Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ervin E. Henry 1919-2003
GARDEN CITY - Ervin E. Henry, 83, died April 23 at his home in Garden City. He was born Sept. 10, 1919, at St. John, the son of Lester A. and Minnie I. Baker Henry. He married
Doris E. Haynes May 24, 1941, at Macksville. A resident of Garden City, coming from Great Bend, he was founder of Henry's Irrigation Engine Service in Garden City and worked for Carson Machine Supply in Great Bend. Henry was a member of Assembly of God Church, John J. Haskell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2279, Harry H. Renick American Legion Post 9 and Finney County Senior Center, all of Garden City, and AARP. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include one son, Ervin 'Jim' Henry of Garden City; one daughter, Judy Young of Tribune; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Ray Holman officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from noon to 8 tonight at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to St. Catherine Hospice, in care of the funeral home.
Marla Ann-Marie Blackburn 1971-2003
RAYMOND - Marla Anne-Marie Blackburn, 31, died April 22 at rural Raymond as a result of an automobile accident. She was born Aug. 23, 1971, at Wichita, the daughter of Marlo and Evelyn Sally Krestine Strus. She married
Kevin Lee 'Bear' Blackburn July 17, 1990, at Great Bend. A resident of Raymond for 13 years, coming from Great Bend, she was owner of Enchanted Forest Gift Shop in Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Skyra Blackburn and Akia Blackburn, both of the home; foster daughter, Kristy Sorrell of Sapulpa, Okla.; her mother, Evelyn Sally Medlock of Great Bend; stepfather, Dennis Medlock of Raymond; her father of Vista, Calif; one brother, William Medlock of Hutchinson; and one foster grandchild. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Skyra and Akia Blackburn Educational Fund, in care of the funeral home.
William 'Bill' Russell Bush 1930-2003
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - William 'Bill' Russell Bush, 63, of Huntsville, formerly of Kansas, died April 12 at his residence. Graveside services with full military honors will be at 2 p.m. May 5 at Arlington National cemetery in Arlington, Va. Bush is survived by his wife of 46 years, Geneva Armstrong Bush; one son, Rusty Bush, wife Debbie and children, Russell, Dorian and Ryan of Fishers, Ind.; son, Ken Bush, wife Jan and children, Zachariah, Macy, Madison and Malachi of Buford, Ga.; daughter, Silesia Mohler and children, Shelby and Matthew of Huntsville; daughter, Alethia Reece, husband Aaron and children, McKenzie and Adaline of Platte City, Mo.; mother-in-law Violet Laverne Armstrong; five brothers, Sonny Hall, Mike Hall, Donnie Hall, Tim Hall and Bobby Melia; four sisters, Sharon Carter, Blanche Lamb, Beatrice Arvello and Debbie Crow; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Bill served 20 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces and retired in 1977 as a Master Sergeant. He served in Southeast Asia and South and Central America. Some of Bill's decorations and commendations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and two oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm. After the military, Bill served in Hays as pastor of First Southern Baptist Church for nearly 20 years. He also served as chaplain for Hays Police Department and the Ellis County Sheriff's Department. Other areas of ministry included prison ministries, revivals, seminars, motorcycle ministries, mission trips and Texas Sports Reach chaplain. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the University Heights Baptist Church building fund at 2400 Sycamore, Huntsville, Texas, 77340. Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Huntsville is in charge of arrangements.
Phyllis V. Casper 1919-2003
Phyllis V. Casper, 83, of Great Bend, died April 22 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Nov. 6, 1919, at Clifton, the daughter of John Andrew and Anna Anderson Casper. After working as a secretary for the State of Kansas in Topeka, and later Boeing in Wichita, Phyllis moved to Great Bend in the late 1940s where she worked for Howard's Apparel Shop. She later became a part owner of Howard's Apparel Shop, which closed last October. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include one brother, Harlan Casper of Wichita; one sister, Audrey Hall of Great Bend; two nieces; and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Jeanette Livingston in November 1990 and by her sister Marjorie Howard in November 2002. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend.
Marie Winget 1921-2003
JETMORE - Marie Winget, 81, died April 19 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in Jetmore. She was born Aug. 4, 1921, at Novelty, Mo., the daughter of Martin and Nellie Haskin Hunsaker. She married
Norman Winget Dec. 31, 1939, at Novelty. He died Oct. 29, 1997. A longtime area resident, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Winget was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include one son, Larry Winget of Hugoton; one daughter, Karen Klinge of Garden City; three grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 10: 30 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Jetmore with the Revs. Gary Winget and Mark Durham officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 tonight at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in care of the funeral home.
