Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Glenn W. Eilts 1927-2003
ALBERT - Glenn W. Eilts, 76, died Oct. 8 at Central Kansas Medical Center of Great Bend. He was born Aug. 21, 1927, in Rush County, the son of Bill and Tina Josifiak Eilts. He married
Elsie A. Sell Oct. 29, 1951, in Rush Center. A lifetime area resident, he worked for Centel, retiring in 1990. Eilts was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Galen Glenn Eilts of Jefferson City, Tenn.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Debra Ann and Terry Hoffman of Albert, Pamela and Ed Brumfield of Plano, Texas, and Laurie and Mike Gripe of Pratt; three sisters, Ruby Trout of Rush Center, Ella Boese of Rozel and Elaine Horacek of Helena, Mont.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one step granddaughter; and two step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Martin Eilts; and one sister, Beulah Ellis. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. John Grummon officiating. Cremation will take place after the service. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Albert Fire Department, in care of the funeral home.
Elsie Lorene West Gimpel 1914-2003
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Mo. - Elsie Lorene West Gimpel, 89, died Oct. 4 at St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View. She was born May 20, 1914, in Mountain View, the daughter of John David and Jennie Idell Smith Brotherton. She married
Henry E. Gimpel April 21, 1947, in Wichita. He died March 2, 1999. Survivors include seven sons, Herbert West of Wichita, Robert West of Jefferson City, Mo., Lester West of Independence, Mo., Jerry West of Kansas City, Mo., Henry Gimple Jr. of Amarillo, Texas, Arthur Gimpel of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Michael Gimpel of Willow Springs, Mo.; five daughters, Mildred Hartenbower of Ellinwood, Jennie Bennett of Stover, Mo., Barbara West of Mount Vernon, Mo., Betty Schulz of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Linda Proffitt of Salem, Wis.; two stepdaughters, Alice Arnold of Ontario, Ore., and Juanita Dudley of Bakersville, Calif.; 54 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, William 'Bill' West and Charles West; four stepchildren, Don West, Eldon West, Warren West and Alma Henry; one brother; two sisters, and three grandchildren. Funeral was Wednesday at Duncan Funeral Chapel in Mountain View with Gene Bradford officiating. Burial was at New Salem cemetery in Mountain View.
Derreck Lee Urban 1989-2003
HAYS - Derreck Lee Urban, 13, died Oct. 6 at Via Christi Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, in Wichita. He was born Nov. 25, 1989, at Wichita, the son of David and Rosalind Urban. He was a resident of Hays since 1997, coming from Claflin. Urban was of the Roman Catholic faith. Survivors include his father, and companion, Debbie Allen, both of Great Bend; his mother, Rosalind Werth, and step-father, Craig Werth, of the home; one brother, Dexter Urban of the home; two half-sisters, Kendra Werth of the home and Jerica Urban of Great Bend; grandparents, Clifford J. and Nancy Kruetzer of Ellis and Frances Urban of Great Bend; step-grandparents, Firman and Irene Werth of Ellsworth, and Norman and Sharon Thouvenelle of Azle, Texas; and great grandmother, Cecelia Kruetzer of Ellis. He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Devin Urban. Vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Great Bend with the Rev. Reginald Urban officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph cemetery of Hays with the Rev. Felix Petrovsky officiating. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Craig Home Health Care of Ness City in care of the funeral home.
Wilbur Pitts Jr. 1923-2003
LARNED - Wilbur Pitts Jr., 79, died Oct. 7 at his residence in Larned. He was born Nov. 16, 1923, at Manhattan, the son of Wilbur Sr. and Gertrude Harrison Pitts. A longtime resident of Larned, he worked as a bell hop and had a self-employed shoe shine business. Pitts was of the Catholic faith. Survivors include one sister, Esther Beard of Newton. He was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters. Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Larned cemetery with the Rev. Dennis Reed officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.
David Earl Harbert 1948-2003
ALEXANDRIA, Va., - David Earl Harbert, 55, retired contract manager for the American Red Cross National Headquarters, passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003. Earl was born in Great Bend, Kan., on Aug. 21, 1948. He graduated from Larned High School in 1966 and Kansas State University with a degree in education in 1970. During his 30-year career with the Red Cross, he worked for the Midway-Kansas Chapter in Wichita, MidWestern Area Office in St. Louis, Eastern Operation Headquarters in Alexandria, Va., and the National Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Earl's work through American Red Cross Water Safety Training Program touched many people. He was recognized for his life-long contribution to water safety with a Golden Whale Award from the Commodore Longfellow Society April 13, 2002, their highest honor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard J. and Frances E. Harbert. He is survived by his brother Terry Harbert and wife Paula, nephew David of Topeka, Kan., sister Cathie Kornacki and husband Robert, nieces Tess and Erin of Platte City, Mo., sister Janie Seiler and husband Allan of Wichita, Kan., brother Guy Harbert and wife Debra, niece Deserae and nephew Cody of Larned, Kan., and many close friends. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at Larned cemetery. Friends may sign the guest register at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Inurnment will be in the Larned cemetery, Larned. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made in Earl's name to the Commodore Longfellow Society, 2116 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.
