Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Cecile Lola Sayler 1910-2003
ST. JOHN - Cecile Lola Sayler, 93, died Dec. 15 at Leisure Homestead in St. John. She was born Jan. 17, 1910, at rural Stafford County, the daughter of Charles Wesley and Lulu May Archibald McDonald. She married
Gilbert Wallace Sayler Aug. 3, 1929, in rural Stafford County. He preceded her in death. A lifetime resident of Stafford County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Sayler was a member of Eden Valley Church of the Brethren, New Hope United Brethren Church, Mount Pleasant United Brethren Church, all of Stafford County, and Golden Circle Club and Eden Valley Women's Fellowship Group. Survivors include one son, Adrian Gilbert Sayler of St. John; one daughter, Patricia Jean DeVore of St. John; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four greatgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence McDonald, Leo McDonald, Marvin McDonald and Virgil McDonald; and two sisters, Dorothy Johnson and Opal Taylor. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Eden Valley Church of St. John, with the Revs. Matthew Spurgin and David Albright officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to Eden Valley Church of the Brethren, in care of the funeral chapel.
Evelyn J. Cochrane 1921-2003
HOISINGTON - Evelyn J. Cochrane, 82, died Dec. 8 at Cheyenne Meadows Living Center in Hoisington. She was born Aug. 31, 1921, at Olmitz, the daughter of Claude Henry and Pearl Mae Maxey Rowley. A Hoisington and Barton County resident most of her life, she was a homemaker. She was of the Pentecostal affiliation. Survivors include four sons, Jim Cochrane of Great Bend, George Cochrane of Topeka, Dale Cochrane of Edgerton and Dan Cochrane of Hutchinson; four daughters, Earlene Jane Woods of Topeka, Florine Annette Doty of El Dorado, Beverly Fae Harriman of Hutchinson and Mary Viola Bennett of Yakima, Wash.; one brother, Claude H. Rowley of Gillette, Wyo.; one sister, Alice Jean Roth of Loveland, Colo.; 19 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two sons, Durward Thomas and Frederic Cochrane; one brother, Edward M. Rowley; one sister, Claudine P. Rowley; and one great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Annette Doty. Funeral was Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with the Revs. Dwight Dozier and Wesley Beldon officiating. Burial was at Olivet cemetery in Barton County. Memorials are suggested to Evelyn Cochrane Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Robert J. 'Bobby' Mosqueda 1943-2003
LYONS - Robert J. 'Bobby' Mosqueda, 60, died Dec. 14 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born July 25, 1943, in Lyons, the son of Antonio and Magdalena Navarro Mosqueda. A lifetime resident of Lyons, he was former foreman at Pepsi Cola plants of Lyons and Great Bend, and later a forklift operator for Palleton of Lyons. Mosqueda was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and Liars Fishing Club, both of Lyons. Survivors include one brother, Manuel Navarro of Lyons; and two sisters, Ida Wilson of Lyons and Rachael Gonzales of Yuma, Ariz. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Thomas Leland officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery in Lyons. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Kidney Foundation, in care of the funeral home.
Joseph Eugene Rausch 1927-2003
SHARON - Joseph Eugene Rausch, 76, died Dec. 13 at his home. He was born Oct. 21, 1927, at Sharon, the son of Theodore and Stella Schmidt Rausch. He married
Gerry Adelhardt Aug. 7, 1950, at St. Leo. A lifetime resident of Sharon, he was a farmer, businessman and founder of Rausch Garage & Implement for 45 years. Rausch was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts of America, Western Association, St. Boniface Church Choir, Sharon City Council, Sharon city treasurer and volunteer fireman, all of Sharon. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Joseph Rausch Jr., David Rausch and Ted Rausch, all of Sharon; four daughters, Rosanna Jones and Marie Chain, both of Derby, Patty Strube and Cathy Miller, both of Claflin; 21 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at the church, with the Revs. John Strasser and John Miller officiating. Burial will be at St. Boniface cemetery in Sharon. Memorials are suggested to Southwind Hospice or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, both in care of Larrison Funeral Home of Medicine Lodge.
