Herbert Andrew 'Herb' Bridges

 
 
 Herbert Andrew 'Herb' Bridges, 60, died Dec. 1, 1996
 at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital.
 He was born Nov. 25, 1936 at Fairport, the son of
 John O. and Mable McMillan Bridges. A resident of
 Medicine Lodge since 1976, formerly of Claflin and Susank,
 he was an oilfield roughneck.
 On Jan. 31, 1960, he married Joan Price at Russell.
 She survives.
 Other survivors include: three sons, Ronald Scott and
 James Scott, Russell, and Herbert A. Bridges, Wichita; 
 four daughters, Janey Stafford, Arkansas, Wis., Betty
 Madison, Groves, Texas, Linda Bridges, Port Neches, Texas,
 and Jo Ann Porter, Medicine Lodge; three sisters, Betty
 Hudson, Aurora, Colo., Fanny Parsons, Russell, and Mary
 May Huffman, Gorham; and 11 grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996, at
 Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, with Rev.
 Jim Godbdy, pastor United Methodist Church, Medicine Lodge,
 presiding. Inurnment was in the Fairport Cemetery.
 A memorial has been established in his name, and
 contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.
 

Elmer Elton "Pete" Bell


 
 Elmer Elton "Pete" Bell, 79, died Jan 14, 1998, at his home.
 He was born Feb 28, 1918, at Bluejacket, Oklahoma, the son of John
 Franklin and Maude Bell. He was a 1936 graduate of Medicine Lodge High
 School. A longtime Kinsley resident, he was a pumper in the oil fields.
 He belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a U.S. Army veteran
 of World War II, stationed in the South Pacific.
 On June 19, 1950, he married Elma Bernice Packard at Lyons. She survives.
 Other survivors include: a son, Stephen, Hays; two daughters, Mary Brehm,
 Pratt, and Bonnie Hirsch, Kinsley; two stepsons, Bill Packard, Goddard, and
 Mike Packard, Winfield; two brother, Oliver, Medicine Lodge, and James,
 Nashville; a sister, Mary Hommertzheim, Medicine Lodge; 16 grandchildren;
 and seven great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan 17, 1998, at First United
 Methodist Church, Kinsley, with the Rev. David Bell presiding. Burial was
 in Hillside Cemetery, Kinsley.
 Memorials may be sent to South Wind Hospice, Pratt, or Jones-Barnes-
 Gasser Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7349, Kinsley, both in care of
 McKillip Memorial Funeral Home, Kinsley.


Lester R. Branson

 
 Lester R. Branson, 82, died March 12, 1997, at the Meadowlark Hills Health
 Care Center, Manhattan.
 He was born Sept. 26, 1914, at Zenda, the son of Samuel J. and Katie J.
 Layne Branson.
 He was raised in Coats and attended Pratt County schools. He attended Ft.
 Hays Unicersity where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1938 and
 his Master of Science in 1940. A resident of Manhattan since 1947, he was a
 conservation program specialist for the ABCS office of the USDA.
 He was a U.A. Army veteran of World War II.
 He was a member of the College Avenue United Methodist Church, Manhattan; 
 the Kansas-Oklahoma Chapter of the Society for Range Management; Manhattan
 Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society; Riley County Council on
 Aging; National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees; Riley County Seniors
 Service Center; Masonic Lodge #0265, Pratt; the High 12 Club of Manhattan,
 Public Housing Advisory Board; was precinct committeeman for the Democratic
 Party and life member of the VFW.
 On June 1, 1941, he married Dorothy Hybsha at Medicine Lodge. She survives.
 Other survivors include: a son, Lester L. Branson; a sister, Aline L. Buck,
 Cerritos, Calif; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
 Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 18, 1997, at the College Avenue
 United Methodist Church, with Rev. Nancy Gammill officiating. Cremation
 followed the service.
 Memorials may be sent to the Riley County Seniors' Service Center, College
 Avenue United Methodist Church, and the Coats United Methodist Church, all in
 care of Edwards-Yorgensen-Meloan Funeral Home, Manhattan.



Winford M. 'Wimpy' Cummins

 

 Winford M. 'Wimpy' Cummins, 83, died Nov. 29, 1996, at
 Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital.
 He was born Sept. 14, 1913, at Konawa, Okla., the son
 of Walter W. Cummins and Nora F. Gardner. A Medicine Lodge
 resident since 1936, moving from Konawa, he was the owner
 and operator of the Cummins Barber Shop from 1962 to 1975.
 He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
 On Dec. 23, 1941, he married Virginia Lee Nurse at 
 Medicine Lodge. She survives.
 Other survivors include: two sons, Ron Cummins, Boise,
 Idaho, and Terry Cummins, Iuka; two sisters, Agness Mae
 Cummins, Tonkawa, Okla., and Faye Medlinger, Wichita Falls,
 Texas; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
 Funeral service were held Monday, Dec. 2, 1996, at the
 United Methodist Church, Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Jim
 Godbey presiding. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery, 
 Medicine Lodge.
 Memorials may be sent to the church in care of Larrison-
 Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge. 

