CHARLES MILTON "CHUCK" DUNBAR 

    

     Charles Milton “Chuck” Dunbar, 58, Burlington, died at his home on Wednesday evening, May 9, 2012.

     He was born on January 14, 1954, at Sedan, Kansas, to Bert and Fern Harris Dunbar.

     He graduated from Newton High School and entered the United States Navy on July 20, 1973 and was discharged on January 29, 1979. While in the Navy, he was stationed at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After his discharge he began working at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant as an instructor.

     Chuck was married to Deborah Blacketer Cole on December 9, 2000.

     He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington.

     Chuck is survived by his wife Deborah Dunbar of the home; a son Jim Cole and wife Janna, Gridley; four daughters Cindy Dahlberg, Tucson, AZ, Stacy Cole and Amber Dunbar, both of Burlington, and Bethany Dunbar, Emporia; his mother in law, Dorothy Blacketer, Burlington; two sisters, Judy Rowland and husband Charles M., West Plains, MO, and Betty Husky, Portland, OR; seventeen grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

     Chuck was cremated. Memorial Services will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Burlington, on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 10:30 A.M.. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

 

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DOROTHY BERNIECE YOUNG 

 

 

         Dorothy Berniece Young, 90, died Thursday, May 03, 2012, at Sunset Manor in Waverly.

            She was born March 15, 1922, at Beggs, OK, the daughter of Edward and Mildred (Fanska) Bartels.

            She grew up in the Lamont, KS area and graduated from Lamont High School.

            On October 14, 1941, she and Ephraim Theophilus “Skeet” Young were married at Valley Falls. They lived in Wichita before moving to a farm near Gridley. They then moved to Emporia where Dorothy was employed at I.B.P. until her retirement.

            She and Skeet suffered the loss of their seven year old son, Michael, in 1956.

            Skeet preceded Dorothy in death on September 2, 1993. Dorothy remained in Emporia until 2009 when she became a resident of Sunset Manor.

            She was a member of the Lamont-Gridley Apostolic Christian Church in Lamont.

            She was also preceded by a sister, Phosa Brown, and a brother, Lloyd Vernon Bartels.

            She leaves two daughters, Sharyl Ellis and husband Bill, Winthrop Harbor, IL, and Lanette Bazil and husband Kavin, Burlington; five grandchildren, Ronald Ellis and wife Melissa, Dennis Ellis, Teresa Curley and husband Patrick, Amos Bazil and wife Jamie, and Melanie Yokum and husband Thomas; and 10 great-grandchildren.

            Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Monday, May 7, 2012, at the Lamont-Gridley Apostolic Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Apostolic Cemetery at Lamont.

            The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

            Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Children’s Home or Sunset Manor and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

 

 

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JOAN  O'BANNION

 

   

     Betty Joan O’Bannion, 83, of Burlington, passed away Tuesday evening, April 17, 2012, at Coffey County Hospital.

    Joan was born on February 22, 1929 at Burlington, Kansas, the daughter of Fred and Florence Rickman Makepeace.  She grew up at Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School in 1947.  

    On March 15, 1947, she married Ross O’Bannion at Burlington, and they were the parents of four children.

    She had worked for the United Telephone Company for several years, and then worked in the lunchroom at the school.  She then worked for Cooksey’s Pharmacy and Wilson’s Clothing Store.    In 1989, they moved to Ocean Isle, North Carolina. She worked for the CVS Pharmacy there. They moved back to Burlington in 2008.  She had worked for Avon for some 50 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Burlington.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Milton Makepeace, and a sister, Madeline Price.

     She is survived by her husband, Ross O’Bannion of Burlington;   three daughters - Dianne Barrett and husband Alan of Burlington;  Lila Van Horn and husband Keith of Ozawkie, and Verna Schickedanz and her companion Dennis Sams of Waverly;   a son, Robert O’Bannion and wife Jill of Waco, Texas;  a sister, Marjie True and husband Orville of LeRoy, and  a sister-in-law Laura Margaret Makepeace of Burlington;  and by 14 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 9 step-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

     Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Burlington, Kansas, burial following at Waverly Cemetery.   The family will meet with friends for visitation on Friday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Jones Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions to “First Baptist Church” may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

 

 

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DAVID  BEARD

 

    

      David James Beard, 75, of Burlington, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2012, at a Topeka hospital.

      He was born November 8, 1936, at Reynolds, North Dakota, the son of  Jack and Leota (Jensen) Beard.  He grew up at Reynolds and attended school there until, at the age of 16 years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He served two tours of duty in Korea, and between them returned to North Dakota, where he worked on construction of the air base at Grand Forks and completed his high school diploma.

      After his second tour in Korea, he returned to Fort Riley, where he married his first wife, Carol Noble, and they were the parents of two daughters, Susan and Cindy.  He then worked in Topeka, first for Schendel and then for a number of years as a supervisor at Goodyear. 

      On June 19, 1976, he was married to Rita (Tulloss) Church at Topeka, and their family included two more children, Liz and John.   In 1981 they moved to Burlington, where they owned and operated Chef’s Drive-In and then Dave’s Cleaners, Rita taught at Burlington Elementary School, and David served two terms as a County Commissioner for Coffey County.

      In 1991, he bought a farm east of Burlington, where he farmed crops, and his improvement and good care of the land earned the Bankers Award. 

