Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Lucile D. Coleman 1908-2003
CHASE - Lucile D. Coleman, 94, died March 22 at Woodhaven Nursing Home in Ellinwood. She was born Dec. 27, 1908, at Bison, the daughter of Henry and Flora Pfotenhauer Niewald. She was a 1927 graduate of Bison High School and 1930 graduate from Grace Hospital School of Nursing. She married
Charles C. Coleman Sr. Sept. 24, 1939, at Hutchinson. He died Sept. 26, 1990. A resident of Chase since 1939, she was a retired registered nurse. Mrs. Colelman was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and Women's Methodist Fellowship, both of rural Bushton, and Eastern Star of Lyons. Survivors include one son, Charles 'Clark' Coleman of Chase, one daughter, Carol Jonson of Carrolton, Texas, one sister, Joann Edwards or Russiaville, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Eugene Niewald; one sister, Esther Hardy; and one step-brother, John Niewald. Funeral will be at 3 today at the church in rural Bushton with the Rev. Vernon Maelzer officiating. Burial will be at Salem United Methodist Church cemetery in rural Bushton. Memorials are suggested to church scholarship fund in care of Sillin Funeral Home of Lyons.
Agnes 'Donita' McCormick 1923-2003
LA CROSSE - Agnes 'Donita' McCormick, 79, died March 24 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Larned. She was born Sept. 5, 1923, at Alexander, the daughter of James Albert 'Bert' and Bertha Vesta Elliott Lyda. A lifelong Rush County resident, she was a lunch supervisor in education before her retirement. Mrs. McCormick was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Rebecca Circle and Sixty Plus, all of La Crosse, and a former member of Monday Evening Club. Survivors include one son, Kevin McCormick of Suwanee, Ga.; two daughters, Patricia Oakland of Fort Collins, Colo., and Marla Holmes of Larned; one brother, Ernest Lyda of Lubbock, Texas; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Michael McCormick; three brothers, Harry Lyda, Carl Lyda and Everett Lyda; and two sisters, Elma Jecha and Wilda Ream. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the church or American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home.
Dorothy Ann Gunnels 1926-2003
HUTCHINSON - Dorothy Ann Gunnels, 76, died March 22 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Sept. 14, 1926, at Freeman, S.D., the daughter of A.V. and Jacobina Tiahrt Tieszen. She graduated from Freeman Academy and Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Newton. She married
Clifton Paris Gunnels Aug. 12, 1950, at Freeman. A resident of Hutchinson since 1990, she was a registered nurse and a homemaker. Mrs. Gunnels was a member of First Baptist Church of Hutchinson. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Chuck Gunnels of Kansas City; two daughters, Marsha Kay Frink and Susan Lynn West, both of Great Bend; two brothers, Paul Tieszen of Pierre, S.D., and Karl Tieszen of Freeman; one sister, Ruth Epp of Henderson, Neb.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by one sister, Norma Reimer. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Greenwood cemetery in Newton with the Rev. Jim Autrey officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Hutchinson with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Alumni Nurses Association of Bethel College, North Newton, for Nurses Department Endowment, all in care of the funeral home.
Donald Alphonse Haas 1943-2003
WICHITA - Donald Alphonse Haas, 59, died March 20 at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita. He was born Nov. 30, 1943, in Ransom, the son of Alphonse and Henrietta Leiker Haas. He was a graduate of Ness City High School. He married
Ethel Ross May 30, 1969, in Wichita. A resident of Wichita since 1967, coming from Ness City, he was a supply manager for Lawrence Photo Supply of Wichita. Haas was a member of Catholic Faith Church of Wichita. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War as a radar and sonar technician on the USS Intrepid. Survivors include one son, Tony Haas of Wichita; one daughter, Terri Gibb of Wichita; his father of Ness City; one brother, Stan Haas of Wichita; two sisters, Shelle Anna Harkness of Loveland, Colo., and Elaine James of Wichita; and two grandchildren. Parish vigil will be held at 7:30 tonight at Sacred Heart Church of Ness City. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church in Ness City, with the Rev. Gregory LeBlanc officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart cemetery in Ness City, with military graveside rites by Frank Stull American Legion Post 152, assisted by Sons of the American Legion. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City and from 5-7:30 tonight and until service time Monday, both at the church. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Church and Starkey Inc., a non-profit organization for mentally handicapped adults, both in care of the funeral home.
Howard F. Disney 1923-2003
SALINA - Howard F. Disney, 79, died March 22. He was born Dec. 26, 1923, at Tescott. A resident of Salina, he was a supervisor of electric for Shilling Air Force Base in Salina and also worked for KPL and Western Power. Survivors include his wife, Arlene Disney of Salina; two sons, Guy Disney of Great Bend and Gary Disney of Topeka; five grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ryan Mortuary in Salina. Burial will be at Roselawn cemetery in Salina. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday, both at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church or Kansas Wesleyan University, both in care of the mortuary.
