U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Obituaries Published July 22, 2004
Melvin Boyer
Melvin Monroe Boyer, 85, died July 11 at Mitchell County Hospital Long Term Care, Beloit.
He was born Oct. 10, 1918, in Bennington, the oldest of nine children born to Jasper I. and Olive May Boyer.
He attended grade and high schools in Salina. On July 15, 1939, he married Nelva Iris Bishop. They moved to Oregon, where he worked in construction, logging and farming. In the early 1940s he was hired to transport construction equipment to Alaska for the start of the ALCAN Highway. He worked several months on the highway.
On Nov. 25, 1944, Melvin was drafted into the Army where he served in the South Pacific campaign during World War II. He was part of the first group of soldiers to land on the Japanese mainland after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After his discharge in 1946, he attended Oregon State University on the G.I. Bill, majoring in agriculture. At that time he started farming full time.
He was a member of the Mountain Dale Grange and served as Scout Troop leader for the Boy Scouts.
In 1958 the family moved to Formoso to be closer to his ailing father. Until his retirement he managed the Hayman Angus Farms.
After retiring in the late 1970s, he and Nelva traveled. While retired, Melvin also continued to work part time for area farmers.
He is survived by two sons, Michael, Brookville; Kelvin, Fort Morgan, Colo.; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Dean, Salina; Delmar, El Paso, Texas; and Robert, Hillsboro, Ore.; two sisters, Barbara Hoye, Nashville, Tenn., and Norma Carmichael, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Services were July 15 at Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, with Pastor Steven Little officiating. Military rites were presented by United States Army Honor Guard, Fort Riley, and the V.F.W. Post No. 2730, Mankato.
Marian Deeke
Marian Deeke, 70, daughter of John Rossmiller and Henrietta Fangmeyer Rossmiller was born June 26, 1934 at Deshler. She died Friday at Lincoln, Neb.
She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. She received her education in the public schools and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1951 and from Fairbury College. She was united in marriage to Myron Deeke on Sept. 18, 1955. To this union three children were born.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Hubbell, and the Hubbell Womens Club, school teacher, church organist, Sunday school leader, gave organ and piano lessons. She participated in Hubbell's VIP community Improvement program.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Donald and Eldon Rossmiller.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Mrs. Ricky Pentico (Shelly), Perry , Iowa; Mrs. Phil Savidge (Beth), Lincoln, Neb.; one son, Rex, Greenwood; seven grandchildren, one brother, Harvey and one sister, Mrs J. Bruce (Carol), Yuma, Ariz.
Services were held Tuesday, at St. John Lutheran Church, Chester. Pastor Paul Albrecht officiated.
Interment was in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hubbell.
Services were under the direction of the Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville.
Joseph Jensen
Joseph Harold Jensen, 53, the son of Harold Jacob and Doris Ruth (Cleveland) Jensen was born Sept. 2, 1950 at Nelson. He died July 10 at Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior.
Joe was one of five children. He graduated from Superior High School with the class of 1968 and attended college. He served in the United States Army from Nov. 24, 1969 to Sept. 30, 1990.
He married Kathie Beck Aug. 28, 1998, at Chandler, Ariz.
Joe was the utilities manager for the city of Superior, serving on the joint operating committee of the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool, the senior executive board of the National Public Gas Agency and the rate review committee of the Nebraska Public Power district. Joe was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hastings, for 15 years. He was a member of the Superior Economic Development Committee, the Ambassadors and the Chamber of Commerce.
He lived in Nelson, Alexandria, Va., Homestead, Fla., Germany, Turkey, Haiti, Greenland, Chandler, Ariz., and Superior.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and one sister, Nancy Newell. Survivors include his wife, Kathie, Superior, one son, Shawn Patrick Jensen, Hastings, sisters, Mrs. Owen Deterding (Eva), York, and Mrs. James Jaworsky (Sally), and a brother, Theodore Jensen, Grand Island.
Services were held Thursday from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home Chapel, Superior, with Pastor Mark Diehl officiating. Funeral services were held on Saturday from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hastings, with Bishop Mitchell Lau officiating. Gary Snowder was a speaker.
Interment, with full military rites was in the Nelson Cemetery.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of arrangements.
Fern Johnson
Fern L. Johnston, 85, was born December 31, 1918 in Tilden to Ralph and Lillie (Rudat) Graves. She died July 9 at Lincoln, Neb.
