WRHS Alum Obit Information
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Send obituaries of WRHS alum to:
Ted Mitchell
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Class of 1921
HOLLIDAY
Name: HERBERT HOLLIDAY
HERBERT HOLLIDAY SR., 100, BERRYTON, DIED SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2004, AT A
TOPEKA HOSPITAL. HE WAS BORN APRIL 11, 1903 IN BELLE PLAINE, THE SON OF
ROBERT LINCOLN AND LUCINDA STURGIS HOLLIDAY. MR HOLLIDAY WAS THE OLDEST
LIVING GRADUATE OF WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL, GRADUATING IN 1921. HE
TAUGHT SCHOOL IN HIS EARLY YEARS, AND BEGAN FARMING IN 1927 IN SHAWNEE
COUNTY. HE LIVED ON THE SAME FARM NEAR BERRYTON SINCE 1946 UNTIL HIS DEATH.
HE WAS A 78-YEAR MEMBER OF THE MASONIC LODGE, IN WHICH HE HELD NUMEROUS
OFFICES. HE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ALBERT NEESE LODGE NO. 248, WHERE
HE HAD BEEN A MEMBER SINCE 1948 AND A MEMBER OF THE SCOTTISH RITE BODIES.
HE WAS A 78-YEAR MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR AND WAS A MEMBER
OF WAKARUSA CHAPTER NO. 390 OES AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. HE WAS A MEMBER
OF ELMONT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND IN EARLY YEARS, HAD BEEN ACTIVE IN
THE MONMOUTH TOWNSHIP FARM BUREAU. HE WAS A MEMBER OF LAWRENCE CAMERA CLUB
AND THE TOPEKA CAMERA CLUB AND HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS NATIONAL AWARDS FOR
HIS PHOTOGRAPHY. HE MARRIED IRENE STAPEL ON DEC. 24, 1922, IN ELMONT. SHE
PRECEDED HIM IN DEATH ON NOV. 4, 1997. HE ALSO WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS
SON, HERBERT E. HOLLIDAY JR., ON JUNE 19, 1999; HIS GRANDAUGHTER, DR BRENDA
LOYD; TWO BROTHERS, A. OWEN HOLLIDAY AND ROBERT D. HOLLIDAY; AND HIS
SISTER, RUTH HILTON. SURVIVORS INCLUDE A DAUGHTER, BARBARA LUE SIMMER,
TOPEKA; SIX GRANDCHILDREN, 19 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, AND 3
GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN.
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 1929
SOUEL
Name: LILLIAN (DANNY) JACKSON
LILLIAN JANICE SOULE DANNY JACKSON, 100, OF TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY SUNDAY,
MARCH 20, 2011 AT HER HOME SURROUNDED BY LOVED ONES. SHE WAS BORN JANUARY
26, 1911 IN DODGE CITY, KS, THE DAUGHTER OF ARTHUR LOUIS AND EMILY FRANCES
(MADISON) SOULE. SHE MARRIED CLARKE M. JACKSON AT HER PARENT
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 1947
KINGMAN
Name: RICHARD KINGMAN
RICHARD E. KINGMAN, 74, TOPEKA, DIED SUNDAY, NOV. 2, 2003, AT A TOPEKA
RETIREMENT HOME. HE WAS BORN SEPT. 5, 1929, IN TOPEKA, THE SON OF SETH P.
KINGMAN AND LOUISE WATSON KINGMAN. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN 1947 AND FROM WASHBURN UNIVERSITY IN 1952. MR. KINGMAN WAS AN
OFFICER IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS AND SERVED IN JAPAN AND KOREA. HE HAD BEEN
EMPLOYEED BY PL DALE CONTRACTOR IN GARDEN CITY, ROBERT E. MCKEE
CONSTRUCTION IN MANHATTAN AND ALLIED ENGINEERING IN TOPEKA. HE WAS PARTNER
IN KRAMER ENGINEERING IN TOPEKA FOR 28 YEARS. HE ESTABLISHED HIS OWN
SURVEYING BUSINESS IN 1984. MR. KINGMAN WAS A MEMBER OF BOTH THE KANSAS AND
MISSOURI LAND SURVEYORS AND HAD SERVED AS PRESIDENT AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. HE WAS AND AVID AIRPLANE MODELER AND DEVOTED A LIFETIME
ENJOYING AND SHARING HIS INTERESTS. HE WAS A LONGTIME MEMBER OF THE CAPITAL
CITY RC MODLERS ORGANIZATION AND THE BLUE SKY SQUADRON OF IMAA SCALE
MODELERS CLUB. HE WAS ALSO A BOY SCOUT ADVISER, A PREVIOUS MEMBER OF THE
BREAKFAST OPTIMIST CLUB AND HE ENJOYED A LIFELONG INTEREST IN AMERICAN
HISTORY AS A MEMBER OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL AND OREGON TRAIL ASSOCIATIONS. HE
WAS A MEMBER OF COUNTRYSIDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR MANY YEARS. HE
MARRIED BARBARA KRAMER ON JAN. 28, 1953, IN TOPEKA. SHE SURVIVES. OTHER
SURVIVORS INCLUDE A BROTHER, HAROLD KINGMAN, SAFFORD, ARIZ.; A SON, MARK
KINGMAN AND HIS WIFE, SHERYL, TOPEKA; A DAUGHTER, MELISSA AND HER HUSBAND,
MARK RAU, TOPEKA; AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN.
