Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Helen Elizabeth Bennett 1922-2003
Helen Elizabeth Bennett, 80, of Great Bend, died July 26 at her residence. She was born Sept. 21, 1922, at Providence, R.I., the daughter of John Joseph and Lillian Veronica Rankin Newsome. She married
Wilbur Warren Bennett Sept. 13, 1945, at Hartford, Conn. He died July 23, 1995. A resident of Great Bend since 1976, coming from Manchester, Conn., she was a homemaker. Mrs. Bennett was a member of the Catholic faith and Newcomers Bridge Club of Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, Douglas Bennett of Connecticut and Richard Bennett of Olathe; one daughter, Diane Combs of Great Bend; one brother, William Newsome of Lebanon, Conn.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Reginald Urban officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday. Memorials are suggested to Barton County Relay for Life or Gideons International, both in care of the funeral home.
Arlene Newsome 1936-2003
Arlene Newsome, 66, of Great Bend, died July 25 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Dec. 26, 1936, at Great Bend, the daughter of Everette Alan and Mary Elsie Neisler Smith. She married
Norman Newsome in 1955 at Great Bend. He died Dec. 6, 1983. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Newsome was a cook and volunteer for the Argonne Rebels. Survivors include a companion, Kenneth Whitmore of Great Bend; three sons, Mark A. Newsome of Danville, Ind., Michael E. Newsome and Kevin J. Newsome, both of Great Bend; one sister, Dora Applegate of Great Bend; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Eugene Michael Smith; one sister, Bonnie Krestin; and two grandchildren, Amanda Newsome and Gary A. Wagner. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday 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. Monday and 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association, in care of the funeral home.
Isal L. Giesick 1919-2003
ALBERT - Isal L. Giesick, 83, died July 24 at her residence in Hutchinson. She was born Oct. 3, 1919, at Grant County, Okla., the daughter of Jesse and Dora Seifert Hergert. She married
Lester R. Giesick Oct. 12, 1946, at La Crosse. A resident of Hutchinson for two years, coming from Albert, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Giesick was a member of Albert Methodist Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary of La Crosse. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Robert Giesick of Hutchinson; three daughters, Mary Anne Depperschmidt of Wichita, Karen Schroeder of Hays and Beverly Ruder of San Angelo, Texas; one sister, Patty Whitt of Enid, Okla.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred Hergert, Earl Hergert and Bob Hergert; and two sisters, Audrey Lively and Beulah Easterly. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Otis Methodist cemetery in Otis. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Hutchinson Good Samaritan Village or Albert Fire Department, both in care of the funeral home.
Leona Louise Leiker 1914-2003
CLAFLIN - Leona Louise Leiker, 88, passed away Friday, July 25, 2003. She was born in rural Claflin on Dec. 11, 1914. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She worked 17 years as a dietary aide for Terrace Gardens Nursing Home. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wichita. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Louise Zecha Miller; her husband, Celestine; a grandchild, Morgan Leiker; and a great-grandson, Andrew Leiker. Leona will be dearly missed by her children, Janice and Terry Higgins of Nashville, Tenn., Darrell and Pam of Kansas City, Mo., Nancy and Tim Richards of Newton, and David and Linda of Wichita; brothers, Bill Miller of Claflin and Martin Miller of Atchinson; five sisters, Teresa Dolechek of Hoisington, Roberta Prosser of Odin, Rita Doll, Marie Hoss and Doris Smith, all of Claflin; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. There will be a family visitation from 6-7 p.m. Sunday, preceding the rosary at 7 p.m., and the funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 145 S. Millwood, Wichita. Memorials have been established with St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Lord's Diner. DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary, Wichita, is in charge of arrangements.
Luenda M. Kaiser 1914-2003
Luenda M. Kaiser, 88, of Great Bend, died July 24 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 27, 1914, at Hudson, the daughter of Godfrey L. and Pauline Nolte Rugan. She married
Lawrence Leo Kaiser in 1942. They later divorced. He died in 1987. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, she worked at Central Kansas Medical Center for 25 years until her retirement. Mrs. Kaiser was a member of Peace United Church of Christ of Hudson. Survivors include three sons, Lawrence 'Larry' Eugene Kaiser and Richard 'Dick' R. Kaiser, both of Great Bend, and William 'Bill' Kaiser of Richmond, Ind.; one brother, Arlie Rugan of Colorado Springs, Colo.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Walter Rugan. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 4, at Peace cemetery in Hudson, with the Rev. Arlyn Thielenhaus officiating. Cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Charter Funerals of Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association, in care of the funeral home.
