Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Eva M. Smith 1915-2003
Eva M. Smith, 87, died April 2 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born Sept. 30, 1915, at Hays, the daughter of Ernest and Lou Bucklou Grippin. She married
Walter Raymond Smith March 31, 1934, at Towner, Colo. He died Feb. 4, 2000. A resident of Larned since 1955, coming from Scott City, she was a homemaker. Survivors include three sons, Raymond Smith of Larned, Lenard Smith of Pawnee Rock and Warren Smith of Independence, Mo.; one daughter, Marguerite Horn of Great Bend; two sisters, Opal Vandermark of Rickreall, Ore., and Ruby Comer of Holly, Colo.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Leslie Grippin, Harold Grippen and Jimmy Grippin. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. Jim Hawthorne officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call until 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Presbyterian Church, in care of the mortuary.
Elsie Mae Clapham 1923-2003
LARNED - Elsie Mae Clapham, 79, died April 2 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla. She was born April 22, 1923, at Tangier, Okla., the daughter of Bert Allison and Mary Alice Payne Musselman. She married
Wilbur Gaylord Clapham June 25, 1938, at Buffalo, Okla. He died Oct. 13, 1987. A resident of Larned and Tulsa, she was a retired nurse's aid at Gleason Hospital, working for more than 20 years. Mrs. Clapham was of the Christian faith. Survivors include four daughters, Phyllis Eilts of Hutchinson, Peggy Kelley of Birmingham, Ala., Pat Grimes of Larned and Elva Lea Base of Tulsa; two brothers, Bill Musselman of Longmont, Colo., and Pat Musselman of Altos, Calif.; three sisters, Ruby Fiel of Tulsa, Cleo Hartman of Redmond, Wash., and Betty Nichols of Bethany, Okla.; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Clive Musselman; three sisters, Leona Peck, Ora Clark and Alberta Steinbach; and one granddaughter, Barbara Kelley Bryant. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Larned cemetery with the Rev. David Clapham officiating. Friends may call from noon until 8 p.m. Sunday with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., all at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. The casket will be closed. Memorials are suggested to Kansas State University Center for Basic Cancer Research or American Heart Association, both in care of the funeral home.
Frances C. Miller 1920-2003
Frances C. Miller, 82, of Great Bend, died April 3 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Nov. 26, 1920, at El Dorado, the daughter of Frank U. and Marie A. Cunningham Muth. She married
Cyril 'Cy' W. Miller June 5, 1939, in El Dorado. He died Feb. 28, 1998. A resident of Great Bend since 1950, coming from El Dorado, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Miller was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose Altar Society, both of Great Bend, Beta Sigma Phi and IGAS (Graphoanalysis Association.) Survivors include three sons, Tim J. Miller of Great Bend, Roch A. Miller of Ellinwood and Don R. Miller of Hutchinson; one daughter, Monica A. Bowers of Great Bend; two brothers, Phillip Muth of Salida, Colo., and Francis Muth of Los Angeles, Calif.; three sisters, Lucille Thomas of Okmulgee, Okla., and Regina Walter and Ruth Strumfa, both of El Dorado; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Michael Miller; three brothers, Maurice Muth, John Muth and Ulysess Muth; two sisters, Verdis Muth and Geneva Walter; and one granddaughter. Altar Society rosary will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Angel Dy officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Lung Association or Great Bend Humane Society, both in care of the funeral home.
Jackie Burton 1931-2003
Jackie Burton, 72, of Great Bend, died April 3 at his residence. He was born Jan. 31, 1931, at Squires, Mo., the son of George and Ola Frye Burton. He married
Kathleen Evans June 14, 1953, at Longrun, Mo. A resident of Great Bend for 50 years, coming from Ava, Mo., he was employed by Thies Packing Company for 27 years and was an equipment operator for Kansas Department of Transportation for 10 years before retiring. Burton attended First Assembly of God Church for 50 years. His last years were spent on the river banks of Kansas fishing. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Keith Burton and wife, Heidi Jo, of Great Bend; one daughter, Keela Jackson and husband, Jim, of Great Bend; two brothers, Roy Burton and Bob Burton; one sister, Aileen; seven grandchildren, Jimmy Jackson, Grant Jackson, Heather Jackson, Valerie Burton, Lucas Burton, J.C. Bosch and Corbin Bosch. He was preceded in death by one son, Duane Burton. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Revs. Dwight Dozier, J.P. McCamey, Brian Norvell and David Hartzell officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until 9 tonight with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 tonight, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, both in care of the funeral home.
