Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Morgan Lee Gunn 1983-2003
ELLINWOOD ‹ Morgan Lee Gunn, 20, died June 20 at Alva, Okla. He was born April 9, 1983 at Great Bend, the son of Frederick Gunn Sr. and Jackie Baldwin Gunn. A resident of Ellinwood most of his life, he also lived a short time in Kiowa. He attended Ellinwood public schools and was a 2002 graduate of South Barber High School in Kiowa. He also attended Barton County Community College in Great Bend. Gunn worked as a laborer for Venture Inc., Great Bend, as well at Tucker Tire and OK Co-op Grain, both at Kiowa. Gunn was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood. He was president of Industrial Arts Club at South Barber High School, and was active in football, basketball and track. Survivors include his father and step-mother Cynthia Gunn of Kiowa; his mother of Ellinwood; one brother, Fred Gunn Jr. of Lenexa; one sister, Victoria A. Forrestt of Great Bend; and friend Komari Ruiz of Hazelton. He was proceeded in death by his fraternal grandparents, Maurice Lee and Maryetta Gunn, and maternal grandparents Jack D. and Stella Baldwin. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Larry Young officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Burial will be at LakinComanche District cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Grade School Nature Center in care of the funeral home.
Margaret Louise Start Chumley 1913-2003
ELLINWOOD - Margaret Louise Start Chumley, 90, died June 20 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born May 22, 1913, on the family farm outside of McCracken. She was the daughter of Charles and Anna Hearity Start. Margaret resided at Woodhaven Care Center in her later years. She was a registered nurse that graduated from St. Rose School of Nursing in 1935. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, local bridge clubs and bowling teams. Margaret married
Walter Thomas Chumley Dec. 28, 1937, at Kansas City, Mo. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter; sister, Annabelle Manning; sister, Mary Gerstner; infant brother, James; and her parents, Charles and Anna Start. Survivors include son James Chumley and daughter-in-law Sharon of Star Valley, Wyo.; daughter Judith Rusco and son-in-law Wayne Rusco of Great Bend: grandsons, Dr. Michael Chumley and wife Lori of Plano, Texas, and Jeffery Chumley of Tucson, Ariz.; granddaughters, Gail McDermott and husband John of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Lynn Simpson and husband Gordan of Great Bend, Vicki Keffer and husband Bill of Great Bend; great-grandchildren, Johna McDermott of Mt. Vernon, Kylie McDermott of Mt. Vernon, ATE-3 Tyler Simpson of Naval Air Station, Sigenella Sicily, Brice Simpson of Great Bend, Dustin Keffer of Great Bend, Erica Keffer of Great Bend and Jayden Chumley of Tucson. Memorials are suggested to Heritage Club of Ellinwood and St. Joseph School of Ellinwood. Service for Margaret will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood. The Rev. John Maes will be officiating. Altar Society rosary will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday followed by a Daughter of Isabella rosary. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at Kimple Funeral Home. Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood is in charge of arrangements.
Mary E. 'Poodles' Keiley 1948-2003
JETMORE - Mary E. 'Poodles' Keiley, 55, died June 18 at Loveland, Colo. She was born Feb.16, 1948, at Jetmore, the daughter of Lawrence and Mary Van Vleet Burns. She married
Michael J. Keiley Aug. 20, 1966, at Jetmore. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Michael Keiley of Milwaukee, Wis.; two daughters, Colette Prellwitz and Colleen Bergmann, both of Loveland; one brother, Harry Burns of Jetmore; one sister, Betty Romero of Jetmore; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Nathan Burns and one grandson, Spencer Bergmann. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Jetmore with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Sunday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore.
John Rowland McKnight Jr. 1908-2003
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Rear Admiral Rowland Knight Jr., 95, U.S. Navy retired, died Feb. 8, 2002, in San Diego. He was born May 3, 1908, at Oklahoma City, Okla., the son of John Rowland and Gayle Evans McKnight. He was a 1930 graduate of U.S. Naval Academy. He married
Margaret Belisle May 12, 1934, at Washington D.C. She died Sept. 26, 1997. McKnight was a submarine commander during World War II, serving on 12 U.S. Navy ships and commanding six of them. He was a veteran of the Korean War, receiving the Silver Star and Bronze Star with combat valor. McKnight was a member of the Christian faith, San Diego Yacht Club since 1936, the New York Yacht Club, past member of St. Francis, Calif., Yacht Club, and Submarine Veterans of World War II. Survivors include one son, John Robert McKnight of San Diego; one daughter, Margot Everett of Casper, Wyo.; three grandsons; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Larned cemetery, with the Rev. Kevin Schmidt officiating. Memorials are suggested to Class of 1930 fund, USNA Alumni Association, in care of Morell Funeral Home in Larned.