As a child she moved with her parents and sister to Oak. She was a 1936 graduate of Nelson Public High School.
After graduation, she took employment at the Oak General Store, where she worked until her marriage to Aaron D. Johnston June 1, 1938. She and her husband lived on a farm west of Oak. They farmed and raised Black Angus cattle. In 1954 they purchased the grain elevator and lumber yard in Oak and renamed it Johnston Grain & Supply, where she helped manage and did the bookkeeping until it was sold in 1963.
Fern attended Oak Community Church and was active in Circle 1.
In 1974 she moved to Waverly, where she lived for 25 years before making her final home in Lincoln.
She enjoyed baking cinnamon rolls and lemon pies, for her family and friends.
Survivors include daughterss and Janice Klann, Camp Verde, Ariz.; and Mrs. Richard Sutton (Shirley), Lincoln, Neb.; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruby Swanson, Newbury Park, Calif.
Klawitter-Price Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Rodney Sandell
A memorial service will be held for Rodney "Red" Sandell, Saturday, July 24 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Church, Mankato, with Thadd Hinkle officiating.
John Sipe
John K. Sipe, 98, died July 12 at Jewell County Hospital Long Term Care. Mankato, where he had resided since 1994.
Known by some as "Slim," but by most as just "Pappy," he was born June 9, 1906, to William and Blanche Sipe on a farm near Ionia, the first of six children.
On March 17, 1941, John enlisted in the United States Army where he served in World War II.
On Dec. 28, 1941, he married Verda K. Buster in Parsons. This union included two sons, Earl (Willie) and Dean. The family moved to the Mankato area.
John's hobbies included fishing, camping, hunting and collecting.
John was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings and a stepson, Earl Buster.
He is survived by a brother, Willis Sipe, Indiana; a step-on, Dean Buster, Mankato; a sister-in-law, Opal Buster, McPherson; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 49 great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was July 16 at Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, with Pastor Laura Fricker officiating. Interment was in Northbranch Cemetery, Northbranch.
Obituaries Published Sept. 16, 2004
Janice Wagner
Janice L. Wagner, 71, died Sept. 8, at Beautiful Savior Nursing Home, Kansas City, Mo. Services were Saturday at St. Peters United Church of Christ, burial in Green Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Wagner was born July 30, 1933, in Moberly, Mo. She had worked as a bookkeeper, and was a member of the American Business and Professional Womens Association. She was also a member of KC Turners, and attended St. Peters United Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Wagner in 1998.
Survivors include two sons, Richard Wagner, Raymore, Mo.; and Ronald Wagner, Dalton, Ga.; four daughters, Marjorie Johnson, Grandview, Mo.; Marilyn Stockman, Rogersville, Mo.; Melinda Wagner, Parkville, Mo., and Melanie Barger, Jefferson City, Mo., her parents, Grace and Walter Dethlefs, Warsaw, Mo.; two sisters, Mary Spradlin, Leawood, Kan., and Elaine Skorupa, Warsaw, Mo.; 16 grandchildren and nine-great-grandchildren.
The Wagners were former residents of Superior.
Catherine Dillman
Catherine Lucille Dillman, 85, the daughter of Kenneth and Elsie (Hasemeyer) Potter, was born Sept, 23, 1918, in Superior, and died Sept. 7, at the Hearthstone, York.
She graduated from Superior High School in 1938. On July 17, 1941, she married Virgil Dillman, at Belleville.
Catherine was a Presbyterian. She was co-owner of Dillman Brothers grocery store in Nelson, the Jack & Jill grocery store in Holdrege and the Jack & Jill grocery store in York.
She lived in the communities of Superior, Nelson, Holdrege and York.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Survivors include her husband, Virgil, York; and sister, Betty Knothe, Ogallala.
Services were held Friday, from the First Presbyterian Church, York, with Pastor Michael Eickhoff officiating.
Interment was in the Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Neb.
Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, Nelson, was in charge of the arrangements.
Daniel Menke
Hastings resident, Daniel A. Menke, 45, died Sept. 6, at Mary Lanning Hospital, Hastings.
Services were Thursday at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, south of Lawrence, with the Rev. Dennis Hunt officiating. Burial was in St. Stephen's Cemetery south of Lawrence.
