WRHS Alum Obit Information
Last updated 5/14/2010 at 11:45:32 PM (MDT)
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Send obituaries of WRHS alum to:
Ted Mitchell
PO Box 5429
Santa Barbara, CA 93150
tedmitchell # prodigy.net
Class of 1927
HANSON
Name: HOWARD HANSON
HOWARD E. HANSON, 94, TOPEKA, DIED MONDAY, JULY 21, 2003, AT WESTWOOD MANOR
IN TOPEKA. HE WAS BORN JULY 9, 1909, THE SON OF JOSEPH AND ADA MAY RACKNOR
HANSON. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1927. HE COMPLETED THE
FARMERS SHORT COURSE AT KANSAS STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED
SCIENCE FROM 1931 TO 1933. MR. HANSON WAS A FARMER IN SHAWNEE COUNTY. HE
RAISED HEREFORD CATTLE. HE ALSO WAS A LICENSED FUR DEALER FOR 32 YEARS. MR.
HANSON WAS A MEMBER OF WANAMAKER 4-H CLUB WITH CROP AND LIVESTOCK PROJECTS.
LATER HE WAS A CROP LEADER WITH THE DOVER 4-H CLUB. HE HAD WORKED WITH
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY TO PRODUCE HYBRID SEED CORN. HE SOLD CERTIFIED SEED
FOR 25 YEARS. HE ATTENDED DOVER FEDERATED CHURCH. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE
OAK GRANGE AT MISSION CENTER AND THE SHAWNEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU. HE HAD
BEEN ACTIVE WITH THE SHAWNEE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE IN
TOPEKA. HE SERVED ON THE DOVER GRADE SCHOOL BOARD AND HAD ATTENDED THE
DOVER FEDERATED CHURCH SINCE 1989, AND HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF WILLIAMS CHAPEL
WESLEYAN CHURCH WEST OF DOVER. HE MARRIED JULIA ATWOOD ON MAY 12, 1946,
NEAR AUBURN. SHE PRECEDED HIM IN DEATH ON OCT. 5, 1995. SURVIVORS INCLUDE
TWO DAUGHTERS, ZELMA GOULD, TOPEKA, AND JUDY SPRIGGS, HOUSTON; A SON, PAUL
HANSON, OLATHE; AND FOUR GRANDCHILDREN, CHRISTY, JASON, AND TANYA, ALL IN
TEXAS, AND KENNY SPRIGGS, LAWRENCE. INTERMENT WAS AT DOVER CEMETERY. TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL.
Class of 1936
BAINBRIDGE
Name: ELDEENE MILLER
ELDEENE O. MILLER, 84, TOPEKA, DIED THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2003, AT A LOCAL
NURSING HOME. SHE WAS BORN DEC. 22, 1918, IN TOPEKA, THE DAUGHTER OF ELMER
AND ORPHIA BAINBRIDGE. HER MOTHER DIED WHEN SHE WAS 3 DAYS OLD. SHE WAS
REARED BY MINNIE AND WALLIE BAINBRIDGE, HER AUNT AND UNCLE, IN TOPEKA. SHE
GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1936, WHICH WAS THEN ON THE
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. SHE WORKED AT GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. IN THE
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, THEN MOVED TO THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT. SHE RETIRED
AROUND 1980. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE GOODYEAR SALARIED RETIREMENT CLUB AND
THE GOODYEAR HOURLY RETIREMENT CLUB. SHE WAS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GERMAN
CLUB IN KANSAS CITY. SHE VOLUNTEERED AT THE VA HOSPITAL. SHE WAS PRECEDED
IN DEATH BY HER HUSBAND, KENNETH RAYMOND MILLER, AND A BROTHER, ELMER
BAINBRIDGE. BURIAL WAS AT MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL.
Class of 1939
ENGLER
Name: LYLE ENGLER
LYLE ENGLER, 82, ABILENE, DIED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2003, AT A CHAPMAN CARE
FACILITY. MR. ENGLER AND HIS WIFE FARMED SOUTHWEST OF TOPEKA UNTIL MOVING
TO ABILENE IN 1979. HE ALSO HAD BEEN A NON-DENOMINATIONAL MINISTER FOR MANY
YEARS. HE WAS BORN FEB. 14, 1921, IN TOPEKA, THE SON OF CHESTER AND NETTIE
COYLE ENGLER. HE WAS REARED IN TOPEKA AND GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL
HIGH SCHOOL IN 1939. HE MARRIED BETTY DIETRICH ON DEC. 10, 1941. SHE
SURVIVES. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE A SON, GARREN ENGLER, ABILENE; TWO
DAUGHTERS, CHERYL WALTHALL, JOPLIN, MO., AND MARLA LANDIS, ABILENE; TWO
BROTHERS, LARRY ENGLER AND WARREN ENGLER, BOTH OF TOPEKA; NINE
GRANDCHILDREN; AND 10 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. MR. ENGLER WAS CREMATED. TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL.
Class of 1940
WILSON
Name: FRANCIS WILSON
FRANCIS WILSON FRANCIS ORLA WILSON, 83, TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY SUNDAY, JULY
23, 2006. FRANCIS WAS BORN SEPT. 28, 1922 IN BIG SPRINGS, KS THE SON OF
CHARLES AND VENA MORRIS WILSON. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL. FRANCIS SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE NAVY DURING WWII AS A COOK ON
BOARD SHIP, PRIMARILY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. HE WAS A MEMBER OF SEABROOK
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH WHICH HE AND HIS PARENTS AND SONS HELPED TO BUILD. HE
WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCHS SOFTBALL TEAM FOR 50 YEARS PLAYING WITH AS WELL
AS COACHING HIS SONS AND GRANDSONS. FRANCIS AND HIS WIFE, BARBARA, OWNED
AND OPERATED WILSON TURKEY FARM FOR 60 YEARS. SHE PRECEDED HIM IN DEATH IN
2003. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS CHILDREN, LONNA HOUGH, TOPEKA, RAY WILSON,
LENEXA, CHARLES WILSON, TOPEKA, AND SHERI BARKER, SARASOTA FL; TWO SISTERS,
CHARLENE W. SMITH, TOLEDO OH AND CONNIE W. FRANKLIN, LEESVILLE TX; NINE
GRANDCHILDREN AND NINE GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. BURIAL WAS AT WEST LAWN
MEMORIAL GARDENS. TOEPKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Class of 1952
NEWELL
Name: ARTHUR NEWELL
ARTHUR E. "BUD" NEWELL, 71, OF LECOMPTON, DIED SATURDAY, JAN. 29, 2005, AT
A TOPEKA HOSPITAL. HE WAS BORN JAN. 9, 1934, IN TOPEKA, THE SON OF ARTHUR
ROBERT AND JUANITA ELIZABETH LEUENBERGER NEWELL. BUD GRADUATED FROM
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTENDED KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE HE
PLAYED FOOTBALL. HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE U.S. ARMY AND WAS STATIONED
IN GERMANY. BUD RETIRED WITH MORE THAN 35 YEARS AS A DISTRIBUTOR OF MEDICAL
SUPPLIES FOR ZIMMER. LATER, HE ESTABLISHED SERENTA FARMS SCHOOL OF
EQUESTRIAN ARTS AND EQUINE-FACILITATED THERAPY PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES. HE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE KANSAS
HORSE COUNCIL AND THE KANSAS HORSE FOUNDATION. HE WAS A PAST PRESIDENT OF
KAW VALLEY CATBACKERS AND INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THE BUD AND MARTI
NEWELL POWERCAT STRENGTH COMPLEX AT KANSAS STAT UNIVERSITY'S WAGNER
STADIUM. BUD WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS AND A SISTER, ARNITA
SELDERS. SURVIVORS INCLUDE THREE DAUGHTERS, KIM MERTZ AND HER HUSBAND, JOE,
RURAL MANHATTAN, COURTNEY CUNNINGHAM AND HER HUSBAND, ROB, TOPEKA, AND SUZY
ROUSEY AND HER HUSBAND, WAYNE, MATTHEWS, N.C.; A SON, CHRIS NEWELL, AND HIS
WIFE, KAREN, TOPEKA; A SISTER, JANE ALLEN AND HER HUSBAND, MARVIN,
LANESVILLE, IND.; AND 13 GRANDCHILDREN. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Class of 1953
BROWN
Name: GARY BROWN
GARY R. BROWN, 69, TOPEKA, DIED TUESDAY, AUG. 31, 2004 AT HIS HOME FROM
COMPLICATIONS OF EMPHYSEMA. GARY WAS BORN APRIL 19, 1935, IN TOPEKA, TO C.