Beverly A. Murray 1930-2003
OCALA, Fla. - Beverly A. Murray, 73, died Sept. 24 at Ocala Regional Medical Center. She was born June 23, 1930, at Butler, Mo. A resident of Ocala, coming from Butler and Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Murray was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband, Leonard F. Murray of the home; two sons, Darrell F. Murray of Jacksonville, Fla., and Kerry L. Murray of Great Bend; two daughters, Coleen Lustick of Salina and Dawn M. Andrews of Fort McCoy, Fla.; one sister, Rosemary Calvert of Platte City, Mo.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Memorial service was Sept. 29 at Roberts Funeral Homes Bruce Chapel East in Ocala. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society in care of Coleen Lustick, 1222 Stratford Dr., Salina KS, 67401.
Pansy I. Mettscher 1927-2003
SOUTH HUTCHINSON - Pansy I. Mettscher, 76, died Oct. 7 at Mennonite Friendship Manor in South Hutchinson. She was born Sept. 2, 1927, at St. John, the daughter of A.D. and Eda Nagel Drake. She married
Virgil G. Mettscher May 18, 1946, at Sylvia. A resident of South Hutchinson, coming from St. John, she was a retired bank vice-president with FNB of St. John, after 33 1/2 years of service. Mrs. Mettscher was a member of the Methodist Church of St. John. Survivors include her husband of the home; and two sisters, Barbara G. Campbell of Grandview, Mo., and Emma L. Wolber of Napa, Calif. Memorial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with the Rev. Linda Toms officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. There is no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County or American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home.
Beverly A. Murray
OCALA, Fla. - Beverly A. Murray, 73, died Sept. 24 at Ocala Regional Medical Center. A resident of Ocala, coming from Butler, Mo., she was a homemaker. Mrs. Murray was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Survivors include her husband, Leonard F. Murray of the home; one son, Darrell F. Murray of Jacksonville, Fla.; three daughters, Coleen Lustick of Salina, Kerry L. Murray of Great Bend and Dawn M. Andrews of Fort McCoy, Fla.; one sister, Rosemary Calvert of Platte City, Mo.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Funeral was Sept. 29 at Roberts Funeral Homes Bruce Chapel East in Ocala. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society.
Gene Marcum 1934-2003
OLATHE - Gene Marcum, 69, died Sept. 14 at his home. He was born May 8, 1934, in Hoisington, the son of Luther and Mary Marcum. He was a 1953 graduate of Osawatomie High School. He married
Doris Page Nov. 30, 1956. A resident of Olathe, coming from Atascadero, Calif., and Osawatomie, he worked for Metcalf Ford, Missouri Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad, retiring in 1999. Marcum was a member of Lenexa Christian Center. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, David Marcum of Olathe; three daughters, Debbie Hatfield of Eldon, Mo., Becky Norris of Paola and Melissa Dice of Olathe; one brother, Charles Marcum of Osawatomie; three sisters, Louise Lehnning of Great Bend, Kay Mullis of Aztec, Ariz., and Gladys Voos of Hoisington; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, John Marcum, Robert Marcum and Herbert Marcum; one half-brother, LeRoy Holman; and two sisters, Angeline Sohm and Ruth Page. Funeral was Sept. 17 at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Funeral Chapel in Kansas City. Burial was at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. Memorials are suggested to Olathe Medical Center Hospice, in care of the funeral chapel.
