Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Richard Lee Griffin 1934-2003
Richard Lee Griffin, 69, of Great Bend, died Feb. 26 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Dec. 21, 1934, at Pleasanton, the son of Lee Ralph and Mabel Christine Lambkin Griffin. He was a 1952 graduate of Pleasanton High School, a 1954 graduate of Fort Scott Junior College and graduated with honors from Commonwealth College of Sciences in Houston, Texas, in 1955. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Topeka, he was owner and funeral director of Cheney's Funeral Chapel, an emergency medical technician and Red Cross instructor at Fort Scott from 1952 to 1973, manager for Tibbetts Brothers Mortuary in Belleville from 1973 to 1975; owner and funeral director of Tibbetts-Griffin Funeral Chapel in Topeka from 1975-1992; a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri; a salesperson for Steinert Furniture in Great Bend from 1993 to 1995; and assistant manager of Lake Barton Golf Club in Hoisington from 1995 -2002. Griffin was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott, Eureka Masonic Lodge 88 of Pleasanton, Scottish Rite AF and AM York Rite Bodies, Oriental Shrine Band, Fort Scott Chapter 3 R.A.M, and Fraternal Order of Eagles, White Shrine of Jerusalem 6, past commander of the Hugh De Payne Commandry, all of Fort Scott; American Legion Capital Post 1, Charter Member Order of DeMolay Chapter Dad for 25 years, Legion of Honor award, Arab Temple of Topeka, and received a Eagle Boy Scout award from Pleasanton. He was a veteran, having served in the Army Reserves. Survivors include one son, Brad Griffin of Wichita; one daughter, Carla Griffin-Peterson of Great Bend; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Donna Griffin. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Charter Funerals in Great Bend with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. A private family burial will be at Pleasanton cemetery with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard and Masonic service conducted by Great Bend Lodge 15. Friends may call from 1 to 7 today at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.
John C. Ochs 1939-2003
HUTCHINSON-John C. Ochs, 63, died Feb. 28 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born July 30, 1939, at Hutchinson, the son of Calvin and Pauline Arnholt Ochs. He married
Marilyn J. Means on Sept. 4, 1960, at Dodge City. A resident of Hutchinson, coming from Dodge City, he was a retired truck driver for Jackson's Ice Cream and Betts Bakery. Ochs was a member of Park Place Christian Church, Moose Lodge 982, Teammasters Local 795 and RSVP Hutchinson Community College. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, David J. Ochs and Scott T. Ochs, both of Hutchinson; one brother, George K. Ochs of Arcadia, Calif.; one sister Marie Jannsen of Fountain Valley, Calif.; and seven grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Kim Biery officiating. Burial will be at Wildmead cemetery in Nickerson. There is no visitation, cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the registry book from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at Heritage Funeral Home in Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or Arthritis Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.
Carl Madden 1920-2003
HUTCHINSON - Carl Madden, 82, died Feb. 28 at Hospice of Reno County Hospice House in Hutchinson. He was born Dec. 5, 1920, at Guthrie, Okla., the son of Carl and Hazel Smith Madden. He was a graduate of Ellinwood High School. He married
Mary Ann Schartz on Aug. 18, 1941, at Ellinwood. A resident of Hutchinson since 1998, coming from Barton County, he was a retired farmer. Madden was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church of Hutchinson, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Kent S. Madden and John D. Madden, both of Hutchinson; and Paul D. Madden of Topeka; one daughter, Jane A. Fuhr of McPherson; one brother, B.W. Madden of Ellinwood; two sisters, Bette Kennedy of Lyons and Dorothy Davis of Wichita; nine grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Martha Marshall. Rosary will be at 2 today at the church. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Joe Ecberg officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 5-9 today at the church. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County, in care of Johnson and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Hutchinson.
Carl William Bernard Sittner 1917-2003
RENVILLE, Minn. - Carl William Bernard Sittner, 85, died Feb. 27 at RenVilla Nursing Home in Renville. He was born March 4, 1917, at Hudson, the son of Paul Ernest and Clara Anna Wiedner Sittner. He married
Clelia Belle Whitfield on Dec. 15, 1940, at Ellinwood. She preceded him in death. A resident of Renville, coming from Hudson, he was a farmer, and worked for the county for 15 years doing township and road maintenance. Sittner was a member of Peace United Church of Christ. Survivors include one son, Riley Sittner of Santa Rosa, Calif.; one daughter, Linda Haen of Renville; one sister, Emma Weinhold of Stafford; and five grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Sittner, Ernest Sittner and Max Sittner; and two sisters, Annie Sittner and Alma Weinhold. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. George Redington officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to service time Tuesday at the church. Minnis Chapel of St. John is in charge of local arrangements.