ROY AND HELEN E. BROWN. GARY GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN
1953. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, HE WAS EMPLOYED FROM 1953 UNTIL 1956 AT MOSBY-MACK
MOTOR CO. IN 1956 HE ENTERED A PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS WITH HIS FATHER, WHICH
WAS NAMED BROWN'S SUPER SERVICE. HE LATER BECAME SOLE OWNER AND RETIRED IN
2000. GARY WAS A CHARTER MEMBER OF WHITE LAKES OPTIMIST CLUB AND CAPITAL
POST NO. 1 OF THE AMERICAN LEGION. GARY ALSO ENJOYED TRAVELING AND CAMPING
AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE GOOD SAM CLUB AND LATER THE NEWMAR KOUNTRY KLUB. HE
MARRIED SHIRLEY M. REED. THEY DIVORCED. SHE SURVIVES. HE LATER MARRIED
JOYCE M. BECKER OF TOPEKA. SHE SURVIVES. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE TWO SONS
BY HIS FIRST MARRIAGE, KEITH L. BROWN AND KENT L. BROWN, BOTH OF TOPEKA; A
STEPDAUGHTER, TAMMY JO GELLER, DESMOINES, IOWA; TWO BROTHERS, LARRY D.
BROWN, LEAWOOD, AND JERRY L. BROWN, SALT LAKE CITY; TWO GRANDSONS; ONE
GRANDAUGHTER; AND THREE STEPGRANDDAUGHTERS. BURIAL WAS AT THE MISSION
CENTER CEMETERY. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL 9/2/04
Class of 1955
EDSON
Name: DONALD EDSON
HOOD
Name: PATRICIA DEL HERRO
LOGAN
Name: SANDRA WEAVER
WILLIAMS
Name: MARGARET PATTERSON
Class of 1956
LUELLEN
Name: LARRY LUELLEN
LAWRENCE (LARRY) LEE LUELLEN WENT TO BE WITH HIS LORD ON EASTER SUNDAY
APRIL 8, 2007 AT MIDLAND HOSPICE. HE WAS BORN JUNE 21, 1937 IN SOLDIER, KS,
THE SON OF GARLAND AND ETHEL (OWENS) LUELLEN. LARRY GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN
RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1956 AND MARRIED HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART, DARLENE
ZOOK, ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1956. HE WORKED FOR SANTA FE RAILROAD AS A SHEET
METAL WORKER AND RETIRED AS A PIPE FITTER FROM GOODYEAR TIRE. LARRY AND
DARLENE TRAVELED IN THEIR RV DURING RETIREMENT, SEARCHING FOR ANTIQUES AND
GOOD SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC. LARRY WAS QUICK TO LAUGH AND HAD A GREAT SENSE
OF HUMOR. HE WAS A MEMBER OF NORTHERN HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH AND AN HONORARY
MEMBER OF SPIRES CHAPEL IN ROGERSVILLE, TN. THE JOY OF HIS LIFE WAS HIS
FAMILY. HE LOVED THE LORD, GOSPEL MUSIC, CAMPING WITH FRIENDS, MONDAY NIGHT
BIBLE STUDY AT THE TOWNSENDS, MAKING CANDY AND GOODIES FOR FRIENDS AND
FAMILY, AND HIS BELOVED BULLDOG, BOWSIE. BEFORE HIS HEALTH DECLINED, HE WAS
AN AVID BICYCLIST. HE WAS A DEVOTED HUSBAND, FATHER, AND GRANDFATHER. LARRY
WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS AND A BROTHER, BOBBIE. HE IS SURVIVED
BY HIS WIFE DARLENE, AND THEIR CHILDREN: DEBBI WILLIAMS AND HUSBAND JIM,
TOPEKA, GREGG LUELLEN AND WIFE GRETCHEN, SPRING, TX, STACI LUELLEN OF
TOPEKA, AND HIS SISTER, MAXINE MERRITT AND HUSBAND ED, TOPEKA.
GRANDCHILDREN ARE CASEY FRISBY, SARAH YEAGER, RACHEL JORGENSEN, ERIN
WILLIAMS, GARETT AND DARSEY LUELLEN. BURIAL WAS AT MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY.
PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON 4/10/2007
Class of 1957
FOX
Name: JANET KERNS
JANET M. KERNS JANET M. KERNS, 66, OF AUBURN, PASSED AWAY WEDNESDAY, JULY
12, 2006 AT A TOPEKA HOSPITAL. SHE WAS BORN OCTOBER 10 1939, IN OSKALOOSA,
THE DAUGHTER OF HOLLAND AND EVELYN VENDEL FOX. SHE WAS A 1957 GRADUATE OF
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS A TEACHER AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF
LAKESHORE LEARNING CENTER FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS. SHE MARRIED KENNETH
D. KERNS ON DECEMBER 1, 1957 IN TOPEKA. HE SURVIVES. SHE WAS PRECEDED IN
DEATH BY TWO BROTHERS. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE FIVE SONS, MICHAEL D. OF
TOPEKA, TERRY J. OF WICHITA, DANNY J. OF SILVER LAKE, JEFFRY S. OF AUBURN
AND JOEY A. KERNS OF PORTLAND, OR; HER MOTHER, EVELYN FOX OF TOPEKA; A
SISTER, VICKI CORWIN OF TOPEKA; A BROTHER, GARY FOX OF DALLAS, TX; FOUR
GRANDCHILDREN AND TWO GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. MRS. KERNS WILL LIE IN STATE
AFTER 2:00 PM, FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 AT PENWELL-GABEL MID TOWN CHAPEL WHERE
THE FAMILY WILL GREET FRIENDS FROM 6:30 TO 8:00 PM THAT EVENING. BURIAL WAS
AT MISSION CENTER CEMETERY. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON 7/15/2006.
Class of 1960
CONROY
Name: DON CONROY
HUHS
Name: JUDY GRIGGS
MCMASTER
Name: ROD MCMASTER
ROD MCMASTER, 64, OF TOPEKA, SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2006,
WHILE OFFICIATING A FOOTBALL GAME. HE WAS BORN JANUARY 24, 1942 IN TOPEKA,
THE SON OF DELBERT AND JESSIE MCMASTER. ROD WAS RAISED IN PAULINE AND
GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1960. HE WAS A 1964 GRADUATE
OF EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE HE RECEIVED DEGREES IN PHYSICAL
EDUCATION, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND BUSINESS. ROD HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER
WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE AS A CLAIMS SPECIALIST FOR OVER 35 YEARS. HE
MANAGED AUTO CLAIM SERVICES IN TOPEKA AND SERVED ON THE NATIONAL
CATASTROPHIC CLAIMS TEAM UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1999. ROD WAS PASSIONATE
ABOUT DEVELOPING AND MENTORING YOUNG ATHLETES. THIS WAS HIS 44TH YEAR OF
OFFICIATING YOUTH AND COLLEGIATE SPORTS. HE WORKED FOR THE BIG 12 AND THE
NFL. HE ALSO SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS COACHING HIS SONS' BASEBALL TEAMS. HE
MARRIED HIS HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART JUNE MCCLURE ON AUGUST 31, 1963.
SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS WIFE JUNE, THEIR TWO SONS, TROY AND HIS WIFE SHELLY,
TYLER AND HIS WIFE KATE, AND GRANDCHILDREN, THE LOVES OF HIS LIFE, TRENT,
COURTNEY, CASSIDY AND KARSYN. IN ADDITION, HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS
SISTER-IN-LAW AND HER HUSBAND, SUSAN AND DAN BAILEY AND THEIR CHILDREN
ANDREW AND LARA. BURIAL Was AT MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY. PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON 9/30/2006.
WILLIAMS
Name: DON WILLIAMS
LARRY LONGHOFER OFTEN TELLS PEOPLE HOW WASHBURN RURAL ACTUALLY HAD TWO HEAD
COACHES DURING ITS 1982 MARCH TO THE BOY'S STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
DON WILLIAMS WAS MORE THAN JUST AN ASSISTANT COACH, RECALLED LONGHOFER, THE
JUNIOR BLUES' HEAD COACH AT THE TIME. THAT BECAME EVEN MORE OBVIOUS WHEN
WILLIAMS WON HIS OWN STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AS COACH OF THE JUNIOR
BLUES THREE YEARS LATER. WILLIAMS, WHO PLAYED ON RURAL'S 1960 STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND TAUGHT AT THE SCHOOL FOR 32 YEARS, DIED FRIDAY AFTER
A LONG FIGHT WITH CANCER. HE WAS ONLY FOUR DAYS AWAY FROM HIS 61ST
BIRTHDAY. "ONLY A COACH CAN APPRECIATE HOW MUCH A LOYAL AND TRUSTED
ASSISTANT CAN MEAN TO A TEAM," LONGHOFFER SAID OF WILLIAMS. "HE JUST MADE
THE WHOLE PROCESS A LOT MORE FUN. HE HANDLED ALL OUR DEFENSIVE SCHEMES, AND
THERE WERE GAMES WE WON NOT JUST BECAUSE WE HAD BETTER PLAYERS, BUT BECAUSE
WE HAD A BETTER GAME PLAN. "ALL OF US NEED SOMEONE WE CAN GET AN HONEST
ANSWER FROM, TO TELL US THINGS WE MIGHT NOT WANT TO HEAR," LONGHOFER ADDED.
"DON WAS THAT WAY FOR ME AND FOR HIS PLAYERS. HE WAS ALWAYS UPFRONT WITH
ALL OF US." WILLIAMS SPENT 12 YEARS AS LONGHOFER'S ASSISTANT, AND THE
JUNIOR BLUES PLAYED IN THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN THAT TIME. HE
SERVED FOUR YEARS HAS RURAL'S HEAD COACH AND IN 1985 RETURNED THE CLASS 5A
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE SCHOOL. HE ALSO RECORDED ON THIRD-PLACE FINISH.
IN 1985 HE WAS NAMED THE 5A STATE COACH OF THE YEAR BY THE KANSAS BASKET
BALL COACHES ASSOCIATION AND CITY COACH OF THE YEAR BY THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL.
WILLIAMS ALSO SERVED AS THE SCHOOL'S GOLF COACH FOR 23 YEARS, AND HIS 1997
TEAM WON THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. AFTER TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES FOR
20 YEARS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR 12, WILLIAMS RETIRED IN 2002. HE WAS
INDUCTED INTO THE SCHOOL'S HALL OF FAME EARLIER THIS YEAR. TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL.
Class of 1961
BERBERICH
Name: LEONARD BERBERICH
COOPER
Name: LYNN COOPER
DOERSCHLAG
Name: JURL DOERSCHLAG
GERDES
Name: KAREN AKERSTROM
KAREN K. AKERSTROM, 66, PASSED AWAY, SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010 AT MIDLAND
HOSPICE SURROUNDED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFTER A COUREGOUS BATTLE WITH
LEUKEMIA. KAREN WAS BORN JUNE 15, 1943 IN HORTON, KS. SHE GRADUATED FROM
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1961. KAREN MARRIED LARRY G. AKERSTROM ON
JUNE 25, 1961 AT ST. ANDREWS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SHE MANAGED MEADOW LANES
BOWL FOR MANY YEARS AND ALSO WORKED RIGHT ALONGSIDE HER HUSBAND AND SON IN
THEIR BUSINESS, SUPERIOR CARPET AND CONSTRUCTION. KAREN BELONGED TO THE
MOOSE LODGE AND THE AMERICAN LEGION. SHE ENJOYED HER FRIDAY NIGHT COUPLES
GOLF, HER TUESDAY LADIES GOLF GROUP, HER BRIDGE GROUP, AND SHE BOWLED IN
MANY LEAGUES. KAREN WAS PROUD TO BE THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL AT VALEO. SURVIVORS
INCLUDE HER HUSBAND, LARRY; SON, BRENT AKERSTROM (TERRY); DAUGHTER, TAMMY
FREED (CURT); BROTHER, WAYNE GERDES; TWIN SISTER, CAROLE NEWELL;
GRANDCHILDREN, DON, AMBER, SCOTT, AND ANGELA AKERSTROM, JORDAN AND JARED
FREED; GREAT GRANDAUGHTER, ARANA AKERSTROM AND MANY NIECES AND NEPHEWS;
STEP FATHER, GENE GRBINSON. SHE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER MOTHER AND
FATHER, CARL GERDES AND HELEN GERDES ROBINSON; NEPHEW BRYAN JOHNSON;
IN-LAWS, JOHN AND LOLA AKERSTROM. BURIAL WAS AT TOPEKA CEMETERY TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL. MAY 9, 2010
GLORVIGEN
Name: LLOYD GLORVIGEN
HARRISON
Name: JIM HARRISON
HOLLIDAY
Name: BENNIE HOLLIDAY
MILES
Name: DAVID MILES
ROSS
Name: KATHRYN ANDERSON
KATHRYN KATHY ANDERSON, 65, OF TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY AT HER HOME OF NATURAL
CAUSES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008. KATHY WAS BORN JULY 17, 1943 IN ROCKFORD,
ILLINOIS THE DAUGHTER OF DONALD AND ELSIE SMALL ROSS. SHE SPENT THE
MAJORITY OF HER LIFE IN TOPEKA GRADUATING FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL
IN 1961. SHE ATTENDED EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND WASHBURN UNIVERSITY. SHE
HAD ATTENDED FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE ABWA. SHE HAD
WORKED FOR VICTORY LIFE INSURANCE AND H&R BLOCK. KATHY WAS CURRENTLY
EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF KANSAS SRS WORKING IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS. SHE WAS
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER FATHER. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HER MOTHER, ELSIE ROSS,
TOPEKA; ONE SISTER, KANDY LEHMANN, TOPEKA; ONE BROTHER, KIM ROSS, HOLTON,
KS; ELEVEN NIECES AND NEPHEWS, 20 GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS, AND THREE
GREAT-GREAT NIECES. INTERMENT IS AT THE ZION LUTHERAN CEMETERY, EVEREST,
KANSAS.