Dorothy H. Thomas
WICHITA - Dorothy H. Thomas, 79, died March 21. A resident of Wichita, she was a retired McConnell Air Force Base Hospital switchboard operator, former Southwestern Bell operator and former First National Bank bookkeeper. Survivors include her husband, Charles E. Thomas of Wichita; one son, Kirk Thomas of Toms River, N.J.; two daughters, Karen VanSkike of Norton and Paula Precht of Shawnee; one brother, W.T. Emrich of Phoenix, Ariz.; one sister, Marion P. Jochems of Phoenix; and six grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Jamesburg Park cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family via COCHRANMORTUARY.com. Memorials are suggested to Norton Christian Church, 208 North Kansas, Norton, KS 67654. Cochran Mortuary of Wichita is in charge of arrangements.
Robert John Briscoe 1953-2003
Robert John Briscoe, 49, of Great Bend died March 19 at his home. He was born Oct. 18, 1953, at Dodge City, the son of Donald and Joyce Strait Briscoe. He was a resident of Great Bend for four years, coming from Salt Lake City, Utah. Briscoe was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his father of Great Bend; and two brothers, Randy Briscoe of Dubois. Wyo., and Ronald Briscoe of Wichita. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ness City cemetery with the Rev. Sue Talbot officiating. Friends may call until 9 tonight at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Public Library in care of the funeral home.
Richard A. 'Dick' Hawthorne Sr. 1942-2003
Richard A. 'Dick' Hawthorne Sr., 60, of Great Bend, died March 19 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Sept. 15, 1942, at Kansas City, Mo., the son of Herbert and Maxine Young Hawthorne. He married
Betty Jean Bridges on Aug. 26, 1961, at Hamilton. He was formerly employed at Semco Machine Co. for over 30 years as a shop supervisor, and former owner of Tumble Inn Laundry. He was a resident of Great Bend for 42 years, coming from Thrall. Hawthorne was a member of Ridge Riders Cycle Club, Flatlanders CB Club and a former member of R.E.A.C.T. Club which helps with emergency road situations, all of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife Betty Hawthorne of Great Bend; son and companion, Richard A. Hawthorne Jr. and Erika Perrson of Chicago, Ill.; three daughters, Tammy and Dan Beckham of Clermont, Fla., Becky and Paul Hipp and Celesa and Jay Preston, all of Great Bend; foster son and companion, Matt Rose and Tina Pontios of Branson, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Christina and Jeremy Crain, Allen and Angel Bays, Daniel Bays, Shawndra Hipp, Jeffrey Hipp, Timothy Schroeder, Jordan Preston and Jaiden Preston; and four great-grandchildren, Corey Bays, Malachai Crane, Joshua Bays and Katelyn Bays. He was preceded in death by one son, Timmy Hawthorne. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Warren Stecklein officiating. There is no visitation and memorials are suggested to the family in care of the funeral home.
William V. 'Bill' Meyers 1909-2003
PLAINVILLE - William V. 'Bill' Meyers, 93, died March 20 at Rooks County Health Center in Plainville. He was born Sept. 8, 1909, in Rooks County, the son of William and Anna Havlas Meyers. He married
Freeda Casey Jan. 9, 1933, in Plainville. She died Jan. 5, 1999. A lifelong Plainville area resident, he was a farmer, manager of Graves Truck Line, oil field pumper, Rooks County assessor and carpenter. Meyers was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council 1857, both of Plainville. Survivors include four sons, Greg Meyers of Plainville, Bill Meyers of Olathe, James Meyers of Reno, Nev., and Michael Meyers of Bakersfield, Calif.; two daughters, LaVivian Drake of Lawrence and Sonja McMullen of Great Bend; one brother, Edmund Meyers of Plainville; two sisters, Lenora Garvert of Plainville and Grace Mongeau of Zurich; 16 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Leo Meyers, Henry Meyers, Lawrence Meyers, Victor Meyers and James Meyers; and one granddaughter, Michelle Roth. Ladies Guild rosary will be at 3 today at Moore-Overlease Funeral Chapel in Plainville. A parish vigil service followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:30 tonight at the church. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Joseph Popelka officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart cemetery. Friends may call until 6 tonight at the funeral chapel and from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Sacred Heart School, both in care of the funeral chapel.
