Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
William L. Morris 1926-2003
KINGFISHER, Okla. - William L. Morris, 76, died Nov. 29 at Cimarron Nursing Center in Kingfisher. He was born Dec. 17, 1926, at Drumright, Okla., the son of Robert Morris and Bessie E. Stephenson Mayes. He married
Mary Cammack June 26, 1948, at Drumright. She preceded him in death. A resident of Kingfisher, coming from Drumright, Great Bend and Salem, Ill., he was employed by Texaco for 47 years. Morris was a member of American Legion and Masonic Lodge, both of Drumright. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include three daughters, Alex Morris of Oklahoma City, Okla., Janice Kloxin of El Mirage, Ariz., and Carol Everett of Great Bend; his mother of Drumright; four grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Oklahoma City with the Rev. Bob Barr officiating. Memorials are suggested to Oklahoma Library For the Blind and Physical Handicap, 501 North Douglas, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Sanders Funeral Services Inc. of Kingfisher is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley J. Hovey 1939-2003
Shirley J. Hovey, 64, of Great Bend died Dec. 2 at her residence. She was born June 18, 1939, at Rochester, N.Y., the daughter of Stephen Sr. and Mildred Spencer. She married
Richard L. Hovey March 14, 1989, at Rochester. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Greensburg, she was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Bruce Clark of Indianapolis, Ind., and Phillip Clark of Great Bend; three daughters, Lorrie Burgin of Oregon, Vonnie Thomas and Patty Snow, both of Great Bend; one brother, Stephen Spencer of Rochester; one sister, Lois Landon of Florida; 25 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ronnie Sloey. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Charter Funeral Chapel in Great Bend with the Rev. Michael Joiner officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Extreme Hope Christian Fellowship of Great Bend, in care of the funeral home.
Lydia Beahm 1914-2003
LA CROSSE - Lydia Beahm, 89, died Dec. 2 at Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse. She was born Aug. 7, 1914, at Bison, the daughter of Michael and Elisabeth Reichel Krug. She married
Herbert T. Beahm June 12, 1937. He died Dec. 16, 1979. A resident of La Crosse, coming from Hutchinson, she taught school in a one-room school house in La Crosse and was a bank cashier before her retirement. Mrs. Beahm was a member of First Methodist Church of Burlington, Colo., and Elks Club of Goodland. Survivors include two sons, Burton L. Beahm of Lake Oswego, Ore., and Roger L. Beahm of Greensboro, N.C.; three sisters, Selma Moore and Marge Sampson, both of Salina, and Pauline Holopirek of Timken; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Krug, Michael Krug and Glenn Krug; and three sisters, Esther Popp, Hannah Wharton and Janita Reha. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. today at La Crosse City cemetery with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Rush County Nursing Home of La Crosse, in care of Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse.
Ronald D. Munsch 1948-2003
GARDEN CITY - Ronald D. Munsch, 55, died Dec. 2 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was born Feb. 11, 1948, at La Crosse, the son of Edwin and Marina Suppes Munsch. He was a 1966 graduate of Bazine High School. He married
Debra L. Gross July 1, 1966, at Ness City. A resident of Garden City, coming from Wellington, Dodge City, Lyons and Ness City, he was a meat cutter, assistant manager and market manager for Dillons Food Market for many years. Gross was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church of Garden City and was a scout master for Boy Scout Troop No. 61 for several years. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, David Munsch of Victoria and Matthew Munsch of Garden City; one daughter, Rebecca Newell of Great Bend; his parents of Ness City; one brother, Mike Munsch of Boise City, Okla.; three sisters, Vickie Herrman of Emporia, Betty Knoll of Deerfield and Christy Healzer of Ness City; and four grandsons. Vigil service will be at 8 p.m. today at the church. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. James E. Baker officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery in Ness City. Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. today at Garnard Funeral Home in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to Ronald D. Munsch Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Kathleen 'Dixie' Elffner 1923-2003
MEADE - Kathleen 'Dixie' Elffner, 80, died Dec. 2 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Feb. 3, 1923, in Daleville, Ala., the daughter of Charlie and Estelle Cooper Dixon. She married
Thomas H. Elffner July 3, 1944, at Tallahassee, Fla. He died Aug. 18, 2000. A resident of Meade since 1957, coming from Florida and the family farm in Meade County, she was a homemaker and owned Elffner's Upholstery. Mrs. Elffner was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church of Meade and former member of Altar Society of Fowler. She was elected as the only female mayor of Meade, serving one term. Survivors include two sons, Thomas H. 'Butch' Elffner of Great Bend and Robert C. 'Topper' Elffner of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Flossie 'Jo' Young and Betty Davis, both of Lakeland, Fla.; and one grandson. She was preceded in death by one son, Charles G. 'Chuck' Ellfner; one brother, Bud Dixon; and one sister, Murl Britt. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Francis Stuart officiating. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Graceland cemetery in Meade. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Fidler-Orme Mortuary in Meade. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association or the church, both in care of the mortuary.
