Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
Mary Heuck 1915-2003
ELLINWOOD - Mary Heuck, 88, died Oct. 17 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born July 31, 1915, at Fulton County, Ind., the daughter of Alonzo and Sallie Calvin Troutman. A lifetime Ellinwood resident, she was a homemaker. She was of the Protestant faith. Survivors include one son, Fred Heuck of Ellinwood; and two daughters, Ann Carol Heuck of North Little Rock, Ark., and Catherine Sally Heuck of Jacksonville, Ark.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Private family services are planned at a later date. Memorials are suggested to First Southern Baptist Building Fund in Larned, in care of Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.
Ruth Marie Gillespie 1921-2003
ST. JOHN - Ruth Marie Gillespie, 82, died Oct. 18 at her home in St. John. She was born June 8, 1921, at Oswego, the daughter of Dale and Maggie Mae Richardson. A homemaker, she married
O. Dayle Gillespie July 6, 1942, at Fairfield, Calif. She was a resident of St. John since 1959, coming from Oswego. Mrs. Gillespie was a member of First United Methodist Church, UMW and a Cub Scout Leader, all in St. John. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Dayle Gillespie Jr. and Lawrence E. Gillespie, both of St. John; a brother, Dannie Richardson, Oswego; two sisters, Velma Hollon of Oswego and Lucille Domeny of Mounds; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Roberta Fall officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Minnis Chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the Methodist Church Building Fund, Shepherd Center or South Wind Hospice, in care of the funeral home.
Carol A. Brown 1933-2003
Carol A. Brown was born in College Springs, Iowa, Jan. 22, 1933. She passed away in Great Bend, Kan., Oct. 17, 2003. She was preceded in death by her parents, George William McCullough and Lela Leone Hensleigh-McCullough. Carol attended Amity High School in College Springs, Iowa. She graduated from Sterling College in 1955 with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in home economics. She received her master's degree from Kansas State University in 1978. Carol married
Charles T. Brown Jr. in 1955. They have four daughters, Beverly Brown, of Prairie Village; Barbara Frank, Grass Valley, Calif.; Cheryl Gage, Redondo Beach, Calif.; and Charlene Lee, Manhattan Beach, Calif. Both Carol and Charlie were teachers. Carol taught home economics in Great Bend at Harrison Junior High (formerly Harrison Middle School) for 32 years. She was an enthusiastic sponsor of FHA for many years. Carol was selected to 'Who's Who Among America's Teachers' in 1994. Carol was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Great Bend. She was elected an elder, served as a deacon, was a soloist in the choir, was active in the Martha Circle and was a former Youth Group sponsor. Carol was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, a member of Kansas Retired Teachers Association and the Barton County Association of Retired School Personnel, and an active member of the Great Bend Garden Club, the American Home Economics Association and LTL. Carol will be missed for her ready laughter, love of family, active faith, her caring spirit, her patience, her beautiful smile and her beautiful singing voice. Carol was a loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren, Hank, Hayley, Jenny and Jim Dykes; Samantha, Robbie and Tommy Frank, Charlie and Andy Gage, and Morgan, Jimmy and Ricky Lee. Her many hobbies included music, Bible study, genealogy, gardening, crafts, sewing and playing games. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Charlie Brown; their four daughters; their 12 grandchildren; four sisters, Evelyn Gregory, of Mountain Grove, Mo., Juanita Farrer of West Middletown, Pa., Kathleen Rasmussen of Kansas City, Mo, and Joann Pfenniger of Springfield, Mo. She will also be missed by her many wonderful friends and relatives, and her cat, Katrina. We give thanks for the gift of Carol's life among us. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend, with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. A private family burial will take place. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please give memorial gifts to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the First Presbyterian Church of Great Bend. Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530, is in charge of arrangements.
James F. Ludes 1922-2003
SALINA - A graveside service is planned for James F. Ludes, who died Oct. 7 at his Great Bend residence at age 81. The service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Calvary cemetery, Salina. Memorials are suggested to the Barton County Relay for Life for cancer prevention in care of Ryan Mortuary in Salina.
