Elmer L. McCracken
Elmer Lee, son of William Lee and Alice (Hickle) McCracken was born on September 4, 1912 ten miles north of Hardtner. He passed away at the Beadles Nursing Home on the 19th of April at the age of 81 year, 7 months and 15 days. He attended the Canema Rural Grade School and graduated from the Medicine Lodge High School with the class of 1929. He was married to Grace Clark on October 8, 1932 at Alva, Oklahoma. They made their home on a farm in the Franklin Community northwest of Alva. Mrs. McCracken passed away in June of 1934. On February 22, 1942, he was married to Ruth Clark at Bloomington, Illinois. To their marriage, five children, William, Edith, Michael, Nancy and Merrily, were born. Following their marriage, they lived on a farm north of Hardtner. In 1948, they moved to a farm southeast of Farry, Oklahoma. In 1961 they came to Alva to make their home and in 1977 retired from farming. He was a member of the Freedom Christina Church. Since living in Alva they have attended the Alva First Christian Church. Mr. McCracken was preceded in death by his daughter, Merrily Drake, who passed away on April 17, 1994, his parents, two sisters and a brother. Elmer is survived by his wife, Ruth, of the home in Alva; two daughters, Edith and her husband, Floyd Hada, of Ensign, and Nancy, of the home in Alva; two sons and their wives, William and Lela of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Michael and Opal of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; a son-in-law, John Drake, Albuquerque, New Mexico; eight grandchildren, Michael McCracken, Vicki Hada, Tad Drake, James McCracken, Paul Hada, Alison Fowler, Nathan Drake and Ryan McCracken; two great-grandchildren, Lacie McCracken and David Drake; three sisters, Della and her husband, Earl Trotter of Hardtner, Elizabeth May of Kiowa, Oklahoma, and Lenora Lawson, Kingman; two brothers, Charles of Kiowa, and John and his wife, Esther, of Auburn, Washington; a number of nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

Fred L. Workman
Fred L. Workman, 72, died Jul 19, 1994, at Stafford District Hospital. He was born September 14, 1921, at Garrison, Missouri, the son of John and Flossie Burkhart Workman. He was a graduate of Chadwick High School, Chadwick, Missouri. A 50 year St. John resident, moving from Missouri, he was a retired carpenter and painter. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 7519, St. John. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include: a brother, Jim, Medicine Lodge; three sisters, Ruth Clark, St. John, Alice Claypool, Stafford, and Janice Peterson, McPherson.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 22, 1994, at Minnis Chapel, St. JOhn, with the Rev. W. Harlan Rittgers presiding. Burial was in the Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John.
Memorials may be sent to the VFW Post No. 7519 or to the donor's choice, both in care of the funeral home.

Cecilia C. Hrencher
Cecilia C. Hrencher, 91, died January 18, 1999, at Auburn Regional Medical Center, Auburn, Washington. She was born November 21, 1907, at Odin, the daughter of Gerhard and Matilda Moeder Boor. A resident of Milton, Washington since 1996. She had moved from Sharon in 1987, she was a homemaker and a nurse's aide at Medicine Lodge
Memorial Hospital and Kiowa Nursing Home. She belonged to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Auburn, was a former member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, the St. Boniface Altar Society, the Daughters of Isabell and the Senior Citizens, all at Sharon, the Legion of Mary, and was the deanery president of the Dodge City National Council of Catholic Women for four years. On April 8, 1931, she married George V. Hrencher at Andale. He died December 17, 1979.
Survivors include: a daughter, Ruth Ann Mahaney, Kent, Washington; four grandchildren, Ben and his Wife Sharon Mahaney, Auburn Washington, Carol, Michael and Matthew Maheney, all of Kent, Washington; and two great-grandchildren, Christina and Ian Mahaney, Auburn, Washington. She was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters. Vigil service will be a 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 27, 1999, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Sharon. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Januiary 28, 1999, at the church, with Father Anthony Suellentrop presiding. Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery, Sharon. Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to the church in care of the funeral home.

