Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Hazel Barstow 1914-2003
HARLINGEN, Texas - Hazel Barstow, 89, died Oct. 18. She married
Alton Barstow. He preceded her in death. Survivors include one son, Robert Barstow of Oneota, N.Y.; one daughter, Beverly Fleming of Harlingen; one brother, Glen Estes of Little Rock, Ark.; three sisters, Jean Oehler of Trinity, Fla., Dolores Crawford of Hoisington and Marilyn Kellogg of Great Bend; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Burial took place at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria, Texas. Buck Ashton Funeral Home in Harlingen was in charge of arrangements.
Robert G. Coshow 1923-2003
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Robert G. Coshow, 80, died Nov. 7. He was born Sept. 13, 1923, in Hutchinson. A resident of San Diego, he was chief executive officer of OEM Industrial/ Hydraulics and president of Great Bend Industries from 1967-1992. Survivors include his wife, Ann Coshow of the home; one son, Richard Coshow of northern Texas; two daughters, Eleanor Smith of northern Texas and Viki Coshow of North Carolina; and six grandchildren. There will be no funeral or visitation. Memorials are suggested to Vitas Hospice, in care of Pacific Beach Mortuary in San Diego.
Elizabeth H. Mettling 1918-2003
HUTCHINSON - Elizabeth H. Mettling, 85, died Nov. 12 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Aug. 3, 1918, at Halstead, the daughter of Edgar and Emelia Berger Hirschler. She was a 1936 graduate of Halstead High School, 1940 graduate of Bethel College with a degree in home economics and a 1951 graduate of Kansas State University with a masters in home economics education. She married
Raymond Mettling May 29, 1971, in Great Bend. He died May 3, 1984. A resident of Hutchinson, she taught public schools in Ensign, Centerview, Lost Springs, Halstead, Dodge City and Dodge City Community College. After 16 years of teaching, she served 17 years with the state department of education as a home economics supervisor in vocational education. Mrs. Mettling was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, American and Kansas Home Economics Association, School Food Service Association, United Methodist Women, Stephan Ministries, Church Women United, Breakfast Lions Club, Hutchinson Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, volunteer with Mother-to-Mother Ministry and Youth Friends. She was president of Kansas Vocational Home Economics Association, National Association of State Supervisors of Home Economics and Kansas School Food Service Association. She was awarded Distinguished Service Award from Kansas Association of Vocational Home Economics, certification from National School Lunch Program USDA, Distinguished Service Award from Kansas School Food Service Association and 50-year membership award from Kansas Association of Family and Consumer Service Association. Survivors include two nephews, John Hirschler of Los Angeles and Jim Herschler of Florida; and one niece, Judy Beckmenn of Florida. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Willard Herschler and John Herschler. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson, with the Revs. Nick Warner and Mary Al Titus officiating. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Wayne cemetery in Lewis. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church, Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Towers or to donors' choice, all in care of the mortuary.
Oscar William Bill Allen 1947-2003
McPHERSON - Oscar William Bill Allen, 56, died Nov. 12 at his home. He was born May 25, 1947, at Manhattan, the son of Andy S. and Anna D. Wiens Allen. He married
Connie S. Horyna Sept. 19, 1966, in Larned. A resident of McPherson since 1976, coming from Great Bend, he owned and operated 3-A Auto in McPherson and did auto body work. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Gregory Allen of McPherson and Eric Allen of Ponca City, Okla.; one daughter, Sonya Moon of McPherson; two brothers, Richard Allen of McPherson and Karl Allen of Great Bend; two sisters, Ruby May of McPherson and Martha Sue Allen of Hutchinson; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clarence Allen. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at McPherson cemetery, with Chaplin Larry Anderson officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home in McPherson. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice of Wichita, in care of the funeral home.
Glen R. Monroe 1920-2003
HOISINGTON - Glen R. Monroe, 83, died Nov. 10 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Sept. 20, 1920, at Hoisington, the son of Robert and Hazen Frances Coy Monroe. He married
Rosemary Chambers Feb. 28, 1948, at Hoisington. She died Feb. 9, 1999. A lifetime resident of Hoisington, he was a farmer and owner of Monroe Construction. Monroe was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 286 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428, all of Hoisington. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include two daughters, Jeanette Clark of Shawnee and Linda Schlegel of Hoisington; one brother, Dale Monroe of McCracken; one sister, Mavis Folger of Altoona; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Earl Monroe; and one sister, LaVerne Monroe. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery, with military graveside rites by VFW Post 7428 and American Legion Post 286. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or Clara Barton Hospital, in care of the funeral home.
