Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Marguerite E. Fagen 1915-2003
LARNED - Marguerite E. Fagen, 87, died Oct. 3 at Larned Health Care Center. She was born Dec. 29, 1915, at Garfield, the daughter of Claude Gilbert and Mary Elma Boyd Giddens. She married
Thomas 'Tim' Oscar Fagen March 30, 1933, at Radium. He died July 20, 1984. A lifetime Pawnee County resident, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Fagen was a member of Garfield Methodist Church and Over 50 Club, both of Garfield. Survivors include one son, Arlyn Fagen of Wichita; two daughters, Loretta Fagen of Larned and Charlene Bridges of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother, Ellis O. Giddens of Renton, Wash.; one sister, Ella 'Mae' Brumbaugh of Wichita; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Gilbert 'Dean' Giddens and Delbert D. Giddens; four sisters, DeEtta Rubendall, Ethel Brunson, Darlene Giddens and Elsie M. Giddens. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday, all at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to Garfield Over 50 Club in care of the funeral chapel.
Kenneth L. Tate 1928-2003
FT. DODGE - Kenneth L. Tate, 75, died Sept. 30 at Kansas Soldier's Home in Halsey Hall, Ft. Dodge. He was born April 15, 1928, at Abilene, Texas, the son of W.H. Sr. and Mable Norton Tate. He attended McMurry College and Baylor University. He married
Lena Marie Barbian at Abilene. She died Nov. 19, 1998. A resident of Dodge City, coming from Larned, he was formerly employed in Venzuela for Haliburton Oil Company, was former owner and operator of Blue Goose Cafe and T's Place, both of Larned, and owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Dodge City. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served as corporal in the Korean War. Tate was a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite, St. Bernard Lodge 222 AF & AM, Median Shrine, St. Bernard's Chapter 97, Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include one daughter, Kathryn Swinney of Dodge City; one sister, Lois Watkins of Abilene; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth L. Tate Jr.; three brothers, Clifford Tate, W.H. Tate Jr., and James Tate Sr.; and three sisters, Ada L. Finch, Gwendolyn Moore and Thelma Williams. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Swaim Funeral Home of Dodge City with the Rev. Kirk Larson officiating. Burial will be at Scroggins Mausoleum of Dodge City with Masonic Rites by St. Bernard Lodge 222 of Dodge City. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Kenneth L. Tate Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Marie A. Vanek 1942-2003
SALINA - Marie A. Vanek, 61, died Oct. 2 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, in Wichita. She was born June 10, 1942, in Wilson, the daughter of James Sr. and Anna Bahcura Vanek. She was a graduate of Wilson High School. A resident of Salina, coming from Wilson, she was a production worker for Tony's Pizza of Salina. She was a member of St. Mary's Church of Salina. Survivors include one brother, James F. Vanek of Hays. Parish vigil will be at 7 tonight at Foster Mortuary in Wilson. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Wenceslaus Church of Wilson, with the Revs. Mike Scully and David Metz officiating. Burial will be at Wenceslaus cemetery in Wilson. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary.
Delsa Mae Harmon 1904-2003
STAFFORD - Delsa Mae Harmon, 99, died Oct. 2 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born Aug. 9, 1904, at rural Stafford, the daughter of Cobus and Wilmina Hall Heyen. She married
Frank R. Harmon Dec. 14, 1946, at St. John. He died Aug. 20, 1974. A lifetime resident of Stafford, she was a waitress and homemaker. Mrs. Harmon was a member of First Christian Church of Stafford. Survivors include three sisters, Onabel Ragsdale and Verla Manderscheid, both of Stafford, and LaVerne McCann of Billings, Mont. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford with Eric Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Stafford cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to the church, Leisure Homestead or Stafford District Hospital, all in care of the funeral chapel.
Bobby Gail Garrison 1961-2003
NESS CITY - Bobby Gail Garrison, 41, died Oct. 1 at Garden City. He was born Nov. 9, 1961, at Norton, the son of Darrell and Marvalee Elling Garrison. He married
Denise Hoss Dec. 6, 1980, at Ness City. A resident of Ness City, he was a wholesale foods sales representative for F & E Wholesale. Garrison was a member of United Methodist Church of Ness City, an active member of Ness County Jaycees, and a member of Sons of the American Legion of Garden City. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Michael Garrison of Hays; one daughter, Krista Garrison of the home; his parents; four brothers, Kerry Garrison and Tad Garrison, both of Ness City, Monte Garrison of Great Bend and Jason Garrison of Tuscola, Ill.; one sister, Lisa Dinkel of Hays; and two grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. Sue Talbot and Gregory Leblanc officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart cemetery in Ness City. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home of Ness City and until service time Saturday at the church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Garrison Children educational fund or donor's choice, both in care of the funeral home.