Mr. Menke was born May 21, 1959 to Adrian G. and Maureen E. (Faimon), Menke at Red Cloud. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1977. On Feb. 2, 1980, he married Susan Kathman. He married Sandy Laravie April 9, 2001. He farmed until his health failed. He moved to Hastings to be closer to his doctors.
Survivors are his wife, three sons, Jason and Justin, both of Lawrence, and Brandon, Loup City; one stepson, A. J. Laravie, Hastings; three stepdaughters, Tracy At z and Kim Laravie, both of Hastings, and Stacy Laravie, Grand Island; Tom, his parents; six brothers, Tom, Chadron, Tim, Hastings, Charlie and Bernie, both of Lawrence, Ed, Friend, and Joe, Grand Island; two sisters, Carol Jurgensmier and Mary Menke, both of Grand Island; five grandchildren and one step-grandchild.
Alice Blackwood
Alice Blackwood, 97, daughter of Frank Stichka and Anna (Koci) Stichka, was born May 4, 1907, near Lawrence, Neb., and died Sept. 7 at the Belleville Health Care Center.
She received her education in the public rural schools near Lawrence, Neb. She began farming at an early age. On Dec. 20, 1926, she married Henry "Hank" Blackwood and to this union three sons, Richard, Pat and Gene, were born. The couple moved to rural Courtland where they engaged in farming. He preceded her in death in 1975 and she moved to Courtland. She later lived with her son, Gene, for two years in Scandia, and then moved to the Belleville Health Care Center.
Alice was a member of the Memorial Covenant Church, Courtland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, son, Richard, two sisters, Anna and Elizabeth, and three brothers, Anton, William and Edward.
She is survived by two sons, Pat Blackwood, Barstow, Calif., and Gene Blackwood, Scandia, one brother, Emil Stichka, Ruskin, one sister, Bessie Reeve, Nelson, 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday at the Memorial Covenant Church, Courtland. Jake Engelbert, associate pastor, officiated.
Interment was in the Courtland Cemetery.
Alice Graham
Alice Lucile Graham, 92, Las Cruces, N.M,. died Monday at Las Cruces.
A service is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Webber United Methodist Church. The Rev. Joyce Beam will officiate. Burial will be in the Webber Cemetery, Webber, Kan. No visitation is planned.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior, is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Bennett
Harold Claude Bennett, died Aug. 4 at Select Specialty Hospital, Topeka. He was born Mar. 15, 1936, in Miami, Okla., to Claude and Violet Leavitt Bennett. He lived on a farm in Seneca, Mo., until his seventh year. He then moved to Jewell County with his mother. He attended school in Ionia, Randall and graduated from Mankato High School in 1954. High school was followed by serving his country in the Army as a tank gunner. He fulfilled the majority of his duty in Germany.
He was a proud lifetime member of Monroe-Taylor-Barnes VFW Post 8873 of Stockton. He participated in several events and held different offices throughout the years. After his discharge he returned to Mankato and was employed by the Dept. of Transportation. After two years he transferred to the Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources in Stockton. He retired in 1998 after 42 years of service for the State of Kansas. He also worked part-time at the local Standard Station known as "Shorty's".
May 17, 1958 he married Carol JoAnn Thummel in the Sacred Heart Church, Esbon. She survives. Other survivors are: three daughters, Jari and husband David Atwood, Lawrence, Teresea Bennett and companion David Prochaska, Hays, Lyneatte and husband David Arreguin, Topeka; three sons, Greg Bennett and wife Rita, Topeka, Gary Bennett, Garden City, Kenneth Bennett, Topeka; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at St. Thomas Church, Stockton, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. with Father Joseph Keifer officiating. Graveside services were held at St. Elizabeths Catholic Cemetery, Esbon with Father Darrell Olmstead officiating. Military services were performed by Monroe-Taylor-Barnes VFW Post 8873, Stockton. Smith-Moore-Overlease Funeral Home, Stockton.
Leonard Wood
Professor Leonard (Woody) E. Wood, 81, of 725 Allen street, West Lafayette, passed away at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Sept. 8. Born in Burr Oak in 1923, he attended schools there and married Margaret Ruth Stafford in Mankato May 18, 1947. He served in the Army Corp of Engineers overseas during World War II. Graduating from Kansas State University with a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering 1947-48, he continued at Kansas State as an instructor until 1953. While there, he was associated with various organizations including Steel Ring, Sigma Tau, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Chi Epsilon, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, Acacia Fraternity, Blue Key and other honorary societies. He is also listed in Who's Who among Universities and Colleges.
