Patricia Lynne Rush, Salina, passed away unexpectedly Monday, December 21, 2015 in Salina at the age of 60.
Patty was born on August 13, 1955 in Salina to Marvin and Lydia (Witte) Williams. She graduated from Tescott High School. She married Garry Mikesell on April 13, 1974 and they were blessed with two daughters. Her children remember her as a devoted mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals. Patricia was again blessed with love and she married her adoring husband, Deryl on August 6, 1994.
Patty worked for Hawker Beechcraft for more than 25 years. She was an accomplished cook and often treated friends and families with incredible meals and baked goods. Patty was a farmer from birth and loved animals and being outside. Patty was also an excellent craftswoman. She liked to sew and quilt. She took great pleasure in making baby blankets for her grandchildren and great nieces and nephews. Patty lived to bring joy to her children, and later her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Garry Mikesell, two brothers- Tom and John Williams, and a niece, Jennifer (Reinking) Munoz.
Patty is survived by her loving husband, Deryl, of the home; her daughters Christina Mikesell Green (Ian) of Salina and Lisa Mikesell Wiebe (Paul) of El Dorado; two sisters- Merilyn Reinking (Paul) of Tescott and Judy Wilson of Blue Springs, MO; two sisters-in-law Nancy Williams of Bennington and Carol Nelson of Lincoln; five grandchildren Dawson, Thaddeus, Baxter, Kate, and Luke.
A celebration of Patty’s life will be held on Monday, December 28 at 10:00 AM at the Bennington Bible Church, Bennington. Burial will be at Franklin Cemetery, Tescott. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Salina Animal Shelter or to the Franklin Cemetery Foundation.
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Stanley Paul “Stan” Creitz, 81, of Beloit, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, December 23rd, at his home, after a long illness, battling cancer.
Stan was born in Beloit, Kansas on September 6, 1934, to the late Verda E. (Davis) Creitz and Paul Creitz..
Stan was the husband of Sue Creitz. They were married June 3, 1972 in Jewell, Kansas.
He was a 22 year veteran of the United States Army and the Army National Guard. Stan also taught electronics and technology for 28 years at NCK Technical College in Beloit. He repaired, serviced, and sold business band radios as the owner of Com Services.
Stan was a member of Pleasant View United Methodist Church. He served in many positions at the church and on the board. He was also a member of the Beloit Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge #145. For thirty three years he was a member of the Mid-America Computers and Education. He was a ham radio enthusiast. Stan was also on the board for Pleasant View Cemetery, where he also kept the grounds. Stan loved technology all his life. In the 1970’s, he built his own computer from scratch, ordering the parts individually and assembling them at home.
In his free time, Stan maintained a small rose garden, and enjoyed working in the yard and on the farm.
Survivors include his wife, Sue; sons, Ernest (Shelly) Endsley II, of Raytown, MO; David (Jessica) Creitz, of Hanover Park, IL; daughter, Debbie (Dean) Senters, of Andover, KS; brother, Norman (Darlene) Creitz, of San Diego, CA; sister, Lyndal (Pat) Flynn, of Denver, CO; close family member, Rod Sanon, of Naples, FL; as well as 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents, and infant son, Douglas Martin Creitz.
Cremation has been chosen. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., January 2, 2016 at the Pleasant View United Methodist Church, Beloit.
Memorial contributions may be made to Solomon Valley Hospice, 311 W. Main St., Beloit, KS 67420, or to the NCK Technical College, 3033 US Hwy 24, Beloit, KS 67420, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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Lillian Emma Rose Demars Comfort Fruits, 85, Delphos, died Monday, December 21, 2015 at the Ottawa County Health Center, Minneapolis. She was born December 3, 1930 near Aurora, KS to William G. and Bernadette (L’Ecuyer) Demars.
Lillian attended the Woodpecker rural school for three years. She then attended the Aurora Catholic schools where she was a 1949 high school graduate. On July 22, 1950, she was united in marriage with Harold “Buck” Thayne Comfort at the St. Peter’s Rectory in Aurora. They settled in Delphos where they raised their three children, Linda Marie, William Harold, and Clayton Richard. Lillian went to work for Dr. Donald Yowell in 1974 and worked with him for over 30 years. She was actively involved in the community and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Buck passed away in March 1982 and Lillian married Howard “Bud” Morris Fruits in March 1989. She gained three boys, Stanley, Matthew, and Scott.
Besides Buck, she was also preceded in death by her brother George Demars; sister Gevine Hoesli; and step-son Mark Fruits.
Survivors include her husband Bud; children Linda Vaughn and husband Bill, Bill Comfort and wife Debra, Rick Comfort and wife Gloria, Stanley Fruits and wife Jeannie, Matthew Fruits and wife Sandy, and Scott Fruits and Rosemary; sisters Marilouise Breault, Jeanette Nelson, and Loretta Demars; grandchildren Stacy Katzenmeier, Kala Melton, Jared Comfort, Rikki Walle, Tara Kluft, Kendra Comfort, Christopher Fruits, Jenna Kendall, Hollie Fruits, Jordanne Fruits, Morgan Fruits, and Sophia Fruits; and 23 great-grandchildren. Lillian was blessed with host of wonderful and true friends.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 29 at the Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 7 P.M. Monday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 5-7. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Delphos Senior Citizen’s Center.