Ruth L. Marymee 1913-2003
Ruth L. Marymee, 90, of Great Bend, died Oct. 4, at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Feb. 4, 1913, at Malden, Mass., the daughter of Albert A. and Margaret Hanley Carpenter. She married
Lester L. Burton in Portland, Ore. He died Dec. 29, 1976. She married
Verlie E. 'Tex' Marymee April 4, 1987, at Willits, Calif. A resident of Great Bend since 1989, coming from Reno, Nev., she was a homemaker. Mrs. Marymee was a member of Central Baptist Church, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Order of Eastern Star and past worthy matron, all of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Roy Allen Burton of North Bend, Ore., and George Oliver Burton of Willits; six stepsons, Wallace Lloyd Marymee of Oxford, James Frederick Marymee of Severn, Md., Ray Byron Marymee of Denver, Colo., Kit Eugene Marymee of Milwaukee, Wis., Tim Lee Marymee of Kansas City and Don Paul Marymee of Brush, Colo.; one brother, Jack Carpenter of Boston, Mass.; two sisters, Irene Rhoads of Cullman, Ala., and Nina Schaub of Phoenix, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; 17 stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 10 step great-grandchildren; and one step great-great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend, with the Rev. Dr. Gordon E. Rhodes officiating. Private family burial will be at Hillside cemetery in Julesburg, Colo. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Order of Eastern Star, in care of the funeral home.
Kassidy Denai Shumway 2003-2003
PRATT - Kassidy Denai Shumway, infant, died Oct. 4 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was born Oct. 4, 2003, at Wichita, the daughter of Jason M. Shumway and Leslie E. Cherry. Survivors include her mother of Pratt; her father of Pratt; and grandparents, Wallace and Denise Cherry of Great Bend, Robert and Betty Baird, and Dan and Lois Shumway, all of Pratt. She was preceded in death by one brother, Cole Garrett Luce. Private family graveside service was Monday at Great Bend cemetery, with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. No memorials are suggested. Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend was in charge of arrangements.
Harold E. Keltner 1917-2003
BELTON, Mo. - Harold E. Keltner, 85, died Oct. 3 at his home. He was born Dec. 22, 1917, in rural Hoisington, the son of Lamonta Cecil and Catherine Anna Ford Keltner. He was a 1936 graduate of Hoisington High School and a graduate of Kansas State University. A resident of Belton for 13 years, coming from California, he was an architectural engineer for Leo Daly. Keltner was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hoisington. Survivors include one brother, Earl Keltner of Salina. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Chester Keltner, Marvin Keltner, Raymond Keltner and Morris Keltner; and one sister, Velma Martin. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hoisington cemetery in Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 8 tonight and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to the church or Clara Barton Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.
Irene A. Nicholson 1918-2003
LARNED - Irene A. Nicholson, 84, died Oct. 4 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born Nov. 7, 1918, in Crawford County, the daughter of William and Cora Kennedy Simmons. She married
John Nicholson Jan. 4, 1936, at Larned. He died Aug. 27, 1983. A lifetime resident of Larned, she was a homemaker and retired in 1980 from J.S. Dillons after 32 years of service. Mrs. Nicholson was a member of First Christian Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, both of Larned. Survivors include two sons, Wesley Nicholson of Topeka and William 'Bill' Nicholson of Larned; one sister, Vera Short of Dodge City; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronald Nicholson; one daughter, Janice Haberman; three brothers, Ralph Simmons, Everett Simmons and Manford Simmons; two sisters, Hazel Penka and Olive May Studivan; and one granddaughter, Tanya Nicholson Potter. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Beckwith Mortuary in Larned, with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Welcome Inn Senior Center or the church, both in care of the mortuary.
DeVere 'Dee' Dove Jr. 1926-2003
DeVere 'Dee' Dove Jr., 77, of Great Bend, died Oct. 3 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born March 16, 1926, at Topeka, the son of DeVere Sr. and Alice Brumley Dove. He was a 1948 graduate of the University of Kansas where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He married
Lois Bradstreet Sept. 15, 1946, at Topeka. A resident of Great Bend for 47 years, he was founder and past president of Dove Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac Inc., of Great Bend. Dove was a member of Kansas Automobile Dealers Association, Great Bend Automobile Dealers Association and a dealer representative of Buick Advisory Council. He was also a member of USD 428 school board, director and past president of Security State Bank, director the the Petroleum Club, board member of Central Kansas Medical Center, director of Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, director of Great Bend Industrial Development, president of Sunflower Shriner's Club, president of Park School Parent Teachers Association, president of Great Bend High School Panther Parents, member of airport activities board, director of activities Boy Scouts of America, member of Great Bend American Legion Argonne Post 180, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111, member of ISIS Shrine Temple, member of Elks B.P.O.E. Lodge 1127 and a member of Masonic Lodge. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II, and a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, DeVere Dove III of Great Bend; two daughters, Deborah V. Rosen of Huntsville, Ala., and Mary B. Keller of Marshall, Mo.; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Dixie Dove Glenn. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church of Great Bend with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend and from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Sunflower Shrine Club, both in care of the funeral home.