Errol L. Neal
Errol L. Neal, 88, died August 31, 1994, at Medicine Lodge. He was born June 13, 1906, at Sharon, the son of Otis and Abbie Tincher Neal. A longtime Medicine Lodge resident, he was a retired U.S. Postal Service worker. He was a member of First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge; and the Masonic Lodge, Delta Lodge No. 77, of Medicine Lodge. On February 4, 1928, he married Lena Thomas at Sharon. She survives. Other survivors include: two sons, Terry, Wichita, and Len, Templeton, California; a daughter, Joy Beckner, Lawrence; a sister, Eloise Rathgeber, Kiowa; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, September 3, 1994, at First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, with the Revs. Tom Walters and Dale Thomas presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the church, in care of Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Lena M. Neal
Lena M. Neal, 93, died June 27, 2000, at Attica Annex, Attica. She was born August 8, 1906, at Sharon, the daughter of Albert L. and Ina Belle Rucker Thomas. She was a longtime resident Medicine Lodge, moving from Sharon. She was a homemaker and a teacher in Sharon, and a Sunday school and piano teacher in Medicine Lodge. She belonged to First Christian Church and the Self Culture Club, both at Medicine Lodge. On February 4, 1928, she married Errol L. Neal at Sharon. He died August 31, 1994.
Survivors include: two sons, Terry L., Wichita, and Len, Templeton, California; a daughter, Joy Beckner, Lawrence; three brothers, Howard Thomas, Sharon, Glenn Thomas, Broomfield, Colorado, and Rev. Dale Thomas, Topeka; a sister Edna Schuman, Attica; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph and Ellis Thomas; and a sister, Fay Thomas.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 1, 2000, at First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Tom Walters and the Rev. Dale Thomas presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the church or Attica Long Term Care, both in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Erma L. Woods
Erma L. Woods, 73, died May 3, 1994, at Lyons District Hospital. She was born June 25, 1920, at Leila, Missouri, the daugher of Ross and Elizabeth Ellerman Crawford. A Lyons resident since 1951, formerly of Bushton, she was a homemaker. She was a former member of the Lyons Assembly of God Church. On February 8, 1939, she married Everett V. Woods. He died April 9, 1972. On February 22, 1976, she married Norman Medlam at Medicine Lodge.
Survivors include: two sons, Lynn A., Lyons, and David Ross, Chouteau, Oklahoma; two brothers Lewie Crawford, McCracken, and Ross Crawford, Jr., Lyons; a sister, Leota Mettling, Great Bend; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 1994, at Sillin Funeral Home, Lyons, with the Rev. Gary Wilkes presiding. Burial was at 2 p.m. Thursday in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association, both in care of the funeral home.

Bernice D. Woodward Ratlief
Bernice D. Woodward Ratlief, 62, died May 13, 1994, at Medicine Lodge. She was born November 22, 1931, at Medicine Lodge, the daughter of George C. and Cora C. Leathers Woodward. A lifetime Medicine Lodge resident, she was a hairdresser. She was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and the Barber County Hairdressers Association. On June 26, 1954, she married Henry Lee Ratlief at Medicine Lodge. He survives. Other survivors include: a son, Kenneth, Derby; four daughters, Teresa Smith, Conway Springs, Catherine Hrencher and Phyllis Woods, both of Medicine Lodge, and Linda Cohorn, Wichita; three brothers, Gillis Woodward, Medicine Lodge, George Woodward Jr. and Gilbert Woodward, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and two granddaughters.
Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 16, 1994, at United Methodist Church, Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Joe Cobb and Pastor Jeff Ropp presiding. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the Chemotherapy Chair Fund at Medicine Lodge
Memorial Hospital in care of Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Mrs. James L. Ryan
Mrs. Addie Marie Ryan, 73, died Friday, May 24 [1974], at the Medicine Lodge hospital. Born July 23, 1900, at Osceola, Missouri, she was married to James L. Rayn May 4, 1920, at Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He died in January of 1972. She had lived in Medicine Lodge for 16 years. She was a member of the First Christian Church. Survivors are a son, L.J., Medicine Lodge; a brother, Glen Osborne, Levelland, Texas; sisters, Mrs. Grancis Gallaugher, Medicine Lodge and Mrs. David Bell, Levelland, Texas; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, at the chuch, Rev. David Bradshaw officiating. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery.