He then entered Purdue University in 1953 and received a Doctorate in Civil Engineering in 1956. Involved as a teacher, researcher, and consultant, he used his expertise in Bituminous Materials and Mixtures, not only within the University, but to other areas of the world through workshops, short courses, seminars, as well as research publications. Retiring in 1993, he volunteered to continue as coordinator for the Cooperative Education Program in Civil Engineering in which capacity he had served previously. He served as advisor to Chi Epsilon Honorary Fraternity for more than 10 years and was later elected by the students to be a Chapter Honor Member. He also served for 36 years as the advisor of the Purdue Chapter of Acacia Fraternity. Professor Wood was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society for Testing and Materials, a member of the Transportation Research Board, Joint Transportation Research Board, Academy of Science, former Lions Club President, and active in the Wabash Gem and Mineral Society, President's Council, John Purdue Club, Purdue Alumni Assoc., the United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He was also on the Advisory Board of the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program at Purdue. He was a registered Professional Engineer in Kansas and Indiana, and a member of the American Society of Engineering Education, Association of Asphalt Paving Technologist, Sigma Xi, and received the Ross Judson Buck Outstanding Counselor Award in the School of Civil Engineering.
Professor Wood's enthusiasm for his work, the students he served and his unbounded energy were amazing. How much the students meant to him is evident with their keeping in close touch over the many years. He influenced so many lives, enjoying the success in all their various endeavors and mentioned to people that "I've had a wonderful life". He also enjoyed handball, many outdoor activities and was an avid Purdue sports fan.
Survived by his wife Margaret of 57 years, and preceded in death by parents Lyle and Hazel Wood, and Ruby Pair Wood.
There was no service and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Hippensteel Funeral Home, Lafayette, Ind., were in charge of arrangements.
Charlotte LaRocque
Charlotte G. (Herzog) LaRocque was born June 13, 1922 in Roundup, Montana, to Frank and Blanche (Waldowski) Herzog, and died September 9, 2004, at the Liberty Hospital, Liberty, Missouri, at the age of 82 years, two months, and 27 days.
Charlotte was studying nursing when she met Eugene R. LaRocque. They were united in marriage on January 18, 1943, at Billings, Montana. They lived in Amarillo, Texas, for two years, and then moved to Glasco, Kansas, to farm. They moved to a farm near Burr Oak, Kansas, in 1954 and lived there until they retired from the farm in the 1970's. Eugene and Charlotte settled in Esbon, Kansas, until they moved to Mankato, Kansas, in 1997. Charlotte moved to Liberty, Missouri, to live with her daughter after Eugene died on Dec. 18, 2000.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother and one sister.
Charlotte leaves to mourn her death: her son, Dr. Robert and wife Beverly LaRocque, Leavenworth, Kansas; daughter, LeeAnn and husband Richard Smolczyk, Liberty, Missouri; her twin sister, Celesta Musgrove, of Kingman, Arizona; five grandchildren, Aimee Smolczyk, Richard Jay Smolczyk, Robert J. Smolczyk, Laurie Farnham, and Jon LaRocque; and two great-grandsons, Tyler Smolczyk and Nate Smolczyk.
A celebration of life mass was held Monday, September 13, 2004, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Esbon, Kansas, with Father Daryl Olmstead officiating. Music was provided by Bonnie Benoit, organist, and John Flavin, soloist and cantor. Casket bearers were: Richard Smolczyk, Robert Smolczyk, Jon LaRocque, Jared Farnham, Noel Adkins, and Gary Kriley. Vigil services were held, Sunday, September 12, 2004, at 7:00 p.m., at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, with Father Daryl Olmstead officiating. Interment was in the St. Elizabeth's Cemetery, Esbon, Kansas. The family suggest memorials to: City Union Mission, Liberty, Missouri, in care of the Mortuary.
Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas was in charge of local arrangements.
Jack Vering
Jack Michael Vering, 53, Salina, formerly of Jewell, died Aug. 30.