Bernard Mai 1919-2003
RUSSELL - Bernard Mai, 83, died April 2 at Russell Regional Hospital in Russell. He was born Nov. 23, 1919, on the family farm near Russell, the son of David D. and Nathalie Boxberger Mai. He married
Ruth Alberta Nuss Feb. 6, 1944, at Russell. A lifelong Russell area resident, he was employed as a carpenter in both commercial and residential construction, and was a farmer. Mai was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 99, where he served as past commander, Elk's Lodge, all of Russell, and Eagles Lodge of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one brother, Elmer Mai of Russell; and one sister, Rozille Martin of Colorado Springs, Colo. Prayer service will be at 7 tonight at Pohlman's Mortuary in Russell. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Harlan Kaden officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Lutheran cemetery in Russell. Friends may call from noon to 9 tonight at the funeral home. The family will receive friends after the prayer service until 9 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church cemetery, in care of the funeral home.
Leo Alexander Schemm 1929-2003
LYONS - Leo Alexander Schemm, 73, died April 2 at his residence in Lyons. He was born Dec. 13, 1929, at WaKeeney, the son of Paul George and Katerine Pastor Schemm. He attended Pittsburg Teacher's College. He married
Therese Pfannenstiel Sept. 16, 1954, at WaKeeney. A resident of Lyons since 1957, he was a linotype operator, a newspaper printer-pressman and a production superintendent, retiring in 1997 after 40 years of service to the Lyons Daily News. Schemm was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 03184 and American Legion Post 129, all of Lyons, and International Retread Motorcycle Association. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served a tour in Japan during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Mark Schemm and wife, Mary Ann, of Smith Center, Kevin Schemm and wife, Debbie, of Hutchinson, Kurt Schemm and wife, Karyn, of Derby, and Father Michael Schemm of Wichita; two brothers, Richard Schemm of New York City, N.Y., and Thomas Schemm of Tribune; four sisters, Esther Pearson of WaKeeney, Helen Ziegler of Collyer, Ruth Nollette of Cathedral City, Calif., and Doris Koehn of WaKeeney; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Herman Schemm and August Schemm. Parish rosary will be at 7 tonight at the church. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of Wichita, officiating. The Most Reverend Eugene J. Gerber, bishop emeritus of Wichita, will be homilist. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery in Lyons with full military honors by McConnell Air Force. Friends may call from 2-5:30 today at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons and from 6-8:30 tonight at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Rice/Reno County Hospice, both in care of the funeral home.
Amanda I. Price 1916-2003
ROZEL - Amanda I. Price, 86, died April 1 at Larned Health Care and Living Center in Larned. She was born May 27, 1916, at Nekoma, the daughter of Adam and Mollie Wertz Schenk. She married
John G. Price Nov. 14, 1934, at Scott City. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Price was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, ALCW Woman's Group, both of Rush Center, and Golden Rural Quilting Club of Rozel. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Larry Price of Larned and John Price Jr. of Rozel; one daughter, Donna Wells of Newton; one sister, Mabel Price of Nekoma; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsie Folkerts and Helen Burk. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Maurice A. Schaus officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. today and Friday, both at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Family will receive friends Friday at the Price home in Rozel. Memorials are suggested to Larned Healthcare and Living Center, in care of the mortuary.
David A. Harper 1960-2003
HOISINGTON - David A. Harper, 43, died March 30 at his residence in Hoisington. He was born Feb. 3, 1960, at San Diego, Calif., the son of Donald D. and Elaine Jacobson Harper. A resident of Hoisington for seven years, coming from Lakeside, Calif., he was owner of Harper Satellite Sales in Lakeside. Harper attended First Christian Church in Hoisington. Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Harper of Hoisington; one son, Steven Harper of Alpine, Calif.; one daughter, Kimberly Kay Harper of the home; his mother of Lakeside; one sister, Christy Harper of Lakeside; and his grandmother, Thelma Harper of Hoisington. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ronnie Harper. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Rev. Paula Bell officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids or the church, both in care of the funeral home.
Mathilda Leikam 1906-2003
JETMORE - Mathilda Leikam, 97, died March 31 at her home near Jetmore. She was born Feb. 14, 1906, at Munjor, the daughter of Ludwig J. and Elizabeth Gerstner Gabel. She married
Jacob Leikam Oct. 4, 1927, at Ness City. He died June 17, 1982. A lifetime Jetmore area resident, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Leikam was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Altar Society, both of Jetmore. Survivors include one son, Jacob Leikam Jr. of Jetmore; five daughters, Eleanora Leikam of Alamosa, Colo., Hilda Leikam of Topeka, Velma Frank of Limon, Colo., Mildred Armstrong of Manhattan and Joann Kammer of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one sister, Catherine Harmon of Garden City; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Haberkorn and Lillian Rupp; and eight brothers, Isidore Gabel, Henry Gabel, Edmond Gabel, Raymond Gabel, John Gabel, Jacob Gabel, Adam Gabel and Ludwig 'Shorty' Gabel. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the church. Funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Henry Hildebrandt officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, all at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to the church or Hospice of the Prairie, both in care of the funeral home.