      In 2002, David and Rita moved to Richmond Hill, Georgia, where they resided until returning to Burlington in August of 2010.

      David was a lifetime member of the American Legion, and Past Commander of  Congdon-Kepler Post 38 at Burlington.  He also was a member of the VFW and of the Burlington United Methodist Church.   He was a tireless and spirited worker, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was a terrific cook, a loyal friend, and a renowned mangler of the English language.

      He was preceded in death by five brothers – Jackie, Fred, Bill and Tom Beard and an infant, and two sisters – Barbara VanHoutan and Nellie Thompson.

      David is survived by his wife, Rita Beard, of Burlington;  four children, Susie Kotsch and husband Joe of Topeka,  Cindy Sanstra of Colorado Springs, Colorado,  Liz Noles of Midway, Georgia, and John Church and wife Jeana of West Bend, Wisconsin;  eight grandchildren - Justin Foote; Kyle, Ryan and D.J. Sanstra;  Kenzie and Veronica Church; and Tyler and Ashley Kemppainin;  three great-grandchildren – Kaylee and Jared Foote, and Karter Sanstra;   five brothers – Frank Beard of  Reynolds, North Dakota, Bruce Beard and wife Celeste of California, Richard Beard of Seattle, Washington,  Roger Beard and wife Mary Ann of Plano, Texas, George Heen of San Francisco, California;  a sister, Donna Zerahn of Prescott, Wisconsin;  a sister-in-law, Marie Beard of Denver, Colorado;  and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

       Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M., on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, with burial following in Graceland Cemetery.

      The family will meet with friends for visitation from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday evening at the funeral home.

      Memorial contributions to “Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene Children’s Center”  or  “American Cancer Society” may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

 

  

 

 

 

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DALE  KNIGHT

  

 

      Robert Dale Knight, 82, Burlington, Kansas, passed away early Monday, April 2, 2012, at the Life Care Center in Burlington.

      He was born January 13, 1930, in Kellerton, Iowa, the son of David Raymond and Aurel (Shannon) Knight.   He was raised in Lamoni, Iowa, and graduated from Lamoni High School with the Class of 1947.

      In January of  1948, he and Ila Mae Mitchell were married, and to this union were born two sons and a daughter, Mike and Tommy Knight, and Shelli Hugunin. After 27 years of marriage Dale and Ila were divorced.

      On December 21, 1979, Dale and Virginia (Morris) Paxson were married and they enjoyed 33 years together.

      Dale retired from Dolly Madison/Interstate Brands Incorporated as a truck driver following 32 years of loyal, conscientious service.    He served as President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and was a member of Aerie #3577, Fraternal Order of Eagles in Burlington.

      Dale was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Bonnie Knight; and an infant great-granddaughter.

      He leaves his wife, Virginia, of the home;  his children, Mike and Carol Knight, Tommy and Debi Knight, and Shelli and Tom Hugunin, all of Burlington;  two step-sons, Gary Paxson, Emporia, and Randy and Vicki Paxson, Neodesha; 9 grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren.

      Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M., on Thursday, April 5, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, with burial following in Graceland Cemetery.

      The family will meet with friends for visitation from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

      Memorial contributions to “Ronald McDonald House” may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

 

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ROSE POPE

 

    Rose Pope, 70, of the Jacobs Creek community near Hartford, Kansas, passed away late on Wednesday night March 28, 2012, at her home.

    She had been a food service worker at Emporia State University, and was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Burlington.

Rose was born on February 20, 1942, at Astoria, Oregon, the daughter of Reinhold and Clara (Feickert) Quaschnick.  On June 22, 1991, she was married to Francis Pope at Kansas City, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on December 30, 2001.

She is survived by four daughters - Cheryl Taylor of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Cindy Sallee of New Strawn, Kathy Clark of Garnett, and Lani Benton of Lawrence;  14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren;  her sisters and brothers - Shirley Hendershott of Usk, Washington, Marvin Quaschnick of Oregon, Ruth Hendershott of Deer Park, Washington, Ronnie Quaschnick of Astoria, Oregon, Eileen Lindsley of Oregon, Michael Quaschnick of Washington, Karen Morgan of Collins, Missouri, and Kathy Belknap of Spokane, Washington;  and many other relatives and friends.

Family and friends will gather for graveside funeral services and interment at 1:30 P.M., on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Strawn Cemetery.   Memorial contributions to the “Rose Pope Memorial Fund” may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

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MILDRED  (PRESTON) McMICHAEL

 

  

Mildred Josephine (Preston) McMichael, 90, of  Pearland, Texas, formerly of Burlington, passed away early on Saturday, March 18, 2012.

She had served as Clerk of the District Court in Coffey County, Kansas, in the 1950s.

She was born on December 13, 1921, in Missouri, the daughter of  Joseph Johnson Myers and Lula (Weeks) Myers.   She was married to John C. Preston, and they were the parents of a daughter, Shirley.    They lost John in World War 2, when his Merchant Marine ship was torpedoed on March 17, 1945.

In the 1950s, then named Mildred Preston, she served as Clerk of the District Court at the Coffey County Courthouse in Burlington, Kansas.  