Lucille P. Petersen

 
 Lucille P. Petersen, 85, died March 9, 1997, at Via Christi Regional
 Medical Center, St. Joseph Campus, Wichita.
 She was born April 14, 1911, at Roxbury, the daughter of Bert A.
 and Lovie M. Bartz Parsons. A Wichita resident since 1951, moving from
 Hardtner, she was a bookkeeper.
 She was a member of Lutheran Church, Wichita.
 In 1934 she married Pete Petersen at Louisville, Ky. He died in
 Oct. 1947.
 Survivors includ: two daughters, Leigh Petersen, Wichita, and Lynne
 Nugent Rochester, N.Y.; a sister, Virginia Sizelove, Hardtner; and two
 grandchildren.
 Graveside services were held Thursday, March 13, 1997, in the Hardtner
 Cemetery, Hardtner, with the Rev. Lew Van Der Wege presiding.
 Memorials may be sent to Kansas Humane Society, 4218 SE Blvd., Wichita,
 Kansas 67210
 Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa, was in charge of arrangements.


Alice M. Redding


 
 
 
 Alice M. Redding, 70, died Jan. 9, 1998, at Medicine Lodge.
 She was born Oct. 30, 1927, at Greeley, Colo., the daughter of 
 Claude and Sarah Jane "Sadie" Fair Burrous. She was a homemaker.
 On Nov. 5, 1944, she married Lemuel Appling at Bentonville, Ark. 
 He died Sept. 11, 1969. In 1973 she married C. Haynes Redding. They 
 were married until 1977. He died May 19, 1997.
 Survivors include: two sons, L.C. Appling, Suwanee, Ga., and 
 Gary Appling, Attica; three daughters, Carol Newlin and Ann Moser, 
 both of Wichita, and Donetta Foss, Fruitland, Idaho; two brothers, 
 Roy Burrous, Topeka, and Donald Burrous, St. Marys, Kan.; three 
 sisters, Dorothy Rice, Colorado, Ruby Duensing, San Diego, and 
 Clarice Reese, Mason, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; five step-grand-
 children; 11 great-grandchildren; and 17 step-great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, at Assembly of 
 God Church, Attica, with the Rev. Jerry Yates presideing. Burial was 
 in Spring Grove Cemetery, Anthony.
 Memorials may be sent to the church in care of Elliott Mortuary, 
 Attica.


Monte C. Watkins

 
 
 Monte C. Watkins, 51, died Dec 16, 1996, at the
 University of Colorado Hopital, Denver.
 He was born May 20, 1945, at Anthony, the son of
 Bill and Mary Ellen Brady Watkins. A lifetime area
 resident, he was a woodworker and yardsman.
 He was a member of Driftwood Christian Church,
 Driftwood, Okla.
 Survivors include: a son, Jason Watkins, Enid, 
 Okla.; a daughter, Marci Watkins, Burlington, Okla.;
 parents, Bill and Mary Ellen Watkins, Kiowa; a
 brother, Brad Watkins, Nickerson; a sister, Kay
 Wiley, Rose Hill; and a grandchild.
 Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 20, 1996,
 at Driftwood Christian Church, with the Rev. Rollin
 Boothby presiding. Burial was in the Riverview
 Cemetery, Kiowa.
 Memorials may be sent to the Monte Watkins
 Scholarship Fund with Burlington Schools, in care
 of Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa. 


Fola Mae Axline

 
 
 Fola Mae Axline, 70, of Medicine Lodge, died Jan 22, 1997
at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital.
 She was born Oct. 29, 1926 in Medicine Lodge, the daughter
of Ernie A. and Mary A. Turnage Melkus. She was a lifelong
resident of Medicine Lodge, a homemaker.
 She was a member of the United Methodist Church for fifty-
five years, and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. During high
school she was a twirler for the marching band and a member
of several other school organizations such as FFA and Glee
Club. After graduating from high school, she worked for
National Gypsum as a telegrapher, Parker's IGA, Nixon's Mens
Wear, and Palmer's Floral.
 On July 19, 1950, she married Bill Axline in Alva, Okla.
They enjoyed their years on the Axline Ranch north of Medicine
Lodge where they raised their three children. He preceded her
in death.
 She is survived by her brother and his wife, Dean and Kay
Melkus of Topeka; her children and their spouses, Carol Ann
and Keith of Lake City, Clay and Cathy, Mark and Joni, all of
Medicine Lodge; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Trayce
and Mark, Greg and Amy, Josh, Michael, Gabrielle, Logan, and
Michelle; three great-grandchildren, Shayne, Macy and Darah
Marie.
 A memorial service was held Monday, Jan 29, 1997, at the
United Methodist Church in Medicine Lodge, with Rev's Jim
Godbey and Russel Stolp presiding.
 Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church in 
care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge. 
 