Class of 1948
READY
Name: DARLENE "POLLY" READY
DARLENE ‘POLLY’ READY, 72, DIED FRIDAY, JAN. 9, 2004, IN TOPEKA. SHE WAS
BORN MARCH 3, 1931, IN JEFFERSON COUNTY TO CLARENCE READY AND LAVERNE
MARTIN READY, EASTON. SHE MOVED TO TOPEKA IN 1946 AND GRADUATED FROM
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1948 AND ATTENDED CLARKS BUSINESS SCHOOL. SHE
MARRIED DUANE BERGREN IN 1949. TWO SONS WERE BORN TO THIS UNION. THE COUPLE
LATER DIVORCED. AFTER LEAVING TOPEKA IN 1965 TO RESIDE IN OMAHA, NEB., SHE
WAS EMPLOYED AT UNMC AND RETIRED IN 1984. SHE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER
PARENTS, CLARENCE AND LAVERNE. SURVIVING ARE A COMPANION, DR. DONALD E.
CLARK, TOPEKA; AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW RANDY AND COLLEEN BERGREN,
GRETNA, NEB., AND DENNIS BERGREN AND JAN, OMAHA, NEB.; AND THREE
GRANDCHILDREN, CHRISTINE, JAKE, AND KATIE BERGREN, ALL OF GRETNA.
SHORTHILL
Name: MARIAN EAKES
MARIAN E. EAKES, 74, TOPEKA, DIED FRIDAY, DEC. 17, 2004, AT MIDLAND HOSPICE
HOUSE. MARIAN WAS BORN NOV. 24, 1930, IN TOPEKA, THE DAUGHTER OF ROLLO AND
OLIVE REDMOND SHORTHILL. SHE GRADUATED IN 1948 FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL. ON JULY 22, 1950, MARIAN AND JOSEPH EAKES WERE MARRIED. MARIAN WAS
A HOMEMAKER. SHE COACHED GIRLS BASKETBALL AT HOLY NAME SCHOOL AND
VOLUNTEERED AT THE YMCA. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF HOLY NAME CHURCH AND OUR LADY
OF MOUNT CARMEL CIRCLE. MARIAN IS SURVIVED BY HER HUSBAND, JOE; HER
DAUGHTERS, MARILYN ANDERSON, MARCIA DEVLIN, PATTY KADLIECK AND BARBIE
APPLEHANZ, ALL OF TOPEKA, TRESA BURGESS, FREDONIA, AND ANNETTE KELLY,
HOLTON; HER SISTERS, MARILYN WITHMAN, TOPEKA, AND JEAN DORMAN, EL DORADO;
19 GRANDCHILDREN; AND 11 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. SHE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY
HER SON, JOE, IN 1999, AND HER GRANDDAUGHTER, JENNIFER LYNN ANDERSON, IN
1988.
Class of 1950
WELLS
Name: JAMES WELLS
PUBLISHED IN TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 JAMES EDWARD
WELLS WAS BORN JULY 27, 1932 IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. HE GRADUATED FROM
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1950. HE ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON AND RECEIVED A B.A. FROM WASHBURN UNIVERSITY IN 1954. IN 1963,
HE RECEIVED HIS LEGAL DEGREE FROM THE WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW.
JUDGE WELLS IS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS MOTHER, FLORENCE KIRKPATRICK,
TOPEKA, AND HIS LOVING WIFE OF OVER 30 YEARS, LORENE WELLS IN 1985. HIS IS
SURVIVED BY HIS FOUR CHILDREN, DOUG WELLS (JEANINE), TOPEKA, CHRIS DENNIS,
OZAWKIE, SHERYL WELLS, LOWELL, MA AND WENDY WELLS (BOYD JANTZEN), TOPEKA; 6
GRANDCHILDREN, 6 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, AND HIS DEAR COMPANION OF MANY YEARS,
MAXINE DEVER. JUDGE WELLS PROUDLY SERVED HIS COUNTRY AS A CAPTAIN IN THE
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE FOR A SIX YEAR PERIOD. IN THIS COMMISSION HE
SUPERVISED OVER 200 DEDICATED MEN STATIONED IN TOKYO, JAPAN. JUDGE WELLS
HAD AN EXTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL CAREER BEGINNING WITH PRACTICING LAW FROM
1963-1978. WELLS SERVED AS THE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY FOR TOPEKA, KANSAS.
IN 1964, WELLS WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE REVISION OF CITY OF TOPEKA
ORDINANCES, AS WELL AS THE ANALYSIS OF ORDINANCES FOR CONSTITUTIONALITY.
FROM 1965-1967, HE WAS THE ATTORNEY FOR SHAWNEE COUNTY WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
HE ALSO PROUDLY SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT ON JUDGES JUDICIAL
TESTING, AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE KANSAS MUNICIPAL JUDGES
ASSOCIATION. THE JUDGE WAS A TIRELESS SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HIS
CAREER. HIS HIGH LEVEL OF COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS, RESPONSIBILITY AND
DEDICATION RESULTED IN MANY CONTRIBUTIONS OF HIS PERSONAL TIME AND LEGAL
EXPERTISE IN MANY CAPACITIES. HE WAS EVEN CALLED SANTA JUDGE FOR HIS YEARLY
VISIT TO THE JAIL ON CHRISTMAS DAY TO REVIEW RECORDS OF PRISONERS TO SEEK A
MEANS TO RELEASE THEM FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Class of 1951
MONTGOMERY
Name: PATRICK MONTGOMERY
PATRICK ARNOLD MONTGOMERY, 71, SPOKANE VALLEY, DIED JULY 3, 2004, IN
SPOKANE VALLEY, WASH. HE WAS BORN DEC. 25, 1932, IN TOPEKA, AND GRADUATED
FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1951. MR. MONTGOMERY WORKED AT VARIUS
SALES JOBS AND THEN WORKED FOR GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. IN TOPEKA FOR 23
YEARS, MAKING HEAVY EQUIPMENT TIRES. MR. MONTGOMERY WAS A MEMVER OF MASONIC
GOLDEN RULE LODGE NO. 90, AF&AM IN TOPEKA. HE MARRIED JOANN MCNEAL IN 1955.
