Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Marion F. Peterson 1932-2003
CHASE - Marion F. Peterson, 70, died March 19 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Oct. 3, 1932, at Chase, the son of Orla J. and Flora Haas Peterson. He was a 1951 graduate of Chase High School. He married
Janice C. Foote May 8, 1954, at Chase. A lifetime resident of the Chase area, he was a farmer. Peterson was a member and former trustee of Community Presbyterian Church, former USD 410 school board member and former Chase Co-op board member, all of Chase. He received the Farm Bureau Century Farm Award. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Steven Peterson of Chase; two daughters, Cathy Delgadillo of Macksville and Carolyn Piper of Scribner, Neb.; one sister, Evelyn Warhurst of Chanute; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Young. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. Jesse Patrick, Arlene Patrick and Cindy Watson. Burial will be at Chase Springdale cemetery, with full military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 2- 7 p.m. Friday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons, with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or Chase High School Alumni Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Vernon A. 'Friday' Schultz 1913-2003
LARNED - Vernon A. 'Friday' Schultz, 89, died March 18 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. He was born Sept. 7, 1913, at Hoisington, the son of Edward J. and Maggie Miller Schultz. He married
Bernita Bahls Oct. 29, 1935, at Larned. She died March 1, 1998. A resident of Larned since 1928, he worked at the Kraft cheese plant in Larned, worked for Harwood Plumbing, was coowner of Schultz Brothers and retired as sole owner of Schultz Plumbing and Heating. Schultz was a member of First Baptist Church, life member of Fort Larned Lions Club, Welcome Inn Seniors and Chamber of Commerce, all of Larned, and past president and vice president of Kansas Plumbing and Heating Contractors Association. Survivors include one son, Richard V. Schultz of Wichita; four daughters, Edith Winkler, Betty Lou Douglas, Mary Jo Gibson and Marsha Fox, all of Larned; two sisters, Elnora Jinks of Larned and Gladys Williamson of Lorraine; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Estes Schultz; and two sisters, Doris Frank and Ethel Brooks. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. John Hester officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 tonight at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Ralph J. Vonfeldt 1921-2003
Ralph J. Vonfeldt, 81, of Great Bend, died March 17 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Aug. 19, 1921, at Hays, the son of Joe E. and Pauline Bittel Vonfeldt. He married
Leona M. Sander March 3, 1941, at Chicago, Ill. She died Jan. 22, 1990. He was co-owner and operator of Ralph's Rig Service. Vonfeldt was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, both of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include four sons, Wayne J. Vonfeldt and Ralph J. Vonfeldt Jr., both of Weatherford, Okla., Marlin J. Vonfeldt of Great Bend and Gerald L. Vonfeldt of Hutchinson; two daughters, Mary Ellen Allen and Cora Jennings, both of Great Bend; three brothers, Richard Vonfeldt of Council Grove, Rudy Vonfeldt of Wichita and Roy Vonfeldt of Great Bend; two sisters, Albertine Denning of Great Bend and Pauline Vonfeldt of Liberal; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, LaVern R. Vonfeldt; one daughter, Geraldine Vonfeldt; two brothers, Robert Vonfeldt and Raymond Vonfeldt; and one sister, Fabiola Vonfeldt. Vigil service will be at 6 tonight followed by Knights of Columbus Rosary, both at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Golden Belt cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 tonight at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Rose Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Willa F. Smith 1922-2003
HAYS - Willa F. Smith, 80, died March 17 at Hays Medical Center. She was born May 20, 1922, at Barton County, the daughter of John and Blanche Ewing Nairn. She married
Chester L. Smith July 29, 1942, at Great Bend. He died April 3, 2000. A resident of Barton County for most of her life, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Smith was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Great Bend. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth L. Smith of Mesquite, Nev., Clinton Smith of Sallisaw, Okla., and Chester R. Smith of Wichita; three brothers, John W. Nairn of Arroya Grande, Calif., and Loren Nairn and Gene Nairn, both of Great Bend; three sisters, Fern Walden of Chugiak, Alaska, Elva Petz of Kansas City and Winifred Pierce of Albuquerque, N.M.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Daryl Nairn; and two sisters, Doris Unruh and Violetta Swager. Altar Society Rosary will be at 4 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 1: 30 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Warren Stecklein officiating. Burial will be at Pawnee Rock cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Lung Association or Hays Medical Center Home Health and Hospice, all in care of the funeral home.