Virgil C. Cole

 
 
 Virgil C. Cole, 87, died Oct. 30, 1996, in
 Tillimook, Ore.
 He was born Feb 8, 1909, in Medicine Lodge,
 the son of Parmenius Briscoe and Catherine
 Barbara Aubley Cole. He was raised in Kansas.
 He received his master's degree in science at
 the University of Wyoming.
 He was a teacher of math and physics and
 coached at several high schools in Kansas,
 Colorado, Bend, Ore., and Tillamook, Ore. 
 While in Rye, Colo., he was school district
 superintendent.
 In 1946 he retired from teaching and became
 a fulltime cattle and dairy rancher in the
 Beaver area. He also started a life-time hobby
 of electronic repair. Later he bought several
 farms in the Willamina area, then in 1950 he
 purchased what is now known as the Cole Ranch
 on Blaine Road.
 Mr. Cole retired from ranching in 1995 at the
 age of 86.
 He was united in marriage to Marjorie Epperson
 on May 25, 1932 in Kansas. She died in 1991.
 Survivors include: one son, Wade Cole, Bremerton,
 Wash; six daughters, Rosalie Langston, Wenatchee,
 Wash., Sharon Dodge, Yuba City, Calif., Wanda
 Nickel, El Paso, Texas, Nancy Wallace, Willow, Ark.,
 Patricia Knapp, Ilwaco, Wash., Ruth Ellen McWayne,
 Tigard, Ore.; a sister, Faye Bolin, Seattle, Wash.;
 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Nov 4, 1996, at Waud's
 Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Woodby officiating.
 Vault interment was held at Blaine Community 
 Cemetery. 



Helen C. Crole

 
 
 Helen C. Crole, 91, died March 2, 1997, at Hilltop Manor,
 Cunningham.
 She was born March 31, 1905, at Cunningham, the daughter
 of Conrad and Ida Rush Liedl. A Wichta resident, she was a
 retired co-owner of Crole Machine Shop.
 Other survivors include: step-daughter, Ann Clasby,
 Colorado Springs, Colo.; a brother, Leonard Liebl, St. Leo;
 a sister, Eulanda "Butch" Criser, Sharon; and one grandchild.
 Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 5, 1997, at St.
 Joseph's Catholic Church, Wichita. Burial was at Resurrection
 Cemetery, Wichita.
 Memorials may be sent to Hilltop Manor Nursing Home, 
 Cunningham.

Consuella Mary `Connie' Dolenz

 
 
 Consuella Mary `Connie' Dolenz, 71, died Feb. 10, 1997,
 at Andover.
 She was born July 10, 1925, at Liberty, the daughter of
 John and Martha Strutzel Startz. She grew up on a farm 
 near Liberty and attended Clymore grade school. She
 graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School and
 attended Coffeyville Junior College. She graduated with
 a degree in business administration from Fort Hays State
 University. Formerly of Coffeyville, she lived in Lyons
 at the time of her death. She was a homemaker, secretary 
 and teacher.
 She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Lyons,
 St. Paul's Altar Society and Fort Hays Alumni Association.
 On Aug 25, 1951, she married James A. Dolenz at Coffey-
 ville. He died Jan 6, 1988.
 Survivors include: four sons, James, Wichita, Jerry,
 Woodward, Okla., Tom, Iola, and Tim, Andover; five
 daughters, Teresa Cottrell, Meade, Patti Tharp, Medicine
 Lodge, Kathy Dolenz, Junction City, Rosemarie Debnam,
 Anchorage, Alaska, and Mary Hardiman, Chandler, Ariz.;
 five brothers, John Startz, Groves, Texas, James Startz,
 Kansas City, Kan., Ray Startz, Mission, Clarence Startz,
 Topeka, and Elmer Startz, Midland, Texas; and 12 grand-
 children.
 Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Feb.
 13, 1997, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Coffeyville.
 Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Coffeyville.
 Memorials may be sent to Hospice Inc. of Butler
 County or Hospice of Reno County, both in care of
 Graves Funeral Home, Coffeyville.