In November of 1956, she was married to Frank McMichael, and they moved to his homestead at Tutka Bay in Alaska.  They worked together fishing with stake nets at Harriet Point on Alaska’s Cook Inlet.     Mildred and Frank were the parents of a daughter, Deborah.  Frank passed away on March 3, 1993, and Mildred remained in Alaska until January of 2011, when she moved to assisted living in Pearland, Texas.

She was preceded by her husbands and by a great-grandson, Colt Tuskey.

She is survived by her daughters, Shirley Gregg and husband Richard of Pasadena, Texas, and Debby McMichael-Delo and husband Howard of Big Lake, Alaska;  a granddaughter, Sheila Williams of Pasadena;  four great-granddaughters, Qualina Tuskey, Sierra Wunderlich, and twins Kelsey and Cheyenne Williams;   a great-great-grandson, Jesse James Thornton;  and many other relatives and friends.

Family and friends will gather for graveside funeral services and interment at 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Stringtown Cemetery north of Burlington, Kansas.

 

 

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GLEN  KELLY

 

       Carl “Glen” Kelly, 92, of rural LeRoy, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday morning, February 29, 2012, at Life Care Center of Burlington.

He was born on July 19, 1919, north of Burlington, the son of Oliver Jackson and Fannie Alice (Skillman) Kelly. He grew up on the farm and attended No. 4 rural school. He graduated from Burlington High School in the Class of 1937, and attended college at Chanute, then took up farming with his father.

On January 9, 1944, he was married to Rosa Mary Kniss at Burlington. They moved to a farm on Big Creek, south of Burlington, and in 1945 they bought their own farm, which would be their home ever since. Starting with two mules, a wagon and an old pickup, Glen and Rosa built a productive farming operation to include raising crops, cattle and hogs, and many other kinds of livestock over the years.

Glen loved being outdoors in God’s creation. He was a self-taught astronomer, and he loved sharing that interest, as well as his vast knowledge of the trees and animals in his part of Kansas. He was an avid hunter, and loved fishing the gravel bar in Big Creek.

Glen had been a member of the Cola Hill Grange, and the Crotty Methodist Church until it closed and he transferred to the Methodist Church in Burlington.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Houser and Lydia Mae Allen.

He is survived by Rosa, his wife and partner of 68 years; his children, Janice Ashbaugh and husband Les, Carl Kelly and wife Betty, and Mary Mulryan and husband Pat; six grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Akers and Effie Lou Simmons; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M., on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, with burial following at Graceland Cemetery. There will be no formal visitation, and Mr. Kelly will lie in state at the funeral home on Friday afternoon and early evening. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Burlington United Methodist Church or Hand-in-Hand Hospice.

 

 

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RUBY BROYLES

 

 

      Ruby Idell Broyles, 89, of Waverly, Kansas, passed away early Friday, February 24, 2012, at Sunset Manor in Waverly, where she had made her home for the past ten years.

      She was born January 7, 1923, in Ness City, Kansas, the daughter of Charles Leroy and Lula Susan (Smith) Figgins.

      Ruby spent her childhood in Quenemo, Kansas, and graduated from Williamsburg High School.

      On June 21, 1941, she and George Clinton Broyles were married at Rosedale, Kansas. They spent most of their married life in the Waverly area.

      Besides being a farm wife and homemaker Ruby had also worked as a clerk for livestock sales in Waverly and Ottawa.

      She was a member of the Bethany Church of Christ in Waverly.

      She was preceded in death by four brothers, Byron, Rankin, Forrest, and Marlin Figgins and a sister, Vada Bachelor.

      She leaves George, her husband of more than seventy years; her children, Charles Broyles and wife Dianna, Waverly, Georgia Masten, Waverly, and Max Broyles and wife Judy, Williamsburg, KS; seven grandchildren, Roger Broyles, Tamara Gouldner, Darren Masten, Teresa Chapin, Donita Gottstein, Heather Broyles, and Brandon, Broyles; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Lee Figgins, Pomona, KS; and a sister, Peggy Weiss, Ft. Worth, TX.

      Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 27, 2012, at the Peniel Bible Church north of Waverly. Burial will follow in Waverly Cemetery.

      The family will meet with friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the church.

      Memorial contributions may be made to Hand In Hand Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

          

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CHARLES F. "FREE" CROOKS

 

             Charles Fremont “Free” Crooks, 92, rural Burlington, KS, passed away Thursday afternoon, February 16, 2012, at his home.

            He was born November 12, 1919, at Quincy, KS, the son of John Earl and Mary Gertrude (Smith) Crooks.

            He spent his childhood at Virgil, KS, and on October 8, 1938, he and Lula L. Phillips were married at Eureka, KS.

            They made their home in Eureka, Lebo, and then a farm west of Burlington for five years. In 1959 they had to leave their farm due to the construction of John Redmond Reservoir and they moved to their current farm east of Burlington.

            Free served on the board and had been chairman of the board for LeRoy Coop; he had served on the Long-Scott Creek Water District Board; and was Past Master of the Otter Creek Grange.

            He was a long-time farmer and a stockman and kept dairy cows for a number of years.

            He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Dean, Stokes and John Crooks, and 5 sisters, Alice Bannister, Leona Bell, Jewel Rogers, Gertrude Crooks, and Wanda Crooks.