Naomi Ayres Lightfoot 1907-2003
LARNED - Naomi Ayres Lightfoot, 95, died July 24 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 30, 1907, at Lenexa, the daughter of Nelson and Grace Powell Ayres. She married
Benjamen Archibald Lightfoot Sept. 7, 1931, at Shawnee. He died in 1955. A resident of Larned for 12 years, coming from Gardner, she was a former clerk of the District Court of Johnson County. Mrs. Lightfoot was a member of Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include one son, B.A. Lightfoot of Hanston; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Nelson P. Ayres and Arthur Ayers; and one sister, Ruth Elder. No services will be held. Her body was bequeathed to University of Kansas Medical School. Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cynthia Kay Bailly Kenton 1954-2003
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. - Cynthia Kay Bailly Kenton, 48, died July 23 at Spearfish, S.D. She was born Sept. 10, 1954, at Deadwood, S.D., the daughter of John C. and Vera Joan Derosier Bailly. She was a 1972 graduate of Great Bend High School, a 1977 graduate of University of Kansas, and received her masters degree from University of Colorado at Denver. She married
James S. Kenton May 28, 1978, in Great Bend. A resident of Castle Rock since 1984, she taught elementary school in Lawrence, Elizabeth, Colo., and Castle Rock for a total of 26 years. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Christopher Kenton of Fort Collins, Colo.; her stepfather, Walter Smith of Tucson, Ariz.; one brother, John Bailly of Wichita; one sister, Pamela Brannan of Highland Ranch, Colo.; one stepbrother, David Smith of Leawood; and two stepsisters, Sondra Dowling of El Paso, Texas, and Linda Cowan of Keene, N.H. A family service was held Friday at the family cabin in Lead, S.D. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Aug. 2 at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Castle Rock. Memorials are suggested to South Elementary Outdoor Education Program or American Cancer Society, in care of Carlsen & Aldinger Funeral Home of Spearfish.
Helen Alfrieda Lust 1927-2003
DELAND, Fla. - Helen Alfrieda Lust, 75, died July 23 at Florida Hospital - DeLand of Deland. She was born Sept. 20, 1927, at Philadelphia, Penn., the daughter of Roman and Mary Nistal Przyborowski. She married
Roland W. Lust at Philadelphia. He died July 19, 1978. A resident of DeLand for seven years, coming from Philadelphia and Great Bend, she had worked as a sales clerk in the retail market. Mrs. Lust was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church of DeLand. Survivors include three sisters, Alice Gerwin, Mildred Bukowski and Emma Kasavage, all of Philadelphia. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo Przyborowski and Steve Przyborowski; and one sister, Clara Pisarek. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.
Edith Ellen Hamilton Bartoo 1910-2003
Edith Ellen Hamilton Bartoo, 93, of Great Bend, died July 25 at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born March 23, 1910, at Great Bend, the daughter of Willis Hamilton and Chloe Gladys Vollmer. She received her bachelor of science degree from Emporia State University. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she was a elementary education teacher for USD 428, Great Bend, teaching at Washington School. Mrs. Bartoo was a member of First United Methodist Church, Church Council, Holl-Nething Circle, Barton Co. Association of Churches, Portia Club, Business and Professional Women, National Education Association, Retired Teachers Association, Birthday Club, founder of Silver and Gold Club, Kansans for Improvement of Nursing Homes, co-founder of Senior Travel Club at UMB, Barton County Community Concert Association, AAUW, Order of the Eastern Star, Etudien Federated Womens Club, and Barton Co. Knife and Fork Club. Survivors include one daughter, Chloellen Miller and husband John of Woodbridge, Va.; one sister, Eleanor Miller of Great Bend; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Hamilton of Great Bend; one grandson, Evan Miller of Charlotte, N.C.; one granddaughter, Semra Staut and husband Marc of Atlanta, Ga.; nephews, David Thomas and Steve Thomas, both of Great Bend; and one niece, Carolyn Huslig of Grand Junction, Colo. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Charles Hamilton. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Evelyn June Waddle 1928-2003
LYONS - Evelyn June Waddle, 74, died July 24 at Good Samaritan Center of Lyons. She was born Sept. 24, 1928, in Macksville, the daughter of Everett and Ruth Cummins Waddle. She was a resident of Lyons. Survivors include three sisters, Peggy Richter of Lyons, Sherry Sharp of Colby and Colleen Black of Yukon, Okla. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Farmington cemetery in Macksville. Memorials are suggested to Good Samaritan Center of Lyons, in care of Minnis Chapel of St. John.
