Marlene Joanne (Elliott) Caldwell, 63 of Bennington, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016 with her loving family by her side. Marlene was the second to the oldest of eight children born to Glen L. and Betty J. (Crown) Elliott, June 10, 1953 in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Marlene babysat all through her high school years, which enabled her to move out of her parents’ home at the age of 18. Marlene enjoyed sewing and quilting. She even made her parents a quilt for their 50 wedding anniversary, as well as an assortment of Halloween costumes.
Marlene was an accountant for the Bankers Insurance Company for 5 years.
Marlene is preceded in death by her mother; Betty J. (Crown) Elliott.
Survivors include her loving husband Troy of Bennington, her two children; Kristopher C. V. Morris and Christa K. V. (Nathan) Shea, both of Salina, four grandchildren; Mackenzie, Alex, Brooke and George Shea, her father; Glen L. Elliott, Sr. of Salina, four sisters; Glenda L. (Larry) Fischer of Topeka, Leisa L. Elliott of Arkansas, Joanne R. (Mike) Farrar of Oklahoma and Pamela S. (Mark) Turner, all of Salina, three brothers; Glen L. (Colleen) Elliott, Jr. of Greenbrier, AR., James M. Elliott of Lindsborg and Daniel L. (Janet) Elliott of Houston, TX., a sister-in-law; Ronda (Dean) Crist of Salina and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at 1:00pm to 7:00pm, Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 E. Crawford, Salina, KS. 67401
Funeral services will be held 9:00am, Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Church of Christ, 1646 N. Ninth St., Salina. Burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Tammy Walker Cancer Center in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402.
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Emma Caroline (Beetch) Rock passed away September 15, 2016 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center after a brief illness.
Emma was the daughter of Howard and Justina ( Schwarz) Beetch. She was born January 23, 1931, was raised on the Beetch family farm north of Carlton. She learned the lessons of childhood and grew to young adulthood on the family farm and in a small rural school north of Carlton. She was the only student at her grade level throughout her elementary education. Emma graduated from Abilene High School, attended Kansas State University and Brown Mackie business college.
She was employed by United Utilities in Abilene. There will always be Hope in Kansas and there was always love in her heart. She joined Lyall Rock of Hope in marriage and life April 17, 1955 in the Presbyterian church in Abilene. She was Mom to Randall, David, Fred and Denise sharing the joys and challenges of farming, family, and faith on the Rock Family Farm 3 miles South and a half West of Hope where they farmed and finished cattle until 1985 when they moved into Hope. She fed a family in the home, farmers in the field, and helped feed a school, community, country and world from her kitchen and farm.
Emma is survived by her 3 sons, Randall (Jane) Lawrence, KS, David (Lisa) Olathe, KS and Fred (Cindy) Leawood, KS and daughter Denise, Rock Belton, MO; 9 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Emma was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Melvin and Willard and sister Pauline and husband Lyall on July 27, 2000.
Emma instilled in her children a love for serving others thru her actions. She was active as a leader in the Mt. Ayr 4-H club, country social club, American legion Auxiliary, the United Methodist Women, the Hope Community Historical Association, and the E.H.U. in Hope. Emma’s hands helped prepare many meals that were enjoyed across the community.
Emma returned to work outside the home, cooking for Hope schools. She proudly served made from scratch meals for students and staff. Emma retired from school cooking and she and Lyall continued serving meals thru Emma’s catering and, she worked in earnest, creating quilts that are works of art that her family cherishes.
In 2008, she moved to Lawrence and then Desoto to be closer to her children. Emma will be remembered for her can do optimism and ability to show unconditional love.
Funeral services for Emma will be 10:45 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Hope First United Methodist Church in Hope with Reverend Chris Holiday and Pastor Tim Clevenger officiating. Her final resting place will be in the Ashton Cemetery near Hope. Emma’s family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to service time Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope American Legion Auxiliary, the Hope First United Methodist Church, or to the Hope Community Historical Association and may be sent in care of the Carlson-Becker Funeral Home P.O. Box 355, Hope, Kansas 67451.
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N. Richard Walters
A Celebration of Life for Richard Walters, age 86, of Abilene, Kansas will be Saturday, September 24 in the fellowship hall at Abilene First Presbyterian Church. Friends and family will be welcomed from 2:00-5:00, with a short formal celebration of remembrance at 3:00 with Reverend Roland Slater. Richard passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Abilene Memorial Hospital.
Nolan Richard Walters was born July 5, 1930, in Lincoln, Kansas, the son of Nolan and Mary (Quillin) Walters. Rich grew up in Lincoln graduating from Lincoln High School in 1948. He then operated his own business painting, refinishing woodwork and floors.