            He leaves Lula, his wife of more than 73 years; a niece, Lula Day, who made her home with them when she was young and who had lived with and cared for them for the past two years; and a number of nieces and nephews.

             Services will be held 1:30 P.M. Monday, February 20, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery east of Burlington.

            The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

            Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc. or the Parkinson’s Foundation and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 

 

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REBA NADINE PETERSON

 

 

      Reba N. Peterson, 85, Hartford, passed away early Thursday, February 09, 2012, at the Life Care Center in Burlington.

       She was born December 17, 1926, at Burlington, the daughter of Louie and Fay (Campbell) Cunningham.

       She had been a member of the United Methodist Church.

       In 1942 she and Roy Jones, Jr. were married and they became the parents of two daughters. They were later divorced.

       In 1983 Reba and William “Pete” Peterson were married at Burlington. They lived in Wichita before moving to Hartford, Kansas, in 1995.

       Her husband, Pete, preceded her in death on February 19, 2011.

       She was also preceded by a daughter, Sandy Stone, and three grandchildren, Philip Jeffrey Beeson, Scott Pankaskie, and Marcia Lynn Pankaskie.

       She leaves her daughter, Sheila Jones, Gridley; a step-daughter, Kathy Vitiello, Watertown, Connecticut; two step sons, Mickey Peterson, Park City, KS, and Ricky Peterson, Naugatuck, Connecticut; seven grandchildren, Christine Williams, Nikki Houston, Trisha Nicholson, Michelle Pankaskie, Troy Pankaskie, Jennifer Nicholson, and Eldon Nicholson; a step-granddaughter, Alyson Vitiello; and ten great-grandchildren.

       Services will be held 1:30 P.M. Monday, February 13, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will follow in Hartford Cemetery.

       The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

       Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the Flint Hills and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 

 

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VIRGINIA RAYE TOWNSEND

 

       Virginia Raye Townsend, 85, Burlington, passed away Wednesday night, February 8, 2012, at Tara Gardens in Iola where she had been a resident for the past two months.

       She was born September 12, 1926, in Burlington, the daughter of Diltz E. and Geneva Frances (Garrett) Gunlock.

       She graduated from Burlington High School and then moved to California where she was employed as an escrow manager for many years.

       In 1958 she and Joe Townsend were married and he preceded her in death in 1993.

       Virginia moved back to Burlington in 1992 following her retirement.

       She was also preceded by a son, Danny Mael; two brothers, Warren “Pete” Gunlock and William Gunlock; and three sisters, Cleo Meats, Agnes Baird, and Marjorie Gunlock.

       She leaves her daughter, Dallas Townsend, Burlington; her son, Dennis Mael, Trout Lake, Washington; a granddaughter, Donnell Tardiff; four great-grandchldren; and a sister, Ada Cummins, Springfield, Oregon.

       Cremation is planned. Family and friends are invited to the home of Dallas Townsend, 1073 Iris Rd SW, Burlington, on Sunday, February 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. to remember Virginia.

 

 

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SYLVIA GRAY COLVIN

 

 

      Sylvia G. Colvin, 88, Derby, KS, passed away Monday night, February 6, 2012, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita.

      She was born June 5, 1923, at Pinsonfork, in Pike County, Kentucky, the daughter of Abner Hern and Isabel (Runyon) May.

      After graduating from high school she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she worked at a shipyard during World War II. While in Baltimore she became acquainted with Virgil Floyd Colvin who was serving in the Coast Guard. They were married on January 6, 1945, in Baltimore.

      They moved to Topeka, Kansas, and then to Kentucky. They then moved to a farm east of Burlington, Kansas. In 1961 they moved to Derby, Kansas. Sylvia worked for Farm Bureau in Burlington and after moving to Derby she was employed at the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Derby for a number of years.

      She attended the Glorious Life Church in Derby.

      Her husband, Virgil, preceded her in death on March 20, 1983. She was also preceded by seven brothers and sisters.

      She leaves two sons, Virgil F. Colvin, Jr. and wife Judy, Poplar Bluff, MO, and Kenneth H. Colvin and wife Terry, Rowlett, TX; her daughter, Sheila Prater, Sachse, TX; five grandchildren, Amy Helm, Daniel Colvin, Landa Colvin-Marion, Kimberly Epperly, and Kelly Prater; six great-grandchildren, Ethan and Grace Helm, Timber and Greyson Colvin, and Morgan and Marquelle Epperly; and a sister, Goldena May, Stone, Kentucky.

      Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, Kansas. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Burlington.

      Family and friends will meet from 1:00 P.M. Saturday until service time at the funeral home.

      Memorial contributions are suggested to an animal shelter of the donor’s choice.

 

 

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JOSEPH HUGHES

 

  

      Joseph Erwin Hughes, 58, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2012, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

      He was born February 23, 1953, in Waverly, Kansas, the son of Floyd and Betty (Plain) Hughes.

      Joe grew up in Waverly and graduated from Waverly High School in 1971. He then attended Cloud County Community College for one year where he played basketball.

      He joined the United States Air Force on March 7, 1975, and was discharged from active duty on May 9, 1978.

      He had worked as an electrician, a construction contractor, and a farmer. He was mentoring the development of Hughes Construction in Topeka.