Erna Eckell
Miss Erna Eckell, retired teacher and previous resident of the Pratt area, died Sunday in her Portland, Oregon home. She was a member of a Portland Lutheran Church. She is survived by two brothers, Herman Eckell, Sawyer, and Julius E. Eckell, Springdale, Arkansas; four sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Davenport, Wichita, Mrs. Billie McConell, Wichita, Mrs. Aurelia Lehner, Dodge City, and Mrs. Leah Farren, Derby.
Services officiated by Rev. E.J. Harmann will be in the Rose Chapel of Williams Mortuary, Pratt, Thursday, May 30 [1974], at 10:00 a.m. Burial wil be in the Isabel Cemetery.

Anna M. Thimmesch Eck
Anna M. Thimmesch Eck, 101, died February 6, 1999, at Wichita. She was born November 21, 1897, at Ost, the daughter of Nicholas and Anna Pelz Thimmesch. She was a homemaker. She belonged to St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Altar Society, both at Garden Plain. On February 6, 1917, she married John P. Eck at Ost. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include: five sons, Alphons Eck, Oswego, Father Reinhard Eck, Andale, Father Ivan Eck, Ost, O.L. 'Rusty' Eck, Wichita, and George Eck, McLean, Texas; three daughters, JoAnn Becker, Garden Plain, Mary Scripsick, Sharon, and Ida Rau, Wichita; two sisters, Rose Eck, Goddard, and Clara Thimmesch, Wichita; 40 grandchildren; 120 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be Monday, February 8, 1999, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Garden Plain, with Fathers Reinhard Eck and Ivan Eck presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Ost.
Memorials may be sent to the church in care of Wulf-Ast Mortuary, Garden Plain.

Bessie L. Riffey
Bessie L. Riffey, 92, died May 8, 1994, at her home at Sawyer. She was born April 6, 1902, at Fairview, Missouri, the daughter of Henry and Emma Reece Montgomery. A Sawyer resident since 1924, she was a homemaker. She was a member of the Old German Baptist Church, Sawyer. On February 9, 1924, she married Jess E. Riffey at Fairview, Missouri. He died March 22, 1968.
Survivors include: a daughter, Ruby Kessler, Sawyer; two grandsons, Merlin and Ronnie Kessler, both of Sawyer; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 1994, at the Old German Baptist Church, Sawyer. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Sawyer.
Memorials may be sent to the Golden Prairie School in care of Larrison Mortuary, Pratt.

Mrs. Althea Shutts
Mrs. Althea Clawson Shutts passed away Wednesday evening, May 15, at the Medicine Lodge
Memorial Hospital. Althea Clawson was born in the community of Sun City December 21, 1893, to John and Ninnie Clawson. On January 29, 1913, she was united in marriage to Irl Shutts. To this union were born four children. She resided in the Sun City community her entire life, 46 years living on the farm, and the remaining 16 years in their home at Sun City. She was a member of the Sun City Baptist Church, the Rebekah Lodge, and the Home Demonstration Unit, being a charter member for 23 years. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Irl; sons Curtiss, Beaumont, Kansas, and Byron, Pratt, Kansas; daughters, Addie Hogard, Attica, and Lena Quinby, Towner, Colorado; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Tim, Guymon, Oklahoma, Carl, Gruver, Texas, Ray, Randell, Kansas, and Robert, Medicine Lodge; two sisters, Abbie Howard, Coats, and Audrey Russel, Duquoin, Kansas, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Clyde Q. Spicer
Clyde Q. Spicer, 87, died May 5, 1994, at Kiowa District Hospital, Kiowa. He was born January 22, 1907, at Hazelton, the son of John and Lilly Rogers Spicer. A lifetime Hazelton resident, he was a retired farmer and horse dealer. He was a member of the Community Baptist Church, Hazelton. In 1932 he married Buna Slates. She died in 1959. In August 1959, he married Arlene Cannon at Hazelton. She died November 24, 1959.
Survivors include: a son, Clay Spicer, Hazelton; two stepsons, Joe B. Hoffman, Clarlotte, North Carolina, and Jay L. Hoffman, San Francisco, California; a stepdaughter, Kay Blunk, Kiowa; a brother, Judson Spicer, Elle Plaine; two sister, Betty Guseman, Wichita, and Myrtle Stevenson, Littleton, Colorado; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Monday, May 9, 1994, at the Community Baptist Church, Hazelton, with the Rev. Art Freeman presiding. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Hazelton.
Memorials may be sent to OWLS Senior Citizen Center or to the Kiowa District Hospital Fund, both in care of Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa.