Lizzie Burchart 1909-2003
ELLINWOOD - Lizzie Burchart, 94, died Dec. 1 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born July 3, 1909, at Raymond, the daughter of Adolph and Emma Floran Burchart. A longtime resident of Ellinwood, coming from Larned and Hutchinson, she was a food service employee at Waxy's Restaurant in Ellinwood and at Larned State Hospital. She was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Heritage Club and Hospital Auxiliary, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include one sister, Alice Bryant of Ellinwood. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert Burchart, Louis Burchart and Edwin Burchart. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood with the Rev. Larry Young officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home.
Clarence William 'Bill' Brandt 1913-2003
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mr. Clarence William 'Bill' Brandt passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 29, in Sarasota, Fla. born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1913, and raised in Great Bend, he was a long-time member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Wichita, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. For many years he co-owned Midwest Motor Parts in Wichita before retiring to Long Beach, Calif., and later to Sarasota. After retiring he worked for Huntington Beach Library System in California and later for Schulman's in Sarasota. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helen; son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Daniela Brandt of Portland, Ore.; daughter Billye Marie Navarro of Austin, Texas, daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and John Rutherford of Clayton, Calif., and Teresa and Melvyn Cansell of St. Pete Beach, Fla. Also surviving him are seven grandchildren, Craig Brandt of McPherson, Shari Brandt of Tucson, Ariz., Jacquie Nahom of Scottsdale, Ariz., Maria del Carmen Soto of Guadalajara, Mexico, Ivonne Navarro Filobelo of Houston, Texas, Jennifer Rutherford of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Brian Beebe of Arcadia, Fla. Great-grandchildren include Nicholas Brandt of McPherson, Michael and Andrew Nahom of Scottsdale, Ariz., Ricardo and Eduardo Soto of Guadalajara and Max Filobelo of Houston. Service is being held in Sarasota today. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. Condolences may be sent to the family via Toale Brothers Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer T, Sarasota, FL 34230.
Richard Lanne Maddox 1978-2003
Richard Lanne Maddox, 25, of Great Bend, died Nov. 28 at Kansas City, Mo. He was born Sept. 9, 1978, at Duncan, Okla., the son of Brad and Rickee Crane Maddox. A resident of Great Bend since 1981, coming from Geneseo, he was a senior at MidAmerica Nazarene College, studying religion. Maddox was a member of First Church of the Nazarene of Great Bend. Survivors include his parents of Great Bend; one brother, Benn Maddox of Great Bend; and grandfather, LeRoy Maddox of Fort McCoy, Fla. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Revs. Mark Pennington, Robert Castile, and Dr. Larry Fine officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Geneseo cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to religion department of Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, in care of the funeral home.
Steven Paul Boehnke 1939-2003
ELLINWOOD - Steven Paul Boehnke, 64, died Nov. 29 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Sept. 8, 1939, at Great Bend, the son of Paul and Ruby 'Erma' Reeves Boehnke. He married
Marquita Lacy Ulm May 23, 1981, at Har-Ber Village, Okla. A resident of Ellinwood since 1981, coming from Great Bend, he was a service technician for Great Bend Co-op until retiring in 1997. Boehnke was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a former member of Barton County Sheriff Reserves, and one of the original organizers of National Hot Rod Association Drag Races held in Great Bend. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served on the USS Rochester. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Kayla Rhoades and husband Scott of Arlington, Texas, and Jonya Cousins and husband Wesley of Haysville; and two granddaughters, Lacy Rhoades and Kelcy Rhoades; one brother, James Boehnke of Great Bend. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with Dr. Sterling Lacy officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery north of Great Bend. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Fire Department or Ellinwood Ambulance Service, both in care of the funeral home.
Francis J. Ney 1923-2003
HOISINGTON - Francis J. Ney, 80, died Nov. 29 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born May 27, 1923, at Concordia, the son of Frank and Clara Krier Ney. He was a 1941 graduate of Hoisington High School. He married
Margaret Ann Koeller April 11, 1950, at Hoisington. A lifetime Hoisington resident, he was a farmer and produce manager for C.O. Mammel's, and later a salesman for Ney's Furniture and Carpet. Ney was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post No. 286 and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7428. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, John Ney of Great Bend, Mike Ney and Bob Ney, both of Hoisington; one daughter, Mary Lou Degenhardt of Great Bend; nine grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four half-sisters. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at the church, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John the Evangelist cemetery of Hoisington, with military graveside rites by VFW Post No. 7428 and American Legion Post No. 286. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington.