THEY HAD FOUR CHILDREN AND DIVORCED IN 1976. HE MOVED TO SPOKANE IN 1977,
WHERE HE MARRIED MARLENE PHILLIPS. MR. MONTOGOMERY WAS SELF-EMPLOYEED IN
HOME REPAIRS AND TILE SETTING BEFORE RETIRING IN 1987. HE ENJOYED
WOODWORKING, RV CAMPING, COOKING AND VISITING WITH RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY A SON, TIMOTHY. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS WIFE OF
27 YEARS, MARLENE; SONS, TED MONTGOMERY, AND HIS WIFE, CAROL, AND RICK
MONTOGOMERY, AND HIS WIFE DAWN, TOPEKA; A DAUGHTER, BARBARA MONTGOMERY,
MALVERN, PA; A STEPSON, DAN GRAY, SPOKANE VALLEY; SISTERS EFFIE, AND HER
HUSBAND MERRILL LYTTLE, HENDERSON, NEV., AND MYRNA, AND HER HUSBAND, PAUL
JONES, TOPEKA; AN AUNT, MARGUERITE, AND HER HUSBAND HIDDE HANENBURG,
SPOKANE, WASH.; SIX GRANDCHILDREN; TWO GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN; AND NUMEROUS
NIECES AND NEPHEWS.
Class of 1952
ADAMS
Name: DAVID ADAMS
THE FOLLOWING WAS PUBLISHED ONLINE AT
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline MEADE DAVID STEWART ADAMS, AGE
76, DIED THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 28, 2010 AT THE LONE TREE RETIREMENT
CENTER, MEADE, KANSAS. HE WAS BORN JUNE 16, 1934, IN TOPEKA, KANSAS, THE
SON OF RAYMOND E. AND JESSIE STEWART ADAMS. AS A YOUTH HE ATTENDED THE
MAPLE HILL GRADE SCHOOL. FOR HIGH SCHOOL HE ATTENDED PEMBROKE COUNTY DAY
SCHOOL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI BEFORE GRADUATING FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN 1952. HE ATTENDED KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND THEN JOINED THE
UNITED STATES ARMY, SERVING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. UPON HIS DISCHARGE, HE
RETURNED TO KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY TO COMPLETE HIS EDUCATION. HE STARTED
THE ADAMS RANCH AND FOCUSED HERFORD, SIMMENTAL, AND ANGUS CATTLE. DAVID WAS
A MEMBER OF THE KANSAS CATTLEMAN'S ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN ROYAL,
PEMBROKE HILL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, AND SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON FRATERNITY. HE
WAS AN AVID PILOT. ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1980, HE MARRIED JUDY ROBERT IN MAPLE
HILL, KANSAS. THEY RECENTLY CELEBRATED THEIR 30TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.
DAVID WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS 29 YEARS OF SOBRIETY. HE WAS COMMITTED TO
HIS MINISTRY OF HELPING OTHERS WHO STRUGGLED WITH ALCOHOLISM AND IMPACTED
HUNDREDS OF LIVES. HE AND JUDY FOUNDED THE MAPLE HILL AA AND AL-ANON GROUP
AND BUILT THE BUILDING WHERE THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO MEET FOR 25 YEARS.
SURVIVORS ALSO INCLUDE: HIS CHILDREN: SARAH ADAMS GUINN AND HUSBAND KENT OF
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS; AMY BERCKMAN AND HUSBAND BOBBY OF MOREHEAD CITY,
NORTH CAROLINA; DAVID STEWART ADAMS, JR. AND WIFE CAROLINE OF SHAWNEE,
KANSAS; HIS SISTER, ANN ADAMS RUSSELL OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS AND HER HUSBAND
ROBERT (BOB) RUSSELL; SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN, ALEXANDER GUINN, GRACE GUINN,
COLIN MCDONALD, KIRSTEN MCDONALD, ANDREW ADAMS, PAIGE ADAMS, AND AMANDA
STEFFEN. THE FAMILY WOULD WELCOME MEMORIALS MADE TO: MEADE COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN CARE OF FIDLER-ORME-BACHMAN MORTUARY, PO BOX 70,
MEADE, KS 67864
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
NICELY
Name: GENE NICELY
GENE DOUGLAS NICELY, SR., 69, OF OZAWKIE, KS PASSED AWAY FEBRUARY 7, 2006
IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY WHILE ON A WINTER TOUR. HE WAS BORN ON A
FARM IN AUBURN, KS ON JUNE 17, 1936 TO HAZEL CAYWOOD NICELY AND HARRY BASIL
NICELY, SR. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN TOPEKA AND
ATTENDED KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND WASHBURN UNIVERSITY. HE STARTED HIS
CAREER IN SALES AT HENRY MANUFACTURING. GENE THEN WORKED FOR ALLIS CHALMERS
FOR 17 YEARS. IN 1978 HE MOVED TO GREAT FALLS, MONTANA AS THE GENERAL SALES
MANAGER FOR CATERPILLAR TRACTOR. IN 1983 HE AND HIS FAMILY RETURNED TO
KANSAS. HE BECAME A REAL ESTATE AGENT FOR HIGH PLAINS REALITY AND EARNED
HIS PROPERTY APPRAISERS LICENCE. HE THEN WENT TO WORK AS AN APPRAISER FOR
THE KANSAS DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY DEPARTMENT UNTIL
RETIRMENT IN JUNE OF 2002. AFTER RETIREMENT, GENE BECAME A MASTER
REMODELLER OF HIS CHILDREN’’S HOUSES. HE WAS PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
VISIT ALL 50 STATES, ALL OF CANADA AND ALL THE STATES AND TERRITORIES OF
AUSTRALIA, ENGLAND, AND JAPAN. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE SHIRLEY, HIS
DAUGHTER, KATHI BARTLOW OF MERIDEN, KS; HIS SONS DOUG NICELY OF WILMINGTON,
NC, JOHN NICELY OF WICHITA, KS, AND RANDY NICELY, OF TOPEKA; ONE SON-IN-LAW
AND TWO DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW, 3 GRANDCHILDREN, 5 STEP-GRANDCHILDREN, ONE
GRANDSON-IN-LAW AND 6 STEP-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN; THREE SISTERS, KAREN
MCLAUGHLIN OF CHARLESTON, SC, JUDY TALBOT OF WAGNER, OK, AND LINDA
BARRACLOUGH OF TOPEKA; TWO BROTHERS, GLEN NICELY OF TOPEKA AND CURT NICELY,
ST. LOUIS, MO. GENE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY A DAUGHTER, SHERRY KAY, TWO
BROTHERS, HARRY AND TERRY, A SISTER CHERYL, AND BOTH PARENTS.
