Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
WEST MINERAL — John W. Collins, 64 of West Mineral, KS died January
31, 2010 at the St. John’s Maude Norton Memorial Hospital following a
sudden illness.
He was born June 23, 1945 in Huntington, PA the son of Wilbur and
Mildred Louise “Taylor” Collins.
John Entered the U.S. Army on April 20, 1964 and served a tour in Viet
Nam as a medic with the first Air Cavalry. He was honorably discharge
on April 10, 1967 where he then re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve
until April of 1970; he then joined the National Guard where he served
until Oct. of 1973.
On April 20, 1967 he was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Nielson in
Miami, OK; she preceded him in death on July 28, 1990. He them
married Andrea Sharpsteen on March 17, 2005 in Branson MO; she
survives of the home.
John Worked as a carpenter for the Crossland Construction Company for
22 years.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Columbus.
Additional survivors include five children Thomas J. Collins and wife Lyn
of Eldon, MO, Richard Collins and wife Patricia of Grove, OK, Elizabeth
Anne Robinson and husband Patrick of Jefferson City, MO, Michael and
Zachery Sharpsteen both of the home; two brothers Robert W. and
Wilford A. Collins both of Huntington, PA; along with three grandchildren
Braedon, Kyley and Ivy Ashlynn Collins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Mary Elizabeth.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow in the Park Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the
funeral home from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorials may be made to John Collins Education
Fund; these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. Services and
arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home.
PITTSBURG — Walter Ray “Tiger” Smith, 71 of Pittsburg, KS died at 8:55
a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2010 at his home.
Walter was born in Arma, KS, the son of Fred “Bud” and Bonnie (Wilson)
Smith.
He was raised in Pittsburg.
Walter served his country in the United States Army with the third Armory
Div. in Germany and was honorably discharged.
He married
Peg Felts in Miami, OK she survives of the home.
Walter retired from Pittsburg State University from the Physical Plant. He
was blessed to work under the presidency of Donald Wilson and Kay
Lynn Webb.
Additional survivors include his mother Bonnie Smith of Pittsburg.
Walter was preceded in death by his father and Mary Billington.
Private family services and burial will be at a later date.
The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2,
2010 at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, where a
Liturgical Prayer Service will be recited at 7 p.m. Friends may call the
funeral home after 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The family suggests expressions
of sympathy be in the form of memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic
Church Memorial Fund, SEK Humane Society and/or Open Door Mission
in Arcadia, KS. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral
Home of Pittsburg.
Dr. Reid McKinney 92, of Pittsburg, KS passed away Friday January 22,
2010 at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center following a long illness.
Reid was born January 30, 1917 in Lafontaine, KS to Oscar and Myrtle
(Bobbitt) McKinney. Reid graduated from Lafontaine High School in
1935, later from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS.
He spent most of his life teaching with the exception of working for the
FBI and Sinclair Oil Company.
Reid loved teaching and working with students. He received his Master’s
Degree in 1950. He served at teacher, Principal, Superintendent with
Cedar Valley, KS schools for 9 years leaving to be on the faculty at
Southwestern College in Winfield, KS.
Doctoral work was completed at Greeley Colorado State in 1962. He also
taught at University of Omaha Nebraska. He accepted a position at
Kansas State Teachers College Pittsburg as Supervisor of Teachers
Education In charge of Horace Mann @ College High. He served as
Department Chairman one year; he retired in 1984, but continued
supervising for three more years. Reid was a 45-year member of Phi
Delta Kappa. He was an active member of the South Broadway Baptist
Church. He had been a Sunday School Teacher, served on the
Deaconate Board and Board of Stewardship and Finance. Reid lived his
religion everyday not just Sunday. He was a long time member of the
Lion’s Club; and the oldest living member. His special interest was
helping others obtain eyeglasses. He served on the Board of Directors
of the Pittsburg Salvation Army and was a 24-year member of the Kansas
Teacher’s Credit Union. Reid and Frieda Fowler were married
November
27, 1941 and recently celebrated their 68-year anniversary. They have
made their home in Pittsburg since 1963.
