Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
ETTA "ELAINE" VICK
Etta "Elaine" Vick, 84, Lawrence, died Thursday, May 31, 2007, at Brandon Woods Retirement Center, Lawrence. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, Lawrence.
She was born August 23, 1922, near White City, to Frank and Golda (Good) Leonard.
She was valedictorian of her graduating class in 1939. She was a Watkins scholar at the University of Kansas from 1939 until 1941. She attended Tony Wicher's photo school, Topeka. She received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kansas in general studies in 1985. She received her masters of social welfare from the University of Kansas in 1991.
She was instrumental in the development of the Ballard Center and served as a secretary on the founding board. She was an advocate for both civil and human rights. She and her husband served as emergency foster care providers for many years. She also advocated for the elderly and nursing homes.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lawrence. She was active in the United Methodist Women's Association and involved in mission work. She was also a member of the Photography Association.
She worked in photography studios at Corvallis, Ore., and in Lincoln, Neb. She and her husband, Allen, opened Vick Studio in 1946 at Burlington, in 1961, and at Lawrence until 1977, when they moved to the Baldwin City area. They ran the studio at Baldwin City until the late 1990s. She also worked at the University of Kansas in the Physics and Astronomy Department for more than 10 years.
She married
Norman Allen Vick Nov. 11, 1945, at Baldwin City. He survives.
Survivors also include a son, Kevan Vick, and wife, Gail, Lawrence; daughters, Shari Raybern, and husband, Don, Lawrence, and Ardith Meadows, Topeka; 11 grandchildren, Ryan, Colby and Hannah Vick, Jennifer and Kelli Raybern, Jon and Aaron Meadows, Maria Wikle, Nicole Brundage, Kristina and Nikolas Rasmussen; four great-grandchildren, Raven, Kaylyn, A'santi and Caden; and several step grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynette Rasmussen; and four brothers, Wilbur, Alvin, Wayne and Phillip.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Topeka, First United Methodist Church and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence KS 66044.
CAROL K. WHIPPLE
Carol K. Whipple, 75, Garnett, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Anderson County Hospital, Garnett. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at LaCygne Cemetery, LaCygne.
He was born Feb. 20, 1932, at LaCygne to Reade and Jessie (Worlein) Whipple.
He worked as a welder's assistant on pipelines.
Survivors include sister, June Cleveland, Garnett; four nieces and four nephews.
He was preceded in death by infant sister, Sandra; and sister, Jean Barger.
Friends may pay their respects after 1 p.m. today to the service hour at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel, Garnett.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Anderson County Hospital Long Term Care in care of Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapels Inc., P.O. Box 408, Garnett KS 66032.
HOWARD LEE NEWKIRK
Howard Lee Newkirk, 82, Lyndon, died Sunday, June 3, 2007. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, with Masonic services by Ottawa Lodge No. 18.
He was born Feb. 25, 1925, at Kiowa, to David Edmond and Mattie Vera (Brown) Newkirk.
He lived at Independence, Mo., for 30 years. He also lived at Ottawa for 15 years. He moved to the Lyndon area in 1994.
He was a member of the United States Army during World War II from Jan. 3, 1944, to April 20, 1946. He attained the rank of corporal. He served in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe as a dispatcher-driver. He received the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal AR 600-68 and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1000, Independence, Mo., a life member of Ottawa Lodge No. 18, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Aerie Lodge No. 2700 Fraternal Order of Eagles, both of Ottawa, and a life member of Scottish Rite of Free Masonry.
He worked as a heavy equipment operator for J.D. Stewart, Independence, Mo., for 10 years. He retired in 1987.
He married
Catherine Berry in 1952.
Survivors include daughters, Holly Solas, and her husband, Mike, Kansas City, Mo., Donna Hashagen, and Bob Pulliam, Arma, and Pamela Harris, Salt Lake City, Utah; sister, Alice M. Woodsum, Lawrence; brother, Orley Hale Newkirk, Savana, Mo.; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a companion, Genevieve Arb; brothers, Alva L. Newkirk and Orville Newkirk; sister, Docia Ellen Morgan; and grandson, Daryll Brisbin.
He was cremated.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Disabled American Veterans in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St. Ottawa KS 66067.
MARION P. SMITHEY
Marion P. Smithey, 90, Ottawa, died Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at the Olathe Medical Center.
Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Highland Cemetery.
He was born Jan. 27, 1917, to Jerry and Harriett Elizabeth (Pryor) Smithey at Pierce, Okla. He grew up in the LeLoup area.
He lived in the Ottawa and Franklin County area 50 years after moving from Kansas City, Kan.
He was a self-employed trucker and mechanic.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include two brothers, Franklin Robbs, Baldwin City, and Elvis Robbs; and 50 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Irma Smithey, who died Sept. 6, 1990; a daughter, Janice Foster Hougham; and a son, Jerry Smithey.
Visitors may pay their respects after 5 p.m. today at the Dengel & Son Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in care of the mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.
CAROLEE J. 'CAROL' WRIGHT
Carolee J. "Carol" Wright, 83, Ottawa, died Friday, June 8, 2007, at Village Manor Nursing Home, Ottawa.
She was born Dec. 29, 1923, at Williamsburg, to Ray and Mattie (Fisher) Miskimon.
She was a longtime Ottawa resident.
She attended schools in Franklin County with the class of 1943 and continued her education with accounting and photography courses.
She was an accountant for Mike Mulcahey Buick Co. of Ottawa for eight years and Nuzman Lumber of Ottawa for many years, where she became assistant manager. She also worked with her husband in the photography business until he retired and then worked for Hasty Awards for 10 years and retired January of 2007.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Ottawa; Union Chapter #15, Order of the Eastern Star; Business and Professional Women, where she once was named "Woman of the Year;" former member of Soroptimist International and Ransom Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
She married
William H. "Bill" Wright Jan. 31, 1972, in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death July 21, 2006.
She also was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Roberta Kay Maack; a sister, Verna George; and two brothers, Ralph Miskimon and Roy Miskimon.
Survivors include a stepdaughter, Jean Bullock, Auburn, Ala.; a granddaughter, Carlie Bullock Jones, Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Don Miskimon, Nederland, Texas; and Ray Miskimon, Winslow, Ill.; a sister, Velora King, Altamont; and special cousins, Jim and Judy Hasty, Ottawa.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.
Friends may pay their respects after 1 p.m. Tuesday to the service hour at the funeral home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Carolee Wright Memorial Fund and sent in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, KS 66067.