On January 3, 1954 Rich was united in marriage to Elaine Anderson in Lincoln, celebrating 62 years last January. Rich began his retail clothing career in 1956 with his brother-in-law, Bob Anderson, and they formed Anderson’s, Inc., along with their wives, a partnership that lasted 42 years. They owned Anderson’s Clothing Store in Lincoln, Bon Marche in Concordia, Plaza Style Shop in Salina, and Hamburg’s in Abilene.
Rich was an active member of The First Presbyterian Church in Abilene. He also served on the School Board, was a member of Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow), the Chamber of Commerce, and the Elks. In retirement he enjoyed delivering prescriptions for Bankes, volunteering in the emergency room at Memorial Hospital, and spinning tales with his daily coffee buddies. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting, reading, and attending any activities of his children and grandchildren.
Most of all, Rich enjoyed people. He did not know a stranger, every person was a friend. He took a genuine interest in each person and enjoyed nothing more than a good visit, a good story, a good laugh. This spirit was steady even as his health declined.
Rich is survived by his wife, Elaine; daughter, Cathy and her husband Ted Hugghins of Fort Dodge, Iowa; son, Chris Walters of Andover, and son, David and his wife Jodi Walters of Abilene; sister Margueritte Pinnick of Eudora, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Seth, Luke, and Hope Hugghins, Annie and Hayley Walters, and Allie and Jaden Walters, nieces, nephews, and his canine companion, Sadie. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Marjorie Holl, Marniece Sheets, Kathleen Walters; daughter-in-law, Marcia Walters, and his parents.
The family thanks Dickinson County Hospice and Home Health and the staff from Memorial Hospital for their loving care of Rich and the entire family.
The family has selected cremation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dickinson County Home Health and Hospice and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 67410.
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Florence Leah (Soule) Sellers, 72, passed away on September 16, 2016 at Asbury Park, Newton, Kansas. She was born on February 11, 1944, to Freeman Wilber and Sarah Emma (Cronk) Soule in Eureka, Kansas. Following her 1962 graduation from Eureka High School, Leah attended the Halstead Hospital School of Nursing (Halstead, Kansas), completing the program and earning her Registered Nurse’s license in 1965. She worked in the Halstead Hospital Surgery Department and later, for Dr. Rate, a thoracic and general surgeon at Halstead Hospital.
Leah married Robert Lee Sellers of Florence, Kansas, on July 12, 1968. The couple made their home on and worked the Sellers family farm west of Florence, Kansas, enjoying forty-eight years together. Leah and Robert had two children, Karen Denise and Julie Ann. In addition to her work on the farm, Leah worked as a registered nurse at the Peabody Nursing Home following her marriage, and in later years, at Regency Health Care in Florence.
Leah attended the Florence Christian Church where she participated in various activities. Se coordinated Vacation Bible School crafts for many years, helped plan, produce, and make costumes for the annual Christmas Program, and helped serve many funeral dinners. Leah was active in her daughters’ community, school, and 4-H events. She served as a project and community leader for the Florence Jayhawk 4-H Club. She also served on the Marion County Cooperative Extension Board. Leah enjoyed a close relationship with her parents-in-law, Benard and Helen Stromberg, for whom she cared in their later years. Leah was an avid gardener and quilter and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds around her home.
Survivors include her husband, Robert (Florence, KS); daughters Karen Denise Sellers, (Larned, KS) and Dr. Julie Sellers and her husband PJ Vaske (Atchison, KS). Other survivors include sisters Betty Uhl (Hamilton, KS); Susan Thole (Stafford, KS); Joan Talkington (Hamilton, KS); Thedda Olson, Sharron Urton, and Karen Nordmeyer (Eureka, KS); and brothers Merle Soule (Mt. Vernon, IL); Jerry Soule (Madison, KS), and Dick Soule (Marshall, TX).
Leah was preceded in death by her parents Sarah and Wilber Soule; sisters Carol Soule; Sandra Soule; Bertha Erickson; Phyllis Enos, and Eleanor Jacoby, and a brother William Soule.
The Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at the Christian Church of Florence, KS. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence, KS.
Memorials are suggested to the Kansas 4-H Foundation, in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion, KS, 66861. Online Condolences may be left at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com.
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O.E. ‘Brownie’ Blanke, 96, died Sept. 16, 2016 in Beloit. He was born Oct. 5, 1919 in Nowata, OK to Edward and Dessie (Brown) Blanke. He was a retired technician for H & B Communications in Holyrood and had also worked for Boeing as a radio technician. He was a U.S. Army-Air Force Veteran and member of the Church of God, A Worldwide Association, Salina.
