Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
AMY HUNTER
Amy Davey Hunter, 36, of Park City, died Feb. 13, 2006. Service was Feb. 17 at Riverlawn Christian Church, Wichita. Burial was at Kansas Veterans’ cemetery, Winfield.
She was born March 7, 1969, in Wichita. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Maurice Burke.
Survivors include her husband, Scott Douglas Hunter; brothers, Matthew Ray Davey of Kansas City, Chip Draper of Kansas City, Mo.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bonnie and Ken Lester, Gayle Draper, Jenny Davey, all of Overland Park, Virginia Anne and John Blevins of Olathe; parents, James and Cathy Draper of Ozawkie, and grandparents, Richard and Jean Markham of Wichita, Loren Burke of Derby.
A memorial has been established with Heartspring. Baker Funeral Home had charge.
BILL LAWRENCE
Bill G. Lawrence, 70, of Wichita, father of Kelle Wingate of Valley Center, died Feb. 13, 2006. He was the retired vice president of sales at Gulf Development. Service was Feb. 18 at Cochran Mortuary, Wichita.
He was preceded in death by a brother, John Heging, and sisters, Dorothy Farrington and Ida Eilene Burrows.
Other survivors include his son, David Lawrence; daughter, April Bartell of Hillsboro; brothers and sister-in-law, Lawrence Allcott of Oklahoma City, J.E. and Billye Lawrence of Springfield, Mo., Jonathan Allcott of Raleigh, N.C.; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
CLARENCE TEMPLETON
Clarence E. Templeton, 72, of Valley Center, retired Beech-Raytheon expeditor, died Feb. 17, 2006. Service was Feb. 21 at Calvary Baptist Church, Valley Center.
He was born June 7, 1933, in Wichita, the son of Elvin and Edith Templeton. He graduated from Valley Center High School in 1952. He was a U.S. Army ambulance driver based at Fort Riley Kansas, on active duty from June 1953 to April 1955. He served eight years in the reserves before being honorably discharged at the rank of corporal in March 1961. He retired from 43 years of service at Beech Aircraft in June 1995, having served as an expeditor in Department 80. He married
Alice Fern Miller on Nov. 16, 1968. They lived in Wichita briefly before moving to Valley Center. Their twin daughters, Shelly and Kelly, died within days of their birth in October 1969. He also was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.
He enjoyed bowling and golfing with his buddies, and won recognition in both sports. He especially enjoyed his children and grandchildren. He accepted Jesus Christ while a member of Kechi Methodist Church, and joined First Baptist Church of Valley Center, where he served as an usher, after marrying Alice. He later became a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church, serving as head usher and “general fixer-upper.”
Survivors include his wife, Alice; daughters and son-in-law, Lisa Janett and David Duerksen of Valley Center, Sandy, Diane; sons and daughter-in-law, Calvin James and Michelle Templeton of Kechi, Terry, Steven; sister, Lorane Sanders of Wichita, and grandchildren, Hailey, Christian and Brandon Templeton, Devin and Janett Duerksen.
Odyssey Hospice provided nursing care during the past few weeks. A memorial has been established with Odyssey Healthcare, 125 N. Market, Suite 920, Wichita, KS 67202. Baker Funeral Home had charge.
HARRY EILERT
Harry W. Eilert, 91, of Furley, died Feb. 20, 2006. Service is at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Federated Church, Whitewater. Burial is at Green Valley cemetery, Furley.
He was the son of Alice and Ed Eilert. He attended Furley Grade School and Whitewater High School. He married
Viola Baker on April 21, 1935. She preceded him in death in June 1979. He married
Mary Tallman Dec. 22, 1984. She preceded him in death in December 2002. He was a member of Furley United Methodist Church, serving o the board of trustees for many years. He was a 4-H leader, Red Cross volunteer and member of Green Valley cemetery board. He retired from Andale Co-op in Furley in 1983. He and Mary moved to Kansas Christian Home, Newton, where he resided until his death. He also was preceded in death by his son, Bobby Dean; son-in-law, Wilbur Berg; sister, Mildred Baker, and grandchildren, Wade Eilert and Nancy Heussner.
Survivors include his twin and sister-in-law, Harold and Thelma of Furley; children, Mary Berg of Garfield, Ark., Harry Jr. and Aline of Sedalia, Mo., Harriet and John Shaw of Columbia, S.C.; daughter-in-law, Judy of Furley; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
Lamb Funeral Home.