Harold C. Grossardt
Harold C. Grossardt, 80, died August 10, 2000, at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus, Great Bend. He was born August 20, 1919, at Claflin, the son of John F. and Florence Thelma Staeber Grossardt. A lifetime resident of the Claflin area, he was a farmer and retired member of the Claflin Volunteer Fire Department. He belonged to United Methodist Church and was a charter member of the Claflin Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served on the board of directors of Holyrood Co-op and was a former school board member of District No. 5. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. On October 20, 1945, he married Vivian E. Radenberg at Claflin. She survives. Other survivors include: two sons, James P., Minden, Nebraska, and Theodore H., Lexington, Kentucky; two daughters, Joan R. Sutton, Topeka, and Marie E. Bachman, Susank; a brother, Bernard G., Hutchinson; sister, Bernice T. Grossardt.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 14, 2000, at United Methodist Church, Claflin, with the Rev. Janet Myers presiding. Burial was in Claflin Cemetery, with military rites conducted by a funeral detail from Fort Riley.
Memorials may ben sent to the Claflin EMS, to the Claflin Community Scholarship Fund or to the church, all in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington.

Byron Clark Mease
Byron Clark Mease, 75, died in the Medicine Lodge hospital July 7. He had been a rancher-farmer in the Nashville community for 62 years. He was born July 31, 1898 in Galena, Missouri. He married Vera O. Stroot May 28, 1973. He was a member of the Barber County Farm Bureau. He is survived by the widow: a son, Harold L. Mease, Isabel; a daughter, Mrs. Velma Thom, Isabel; three step-sons, Sylvester Stroot, Wichita; Raymond Stroot, Ft. Collins, Colorado; Louis Stroot, Wichita; two step-daughters, Mrs. Louise Salter, Stone Mountain, Georgia; Mrs. Barbara Christopherson, Lakeville, Minnesota; four sisters, Mrs. Lillian Wehling, Medicine Lodge; Mrs. Fannie Price, Medicine Lodge; Mrs. Josephine Callen, Wichita; Mrs. Opal Huitt, Valley Center. A prayer service was held at the Forsyth Funeral Home at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Services were held in the Holy Rosary Church, Medicine Lodge, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10. Father George Mueller officiated. Burial was in the Nashville Cemetery.

Leroy Edwin Willis
Leroy Edwin Willis, 73, died December 14, 1993, at Medicine Lodge Hospital, Medicine Lodge. He was born February 26, 1920, at Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Leroy E. and Carrie M. Lewis Willis. A Medicine Lodge resident for 34 years, he was a Barber County engineer for 23 years. He was a World War II veteran, of the 5th Armored Division. On April 15, 1943, he married Sarah Lucille Cavender at McMinnville, Texas. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Rodney, Garden City; two brothers, Floyd, Ucamonga, California, and Bill, Midway, Arkansas; four sisters, Mary Rhamy, Ontario, California, RuthBurcher, Chatham, Virginia, Hildred Snider, Wynn, Arkansas, and Winnifred Kline, Lafayette, Indiana; and two granddaughters.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Friday, December 17, 1993, at Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Arthur Sorg presiding. Burial was in Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John.
Memorials may be sent to the Assembly of God Church Benevolence Fund, in care of the funeral home.