Wilma June Georg 1920-2003
RUSH CENTER - Wilma June Georg, 83, died Oct. 15 at Good Samaritan Center of Hays. She was born Feb. 21, 1920, at Nekoma, the daughter of Charles B. and Elva Bowman Forbes. She was a 1937 graduate of La Crosse High School. She married
Raymond P. Georg June 27, 1943, at Wichita. A lifelong resident of Rush County, she was a longtime bookkeeper for Rush County Sale Barn of La Crosse and a former employee of Nekoma State Bank. Mrs. Georg was a member of First Lutheran Church and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, both of La Crosse, a Rush County 4-H leader for more than 20 years, a member of Rush County Farm Bureau and a women's chairperson for Rush County Farm Bureau Board. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Ken Paul Georg of Sabetha and Jay Glenn Georg of Rush Center; one daughter, Latha Jean Schlup of Newton; one brother, Glenn O. Forbes of Redlands, Calif.; one sister, Annabelle Dworak of Longmont, Colo.; and five grandchildren. Funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. today at the church, with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 3:15 p.m. today at the church. Memorials are suggested to Rush County 4- H Endowment Fund or the church, both in care of Janousek Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Beatrice B. Schmidt 1917-2003
HOISINGTON - Beatrice B. Schmidt, 86, died Oct. 16 at Glen Valley Care Center and Rehabilitation Center in Glenwood Springs, Colo. She was born July 30, 1917, in Lane County, the daughter of John and Katherine Wagner Wagner. She graduated from Dighton High School. She married
Herbert I. Schmidt July 25, 1937, at Bison. He died April 19, 1998. A resident of Hoisington for 50 years, coming from Eagle, Colo., and Glenwood Springs, she was a homemaker and nurse's aide at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Mrs. Schmidt was a member of Seventh Day Adventist Church of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, Gerald A. Schmidt of Eagle; one daughter, RoJean Tulk of New Gloucester, Maine; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John Wagner and Edward Wagner; and two sisters, Amelia Heinricht and Sadie Walraven. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, with the Rev. Jan Follett officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8: 30 p.m. Saturday and from 10:30 a.m. to service time Sunday at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8: 30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association, in care of the funeral home.
James L. Reddig 1919-2003
RUSSELL - James L. Reddig, 83, died Oct. 16 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. He was born Dec. 6, 1919, at Russell, the son of Tracy Daniel and Melinda Brokaw Reddig. He married
Alvetia Fern Phillips July 12, 1940, in WaKeeney. She died Dec. 11, 1999. A resident of Russell, coming from Great Bend, he managed oil production for Morgenstern Oil Operation in Russell for many years and continued his career in the oil business until his retirement in 2000. Reddig was a charter member of Gorham Community Church in Gorham. Survivors include one son, Roger L. Reddig of Russell; one brother, Glenn Reddig of Salina; two sisters, Maude Jeffries of Salina and Dorothy Buller of Wichita; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by five children, James Richard Reddig and two sets of infant twins; three brothers, Tracy Reddig, Raymond Reddig and John Reddig; three sisters, Margaret Kuntzsch, Mary Call and Doris Jean Kleusner; and one grandson, Todd Reddig. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pohlman-Heise Mortuary in Russell, with the Rev. Carl Ellis officiating. Burial will be at Russell City cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday, both at the mortuary. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to Wheatland Nursing Center of Russell, in care of the mortuary.
Virginia E. Akers LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Virginia E. Akers, 78, died Oct. 16 at Lincoln Hills Nursing Home in New Albany, Ind. She married
George Akers. He preceded her in death. She was a resident of Louisville, coming from Great Bend. Mrs. Akers was a member of Incarnation Catholic Church and Louisville Kennel Club. Survivors include two sons, Robert Akers and Greg Akers; one daughter, Ellen Perry; two brothers, Duane Stedman and Lee Stedman; and three grandchildren. Funeral will be at noon Saturday at Owen Funeral Home of Louisville. Private burial will be at Zachary Taylor National cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Lincoln Hills Nursing Home in memory of Mrs. Akers, in care of the funeral home.
Lois Jean Haspels 1921-2003
LYONS - Lois Jean Haspels, 82, died Oct. 14 at Stafford. She was born March 6, 1921, at New Galilee, Penn., the daughter of Edward ad Hazel Kerr Beatty. She was a graduate of Sterling College with a bachelor of arts degree. She married
Charles Marion Haspels June 20, 1942, at New Galilee. He died in 1969. A longtime Lyons resident, coming from Ethiopia, she was an English teacher in Pennsylvania, Africa and Kansas, and a missionary to Ethiopia from 1946-1969, and a social worker in Rice, Labette and McPherson counties, assisting with adoptions. Mrs. Haspels was a deacon and elder of First Presbyterian Church in Lyons, a member of Kansas Retired Teachers Organization, a volunteer for Adult Literacy in Rice and Reno counties, a volunteer for Rice County Hospice and a recipient of the 2001 Woman of the Year award by Makane Yesus Church in Ethiopia for her contribution for raising the status of women in Ethiopia. Survivors include two sons, Charles Edwin Haspels of Cortez, Colo., and John Mark Haspels of Ethiopia; one daughter, Marian Jeanie Johnson of Stafford; one brother, Wilbur Beatty of Darlington, Penn.; one sister, Ida Martsolf of Enon Valley, Penn.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Mate Beatty; and one sister, Edna Beatty. Memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Tom Robson officiating. A private family burial will be at a later date at Stafford cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Lois Haspels Memorial Fund to be used for mission work, in care of Minnis Chapel of Stafford.