Margie Beaghler 1923-2003
TOPEKA - Margie Beaghler, 79, died July 18 in Topeka. She was born Sept. 23, 1923, in Piqua, the daughter of Ernest and Clara Massoth Giltner. She was a resident of Topeka for six years. Survivors include three sons, Matt Wagner of Houston, Texas, Mark Wagner of Axtell and the Rev. Rick Branson of Marion; five daughters, Judy Thornton of Great Bend, Kathy Smith and Pat Stallbaumer, both of Topeka, Mary Krouse of Bonner Springs and Vicki Ellis of Wichita; one brother, Ted Giltner of Scottsdale, Ariz.; 24 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Mike Wagner; one brother; and two sisters. Funeral was July 22 at Crable VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City, with the Rev. Rick Branson officiating. Burial was at Osage City cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Topeka Rescue Mission, in care of the funeral chapel.
Roger E. Dillon 1949-2003
ZANESVILLE, Ohio - Roger E. Dillon, 54, died unexpectedly at 1:28 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Roger was a corrections officer for the Muskingum County Sheriff's Department. He was born Feb. 28, 1949, in Coffeyville, the son of Elvin and Viola Dillon. He lived most of his life in Kansas where he graduated from Kansas State University in 1978. He was a corrections officer at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility before moving to Zanesville in 2000. He married
Kris Dunkle October 2000. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Aaron Dillon and Matt Dillon, both of Kansas; one brother, John Dillon and wife Coral; one nephew, Bill Dillon and wife, Sarah; one niece, Becky Dillon; one stepdaughter, Mandi Crotzer of Nashport, Ohio; his wife's parents, Jim and Wanda Dunkle; one sister-in-law, Kim Dennis and her husband, Homer; and his beloved pets, Bart, Bailey and Kate. He is preceded in death by his parents. Calling hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Burrell Funeral Services in Zanesville. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Terry Newman officiating. Cremation will take place at a later date. Services will be held at a later date in Hoisington.
Norman 'Nordy' Philip Wilhelm 1922-2003
Norman 'Nordy' Philip Wilhelm, 80, of Great Bend, died July 23 at his residence. He was born Sept. 26, 1922, at Rush Center, the son of Philip and Ester Yost Wilhelm. He married
Betty Ruth Maser June 26, 1950, in Bazine. She preceded him in death. A resident of Great Bend since 1968, coming from Rush Center, he was a farmer, bartender for Starlight Supper Club and a truck driver for Gibsons. Wilhelm was a member of Masonic Temple and Shriners. Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Martin/Scheck of Oklahoma City, Okla.; three sisters, Joyce Rogers of McCracken, Florance Schuddy of La Crosse and Kathryn Pickens of Wichita; five grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Ruth Ann Wilhelm; one brother, George 'Bud' Wilhelm; and one sister, Thelma Kirby. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Gary Brooks officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Charter Funeral Chapel in Great Bend.
Bertha Elsie Fairchild 1909-2003
LARNED - Bertha Elsie Fairchild, 94, died July 23 at Larned Healthcare Center of Larned. She was born May 21, 1909, in Edwards County, the daughter of James Thomas and Ida May Thomas Dugger. She married
William Frederick Fairchild April 2, 1927, at Lewis. He died May 29, 1961. A lifetime resident of Pawnee and Edwards counties, she was a nurses' aide and owner of Fairchild Dugger Dairy. Mrs. Fairchild was a member of First Christian Church, EHU, Happy Harmony Club, Happy Hour Club and Welcome Inn, all of Larned. Survivors include one son, William Dean Fairchild of Larned; three daughters, Carol May Beaudion of Kalispell, Mont., Lola Irene Cavalier of Fayetteville, N.C., and Brenda Sue Barker of Larned; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three daughters, Alice Joan Strobel, Betty Jean Fairchild and Norma Lee Fairchild; and three brothers, Raymond Dugger, Virgil Dugger and Clifford Dugger. Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Larned cemetery with the Revs. Rhonda Glenn and Dan Lundgren officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church, Welcome Inn or donors' choice, all in care of the mortuary.