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
PUBLISHED IN TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON OCTOBER 26, 2005 DONALD C. CONROY
JR. AGE 63, A RESIDENT OF SAN CLEMENTE, PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 22, 2005. HE IS
SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE; PAMELA B. CONROY. THREE SONS; JOHN HANLEY CONROY,
DONALD C. CONROY III, AND BLAIR WALKER CONROY. ONE DAUGHTER; DANI LEE
SWOPE. FATHER; DONALD C. CONROY SR. TWO BROTHERS; MONTE JOE CONROY AND
RUSSELL JAMES CONROY. ONE SISTER; JESSICA YOLANDA FRASHIER. MR. CONROY IS
ALSO SURVIVED BY HIS SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN. MR. CONROY HAD DEVOTED HIS CAREER
TO MANAGEMENT, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION, AND
TROUBLESHOOTING ASSIGNMENTS IN THE DATA PROCESSING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AREAS OF THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS FIELD.
HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL. HE WAS A MEMBER OF
THE LAGUNA BEACH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND ACTIVE WITH THE METHODIST HIGH
SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAMS. FUNERAL SERVICES TO BE HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27,
2005 - 1PM. LAGUNA BEACH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, LAGUNA BEACH, CA. WITH
REV. JAYE WATSON, OFFICIATING. THOSE WHO WISH MAY MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, OR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
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.
SHULTS
Name: WILLIAM SHULTS
WILLIAM G. SHULTS, 68, PASSED AWAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010. WILLIAM WAS
BORN IN TOPEKA ON JUNE 3, 1942, THE SON OF HOUSTON AND EDITH (RANDALL)
SHULTS. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL. WILLIAM WORKED FOR
DEL MONTE FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS WORKED AS AN
OVERNIGHT STOCKER FOR WAL-MART. HE ENJOYED TINKERING WITH CARS AS A YOUNG
MAN WHICH CULMINATED INTO A BUSINESS WITH HIS BROTHER MELVIN. SURVIVORS
INCLUDE HIS EX-WIFE, NANCY SHULTS, MOTHER OF HIS SONS, WILLIAM SHULTS,
ROBERT SHULTS, RUSS SHULTS; HIS TWIN SISTER, JUNE HUPP; SIBLINGS VIRGINIA
BROWN, CHARLENE STEINBRECHER, DEAN SHULTS AND ANNE SOULE; GIRLFRIEND, BETTY
PARRACK. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS BROTHER MELVIN SHULTS.
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
CRABTREE
Name: JANIE THOMPSON
PUBLISHED IN TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON JANUARY 4, 2011 JANET (JANIE)
CRABTREE THOMPSON WAS BORN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1943 IN COLORADO SPRINGS,
COLORADO TO IVA AND RAY CRABTREE. THEY PRECEDED HER IN DEATH. SHE IS
SURVIVED BY HER SISTER, ANITA CRABTREE; HER TWO CHILDREN, LORRI AND STEVE
DESCH, SHELLY AND TIM DAVIS; A NEPHEW, BRIAN ROACH AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN;
CHEYENNE AND COLE DAVIS. JANIE OWNED HER OWN SALON, THE HEADE SHOPPE IN
TOPEKA AND HER OWN CONVENTION SERVICES BUSINESS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. SHE
WAS THE CONVENTION SALES MANAGER FOR THE TOPEKA CONVENTION AND VISITORS
BUREAU AND, MOST RECENTLY, A FURNITURE SALES ASSOCIATE AND CONSULTANT FOR
DISCOVERY FURNITURE IN TOPEKA. SHE WAS AN AVID GARDENER AND LANDSCAPE
DESIGNER, ENJOYED INTERIOR DECORATING AND HAD A DEEP LOVE FOR ANIMALS,
ESPECIALLY TWO OF HER FAVORITE PETS, LUCY & SPOOKY. WHEN HER KIDS WERE
YOUNG, SHE LOVED TO RIDE HER HORSE, DOLLY. HER KEEN SENSE OF HUMOR, QUICK
WIT AND CARING NATURE WILL BE MISSED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MEMORIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE TO MIDLAND HOSPICE HOUSE OR HELPING HANDS HUMANE
SOCIETY.