Michael A. Fanning

 
 
 Michael A. Fanning, 44, died March 4, 1997, at his
 home.
 He was born Oct. 9, 1952, at Wichita, the son of
 Ronald D. and Suzanne "Sue" White Fanning. A Hutchinson
 resident since 1975, he was an employee of TECH Inc. of
 Hutchinson.
 He was active in the Hutchinson Recreation Commission
 Bowling League and was a former Special Olympics partic-
 apant.
 Survivors include: parents, Lyons; two sisters, Brenda
 Sterneker, Cunningham, and Becky Fischer, Isabel; two
 nephews, Jeremy Willims and Brandon Sterneker, both of
 Cunningham; and four nieces, Kristin Sterneker and Alisson
 Sterneker, both of Cunningham, and Liz Graham, and Brooke
 Fischer, both of Isabel.
 Funeral services were held Thursday, March 6, 1997, at
 Lyons United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Gary Appleton
 presiding. Burial was in Lyons Municipal Cemetery.
 Memorials may be sent to TECH Inc, in care of Sillin
 Funeral Home, Lyons.

Harold R. Mitchell

 
 Harold R. Mitchell, 72, died March 6, 1997, at Pratt Regional Medical 
 Center.
 He was born Aug. 27, 1924, near Andover in Butler County, the son of 
 Marion J. and Vada M. Rawlings Mitchell. A resident of Medicine Lodge 
 since 1976, formerly living in Augusta and Alva, Okla., he was a 
 carpenter and homebuilder.
 He was a member of United Methodist Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars 
 in Medicine Lodge. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II.
 On Aug. 4, 1965, he married E.A. "Van" Hamilton at Neosho, Mo. She 
 survives.
 Other survivors include: three sons, Jerry R. Mitchell and Steven L. 
 Mitchell, both of Wichita, and Ron Ward, Medicine Lodge; three daughters, 
 Peggy A Mitchell and Janet R. Coleman, both of Wichita, and Judy F. Phillips,
 Udall; mother, Vada Mitchell, Augusta; brother, Bob Mitchell, Augusta; two 
 sisters, Donna Jones and Marilyn Llewellen, both of Norman, Okla.; 10 grand-
 children; and five great-grand children.
 Funeral services were held Monday, March 10, 1997, at the United Methodist 
 Church in Medicine Lodge, with the Revs. Jim Godbey and Tom Walters presiding.
 Burial was in Highland Cemetery in Medicine Lodge.
 Memorials may be sent to the church or to the American Cancer Society in 
 care of Larrsion-Gorsyth Funeral Home in Medicine Lodge. 



Robert Joseph Murphy

 
 
 Robert Joseph Murphy, 68, died Jan 3, 1997, at his
 home in Anton, Colo.
 He was born Marcy 7, 1928, at Hazelton, the son of
 Joseph E. and Ica Aldrich Murphy. A resident of Anton
 for the past year, he lived most of his life in 
 Medicine Lodge and worked as a warehouse truck loader
 in the wholesale oil business.
 Survivors include: a son, Michael L. Murphy,
 Hutchinson; and two grandchildren, Lacey and Zachery
 Kovarna, both of Hutchinson.
 Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan 9, 1997,
 at Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home Chape, Medicine
 Lodge, with the Rev. Tom Walters presiding. Burial
 was in the Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. 


Anita Jane McCormick

 
 
 Anita Jane McCormic, 70, died Feb 14, 1997, at her home in
 Enid, Okla.
 She was born August 27, 1926, in Barber County, the daughter
 of Raymond Holmes and Hazel Florence Rankin Donovan. She was
 raised and educated in Medicine Lodge, where she graduated from
 high school. She attended Oklahoma University, and Phillips
 University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education
 and her Masters in Education.
 She taught Elementary Education at Hayes Elementary from 1967
 to 1971 when she became principal of Eisenhower School. She was
 Principal of Hayes Elementary from 1972 until her retirement in
 1986.
 She was a member of the First presbyterian Church of Enid,
 Order of Eastern Star, and Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.
 On Dec 7, 1947, she married Forrest Eugene McCormick in Medicine
 Lodge. He preceeded her in death.
 Survivors include: two sons, Dr. Jeffrey Trent McCormick, Edmond,
 Okla. and Jod D. McCormick, Woodward, Okla.; a daugher, Linda C.
 Mackey, Edmond, Okla.; her mother, Hazel F. Donovan, Medicine Lodge;
 one brother, James R. Donovan, Medicine Lodge; a sister, Carol King,
 Albuquerque, N.M.; and five grandchildren, Meghan, Evan, Colin,
 Lauren, and Ryan McCormick.
 Funeral services were held Friday, Feb 21, 1997, at the First
 Presbyterian Church, Enid, Okla., with Rev. Dr. J. Bruce Byers
 officiating. A second service was held Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997, 
 at the First Presbyterian Church, Medicine Lodge with Mr. Wayne
 DeVries officiating. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine
 Lodge.
 Memorial may be sent to the American Diabetes Association or 
 the First Presbyterian Church in care of Brown Funeral Home, Enid,
 Okla.