STEVICK
Name: JAMES STEVICK
TUGGLE
Name: DONNA TUGGLE
Class of 1962
AUMAN
Name: RICTOR AUMAN
CRITES
Name: GEORGE CRITES
DOERSCHLAG
Name: BETTY DOERSCHLAG
DUNCAN
Name: JIM DUNCAN
HAWKS
Name: TOM HAWKS
HOVEY
Name: GAYLE HOVEY
HOWELL
Name: CHARLES (CHUCK) HOWELL
ST. CHARLES, MO. - CHARLES EMERSON "CHUCK" HOWELL, 61, ST. CHARLES, MO.,
FORMERLY OF ANKENY, IOWA, DIED PEACEFULLY SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2005, AT
BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL IN ST. LOUIS. WIDOWED SINCE 1984, HE WAS THE HUSBAND
OF THE LATE JOHNANN CATHERINE MCKITTRICK HOWELL. HE WAS BORN IN DEMING,
N.M., THE SON OF BETTY EMERSON HOWELL AND THE LATE CHARLES EDWIN HOWELL. HE
GREW UP IN TOPEKA AND GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL. HE
ATTENDED CHURCH COLLEGE OF HAWAII AND EMPORIA STATE IN KANSAS. FROM KANSAS
HIS CAREER TOOK HIM AND HIS FAMILY TO ANKENY, IOWA, WHERE HE LIVED FOR MANY
YEARS BAFORE MOVING TO ST. CHARLES. CHUCK IS SURVIVIED BY HIS MOTHER, BETTY
EMERSON HOWELL, ESTES PARK, CO.; A BROTHER, BOB HOWELL AND HIS WIFE, DIANE,
ESTES PARK, CO.; A SISTER, SALLY AUSTIN RAY AND HER HUSBAND, JERRY, OLATHE,
KAN.; TWO CHILCREN, CATHERINE LOUISE HOWELL, ALTOONA, IOWA, AND CHARLES
EDWIN HOWELL AND TINA, CUMMING, IOWA; GRANDCHILDREN, COLTON CHARLES HOWELL,
HALEY LYNN HOWELL AND DYLAN EDWARD STEIL; NIECES AND NEPHEWS; AND A
LONGTIME FRIEND, DARLENE SPAFFORD, ST. CHARLES. BURIAL WAS AT
PENWELL-GABEL'S MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY IN TOPEKA. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
6/15/2005
JOHNSTON
Name: TED JOHNSTON
MCELHANON
Name: WARREN MCELHANON
VINCENT
Name: DARRELL VINCENT
Class of 1963
BILLINGSLEY
Name: LEONARD BILLINGSLEY
CALL
Name: FRANCES CALL
CASEBIER
Name: RICHARD CASEBIER
CLUGSTON
Name: MICHELE KELLEY
SANSCHAGRIN
Name: TOMMY SANSCHAGRIN
Class of 1964
BOGAN
Name: PEGGY SWANSON
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM KAREN FRITTS ON 4/8/2009 (CLASS OF 1964): JUST A NOTE
TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT PEGGY BOGAN SWANSON PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING ABOUT
6:00 IN A COLUMBUS OHIO HOSPITAL. SHE PASSED PEACEFULLY IN HER SLEEP. SHE
WAS SO LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING TO TOPEKA FOR THIS SUMMER'S REUNION.
CEARLEY
Name: KEITH CEARLEY
H. KEITH CEARLEY, JR., 62, A RESIDENT OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS PASSED AWAY
ON MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 AT THE HOME OF HIS SISTER, MARILYN MATHIS AND
HUSBAND BILL IN DOYLESTOWN, PA. HE WAS BORN ON MAY 3, 1946 IN LITTLE ROCK,
ARKANSAS AND WAS A BELOVED SON, FATHER, BROTHER AND FRIEND. HE GRADUATED
FROM WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT
MANAGEMENT AND BEGAN HIS CAREER AS THE YOUNGEST INNKEEPER IN THE HISTORY OF
THE HOLIDAY INN HOTELS. HE PURCHASED HIS FIRST BONANZA RESTAURANT IN
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS IN 1972 AND BUILT THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS INTO A
MULTI-STATE ORGANIZATION. IN 1976, HE FULFILLED A LIFELONG DREAM AND OPENED
THE OLD POST OFFICE RESTAURANT. THE RESTORATION OF THE OLD POST OFFICE,
WHICH WAS PLACED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF HISTORIC PLACES, WAS A MAJOR
FORCE IN REJUVENATING DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE AND BECAME AN INTEGRAL PART OF
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. HE WAS AN AVID FAN AND FINANCIAL SUPPORTER OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL PROGRAMS AS WELL AS LOCAL
YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS MOTHER FRANCES AMBORT CEARLEY
OF DALLAS, TX, SON SEAN AND GRANDDAUGHTER ANNA OF SEATTLE, WA, SON CHAD OF
FAYETTEVILLE, AR, BROTHER DON, OF COLLEGE STATION, TX, AND SISTER, MARILYN
MATHIS, OF DOYLESTOWN, PA. A GRAVESIDE SERVICE CONDUCTED BY MEMORIAL
GARDENS OF SHERIDAN WILL BE HELD AT 11:00 A.M. ON MAY 11TH AT GRAPEVINE
CEMETERY IN GRAPEVINE, ARKANSAS. A MEMORIAL SERVICE IN CELEBRATION OF
KEITH'S LIFE WILL BE HELD AT MOORE'S CHAPEL IN FAYETTEVILLE ON TUESDAY, MAY
12, AT 10:00 A.M. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, CONTRIBUTIONS IN HIS NAME CAN BE MADE
TO CROSSROADS HOSPICE, 300 LAKESIDE DRIVE SUITE 120, HORSHAM, PA 19044.
CHALMERS
Name: ROB CHALMERS
ROBERT EARL CHALMERS, 62 OF SCOTTSDALE, AZ., PASSED AWAY ON THURSDAY, JULY
3, 2008 AT THE HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY'S SHERMAN HOME IN PHOENIX. HE WAS
COMFORTED AT HIS BEDSIDE BY HIS WIFE, SON AND CLOSE FRIENDS. ROB WAS BORN
ON FEBRUARY 6, 1946 IN EVERETT, WA, THE SON OF DONALD AND LEONA CHALMERS
OF TOPEKA. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS BELOVED WIFE RITA, MOTHER LEONA AND SON
BRETT AND WIFE STACY AND GRANDCHILDREN COLE AND RILEY. A GRADUATE OF
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, ROB SERVED 31
YEARS AS A FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT, RETIRING IN 2002 FROM THE U.S.
POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE. HIS INVESTIGATIVE WORK INCLUDED ASSIGNMENTS IN
SALT LAKE CITY, DENVER AND WASHINGTON. INERMENT WAS AT THE LYNDON CEMETERY.
PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON 7/15/2008.
ECKHART
Name: GREGG ECKHART
FINNERTY
Name: WILLIAM FINNERTY
BILL FINNERTY DIED SUDDENLY IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT SUNDAY, NOV. 9, 2003.
BILL WAS BORN APRIL 5, 1946, IN OGDEN, UTAH, THE SON OF WILLIAM JOSEPH
FINNERTY II AND ALBERTHA ANN (CLARK) FINNERTY. BEING FROM AN AIR FORCE
FAMILY, BILL LIVED IN MANY PLACES WHILE HE WAS GROWING UP, INCLUDING NEW
YORK, ALABAMA, NEBRASKA, TEXAS, AND MOROCCO, WHICH WOULD CERTINLY EXPLAIN
HIS LOVE FOR TRAVEL. HE GRADUATED WITH DEGREES FROM BOTH KANSAS STATE
UNIVERSITY IN BIOLOGY AND COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY IN BUSINESS. BILL MET
HIS WIVE PAT GERARDY, WHILE IN COLLEGE, AND THEY MARRIED IN AUGUST OF 1969.
THEY MOVED TO FORT COLLINS IN 1971 AND THERE RAISED THEIR DAUGHTER, JILL.
BILL WORKED FOR THE USDA AS AN AUDITOR FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS. ALTHOUGH
TRAVELING FOR WORK MEANT THAT HE WAS AWAY FROM THE FAMILY, BILL ESPECIALLY
ENJOYED WORKING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., NEW ORLEANS, AND NEW YORK, WHERE ON
OCCASION, PAT WAS ABLE TO GO WITH HIM AND SPEND TIME SIGHTSEEING. BILL WAS
A WONDERFUL, PATIENT AND PROUD FATHER. HE AND JILL WERE VERY CLOSE. BILL
LOVED HUMOR AND HAD AN INFECTIOUS LAUGH THAT GAVE ALL HIS FAMILY AND
FRIENDS GREAT JOY. HE WAS SINCERE, HONEST AND A DOWN-TO-EARTH KIND OF GUY.
