Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.

Vada E. Hancox

RumseyYost — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:26:58 +0000

Vada E. Hancox, 87, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Friday May 11, 2012 in Ormond Beach, FL. She was born & raised in Lawrence, KS. After graduation, she married & moved to Independence, MO where she made the Board of Education her long-term career for over 30 years. Vada was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend and a longtime member of Glenwood Park United Methodist Church. After retirement, she resided in Independence and then returned to her hometown of Lawrence before she relocated to Ormond Beach, FL.

Vada was preceded in death by her eldest son, Ronald Hancox; her parents, Joseph and Mabel Davis; and nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brother Richard L. Davis, and wife, Joyce; her son Richard “Rick” Hancox and wife, Sharon; her son Mark Hancox and wife Robin; her daughter Stacey Johnson and husband Chuck; daughter-in-law Wanda Hancox; 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews & cousins.

Vada is loved and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A special thanks to Florida Hospital Hospice for all their compassionate care. A “Celebration of Life” graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be considered to Florida Hospital Hospice, American Cancer Society, or American Heart Association.

Darrell W. Keim

RumseyYost — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:40:55 +0000

Funeral services for Darrell W. Keim, 61, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Pastor Steve Koberlein officiating. Burial will follow in Eudora City Cemetery.

Mr. Keim died Monday, May 7, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born Mar. 7, 1951, in Sabetha, the son of Gerald S. and Hazel Price Keim. He graduated from Topeka West High School in 1969, and later served in the National Guard for four years.

Mr. Keim was employed in automobile sales in Lawrence, previously working for Jim Clark Motors, and most recently with Briggs Automotive. He was active in dirt track car racing.

He married Janet Gail Kleier, and together they enjoyed 21 years of marriage. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Ryan Keim and partner Ashley, Eudora, and Jason Keim and wife Kristina, Lawrence; a sister, Bonnie Nies and husband Dave, Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren, Madison, Andrew, and Noah Keim, Ely Robertson, and Tyler Frost; two nieces and three nephews, Dennis Nies and wife Cheryl and children, Doug Nies and wife Carolyn and children, Pam Cross and husband Chet and children, Jerry Nies and wife Suzanne and children, and Angie Walters and husband Sean and children; and an aunt, Erma Wiltz.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, and from 8 a.m. until service time Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Joseph Pfeifer

RumseyYost — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:29:10 +0000

Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Joseph Pfeifer was born July 9, 1932 in Vincent, Kansas to parents Jacob A. and Regina M. (Brungardt) Pfeifer and passed away surrounded by his family on May 7, 2012 at the V.A. hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

He was married to Irma Joan Befort of Hays, Ks. on July 6, 1957 and together they had 6 children. Military service was a proud part of Rudy’s life. He served in the U.S. Army and was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. Faith in God, family, friends, love of sports and music, and coaching youth baseball in the 60’s and 70’s, were all passions of his. Rudy and his family called many places home including Hays Ks., Russell Ks., Osborne Ks. He always spoke fondly of the people he met and times that he spent in each of the towns that they called ‘home’. Rudy never met a stranger, or forgot a name or face, and always appreciated the relationships that he formed throughout the years referring to them all as “Lasting Forever”.

Rudy is survived by 6 children Rudolph Jr. and wife Kelly, Rocky and wife Andrea, Roxanne and husband Mike, Rebecca, Rick and wife Missi, and Dan and wife Athena, brothers and sisters Alice Schmidt, Armella Passini, Charlotte Ludwick, Ralph Pfeifer and wife Ruth, Catherine Olson and husband Tom, and Rozanne French and husband Jerry, 23 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Irma, parents Jacob and Regina, brothers and sisters Killiana Schmidt, Daniel, Lorraine Williamson, Louise Scandura, Rudolph, William, and Jacob.

Visitation and Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday May 11th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St. Lawrence, Ks. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday May 12th at St. John’s Evangelist Catholic Church 1234 Kentucky St. in Lawrence followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to: County Fair Swim Club P.O. Box 976 Lawrence, Ks 66044.

Doughlas Coye Baker

RumseyYost — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:50:20 +0000

Graveside services for Doughlas (Doug) Coye Baker, 56, Lawrence will be at 11am. Friday at Oak Hill Cemetery. Mr. Baker died Friday May 4, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Survived by immediate family, parants, Coye Norris Baker and Reba Ray Baker, sister Sherry McCoy, children, Reba Baker, Coye Baker, Jose (Joe) Baker, Steven Baker, William (Billy) Baker, and adopted daughter Heather Baker-Miller.