Bernadene Isabel Shelton 1908-2003
Bernadene Isabel Shelton, 94, of Great Bend, died April 2 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born Oct. 26, 1908, at Great Bend, the daughter of Lyman John and Clementine McCalab Dodge. Bernadene was a graduate of Great Bend High School. She married
Francis Christie 'Red' Shelton Sept. 3, 1935, at Corpus Christi, Texas. A longtime resident of Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband of Ellinwood; one son, Rodney Shelton of Greensburg; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A private family burial is planned. There will be no public services. Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Rae Kindhart 1930-2003
ST. JOHN - Shirley Rae Kindhart, 72, died April 1 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born July 26, 1930, in Hancock, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond L. and Florence Henrietta Brandes. She married
Leo G. Kindhart of Hutchinson. A resident of Hoisington, she was a bookkeeper for First National Bank, hospital and SF Co. Engineers office, all of St. John. Mrs. Kindhart was a past member of First United Methodist Church and Harmony Club, both of St. John. Survivors include one son, David R. Kindhart of Emporia; one daughter, Debra R. Pound of St. John; two brothers, Raymond Brandes Jr. of Oakland, Iowa, and Wayne Brandes of Hancock; one sister, Elva Joy Haas of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Nicholas Allen Pound. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Minnis Chapel Inc. of St. John, with the Rev. W. Harlan Rittgers officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery of St. John. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to the church building fund or Multiple Sclerosis Fund, both in care of the funeral chapel.
Lyle L. Smith 1929-2003
GOODLAND - Lyle L. Smith, a longtime insurance agent and civic leader in Sherman County, died March 30 at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colo. Smith was born April 26, 1929, at Beardsley, the son of Ethel (Lavell) and John J. Smith, and grew up on the family's wheat and milo farm. He graduated from high school in Stratton, Neb., and attended McCook Junior College at McCook, Neb., for one year. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1950 and was honorably discharged as a yeoman second class in March 1954, having served in California, Rhode Island and Japan. His commanding officer at the time of his discharge, Lt. E.A. Wagner, wrote that 'Smith possesses a quiet, friendly personality and is very well liked by all of his associates. The moral standards he has set for himself are of the highest. ... He has my unqualified recommendation in whatever venture he undertakes upon his return to civilian life.' On March 25, 1955, he and Marsha C. Wallace were married
at McDonald. They would have three children: Tony, Sheila and Joni. Mr. Smith farmed from 1954 to 1958, raising wheat, corn, cows and sheep. From 1958 to 1962, he worked in various posts with the Boy Scouts of America, first in Omaha, Neb., as a district executive and director of training, and then in Hutchinson as a district executive. Beginning in 1962, he held management posts at Wiley's department store in Great Bend, rising to manager for all store and restaurant operations there. In June 1966, Smith and his family moved to Goodland. Smith became an agent with the New York Life Insurance Co., which he served for more than 30 years. Smith also sold crop insurance. It was in Goodland, especially, that Smith became extensively involved with civic and church activities. He was a member of the Methodist church in every community he and Marsha lived, and taught Sunday school and served on a number of committees at his final church, the Goodland First United Methodist Church. He also was part of the special Stephen Ministers of the church. Smith also was elected to the Goodland City Council in 1969, and the Sherman County Board of County Commissioners in 1972 and again in 1976. Smith continued his involvement with Boy Scouting. In 1992, he ran unsuccessfully for a representative's post to the Kansas state Legislature. Smith also was active in shaping health care in northwest Kansas, serving as a trustee of the Northwest Kansas Regional Medical Center and on the advisory board of the Sherman County Good Samaritan Center. Recently, he also was president of Rural Health Ventures, which sought to provide doctors and other experts to Goodland and Sharon Springs. In addition, Mr. Smith served on the board of the Kansas State Quarter Horse Association, and was a well-known horseman for some years. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Goodland Elks Lodge, Goodland Chamber of Commerce, and the booster club Goodland Ambassadors, which he helped start and served as its first president. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge and its Scottish Rite, and had earlier belonged to the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. He is survived by his wife, Marsha C. Smith, at home in Goodland; a son, Tony, and his wife, Tina, of Guymon, Okla.; and daughters Joni Smith, of Goodland, and Sheila Cunningham and her husband, Douglas, of Milford, Penn. His grandchildren, on whom he doted, are Taos, Tucson and Tekoa Smith, and Olivia, Benjamin and Sophie Cunningham. In addition, survivors include one sister, Marlene Schoonover, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; her former husband, Leo Schoonover, of Scott City; one brother, Duane Smith, and his wife, Verla, of Burlington, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Verda Smith, of Hobbs, N.M., and Kay Smith Howard, of Fairfield, Mont.; and several nieces and nephews. Lyle and Marsha's beloved dog, Jake, also remains at home. Preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers, Eldon, John and Veryl. The funeral will be at 1:30 today, mountain standard time, at the First United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Janet Hernandez officiating. Burial will be at 4:30 p.m. central standard time at McDonald, Kansas, cemetery. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. this morning at Koons Memorial Chapel in Goodland, or at the church before the service. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Goodland, or to Boy Scout Troop 142 of Goodland, all in care of Koons Funeral Home, 211 North Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.