Margaret E. 'Midge' Hanzlick 1909-2003
HOISINGTON - Margaret E. 'Midge' Hanzlick, 93, died March 17 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born April 20, 1909, at Sylvan Grove, the daughter of Ray Florian and Maude Ella Kistler Peck. She was a valedictorian and graduate of Bunker Hill High School. She married
George A. Hanzlick Dec. 23, 1930, at Great Bend. He died Jan. 14, 1967. A longtime Hoisington and Barton County resident, she was a school teacher and a nurse at CKMC in Great Bend and Hoisington Lutheran Hospital. Mrs. Hanzlick was a member of Hoisington Bible Church and a life member of Order of Eastern Star No. 101 of Bunker Hill. Survivors include three sons, Neal T. Hanzlick of Springfield, Mo., George R. Hanzlick of Russell and Dennis J. Hanzlick of Seattle, Wash.; one daughter, Shirley Smith of Great Bend; one sister, Joy McGill of Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Bill Hanzlick; five sisters, Alice Peck, Lou Harri, Mae Schaeffer Hyter, Faye Morton and Eva Mendelson; and one grandson, Blake Hanzlick. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Gary Clark officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 tonight, 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 Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders, ALS, or Hoisington Bible Church, all in care of the funeral home.
Cliff 'Shorty' Bates 1959-2003
EL RENO, Okla., -Funeral service for Cliff 'Shorty' Bates, 44, of El Reno, formerly of Hoisington, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church, 620 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon, Okla. Burial will be at El Reno cemetery. Services are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home in El Reno. 'Shorty' Bates died March 16 at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. He was born Feb. 9, 1959, in Hoisington. He was a lifetime resident of Hoisington and has lived the past three years in El Reno. Mr. Bates was an owner/operator truck driver. He loved his family and was very dedicated to them. He was a member of First Church of God of Great Bend and Trinity Baptist Church of Yukon. Bates is survived by his wife Mary Beth Bates; and two sons, Austin Forest Bates, age 7 years, and Allen Lee Bates, age 3 years, all of the home. Everyone is invited to attend services or you may call Mary Beth at 405-422-4826 if you would like to visit. 'Shorty' died a believer, trusting in the Lord and is now more alive than ever! The family has requested memorials or donations for the children to be sent to: Bank of Union, 2000 S. County Club Rd., El Reno, OK 73036; 405-262-6577.
Robert Lee Krom 1928-2003
OSAGE CITY - Robert Lee Krom, 74, died March 16 at his home in Osage City. He was born June 19, 1928, at Galatia, the son of Phillip Eugene and Mamie Jones Krom. He married
Rosie V. Depperschmidt. She died in April 1993. A resident of Osage City for the past two years, coming from Rush Center, he was an oil patch worker in the Rush Center area and a mail carrier for Emporia before he retired. Krom was a member of Knights of Columbus of Liebenthal and a member of the Catholic faith. Survivors include one son, Robert Leon Krom of Osage City; three daughters, Ramona Ihde and Roxann Vollrath, both of Osage City, and Rebecca Gautreau of Keytesville, Mo.; two brothers, Don Krom of Seattle, Wash., and Richard Krom of Great Bend; one sister, Nadine Listen of Hoisington; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by infant sons, Randy Krom and Ray Gene Krom; one grandson, Leon Ihde; one brother, Marvin Krom; and one sister, Clara Armor. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rush Center cemetery with military graveside rites by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. The body will lie in state from 3 to 7 p.m. today with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 tonight, all at Crable VanArsdale Funeral Chapel at Osage City. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or Disabled American Veterans, both in care of the funeral home.
Walter L. 'Buck' Brown 1937-2003
Walter L. 'Buck' Brown, 65, of Great Bend, died March 15 at his home. He was born Aug. 25, 1937, at Quenemo, the son of Orlin Walter and Iva Watkins Brown. He married
Mae Heckens Dec. 3, 1960, at Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend for most of his life, he was a truck driver for Duke Drilling Company, retiring in 2000. Brown served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Hot Rod Association and a lifelong racing enthusiast, having raced when he was young. His love of racing continued through his two sons. Spending the weekends at the race track with his family and friends was his favorite pastime. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife of Great Bend; two sons, Scott Brown and Chadd Brown, both of Great Bend; one daughter, Becky Sigler of Great Bend; one brother, John Brown of Wichita; one sister, Bernie Ann Nightengale of El Dorado; and five grandchildren, Josh Sigler, Jeremy Sigler, Justin Kelly, Cody Kelly and Brianna Brown. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jim Brown. Service was at 11 a.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Inurnment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home.