Glenn E. Cocherell
Glenn E. Cocherell, 86, died October 30, 1999, at his home in Zenda. He was born June 12, 1913, at Crisfield, the son of Craig E. and Bertha Turner Cocherell. A Zenda resident since 1984, moving from Isabel, he was a farmer and owned and operated a grocery store in Isabel from 1965 to 1970. He belonged to St. John's Lutheran Church, Nashville, and served with the U.S. Army during World War II. On April 11, 1949, he married Lucile P. Keithly at Pratt. She died April 3, 1998.
Survivors include: two sons, Robert G., Spivey, and Eldon G., Mustang, Oklahoma; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Elvin and Ralph; and a sister, Opal Hoverkamp. Graveside service was held Wednesday, November 3, 1999, in Isabel Cemetery, with the Rev. Paul Beyer presiding. There was no visitation.
Memorials may be sent to St. John's Lutheran Church, Nashville, in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Donald Henry Rankin
Donald Henry Rankin, a retired agriculture representative, died Saturday, July 6, in the Attica Hospital at the age of 59. He was born August 28, 1914, in Nashville, and married Eulanda Liebl October 28, 1937, in St. Leo. He had been a resident of Sharon for nine years. He is survived by the widow: a son, Lennes, Nashville; a daughter, Mrs. Pat Traffas, Sharon; a sister, Mrs. Aloha Stell, La Mesa, California; three grandchildren.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Sharon. Father George Mueller officiated, assisted by Msgr. John Zenner, Father Louis Struble, Father Gerald Path, Father ernard Groom, and Father Herman Schulte. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery of Medicine Lodge.

Steven 'Steve' Sims

Funeral services of Steven Oliver Sims, 46, of Weatherford were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday December 23, 1998 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Weatherford with Alan Quigley officiating. Burial was at the Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford. Steve was born April 13, in Pratt, Kansas to Earl 'Buss' and Vivian (Davis) Sims and died Sunday, December 20, at Southwestern
Memorial Hospital in Weatherford. Steve was raised and attended school at Spearman, Texas, graduating from Spearman High School in 1970. He attended computer school for one year in Arizona. He later worked in the oil field in the Oklahoma Texas panhandles. On July 3, 1980, he married Linn Coverdale in Perryton, Texas. They made their home in Weatherford. From 1985-88 he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University and received his associated degree in radiology and NRA. Steve is survived by his wife Linn Sims; his mother, Vivian Simms of Weatherford; two sons, Kenny Sims, and Wes Sims; one daughter, Tammy Yoder; two brothers, Rod Sims, and Randy Sims; one sister, Janice Thoman; three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Buss Sims. The late Oliver Davis and Edna Davis of Pratt are his grandparents. The community extends its sympathy to the Sims family.

Sharon S. Sterling
Sharon S. Sterline, 41, died December 15, 1993, at Tomball, Texas. She was born March 12, 1952, the daughter of William J. 'Bill' and Joyce M. Martin Sterling. A lifetime Hardtner resident, she worked for the News Gram, Alva, Oklahoma. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Hardtner.
Survivors include: a brother, Mike, Houston. Graveside service was at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 1993, in the Hardtner Cemetery, with the Rev. Lew Van Der Wege presiding.