TAKING ROAD TRIPS WITH HIS WIFE, PAT, VISITING SMALL TOWNS, DINING WITH THE
LOCALS AND SEARCHING FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES PROVIDED MANY WONDERFUL
MEMORIES. MAINE IN THE FALL; THE WEST COAST IN THE WINTER; UTAH IN THE
SPRING; AND YELLOWSTONE IN THE SUMMER WERE SOME OF HIS FAVORITE PLACES.
BILL WAS SPONTANEOUS. AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE, HE AND PAT WOULD PICK UP JILL,
BRYAN AND THE GRANDKIDS FOR A NIGHT OF CAMPING AND GAZING AT THE STARS
TOGETHER. BILL WAS ALWAYS INVOLVED IN SPORTS, PLAYING IN HIGH SCHOOL AND
LATER AS A FAN ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTING HIS LOCAL TEAMS. HIS
GRANDCHILDREN, GAVIN AND PAYTON, MEANT THE WORLD TO HIM. BILL IS SURVIVED
BY HIS WIFE, PAT, OF FORT COLLINS; HIS DAUGHTER, JILL, HER HUSBAND, BRYAN
DEVLIN, AND GRANDCHILDREN GAVIN AND PAYTON OF EATON.
KOELLING
Name: LARRY KOELLING
SURF CITY, NC -- LARRY ALLEN KOELLING, 59, OF SURF CITY, DIED SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 17, 2006 AT ONSLOW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN JACKSONVILLE, NC. AT HIS
REQUEST, THERE WILL BE NO MEMORIAL SERVICES. LARRY WORKED FOR GOODYEAR TIRE
CO. FOR 32 YEARS BEFORE RETIRING AND FULFILLING HIS DREAM OF LIVING AT AND
ENJOYING THE BEACH AND OCEAN IN SURF CITY, NC. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY
HIS FATHER, HARRY KOELLING. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS WIFE, KAREN KOELLING; ONE
DAUGHTER, HEATHER SMITH OF BERRYTON, KS; HIS MOTHER, MARLETA MOORE OF
MURPHY, NC; ONE BROTHER, JOE KOELLING OF MURPHY, NC; ONE GRANDDAUGHTER,
KOELL SMITH OF BERRYTON, KS; ONE GRANDSON, STEELE SMITH OF BERRYTON, KS;
TWO STEP-DAUGHTERS, STEPHENY AMBROSE AND HER SON, MAX, OF TOPEKA, KS AND
KRISTY DROEGEMEIER AND HER DAUGHTER, KATELYN, OF BURLINGAME, KS. INSTEAD OF
SENDING FLOWERS, LARRY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED YOU TO REMEMBER HIM WITH
HAPPINESS AND SHARING WITH YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE
BY JONES FUNERAL HOME, HOLLY RIDGE, N.C. PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL FROM 9/20/2006 - 9/24/2006
MELLIES
Name: DONALD MELLIES
FROM LYLA ACCARDI: WRHS ALUMS, I JUST RECEIVED THIS FROM A DEAR FRIEND WHO
KNOWS THAT I KNOW DON MELLIES, WRHS 1964. DON HAD SEVERE ELEPISY ALL HIS
LIFE, AND FOR SEVERAL YEARS HAD MANY HEART PROBLEMS. THE TOPEKA PAPER DID A
STORY ABOUT DON AND HIS COMPANION DOG A FEW YEARS AGO. DON HAD LIVED AT
DRURY PLACE FOR NINE YEARS. DON HAD MADE MANY INTERNET FRIENDS OVER THE
YEARS, AND WE HAD STAYED IN TOUCH FOR THE PAST 15 OR SO YEARS TOO. DON WAS
A NICE MAN. PS I DID CONFIRM THIS WITH THE MGR AT DRURY PLACE. THE
FOLLOWING IS A NOTE RECEIVED BY LYLA: MY MOTHER JUST TOLD ME THAT DON (YOUR
CLASSMATE?) WHO LIVED AND WORKED AT DRURY PLACE WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS
APARTMENT SUNDAY MORNING. HE HAD BEEN OUT OF THE APARTMENT EARLIER AND
TAKEN HIS DOG JACK OUTSIDE. THE DOG, A DARLING DACHSHUND WHO WAS A TRAINED
COMPANION DOG FOR SOMEONE WITH DON'S MEDICAL PROBLEM, STARTED BARKING
FURIOUSLY MIDMORNING AND THEY WENT RIGHT IN AND FOUND DON. THOUGHT YOU
MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW THIS.
MUTUAL
Name: CANDY MUTUAL
OMAN
Name: BRADLEY OMAN
BRADLEY E. “BRAD” OMAN, 63, OF ALTAMONT, KANSAS, PASSED AWAY WITH HIS
FAMILY BY HIS SIDE AT 10:45 P.M., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010, AFTER A SHORT
BATTLE WITH CANCER. HE WAS BORN MAY 8, 1946, IN TOPEKA, KS, TO VINCENT AND
ALICE (YOUNGBLOM) OMAN. IN 1964, HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN TOPEKA, KS. HE RECEIVED A BS IN WOOD TECHNOLOGY FROM PITTSBURG
STATE UNIVERSITY, PITTSBURG, KS, IN 1972. BRAD WAS MARRIED TO JULIE HESS ON
AUGUST 26, 1967. THE COUPLE LIVED IN PITTSBURG BEFORE MOVING TO ALTAMONT IN
1968 WHERE THEY HAVE SINCE LIVED. FROM 1967 TO 1971, HE SERVED IN THE U.S.
NAVY ABOARD THE USS CORAL SEA AIRCRAFT CARRIER CV-43 AND WAS A LIFETIME
MEMBER OF THE VFW. FOLLOWING HIS DISCHARGE FROM THE NAVY, BRAD WORKED FOR
BOB DIVINE IN PARSONS AND THEN TAUGHT BUILDING AND TRADES AT LCHS IN
ALTAMONT FROM 1973 TO 1976. AFTER TEACHING, HE STARTED OMAN CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY BUILDING HOUSES AND DOING REMODELING, RETIRING IN 2007. HE WAS VERY
INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING THE ALTAMONT JAYCEES. LATER HE JOINED THE MASONIC
LODGE IN ALTAMONT. BRAD WAS ESPECIALLY CLOSE TO HIS FAMILY, PARTICULARLY
HIS THREE GRANDCHILDREN WHO HE WAS VERY PROUD OF. HE ENJOYED HUNTING,
FISHING AND CAMPING THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE. HE LOVED TO BE OUTDOORS AND WAS AN
AVID BIRD WATCHER. PLANTING A GARDEN WAS THE FIRST THING HE DID IN THE
SPRING. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS WIFE JULIE, TWO DAUGHTERS, JENNIFER RUSSELL
AND HUSBAND, RAY, OF PITTSBURG, KS; AND JANA INGRAM AND HUSBAND, RYAN, OF
CHENEY, KS; THREE GRANDCHILDREN, TATUM, KINSLEE AND BRODY INGRAM; AND HIS
BROTHER, BRENT OMAN, AND WIFE, TWILLA, OF HOUSTON, TX . HE WAS PRECEDED IN
DEATH BY HIS PARENTS, VINCENT AND ALICE, AND STEPFATHER, MELVIN SWAN.
BURIAL WAS IN MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY IN ALTAMONT.