      He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waverly. He had supported the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Topeka.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Brenda Hess Hughes; and a son, Joshua Hughes.

      He leaves his fiance, Roxanna Barton, Topeka; his sons, Carl J. Hughes and wife Erin, Topeka, Justin Barton and wife Katie, Overbrook, Weston Barton, Topeka, and Holden Barton and wife Leiloni, Topeka; his daughter, Allison Buck and husband Ben, Kansas City, MO; his brothers and their wives, Daryl and Elma Hughes, Brevard, NC, Les and Pat Hughes, Topeka, Allen and Denise Hughes, Dallas, TX, Harold and Robin Hughes, Dallas, TX, Patrick and Priscilla Hughes, Wichita, Michael and Kathryn Hughes, Colleyville, TX, and Daniel and Pam Hughes, Overland Park; his sister, Susan Hughes, Hallsville, TX; five grandchildren, Alaina and Ellie Johnson, Madeline and Ziven Barton, and Abigail Allbright; and Carl and Allison's mother, Phyllis Hughes, Topeka.

      Joe was cremated. Memorial services will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, February 11, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waverly. Inurnment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Waverly.

      A Rosary will be recited 6:30 P.M. Friday at the church with visitation following.

      Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans. 

 

 

 

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JERRY CRISP

 

  

      Jerry D. Crisp, 77, of Gridley, KS, long-time Burlington resident, passed away Sunday afternoon, February 5, 2012, at his son’s home near Burlington.

      He was born May 18, 1934, at Harrisonville, Missouri, the son of James Monroe and Hazel Alta (Burrows) Crisp.

      He spent most of his childhood in Harrisonville and graduated from high school there in 1952.

      On March 23, 1953, he entered the United States Army. He served during the Korean War and upon his discharge as a Sergeant on March 23, 1956, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

      On October 6, 1954, he and Frankielee Foster were married at Harrisonville. They became the parents of three children and were later divorced.

      Following his discharge Jerry and Frankielee lived in California where Jerry attended Junior College. They moved back to Harrisonville in 1958 and later lived in Grandview while Jerry attended the University of Missouri Kansas City where he earned his Pharmacy Degree. He was employed at Messer Pharmacy in Paola and then Katz Drugs in Kansas City. In 1965 the family moved to Burlington and Jerry worked at Foster’s Pharmacy. He then purchased the business and operated Crisp Pharmacy in downtown Burlington for many years. In later years he moved the pharmacy to Hoover’s Thriftway in Burlington and operated there until his retirement in 1995.

      Not long after retirement he moved to Gridley and lived there until moving to the home of his son Scott and wife Kim in August 2011.

      Jerry was a member of Congdon-Kepler Post #38, American Legion in Burlington.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Danny Beyer; two sisters, Edith Ament and Evadean Anderson; and two brothers, James and Raymond Crisp.

      He leaves his children, Jerilee Trostle and husband Kerry, LeRoy, KS, Caren Dick and husband Henry, Topeka, KS, and Scott Crisp and wife Kim, Burlington; four grandchildren, Rori Salava and husband Jon, Katie Burris and husband Aaron, Beau Beyer and wife Lindsay, and Charlie Dick; and a great-grandson, Clive Daniel Salava.

      Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 10, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will follow in Crandall Cemetery south-east of Burlington.

      The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.

      Memorial contributions may be made to Hand In Hand Hospice and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington 66839.

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MARTHA HOUSTON

 

 

Martha J. Houston, 81, LeRoy, Kansas, died on Friday morning, January 27, 2012, at her home.

She was born on April 8, 1930 near Neosho Falls, to John and Goldie VanNordstrand Mullins.

Martha attended Lakeview and Philmore Country Schools and LeRoy High School.

On October 7, 1947, she married Sherman L. Houston in LeRoy, and they enjoyed over 64 years together.

Martha was a member of the First Baptist Church in Burlington.  She was a devoted Christian and taught Sunday school for many years.  She was a dedicated farm wife and enjoyed vegetable gardening, feeding hummingbirds, her cats and her beautiful flowers.

She is survived by her husband Sherman, of the home;  a son Michael and his wife Laurie, LeRoy;  a daughter, Sheila Gilbert and husband Roger, Burlington;  4 granddaughters, Monica Gilbert Mason and her husband Richard, Shona Houston Meyer and husband Jason, and Shelli Houston Cole and her husband Bill, and Chelsey Gilbert; 3 great-grandchildren, Reece Morgan, Hunter and Remington Cole; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., on Monday, January 30, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Burlington, with burial following at Logue Cemetery east of LeRoy.  The family will meet with friends on Sunday evening, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions to ‘First Baptist Church’ or ‘Coffey County Cancer Support Group’, may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

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LUCILE IRENE COMBES

  

      Lucile Irene Combes, 88, Waverly, died on Saturday afternoon, January 21, 2012, at Sunset Manor in Waverly, Kansas.

      Lucile was born on January 26, 1923, in New Castle, Wyoming, the daughter of John and Bertie Chamberlain Lyons.

      She grew up at Hartford and graduated from Hartford High School.  She was a member of the Waverly Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and the Lucky Grange. She was past president of the U.M.W., and past master for the Grange.

      Lucile married Cecil R. Combes, on November 2, 1940, in Emporia, Kansas. They moved to a farm southwest of Lebo, Kansas.  He died on February 10, 1995.

