Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
CATHERINE (OSBORNE) SPRATT
Catherine (Osborne) Spratt, 75, Ottawa, died Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at the Christian Care Cottage, Ottawa. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, Ottawa.
She was born June 4, 1932, at Roper to William Joseph and Wilma (Claiborne) Osborne.
She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1950.
She enjoyed reading, embroidering and planting flowers. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
She was a PTA member and secretary of the Rantoul Elementary School.
She started working as a post office clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in 1963. She worked as a post office clerk in Kansas City, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., Wellsville, and Ottawa. She was appointed postmaster of the Rantoul Post Office Feb. 2, 1985. She retired Oct. 2, 1992, after working 30 years.
She married
Laurence D. Spratt Oct. 8, 1950, at Fredonia. They shared more than 56 years of marriage. He survives.
Survivors also include a son, Laurence Dean Spratt Jr., and his wife, Kathleen, Rantoul; daughters, Cynthia Sue Humiston, and her husband, Marion, Rantoul, and Mona Lee Graika, and her husband, Murlin, Ottawa; grandchildren, Justin, Shannon, Levi, Raven, Kathryn and Carolyn; and great-grandchildren, Lucas, Nathaniel, Davian, Olivia, Zachary, Cecelia, Kahlie, and Brookelynn.
She was preceded in death by a son, Larry Dean Spratt; and a brother, William Joseph Osborne.
Burial will be after services at the Peoria Cemetery, Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Ruhamah Baptist Church in care of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa KS 66067.
THOMAS EARL FINE
QUENEMO -- Thomas Earl Fine, 95, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, at Brookside Manor in Overbrook. He was born on Oct. 13, 1911, in Quenemo, the son of Edwin and Susan McFerren Fine.
Tom had lived most of his life around the Quenemo community. After retiring he had lived in Osage City, Pomona and Overbrook.
Tom had farmed since 1929 around Quenemo and was a laborer with the Laborers Union Local No. 142 in Topeka since 1958.
On August 16, 1946, Tom was united in marriage to Velma Louise Turner in Holton. Velma preceded him in death on Feb. 9, 2004. Also preceding him were his three brothers, Edwin, Mac and Everett, a sister, Blanche King, and a great-granddaughter, Taylor Jantz.
Tom is survived by his five children, Michael Fine, Palm Harbor, Fla., Alan Fine, Topeka, Earl Fine, Pomona, and Jack Fine and Retha Shaw, both of Quenemo; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Graveside memorial services for Tom will be Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at Oak HillCemeteryat Quenemo. The family will receive friend from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Feltner Funeral Home in Lyndon. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Quenemo Alumni Association Scholarship Fund and sent in care of the funeral home.
NELLIE ABBOTT
Nellie Abbott, 93, of Olathe, Kan., passed away on August 16, 2007, at Olathe Medical Center. She was born in Princeton, Kan., on July 22, 1914, to Jerry M. and Sarah Ellen (Price) Lantz. She attended Princeton schools and graduated from Springfield High School in 1932 at Springfield, Mo. Nell married
Dr. Clarence A. Abbott on June 11, 1953, and they resided in the Olathe area for 41 years. In 1955 they built the Santa Fe Trail Motel on Old Highway 56 in Olathe and Nell ran the motel until it closed in 1973. Hundreds of new residents stayed with Nell at the hotel when they moved to Olathe.
She has been a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary since 1951, served as president for three terms and was made a life member in 1969. Nell coordinated the American Legion's Americanism program for over 10 years. She was a familiar fixture at the Olathe Post Office each year on Poppy Day. Hundreds of poppies and American flags were distributed and the graves of Olathe veterans were decorated each Memorial Day because of her efforts. She was active as a leader with the Girl Scouts beginning in 1945 and served as the Santa Fe Trails Council President for two terms.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Clarence A. Abbott; two daughters, Phyllis Jean Robertson of San Clemente, Calif., and Linda Lou Canady of Buena Park, Calif., and their father, Ernest Jarboe; six sisters and five brothers. She is survived by one sister, Joyce Louderback, of Williamsburg, Kan.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one stepdaughter and three stepsons and their families -- Jane Kinell; Dr. Richard Abbott and wife, Suzanne, Robert Abbott and wife, Phyllis, and Dr. Hayden Abbott and wife, Dottie; 12 step grandchildren and 19 step great-grandchildren along with an extended family of hundreds of friends and acquaintances that she met throughout her years in Olathe.
She will be cremated at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Olathe Chapel, and a service for the family will be held at the PrincetonCemeteryin Princeton, Kan., at a later date.
Nell was a very special lady and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to the American Legion Earl Collier Post 153 Ladies Auxiliary in Olathe, Kan., for the Memorial Park Tribute to honor Nellie Abbott or the Girl Scouts Council of NE Kansas and NW Missouri (formerly the Girl Scouts Mid-Continent Council) in memory of Nellie Abbott.
VIVIAN ARLENE WHEELER
Vivian Arlene Wheeler, 84, Ottawa, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, at Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.
She was born Jan. 3, 1923, at Osawatomie to Evan Fredrick and Anna Pauline (Rager) Phares.
She grew up and lived in Osawatomie until she moved to Ottawa in 1939.
She attended schools in Osawatomie.
She was a member of the First Christian Church and Aerie Lodge No. 2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, both of Ottawa.
She was a homemaker.