Rosa J. Newhouse 1937-2003
LARNED - Rosa J. Newhouse, 65, died April 16, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. She was born Dec. 20, 1937, at Ringgold, La., the daughter of James G. and Anna Belle Collins Moore. A resident of Larned most of her life, she was a retired dispatcher for the Larned Police Department. She was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Larned. Survivors include one son, Lemoral Love, Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one daughter, Karen Love, of Colorado Springs; her mother, Anna Belle Brewer of Larned; one brother, Bishop Moore of Larned; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, James Gene Moore; one half-brother, Ezell Love; and one sister, Sarah Hutcherson. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at Morell Funeral Home in Larned with the Rev. William Harden Sr. officiating. Burial will be at the Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Arthritis Research Center in care of the funeral home.
Gale L. Meckfessel 1926-2003
LARNED - Gale L. Meckfessel, 76, died April 19 at Salina Regional Medical Center in Salina. He was born Nov. 15, 1926, in Pawnee County, the son of Harry and Marie Detjen Meckfessel. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, he was a custodian for Larned High School, worked for Marlette Mobile Homes of Great Bend, and Dillon's Grocery Store in Larned. He was a member of Kingdom Hall, a past member of the First Christian Church, and a former member of the American Legion, all of Larned. He was a US Army Veteran. Survivors include one twin brother, Hale Meckfessel of Salina; and one sister, June Berglund of Ford Dodge. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Meckfessel; and two sisters, Nina Marie Meckfessel and Joyce Kerns. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Dan Lundgren officiating. Burial will be at Larned cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Wednesday and until service time on Thursday. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association, both in care of the mortuary.
Lyle W. Hillman 1918-2003
DODGE CITY - Lyle W. Hillman, 85, died April 18 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center of Jetmore. He was born Feb. 11, 1918, at Cheney, the son of William and Helen Powers Hillman. He married
Maxine Croft May 2, 1942, at Hanston. She died Oct. 16, 1999. A resident of Dodge City for 40 years, moving to Jetmore several years ago, he was a farmer. Survivors include three sons, Jerold Hillman of Jetmore, Steve Hillman of Gilbert, Ariz., and Marc Hillman of Delores, Colo.; one daughter, Patty Lawson of Okmulgee, Okla.; one brother, Allen Hillman of Emporia; one sister, Eileen Schroeder of Murrieta, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 2 this afternoon at Greencrest cemetery in Dodge City, with the Rev. Mark Durham officiating. Friends may call from 9 this morning until noon at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center of Jetmore, in care of the funeral home.
Robert L. Miller 1907-2003
CLAFLIN - Robert L. Miller, 95, died April 19 at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado. He was born May 15, 1907, at Claflin, the son of Joseph W. and Frances Linsner Miller. He married
Theresa M. Liebl on Aug. 8, 1927, at Claflin. She died Dec. 15, 2000. A lifetime resident of Claflin, he was the former owner of J.W. Miller and Company in Claflin. Miller was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 1500 4th Degree and former city clerk, all of Claflin. Survivors include one daughter, Bernadette A. Spradling of El Dorado; two brothers: Walter Miller of Dodge City and Jack Miller of Great Bend; 12 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Robert J. Miller and James R. Miller; three brothers, Albert Miller, Joseph Miller, and Arthur Miller; three sisters, Ella Casad, Marie Reasoner, and Ann Norton; and one great-grandson Michael Travis Cates. Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. with vigil service at 7 tonight at the church. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. John J. Maes officiating. Burial will be at Claflin cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and from 6 to 9 tonight at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, Robert J. Miller Scholarship Fund, or Lincoln Elementary School Library, all in care of the funeral home.
Chester 'Chet' Morse Flory 1920-2003
WICHITA- Chester 'Chet' Morse Flory, 83, Retired Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 40 years, died Saturday, April 19, 2003. Service will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, at the Broadway Christian Church in Wichita. Chet grew up in Great Bend, Kan., and started working for the telephone company as a janitor. He entered into the Army Air Corp during World War II and was trained to fly biwing planes. Chet returned to Wichita and raised a family with two boys. During his time with SWBT he was a 'Kansas' Lineman, Safety Supervisor and the Personnel Manager for the Southern half of Kansas. He was President of the Telephone Pioneers Sunflower Chapter and was very active in Broadway Christian Church as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School Teacher for Tri-C. Chet enjoyed fishing, model trains and planes for many years as a hobby. After retiring he then started woodcraft work for many of his friends and family members. He married
Jane after his first wife, Hazel, passed away and his family grew from two to seven sons and daughters. Dad and Mom traveled to many states and to Europe twice. His favorite song was 'Me And My Shadow' and he loved any kind of organ music. Survivors include his wife, Jane; sons Dan, Sr. of Albuquerque, NM, David of Kansas City, MO, Morris of Monmouth Junction, NJ, Robert of Wichita, Wes of Needles, CA; daughters, Carla and Kay, both of Wichita; 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with Hospice Care of Kansas and The American Cancer Society, both in care of Broadway Mortuary, Wichita, Kan.