Opal Eunice Marquand

 
 
 Opal Eunice Marquand, 93, died Feb. 18, 1997, at Riverside
 Hospital, Wichita.
 She was born July 23, 1903, in Beaver County, Okla., the
 daughter of Emory F. and Mary S. Jenkins Harper. A Medicine
 Lodge resident since 1932, moving from Coldwater, she was a
 homemaker.
 She was a member of First Christian Church and the American
 Legion Auxiliary, both at Medicine Lodge, and helped start the
 Lone Eagle 4-H, southwest of Medicine Lodge.
 On May 1, 1926, she married Joseph W. Marquand at Pratt, He
 preceeded her in death.
 Survivors include: a daughter, Melba Jones, Wichita; a brother
 Merrel Harper, Plaines; two grandchildren; five great-grand-
 children; and a great-great-grandchild.
 Funeral services were held Friday, Feb 21, 1997, at First 
 Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Tom Walters
 presiding. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
 Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, was in charge
 of arrangements.


H. Lynn Randels

 
 
 H. Lynn Randels, 93, died Feb. 13, 1997, at Bonell Good
 Samaritan Center, Greeley, Colo.
 He was born Oct. 29, 1903, in Grant County, Okla., the
 son of Horace M. and Bessie E. McArtor Randels. A resident
 of Greeley, Colo., since 1992, moving from Topeka, where
 he had lived from 1981-1992, and Medicine Lodge, where he
 had lived from 1941-1981, he was a former Probate Judge
 in Barber County from 1956 to 1978.
 He was a member of First Christian Church, Delta Lodge
 No. 77, AF&AM, Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce, all
 in Medicine Lodge.
 On July 16, 1933, he married Margaret Zoe Davis. She
 died in 1977. On June 2, 1981, he married Berdine Priest.
 She survives in Greeley, Colo.
 Other survivors include: a son, Robert L. Randels, Sharon;
 a daughter, Jane Marcey, Greeley, Colo.; seven grandchildren;
 and 12 great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 17, 1997, at the
 First Christian Church, Medicine Lodge, with Rev. Tom Waltes
 presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
 Memorials may be sent to Bonell Good Samaritan Center,
 Greeley, Colo., in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home,
 Medicine Lodge. 


Gary Lloyd Wing

 
 
 Gary Lloyd Wing, 47, died March 25, 1997, at Pratt Regional
 Medical Center, Pratt.
 He was born Oct. 13, 1949, at Alamosa, Colo., the son of Bill
 and Naomi Helms Wing. A Sun City resident for 10 months, moving
 from Alamosa, Colo., he was a carpenter.
 On Sept. 4, 1996, he married Charlot Upshaw at Medicine Lodge.
 She survives.
 Other survivors include: a son, Shawn, South Carolina; two
 step-sons, James Ogle, Arkansas, and Chris Ogle, Sun City; a
 step-daughter, Becky Ogle, Arkansas; mother, Alamosa, Colo.; a
 sister, Linda Wing, Sun City; and a step-grandchild, Robert
 Bushnell, Arkansas.
 Private family services will be held at a later date.
 Larrison Mortuary, Pratt, is in charge of arrangements.


Gladys E. Venard

 
 
 Gladys E. Venard, 62, died March 10, 1997, at Columbia
 Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
 She was born June 17, 1934, at St. Leo, the daughter of
 Edwin and Marie Ridder Simon. She attended St. Leo schools
 and graduated from Nashville High School. The owner and
 operator of Southern Maid Donut Shop for 15 years, she
 also worked for USD 443 in food service and bookkeeping.
 She was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral and Chamber
 of Commerce at Dodge City.
 On July 24, 1952, she married Lloyd Vanard at St. Leo.
 He survives.
 Other survivors include: a son, Don R. Venard, Dodge
 City; two brothers, Robert Simon, Garden City, and Gerald
 Simon, St. Leo; and seven grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Thursday, March 13, 1997, at
 Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City, with the Rev. Gregory
 LeBlanc presiding. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery in
 Dodge City.
 Memorials may be sent to the Lupus Foundation in care of
 Swaim Funeral Home in Dodge City.