He was born Aug. 25, 1951, in Salina. He attended St. John's Military School and graduated from Sacred Heart. He organized the Epilepsy Society of Salina with the help of Elizabeth St. John.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Edward Vering.
Survivors include his mother, Nola "Polly" Vering, Salina; brother, William Edward Vering Jr., Jewell; three sisters, Diane Manlove and husband Larry, Crawfordville, Ind., Elizabeth Francis and husband Collin, Falls City, Neb., Rebecca Younger and husband Jesse, Salina; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held on Sept. 10 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Jamestown, with Rev. Dan Daniels officiating. Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell, were in charge of arrangements.
Martin Vader
Martin Dale Vader was born to Jerry and Peggy (Malsbury) Vader on 6th of November 1957 in Superior, Nebraska, and died September 12, 2004, in Gilmer, Texas, at the age of 46 years, 10 months, and six days. He was raised on a farm near Burr Oak, Kansas, and attended Oak Creek Schools. Martin later attended Burr Oak Schools, where he graduated High School. Before graduating, Martin enlisted in the Kansas National Guard and served two years in the Mankato, Kansas, unit. Martin enrolled in Vocational Technical School in Beloit, Kansas, where he graduated with honors as a mechanic.
On March 5, 1977, he married Linda Spear of Jamestown, Kansas. They would later separate, but not before blessing their union with three daughters: Melody, Martina, and Avionna.
Martin spent many of his years working on one farm or another. He also traveled many miles in his semi truck before he decided that a mechanic position would better suit him. He resided in Marshall, Texas, and was employed by MCH Trucking. Martin worked at Sunflower Carriers in York, Nebraska, for eight years. He worked at Reinke Manufacturing in Deshler, Nebraska. Martin then went to work in Hardy, Nebraska, for Aurora Co-op, where he was employed until his recent relocation to Gilmer, Texas. At the time of his passing, Martin was employed at Kenworth in Longview, Texas, as a service foreman.
Martin was a member of the Olive Hill Church, rural Jewell County, Kansas. He led an active Christian life. He was seeking education in the ministry and he was currently acting as assistant bishop at the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Gilmer, Texas. Martin was a member of the Gideons Organization.
Martin served the Hardy Fire Department as chief for four years. He also joined the Superior Fire Department, both positions were volunteer. Martin enjoyed his work as a fireman and often told tales about his job and friends at the department.
Martin enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, camping, and many sports. He was an avid K-State football fan, and many believed his favorite hobby was razzing his son-in-law about being a Husker fan. Martin loved his family, especially his six grandchildren. He was usually the first in line to help and always the last to leave.
Martin was preceded in death by both his maternal and paternal grandparents.
He will be missed by: his parents, Jerry and Peggy Vader, Mankato, Kansas; three daughters, Melody and husband Curt Iliff, and their children Becca Lynne and Brock Ellwood, Nelson, Nebraska, Martina and husband Shannon Sloane, and children Trista Jolene and Brett Michael, Deshler, Nebraska, Avionna and husband Bay Robinson Jr., and children Taitum Bay and Trinity Lila, Nelson, Nebraska; brother, Kendall and wife Teresa Vader, Superior, Nebraska; sister, Lynette and husband Brian McCutcheon, Hardy, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
A celebration of life service was held Friday, September 17, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at the Olive Hill Church in rural Jewell County, Kansas, with Pastor David Watters officiating. Music was provided by Gloria Garman-Schlaefli, pianist; soloists, Martina Sloane who sang "Amazing Grace", Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle who sang "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow", the congregation who sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and the song "Daddy's Hands" was played. Casket bearers were: Curtis Ernst, Scott Gronewoller, Gordon Ernst, Gary "Chip" McMains, Larry Ost, and Paul Fix. Honorary casket bearers were: Glenn Hajny, Dennis Hajny, Rick Hajny, Steve Ballard, Kendall Vader, Brian McCutcheon, Larry Steele, Gary Steele, Keith Steele, Rex Flinn, Bay Robinson, Jr., Shannon Sloane, Curt Iliff, Steve Gronewoller, Stuaart Gronewoller, Mike Streit, Jerry Vader, Brock Iliff, Taitum Robinson, and Brett Sloane. Martin was honored with the Superior Fire Department volunteers and fire truck in the procession to the cemetery. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to be given in memory of Martin in care of the family. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.