She married
William F. "Bill" Wheeler Sr. Nov. 29, 1939, at Ottawa. They divorced. She married
Robert O. "Bob" Granger June 1972 at Ottawa. He preceded her in death July 15, 1974.
Survivors include daughters, Linda Kay Ostmeyer and her husband, Terry, Estes Park, Colo., and Connie Lou Haas, and her husband, Bob, Ottawa; a son, William F. "Bill" Wheeler Jr., and his wife, Nila, Osawatomie; grandchildren, Joshua Ostmeyer, Sara Melvin and Mark Wheeler; and a great-granddaughter, Maci M. Melvin.
She also was preceded in death by her first husband, William F. "Bill" Wheeler Sr.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa.
Friends may pay their respects after 1 p.m. Friday to the service hour at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Franklin County Cancer Foundation in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067.
DAVID R. ALDERSON
David R. Alderson, 66, Ottawa, formerly of Lynn Valley, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007. Services will be 4 p.m. Thursday at the Wilson and Son Memorial Chapel, Louisburg.
Family will meet with friends after the services at the American Legion, Louisburg.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Wilson & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola KS 66071.
KENNETH ELTON KISTNER
Kenneth Kistner went to be with his Lord after a battle with pancreatic cancer on August 13, 2007. He was born June 30, 1943, to Loran and Muriel (Westfall) Kistner of Waverly. He was raised in Waverly. He moved to Overbrook in the early 1970s; Beloit in 1972; Waverly in 1974; Ottawa in 1999; Williamsburg in 2000 and Vassar in 2003.
Kenny attended the Waverly school system until his graduation from high school in 1961. He attended Baker University on a football scholarship and then attended Emporia State University.
He owned and operated grocery stores in Beloit and Waverly. He was circulation manager for The Ottawa Herald for seven years until his retirement in 2005.
In his spare time, he could be found either on a golf course, at a Kansas State game or caring for his beautiful flowers. He was a man who loved God, his family and K-State.
He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Community Church in Vassar and former member of Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
In November of 1990, Kenny was united in marriage with Linda Blankenship of Osage City. She survives of the home.
Survivors also include daughter and son-in-law, Genella and Jeff Lewallen, Sioux Falls, S.D.; son and daughter-in-law, John and Kristin McGrath, Ottawa; son and daughter-in-law, Berry and Sabetha Kistner, Millville, Utah; daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Cory Roberts, Bartlett, Ill.; son and daughter-in-law, Karl and Caroline McWilliams, Melvern; sister and husband, Juanita and James Phillips, Waverly; brother and wife, Russell and Linda Kistner, Waverly; brother and wife, Oscar and Lynda Kistner, Waverly; brother and wife, Dwight and Christine Kistner, Waverly; grandchildren, Kayla Loren O'Bannion, Zachary Thomas Lewallen, Stephanie Lynn Lewallen, Lillian Christine McWilliams, Molly Mae McGrath, Sara Elizabeth McWilliams, Canyon Kenneth Roberts and Cole David McGrath; a soon to be born grandchild, Baby Roberts, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Geneva and Everett Phillips; and father and mother-in-law, George and Lola (Whitacre) Blankenship.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, at Mt. Pleasant Church, Vassar.
Friends may pay their respects after 9 a.m. Thursday to the service hour at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Burial will be at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Midland Hospice Care of Ottawa and The Oncology Center Regional Cancer Care of Lawrence Memorial Hospital in care of the staff of Matthew N. Stein, M.D., and in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067.
LUCILLE MAE WHITE
Lucille Mae White, 86, Osawatomie, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, Osawatomie.
She was born May 4, 1921, at Rantoul to Elmer Ellsworth and Myrtle Mae (Mace) Ward.
She married
Charles William Clark in 1941 at Paola. He preceded her in death. She married
Lawson Palmer Aug. 9, 1960, at Paola. He preceded her in death. She married
Darrel LaVerne White May 9, 1987, at Paola. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include a son, Robert Clark, Paola; daughters, Wilma Thoele, Paola, Charlene Geniuk, Kansas City, Mo., and Peggy "Wendy" Pflumm, Olathe, a brother, Elmer E. Ward, Ottawa; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by sons, Charles and Wayne Clark; two infant sons; an infant daughter; and 10 brothers and sisters.
Burial will be at the Osawatomie Cemetery.
Friends may pay their respects after 1 p.m. Sunday at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, Osawatomie. Family will meet with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association in care of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, 203 Main St., Osawatomie KS 66064.
DONALD F. BACH
Donald F. Bach, 73, Garnett, died Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at the Anderson County Hospital, Garnett. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Garnett.
He was born Feb. 4, 1934, at Garnett to Fred and Florence (Feuerborn) Bach.
He graduated from Garnett High School in 1951.
He served in the United States Army.
He worked as a quality control inspector at BEHM, Greeley.
He married
Bernetta Lickteig Feb. 13, 1960, at Lawrence. She survives.
Survivors also include sons, David Bach, Tulsa, Okla., and Gary Bach, Topeka; daughters, Brenda Hermreck, Greeley, and Donna Dieker, Westphalia; a brother, Herb Bach, Jetmore; sisters, Doris Lickteig, Garnett, and Phyllis Demoret, Topeka; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas Bach.
Burial will follow at Holy Angels Cemetery, Garnett.
Friends may pay their respects after 11 a.m. today at the service hour at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Garnett. Family will meet with friends after a wake service 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Golden Heights Living Center in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, P.O. Box 408, Garnett KS 66032.