      Lucile was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother Bert Lyons, and three sisters, Opal Sheets, Mary Reich, and Phyllis Curtiss.

     She is survived by her sons, Forrest and his wife Linda, Lebo, Kenneth and his wife Irene, Waverly, and David and his wife Sara, Lebo, her daughters, Carolyn Peters and her husband Dennis, Palmer, Gwendolyn Mickle and her husband Jack, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Marilyn Wright and her husband Hervey, Wichita, 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren, a brother in law, Dick Curtiss, Visalia, California, other relatives and friends.

      Services will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at the Waverly United Methodist Church, Waverly, Kansas. The family will meet with friends Tuesday evening 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., at the church. Burial will be at the Lincoln Cemetery, Lebo, Kansas. Contributions may be made to the Church, and sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

 

 

 

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MELVIN FREEMAN

 

 

Melvin D. "Toad" Freeman Burlington, KS died January 19, 2012.  He was 92.
 He was born October 1, 1919 in the Crandall neighborhood west of LeRoy to Joseph Benjamin Freeman and Sarah Jane Griffin Freeman. As a young boy, he later moved with the family to the Wolf Creek neighborhood 6 miles southeast of Burlington.  He attended the one-room schools of Plank and Wolf Creek.
            He married Juanita Christina Pliler, July 19, 1941, at Iola by Judge Dunlap. They lived in Iola where Melvin was employed at M & M packing for 3 years before entering the United States army.
            As a veteran of World War II, he served as a first staff sergeant with the 320th Infantry of the 35ht Division with allied forces in Europe.  During his service, Melvin was awarded the medals of Good Conduct, Valor for Service, Expert Rifler, and Safe Driver.  After his discharged from the army, Melvin served with the Kansas National Guard for eight years and was a 50 year member of the American Legion Post #38 in Burlington.  For a number of years he, also, volunteered at the annual Pancake Day activities held at the legion.  On Veterans Day 2011, he was recognized by the American Legion and Auxiliary Post #38 for his military service during World War II.
            On July 1, 1951, he began his career as a lineman with the Coffey County Rural Electric Association.  For 33 years he served the customers of Coffey County and the surrounding counties until his retirement on July 31, 1984.  He enjoyed his retirement years by attending public auctions in the community.  On June 27, 1990, Melvin was featured in Coffey County Today for his collection of 800 hammers.  In the article written by Bill Batdorf, Melvin stated how his brothers  Eli and Buck influenced his interest in hammers.
            He is survived by his wife of 70 years Juanita.  A son David Wayne, Windsor, Missouri an daughters Linda Keys, Emporia, Kansas and Carolyn Wilson, Burnsville, North Carolina.  Brother Milton "Pete" Freeman of Osage City, Kansas. Six grandchildren and Five great grand children.
            He is preceded in death by his twin brother Calvin "Buck" and brothers Eli Benjamin, Milo and Jack "Albert" and twin infant brothers, Carl and Francis; his sisters Nina Darlene Rohr, Geraldine Beall, Betty Gifford and June Heffron.
            Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be planed at a later date.  Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Melvin to the Kansas Day activities at the Coffey County Historical Society,  1101 West Neosho Street, Burlington, KS 66839.

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HAROLD S. McMURRAY

 

 

        Harold Sanders McMurray, 91, Burlington, Kansas, passed away Saturday morning, January 14, 2012, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

      He was born August 17, 1920, in Burlington, the son of William James McMurray, II and Elva Bonn (Sanders) McMurray.

      He graduated from Burlington High School in 1938 and attended the Kansas City Business College for one year.

      On July 28, 1942, he entered the United States Army Air Corps. He served during World War II in Canada and Alaska. Upon his discharge as a Sergeant on November 21, 1945, he was awarded the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of Congdon-Kepler Post #38, American Legion and Post #1030, V.F.W. at Burlington.

      He then returned to Kansas and attended the University of Kansas.

On April 3, 1949, he and Martha Jane McConnell were married at the home of her parents in Burlington.

      Harold was employed part time as a letter carrier for the Burlington Post Office and also was an agent for State Farm Insurance for a number of years. He became a full time employee at the Post Office where he worked until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the national Association of Letter Carriers for more than seventy years.

      He was a member of the Burlington United Methodist Church; a member of Burlington Lodge #66, A.F. & A.M.; a member of the Burlington Cemetery Association, and had served on the Burlington Library Board and School Board.

      In later years he and Martha enjoyed being members of the Prairie Promenaders and Harlan’s Twirlers square dance clubs.

      Martha preceded Harold in death on October 23, 2011, following more than sixty-two years of marriage.

      He was also preceded by a brother, Donald D. McMurray.

      He leaves his son, Dr. James McMurray and wife Linda, Burlington; his daughter, Sherry Young and husband Thomas, Burlington; nine grandchildren, Laura McMurray, Overland Park, Katie McMurray, Burlington, Jon Boyce, Topeka, Daniel Boyce, Lawrence, Hallie Wilson and husband Jeff, Burlington, and Sarah, Hannah, Shemaiyah, and Beth Young, Burlington; a great-granddaughter, Jaylee Jo Wilson; a brother, William J. McMurray, III, Green Valley, AZ; a sister-in-law, Shelly McMurray, Long Beach, CA; and a brother-in-law, John McConnell, Burlington.

      Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at the Burlington United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery at Burlington.

      The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

      Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church or the Burlington Animal Shelter and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 277, Burlington 66839. 

 

  

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BRENDA GRIMES 

 

 

      Brenda Louise Grimes, daughter of Ralph Paul and Marguerite Louise Brown Snavely, was born January 15, 1959, in Topeka, Kansas.

        She grew up in Gardner, Kansas, and graduated from Gardner High School. She then attended Washburn University.

        She had worked several years as a shift clerk for Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation.

        She was a member of the United Methodist Church, in Burlington.

        On May 17, 1986, she married Eldon L. Grimes at the United Methodist Church in Burlington.

        Brenda died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, January 9, 2012.

        She was preceded in death by her father.

        She is survived by her husband Eldon, of the home;  her daughter Loretta Grimes of Burlington;   her mother Louise Snavely of Gardner; two sisters, Lesa Soetaert of Gardner and Karla Gravenstein and husband Randy of Olathe;  a brother Scott Snavely and his wife Jacque of Arkansas City; other relatives and friends.

        Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held 7:00 P.M. Monday, January 16, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington.

        Memorial contributions may be made to the "Brenda Grimes Memorial Fund" and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 

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DONALD  BRINKMAN

 

 

Donald K. Brinkman, 75, of Burlington, died on January 9, 2012, at the Life Care Center in Burlington.

He was born May 18, 1936 in Humboldt, Kansas, to George J. and Mildred Peck Brinkman.

He grew up in Humboldt and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1953. He then graduated from Kansas State University in 1958. He then taught Vocational Agriculture. He had also worked in Sales and Management with Moorman Feeds and DeKalb for many years. Later he became the Hospital Administrator at Coffey County Hospital from 1973 to 1978. He then owned Audit Tax, doing accounting and tax preparation for many years.

He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities. He had been the church treasurer for 21 years. He was the treasurer for the Mid American Nutrition Program for many years, and also the Senior Center. He served on the Burlington City Council for 21 years. He was the Coffey County Delegate to the Silver Haired Legislature for many years. He loved to travel, having been to most states, including Alaska, Hawaii, and many European countries.

Don married Lois L. Nelson on August 10, 1958, in Manhattan. They were the parents of a son and daughter.

Don is survived by his wife Lois, of the home, a son Mark Brinkman and his wife Anne, of Duluth, Georgia, a daughter Kathy Herriott and her husband Doug, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, a brother Kenneth and his wife Jo, of Augusta, Kansas, two sisters Janice Garcia and her husband Robert, of Rose Hill, Kansas, and Karen Ferrell, of Caney, Kansas, two grandchildren, Brianne and Brooke Herriott.

Services are 1:30 P.M., Thursday, January 12, 2012, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Burlington, Kansas.  The family will meet with friends on Wednesday evening 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.

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ISABEL LANG 

 

      Maria Isabel Lang, 67, of rural LeRoy, Kansas, passed away Sunday evening, January 8, 2012, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

      She was born May 27, 1944, in Los Indios, Texas, the daughter of Ignacio and Gertrudis (Garcia) Trevino.

      She grew up in Los Indios and on January 31, 1969, she and Eugene Lee Lang were married at San Benito, Texas. They made their home on their farm near LeRoy.

      Isabel was employed as a rural mail carrier in LeRoy until her retirement. She also worked as a court appointed special advocate and as an interpreter for local courts and as an interpreter for the schools in Burlington and Lebo.

      She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Burlington.

      Her husband, Eugene, preceded her in death on May 21, 2009.

      She was also preceded by her twin brother, Ignacio “Nacho” Trevino.

      She leaves her daughters, Mary Jo Lang and Corrina Jean Cooper of Burlington; three grandchildren, Shanelle Langdell of Emporia and Elysia and Xeric Cooper of Burlington; a brother, Ismael Trevino, and two sisters, Hilda Trevino and Iduvijes T. Pena all of Los Indios.

      Private family entombment will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Burlington.

      Memorial services will be held 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, Kansas.

      Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 

 

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MICHAEL JOHNSON

 

 

       Michael Eugene Johnson, 63, Burlington, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2011, at his home.

      He was born April 15, 1948, in Lincoln, Illinois, the son of Edward Axel and Viola Jane (Davis) Johnson.

      Mike grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln High School.

      On June 16, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was a Hospital Corpsman and worked in the pharmacy. One of his commanders noted that “his pride in himself and the Hospital Corps has afforded him the highest degree of respect and admiration from all associated with him. His jovial sense of humor and polite mannerism has upgraded the high moral of all that come in contact with him.”

      On August 30, 1968, he and Dixie Lee Mann, who was also serving in the Hospital Corps, were married at Jacksonville, North Carolina.

      Mike served overseas in Vietnam and then was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois until his discharge on March 25, 1971. Upon his discharge he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; the Viet Nam Service Medal with FMF Combat Insignia and Bronze Star; the Viet Nam Service Medal with device; the Combat Action Ribbon; and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

      Following his discharge from the Navy he attended Sauk Valley Junior College in Dixon, Illinois, before moving to Lawrence, Kansas, and earning his Pharmacy Degree from the University of Kansas.