Ernest F. Leiker 1923-2003
Ernest F. Leiker, 80, of Great Bend, died Oct. 14, at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born April 6, 1923, at Hays, the son of Isidore A. and Lidwina Weigel Leiker. He married
Roberta Rose Kiper in 1943 at Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1936, coming from Hays, he was manager of Gates Drugstore for 25 years and Self-Service Drugstore for 10 years. Leiker was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and American Legion Post 180, both of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran, having served as a radio operator during World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Janice Magana of Garden City, Judy Laux of Chicago, Ill., and Linda Hess of Lansing, Mich.; one sister, Bernice Leiker of Oklahoma City, Okla.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Elmer Leiker. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Ted Stoecklein officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until noon Friday, both at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home.
Virginia Grubb 1929-2003
ELLINWOOD - Virginia Grubb, 74, died Oct. 14 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. She was born Jan. 5, 1929, in Eureka, the daughter of Clyde Melvin and Sarah Vivian James Carver. She married
Samuel D. Grubb Dec. 2, 1951, at Eureka. He died June 4, 1999. A resident of Ellinwood, she was a retired teacher who taught at District 105, Wheatland School, in rural Ellinwood. Mrs. Grubb was a member of Ellinwood United Methodist Church and Eastern Star. Survivors include three sons, Daniel Grubb, James Grubb and Noel Grubb, all of Ellinwood; two daughters, Sammie Reif of Ellinwood and Linda VanSteenburgh of Great Bend; one sister, Luella Schnurr of Hugoton; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, William Albert Carver. Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Vernon W. Maelzer officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, both at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Grade School Nature Center or the church, both in care of the funeral home.
Ellen A. Godfrey 1939-2003
TOPEKA - Ellen A. Godfrey, 64, died Oct. 12. She was born June 29, 1939, near Asherville. A resident of Topeka, she was a clinical psychologist for Kansas Department of Corrections. Survivors include her husband, John W. 'Jack' Godfrey of the home; and one brother, John Duff of Topeka. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit. Burial will be at Elmwood cemetery in Beloit. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka or donor's choice, both in care of the funeral home.
Rupert O. DeWald 1921-2003
Rupert O. DeWald, 82, of Great Bend, died Oct. 13 at his residence. He was born May 21, 1921, in Russell County, the son of Henry and Annie Diel DeWald. He married
Dorothy Prater Feb. 22, 1947, at Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend, he was a sign contractor. DeWald was a member and ordained elder of First Presbyterian Church and member of American Legion Post 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111, all of Great Bend, and Shriners of Russell. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors include Dorothy DeWald of Great Bend; three sons, Gerald DeWald of Des Moines, Iowa, Cory DeWald and Barry DeWald, both of Great Bend; two brothers, Harvey DeWald of Medicine Lodge and Irvin DeWald of Russell; two sisters, Geraldine Hurd of Council Bluff, Iowa, and Bernice Waymaster of Russell; one granddaughter; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Doran DeWald; and two sisters, Irma Miller and Frances Gidmey. Service of prayers and remembrance will be at 7 tonight at the church with the Rev. Hal Staats Jr. officiating. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Russell City cemetery in Russell with military services conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Charter Funerals of Great Bend.
Clara L. Johnson 1914-2003
BELPRE - Clara L. Johnson, 89, died Oct. 13 at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation in Great Bend. She was born May 17, 1914, at Belpre, the daughter of Fredrick Gilmore and Clara Lucinda Hager. She married
Joseph W. Johnson Nov. 11, 1934, at Hopewell. He died in 1975. A resident of Great Bend for seven years, coming from rural Belpre, she was a farmer and homemaker. Mrs. Johnson was a member of Macksville Christian Church, Order of Eastern Star and VIP Center, all of Macksville. She was a pianist at Hopewell Friends Church and organist at Belpre Baptist Church. She was a past Pratt County commissioner. Survivors include two sons, Fredrick D. Johnson of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Joseph M. 'Mickey' Johnson of Macksville; one daughter, Lucinda R. Rugan of Claflin; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Leland Hager; and five sisters, Margaret Ellis, Ella Ingraham, Irene Ingraham, Myrtle O'Bleness and Edith Stever. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Macksville Christian Church of Macksville, with the Rev. Carey Haner officiating. Burial will be at Hillside cemetery of Kinsley. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday at Minnis Chapel of Macksville. Memorials are suggested to the church or Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, in care of the funeral chapel.