Survivors include his daughter, Charlotte Hutton and husband, Don of Nowata, OK; Stepdaughter, Gale Clifton of Phoenix, AZ, Stepson, Jim Franklin of Kingman, KS, niece, Betty Koch of Holyrood; nephews, Kennth Blanke of Russell, KS, Dan Blanke of Shell Knob, MO and Terry Kemmerer of Yuma , CO; Grandchildren; Ray, Dwayne and Robert Blanke, Kristine Estes and Richard Hutton, 10 Great grandchildren and 3 Great great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two wives; Wilma and June; Sons, Bill and John; Nephews, Wayne, Jack and Hoyt Kemmerer; Grandchildren, Kathy Blum, Carla and Pamela Blanke.
A Graveside Service will be held, 3:00 p.m., Wed., Sept. 21, 2016 at Nowata Memorial Cemetery, Nowata, OK.
Memorials may be given to American Macular Degeneration Foundation or the Church of God, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
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Donald G. Dumler, 77, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016 in Ellsworth, KS. He was born April 13, 1939 in Great Bend, KS to Adolph and Florence (Ochs) Dumler.
Don married Marilyn Kruger, January 20, 1957 in Ellsworth. She survives him.
Don worked as a Co-Op auditor then as the general manager for Robinson Co-Op, Robinson, KS and Sterling Co-Op before he served as interim Co-Op manager in locations in Kansas, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. He and Marilyn then settled back in Ellsworth for retirement. While back in Ellsworth, Don enjoyed his part-time work for Parsons Funeral Home where he was in charge of cemetery tent setup and later helped with funerals and in the office. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth where he served various roles. A family man, Don loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in athletics, especially Sterling College Football.
Don is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Jan Thorne (Gary Wallert) of Ellsworth; sons, Donald Blaine Dumler (Satomi) of Stuttgart, Germany and Randy Dumler (Mary) of Hoisington; daughter, Karla Bennett (Jeff) of Sterling; grandchildren, Corey Bahan, Nicole Elsworth (Alex), Nick Lomas (Annie), Alex Lomas, Erik Simpson, Sean Dumler, Kristine Schrag (Brett), Matt Bennett (Brittani) and Chad Bennett; great grandchildren, Zach Elsworth, Peyton Lomas, Paislee Lomas, Braden Konzem, Chloe Westphal, Allie Westphal, Brittney Schrag, Baylee Schrag, Brayden Schrag, and Dinah Jean Schrag; sister, Kathy Teegarden (Jim Bridges); sister-in-law, Carol Marker (Gay); brothers-in-law, Bill Gwinner and Glenn Kruger (Sue); and sisters-in-law, Sharon Whipple (Art) and Rita McCall (Dave).
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arnold Dumler; and sister-in-law, Lila Gwinner
Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present 6-8 p.m.
Funeral service: 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 23, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, with burial following in the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth or Sterling College Football, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
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David L. Sheridan, 70, passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016 in Ellsworth, KS. He was born January 30, 1946 in Ellsworth to William J. and June (Brady) Sheridan.
A longtime resident of Ellsworth, David worked for the City of Ellsworth Water Department for several years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth and served his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Navy.
David is survived by sons, Dustin Sheridan (Melinda) of Georgia and Scott Sheridan (Susan) of Salina; four grandchildren; sisters, Carol Schwemmer (Gene) of Ellsworth and Janet Noe of Mesa, AZ; and brothers, Bill Sheridan of Edna, KS, Fred Sheridan (Kathy) of Hartsburg, MO, Larry Sheridan (Janean) of Holyrood, Phil Sheridan (Stacy) of Ellsworth, and Mark Sheridan (Stacy) of Virginia. He was preceded in death by parents; sister, Grace Holland; nephew, Jack Sheridan; and niece, Billy Jo Heiser.
Visitation: 1-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.
Funeral service: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 22, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church, Ellsworth, with burial following in Carneiro Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth County Senior Center for Meals on Wheels, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
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Leroy Arthur Jones, the son of Arthur F. Jones and Rosa Opal (Hill) Jones was born March 1, 1941 at Fairbury, NE and passed away on September 16, 2016 at the Blue Valley Lutheran Home, Hebron, NE at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 15 days. He was of Hebron, formerly of Chester, NE.
LeRoy grew and attended the public schools of Fairbury, NE. On June 7, 1959, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Anderson and to this union was born children: Ricky LeRoy, Cindy Diane, Jeffrey Duane, Becky Patrice and Cory Edward.
The couple made their home in Omaha, NE where LeRoy worked for the Omaha Police Department. They later moved to Belleville, KS for a time and then moved to Chester, NE where they lived for many years.