Alban 'Al' Deiser 1924-2003
LA CROSSE - Alban 'Al' Deiser, 79, died June 16 at La Crosse. He was born Feb. 6, 1924, at Ness County, the son of William and Barbara Braun Deiser. He married
Leona Brungardt March 31, 1951, at Hays. She died Jan. 11, 2003. A resident of La Crosse since 1959, coming from Hays, he was a mechanic in the automobile industry. Deiser was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department, all of La Crosse. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. Survivors include three sisters, Ida Mae Dixon of Hartford, Ala., Leoba Kinney of Moline, Ill., and Barbara McDonald of Brownell; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by one son, Peter William Deiser; two brothers, Eugene Deiser and Bill Deiser Jr.; and three sisters, Mary Deiser, Hilda Deiser and Hedwig Stegman. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at the church with the Rev. Charles Mazouch officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City cemetery in La Crosse. Memorials are suggested to St. Michael's Social Commission in La Crosse or the donor's choice, all in care of Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse.
Leonard C. Ricker 1922-2003
RAYMOND - Leonard C. Ricker, 80, died June 17 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Nov. 29, 1922, in Bellefonte, the son of John Ludwig and Anna Miller Ricker. He was a 1941 graduate of Alden High School and attended Emporia State University. He married
Mildred C. Koenig Dec. 2, 1945, at Chase. She died May 8, 1990. A longtime Rice County resident, he was a farmer. Ricker was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and was an elder and a trustee, all of Ellinwood, and served on the Raymond and Alden school boards. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Ricker and Clyde Ricker, both of Raymond; three brothers, Alvin Ricker of Nashville, Franklin Ricker of Chase and Harold Ricker of Hutchinson; three sisters, Mildred Domey of Wichita, Betty Nestler of Topeka and Mary Ann Schrag of Hutchinson; five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal cemetery in Lyons. Friends may call from 1 to 8 tonight at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to the church endowment fund or St. John's Child Development Center, both of Ellinwood.
Eugene 'Gene' N. Kramer 1931-2003
PRATT - Eugene 'Gene' N. Kramer, 71, died June 17 at Pratt Regional Medical Center. He was born July 18, 1931, at Great Bend, the son of Karl and Elsie Langer Kramer. He married
Norma G. Sipe Nov. 5, 1950, at Pratt. A longtime Pratt resident, he was a retired electrician and owner-operator of Kramer Electric. Kramer was a member of First United Methodist Church and Elks Lodge, both of Pratt, and Pratt County Men's Golf Association at Green Valley Golf Course, and was a retired volunteer with the Pratt City Fire Department and served as assistant fire chief. He was a U.S. Marine veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, David Kramer of Pratt; one daughter, Judy Starrett of Kodiak, Alaska; one brother, Rex Kramer of Aurora, Colo.; and nine grandchildren. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Revs. Kendal Utt and Fred Pinkerton officiating. Burial with graveside military honors will be at Greenlawn cemetery in Pratt. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, all at Larrison Mortuary in Pratt. Memorials are suggested to Pratt City Fire Department Memorial or donor's choice, both in care of the mortuary.
Aurel Louise Rexroat 1913-2003
HOISINGTON - Aurel Louise Rexroat, 90, died June 14 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Jan. 10, 1913, at Barton County, the daughter of Vernon and Mabel Mae Gage Hoopes. She married
James K. Rexroat Aug. 15, 1935, at Hoisington. He died March 8, 1998. Aurel attended Kansas State University for two years (1930-1932) before teaching in Barton County's rural schools, one year at Galatia, another at Boyd. As a senior citizen, she participated in several courses offered at Hoisington by Barton County Community College. She was active in First United Methodist Church of Hoisington, United Methodist Women and its predecessor groups. In recent years, her hobby was crocheting 'scrubbers,' something she continued to do in spite of her limited eyesight. She had been a lifetime resident of Barton County and a member of Altrurian Club, and formerly Cameo Club, all of Hoisington. Survivors include one daughter, Mabel Rice of Elgin, Ill.; one half-sister, Elaine Wells of Metairie, La.; one half-brother, Rex M. Hoopes of Alexandria, Va.; one daughter-in-law, Darlene Goddard and husband Gregg of Omaha, Neb.; one grandson, Kevin J. Rice and wife Rebecca of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; two granddaughters, Kendra Rexroat Hill and husband Dan of Omaha and Donna Rice Waggener and husband Terry of Columbus, Ohio; six great-grandchildren, Adam Hill and Joel Hill, both of Omaha, Claire Waggener and Allison Waggener, both of Columbus, and Xander Rice and Atticus Rice, both of Buffalo Grove; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by one son, Arthur Joseph Rexroat in 1978; and one half-brother, Huron R. Hoopes. Funeral will be at 10:30 this morning at the church with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or Clara Barton Hospital Foundations, both in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington.
