Carlos Ruiz Feb. 25, 1922, at Sagua, La Grande, Las Villas. He died Feb. 27, 1980. A resident of Great Bend since 1980, coming from Larned, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Ruiz was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and was a part of the Cuban Refugee Program, coming from Cuba in 1965. Survivors include one son, Dr. Carlos Ruiz of Great Bend; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the church or Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association in care of Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend.