Darrell F. Goans 1948-2003
LARNED - Darrell F. Goans, 55, died Sept. 28 at Larned Healthcare and Living Center. He was born Feb. 12, 1948, the son of Frank and Lucille Lee Goans. A Larned resident for three years, coming from Great Bend, he was a welder for McDonalds Tank and Doonans, both of Great Bend. Survivors include four daughters, Shawna Goans of Great Bend, Renee Pray of Provo, Utah, Mona Daniels of Salina and Victoria Kelsey of Kinsley; his parents of Dodge City; four sisters, Janie Innis, Myra Keith and Connie Hipp, all of Dodge City, and Alma Donley of Bridgeport; and 11 grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Pentecostal Holiness Church in Dodge City with the Rev. Rick Donley officiating. A private family burial will take place in Independence at a later date. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Burkhart-Ziegler Funeral Chapel of Dodge City. There will be no public viewing. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Darrell Goans Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801.
Raymond Alfred McCoy 1918-2003
WEST PLAINS, Mo. - Raymond Alfred McCoy, 85, died Sept. 29 at National Health Care in West Plains. He was born Aug. 3, 1918, at Choctaw, Okla., the son of Clarence O. and Elsie M. Dunivan McCoy. He married
Hazel Inez Engleman in 1940 at Larned. She died Feb. 21, 1989. A resident of West Plains, coming from Great Bend, he was retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 30 years of service. McCoy was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include two sons, Mark McCoy of West Plains and Grant McCoy of Edmund, Okla.; two daughters, Rita Dannebohm of Abilene and Alyce Schartz of West Plains; one sister, Juanita Wesley of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth 'Dude' O. McCoy; and one great-granddaughter. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Union Grove cemetery in Howell County, Mo., with military rites performed by West Plains Honor Guard and Missouri Military Funeral Honors. The Rev. John McGinn will officiate. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association, in care of Carter Funeral Home of West Plains.
Joseph D. Stafford 1981-2003
PAWNEE ROCK - Joseph D. Stafford passed away peacefully in his Pawnee Rock, Kan., home surrounded by family on Oct. 1, 2003, at the age of 21, following a courageous 24-month battle with testicular cancer. He was born Nov. 24, 1981, to Daniel and Lois Stafford. He lived most of his life in Kansas, graduating from Larned High School in 2000 and North Central Kansas Technical College in 2002 with an associates degree in electricity. He worked for Interstates Electric, Sioux Center, Iowa, as an electrician. Joe touched so many lives with his courage, friendship, sense of humor and love for life. He especially enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with the wind and the sun in his face. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Joe is survived by his parents, Daniel and Lois Stafford of Pawnee Rock; one brother, Michael Stafford of the home; two sisters, Nicole Hampton of Tampa, Fla., and Christine Floyd of Virginia Beach, Va.; four nephews; grandparents, Kenneth and Alice Stafford, Mallard, Iowa, and Al and Margaret Reiman, Ayrshire, Iowa; and girlfriend, Katie Mead, Larned. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at First Southern Baptist Church, 3301 19th St., Great Bend. The family suggests memorial contributions to American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in care of the funeral home.