Arlene J. Foster 1929-2003
SALINA - Arlene J. Foster, 74, died Dec. 14. She was born Nov. 3, 1929, in Topeka. She married
William M. Foster. He died in 1998. A resident of Salina, she was a retired administrative assistant for Kansas State University at Salina for 15 years. Survivors include four sons, Bill Foster of Wichita, Bruce Foster of Greensburg, Brad Foster of Belton, Mo., and Brian Foster of Salina; one sister, Shirley Jacobson of Topeka; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Connie K. Foster. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel in Salina. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Salina. There will be no visitation, the body was cremated. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Salina, in care of Roselawn Mortuary in Salina.
Pauline E. McAfee 1918-2003
ELLINWOOD - Pauline E. McAfee, 85, died Dec. 14 at her home. She was born June 5, 1918, in rural Ellinwood, the daughter of Joseph and Eleanora Christoph Dick. She attended St. Joseph School and was a 1936 graduate of Ellinwood High School. She married
Orville LeRoy McAfee Sept. 29, 1946, at Ellinwood. He died Sept. 7, 1993. A lifetime resident of Barton County, residing in both Great Bend and Ellinwood, she was a homemaker. Mrs. McAfee was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella and Heritage Club, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include a number of cousins. Altar Society rosary and wake service will be at 3 p.m. today, followed by Daughters of Isabella rosary, all at Kimple Funeral Home of Ellinwood. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. John Maes officiating. Burial will be at LakinComanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School Endowment, the church or Ellinwood Heritage Club, all in care of the funeral home.
Alphonse 'Al' Pelzel 1914-2003
HAYS - Alphonse 'Al' Pelzel, 89, died Dec. 12 at Hays Good Samaritan Center in Hays. He was born Jan. 1, 1914, at Catherine, the son of Leo and Sophia Staab Pelzl. He married
Mary A. Schmidt Jan. 19, 1937, at Catherine. She died June 25, 2003. A resident of Hays, he was head pumper for Don Pratt Oil Operations for many years. Pelzel was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Hays, and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include four sons, Leon Pelzel of Hays, Dave Pelzel of Ellsworth, Steve Pelzel of Larned and Jerry Pelzel of Salina; one daughter, Diana Darnell of Clovis, N.M.; two brothers, William Pelzel of Hays and James Pelzel of Wichita; seven sisters, Beatrice Haas and Irene Bollig, both of Hays, Alice Brungardt of Victoria, Clara Hetzel, Frances Koester and Edna Goetz, all of Wichita, and Marie Mermis of Great Bend; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Leo Pelzel. Parish vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. today at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hays. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial with military honors by Hays VFW will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Hays. Friends can call from 4 to 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Research, in care of the funeral home.
Viola K. Gross 1912-2003
HAYS - Viola K. Gross, 91, died Dec. 12 at Ellis Good Samaritan Center in Ellis. She was born Viola K. Brack Sept. 21, 1912, in Great Bend. She married
Gerald Forster. He preceded her in death. She married
August Gross. He preceded her in death. A resident of Ellis since 1999, coming from Hays, she was a retired school teacher. Survivors include one son, Tim Forster of Phoenix, Ariz.; one daughter, Suzanne Bettridge of Milford, Utah; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Forster. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Brock's North Hill Chapel in Hays. Burial will be at St. Joseph's cemetery in Hays. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time today at the funeral chapel.
Wendelin Dreher 1912-2003
HAYS - Wendelin Dreher, 91, died Dec. 13 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. He was born July 15, 1912, at Gorham, the son of Jerome and Pauline Rupp Dreher. He married
Mary Ubert Aug. 18, 1936, at Hays. A resident of Hays, he was an oilfield pumper. Dreher was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hays. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Marvin Dreher of Great Bend; one daughter, Charlotte Phillips of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Ray Dreher of Seattle, Wash., and Celly 'Joe' Dreher of Topeka; two sisters, Mildred Schumacher of Hays and Ella Beilman of Wichita; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Edwin Dreher, Julie Dreher and Elmer Dreher; and one sister, Amelia Schenk. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery in Hays. Friends may call from 9 to 9:30 a.m. today at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hays. Memorials are suggested to Hays Good Samaritan Center or Masses, both in care of the funeral home.