HELEN PERRY
Helen Marie Gardner Perry, 95, of Valley Center, homemaker, died Feb. 15, 2006. Service was Feb. 20 at Faith Bible Baptist Church, Valley Center.
She was born Oct. 30, 1910, in Bainesville, the daughter of John Franklin Gardner and Margaret Jane Buchanan. Her father nicknamed her “Dick,” as he had wanted a son. She married
Lewis Perry in July 1926. He died just short of their 70th wedding anniversary, and she had lived on the same farm for 70 years. She also was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Lloyd Allen Perry, and brothers, Harold Gardner and Glenn Gardner. She worked on the farm with her husband, milking, chopping wood and doing field work. She enjoyed crocheting afghans, especially for babies, and working in her vegetable garden. She was a seamstress, sewing clothing for her family, several weddings and for women in the Valley Center area. She and her husband enjoyed hosting winter skating parties for young people at the creek. She also was known for her tasty angel food cakes made from scratch and offered for sale at Rainbow Girls events.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Jim Schuessler of Wichita; son and daughter-in-law, L.L. “Buck” Jr. and Mary Perry of Wichita; grandchildren, Terri and Mark Henry, Boyd and Terry Perry, Michelle Scheu, all of Wichita, Randy Schuessler of Broken Arrow, Okla.; great-grandchildren, Ashle, Angie, Katie, Emily, Austin, Neil, Nick, Aaron, Eric; great-great-grandchildren, Aiden, Corbin, Caden, Holden, Natalie, Chelsea, and caregiver, Mary.
Baker Funeral Home had charge.
JOHN MULLEN
John B. Mullen, 89, of Wichita, father and father-in-law of Kirk and Debbie Mullen of Valley Center, died Feb. 15, 2006. He was a retired geologist. Service was Feb. 18 at Lakeview Funeral Home, Wichita.
He was a World War II veteran, serving with the U.S. Army’s 36th Division. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mable.
Other survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Mary Mullen of Wichita, Dr. Jerry and Robin Mullen of Oklahoma City, Okla.; sister, Jean Eastman of Tulsa, Okla.; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Alzheimer’s Association.
MILDRED BARINGER
Mildrd Baringer, 91, of Attica, sister of Merle Carr of Valley Center, died Feb. 16, 2006. Service is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Attica cemetery.
Other survivors include her daughter, Barbara Slinkard of Pratt; son, Barton Baringer of Attica; eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Attica public library. Elliott Mortuary, Anthony, has charge.
NANCY ESTER
Nancy L. Ester, 93, of Hutchinson, mother of Gilbert “Bill” Ester of Kechi, died Feb. 14, 2006. Service was Feb. 21 at Wesley Towers Chapel.
Other survivors include her daughter, Janet Nelson of Courtland; sister, Gertrude Bechtold of Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Elliott Mortuary had charge.
RENA MAJORS
Rena Irene “Susie” Majors, 59, of Creston, Iowa, formerly of Valley Center, died of lung cancer Feb. 13, 2006. Service is at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Glen Park Christian Church.
She was born April 23, 1946, in Taylorville, Ill., the daughter of Richard Lee Barfield and Rita Irene Moore. She graduated from MacArthur High School, Decatur, Ill., in 1964. She married
Loyd Eugene Majors on May 5, 1972, in Maize. They lived in Valley Center, where she co-owned and operated Bionic Burgers in Wichita and also worked as a bartender at The Triangle and with other establishments. Following the death of her husband in 1999, she moved to Anaheim, Calif., where she worked as a dental assistant. She moved to Creston in December 2005 to live with her son.
Survivors include her daughters, Laura Goforth of Creston, Julia Bleavins, Angela O’Neill, both of Wichita; sons, John Bleavins of Creston, Loyd Majors of Wichita; sisters, Donna Barlow of Anaheim, Calif., Vicki Roberson of Greenwood, Ind.; brother, Richard Barfield of Arizona, and 13 grandchildren.
MARIE GRAY
Marie F. Gray, 87, of Wichita, stepmother of Steven and Marcie Gray of Kechi, died April 29, 2006. She was a retired Coleman Manufacturing PBX operator. Service is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Cecilia Carrie Jeter Hampton, and sisters, Edna Logan, Florence McNabe.