Friends may call at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Joseph Micheal Rutter

RumseyYost — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:06:22 +0000

Funeral services for Joseph Micheal Rutter, 5, Lawrence, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Deay Cemetery in Eudora.

Joseph was born December 19, 2006, in Washington, Missouri to Rebecca L. Wynne Rutter.

He attended Pre-Kindergarden at Kennedy Elementary. He was on the Lawrence Wrestling team. He loved to ride his bike, climb trees, and give hugs.

He is survived by his parents, Rebecca L. and Chad A. Rutter of Lawrence; a brother, Edward Aaron Rutter; a sister, Kaidence Marie Rutter; grandparents, James & Terri Wynne, Robert & Marcy Mohr; and great-grandparents, Bill and Sandy Deay.

The family will receive friends one hour before service time. Friends may call Friday from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Joseph Micheal Rutter Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home or Douglas County Bank.

Louis F. Dellwig

RumseyYost — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:25:40 +0000

Louis Field Dellwig, age 90, passed away April 30, 2012, at Bridge Haven Memory Care Residence in Lawrence. A celebration of Louis’s life will take place at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Monday, June 25, at 2:00 P.M.
Louis was born February 13, 1922 in Washington, D. C. to Louis A. Dellwig and Louise (Schul) Dellwig. His father operated a wholesale produce business where he sold and delivered fresh produce to most of the foreign embassies, the White House, and quality hotels and restaurants in the Washington D.C. area. Louis graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1939. During his high school years and his summers while in college he worked with his father in the family business.
Louis graduated from Lehigh University in 1943 with a degree in geology. He was in advanced ROTC in college when the U.S. entered World War II in 1941. He was automatically placed in the army enlisted reserve until his graduation in 1943. He was then sent to Officers Candidate School and subsequently sent to the European theater as a second lieutenant in the army infantry. He was wounded twice. After the second time, a gunshot wound during the Battle of the Bulge, he was sent back to a hospital in England and was there when the war in Europe ended in 1945. He was discharged honorably in 1946, having earned an American Theater Ribbon, European Theater Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, and a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
In 1947, with help from the G.I. Bill, Louis returned to Lehigh University and completed a Master’s degree in geology in 1948. In June of 1948 he married Elizabeth Finck of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That fall they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Louis continued his graduate work and where their first two children, Bitsy and Robert, were born.
Louis earned a Ph.D in geology from the University of Michigan and was hired by the University of Kansas in 1953. He was a professor of geology at KU for the next 39 years before retiring in 1992. His primary area of research was in the study of evaporites. In 1963, 1971, and 1986 he received Fulbright grants to study salt deposits in Germany. His family went with him, and the children (now including the youngest, Debra) were enrolled in German schools. In 1964 Louis was involved in the beginning phases of the Remote Sensing Laboratory and the Center for Research at the University of Kansas. His research in remote sensing was devoted to the study of geologic interpretation of radar and other remote imagery. Louis’s research led to scholarly publications as well as consulting work.
Louis also enjoyed teaching at KU. He supervised dozens of masters theses and doctoral dissertations, as well as teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses, and served for several years as director of the KU Geology Field Camp in Colorado for undergraduate geology majors. During his later years of teaching Louis was asked to teach a class in gemstones. Always ready to learn something new, he signed up for a Gemological Institute of America course to add to his expertise in the subject. He started teaching one section of the gemstone class per year. By the time he retired he was teaching three and four sections per semester on campus, and one night class at the KU Regents Center in Overland Park.
In 1990, Louis and his wife, Bets, moved to Overland Park to spend their retirement years closer to their children and grandchildren, who were all in the area: Bitsy and her husband George Waterman in Overland Park, with their children Todd and Molly; Robert, also in Overland Park, with his three children, Becky, Emily, and Tim; and Debra and her husband David Stephens in Olathe, with Debra’s daughter, Megan. Sadly, after 49 years of marriage, Louis lost Bets to illness in 1997. Surrounded by his children and grandchildren to give aid and comfort, Louis was able to move forward with his life.
To keep himself busy Louis worked with Bitsy in her estate sale business. He priced any fine jewelry she had for sale and other items that required some degree of research to determine their value. In 1999 Louis had some photographic equipment to price, and he contacted Jim Busse, a photographer friend who had done work for him at the Center for Research. To thank him for his help with the pricing, Louis invited Jim and his wife, Megan Gannon, to dinner. Louis suggested they also bring Vera Sehon along. Vera had worked with Jim and Megan for many years before her retirement from the Center for Research in 1993, and Louis had originally hired Vera as a draftsman for the Remote Sensing Lab in 1972. This first dinner ultimately led to his marriage to Vera in 2000.
Louis and Vera’s time together was filled with love, happiness, family, friends, and travel. And travel. And more travel. Between 2000 and 2008, Louis and Vera spent well over a year of the time on the road or on the ocean on cruise ships. Beginning with a honeymoon cruise to Bermuda, they traveled by plane, ship, and van to destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Hawaii, and throughout the continental United States–especially to the northeast, where two of Vera’s sons lived (Ben in Saranac Lake, New York, and Scott and his children Hayden and Josephine in Brunswick, Maine) and where Louis’s sister, Louise lived in Harwich, Massachusetts with her husband Robert Endruschat.
When Louis and Vera were home in Overland Park they enjoyed time with Louis’s now expanded family. Bitsy, Robert, and Debra remained in the area, though two of the grandchildren moved to different parts of the country. Vera’s youngest son, Clark, lived only a few miles away with his wife Gina and their children, Stephany, Carter, and Gunnar. Ben and Scott and Scott’s children also made regular trips to Kansas, and Ben eventually moved back to Kansas. Louis now also had four sisters-in-law in Lawrence, and numerous grown nieces and nephews.
In his final year, Parkinson’s and dementia began to take their toll. But before this, Louis Dellwig was an outgoing, fun loving person always eager to learn something new and live life to the fullest. He enjoyed his work as a geologist and teacher, and he loved his family. He also loved fine food, a good bottle of wine, and travel. He will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him.
In lieu of flowers, his survivors invite contributions to the Louis F. and Bets Dellwig Field Camp Scholarship, wich was established in his honor when he retired from KU, or to a charity of your choice, and either may be sent c/o of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Thomas W. Murphy