Betty Jeane Rusk

 
 
 Betty Jeane Rusk, 68, died March 29, 1997, at her home in
 Hazelton.
 She was born July 29, 1928, at McPherson, the daugher of
 Clarence and Nancy A. Hare McMahon. A longtime resident of
 Kiowa, formerly of Newton, she had lived in Hazelton since
 1992. She was a nurses aid.
 She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the
 UMW.
 On Nov. 23, 1949, she married William F. Rusk at Bentonville,
 Ark. He died Nov. 12, 1994.
 Survivors include: two sons, Wayne Allen Kidd, Kiowa, and
 Michael W. Rusk, Topeka; two daughters, Carolyn Sue Lilyblad,
 and Patricia LaVonne Rusk, both of Hazelton; a brother, Jess
 McMahon, Cottonwood, Ariz.; a sister, Delores Buie, Gainsville,
 Fla.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 1, 1997, at the
 United Methodist Church in Kiowa, with the Rev. Lew Van Der 
 Wege presiding. Burial was in Rose Hill-Hazelton Cemetery.
 Memorials may be sent to Southwind Hospice, in care of
 Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa.

Loren Leroy Pyle

 
 
 
 Loren Leroy Pyle, 60, died Feb. 26, 1997, in his home
 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
 He was born April 26, 1936 at Kingman, Kansas, son of
 Chester and Ruby Pyle. He was a graduate of Medicine
 Lodge High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Navy,
 moving to Scottsdale in 1967.
 Survivors include: his wife, Ellen of the home; his
 step-father Ralph Aubley of Medicine Lodge; three
 children, Sheri Baringer of Wichita, Tami Dickinson of
 Inman, and Ricky Pyle of Medicine Lodge; seven grand-
 children; four step-children; and 15 step-grandchildren.
 Burial was at the Veterans Cemetery, Scottsdale, Ariz.


Michelle Ann Mathis

 
 
 Michelle Ann Mathis, 20, died March 25, 1997, at Ingris-Bass
 Hospital in Enid, Okla.
 She was born July 14, 1976, at Alva, Okla., the daughter of
 David L. and Janice L. Barr Mathis. A resident of Alva for only
 a few months, formerly of Kiowa and Cherokee, Okla., she was a
 waitress.
 She was a member of the Kiowa Southern Baptist Church, and a
 graduate of South Barber High School.
 Survivors include: her parents, of Kiowa, two brothers, David
 W. Mathis, Wichita, and Jess Mathis, Kiowa; a sister, Christie
 Swope, Kingman; paternal grandparents, Donald and Ruth Mathis,
 Cherokee, Okla.; maternal grandparents, Jim and Elsie Rodgers,
 Alva Okla.; maternal great-grandmother, Lorene Barr, of Alva;
 aunts, uncles, cousins; and two nephews.
 Funeral services were held Friday, March 28, 1997, at the
 South Barber High School Auditorium with the Rev. Alan Locke
 presiding. Burial was in the Cherokee Municpal Cemetery.
 Memorials may be sent to the Kiowa Southern Baptist Church 
 in care of Fisher Funeral Home, Kiowa. 


Erma Mabel Lynam

 
 
 Erma Mabel Lynam, 73, died March 26, 1997, at Pratt Regional
 Medical Center.
 She was born Aug. 31, 1923, at Hardtner, the daughter of the
 late Wallace and Nancy Jane Salsberry. A resident of Medicine
 Lodge since 1957, moving from Hardtner, she was a homemaker.
 On Aug. 19, 1940, she married Lewis Clyde Lynam at Anthony.
 He survives.
 Other survivors include: two sons, Darrel Lynam, Wichita,
 and Michael Lynam, Lindsborg; a brother, Sylvan Robinson,
 Amarillo, Texas; seven grandchildren; and several great-
 grandchildren.
 Graveside services were held Saturday, March 29, 1997, at
 Highland Cemetery in Medicine Lodge, with the Rev. Tom Walters
 presiding. Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, was
 in charge of arrangements.
 Memorials may be sent to Heartland Share Program, in care
 of First Christian Church at Medicine Lodge. 



Lloyd J. Benefiel

 
 
 Lloyd J. Benefiel, 87, died March 26, 1997, at Hutchinson
 Hospital.
 He was born Nov. 27, 1909, at Medicine Lodge, the son of
 Clarence and Nellie Benefiel. A longtime resident of Lyons,
 he owned Benefiel Hardware at Lyons from 1934 to 1976. He
 was a 1932 graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston,
 Ill.
 He was a member of Presbyterian Church, American Legion
 and Royal Lodge No. 192 at Lyons, and belonged to Acacia
 Fraternity.
 On April 1, 1956, he married Beulah Strom at Lyons. She
 Survives.
 He is also survived by a son, John L. Benefiel, of Omaha.
 Funeral services were held Saturday, March 29, 1997, at
 Presbyterian Church in Lyons, with the Rev. Tom Robson
 presiding. Burial was in Lyons Municipal Cemetery.
 Memorials may be sent to the church in care of Sillin
 Funeral Home in Lyons. 