RANKIN
Name: JOHN RANKIN
SALLEY
Name: EILEEN SALLEY
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON ~ EILEEN SALLEY, 57, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, PASSED AWAY
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2003. EILEEN WAS A 1964 GRADUATED OF WASHBURN RURAL
HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS BORN JANUARY 13, 1946, IN TAMPA, FLORIDA. SHE WAS
MARRIED TO JIM FIORITO IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, IN 2003. HE SURVIVES. OTHER
SURVIVORS INCLUDE A SON IN HOUSTON, TEXAS; HER MOTHER, MRS. DOROTHY
DESHONG, FLORIDA; A BROTHER, BILL DESHONG, SPOKANE; HER SISTER, KATHY, AT
THE TIME SERVING ON A NAVEL SHIP IN THE PERSIAN GULF; AND TWO
GRANDCHILDREN. MEMORIAL SERVICES WERE HELD IN SPOKANE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER
28, 2003. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL 9/30/2003
THRASHER
Name: RONNIE THRASHER
WILLOUGHBY
Name: MARTINA (MARTI) MILLER
MARTINA M. MILLER, 63, OF TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 AT
HER HOME. SHE WAS BORN SEPTEMBER 15, 1945 IN MUNICH, GERMANY THE DAUGHTER
OF IMFRIED AND MARTINA (WIMMER) WOEHRL. MARTINA WAS EMPLOYED AT JOANN
FABRICS FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS BEFORE SHE RETIRED. IT WAS AT JOANNS SHE WAS
ABLE TO SHARE HER LOVE OF SEWING WITH OTHERS. SHE ALSO ENJOYED GARDENING
AND CATS. SHE WAS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC FAITH. MARTINA WAS MARRIED TO JOHN
P. MILLER ON OCTOBER 6, 1964 IN AUBURN. HE PRECEDED HER IN DEATH ON
DECEMBER 19, 2002. SURVIVORS INCLUDE; TWO BROTHERS, GERHART WOEHRL OF
MUNICH, GERMANY AND HARTMUT FRED WOEHRL OF GRANITE CITY, IL, ONE SISTER,
HELGARD KEMNITZER OF MUNICH, GERMANY AND THREE NIECES, CHRISTINE FAIRCHILD
OF ST. LOUIS, MO, MELISSA CLEVENSTINE OF ST. LOUIS, MO AND SANDY ROBERTSON
OF TAMPA BAY, FL. THREE GREAT NIECES ALSO SURVIVE. MARTINA WAS CREMATED. AT
HER REQUEST NO SERVICES WILL BE HELD. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE MADE TO
THE HELPING HANDS HUMANE SOCIETY AND SENT IN CARE OF THE BRENNAN-MATHENA
FUNERAL HOME, 800 SW 6TH AVE., TOPEKA, KS 66603.
Class of 1965
CAVINESS
Name: KATHLEEN RUEDIGER
CONROY
Name: RONALD CONROY
COOK
Name: GORDON COOK
HEATHER
Name: GEORGE HEATHER
GEORGE E. HEATHER, 60, FORMERLY OF TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY ON THURSDAY, AUGUST
9, 2007 AT A LAWRENCE, KS HOSPITAL. HE WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 21, 1946 IN
BOONVILLE, MO, THE SON OF ROY E. AND GENEVA L. SIECKMANN HEATHER. HE
ATTENDED WASHBURN RURAL AND TOPEKA WEST HIGH SCHOOLS. GEORGE WAS A MARINE
VETERAN. SURVIVORS INCLUDE ONE DAUGHTER, DOVIAN WHITTAKER OF CARBONDALE,
ONE SON, JONATHAN E. HEATHER OF OLATHE, FIVE GRANDCHILDREN AND TWO SISTERS,
GAIL BABB OF TOPEKA AND JUDY LUBENESKY OF BATH, PA. GEORGE WAS PRECEDED IN
DEATH BY ONE BROTHER, JIM HEATHER AND ONE SISTER, BECKY WARTA. MEMORIAL
SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 11:00 A.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2007 AT NEWCOMER
FAMILY FUNERAL HOME. CREMATION IS PLANNED. PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON 8/17/2007
MOREHEAD
Name: ILA MOREHEAD
ILA DIED FROM CANCER IN 2003
RANKIN
Name: SCOTT RANKIN
Class of 1966
HINDSLEY
Name: JONE HARRIS
RHONE
Name: TIMOTHY RHONE
STONE
Name: KEN STONE
TOMSON
Name: JOHN TOMSON
LENEXA- JOHN S. TOMSON, 60, OF LENEXA, KANSAS, PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 12,
2008, AT MEDICALODGES OF GARDNER. GRAVESIDE SERVICES WILL BE AT 10:00 AM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2008, AT SHAWNEE CENTER CEMETERY, WAKARUSA, KS.
SURVIVORS INCLUDE 2 BROTHERS, JAMES G. TOMSON III AND HIS WIFE CHERYL AND
THOMAS K. TOMSON, ALL OF LENEXA, KS. JOHN GRADUATED FROM ST. JOHN'S
MILITARY SCHOOL IN SALINA, KS, WITH HONORS AND FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAM. HE WAS A
MEMBER OF NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY. JOHN ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA FRATERNITY AND PLAYED ON THE KU
BASKETBALL TEAM.
Class of 1967
DOMME
Name: CHARLES DOMME
VANDYKE
Name: BRUCE VANDYKE
BRUCE E. "BEETLE" VANDYKE BRUCE E. "BEETLE" VANDYKE, 58, OF TOPEKA, PASSED
AWAY ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007 AT MIDLAND HOSPICE HOUSE IN TOPEKA. HE WAS
BORN ON FEBRUARY 6, 1949 IN RURAL VALLEY, PENN., THE SON OF WARREN C. AND
MARGUERITE C. DOWDY VANDYKE. HE LIVED MOST OF HIS LIFE IN TOPEKA. HE WAS AN
ARMY VETERAN AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE KANSAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD RESERVE.
BEETLE WAS EMPLOYED BY ALLIS CHALMERS AND LATER BECAME A LETTER CARRIER FOR
THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FOR 25 YEARS BEFORE RETIRING. BEETLE MARRIED
DEBORAH L. HAYBARKER ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1974 IN TOPEKA. SHE SURVIVES. OTHER
SURVIVORS INCLUDE TWO DAUGHTERS, NICOLE E. VANDYKE AND JACQUELYN S. VANDYKE
BOTH OF TOPEKA, FOUR GRANDCHILDREN, ANDREW, ARYONNA, GEIVONNII AND KOBI,
HIS MOTHER, MARGUERITE C. "PEGGY" VANDYKE BROWN OF TOPEKA, TWO BROTHERS,
JOSEPH S. VANDYKE AND MICHAEL C. VANDYKE AND WIFE, DONNA ALL OF TOPEKA AND
SEVERAL NIECES AND NEPHEWS. SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 1:00 P.M. THURSDAY AT
PENWELL-GABEL MID TOWN CHAPEL. CREMATION WILL FOLLOW AND PRIVATE INURNMENT
WILL TAKE PLACE AT A LATER DATE. PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON
12/4/2007.
Class of 1968
CADY
Name: DAVID CADY
DYKES
Name: DON DYKES
GRIST
Name: LINDA GRIST
HUHS
Name: RONALD HUHS
RONALD EDWARD HUHS, 54, TOPEKA, DIED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2005, AT HIS HOME.
HE WAS BORN NOV. 9, 1950, IN TOPEKA, THE SON OF IVAN F. AND BERNADENE M.
BIEGERT HUHS. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTENDED
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY. HE SERVED IN THE NAVY FROM 1969 TO 1972. FOLLOWING HIS
DISCHARGE, HE ENTERED THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE IN TOPEKA, AND LATER JOINED
TWC CONSTRUCTION CO. OF WILLMAR, MINN. HE RETURNED TO TOPEKA IN 2004. IN
1975 HE MARRIED CYNTHIA F. GREER, WHERE TOGETHER THEY HAD A SON AND TWO
DAUGHTERS. THEY LATER DIVORCED AND HE MARRIED BONNIE LYN SWITHCH OF
SUDBURY, ONTARIO, CANADA, ON OCT. 21, 2000, IN MINNESOTA. SHE SURVIVES.
OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS SON, BENJAMIN JACOB HUHS AND HIS WIFE,
DANIELLE, HUTCHINSON; TWO DAUGHTERS, JESSICA RENEE HUHS, MIAMI, MO., AND
KELLI JEAN HUHS, ST. LOUIS; HIS MON=THER, BERNADENE FAQUA, TOPEKA; TWO
SISTERS, DIANNE MUSSO AND EILEEN BOYD, BOTH OF TOPEKA; AND FOUR
GRANDCHILDREN. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY A SISTER, JUDITH E. GRIGGS, ON
MAY 29, 2001. A FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE AT 11 A.M. SATURDAY AT
PENWELL-GABLE MID TOWN CHAPEL, 1321 S.W. 10TH AVE., TOPEKA.
TOPEKA-CAPITAL-JOURNAL
LIVGREN
Name: LINDA LIVGREN
MELLIES
Name: RICHARD MELLIES
NICKERSON
Name: SUE HENDRIX
SMITH
Name: ANNETTE CONNER
FROM ANNETTE'S DAUGHTER, MARIE, ANNETTE DIED ON 11/16/86 IN ROSSVILLE,
KANSAS FROM OVARIAN CANCER.
TETER
Name: PAULA TETER
PAULA A. TETER, 53, WAKARUSA, DIED WEDNESDAY, 2/19/2003, AT A TOPEKA
HOSPITAL. SHE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1968. SURVIVORS
INCLUDE HER MOTHER, VELMA TETER, WAKARUSA; 2 SISTERS, PATRICIA
RICHARDSOTETERJR.N, DEERING, ALASKA, AND PEGGY BEASTERFIELD, HARVEYVILLE;
AND A BROTHER, JOHN TETER, JR. , OHIO. SERVICES ARE TO BE AT 1 P.M.
SATURDAY AT PENWELL-GABEL MID-TOWN CHAPEL. BURIAL WAS AT SHAWNEE CENTER
CEMETERY AT WAKARUSA. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Class of 1969
BAKER
Name: LARRY BAKER
BEHNER
Name: BOB BEHNER
COLE
Name: BELINDA COLE
RUTHERFORD
Name: DANNY RUTHERFORD
Class of 1970
COLE
Name: GARY COLE
GARY DEAN COLE, 53, TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY MON., JUNE 26, 2006 AT HIS HOME. HE
WAS BORN OCT. 24, 1952, AT NEODESHA, THE SON OF FRANCIS W. AND CECILE M.
(HUMMEL) COLE. IN 1953, THE COLE FAMILY MOVED TO TOPEKA, WHERE GARY
GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL. GARY WORKED AT FALLEYS-FOOD 4
LESS FOR 16 YEARS; MILLERS PRODUCE; AND ADAMS. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY
HIS PARENTS AND A SISTER, BELINDA. SURVIVING ARE A BROTHER: JIMMIE L. OF
TOPEKA; AND 3 SISTERS: CATHERINE THOMPSON OF WICHITA, CHERYL LINDBURG OF
TOPEKA, AND JOAN BELL OF WICHITA. INTERMENT WAS AT PENWELL-GABEL CEMETERY
AND MAUSOLEUM. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON 6/28/2006.
Class of 1980
HOWEY
Name: JEFF HOWEY
Class of 1984
GLOTZBACH
Name: RICK GLOTZBACH
DIED MARCH 30, 2003
Class of 1994
MURRAY
Name: CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
CHRISTOPHER DEAN MURRAY JR., 26, FORMERLY OF TOPEKA, DIED TUESDAY, AUG. 6,
2002, AT A KANSAS CITY, KAN., HOSPITAL FROM BURNS HE SUFFERED IN AN
ACCIDENT IN APRIL. MR. MURRAY HAD BEEN A DESIGN ENGINEER FOR INFRA-RED
TECHNOLOGIES AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE MID-WEST OUTLAW LIGHTNING SPRINTS FOR
THREE YEARS. HE WAS BORN FEB. 22, 1976, IN TOPEKA, THE SON OF CHRISTOPHER
DEAN MURRAY AND CAROL DIANE PROBUSKY. HE ATTENDED SEAMAN HIGH SCHOOL AS A
FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE AND GRADUATED WITH HIGH HONORS FROM WASHBURN RURAL
HIGH SCHOOL IN 1994. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AND
EARNED THE PRESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC AWARD. HE EARNED A BACKELOR'S DEGREE IN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS IN 1998, WHERE HE WAS A
TEAM LEADER FOR THE FABRICATION OF THE FORMULA VEE CAR. HE MOVED TO KANSAS
CITY, MO., FROM LAWRENCE IN 1998. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS FATHER AND
STEPMOTHER, CHRISTOPHER DEAN AND GAYLA A. CHANCELLOR MURRAY SR., TOPEKA;
HIS MOTHER AND STEPFATHER, CAROL DIANE AND HAL GRAY, TOPEKA; TWO HALF
BROTHERS, ADAME KANE CHANCELLOR AND SHAWN TYLER GRAY, BOTH OF TOPEKA; TWO
STEPBROTHERS, JOSHUA WILLIAM AND JARED ANDREW GRAY, BOTH OF KANSAS CITY,
KAN.; TWO HALF SISTERS, APRIL ANN CHANCELLOR AND ASHLEY LORRAINE GRAY, BOTH
OF TOPEKA; A STEPSISTER, MARTINA MARIE GRAY, DENVER; GRANDPARENTS, RUTH
LORRAINE AND EDWARD G. PORUBSKY, PATRICIA LEE MURRAY AND FRANK HENRY
MURRAY, ALL OF TOPEKA; AND GREAT-GRANDPARENTS, FRANK AND LORETTA MURRAY,
TOPEKA. BURIAL WAS AT WEST LAWN MEMORIAL GARDENS. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL
8/11/2002.
OTHERS
NUSBAUM
Name: HELEN NUSBAUM
HELEN C. NUSBAUM, 81, TOPEKA, DIED FRIDAY, OCT. 18, 2002, AT A TOPEKA
NURSING HOME. MRS. NUSBAUM HAD WORKED AT WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND
RETIRED AS A TITLE I READING AIDE AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL. SHE WAS BORN FEB. 4, 1921, IN DENVER, THE DAUGHTER OF TRUMAN AND
GOLDIE STRATTON MARN. SHE GRADUATED FROM HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL IN 1938.
MRS. NUSBAUM WAS A LIFE MEMBER OF TOPEKA REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SHE
WAS A VOLUNTEER CUB SCOUT DEN MOTHER AND A VOLUNTEER FOR THE COLMERY-O'NEIL
VA MEDICAL CENTER. SHE ALSO VOLUNTEERED AT THE TOPEKA AND SHAWNEE COUNTY
PUBLIC LIBRARY. SHE WAS PAST PRESIDENT OF THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY TO PHILIP
BILLARD POST NO. 1650 OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS. SHE WAS ACTIVE IN
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY WALKERS. SHE MARRIED NED A. NUSBAUM ON AUG. 3, 1940, IN
ATCHISON. HE SURVIVES. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE THREE SONS, NED A. NUSBAUM
JR., TOPEKA, PAUL W. NUSBAUM, PLATTE CITY, MO., AND MARK NUSBAUM, LUBBOCK,
TEXAS; A DAUGHTER, BEVERLY NUSBAUM JOHNSON, SAN RAFAEL, CALIF.; TWO
BROTHERS, WILBUR MARN, TECUMSEH, AND CHARLES MARN, MARSHALL, MO.; A SISTER,
SARA CUSTER, TOPEKA; AND 11 GRANDCHILDREN. BURIAL WAS IN MOUNT HOPE
CEMETERY. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL OCTOBER 2002
STALLARD
Name: BRYCE STALLARD
DR. BRYCE D. STALLARD, 79, TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006
AT MIDLAND HOSPICE HOUSE. BRYCE WAS BORN NOVEMBER 17, 1926 IN TOPEKA, THE
SON OF HOBART MCKINLEY AND LOTTIE GERTRUDE STALLARD. HE GRADUATED FROM
LIBERTY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL IN LAWRENCE IN 1944. BRYCE SERVED IN THE U.S.