Gerald A. Peirano 1923-2003
SALINA - Gerald A. Peirano, 80, died June 13 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina. He was born April 16, 1923, at Wilson, the son of Augustine and Pearl Gustul Peirano. He married
Shirley Claussen Nov. 19, 1963, at Guymon, Okla. A resident of Salina, coming from Wilson, he was a retired truck driver. Peirano was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He was U.S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Ronald Peirano of El Dorado, Sheldon Lilak of Salina, Randall Lilak of Walber, La., and Craig Lilak of Wilson; five daughters, Jennifer Everitt of Fortson, Ga., Barbara Spartz of Ellington, Conn., Beth Bartell of Salina, Susan Leiker of Hays and Debra Wahlmeier of Hastings, Neb.; three brothers, Melvin Peirano of Seattle, Wash., Frank Peirano of Russell and Jim Peirano of Merriam; three sisters, Geneva Heinze of Tulsa, Okla., Mary Savage of Moore, Okla., and Eleanor Hunter of Wilson; 40 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held June 16. Foster Mortuary in Wilson was in charge of arrangements.
Elmer Ray Musil 1915-2003
BURDETT - Elmer Ray Musil, 87, died June 15 at Halsey Hall in Fort Dodge. He was born Feb. 15, 1915, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Smerchek Musil. He married
Ellen B. Brownlee July 25, 1945, at Zenith. She died July 21, 2001. A resident of Burdett since 1957, coming from Blue Rapids, he was a farmer, stockman and a longtime weather observer for the U.S. Weather Bureau. Musil was a member of Burdett United Methodist Church, Pathfinders Sunday School, Burdett Lions Club, American Legion and was a post chaplain for 40 years, all of Burdett; a former township treasurer, Farm Bureau of Larned, Kansas Master Farmer Organization, Pawnee-Hodgeman-Ness Irrigation Association, a 32nd degree Mason and Scottish Rite of Blue Rapids, Marysville and Topeka; a life member of Kansas State University Alumni; received the Kansas 4-H Alumni award in 1982 and was named a Kansas Master Farmer by Kansas State University. He was a U.S. Army Medical Corps veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater. Survivors include one son, Elmer Lee Musil of Burdett; one brother, Theodore Musil of Blue Rapids; one sister, Esther Musil of Blue Rapids; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Musil. Memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Inurnment will be at 11:30 a.m. at Browns Grove cemetery in Burdett. Friends may sign the register book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. Memorials are suggested to the church or Pawnee County 4-H Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.
Teresa K. Shipley 1920-2003
HOLYROOD - Teresa K. Shipley, 82, died June 14 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 22, 1920, at Ellsworth, the daughter of Chris and Emma T. Feist Stumps. She married
George K. Shipley March 19, 1943, at Hays. He died March 25, 1989. A lifetime resident of the Holyrood area, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Shipley was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Altar Society and American Legion Auxiliary, all of Holyrood. Survivors include one son, Chris Shipley of Seaside, Ore.; one daughter, Linda Jones of Logan; two brothers, Jerome J. Stumps of Downey, Calif., and Walter Stumps of Bushton; two sisters, Dolores M. Emmerich of Hastings, Neb., and Joan M. Breford of Holyrood; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Vigil will be at 7 tonight at Parsons Funeral Home in Ellsworth. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. Daniel Scheetz officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul's United Church of Christ cemetery in Holyrood. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church or the Altar Society, both in care of the funeral home.
Aurel Louise Rexroat 1913-2003
HOISINGTON - Aurel Louise Rexroat, 90, died June 14 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born Jan. 10, 1913, in Barton County, the daughter of Vernon and Mabel Mae Gage Hoopes. She attended Kansas State University for two years. She married
James K. Rexroat Aug. 15, 1935, in Hoisington. He died March 8, 1998. A lifetime resident of Barton County, she taught one year each at Galatia and Boyd schools and was a homemaker. Mrs. Rexroat was a member of First United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Women, Altrurian Club and formerly the Cameo Club, all of Hoisington. Survivors include one daughter, Mabel Rice of Elgin, Ill.; one half-brother, Rex. M. Hoopes of Alexandria, Va.; one half-sister, Elaine Wells of Metairie, La.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Arthur Joseph Rexroat; and one half-brother, Huron R. Hoopes. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 tonight, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.
Gerald A. Peirano 1923-2003
SALINA - Gerald A. Peirano, 80, died June 13, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina. He was born April 16, 1923, at Wilson, the son of Augustine and Pearl Gustul Peirano. He married
Shirley Claussen on Nov. 19, 1963, at Guymon, Okla. A resident of Salina, coming from Wilson, he was a retired truck driver. Peirano was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He was U.S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include wife of the home; four sons, Ronald Peirano of El Dorado, Sheldon Lilak of Salina, Randall Lilak of Walber, La., and Craig Lilak of Wilson; five daughters, Jennifer Everitt of Fortson, Ga., Barbara Spartz of Ellington, Conn., Beth Bartell of Salina, Susan Leiker of Hays, and Debra Wahlmeier of Hastings, Neb.; three brothers, Melvin Peirano of Seattle, Wash., Frank Peirano of Russell, and Jim Peirano of Merriam; three sisters, Geneva Heinze of Tulsa, Okla., Mary Savage of Moore, Okla., and Eleanor Hunter of Wilson; 40 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Parish Vigil will be 7 p.m. Sunday at Foster Mortuary. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Jerome Morgan officiating. Burial will be at St. Wenceslaus cemetery. Friends may call from 8 to 8 Sunday and 8 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home.