Harry Ross Bookless 1936-2003
CHANUTE - Harry Ross Bookless, 67, died Nov. 7 at Chanute. He was born March 11, 1936, at Hutchinson, the son of Ross and Cleo Vansickle Bookless. He was a 1954 graduate of Nickerson High School. He married
Patricia Lee Gibbs June 27, 1964, in Great Bend. A resident of Chanute, he was a system control operator for Midwest Energy of Hays, founder of Lake and Pond Bassmasters of Hays and was an ostrich and llama breeder south of Hays. Bookless served in the Hutchinson National Guard for three years. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Nancy Pfeifer of Kansas City, Mo., and Linda Pfeifer of El Dorado; and six grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Westview Southern Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Peters officiating. Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Wild Meade cemetery in Nickerson. Memorials are suggested to Horizon Hospice of Chanute, the Gideons or the church, all in care of Johnson Mortuary of Chanute.
Alberta Inez Regier 1922-2003
RUSSELL - Alberta Inez Regier, 81, died Nov. 8 at Hays Medical Center of Hays. She was born June 26, 1922, at Holly, Colo., the daughter of James Bowie and Winnifred Burks Whipple. She married
Herbert Michaelis Nov. 26, 1939, at Jetmore. He died August 1966. She married
Elmer Regier Aug. 2, 1970, at Dodge City. He died March 21, 1971. A resident of Russell, coming from Jewell, Tescott, Natoma, Holly and Nebraska, she was a contract mail carrier, a truckdriver in the oilfield and construction business, and a homemaker. Mrs. Regier was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, American Legion of Russell and a Gold Star mother. Survivors include one daughter, Janet Steckman of Russell; four stepsons, Rick Regier of Alder, Mont., Harold Regier of Beaumont, Texas, Roy Dale Regier of Orange, Texas, and Darrell Regier of Lumberton, Texas; two stepdaughters, Barbara Huntsinger of Sand Springs, Okla., and Beverly Maltbie of Hamilton; two brothers, David Whipple and Jim Whipple, both of Jetmore; one sister, Roberta Winget of Hanston; six grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Russell E. Michaelis; two daughters, Mary Jo Ann White and Roberta Joyce Wolfe; one stepson, Raymond Regier; one brother, Henry Whipple; and one step grandson, Chris Maltbie. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Pohlman-Heise Memorial Chapel in Russell with the Rev. Gary Winget officiating. Burial will be at Michaelis cemetery south of Russell. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday at the mortuary.
Velma E. Keener 1915-2003
RUSH CENTER - Velma E. Keener, 88, died Nov. 8 at Rush County Memorial Hospital in La Crosse. She was born Sept. 15, 1915, at Rush Center, the daughter of John G. and Lena I. Becker Hemken. She married
Herman C. Smith March 27, 1932. He died May 29, 1962. She married
Rene J. Fischer June 15, 1963, at Boulder, Colo. He died Aug. 3, 1976. She married
John J. Keener July 1, 1977, at Rush Center. He died Dec. 29, 1997. A resident of Rush Center, coming from Henderson, Colo., and Lyons, Colo., she was a postal carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Mrs. Keener was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Lions Club and Walnut Valley Senior Center, all of Rush Center. Survivors include one stepson, Dan Keener of Rush Center; two stepdaughters, Donna Schmidt of Rossville and Dena Irvin of McCracken; three brothers, Norman K. Hemken of Rush Center, Raymond C. Hemken of Wichita and Ernest W. Hemken of Hemet, Calif.; one sister, Edna T. Maki of Loveland, Colo.; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Richard D. Smith; one daughter, Marilyn J. Steele; and three sisters, Hilda E. Hemken, Lenore M. Hemken and Leona M. Hemken. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the church with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be at Locust Hill cemetery in Rush Center. Memorials are suggested to the church or Walnut Valley Senior Center, both in care of Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse.
Dr. Percy Sillin 1930-2003
OVERBROOK - Dr. Percy Sillin, 72, died Nov. 9 in Topeka. He was born Nov. 12, 1930, in Stafford, the son of Earl and Lucile Krum Sillin. He received a masters degree from Fort Hays State University and a doctorate degree from Kansas State University in the education field. He married
Dolores Geil in 1950. A resident of Overbrook, he served several years as assistant education commissioner of Kansas. Sillin was a captain in the Kansas National Guard. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Brad Sillin of Wichita and Todd Sillin of Topeka; one brother, Virgil Sillin of Hutchinson; one sister, Maxine Spangenberg of Wichita; and three grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church in Overbrook. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hillcrest cemetery at Great Bend. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Greenwood-Roberts Funeral Home in Overbrook. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church, in care of First Security Bank, Overbrook, KS 66524, or Midland Hospice Care, in care of the funeral home or Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons.