Edwin H. Suhler 1940-2003
LYONS - Edwin H. Suhler, 63, died Nov. 29 at Sandstone Height Nursing Home in Little River. He was born Feb. 7, 1940, at Chase, the son of Marvin J. and Esther M. Wild Suhler. He was a 1958 graduate of Lyons High School and graduated from U.S. Trade School of Auto Mechanics in Kansas City. A resident of Lyons since 1946, he was a former employee of Drescher Engineering and owner of Suhler Repair of Lyons. Suhler was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 129 and life member and past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars 3184, member and past secretary/treasurer of Lions Club, all of Lyons, a life member of AmVets No. 11 of Hutchinson and USS Constellation CVA-64 Plankowners Association. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. Survivors include his mother of Lyons; one brother, Bill Wild of Overland Park; and one sister, Bonnie Baldwin of Salina. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons, with the Rev. Richard Andrus officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery in Lyons with full military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the church, VFW or Bell & Star Fund, all in care of the funeral home.
Mary Louise Dale 1910-2003
Mary Louise Dale, 93, of Great Bend, died Nov. 28 at North Shore Manor in Loveland, Colo. She was born Feb. 15, 1910, on the family farm near Seward, the daughter of Patrick L. Sr. and Teresa Hall Keenan. She married
E. Lewis Dale Jr. Nov. 12, 1938, at Seward. He died Aug. 21, 2000. A lifetime area resident of Stafford and Barton counties, she taught in the Stafford school system for nine years, known as 'Miss Louise.' Later she cashiered for Keenan Auction Service for 30 years. Mrs. Dale was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, all of Great Bend, and a former member of St. Francis Xavier and Altar Society, both of Seward. She was a talented cook, seamstress and home decorator. She was a 4-H leader, taught classes in religion at St. Francis Xavier in Seward, participated in many community drives such as Red Cross, worked on election boards and served in the church altar society in many ways. Beloved for her writing of interesting letters, she also wrote a narrative family history of the Patrick L. Keenan Sr. family. She was smart, she was funny and she could tell all the funny and interesting stories of the family and community in which she grew up. Her greatest gift to her family was a life well lived with humor and an example well set. Love goes on forever. Survivors include two sons, Patrick L. 'Pat' Dale of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Dr. James E. 'Jim' Dale of Golden, Colo.; one daughter, Mary Frances Wichman of Fort Collins, Colo.; five brothers, Bob Keenan, Larry Keenan, Pat Keenan Jr. and Dennis Keenan, all of Great Bend, and Terry Keenan of Scott City; two sisters, June Klepper of Ellinwood and Gloria Ball of Seattle, Wash.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Keenan, Russell Keenan and Ora Keenan; and one sister, Sylvia Langer. Altar Society rosary will be at 4 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. today followed by a D of I rosary, both at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Reginald A. Urban officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Isidore Catholic Student Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, in care of the funeral home.
James W. Westbrook 1928-2003
AUGUSTA - James W. Westbrook, 75, died Nov. 29. He was born July 13, 1928, at Kansas City, Mo., the son of Thomas and Gladys McCammon Westbrook. He was a graduate of the University of Kansas. He married
Yvonne Hammer March 25, 1951, at Claflin. She died April 10, 1971. He married
Dolores Bieberle Aug. 12, 1988, at Hoisington. A resident of Augusta since 1988, formerly of Alexandria, Va., he was a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, having served for 31 years. Westbrook was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and many others. He served in the President's investigatory commission from 1975 to 1979 in Washington, D.C. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Tony Westbrook of Los Angeles, Calif., and Randy Westbrook of Leesburg, Va.; three stepsons, Keith Bieberle of St. John, Glen Bieberle of Hoisington and Darin Bieberle of Great Bend; two daughters, Cheryl Hoffman of Glendale, Calif., and Sonya Westbrook of Woodbridge, Va.; two stepdaughters, Janiece Klenda of La Crosse and Kay Demel of Hiawatha; one grandson; and nine step grandchildren. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Dunsford Chapel Funeral Home in Augusta. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to AmVets National Service Foundation, in charge of the funeral chapel.
Alice Jilg 1910-2003
HOISINGTON - Alice Jilg, 93, died Nov. 30 at Hill Top House Nursing Home in Bucklin. She was born March 25, 1910, at Emporia, the daughter of John Jay and Sarah Caroline Owen Boyle. She married
Walter Joseph Jilg May 1, 1937, at Great Bend. He died Oct. 16, 1988. A resident of Bucklin, coming from Greensburg and Hoisington, she taught in one-room schools and was a homemaker. Mrs. Jilg was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hoisington. Survivors include two daughters, Annetta Woodhead of Carthage, Mo., and Wilma McChristian of Greensburg; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; six step great grandchildren; and one step great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence Boyle and Owen Boyle; and three sisters, Eudella Jilg, Mary Jane Smith and Mildred Grow. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, and from 11 a.m. to service time Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church, South Wind Hospice in Pratt or Maude Carpenter Children's Center of Wichita, all in care of the funeral home.