Hazel F. Rankin Donovan

 
 
 Hazel F. Rankin Donovan, 96, died March 29, 1997, at Medicine
 Lodge Memorial Hospital.
 She was born Aug 22, 1900, on the family farm near Nashville,
 the daughter of George W. and Harriet M. Osborn Rankin. A home-
 maker, she had been a resident of Medicine Lodge since 1939,
 moving from a ranch near Hardtner.
 She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Medicine
 Lodge.
 On Dec. 1, 1923, she married Raymond H. Donovan at Medicine
 Lodge. He died June 23, 1983.
 Survivors include: a son, James R. Donovan, Medicine Lodge; a
 daugher, Carol Ann King, Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Jack M.
 Rankin, Sun City, Ariz.; two sisters, Gladys Griesinger, Tuscon,
 Ariz., and Evelyn Grigsby, Sun City, Ariz; eight grandchildren;
 and 11 great-grandchildren.
 Funeral Services were held Tuesday, April 1, 1997, at the
 First Presbyterian Church in Medicine Lodge with Wayne De Vries
 presiding. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.
 Memorials may be sent to the church in care of Larrison-Forsyth
 Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.


Almeda A. Dugan

 
 
 Almeda A. Dugan, 83, died March 26, 1997, at Harper Hospital,
 Harper.
 She was born Nov. 26, 1913, at Sharon, the daughter of Charles
 Joseph and Elizabeth Hrencher Winter. She grew up in Sharon and
 attended St. Boniface Catholic School through the eighth grade.
 She graduated from Sharon High School in 1932. She continued
 her education at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, Wichita,
 where she received her degree in nursing in 1935. She worked as
 a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital for the next five
 years. She later made her home near Milton where she and her 
 husband farmed for many years. They retired in 1975 and later
 moved to Conway Springs in 1985.
 She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Conway Springs,
 and Alter Society.
 On March 25, 1940, she married James Edward Dugan at Sharon.
 He died May 7, 1986.
 Survivors include: two sons, Charles, Milton, and Tom, Conway
 Springs; three daughters, Rose Ann Reams, Monroeville, Pa., 
 Catherine Poppelreiter, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mary Trook, Lebonon,
 N.J.; two sisters, Cecilia Ann Mull, Ashland, and Lillian Blahut,
 Sharon; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
 Funeral Mass was held Saturday, March 29, 1997, at St. Joseph
 Catholic Church, Conway Springs, with Father Robert B. Wachter
 presiding. Burial was in the Eden Cemetery, Milton.
 Memorials may be sent to st. Joseph Catholic Church Building
 Fund, Conway Springs, or Conway Springs Volunteer Ambulance,
 both in care of Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs.

Fredrick A. Adelhardt

 
 
 Fredrick A. Adelhardt, 60, died March 17, 1997, at Pratt
 Regional Medical Center.
 He was born March 15, 1937, at Nashville, the son of John
 and Emma Simon Adelhardt. A Pratt resident for 36 years, he
 was a retired superintendent for KPL Gas Co.
 He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Knights
 of Columbus, both at Pratt.
 On April 15, 1961, he married Audrey Kay Lagree at St. Leo.
 She survives.
 Other survivors include: three sons, Curtis and Roger, both
 of Pratt, and Michael, Mesquite, Texas; a daughter, Renee Brubaker,
 Tampa, Flor.; five brothers, Alois, Zenda, Eugene, Kingman, Ronald,
 Partridge, John, Nashville, and Elmer, Cunningham; three sisters,
 Rita Adelhardt, Cunningham, Marcella Ford, Isabel, and Elenora
 Zogelman, Adnale; and five grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 19, 1997, at Sacred
 Heart Catholic Church in Pratt, with Father Ted Skalsky presiding.
 Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery in Pratt.
 Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to the
 church both in care of Larrison Mortuary in Pratt. 


LaVon Shelite

 
 
 LaVon Shelite, 68, of Hutchinson, died March 17, 1997, at
 Columbia Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
 She was born Sept 23, 1928, at Wichita, the daughter of Zell
 and Helen Baxter Whitacre. She attended North High School in
 Wichita. A Hutchinson resident since 1960, moving from Caldwell,
 she was a homemaker.
 She was a member of Order of Eastern Star Silver Leaf Chapter
 No. 464 and Women of the Moose Hutchinson Chapter No. 1371, both
 of Hutchinson.
 On Oct. 5, 1946, she married Orval Shelite, at Medicine Lodge.
 He survives.
 Other survivors include: three sons, Gary, Marshall, Texas,
 Dale, Kansas City, Kan., and Brad, Hutchinson; a daughter,
 Roxann Davis, Fort Knox, Ky.; mother, Chillicothe, Mo.; 11
 grandchildren; a step-grandchild; and two great grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Friday, March 21, 1997, at Elliott
 Chapel in Hutchinson, with Dave Henderson presiding. Burial was
 in the Fairlawn Burial Park in Hutchinson.
 Memorials may be sent to American Heart Association or American
 Lung Association, both in care of the mortuary.