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
PARADIS
Name: RON PARADIS
PUBLISHED IN TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON DECEMBER 30, 2010. RON PARADIS, 66,
TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2010 AT HIS RESIDENCE. RON WAS
BORN JUNE 30, 1944 IN CASPER, WYOMING, THE SON OF ORVILLE AND VONDA
(BENDRIX) PARADIS. HE WAS A 1962 GRADUATE OF WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL
WHERE HE WAS A FOUR YEAR BASKETBALL STARTER WHO HELPED LEAD THE JUNIOR
BLUES TO THREE STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS INCLUDING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
IN 1960. IN 1962, HE WAS NAMED AS A SCHOLASTIC MAGAZINE FIRST TEAM
ALL-AMERICAN. HE WAS A TWO-TIME ALL-STATE MEMBER AND REMAINS THE SCHOOL'S
ALL TIME LEADING SCORER WITH 1,609 POINTS. RON THEN WENT TO KANSAS STATE
UNIVERSITY WHERE HE WAS A THREE YEAR LETTERMAN IN BASKETBALL AND PLAYED IN
THE 1964 FINAL FOUR. HE REMAINS ONE OF THE WILDCAT'S TOP 100 CAREER
SCORERS. FROM 1969 TO 1997, RON WORKED AT WIBW IN BOTH RADIO AND TELEVISION
DURING WHICH HE WAS NAMED KANSAS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR ON FIVE OCCASIONS.
HE DID PLAY BY PLAY FOR THE KANSAS STATE NETWORK, WAS A PIONEER OF THE
SPORTS RADIO CALL-IN FORMAT AND CREATED PARADIS PRODUCTIONS WHICH PRODUCED
MEMORABLE CHARACTERS SUCH AS THE KRISKENKO BROTHERS, ARGO SNERDBALL, AND
BITS LIKE RON'S ROD AND REEL. MOST RECENTLY, RON WAS INDUCTED INTO THE
TOPEKA-SHAWNEE COUNTY SPORTS COUNCIL HALL OF FAME. RON MARRIED BETTY R.
STRICKLEN ON AUGUST 27, 1966 IN MANHATTAN, KS. THEY LATER DIVORCED. SHE
SURVIVES. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE SON, BROCK (STACEY) PARADIS, CHICAGO, IL;
DAUGHTER, JENNA (VIC) RIGGIN, TOPEKA; GRANDCHILDREN, KYLE, MAXWELL, EMMIT,
; TWIN SISTER, YVONNE PARADIS, TOPEKA ; BROTHER, GREG (WENDY) PARADIS,
GRAND ISLAND, NE ; NIECE KARA PARADIS, KANSAS CITY; AND NEPHEW JUSTIN
PARADIS, KANSAS CITY. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS, AND THREE
BELOVED DOGS, GERONIMO, BERSHIVERS AND PANTHER. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MAY
BE MADE TO HELPING HANDS HUMANE SOCIETY, 2625 NW ROCHESTER ROAD, TOPEKA,
KANSAS 66617.
VINCENT
Name: DARRELL VINCENT
Class of 1963
AKERS
Name: MARVIN AKERS
PUBLISHED IN TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL ON JULY 8, 2010 MARVIN GLENN AKERS, 65,
TOPEKA PASSED AWAY JULY 6, 2010. MARVIN WAS BORN NOVEMBER 9, 1944 IN
TOPEKA, THE SON OF RALPH EUGENE AND OPAL MILDRED (SMALLEY) AKERS. HE
GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL. MARVIN SERVED IN THE NATIONAL
GUARD DOING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE. HE MARRIED SHIRLEY MAE DOUGLAS ON APRIL
4, 1965 IN TOPEKA. HE WORKED IN COMMERCIAL DRYWALL FOR MANY YEARS IN A
SUPERVISOR POSITION AND WAS THE ALL AROUND GO- TO- GUY. AS WELL AS HIS
CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION MARVIN WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT FARMING AND AGRICULTURE
AND RAISED HIS FAMILY IN THAT ENVIRONMENT. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN
LEGION POST 0198, OSAGE CITY. MARVIN HAD A GREAT WORK ETHIC; HE WAS A
SIMPLE MAN AND HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR. HE ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS,
FISHING, WOODWORKING AND WAS A RACE CAR ENTHUSIAST. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS
WIFE, SHIRLEY AKERS, TOPEKA; DAUGHTER, LORI RAE AKERS, KANSAS CITY; SON,
JARED AKERS AND HIS WIFE, EMILY, LEE SUMMIT MO; GRANDCHILDREN, AVA SIMONE
HARRINGTON, KAI JACOB HARRINGTON, DALLAS AND SARAH CHATHAM; GREAT
GRANDDAUGHTER, JUNIPER PEARL CHATHAM; BROTHERS, MONTIE MERLE AKERS AND HIS
WIFE, LINDA, MYRON RALPH AKERS AND HIS WIFE, COLEEN, ALL OF TOPEKA; AND A
TRUCKLOAD OF NIECES AND NEPHEWS. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS.
BILLINGSLEY
Name: LEONARD BILLINGSLEY
CALL
Name: FRANCES CALL
CASEBIER
Name: RICHARD CASEBIER
RICHARD LOUIS CASEBIER, 56, TOPEKA, DIED SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2001,
SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVAL AT A TOPEKA HOSPITAL AFTER HE WAS STRICKEN AT HOME.
