Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Ronald H. Ferranti 1939-2003
HOISINGTON - Ronald H. Ferranti, 63, died July 22 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Oct. 13, 1939, at Binghamton, N.Y., the son of Americo and Lucy Masronardi Ferranti. She married
Sharon Alexander Aug. 3, 1984, at Milberger. A resident of Hoisington since 1983, he was retired from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Ferranti was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Church of Binghamton. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Michael Ferranti and Steven Ferranti, both of Endwell, N.Y.; one daughter, Diane Lechner of Appalachin, N.Y.; one stepson, Brian Alexander of Hoisington; one stepdaughter, Lisa Alexander of Great Bend; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one stepdaughter, Becky Alexander. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids, Hoisington Ambulance Fund or Clara Barton Foundation, all in care of the funeral home.
Clara Ann Schremmer 1912-2003
HOISINGTON - Clara Ann Schremmer, 91, died July 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born June 17, 1912, at Dubuque, the daughter of Conrad 'Cooney' and Clara Ann Polzin Esfeld. She married
Ollie Schremmer Sept. 8, 1937, at Dubuque. He died July 2, 1953. A resident of Hoisington since 1954, coming from Dubuque, she was a self-employed housekeeper. Mrs. Schremmer was a member of St. John Evangelical Catholic Church and Altar Society, and was a St. John's religious class teacher, all of Hoisington. Survivors include two sons, Gary Schremmer of Hoisington and Ronnie Schremmer of Wichita; one daughter, Jolene Maneth of Phoenix, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Ray Esfeld; and two sisters, Emma Kaiser and Edna Linsner. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Dubuque with the Revs. Bob Schremmer and Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. Catherine cemetery in Dubuque. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Cheyenne Meadows Living Center, in care of the funeral home.
Max Hill 1924-2003
ELLINWOOD - Max Hill, 78, died July 20 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Nov. 23, 1924, at Leon, Iowa, the son of Elmer Warren and Helen Belle Hartley Hill. He attended Lamoni, Iowa, High School. He married
Naomi Ruth Nov. 3,1942, at Albany, Mo. A resident of Ellinwood for 34 years, coming from Sedgwick and Decatur County, Iowa, he was a truck driver for Kaw Transport, retiring in 1984, and a bus driver for USD 355. Hill was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, all of Ellinwood, and Teamster Union. He was a Meals on Wheels volunteer. He was a U.S. Army veteran, training as a cavalryman at Ft. Riley and serving in the Philippines from 1944 to 1945. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Roger Hill and wife Tammi of Henderson, Colo., Steve Hill of Ellinwood, Keith Hill and wife Kaye of Sedgwick, and Warren Hill and wife Arlene of Littleton, Colo.; two brothers, Ralph Hill, and Maurice Hill and wife Darlene, all of Leon; two sisters, Sara VanNostrand and husband Jim of Delran, N.J., and Donna Roskens and husband Russ of Las Vegas, Nev.; one sister-in-law, Elaine Hill of Leon; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Jean Martinez; one brother, Dean Hill; two grandsons; and one great-grandson; one daughter-in-law, Jane Ann Hill; and one sister-in-law, Marybelle Hill. Altar Society rosary will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Wake service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Knights of Columbus rosary, all at the church in Ellinwood. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Joseph Bahr officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery of Ellinwood. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Parkinson's Disease Research, both in care of the funeral home.
Armin Deutsch 1920-2003
HOISINGTON - Armin Deutsch, 83, died July 18 at his residence. He was born Jan. 20, 1920, in Susank, the son of Jonathon and Mary Bitter Deutsch. He married
Mary H. Van Zandt in 1943 at Tucson, Ariz. She died May 29, 1958. He married
Bertha Mausolf Nov. 20. 1959, at Hoisington. She died Aug. 20, 2000. A lifetime resident of the Hoisington and Susank area, he was a retired salesman for J. C. Penney and former welder for O'Neill Tank Service, both of Great Bend. Deutsch was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Hoisington. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include three daughters, Mary Ann Bahr of Great Bend, Carolyn Barnaby of Clark Lake, Mich., and Darlene Steinert of Peyton, Colo.; one stepson, Terrance Miller of Fresco, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Joandel Hansen of San Diego, Calif.; two brothers, Clarence Deutsch and Vernon Deutsch, both of Hoisington; nine grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and nine step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leo Deutsch, Otto Deutsch and Alvin Deutsch; and two sisters, Rosie Kraft and Elsie Ochs. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Garry Dassow. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery, with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 286 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Shirley A. Miller 1936-2003
Shirley A. Miller, 66, of Great Bend, died July 20 at Hays Medical Center in Hays. She was born Oct. 13, 1936, at Zurich, the daughter of William and Victoria Desmarteau Benoit. She married
Weldon L. Miller Jan. 5, 1957, at Norton. A longtime Great Bend resident, coming from Plainville, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Miller was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, George Miller and Robert Miller, both of Great Bend; three daughters, Kathy Robinson of Panama City, Fla., Mary Cooley of Great Bend and Cheryl Roa of Hays; two sisters, Edna Bedard of Thornton, Colo., and Joyce Loreg of Great Bend; 22 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted Benoit and Henry Benoit. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Shannon Vogelezang officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family, in care of the funeral home.