Ruby M. Baugher 1919 - 2003
JETMORE - Ruby M. Baugher, 84, died Nov. 7 at the Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in Jetmore. She was born July 30, 1919, in Hodgeman County, the daughter of Frank and Marie Anderson Gibbs. She married
Donald Baugher July 1, 1941, at Arnold. He died May 5, 2002. She was retired from her job at the ASCS office after 20 years of service and was also a homemaker. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Stacy Frank Gibbs; and two sisters, Elma Rynerson and Jeanie Burns. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Jetmore, with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at the Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Monday, and Tuesday until 11 a.m. at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to the Jetmore United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.
Sister Christine Zerr 1908 - 2003
Sister Christine Zerr, 95, died Nov. 7 in the Dominican Sisters' convent infirmary in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 10, 1908, at Park, as Helen Zerr, the daughter of Anton and Christina Selensky Zerr. She entered the Dominican Sisters' Community July 25, 1929, and pronounced her first vows Aug. 22, 1932. She celebrated 70 years of religious profession in 2002. For most of her religious life, Sister Christine ministered as a registered nurse as supervisor on medical, surgical and obstetrics floors of St. Rose Hospital (now Central Kansas Medical Center) in Great Bend. She later became an anesthetist at St. Rose. She also served in social service as office personnel at St. Catherine in Garden City. After 1967 she served in ministry to the sisters' community at the convent. She is survived by one brother, Dominic Zerr, of Grainfield. Sister Christine's body will lie in state in the hospitality area of the Dominican Chapel of the Plains, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, until the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. Gerald Hammeke officiating. A wake service will be held at 7 tonight at the convent. Burial will be in the Sisters' Resurrection cemetery in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Dominican Sisters Ministry Fund, Office of Mission and Ministry, 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530. Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the convent.
John 'Jack' Schenkel Jr. 1927-2003
John 'Jack' Schenkel Jr., 75, of Great Bend, died Nov. 5 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, in Wichita. He was born Dec. 24, 1927, at La Crosse, the son of John J. Sr. and Katherine Hegart Schenkel. He married
Bonnie Harding June 30, 1961, at Clayton, N.M. A resident of Great Bend for 35 years, coming from Liberal, he was a supervisor in the oilfield, working for Sun Oilwell Cementing, B.J. Hughes and Allied Cementing, and also drove 'The Cab' for Senior Center for the past 10 years. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Randall J. Schenkel of Liberal, Gary Bruner and Steven W. Schenkel, both of Great Bend; three daughters, Sheila Dunn of Golden, Mo., Brenda Walton of Great Bend, Phyllis Ward of Hutchinson; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Teresa Schenkel; 10 brothers; and three sisters. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Robert Castile officiating. No visitation is scheduled, cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home.
Elma French 1917-2003
JETMORE - Elma French, 86, died Nov. 3 at Virginia Hospital at Arlington, Va. She was born Sept. 29, 1917, at Galatia, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Michel Litzenberger. She married
Horatio French. He died Feb. 8, 1960. A resident of Arlington, coming from Jetmore, she was a retired payroll clerk for GTE. Mrs. French was a member of United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, both of Jetmore. Survivors include one son, Stephen French of Reston, Va.; one brother, Wesley Litzenberger of Dodge City; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ike Litzenberger and Hank Litzenberger; and two sisters, Mildred Bacon and Katie Halling. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Elma French Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Thomas William Schick 1942-2003
Thomas William Schick, 60, of Great Bend, died Nov. 4 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. He was born Dec. 4, 1942, at Kansas City, Mo., the son of Alfred and Mildred Thomas Schick. He received a bachelor of science degree in education in 1967 and a master of science degree in education in 1973 with a permanent secondary certificate in business education and social sciences at CMSU in Warrensburg, Mo. He married
Rosalia Hanken Schober Nov. 15, 1991, at Winston-Salem, N.C. A resident of Great Bend since 1998, coming from Memphis, Tenn., he was an industrial engineer, retiring in 1998. Schick was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Albert. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Justin Schick of Kansas City, Mo.; three daughters, Kim Sowers of Waverly, Mo., Kris Purkey of Lee's Summitt, Mo., and Cory Schick of Raytown, Mo.; three stepsons, Randall Schober of Stilwell, Rudy Schober of Lewisville, Texas, and Ryan Schober of Wichita; his mother, Mildred Schuette of Waverly; four brothers, Robert Schick of Oak Grove, Mo., John Schick of Alma, Mo., David Schick and Joseph Schick, both of Warrensburg; four grandchildren; and four step grandchildren. Prayer service will be at 8 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Jack D. Russell officiating. Burial will be at Peace Lutheran cemetery in Albert. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