Reid is survived by his wife Frieda of the home, one sister Bernice
Johnson; son Dr. Scott McKinney and wife Shelley of Miami, OK; and
grandsons Mark and Brian McKinney.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ray McKinney, son
Larry Reid McKinney and grandson Christopher Reid McKinney.
Memorial Services will be 10am Saturday February 6, 2010 at the South
Broadway Baptist Church with Rev. Dan Moss officiating. Private burial
will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family ask expressions
of sympathy be in the form of memorials to South Broadway Baptist
Church. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral
Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762.
Arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
HUTCHINSON — Arthur Bland Graham, 49, of Hutchinson went to be with
the Lord at 1:35 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, in Parsons at his sister’s
home.
Bland was born Jan. 16, 1960, in Attica to Richard Dwayne and Nila Jean
(Martin) Graham. He attended area schools, graduating from Great Bend
Senior High School in 1978.
Bland served his country in the U.S. Navy. While serving, he was
stationed on the USS Vancouver battleship. He was honorably
discharged.
Bland was the owner/operator of Pro-Am Paint and Body in Hutchinson.
Bland was baptized at First Baptist Church in Plains.
He was an avid NASCAR Fan.
Survivors include his sisters, Venissa McMillian and her husband, Mac, of
Stafford, Abby Carpenter and her companion, Steven Lawrence, of
Parsons and Tatjana Chace and her husband, Marc, of Towanda;
brothers, Devin Graham and his wife, Jill, of Fayetteville, Ark., and Jason
Graham of Manhattan; stepmother, Ann Graham of Ellinwood; his dog,
Harley Belle; along with numerous nieces and nephews and two great-
nephews.
Bland was preceded in death by his parents.
Per his wishes, his body has been taken for cremation. No services are
planned at this time. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Stafford City
Cemetery, Stafford. The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in
the form of memorials to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and/or the
ASPCA. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home,
522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, 66762.
WEIR — Raymond F. Simpson, Jr., 89 of Weir, KS died at 5:58am,
Saturday, January 16, 2010 at his home.
Raymond was born January 29, 1920 in Hallowell, KS to Raymond F. and
Grace (Holmes) Simpson, Sr. He attended area schools.
Raymond served his country in the United States Navy. While serving he
was engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal. He was stranded for 9 months
before being rescued. He was honorably discharged on September 10,
1945 as a motor machinist’s mate first class.
Raymond was a farmer all of his life, starting with his father when he was
8 years old.
He attended the First Baptist Church in Columbus, KS.
Raymond belonged to the Mirza Shrine and the Masonic Lodge. He was
active in the NFO and FHA. He was on the CO-OP board and former
board member of School District #493. He was an avid square dancer
and Kansas Jayhawk fan. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
In July of 1997 he had a laryngectomy.
Additional survivors include his sons Derris Simpson and wife Cheryl of
Weir, Bob Potter and wife Kathy of Kansas City, Bill Potter and wife
Debbie of Pittsburg and Bill Young and wife Sandi of TX; brother Dareld
Simpson and wife Betty of Columbus; along with 10 grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Harold Dean Young;
Brothers Carl Simpson and W.J. Simpson; sisters Elizabeth Randall and
Golda Westervelt.
Funeral services will be 10:30am, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main St, Weir, KS with Rev. Warren
Stanton and Rev. Dennis Johnson co-officiating. Burial will follow in the
Lone Elm Cemetery, where flag presentation will be done by the United
States Navy Funeral Honors Detail team. The family will receive friends
from 6-8pm on Monday at the funeral home. Friends may call the funeral
home after 4pm on Monday. The family suggests expressions of
sympathy be in the form of memorials to the First Baptist Church of
Columbus. Memorials may be left at or mailed to the Bath-Naylor Funeral
Home of Weir, KS.