Tommie Holser Arbsland

 
 
 Tommie Holser Arbsland died March 29, 1997 at her home in
 Spearman, Texas.
 She was born Sept. 30, 1924 in Medicine Lodge. The
 daughter of John and Eulalia (Luallen) Holser.
 Survivors include: one daughter, Sue Robinette, Spearman,
 Texas; one sister, Janie McBrayer, Kiowa; two grandsons;
 and four great-grandsons.
 Memorial service was held April 3, 1997, at the Trinity
 Community Church in Spearman, Texas, with Pastor, Johnny
 Taylor officiating. Burial was in Highland Cemetery, 
 Medicine Lodge. 
 


Theresa J. Hindman Burns

 
 
 Theresa J. Hindman Burns, 30, died April 8, 1997, at
 Wichita.
 She was born May 12, 1966 at Medicine Lodge, the
 daughter of James and Mary Hindman.
 Survivors include: husband, Scott Burns, Pensacola,
 Fla.; a sister, Kimberly Mathis, Dighton; a stepbrother,
 Tony Simon, Pretty Prairie; a stepsister, Linda Mainzer,
 Garden Plain; father and step mother, James and Janet
 Hindman, Medicine Lodge; mother, Mary Hindman, Wichita,
 and grandmother, Edith Hindman, Medicine Lodge.
 Memorial services were held Saturday, April 12, 1997, 
 at Hillside Funeral Home 'East' Wichita, with Bill Dyar
 of Kiowa United Methodist Church, officiating.
 Memorials may be sent to Literacy Resources of the
 Metro Area Insturctional Support Center, in care of the
 funeral home. 



Raymond Hill Cook

 
 
 Raymond Hill Cook, 79, died March 31, 1997, at Bass Baptist
 Hospital in Enid, Okla.
 He was born April 12, 1917, at Smithville, Mo., the son of
 Ray L. and Lulu D. Dale Cook. A Protection resident for 29
 years after living in Sun City, he was a retired farmer, rancher
 and employee of Protection Co-op.
 He attended Sun City and Protection Baptist churches and was
 a member of Sun City Saddle Club.
 On Aug. 31, 1938, he married Doris Margaret Powell at Richmond,
 Mo. She died Oct. 25, 1996.
 Survivors include: two sons, Bob, Enid, Okla., and Jack, 
 Wellington; three daughters, Pat Hart, Protection, Joyce Hindman
 and Elaine Nicholson, both of Blackwell, Okla.; a sister, Georgia
 Tapp, Liberty, Mo.; 18 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
 Funeral services were held Friday, April 4, 1997, at First
 Baptist Church in Protection, with the Revs. John Waterloo and 
 Rod Young presiding. Burial was in Protection Cemetery.
 Memorials may be sent to Protection Cemetery Directory Fund
 or American Cancer Society, in memory of Doris Cook, in care of 
 Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home in Coldwater.


Myrtle Elna Davis

 
 
 Myrtle Elna Davis, 87, died April 6, 1997, at Homestead
 Assisted Living.
 She was born Aug 1, 1909, at Kansas City, Mo., the
 daughter of John and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Meador Ball. She
 graduated from Sawyer High School. She moved to Kiowa in
 1949 and then to Garden City in 1956. She had lived there
 since then. She was an Avon representative for 37 years
 and a homemaker.
 She was a member of First Christian Church, Garden City,
 Christian Women's Fellowship, the Loyal Leaders Sunday
 School class and taught Sunday school class for 27 years.
 On Oct. 18, 1927, she married Burl E. Davis at Medicine
 Lodge. He died Feb 17, 1971.
 Survivors include: two sons, Dale, Garden City, and J.C.,
 Wilmington, N.C.; two daughters, Mildred Miller, Mulvane,
 and Mary Lou Wright, Kiowa; a sister, Mary Rose, Medicine
 Lodge; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
 Graveside services were held Wednesday, April 9, 1997, 
 in Riverview Cemetery, Kiowa, with the Rev. Leonne
 Worchester presiding.
 Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church in
 Kiowa or in Garden City, both in care of Fisher Funeral
 Home, Kiowa.