Eve Marie Watson 1948-2003
HOISINGTON - Eve Marie Watson, 54, died March 20 at College Hill Nursing Home in Wichita. She was born Sept. 17, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Clifford and Mary Fell Reynolds. A resident of Hoisington for three years, coming from Colorado, she was a retired computer bookkeeper for Merril Lynch and worked at the Coastal Mart in Hoisington. Survivors include two sons, Larry Alphonso Starr of Denver, Colo., and Pepito Jose Watson of Lakewood, Colo.; three daughters, Trec'a Lee Watson of Thorton, Colo., Carmen Elizabeth Correa and Carlita Maria Ramos, both of Bluffton, S.C.; and 12 grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may call from noon until service time Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Eve Marie Watson Memorial Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington.
Harold H. Miller 1924-2003
GARFIELD - Harold H. Miller, 78, died March 17 at his home in Garfield. He was born Nov. 29, 1924, in rural Garfield, the son of Herbert Charles and Mamie Leora Latham Miller. He married
Rita Agnes Hammeke Jan. 6, 1957, at Larned. She died Feb. 3, 2002. A lifetime resident of Garfield, he was a farmer. Miller was of the Christian faith. Survivors include three sons, George Miller of Royersford, Penn., Dan Miller of Lewis and Pat Miller of Garfield; one sister, Rose Wagner of Garfield; and seven grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned, with the Rev. Dennis Reed officiating. Burial will be at Garfield cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Garfield Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, in care of the funeral home.
Frances Adamek 1910-2003
ELLSWORTH - Frances Adamek, 92, died March 18 at Wilson Nursing Center in Wilson. She was born Aug. 9, 1910, at Blackwolf, the daughter of Stephen and Catherine Cantwell Miller. She married
George Adamek Oct. 1, 1929, at Salina. He died Dec. 4, 1966. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth, she was a nurse's aide at Ellsworth Hospital for 22 years and a homemaker. Mrs. Adamek was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth EHU and Ladies Aide, secretary for First Presbyterian Sunday school department and a 4-H leader for Jayhawk Club, all of Ellsworth. Survivors include one daughter, Georgia Frances Keaton of Midland, Texas; one brother, Stephen Miller of Ellsworth; two sisters, Martha Hill of Arkansas City and Adaline Vondra of Glendale, Ariz.; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, George Miller and Joe Miller; and four sisters, Ethel Macek, Elizabeth Stumpff, Lucy Kottas and Dorothy Adamek. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Parsons Funeral Home in Ellsworth with the Rev. Elaine Lord officiating. Burial will be at Ellsworth cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. until service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Wilson Nursing Home, both in care of the funeral home.
Billy J. Colson 1943-2003
HUTCHINSON - Billy J. Colson, 59, died March 16 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Dec. 25, 1943, at Muncie, Ind., the son of Virgil Morris and Roberta Rose Case Colson. He was a driller working in the oil fields. Colson was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles. Survivors include two sons, Brian Colson of Astoria, Ore., and Bradley Colson of Great Bend; four sisters, Diana Rose Miller and Mary Lou Ashby, both of Muncie, Penney Jean Bolin of Blountsville, Ind., and Linda Walden of Hope; and five grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Johnson and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory of Hutchinson is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Ann Campbell 1937-2003
Barbara Ann Campbell, 65, of Great Bend, died March 18 at her home. She was born Sept. 1, 1937, at Lyons, the daughter of Orville and Lois Odessa Ford Hatcher. She was a graduate of Lyons High School. A resident of Great Bend for 20 years, coming from Lyons, she was a homemaker. Survivors include her companion, Dwayne Simon of Great Bend; one son, Marty Campbell of New Virginia, Iowa; one daughter, Teresa Bryant of Chase; two sisters, Kay Novotny of Springdale, Ark., and Phyllis Kuffler of Hutchinson; three grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren. A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at First Southern Baptist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Simon officiating. Inurnment will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery in Lyons. Cremation is planned. Family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Friday at Charter Funerals of Great Bend. The register book may be signed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Rice County EMS of Lyons, in care of the funeral home.
Verna Grace Dawson 1912-2003
ELLINWOOD - Verna Grace Dawson, 90, died March 19 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born Sept. 7, 1912, at Fairbury, Neb., the daughter of James Marion and Virginia Grace Crum Pigg. She married
Howard Joseph 'Joe' Dawson Nov. 17, 1930, at Fairbury. He died April 29, 1961. A resident of Barton County for the past two-and-a-half years, coming from Fairbury, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Dawson was a member of First Christian Church in Fairbury. Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Thurin of Lawrence, Neb., Lagreta Jensby of Ellinwood and JoLetta Hall of Anthem, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury, with the Rev. Tim Adams officiating. Burial will be at Fairbury cemetery in Fairbury. Friends may call from 5-8 tonight at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood and from 5-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.