Mary Ann Kowalsky 1930-2003
ELLINWOOD - Mary Ann Kowalsky, 72, died July 20 at Ellinwood District Hospital. She was born Dec. 12, 1930, at rural Ellinwood, the daughter of John H. and Mae Arensdorf Klepper. She married
Herman J. Kowalsky Nov. 27, 1952, at San Francisco, Calif. He died Jan 28, 1977. A lifetime resident of Ellinwood, she was a private caregiver and a cook at Woodhaven Care Center and Ellinwood District Hospital. Mrs. Kowalsky was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Ellinwood Hospital Auxiliary and Heritage Club, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include one son, Gregg Kowalsky of Ellinwood; two daughters, Marla Macy and Gail Greer, both of Ellinwood; two brothers, Norman Klepper and Maurice Klepper, both of Ellinwood; two sisters, Inez Malone of Rose Hill and Betty Mae Schmidt of Kimberling City, Mo.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Renea Kowalsky; two grandsons, Brian Krom and Eric Macy; three brothers, LeRoy Klepper, Ronald Klepper and Frank Klepper; and two sisters, Katherine Heagler and Elvera Martin. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. today at the church, with the Rev. Ted Stoecklein officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to the church or Ellinwood Area Health Care Foundation, in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.
Evelyn L. Marcum 1913-2003
OMAHA, Neb. - Evelyn L. Marcum, 89, died July 18 at Omaha. She was born Sept. 21, 1913, at Friend, Neb., the daughter of Frank and Cora Markland Redman. Survivors include one son, Jim and wife Gaylene Marcum of Bellevue, Neb.; one daughter, Shirley Swanson of Apaka, Fla.; one daughter-in-law, Karen Marcum of Great Bend; one brother, John Redman and wife Neva of Palm Springs, Calif.s; one sister, Irene and husband Merle McNeil of Lincoln, Neb.; one sister-in-law, Gwen Redman of Ocean Side, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Marcum; two sons, Robert Marcum and David Marcum; one son-in-law, Robert Swanson; her parents; and one brother, Bill Redman. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hanscom Park United Methodist Church in Omaha. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Andrew cemetery in Friend. Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Bethany Funeral Home in LaVista, Neb. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
E. Esther Newcomer 1906-2003
SCOTT CITY - E. Esther Newcomer, 97, died July 19 at Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City. She was born July 17, 1906, in Rush County, the daughter of Joe and Cora Wilkerson Waudby. She married
Lyle Newcomer June 9, 1926, at Rush County. He died Nov. 18, 1977. A resident of Scott City since 1962, coming from Rush County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Newcomer was a member of Church of the Nazarene of Scott City. Survivors include two daughters, June Vsetecka of Scott City and Mary L. Miller-Cook of Stilwell; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ben Newcomer; and three grandsons. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City. Burial will be at Scott City cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Park Lane Nursing Home or the church, in care of the funeral home.
Sammuel Steven Byer 1955-2003
LARNED - Sammuel Steven Byer, 48, died July 19 at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned. He was born Dec. 23, 1955, in Greensburg, the son of Samuel A. and Agnes L. Ellis Byer. He married
Anne E. Avery Aug. 8, 1977, in Larned. They were later divorced. A lifetime resident of Larned, he was a corrections officer for Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility. Byer was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include one son, Sammuel Robert Byer of Hays; one daughter, Sally A. Byer of Larned; one brother, Mike Byer of St. John; and one sister, Connie Star of Great Bend. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with family members officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John, with Department of Corrections honors. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Byer Memorial Fund, in care of the mortuary.
Leah Rae Miller 1938-2003
HOISINGTON - Leah Rae Miller, 64, died July 17 at her home. She was born Nov. 17, 1938, in Great Bend, the daughter of Kenneth and Ruth E. Pearce Humphrey. She was a 1956 graduate of Hoisington High School. She married
Marvin D. Miller Sept. 12, 1959, at Hoisington. He died May 12, 1995. A lifetime resident of Hoisington, she was a receptionist for Dr. H.K. Ritter dental office, retiring in 1984. Mrs. Miller was a member of First United Methodist Church and Una Chapter No. 119 Order of Eastern Star, both of Hoisington. Survivors include one brother, Verlin 'Buster' Humphrey of Carbondale; and one sister, Cheryl Herrman of Russell. She was preceded in death by one brother, Darrell 'Bud' Humphrey. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Garry Dassow officiating. Burial will be at Schoenfeld cemetery in Barton County. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids, Golden Belt Chapter Red Cross or Multiple Sclerosis Society, all in care of the funeral home.