RumseyYost — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:57:14 +0000

Visitation for Thomas W. Murphy, 39, Lawrence, will be from 2 to 3pm Saturday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Mr. Murphy died Saturday at his home. www.rumsey-yost.com.

The Family will be at the funeral home on Saturday 2 to 3pm.

Lolita (Lolly) Brooks Coffin

RumseyYost — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:47:21 +0000

Lolita (Lolly) Brooks Coffin Longtime Lawrence resident, Lolita (Lolly) Brooks Coffin, 93, passed away on April 18, 2012 in Durango, Colorado, where she had lived for the past ten years. Lolly was surrounded by her loving family, who grieves her passing, but is comforted by the blessings of her long life, her adventurous spirit, her loving care and knowing she was welcomed home by her husband, Tony, who preceded her. Lolly is survived by sons Doug Coffin (Kaaren) of Abiquiu, NM; Barry Coffin of Lawrence, KS; Tom Coffin (Julia) of Scottsdale, AZ; and Lynn Coffin (Carly DeLong) of Durango, CO; grandsons Michael Worsham, Brian Coffin, Erik Coffin (Meryl), and Gabrial Coffin; great-grandchildren Ashley Worsham, Miro Coffin, and Paloma Coffin; niece Betty Stone (Paul) of Vienna, VA; and nephew Bob Hardage (Sherry) of Houston, TX. Lolly was preceded in death by her husband, Warner A. Tony Coffin, Jr. of Lawrence, KS; parents John Brooks and Bettie Chisholm Brooks of Dustin, OK; brothers Jim Brooks, Claude Brooks and Arthur Brooks; sisters Marie Robinson, Lovie Brooks, Lena Hardage and Montilene Jacoway. Lolly was born in Dustin, OK on Feb. 24, 1919. After graduating from Dustin High School, she attended Haskell Institute, graduating in 1941. She entered civil service and worked from 1941 to 1944, serving in Muskogee, OK, Albuquerque, NM, Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C. Lolly married Lt. Warner A. Coffin, Jr. (USN), son of Warner A., Sr. and Margaret Wabaunse Coffin, on June 12, 1944 in Kansas City. Lolly and Tony raised their four sons at Haskell Institute (now Haskell Indian Nations University) where Tony was Coach and Athletic Director for many years. After Tonys passing in 1966, Lolly worked at Haskell until her retirement. Lolly was an intrepid and adventurous world traveler, visiting over 48 countries during her lifetime. Her ever-present spirit of curiosity and love of life took her to many exotic places, often with one of her sons. She was up for anything, whether it was cruising the Nile in Egypt, exploring in Tibet or riding a jitney in Bangkok. An avid bridge player, Lolly played with her many good friends all her life. Lolly attended St. Johns the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. Lolly moved to Durango in 2002, where she continued her active life and travels throughout the U.S. She took her greatest pleasure in the accomplishments of her sons and attended many events with them, from down home barbeques to elegant art world affairs, to state capitols, to the White House. An avid sports fan, Lolly never missed watching her son Lynn at tennis matches or a Jayhawks basketball game. A graveside service will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1605 Oak Hill Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66044 on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of Lollys life at the 23rd Street Brewery located at 3512 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the Haskell Alumni Association, 155 Indian Ave., Lawrence, KS 66046, (785) 832-6627. Arrangements are being handled by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence.