Frank E. Sibrava 1923-2003
WILSON - Frank E. Sibrava, 79, died March 1 at Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth. He was born June 23, 1923, at Wilson, the son of Frank E. Sr. and Vena Wolfe Sibrava. He married
Georgia Ward on June 1, 1955. She died Dec. 5, 2002. A lifetime resident of Wilson, he was a farmer and stockman. Sibrava was a member of John F. McManus American Legion Post 262. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service 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. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, and from 8 a.m. until service time Monday at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to John F. McManus American Legion Post 262, in care of the mortuary.
George Edward Sporn 1929-2003
PEARLAND, Texas - George Edward Sporn, 74, died April 25 at Memorial Hermann S.E. Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born April 22, 1929, at Ellinwood, the son of Leo A. and Thelma Irene Christiansen Sporn. He married
Dorothy Denyer, Aug. 27, 1955, at Ellinwood. A resident of Pearland for five years, coming from Hutchinson, he was a retired manager of a steel plant. Sporn was a member of Congregational United Church of Christ of Little River; Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, both of Hutchinson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Richard Sporn of Evanston, Wyo., Mark Sporn and Michael Sporn, both of Wichita; two daughters Georgine Salinas and Teresa Sydnor, both of Pearland; one brother, Richard M. Sporn of Boulder, Colo.; one sister, Cathy Young of Little River; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Link. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Ted Weis officiating. Burial will be at Bean Memorial cemetery at Little River. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church. Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, is in charge of local arrangements.
Ralph J. Hammock 1940-2003
LIBERAL - Ralph J. Hammock, 62, died April 26 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. He was born July 19, 1940, at Willifred, Ark., the son of Jesse J. and Flora D. Morgan Hammock. He married
Faye Trivitt May 21, 1960, at Hardy, Ark. He attended school in Hardy. A resident of Liberal since 1972, coming from Great Bend, he was a former employee of Western Testing in Great Bend, a production superintendent for Lamory- Mahoney Production Company and started Ralph's Hot Oil Service. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Linnie Hammock and Tim Hammock, both of Liberal; one brother, Phillip Hammock of Cave City, Ark.; one sister, Delthafleta Smith of Hardy; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister. Memorial service will be at 7 tonight at Miller Chapel of Liberal with the Rev. Jerry Odel officiating. Inurnment will be at Turkey Pin cemetery in Hardy. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral chapel.
Gilbert Junior Dean 1950-2003
CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - Gilbert Junior Dean, 52, died April 20 at Johnson Regional Hospital. He was born May 26, 1950, in Barton County, the son of Gilbert C. and Barbara Boele Dean. He married
Jennifer Matson Dean May 18, 2001, at Clarksville. Aresident of Clarksville, coming from Great Bend, he was self employed. Dean was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Jeff Dean of Hays, Jonothan Dean of Wichita, and Scott Dean of Arora, Ohio; one brother, Billy Dean of Wichita; one sister, Shirley Dean of Great Bend; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Bobby Dean; and one half-brother, Walter 'Butch' Boele. Memorial service was held Saturday at Roller-Cox Chapel in Clarksville.
Peggy S. German 1959-2003
STERLING - Peggy S. German, 43, died April 27 at Lyons District Hospital. She was born Sept. 22, 1959, in Ainsworth, Neb., the daughter of Donald and Lois Harp Richards. She married
Gary German May 22, 1998, at Sterling. A resident of Sterling since 1986, coming from Alden, she worked for Malm Construction of Lindsborg. Survivors include two sons, Rusty Walton of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mitchell Walton of Sterling; one daughter, Sandra Belote of Sterling; her father and stepmother, Donald and Lee Richards of Grand Junction, Colo.; her mother and stepfather, Lois and Lloyd Smith of Yukon, Okla.; one brother, Brian Richards of Tallahassee, Fla.; and one sister, Mary Weese of Macksville. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sillin Funeral Home in Sterling with the Rev. Ken Conner officiating. Burial will be at Raymond Hilltop cemetery of Raymond. Friends may call from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Peggy S. German Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Anna Theresa Penka 1906-2003
Anna Theresa Penka, 97, of Great Bend, died April 25 at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 4, 1906, at Ellinwood, the daughter of Joseph and Mathilda Beran Birzer. She married
William Joseph Penka Nov. 25, 1935, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, north of Ellinwood. He died Jan. 22, 1955. Aresident of Great Bend since 1935, she was a homemaker. Penka was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and St. Rose Altar Society, both of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Robert Penka of Champaign, Ill.; two daughters, Louise Hammeke of Ellinwood and Mary Ellen Whitson of Junction City; seven sisters, Clara Bahr of Olmitz, Laura Tinkle of Claflin, Margaret Reichuber of Odin, Eleanor Penka of Healy, Cecilia Denning of Russell, Inez Giessel of Larned and Bertha Achatz of Ellinwood; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, George Birzer, Albert Birzer, Robert Birzer and James Birzer; and by four sisters, Mary Birzer, Kate Birzer, Helen Schartz and Elizabeth Ohnmacht. Funeral is at 10:30 a.m. today at the church with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend.