Stephen Wesley Unruh 1940-2003
HUTCHINSON - Stephen Wesley Unruh, 62, died July 18 at Hutchinson Hospital. He was born Oct. 1, 1940, in Great Bend, the son of Galen Wesley and Doris Elizabeth Nairn Unruh. He was a graduate of Pawnee Rock High School and attended Barton County Community College. He married
Joy Williamson Aug. 10, 1958, at Hoisington. A resident of Hutchinson since 1972, he was manager of KingsleyWagner Supply, Jarvis Supply Company and Big A Auto Parts. He also owned Steve's Texaco, Unruh Auto Parts and Quality Water Systems. Unruh was a member of New Jerusalem Church of Pawnee Rock and a lifetime member of National Rifle Association. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Ron Unruh of Kearney, Mo., Don Unruh of Towanda, Ben Unruh of Fredericksburg, Va., and Greg Unruh of Overland Park; one brother, Stan Unruh of San Antonio, Texas; three sisters, Janice Beougher of Kingman, Carole Bowman of Pawnee Rock; and nine grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Johnson & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel in Hutchinson, with the Rev. Eric Zacharias officiating. Burial will be at Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home.
Delvin Dean Fercking 1958-2003
Delvin Dean Fercking, 45, of Great Bend, died July 17 at his residence. He was born May 7, 1958, at Ness City, the son of Robert Ray and Luella Cline Fercking. He married
Cindy Kuelker Dec. 12, 2002, in Great Bend. A longtime resi dent of Great Bend, coming from Ness City, he was a registered nurse for Medstaff. Fercking was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Austin Fercking of Bonham, Texas; one daughter, Stefanie Fercking of Burleson, Texas; his mother of Hoisington; one brother, Ron Fercking of Hoisington; and one sister, Jolinda Sloan of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Fercking. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bryant Funeral Home of Great Bend, with the Rev. LeRoy Keith officiating. No visitation is scheduled, cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to Lutheran Home of Wakeeney, in care of the funeral home.
Ralph William Pfannenstiel 1924-2003
NESS CITY - Ralph William Pfannenstiel, 78, died July 18 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. He was born Sept. 16, 1924, in Ness City, the son of John and Mathilda Werth Pfannenstiel. He married
Claretta Witthuhn April 15, 1947, at Ness City. A lifetime resident of Ness City, he was owner of Ralph's Super Market and Mini-Super Mart at Ness City. Pfannenstiel was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Frank Stull Post 152, Ness City School Board, Ness City Recreation Commission and past president of Ness City Chamber of Commerce, all of Ness City, National Grocers Association, Kansas Food Dealers Association and Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary. He was a veteran of U.S. Coast Guard, serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Michael C. Pfannenstiel, Mark J. Pfannenstiel and Monty W. Pfannenstiel, all of Ness City; two daughters, Marcia Pritchett of Hutchinson and Myra Lindeman of Wichita; three brothers, Edwin Pfannenstiel of Wichita, Harry Pfannenstiel of Wakeeney and Victor John Pfannenstiel of Loveland, Colo.; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Theodore Pfannenstiel, James Pfannenstiel, Alouis Pfannenstiel and Victor Pfannenstiel; and one grandson, Andrew Phillip Prichett. Parish vigil will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the church. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Gregory LeBlanc officiating. Burial with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 152 of Ness City will be at Sacred Heart cemetery in Ness City. Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, all at Fitzgerald Funeral Home of Ness City. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Ruth Jane McMillan 1897-2003
STAFFORD - Ruth Jane McMillan, 105, died July 11 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born Aug. 21, 1897, at Morganville, the daughter of Edward and Ida Hagenmaster. She attended Emporia State Teachers College and graduated from Sterling College in 1960 with a bachelors degree. She married
Forest Dewey McMillan May 29, 1920, at Wichita. He died in 1954. A resident of Stafford, she was a school teacher in Stafford for more than 40 years and a homemaker. Mrs. McMillan was a member of Tri-Sigma Sorority. Survivors include two daughters, JoAn Borland of Dowington, Pa., and Jeanne Slade of Morrison, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray Hagenmaster and Del Hagenmaster; and two sisters, Marie Sandifer and Gladys Harrison. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Stafford, with the Rev. Kasey Crosby officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Minnis Chapel of Stafford.