Other survivors include her husband, Richard Gray; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Anna Craig of Sun City, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Frank Anania of Oklahoma city; stepsons and spouses, Robert and Lana Gray of Vinita, Okla., John and Debra Gray of Derby, David Gray of Wichita; stepdaughter and spouse, Mary Catherine and Tim Jones of Loveland, Colo.; brother and sister-in-law, Elmer Dean and Evelyn Hampton of Wichita; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Resthaven Mortuary had charge.
ROBERT HARRELSON
Robert E. Harrelson, 48, of Augusta, brother-in-law of Loretta and Mike Ramsey of Park City, died April 28, 2006. He was a Koch Industries tool and dye maker. Service was May 3 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta.
He was born July 11, 1957, in Tulsa, Okla., the son of Clifford Harrelson and Shirley Miller Alcorn. They preceded him in death.
He married
Vicki Sibley on May 27, 1978, in Augusta. She survives.
Other survivors include his son, Matthew Harrelson; daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Tim Duff; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Alexa Harrelson; father- and mother-in-.law, Russell and Sondra Sibley of Augusta; brother-in-law, David Sibley of Augusta; sister- and brother-in-law, Debra and John Gragg of Olathe; grandchildren, Shelby and Braedon Duff; nephews, James and Robert Trout, Jeremey and Jameson Gragg; and a niece, Emily Ramsey.
Memorials have been established with the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.
WAYNE K. HOLDER
Wayne K. Holder, 56, of Cheney, brother of Connie Ishman of Valley Center, died Oct. 10, 2006, at Goddard. He was a Lubbers Automotive sales representative. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at Livingston Funeral Home, Kingman. The family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. Service is at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at Norwich United Methodist Church with Pastors Gene Langhoffer and Kurt Henson officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant cemetery north of Norwich.
He was born Jan. 18, 1950, in Wichita, the son of Robert and Marguerite Gosch Holder. He was a former Wichita resident and previously was employed by Delta Electric Supply. He was the former owner of International Golf. He married
Beverly Smith in September 1979 at Yukon, Okla. She survives. He was preceded in death by his mother.
Other survivors include his daughters, Renee Huff of Kansas City, Mo., Rochelle Carrasco of Winfield, Regina Vitale of Wichita; brothers, Brad, Dell, both of Norwich; sister, Gayle Asbury of Norwich; father, Robert of Norwich; and three grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with Norwich United Methodist Church and Norwich Christian Church, both in care of Livingston Funeral Home, 1830 N. Main, Kingman, KS 67068.
DOROTHY MILLER
Dorothy May Miller, 79, of Wichita, mother and mother-in-law of Michael and Sandy Miller and Diane and Steve Godfrey, all of Valley Center, died Oct. 2, 2006. She was a retired daycare provider and USD 259 cafeteria cook. Service is at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, Wichita.
She was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Other survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Verna Miller of Haysville; brother and sister-in-law, William and Sue Solomon of Coal Valley, Ill.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with Hospice Care of Kansas, 2505 N. Main, North Newton, KS 67117.
ESTELLA HAMPTON
Estella Mai Hampton, 91, of Bartlesville, Okla., mother of Doyle L. Hampton of Valley Center, died Oct. 3, 2006. Service was Oct. 6 at Emporia Avenue Church of Christ, Wichita, with Robert Hamm of Dewey, Okla., officiating. Burial was at White Chapel cemetery, Wichita. Pall bearers included Curtis Hampton, Mike Hampton, Kenny Hampton, Randy Davis, Mark Davis and Criss Davis.
She was born Feb. 15, 1915, in Dickson, Tenn., the daughter of Thomas Lafayette and Lillian Jackson Hunter. She was educated in the Dickson area. She married
Melvin Crawford Hampton in 1930 in Tennessee, and they moved to Ralston County, Ky., in 1935. They moved to Wichita in 1942, living there for more than four decades. She was employed for several years at Boeing Aircraft. She was a nurse’s aide in the pediatrics department at Sedgwick County Hospital, and also at St. Joseph Hospital. She moved to Bartlesville four years ago to be near her daughter. She was a member of the Dewey Church of Christ in Dewey, Okla. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, Melvin and Bob Hampton; and daughters, Dorothy Bradford, Ruth Pinaire, Mary Swinney and Sandra Kunkle.
Other survivors include her daughters, Sara N. Davis of Bartlesville, Okla., Betty Perry, Ruby Cole, both of Wichita, Sharon Jean Pruitt of Pearl River, La.; half-sisters, Georgia Ann Hunter, Claytie Bell Hunter, both of Tennessee; 49 grandchildren; 88 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory, Bartlesville, had charge.