Robert Keith Rich 1956-2003
Robert Keith Rich, 46, of Great Bend, died April 26, at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Aug. 7, 1956, at Great Bend, the son of William E. and Shirley McClain Rich. He married
Roxanne R. Schenk May 31, 1980, at Great Bend. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, he was employed by USD 355. Rich was a member of Grace Community Church, AWANA and chairman of Rural Water District No. 2 board of directors. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Jenna Rich and Laci Rich, both of the home; his mother of Great Bend; one brother, Mike Rich of Montrose, Colo.; and three sisters, Iris Jenkins of Great Bend, Tricia DeFilippis of Tucson, Ariz., and Julie Thompson of Oklahoma City, Okla. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Shawn Winters officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Jenna and Laci Rich Scholarship Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Lottie Buehler 1911-2003
CLAFLIN - Lottie Buehler, 91, died April 27 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born Oct. 14, 1911, at Holyrood, the daughter of John and Mary MicKalesky Rezac. She married
Walter William Buehler March 24, 1931, at Dorrance. He died June 26, 1976. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth and Barton counties, she was a clerk at Claflin Drug Store for 35 years. Mrs. Buehler was a member of United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Martha Circle, all of Claflin, and a 50-year member of Eastern Star. Survivors include one son, Roland Keith Buehler of Anchorage, Alaska; one daughter, Geraldine Ann Hauser of Manhattan, Mont.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and six great-great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Emil Rezac, Ernest Rezac and George Rezac. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Janet Myers officiating. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington and from 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Claflin Ambulance Service or American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home.
George Edward Sporn 1929-2003
PEARLAND, TEXAS ‹ George Edward Sporn, 74, died April 25 at Memorial Hermann S.E. Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born April 22, 1929, at Ellinwood, the son of Leo A. and Thelma Irene Christiansen Sporn. He married
Dorothy Denyer, August 27, 1955 at Ellinwood. A former resident of Hutchinson, he had lived in Pearland for five years and was a retired manager of a steel plant. Sporn was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ of Little River; the V.F.W. and American Legion, both of Hutchinson and was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Richard Sporn of Evanston, Wyo., Mark Sporn and Michael Sporn, both of Wichita; two daughters Georgine Salinas and Teresa Sydnor, both of Pearland, Texas; one brother, Richard M. Sporn of Boulder, Colo.; one sister, Cathy Young of Little River; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Link. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church with Pastor Ted Weis officiating. Burial will be in Bean Memorial cemetery, Little River. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church. Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, is in charge of local arrangements.
Anna Theresa Penka 1906-2003
Anna Theresa Penka, 97, died April 25 at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 4, 1906, at Ellinwood, the daughter of Joseph and Mathilda Beran Birzer. She married
William Joseph Penka on Nov. 25, 1935 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, north of Ellinwood. He died Jan. 22, 1955. A homemaker, she was a resident of Great Bend since 1935. Penka was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and the St. Rose Altar Society, both of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Robert Penka of Champaign, Ill.; two daughters, Louise Hammeke of Ellinwood, and Mary Ellen Whitson of Junction City; seven sisters, Clara Bahr of Olmitz, Laura Tinkle of Claflin, Margaret Reichuber of Odin, Eleanor Penka of Healy, Cecilia Denning of Russell, Inez Giessel of Larned and Bertha Achatz of Ellinwood; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, George Birzer, Albert Birzer, Robert Birzer and James Birzer; and by four sisters, Mary Birzer, Kate Birzer, Helen Schartz and Elizabeth Ohnmacht. Altar Society Rosary is set for 3 p.m. Monday and Vigil Service is 7 p.m. Monday, both at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with Father Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may fall from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church.