Ruby Fern Rucker Wheat
Ruby Fern Rucker Wheat, 88, died February 15, 1999, at Medicine Lodge
Memorial Hospital, Medicine Lodge. She was born March 26, 1910, in the Sharon area, the daughter of Hammon Ellis and Ella May McGrew Rucker. She was educated at Central View Rural School and graduated from Sharon High School in 1929. She was a lifelong rural resident of the community. She belonged to First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge. On April 20, 1929, she married Ernest M. Wheat at Medicine Lodge. He died June 26, 1969.
Survivors include: three sons, William Ellis Wheat, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Jack Olson Wheat, Longmont, Colorado, and Leon James Wheat, Long Beach, California; two daughters, Glnda Fay Tennyson, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Marilyn Kay Brown, Wichita; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Allen LeRoy Wheat.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 19, 1999, 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Medicine lodge, with the Revs. Dale Thomas, nephew, and Tom Walters officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the Barber County Home Health of the First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, both in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Alice Marie Murphy
Alice Marie Murphy, 60, died January 24, 1999, at Wichita. She was born September 23, 1938, at Medicine Lodge, the daughter of Roy and Goldie Jones Tholl. A Wichita resident, she was a retired LVN. On May 12, 1957, she married Eugene Richard Murphy at Isabel. He died June 3, 1959.
Survivors include: a son, Casey, Wichita; stepmother, Wyvetta Tholl, Peabody; three sisters, Nora Kay Bryan, Medicine Lodge, Peggy Goatley, Wichita, and Vera Mae Abbot, Springfield, Missouri; a half-sister, Doris Sharp, Pratt; three stepsisters, Anita Hulen, Hutchinson, Barbara Brooks, Peabody and Randa Anderson, Buhler; and one grandchild.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 28, 1999, at Cochran Mortuary, Wichita. Graveside service was Thursday afternoon in Isabel Cemetery, with the Rev. Shelley Hamilton presiding.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 3210 East Douglas, Wichita, 67208.

Mrs. Ruby (Terhune) Rankin
Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Palmer attended funeral services Thursday, June 20, for Mrs. Palmer's cousin, Mrs. Ruby (Terhune) Rankin, a resident of Great Bend. She had spent her early childhood at Hazelton. A registered nurse, Mrs. Rankin was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis 12 years ago and was bedfast several years. She passed away June 17 [1974] in a Great Bend hospital. Funeral services were held in the Hazelton Methodist Church with Rev. Phillip Brownlee officiating. Mrs. Rankin is survived by her husband, Richard, Great Bend; a daughter in Kansas City, Missouri, and a son in Mexico, Missouri, and five sisters, all residing in Kansas.

Henry "Hank" Kirkbride
Henry "Hank" Kirkbride, 82, died January 19, 1999, at Medicine Lodge
Memorial Hospital. He was born February 28, 1916, at Medicine Lodge, the son of David and Grace D. Richardson Kirkbride. A lifetime Medicine Lodge resident, he was a farmer and rancher. He belonged to United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge, both at Medicine Lodge. On September 20, 1942, he married Verdie I. Groves at Medicine Lodge. She died August 17, 1990.
Survivors include: two sons, David L., Wichita, and John H., Medicine Lodge; two daughters, Dorothy L. Stutler, Chino Valley, Arizona, and Traci A. Kirkbride, Los Angeles, California; a brother, John W. Kirkbride, Arlington, Virginia; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 23, 1999, at United Methodist Church, Medicine Lodge with the Rev. Jim Godbey presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the church or to the National Parkinson Foundation, both in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.

Wallace H. Willms
Wallace H. Willms, 88, died January 29, 1999, at Medicine Lodge
Memorial Hospital. He was born October 20, 1910, at Medicine Lodge, the son of William W. and Edna Herron Willms. A lifetime resident of Medicine Lodge, he was a retired dairyman, farmer, stockman and was a National Gypsum panel operator for 21 years. He was a member of First Christian Church at Medicine Lodge. On June 15, 1938, he married Gertie M. Raleigh at Larned. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Dan, Dodge City; a sister, Mildred Klopp, Rochester, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Jerry Willms, Dodge City, Brian Willms, Dublin, Ohio, Mike Willms, Terry Willms, North St. Paul, Minnesota, and Beverly Nobreca, Overland Park; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Walter A. Willms.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 1, 1999, at Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Tom Walters presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church Family Life Center in care of the funeral home.