Leola Cherry 1925-2003
Leola Cherry, 78, of Great Bend, died Dec. 11 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 5, 1925, at Langston, Okla., the daughter of Lee and Mary Cargill Gray. She married
Frank Cherry. He preceded her in death. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Wichita, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Cherry was a member of The Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Wichita. Survivors include four brothers, John Gray of Kansas City, Othel Gray of Russell, Willie Gray of Hutchinson and the Rev. Leonard Gray of Junction City. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery in Great Bend. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to Leola Cherry Expense Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Jo Ann Wagner 1924-2003
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Jo Ann Wagner, 79, died Dec. 11 at Columbus Regional Medical Center in Columbus. She was born July 25, 1924, at Hoisington, the daughter of Lewis I. and Calista Vara Tindall. She was a graduate of Hoisington High School and the University of Kansas. She married
Morris E. 'Bud' Wagner, Aug. 16, 1953, at Hoisington. A resident of Columbus, coming from Oviedo, Fla., and Hoisington, she was co-owner and operator of Hoisington Appliance and assisted in the management of Marlon Industrial Park in Orlando, Fla. She was a member of First Christian Church, a 50-year member of Order of the Eastern Star - Una Chapter 119, Cameo and SACS of Hoisington, and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority of the University of Kansas. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Morris E. Wagner II of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Lewis G. Wagner of Midland, Ga.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Dee Nese Long. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Paula Bell officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, and from 12:30 p.m. until service time Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Barbara Ellen Marsh 1933-2003
WICHITA - Barbara Ellen Marsh, 70, died Dec. 12. She was the daughter of Fred H. Sr. and Clara Ann McCarter Marsh. A resident of Wichita, she was employed by several nursing homes in Wichita. Survivors include one daughter, Debra Gaunt of Macksville; two brothers, Fred Marsh Jr. of Wichita and Don E. Marsh of Pratt. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward Marsh, Albert Marsh and Richard Marsh. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest cemetery in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to West Side Church of God Building Fund, 1900 McCormick, Wichita, KS 67213. Broadway Mortuary of Wichita is in charge of arrangements.
Velma Alice Meadows 1914-2003
WICHITA - Velma Alice Meadows, 89, died Dec. 10. She was born March 25, 1914, at Claflin, the daughter of Emanuel G. and Minnie Pearl Dowse Hardten. A resident of Wichita, she was a retired Boeing parts control clerk and Sears parts control clerk. Survivors include one son, Don Cornett of Perkins, Okla.; one sister, Kathleen McConnell of Garden Grove, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Family Worship Center in Wichita. Memorials are suggested to Claflin Ambulance Fund, in care of Claflin City Office, P.O. Box 383, Claflin, KS 67525. Resthaven Mortuary of Wichita is in charge of arrangements.
Harold F. Kottwitz 1911-2003
Harold F. Kottwitz, 92, of Great Bend, died Dec. 11 at Lakeview Manor in Lawrence. He was born Feb. 23, 1911, at Blue Hill, Neb., the son of William Carl and Ida Wilhelmena Hannich Kottwitz. He married
Margaret E. Schuetz Oct. 8, 1933, at Great Bend. She died Sept. 4, 2003. A resident of Great Bend for 75 years, coming from Booneville, Mo., he was a longtime Pontiac automobile dealer and oil producer. Kottwitz was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Bend. Survivors include two sons, H. Martin Kottwitz of Lawrence and Kent A. Kottwitz of Overland Park; one daughter, Judith A. Giesing of Fountain Valley, Calif.; one sister, Glendoris Siefkes of Great Bend; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by several brothers. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. James Strasen officiating. Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Joseph Eugene Rausch 1927-2003
SHARON - Joseph Eugene Rausch, 76, died Dec. 13 at his home in Sharon. Vigil service will be 7 p.m. Monday at St. Bonifice Catholic Church in Sharon. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Revs. John Strasser and John Miller officiating. Burial will be at St. Bonifice cemetery in Sharon. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at Larrison Funeral Home in Medicine Lodge. Memorials are suggested to Southwind Hospice or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in care of the funeral home. The complete obiturary will print in Tuesday's edition.