NAVY DURING WORLD WAR II. HE RECEIVED A BACHELORS DEGREE FROM BAKER
UNIVERSITY IN 1950, AND A MASTERS IN EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS IN 1960, AND LATER HIS DOCTOR OF EDUCATION FROM
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1971. BRYCE TAUGHT MATHEMATICS AND COACHED
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND WAS NAMED THE KANSAS STATE
COACH OF THE YEAR IN 1960 WHEN HIS WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
TEAM WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. HE SERVED AS A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AT
GOODLAND AND OLATHE AND A SUPERINTENDENT IN WICHITA, NORTON, SATANTA,
OMAHA, NEBRASKA AND FAIRBANKS, ALASKA. HE RETIRED IN 1991. AFTER RETIRING,
HE CONTINUED TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH IN THE TOPEKA 501 SCHOOL DISTRICT UNTIL
FEBRUARY 2006. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 400 IN TOPEKA,
THE LIONS, ROTARY, OPTIMIST AND KIWANIS CLUBS, AND WAS A 32ND DEGREE MASON.
BRYCE MARRIED LOIS M. JONES ON JUNE 5, 1949 IN FRANKFORT. SHE SURVIVES.
OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE THEIR CHILDREN; SHERYL MATHIS AND SONDRA BLESSING,
BOTH OF LAWRENCE, MARK STALLARD, OVERLAND PARK AND PENNY HELMICK, TOPEKA; 7
GRANDCHILDREN AND 2 BROTHERS; ALVIS STALLARD, TOPEKA AND DAVID STALLARD,
DERBY. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY 2 SISTERS; JEAN EVANS AND RUTH STALLARD.
A FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 10:30 A.M. ON SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2006 AT
FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH IN TOPEKA. BURIAL WILL BE IN THE UNDERWOOD
CEMETERY IN WILLIAMSTOWN. PUBLISHED IN THE TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON
3/3/2006.
TEACHERS
BEASON
Name: STEVEN BEASON
STEVEN B. BEASON, 47, TOPEKA, DIED FRIDAY, AUG. 9, 2002, AT A TOPEKA
HOSPICE HOUSE. HE HAD AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS, ALSO KNOWN AS LOU
GEHRIG'S DISEASE. MR. BEASON TAUGHT AND COACHED AT QUIVIRA HEIGHTS HIGH
SCHOOL IN BUSHTON FOR THREE YEARS AND THEN IN WHITTIER, CALIF., FOR TWO
YEARS HE WAS HEAD COACH OF THE MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM AT CALIFORNIA
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF., FOR 10 YEARS AND HE HAD
TAUGHT AND WAS HEAD COACH OF BOY'S BASKETBALL AT WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL
FOR THREE YEARS. HE WAS BORN JUNE 1, 1955, IN SAN DIEGO, THE SON OF STEVE
CASS AND JOAN MULLEN BEASON. HE WAS REARED IN CALIFORNIA AND EARNED A
BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND A MASTER'S DEGREE IN POLITICAL
SCIENCE AT EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY. HE HAD LIVED IN TOPEKA FOR THE PAST
FOUR YEARS. HE MARRIED DENISE BEASON ON JUNE 25TH, 1983, IN EMPORIA. SHE
SURVIVES. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE TWO DAUGHTERS, ASHLEY D. BEASON AND LAURA
B. BEASON, BOTH AT HOME; HIS FATHER, STEVE CASS BEASON, MANHATTAN; HIS
MOTHER AND STEPFATHER, JOAN AND WERNER SITZ, CENTERVILLE, VA; AND THREE
SISTERS, STACE NUNZ, MISSION VIEJO, CALIF., CANDANCE BEASON, LACANADA,
CALIF., AND PAIGE WESLEY, IN MARYLAND. MR. BEASON WAS CREMATED. TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL 8/11/2002.
COOKSON
Name: FRANK COOKSON
JONES
Name: CAROLYN JONES
PEEL
Name: ROBERT (BOB) PEEL
BOB PEEL, A FORMER FOOTBALL AND TRACK COACH AT WASHBURN RURAL, DIED IN
JUNEAU, ALASKA, ON JUNE 17 AT THE AGE OF 73 AFTER A BOUT WITH CANCER. PEEL
COACHED AT RURAL FROM 1954-1965 AND COMPILED A 57-40-1 RECORD AS THE JUNIOR
BLUES' FOOTBALL COACH. HE HAD A STRETCH OF SEVEN WINNING SEASONS IN EIGHT
YEARS, INCLUDING TWO PERFECT 9-0 SEASONS. PEEL WAS ALSO ASSISTANT
BASKETBALL COACH FOR RURAL'S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IN 1959-1960. TOPEKA
CAPITAL-JOURNAL
SLOOP
Name: BUD SLOOP
STOLL
Name: CURTIS STOLL
WALLACE
Name: SHARLYN WALLACE
SHARLYN TOD WALLACE, AGE 71, OF TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16,
2009 IN TOPEKA FOLLOWING A STRUGGLE WITH CANCER. SHE WAS BORN JULY 31, 1937
IN TOPEKA THE DAUGHTER OF ERNEST AND VIRGINIA JENKINS LESSER. AS A CHILD
SHE LIVED IN THE JAY STREET COMMUNITY OF NORTH TOPEKA WHERE SHE ATTENDED
LYMAN GRADE SCHOOL THROUGH THE EIGHTH GRADE. AS A STUDENT AT LYMAN SHE
PLAYED BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL COUNTY WIDE AS WELL AS PLAYING ON OTHER
COMMUNITY TEAMS. SHE PLAYED BASKETBALL FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR THE SANTA FE
STREAMLINERS AND SOFTBALL FOR THE D-X JUNIORS AND LATER FOR THE OHSE MEATS
WOMANS TEAM. SHARLYN STARTED HIGH SCHOOL AT SEAMAN. IN HER SENIOR YEAR, SHE
WAS PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL, EDITOR OF THE SCHOOL NEWSPAPER (THE
CLIPPER) AND GRADUATED AS SALUTATORIAN OF THE CLASS OF 1955. IN THE FALL OF
1955, SHE ENROLLED AT EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND RECEIVED HER BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE DEGREE IN EDUCATION IN 1959. ON JUNE 21, 1959, SHE MARRIED DANIEL
LEE WALLACE OF HONGA, MARYLAND. SHE WAS A TEACHER AT WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL AND JAY SNIVELER JR. HIGH SCHOOL. IN 1965 SHE LEFT TEACHING TO JOIN
HER HUSBAND IN THEIR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS, WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY. INTERMENT
WILL BE AT THE ROCHESTER CEMETERY.
BAINBRIDGE
Name: ELDEENE MILLER
ELDEENE O. MILLER, 84, TOPEKA, DIED THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2003, AT A LOCAL
NURSING HOME. SHE WAS BORN DEC. 22, 1918, IN TOPEKA, THE DAUGHTER OF ELMER
AND ORPHIA BAINBRIDGE. HER MOTHER DIED WHEN SHE WAS 3 DAYS OLD. SHE WAS
REARED BY MINNIE AND WALLIE BAINBRIDGE, HER AUNT AND UNCLE, IN TOPEKA. SHE
GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1936, WHICH WAS THEN ON THE
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. SHE WORKED AT GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. IN THE
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, THEN MOVED TO THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT. SHE RETIRED
AROUND 1980. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE GOODYEAR SALARIED RETIREMENT CLUB AND
THE GOODYEAR HOURLY RETIREMENT CLUB. SHE WAS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GERMAN
CLUB IN KANSAS CITY. SHE VOLUNTEERED AT THE VA HOSPITAL. SHE WAS PRECEDED
IN DEATH BY HER HUSBAND, KENNETH RAYMOND MILLER, AND A BROTHER, ELMER
BAINBRIDGE. BURIAL WAS AT MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY. TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL.