Elizabeth “Eliza” Neal

RumseyYost — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:30:30 +0000

Eliza Neal

Funeral services for Elizabeth “Eliza” Neal, 81, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home with the Reverend Lewis Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Neal died Friday, April 20, 2012, at Kansas City Hospice House.

She was born July, 23, 1930, in Hollandale, MS, the daughter of Ed and Carleen Jenkins.

She married Rance Neal Sr on December 11, 1948, in Hollandale, MS. He died August 4, 2006.

Mrs. Neal enjoyed fishing, cooking, gardening, and taking care of her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the New Foundation Church in Hollandale, Mississippi as well as the New Hope Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio, where her brother Lewis Jenkins is the Pastor.

Survivors include three sons, Rance Neal and wife Earnestine, Lawrence, Charles Neal, Canton, OH, and Freddie Neal and wife Cynthia, Minneapolis, MN; four daughters, Barbara Neal, St. Louis, MO, Peggy Neal, Hollandale, MS, Rosie Mae Neal, Canton, OH, and Francis Tyler, Greenville, MS; a brother, Lewis “Ed” Jenkins, Canton, OH; a sister, Margaret Henderson, Lithonia, GA; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rance Neal Sr., two daughters, Joann Neal and Matilda Neal, one brother, Robert Jenkins, and two sisters, Bessie Fields and Annie Hamilton.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas City Hospice House, sent in care of the funeral home.

Barbara Ellen Thiessen Lowenthal

RumseyYost — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:17:01 +0000

Funeral services for Barbara T. Lowenthal, 69, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 23, 2012, at the First Christian Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will be in Oakley, Kansas, on April 24, 2012. She died at home on Friday, April 20. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

She was born on November 21, 1942, in Garden City, KS, to Peter and Tena (Brandt) Thiessen. She was graduated from Meade Bible Academy in 1960. She attended one year at Haviland Bible Junior College, Haviland, Kansas, followed by training as a hairdresser at the Vernin Beauty School in Wichita, Kansas.

She was married to Larry Eugene Isaac. Todd Jeffery was adopted in 1968 and daughter Natalie Tena was born on April 28, 1971. Barbara was a homemaker and after her divorce in 1977, she moved with the children to Kansas City where she worked as a dental assistant.

She married David Lowenthal on February 23, 1980. They made their home in Lawrence where David worked as a Certified Public Accountant. They had a part-time business taking graduation and party pictures along with three partners that engaged the entire family while the children were growing up. The part-time business was sold in 1994. Both Barbara and David turned their attention to other interests that included traveling and hunting. Barbara harvested many deer.

Over the years Barbara has hosted many foreign students driven by her interest in people and learning more about other places. She led several to know Christ and remained in touch with them. In 2002 they went to China and connected with one of the foreign students she had befriended. Their final vacation together was a tour of Egypt this last October.

Barbara’s faith has always been a key part of her life. She firmly believed in salvation through Christ and imparted the importance of this belief to her children, her husband, and would always find an opportunity to share her faith with others. She was active in a bible study group and was a member and volunteer at various churches in Lawrence.

She was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer this past January. She fought this battle with cancer with grace and dignity and complete faith in Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents and her step-mother, Zelma, who raised her after her mother died when she was four, and her brother, Norman Thiessen.

She is survived by her husband David, her children Todd Isaac, Lawrence, KS, and Natalie Isaac, Denver, CO, her mother-in-law Ruth Lowenthal, Lawrence, KS, sister-in-law Darlene Thiessen, Lawrence, KS, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Deb and Ron Teeter, Lawrence, KS, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Kathy Lowenthal, Scott City, KS, nephew Kevin Thiessen and family, Rogers, AR, and niece Tayna Luder and family, Overland Park, KS, and a host of other family members and friends.

Memorial gifts can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators or Family Life Broadcasting System in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.