HE WAS BORN SEPT. 15, 1945, IN TOPEKA, TO LOUIS JACOB AND RUTH COBURN
CASEBIER. HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1963 AND ATTENDED
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY. HE WORKED IN THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT OF BURLINGTON
NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY. HE WAS A CO-OWNER OF CASEBIER FIREWORKS. HE WAS
A MEMBER OF SEABROOK CONGERGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. HE MARRIED JO
ANN HARRIS ON AUGHUST 24, 1968 IN TOPEKA. SHE SURVIVES. OTHER SURVIVORS
INCLUDE A SON, BRIAN EDWARD CASEBIER, TOPEKA; HIS PARENTS, LOUIS JACOB AND
RUTH COBURN CASEBIER, TOPEKA; A SISTER, ROBERTA OESTREICH, WAKARUSA; AND A
GRANDSON.
CLUGSTON
Name: MICHELE KELLEY
MICHELE SUZANNE CLUGSTON KELLEY, AGE 56, DIED NOVEMBER 15, 2001 IN BOULDER,
OF CANCER. MICHELE WAS BORN IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ON MARCH 22, 1945, TO
GERALD AND INGERID CLUGSTON. SHE WAS MARRIED TO TED FLYNN KELLEY JR. IN
1967, IN LITTLER ROCK, ARKANSAS. MICHELE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
KANSAS WITH A BA IN EDUCATION IN 1967. IN 1987 SHE RECEIVED HER MASTERS
DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION FROM FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, BOCA
RATON, FL. IN THE EARLY 70S SHE HELPED TO INITIATE THE ELEMENTARY SPANISH
PROGRAM IN BOULDER. LATER SHE TAUGHT SPANISH IN THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WHERE
SHE LIVED AND WORKED AS A SPANISH SPEAKING VOLUNTEER TO ASSIST THE MARIEL
BOAT REFUGEES FROM CUBA WHILE IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA. AFTER RETURNING TO
BOULDER IN 1989 MICHELE TAUGHT SPANISH AT FREDERIC JR. AND SR. HIGH SCHOOL,
WESTMINSTER HIGH SCHOOL, AND FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL WHERE SHE INITIATED THE
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM. SHE ADVANCED TO ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT
ANGEVINE AND CASEY MIDDLE SCHOOL. IN 2000 MICHELE BECAME PRINCIPAL AT VIKAN
MIDDLE SCHOOL IN BRIGHTON, WHERE SHE FINISHED THE SCHOOL YEAR DESPITE HER
ILLNESS. MICHELE WAS DEDICATED TO HER CAREER IN EDUCATION. HER FIRST DUTY
WAS TO HER FAMILY. HER INTERESTS INCLUDED LATIN CULTURE, THE ARTS, AND
TRAVEL. SHE SKIED, HIKED, CAMPED AND LOVED THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO AND
NEW MEXICO. MICHELE IS SURVIVED BY HER HUSBAN, TED KELLY, OF BOULDER, HER
DAUGHTERS INGERID OF DENVER, AND MEGAN OF PORTAND, OR; MOTHER, INGERID
CLUGSTON OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM; TWO SISTERS, INGRID DYE OF PHOENIX, AZ, AND
CAROL MOYLE OF ST. PETERSBURG, FL; AND HER BROTHER, PETER CLUGSTON OF
ALBUQUERQUE.
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
EILENBERG
Name: JON EILENBERG
PER HIS WISHES, THERE WAS NO OBITUARY OR MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JON. PER
JON'S SON, JON HAD A MASSIVE STROKE ON WEDNESDAY MORNING THAT DESTROYED
ESSENTIAL REGIONS OF HIS BRAIN. THERE WAS NO CHANCE HE WOULD EVER WAKE UP.
LIFE SUPPORT WAS REMOVED ON FRIDAY MORNING AND HE PASSED QUIETLY.
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
BRUNTON
Name: MICHAEL BRUNTON
MICHAEL F. BRUNTON MICHAEL FRED BRUNTON, TOPEKA BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY AND
LIFELONG RESIDENT, PASSED AWAY MARCH 24, 2011, WHILE WORKING IN HIS LAW
OFFICE. HE WAS BORN ON SEPT. 15, 1948, TO CHARLES RAY BRUNTON AND MARGARET
JANE BRUNTON SMITH. MICHAEL ATTENDED SUNNY ELEVATION GRADE SCHOOL AND
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL, GRADUATING FROM TOPEKA WEST HIGH SCHOOL IN
1966. HE ENLISTED IN THE U.S. ARMY IN 1969 AND WAS STATIONED IN OKINAWA,
JAPAN, DURING THE VIETNAM WAR BEFORE BEING HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1972.
AFTER FINISHING HIS MILITARY SERVICE, HE EARNED A BACHELOR
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
DANIEL EDWARD RUTHERFORD, 42, TOPEKA, DIED FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1994, AFTER HE
WAS SHOT WHILE WORKING AT A TOPEKA NIGHTCLUB WHERE HE WAS A DOORMAN. HE
ALSO WAS A SOUND AND LIGHTING ENGINEER AND HAD WORKED FOR SEVERAL CIRCUS
AND BROADWAY THEATER COMPANIES AND VARIOUS ROCK AND ROLL BANDS. HE WAS BORN
MAY 29, 1951, IN SPRINGFIELD, MO., THE SON OF J. EDWARD AND HAZEL COMPTON
RUTHERFORD. HE MOVED TO MIDLAND, TEXAS, WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN HE WAS
1-YEAR-OLD AND HAD LIVED IN TOPEKA SINCE JULY 1955. HE GRADUATED FROM
WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1969, AND ATTENDED THE ELECTRONIC INSTITUTE
IN KANSAS CITY ON A SCHOLARSHIP. SURVIVORS INCLUDE HIS MOTHER, HAZEL
RUTHERFORD, AUBURN; A BROTHER, MARK RUTHERFORD, AUBURN, AND TWO NEPHEWS,
JESS AND JAKE RUTHERFORD, BOTH OF AUBURN.