LeRoy was an over the road trucker and then was the owner and operator of P&L Towing at Chester for many years until his retirement.
He was a member of the Chester Fire & Rescue for 34 years, retiring on January 8, 2013. He also was a certified EMT for Chester for 21 years.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his Parents Arthur and Rosa Jones, in-laws Edward and Frieda Anderson, Son, Jeffrey Duane Jones on June 25, 2014; and Brother Edwin “Punky” Jones.
LeRoy is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Jones of Chester, NE, two sons Ricky Jones of Edgerton, Ohio and Cory Jones of Hebron, NE; two daughters, Cindy (Todd) Mumm of Bertrand, NE and Becky (Travis) Winn of Hebron, NE; 10 grandchildren: Trenton Jones of Springfield, MO, Rachel and Alex Jones of DeFiance, Ohio, Andrea (Tyler) Rabe of Bertrand, NE, Dustin (Emily )Mumm of Bertrand, NE, Whitney Mumm and Angel Murillo of Lincoln, NE, Dillen Mumm of Bertrand, NE, Ashley (Chad) Herbert of Kearney, NE, Jordan Winn of Hebron, NE, and JaLisa (Mike) Novak of Beloit, KS and 8 great grandchildren: Alyvia & Alyssa Rabe of Bertrand, NE, Quentin, Reeselyn, & Ava Mumm of Bertrand, NE and Ryker, Ryton, & Rylan Novak of Beloit, KS; 2 Brothers Loren (Linda) Jones of Blair, NE and Jay Jones of Fairbury, NE, other relatives and many friends.
Cremation was selected and memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 23, 2016 at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS.
Inurnment will follow the services at the Farmington Cemetery, rural Cuba, KS.
Memorials are suggested to Chester Fire and Rescue and the Blue Valley Lutheran Home.
Online condolences to www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.
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Patricia A. Harris, 85, of Washington, KS, died September 18, 2016 at the Washington County Hospital.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 22 at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Rev. Randy Jellison-Knock will officiate.
The pallbearers will be Larry Hawley, Dan Zabokrtsky, Gary Gauby, Les Gauby, Paul Dague, and Dale Kearn, Jr.
Burial will be in the Washington City Cemetery.
Patricia was born September 21, 1930 in Clay County, KS, daughter of Francis and Vivian (Gordon) McCollum.
On May 28, 1951 she married Arlo Harris. In 1974, they purchased Boyer Salvage in Washington and operated it at Harris Salvage with her family until her death.
Patricia enjoyed crocheting, knitting, making blankets for her family, flowers, and her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Marion McCollum; and a sister, Delores Kahrs.
Survivors include her son, Thaine Harris, Washington; five grandchildren, Heather Busby, Dani Woerner, Tyler Harris, Shannon Harris, and Makayla Harris; four grandchildren; and a brother, Leland (Bernadetta) McCollum, Clay Center, KS.
A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home.
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Norma Jean (Tomlin) Cook, 88, of Russell, Kansas,
passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.
Norma Jean was born May 1, 1928 in Atlanta, Kansas, the daughter of Herbert and Inez (Murrey) Tomlin. She attended school in Leon, Kansas until she was ten years old when her family moved to Russell. She graduated from Russell High School. She then attended and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education.
Norma Jean was united in marriage to Bob Gene Cook on November 21, 1951in Russell. This union was blessed with a son, Tom. They made their home in Russell.
Norma Jean was a devoted wife and homemaker for Tom. Then after Tom was eight, she started teaching in the Russell County area. She taught at country schools and most of the schools in Russell. She was a Teacher for over 50 years before she retired. She was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church and was church Choir Director for many years. She also was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, Gamma Zeta (Beta Sigma Phi) and Russell Rotary where she played the piano at meetings.. She was the Past President of the Russell County ARC, Co Founder of the Russell Rough Riders, and was on the Russell City Council for over 17 years. She was on the planning committees for the ’61, ’71, ’81, and ’91 Prairiestas, was Man of the Year in Russell in 1981, was awarded the Heart of Gold Award in 1987 by Edward D. Jones, judged the Russell County Fair talent shows, did “Our Town” presentations, was involved with the Spike Jones Band and with great enjoyment played Bridge for many years with her friends
Surviving family include her husband of 64 years, Bob of the home; son Tom Cook of Russell, Kansas; sister, Kay Lowenstein of Manhattan, Kansas; and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Celebration of Norma Jean’s Life will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, September 22, 2016 at the Trinity United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Wednesday at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 pm to 7:00pm. Memorials have been established with the Otterbein United Methodist Church or ARC of Russell County. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.