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William Arthur Fenton Jr., 91 of Abilene passed away Monday, December 21, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in Abilene. He was born August 26, 1924 at Ft. Riley, the son of William SR. and Pearl (Meyers) Fenton. He grew up in Abilene and attended the Abilene Schools. William served in the Marines during WWII from 1943-1945. He was in the 22nd Marine Corp, Sixth division. William was self-employed as an electrician. He was a member of the Abilene Amateur Radio Club and was the Past Commander of the Abilene VFW Post 3279. William enjoyed fishing, woodworking, hunting and camping. William is survived by three daughters, Sheila Grass of Elkmont, Alabama, Sharon Jones of Abilene and Perlene Overmiller of Yuma, Arizona.
The family has chosen cremation. A graveside inurnment will be 1:00 P.M., Monday, December 28, 2015 at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery in Ft. Riley. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to the Abilene VFW Post 3279. Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, Kansas 67410.
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Leonard W. Ecton, 81, of Solomon, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in Abilene. He was born July 3, 1934 in Fredonia, Kansas the son of Carl and Blanche (Fishburn) Ecton but spent most of his life in Solomon.
Leonard was preceded in death by his son John Ecton, two brothers, and a sister.
He is survived by Wilma “Billie” Ecton, his wife of 61 years; son Mike Ecton and wife Jaelyn; daughters Patty (Ecton) McBrayer and husband Darwin, Sharon (Ecton) Robinson; Six grandchildren Dalton, Kinsey, and Logan Ecton, Kelly and Shannon McBrayer and Maddison Robinson; and brother Howard Ecton.
Leonard worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator most of his life until retiring in 2012.
Cremation was chosen and there will be a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center or to Hospice of Dickinson County and may be sent in care of the Carlson-Becker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 308, Solomon, Kansas 67480.
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Jon Charles Wernette, 61, of Clay Center KS, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 22, 2015.
Jon was born in Clay Center on December 3, 1954 to Charles and Vera (Gibbs) Wernette. He attended Clay Center Community High School graduating in 1973. Not long after graduation, he began working at Northern Natural Gas. He retired from Northern after 40 years of loyal and dedicated service in 2014.
On June 3, 1982 he married the love of his life, Darlene, who will continue to cherish his memory and pass along his love of life. On the day they were married, Jon became a father to four girls, Catherine, Carolyn, Cynthia and Carla. Their family was blessed with another girl, Christina. Jon’s daughters will mourn his passing and miss the sound of his laughter, but will treasure the memories of him in their lives.
Jon is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Vera, and two brothers, C. Michael Wernette and Guy Kevin Wernette. He is survived by his wife, Darlene of the home; daughters Catherine (Brad) Girton, Carolyn (Jeff) Roeser, Cynthia (Joe) Tuschinski, Carla (Travis) Crutcher, Christina (Gary) Nolte; 19 grandchildren, two sisters; Monica Wernette and Jean Wernette, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
During his life, Jon was many things to many people. He was a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He took great pride, and relished, in every role he had in life.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 2-5pm on Sunday, December 27at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, with a rosary at 5pm.
Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, December 28 at 10:30am at
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Clay Center with Fr. Randall Weber presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Homecare & Hospice of Manhattan. Contributions may be left in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th Street, Clay Center, Kansas 67432.
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McPherson formerly of Kinsley – Mary Darlene Mathes, 85, died December 22, 2015 at Hillsboro Community Hospital in Hillsboro. She was born January 16, 1930 to Elmer and Cathyrene (Salser) Wood in Trousdale, Kansas. She was an Elementary School Teacher. She married Richard Mathes August 9, 1949 at Trousdale, Kansas. Survivors include: daughters, Mary (Henry) DeSair of Canton, Kansas, Joan Jaiser of Gap, Penn., Deb (Mark) Mohler of Wakefield, Kansas; brother, Wilbur (Shirley) Wood of Trousdale, Kansas; 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband, Richard Mathes in 2000 and a son, Rick Mathes in 1976. Graveside Service to be held at a later date. Memorials to Trousdale United Methodist Church in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063.
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Dr. Terrance “Terry” Dean Funke, age 64, died at Salina Regional Health Center, on December 21, 2015, surrounded by family. He was born March 21, 1951 in Powell, WY to Ernest “Bud” and Elvera (Scheele) Funke. Terry grew up in Washington, KS, graduating from Washington High School in 1969. He attended Kansas State University, graduating with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. Upon graduation he moved to Osborne, KS, working as a veterinarian for 35 years and resided there until his death.
Survivors include son Andrew Funke, wife Suzan, and grandsons Hunter and Brody of Palatine, IL; daughter Sarah Cooper, husband Kent, and grandchildren Annie, Jack, Ella, and Max of Fremont, NE; son Taylor Funke of St. Louis, MO; daughter Addison Funke of Lawrence, KS; brother Jim Funke, wife Mary and their son Michael Funke of Rochester, MI.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents Ernest (Bud) and Elvera Funke of Washington, KS.
A memorial service will be held at the United Christian Church, Osborne, KS on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will take place at a later date in Washington, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Osborne County 4-H Council or Solomon Valley Transportation and sent in care of Domoney Funeral Home, PO Box 127, Downs, KS. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Domoney Funeral Home.