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 1971
MEWHINNEY
Name: RONALD MEWHINNEY
RON C. MEWHINNEY, 51, TOPEKA DIED THRUSDAY, MARCH 18, 2004, AT THE VA
HOSPITAL IN LEAVENWORTH. HE WAS BORN JANUARY 13, 1953, IN OTTAWA, THE SON
OF CECIL C. AND JACQULINE ABNEY MEWHINNEY. RON GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN
RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTENDED WASHBURN UNIVERSITY. RON WORKED IN PAINT
SALES IN LAS VEGAS, NEV., AND AS A SELF-EMPLOYEED PAINTER. AT THE TIME OF
HIS DEATH HE WAS EMPLOYED AS A GERIATRIC AIDE FOR COLMERY O’NEIL VETERANS
HOSPITAL NURSING HOME IN TOPEKA. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS.
HE MARRIED PIPER RAYL IN 1972, THE DIVORCED. HE MARRIED BRENDA VAUGN IN
1979. THEY DIVORCED. RON IS SURVIVED BY HIS SISTER, SHARON HOTCHKISS AND
HER HUSBAND, GARY BLITSCH, TOPEKA; HIS NEICE, NATALIE HOTCHKISS, GRANADA,
SPAIN; AND A NEPHEW, NEAL HOTCHKISS AND HIS WIFE, SHAWNA AND THEIR
CHILDREN, ASHLEY, HAYDEN AND EMORY HOTCHKISS, TOPEKA.
Class of 1972
COPP
Name: DAVID COPP
DAVID M. COPP, 51, AUBURN, WENT TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS LORD AND
SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2005. HE WAS BORN IN TOPEKA,
JANUARY 19, 1954, THE SON OF CHARLES E. “PETE” AND ROMONA N. ORNDOFF COPP.
HE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1972, BUTTLER COUNTY JUNIOR
COLLEGE IN 1974, AND RECEIVED HIS BACHELOR’’S DEGREE FROM FORT HAYS STATE
UNIVERSITY IN 1978. HE WAS A PRESSMAN FOR COPY CENTER OF TOPEKA, AND
OPERATED A LAWN-MOWING AND FIREWOOD SERVICE. DAVID WAS A MEMBER OF AUBURN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WHERE HE TAUGHT THE YOUNG ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS. HE
WAS A SPORTS ENTHUSIAST WHO ENJOYED LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING, BASKETBALL,
FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, AND SOFTBALL. HE HAD A PASSION FOR NATURE AND TRAVEL.
HE MARRIED LOA IRENE BURGER ON JULY 31, 1976 IN HAYS, KANSAS. SHE SURVIVES.
OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE A SON, CHRISTOPHER COPP AND WIFE JESSICA, AUBURN; A
GRANDSON, MICHA COPP, AUBURN; HIS PARENTS, PETE AND ROMONA COPP, AUBURN;
HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW, HELEN BURGER, AUBURN; THREE BROTHERS, WAYNE COPP AND HIS
WIFE JULIE, AUBURN, CHUCK COPP AND WIFE PAULA, TOPEKA, AND DALE COPP AND
WIFE SANDY, GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND. DAVID WAS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS KIND AND
GENEROUS SPIRIT AND HIS SPIRITUAL WISDOM.
Class of 1980
HOWEY
Name: JEFF HOWEY
Class of 1981
LOWERY
Name: ROBERT LOWERY
ROBERT A. LOWERY DIED SUNDAY, AUG. 24, 2003 AT THE VETERANS HOSPITAL IN
TOPEKA. ROBERT WAS BORN MARCH 19, 1963, IN SALINA, THE SON OF WAYNE LOWRY
AND SANDRA BARRETT LOWRY. HE WAS A GRADUATE OF WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL
IN 1981. ROBERT ENLISTED AND SERVED IN THE US AIR FORCE FROM 1988 TO 1995.
HE MARRIED MARY HOMEWOOD ON OCT. 20, 1985, AND LATER DIVORCED. SURVIVORS
INCLUDE TWO SONS, MATTHEW R. LOWRY AND JOSHUA R. LOWRY, BOTH OF OVERBROOK;
MOTHER SANDY FRISBIE; FATHER, WAYNE LOWRY; AND BROTHER, GILES SCOTT LOWRY.
HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY BROTHER DOUGLAS WAYNE LOWRY, ON CHRISTMAS 1995.
Class of 1983
SHREVE
Name: CYNTHIA GODDARD
CYNTHIA SHREVE GODDARD, 38, DIED MONDAY, NOV. 10, 2003 AT A SAN ANTONIO,
TEXAS, HOSPICE. SHE WAS BORN MAY 1, 1965 IN AKRON, OHIO, THE DAUGHTER OF
JOHN AND PEGGY SHREVE. SHE GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL IN
TOPEKA IN 1983 AND CAMERON UNIVERSITY IN LAWTON, OKLA., WHERE SHE RECEIVED
HER DEGREE IN NURSING. CYNTHIA WORKED AS A REGISTERED NURSE FOR 13 YEARS,
AT HOSPITALS IN OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS, WITH A SPECIALTY IN THE ICU AND
NEONATAL ICU. SHE MARRIED DAVID GODDARD IN NOVEMBER 2002 IN SAN ANTONIO. HE
SURVIVES. CYNTHIA ALSO IS SURVIVED BY HER THREE SONS, CARY MILLER, MICHAEL
MILLER, AND MATTHEW MILLER AND A STEPSON TYLER GODDARD; HER PARENTS, JOHN
AND PEGGY SHREVE, PALM COAST, FLA.; HER SISTER, SHERRY HUNSICKER AND HER
HUSBAND, SCOTT, TOPEKA; AND HER BROTHER, J. MARK SHREVE AND HIS WIFE, KERI,
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.; THREE NEPHEWS, AND A NIECE.