Billy C. Barnes 1922-2003
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. - Billy C. Barnes, 80, died April 17 at Silver Ridge Village in Bullhead City, Ariz. He was born Nov. 15, 1922, at Rush Center, the son of Corwin and Elizabeth Burns Barnes. He was a 1940 graduate of La Crosse High School. He married
Dorras Johnson on Dec. 2, 1944, in Savannah, Ga. He served with the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945 as a waist gunner with the 8th Air Force. A resident of Detroit Lakes, coming from Great Bend and Moorhead, Minn., he worked for Dowell Inc. from 1945 to 1969, and as a mechanic for Dan Dugan Trucking until 1984. Survivors include his wife, of the home; one son, Billy Barnes, Jr. of Wichita; three daughters, Karen Feltis of Fargo, N.D., Beverly Miller of Fort Mohave, Ariz., and Becki Ingmar Bielski of Big Lake, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Houston Barnes, Robert Barnes, and Leonard Barnes. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Faith Hope Love Church in Moorhead, with the Rev. Ron Bakken officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove cemetery in Detroit Lakes. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service. There are no memorials suggested. Funeral arrangements are in care of David, Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes.
Lyle W. Hillman 1918-2003
DODGE CITY - Lyle W. Hillman, 85, died April 18 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center of Jetmore. He was born Feb. 11, 1918, at Cheney, the son of William and Helen Powers Hillman. He married
Maxine Croft May 2, 1942, at Hanston. She died Oct. 16, 1999. A resident of Dodge City for 40 years, moving to Jetmore several years ago, he was a farmer. Survivors include three sons, Jerold Hillman of Jetmore, Steve Hillman of Gilbert, Ariz., and Marc Hillman of Delores, Colo.; one daughter, Patty Lawson of Okmulgee, Okla.; one brother, Allen Hillman of Emporia; one sister, Eileen Schroeder of Murrieta, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Greencrest cemetery in Dodge City, with the Rev. Mark Durham officiating. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Tuesday at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center of Jetmore, in care of the funeral home.
Wilhelmina 'Minnie' Lanterman 1922-2003
ELLINWOOD - Wilhelmina 'Minnie' Lanterman, 80, died April 17 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born June 23, 1922, at Lincolnville, the daughter of Richard and Ottilie Albright Strauss. She was a 1940 graduate of Lincolnville High School. She married
Milton H. Lanterman Oct. 16, 1949, at Lincolnville. He died June 3, 2000. A resident of Ellinwood since 1949, coming from Wichita and Lincolnville, she was a homemaker and a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Lanterman was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Ellinwood and LWML. Survivors include two sons, Duane Lanterman and Robert Lanterman, both of Great Bend; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and two step-great grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Commanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 until 8 tonight, from 5 until 8 p.m. Sunday, all at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood, and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to LWML or St. John's Child Development Center, all in care of the funeral home.
Velma D. Schmidt 1920-2003
PAWNEE ROCK - Velma D. Schmidt, 82, died April 18 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Nov. 6, 1920, in Pawnee County, the daughter of Peter Christian and Lillie Mae Unruh Schultz. She married
Fred William Schmidt on Sept. 17, 1939, at Hutchinson. He died Nov. 26, 1993. A lifetime Barton and Pawnee County resident, she worked for 16 years as a Pawnee Rock School secretary. Schmidt was a member of Bergthal Mennonite Church, Pawnee Rock, where she served as organist for 60 years. She was active in the Women's Mission Society for most of her married
life. Survivors include: two sons, Jarold Schmidt of Larned and Sandy Schmidt of Pawnee Rock; one daughter, Sharon Schaefer of Mound City; one brother, Elwyn Schultz of LaMarque, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Orville Schultz; and one sister, Glennis Carr. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Revs. Todd Schlosser and grandson Kevin Schmidt officiating. Burial will be at Bergthal Mennonite Church cemetery in Pawnee Rock. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the mortuary.