John Alvin Janke 1915-2003
McCRACKEN - John Alvin Janke, 89, died Sept. 28 at his home near McCracken. He was born Aug. 23, 1915, at McCracken, the son of Albert and Emma Koch Janke. He married
Ruth Moore Aug. 25, 1940, in Readding. She died Feb. 25, 2001. A lifetime resident of the McCracken area, he was a farmer, stockman and owned and operated J & J Carriers Mfg. Janke was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bazine, American Legion West Birch Post 59 and Community Club, both of McCracken. He was a past member of board of directors for Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a combat engineer in World War II. Survivors include one son, Ivan Janke of McCracken; one daughter, Peggy Allen of Warm Beach, Wash.; one sister, Corrine Brenner of Hays; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Robert Janke, Lester Janke, Harry Janke, Swede Janke and Lawrence Janke; three sisters, Maxine West, Ruby Wetzel and Florence Crawford; and one grandson, Travis Reinhardt. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. James Webster officiating. Burial will be at McCracken cemetery with military graveside rites by McCracken American Legion West Birch Post 59. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City and Thursday afternoon until service time at the church. Family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Norman Ray Milhon 1923-2003
LARNED - Norman Ray Milhon, 80, died Sept. 29 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. He was born June 27, 1923, in McPherson County, the son of William R. and Jessie Childs Milhon. He married
Valeta B Derley Aug. 13, 1944, at Lewis. A resident of Larned since 1952, coming from Kinsley, he was stock manager for Dillons in Larned. Milhon was a member of First Christian Church, a past member of Ft. Larned Lions Club, and a former Boy Scout leader, all of Larned. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Dennis Milhon of Great Bend, Darrell Milhon of Russell and David Milhon of Wellington; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Dale Milhon. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Larned Healthcare Center, all in care of the mortuary.
Roberta May Kuhn 1928-2003
HAYS - Roberta May Kuhn, 75, died Sept. 29 at St. John's of Hays Nursing Home of Hays. She was born May 7, 1928, at Russell, the daughter of William Wallace and Alma Izetta Miller Barrett. She married
Remigius C. Kuhn June 12, 1948, at Victoria. He died Feb. 6, 1965. A resident of Hays since 1958, she was a cook for many years and worked at Golden Ox, Holiday Inn Restaurant, the Mall Restaurant and was a substitute cook at Lincoln School. Mrs. Kuhn was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Hays. Survivors include five sons, Bob Kuhn of Hays, Leon Kuhn of Russell, Ron Kuhn of Ladera Ranch, Calif., Steve Kuhn of Pampa, Texas, and Terry Kuhn of WaKeeney; one daughter, Mary Ann Randa of Liebenthal; two sisters, Willmetta Thompson of Illinois and Naida Fern Carpenter of Sedan; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Michael J. Kuhn; one daughter, Roberta Marie Kuhn; three brothers, Carl Barrett, Clayton Barrett and an infant; three sisters, Frances McGuire, Celia Frank and Mary Barrett; and one great-grandson, Abrham Michael Kuhn. Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Kevin Weber officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Hays. Family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. John Rest Home Corporation, Hospice of Hays Medical Center or Masses, all in care of Cline's Mortuary of Hays.
Hilda S. Leikam 1930-2003
JETMORE - Hilda S. Leikam, 73, died Nov. 26 at Rolling Hills Nursing Home in Topeka. She was born July 26, 1930, at Jetmore, the daughter of Jacob Sr. and Mathilda Gabel Leikam. She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor of arts and received her masters from Emporia State University. A resident of Topeka, she was a retired school teacher, teaching in rural Jetmore from 1947 to 1951, Jetmore Grade School from 1951 to 1955 and in Topeka from 1956 to 1989. She was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Democratic Committee member, Alpha Delta Kappa, Kansas National Teachers Association and Topeka Retired Teachers Association, all of Topeka. Survivors include one brother, Jacob Leikam Jr. of Jetmore; and four sisters, Eleanora Leikam of Alamosa, Colo., Velma Frank of Limon, Colo., Mildred Armstrong of Manhattan and Joann Kammer of Colorado Springs, Colo. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. today at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Jetmore. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Henry Hildenbrandt officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church or National Scleroderma Association, both in care of the funeral home.
O. Dayle Gillespie Jr. 1943-2003
ST. JOHN - O. Dayle Gillespie Jr., 60, died Nov. 28 at Stafford District Hospital. He was born Oct. 5, 1943 at Oswego, the son of O. Dayle Sr. and Ruth Marie Gillespie. He married
Dora Elaine Willson Nov. 20, 1965 at St. John. He was a farmer, stockman. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, past member of USD 350 school board, USD 350 recreation commission and Farm Bureau board, all of St. John. He was an Eagle Scout, attended Fort Hays State University for two years and was in the U.S. Air National Guard. Survivors include his wife, of the home; one son, Rusty D. Gillespie of St. John; two daughters, Cindy D. Falk of St. John, and Michelle D. Whipple of Kalvesta; father, O. Dayle Gillespie Sr. of St. John; one brother, Lawrence E. Gillespie of St. John; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Marie Gillespie. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Minnis Chapel in St. John, the Rev. Wade Russell and the Rev. Joel Pavia officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. today and friends may call from 1-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to a love gift for the family.