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.
Class of Unknown
BERRY
Name: THEA CRABTREE
THEA ALETA CRABTREE, 89, TOPEKA, PASSED AWAY SATURDAY, DEC. 27, 2003, AT
TOPEKA, PRESBYTERIAN MANOR. SHE WAS BORN SEPT. 27, 1914, IN TOPEKA, THE
DAUGHTER OF ALLEN AND ELVIA (MAY) BERRY. SHE WAS A GRADUATE OF WASHBURN
HIGH SCHOOL. MRS. CRABTREE WAS A HOMEMAKER AND AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER AT
SUMNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THEA WAS A MEMBER OF FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD
CHURCH. SHE MARRIED ORION FRANKLIN CRABTREE ON JUNE 22, 1935, AT FIRST
ASSEMBLY OF GOD IN TOPEKA. HE PRECEDED HER IN DEATH ON JUNE 2, 2001. SHE
ALSO WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER BROTHERS, ELTON, ROY, AND JOHN BERRY.
SURVIVORS INCLUDE THREE SONS, LEONARD CRABTREE, PARIRIE GROVE, ARK., AND
STEVEN CRABTREE AND RICK CRABTREE, BOTH OF TOPEKA; TWO DAUGHTERS, SHERYL
STAFFORD, TECUMSEH, AND CAROL MUNOZ, TOPEKA; TWO BROTHERS, CLETUS BERRY,
TOPEKA, AND THE REV. WILLIS BERRY, LOVELAND, COLO.; 11 GRANDCHILDREN; AND 9
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN.
PITTSENBARGER
Name: KYLE PITTSENBARGER
KYLE DAVID PITTSENBARGER, 30, TOPEKA, DIED SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2005. KYLE
WAS BORN DECEMBER 11, 1974, IN THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA, THE SON OF JOYCE
ILENE HURSH BILLINGS AND CLIFFORD MARION PITTSENBARGER. HE WAS A GRADUATE
OF WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AND KANSAS CITY KANSAS COMUNITY COLLEGE WITH
AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN FIRE SICENCE. HE COMPLETED EMERGENCY MEDICAL
TECNICIAN AT WASHBURN UNIVERSITY AND HE HAD COMPLETED PARAMEDIC SCHOOL AT
COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. HIS INSTRUCTOR WAS KACI ADAMS. HE BEGAN HIS
FIREFIGHTING CAREER AS A VOUNTEER WITH MISSION TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
FOLLOWED BY VOLUNTEERING WITH KENSINGTON, MARYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE WAS
EMPLOYED BY THE TOPEKA FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSIGNED TO ENGINE #1. HE WAS A
MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 83. HE IS
SURVIVED BY HIS MOTHER, JOYCE BILLINGS AND HER HUSBAND, RICHARD BILLINGS,
CARBONDALE, KANSAS, HIS FATHER CLIFFORD PITTSENBERGER AND HIS WIFE,
CYNTHIA, LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO, TWO SISTERS, KALA PITTSENBARGER & HER
COMPANION, ERIC VAN DYKE, THEIR DAUGHTER MADISON RYLEA, ROCKVILLE,
MARYLAND, KENDRA JACOBS & HER HUSBAND, DANIEL JACOBS, THEIR DAUGHTER
MCKENZIE ILENE, SCRANTON, KANSAS, TWO AUNTS MARGE SOUTHERLAND, HER HUSBAND
RED, LEROY, KANSAS AND JEANIE ABENDROTH, HER HUSBAND JIM, CARBONDALE,
KANSAS, HIS SIGNIFICANT OTHER, JAMIE MCATEE, TOPEKA, AND MANY COUSINS AND
FRIENDS.
STILSON
Name: TARA LYMAN
TARA LEE STILSON LYMAN, 26, TOPEKA, DIED TUESDAY, FEB. 10, 2004, AT A
TOPEKA HOSPITAL FOLLOWING COMPLICATIONS OF THE FLU AND PNEUMONIA. SHE WAS
BORN SEPT. 5, 1977, IN TOPEKA, THE DAUGHTER OF TERRY AND CONNIE NORWOOD
STILSON. SHE ATTENDED FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, CAIR PARAVEL LATIN
SCHOOL, AND GRADUATED FROM WASHBURN RURAL HIGH SCHOOL. SHE THEN ATTENDED
ALLEN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN IOLA. TARA HAD WORKED FOR WAL-MART IN
IOLA AND TOPEKA, AND CURRENTLY WAS EMPLOYED AT TARGET IN TOPEKA. SHE WAS A
MEMBER OF SOUTHWEST TOPEKA BIBLE CHURCH. SHE MARRIED AARON SCOTT LYMAN ON
SEPT. 23, 2000, IN TOPEKA. HE SURVIVES AT HOME WITH THEIR TWO SONS, TRENT
DAVID, AGE 5, AND NICHOLAS ROBERT, AGE 3. OTHER SURVIVORS INCLUDE HER
PARENTS, TERRY AND CONNIE STILSON, OF TOPEKA; TWO BROTHERS, JOHN STILSON
AND WIFE, JACKIE, OF TOPEKA, AND PFC ZACH STILSON AND WIFE, JAMIE, OF FORT
RIELY;
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.