      Mike was employed at the Medical Pharmacy in Holton, Kansas, before he and Dixie moved to Burlington and opened the Johnson Family Pharmacy in downtown Burlington in January 1981. He enjoyed his work in the pharmacy and he also enjoyed visiting with his many friends that would come for a cup of coffee at the soda fountain.

      Mike and Dixie closed the store in 2006 although Mike continued working in the pharmacies in town part time, even going to work the day before his death.

      He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Edward Johnson.

      He leaves his wife, Dixie; his daughter, Lisa Kuhlmann and husband Craig, Burlington; three grandchildren, Samantha Kuhlmann, Lawrence, Kansas, and Keegan and Sage Kuhlmann, Burlington; and two sisters, Naomi Veff, LaHarpe, Illinois, and Carol Sue Johnson, Chehalis, Washington.

      Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 3, 2011, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Inurnment will follow in Graceland Cemetery in Burlington.

      The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.

      Memorial contributions are suggested to the Coffey County Cancer Support Group or the Coffey County Hospital Auxiliary and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 

 

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JAMES  FINUS  WRIGHT

 

 

            James Finus Wright, 77, of rural Waverly, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2011, at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington, Kansas.  

            He was born on December 16, 1934, at Electra, Texas, the son of James Minus and Velma (Dillingham) Wright.   He grew up and attended school in Electra and Corpus Christi.   He worked all his life, from the time he was a seven-year old boy, and in his adult life was a master electrician.

In 1976, he moved to Coffey County, Kansas, to work on the construction of the Wolf Creek nuclear generating station, and served as general foreman for Davis Electric.

He was skilled in leathercraft and worked on many saddles.  He enjoyed repairing mowers and power equipment, and was an avid reader, especially in his later years.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Tammy Hargrove and Vickie Wright, by a brother, John “J.D.” Wright, and a sister, Wanda Clemmens.

Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Wright of Waverly;  a daughter, Sherry Griner of  Burkburnett, Texas, and son James Finus “Jim” Wright, Jr., of  Olathe, Kansas;  a stepdaughter, Donna Shaffer of  Wichita Falls, Texas;   two brothers, his twin, J. Minus Wright and wife Donna of Berwick, Maine, and Bobby Wright and wife Francisca of Guam;  a sister, Stacey Azbill, of West Columbia, Texas;  many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Cremation is planned and no services are planned at this time.

 

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CLARENCE E. "PAT" RICH, SR.

 

  

     Clarence E. "Pat" Rich, Sr., age 87, of rural Waverly, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington.

 

     He was born on September 23, 1924, on the family farm near Gridley, the son of Allison Charles "A.C." and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Meyer) Rich.   He grew up on the farm, attended the Fairhope School, and did farm work until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1943. 

 

     Pat was a World War II veteran, and took part in the Marines' assault and capture of Iwo Jima, transporting troops in an amphibious vehicle in the first, third, and seventh waves.  After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he returned to the farm near Gridley.  

 

     On December 24, 1947, he was married to Frances J. Lavin in Topeka, Kansas.  In 1954, they moved to Idaho, where they homesteaded a farm for 10 years.  In 1965, they returned to Coffey County and settled in the farm community north of Sharpe, which Pat made his home for the rest of his life.

 

     He was a member of Hull-Cromwell Post No. 119 of the American Legion at Waverly, and the VFW post at Burlington.  Pat served his community in many roles, as a member of the Bean Grange, his work as a 4-H leader, and as a board member for Rural Water District No. 3. He enjoyed playing cards and was a long-time member of the bowling team sponsored by Harsch Brothers’ Ammonia.

 

     Pat loved his family, his farm, and his country.  He and Frances were honored with the Soil Conservation Award in 1977 as recognition for their excellent care of their land.  In 2001, they again were honored by being asked to join other veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima on the maiden voyage of the new USS Iwo Jima. Pat later was able to travel with the Honor Flight program of Southern Coffey County High School to view the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.  His service is recognized on the local Veterans Memorials in Waverly and Gridley.

 

     He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Schwindt, and by six brothers - Charlie, Nathan, Freddie, Albert, Jack and Lee Rich.

 

     He is survived by his wife, Frances J. (Lavin) Rich, of Waverly;  his four children -  Clarence Rich, Jr. and his wife Rosemary of Waverly,  Beverly Stukey and husband Kent of Waverly, Phyllis Hughes of Topeka, and Charles Rich and companion Sandy Hickman of Manhattan;  eleven grandchildren - Brett (Maria) Rich, Brandon Rich, Russel (Jennifer) Stukey, Jessica (Chad) Gaddis, Craig (Janelle) Stukey, C.J. (Erin) Hughes, Allison (Ben) Buck, Carlos, Steven, Harley, and Kurtis Rich;  four great-grandchildren - Anne, Rachel, and Kent Stukey, and Allie Stukey;  four step-great-grandchildren – Shae and Ian Gaddis, Alaina and Ellie Johnson;  a sister, Irene Fletcher and husband Bascome of Mt. Hope, Kansas;  and many other relatives and friends.

 

     Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, with burial following at Fairhope Cemetery near Gridley.  The family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home on Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.  

 

     Memorial contributions for the Veterans Memorials in Gridley and Waverly may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.

 

 

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