Edith E. McPherson 1910-2003
ELLINWOOD - Edith E. McPherson, 92, died March 17 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Oct. 30, 1910, at Roy, N.M., the daughter of Leo S. and Meddie Davis. She married
Walter Ray McPherson Feb. 12, 1927, at Perry, Okla. He died Feb. 27, 1990. A resident of Ellinwood since 1952, coming from Rice County and Oklahoma, she was a homemaker. Mrs. McPherson was a member of Heritage Club of Ellinwood, several card clubs and a lifetime duplicate bridge club member. Survivors include two daughters, Norma L. Chambers of Monett, Mo., and Helen Hickel of Ellinwood; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one infant son, Charles Ray McPherson; two brothers, Roy L. Davis and Carl Davis; and one sister, Jewell Dean. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Chapel in Ellinwood, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to Heritage Club or donor's choice, both in care of the funeral chapel.
Edwin Miller 1910-2003
Edwin Miller, 92, of Great Bend, died March 14 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 25, 1910, in Barton County, the son of John and Elizabeth Mai Miller. He married
Mae M. Winters April 24, 1968, at Wichita. She died March 4, 1989. A resident of Barton for most his life, he was a retired farmer. Miller was a member of Jehovah's Witness. Survivors include many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Miller; and four sisters, Lydia Boxberger, Martha Stricker, Pauline Karst and Elma Deckert. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Great Bend cemetery with Edward J. Forton officiating. Friends may call until 1 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Fund, in care of the funeral home.
T.J. Hellerud 1986-2003
BROWNELL - T.J. Hellerud, 16, died March 14, at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom. He was born March 19, 1986, at Goodland. He was a junior at La Crosse High School and active in FFA. Hellerud competed in football, FCCLA and G-Club, all at Goodland. Survivors include his father, Tom Hellerud and companion, Karen Nelson, both of Goodland; his mother, Cynthia and Steven Maier, both of Brownell; one brother, Joey McDonald of Milberger; four sisters, Kristen Hellerud and Danielle Hellerud, both of Great Bend, Autum Hellerud of Mulvane and McKenna Hellerud of Goodland; grandparents, Isabel Hellerud of Goodland, Joe and Barbara McDonald of Brownell, and Doris Maier of Nekoma. Memorial service was this morning at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. mountain time Tuesday at United Methodist Church in Goodland. Burial will be at Goodland cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Goodland High School Scholarship Fund or Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for habitat, both in care of Bateman Funeral Home in Goodland.
Roy L. Bryant 1963-2003
HOISINGTON - Roy L. Bryant, 39, died March 16 at Beverly Health Care of Lucas. He was born May 2, 1963, at Lincoln, the son of Carl. L. and Rose M. Bird Bryant. A lifetime resident of Hoisington, he was employed by Sunflower Diversified Services in Great Bend. Bryant was a member of Church of the Nazarene in Hoisington. Survivors include his parents of Hoisington; one brother, Vivian L. Bryant of Hoisington; and two sisters, Janice Hamby and Louann Marcum, both of Great Bend. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Don Fisher officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Sunflower Diversified Services, in care of the funeral home.
Bernice Mary George 1907-2003
ST. JOHN - Bernice Mary George, 95, died March 13 at Stafford District Hospital in Stafford. She was born May 29, 1907 at St. John, the daughter of Jesse M. and Bertha Blake. She married
Ira George March 28, 1937, at St. John. He died in 1987. A resident of St. John, she was a homemaker, a piano teacher and a farmer. Mrs. George was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in rural St. John and was treasurer and pianist for the church. Survivors include three cousins, Frances Proctor of Chester, Texas, Marvin Ives of Wichita and Charlie Ives of Loomis, Calif. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with the Rev. Larry Staton officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to New Hope Church or Leisure Homestead, both of St. John.
Ralph L. Bell 1924-2003
Ralph L. Bell, 78, of Great Bend, died March 13 at Homestead Assisted Living in Great Bend. He was born Oct. 23, 1924, at Douglass, the son of Wade and Bernice Schockley Bell. He married
Orpha Glea Schroeder Jan. 26, 1948, at Dodge City. A resident of Great Bend since 1940, he was former owner of Bell Engine Service in Great Bend. Bell was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Elks Lodge, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Masonic Blue Lodge, all of Great Bend; Consistory and Shrine Club of Salina; and a lifetime member of National Rifle Association. Survivors include his wife of Great Bend; three daughters, Linda Rousseau of Norfold, Va., Carla Beydler of Wakeeney and Nancy Winslow of Oregon City, Ore.; one brother, Keith Bell of Great Bend; one sister, Norma Smith of Great Bend; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. There will be no funeral or visitation. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice or Donor's Choice, both in care of Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend.
