Author: RumseyYost

Heath David Morris

Posted on by RumseyYost

Heath David Morris, age 52, of Lawrence passed away peacefully April 24, 2025.

Heath was born August 31,1972 to John D Morris and Barbara Cheek Reynolds in Lawrence.  

He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1992 and worked at various restaurants in town where he enjoyed socializing with customers and co-workers alike. He loved spending time with friends and family, playing video games and was a Star Wars superfan.

Heath was preceded in death by his Grandparents Jack VW & Margaret Cheek; Uncle Robert Cheek; Step-Father Stephen Kyle Harper; Step-Father Michael Reynolds; Cousin Robert Harrell & Nephew Reece Massey.

He is survived by his Mother Barbara Cheek Reynolds of Lawrence; Sister Penny (Joe) Candrilli of FL; Niece Kyla Candrilli of FL; Nephews Michael Candrilli of FL, Ryan Candrilli of GA; as well as many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He also had remained close to his Step-Sisters Jeanne (Steve) Everett of TX, Julie (Brian) Hayward of OR, Jennifer Harper of Lawrence and Whitney Harper of Topeka; Step-Brother Brandon (Lynne) Harper of OK; and their families.

Visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St in Lawrence at 2 pm, Friday, May 2, 2025, Graveside inurnment to follow. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Novus Life Care Hospice 1333 Meadowlark Ln Ste 204 Kansas City, KS 66102

 

Nickolas Albrecht Zacharias

Posted on by RumseyYost

Nickolas Albrecht Zacharias, September 25, 1984 – April 2, 2025

Nickolas “Nick” Zacharias, age 40, died from sudden cardiac arrest on April 2, 2025 at his place of employment in Lawrence, Kansas.

Nick was born in Lawrence on September 25, 1984, the middle child of Peter Walter Conrad Zacharias and Kathleen Rose Prosise Zacharias. He attended Pinckney Elementary School, Central Junior High and Lawrence High School, graduating in 2003. Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Kansas University in 2008. After graduation, he moved to San Diego, CA. And found a job to support his immersion in the So Cal punk rock scene. He remained friends with the members of “Bad Cop Bad Cop” and “The Randies”!

After moving back to Lawrence, Nick worked for Midco and continued to study art and music. He was drawn to art and music from an early age. They remained the focus of his passion and energy his entire life. His inspirational north star was Akira Toriyama.

He became involved in politics and was a proud supporter of Bernie Sanders and 2024 Green Party candidate Jill Stein. He regularly hosted trivia night at Dexter’s Pub and Grill, and was a wealth of information on films, actors, and pop culture, with an uncanny memory for detail.

Nick was preceded in death by his father, Peter W. C. Zacharias. He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Rose Zacharias; his sister, Bernadette Rose Zacharias (Phil Chiles); his brother, Jacob Conrad Zacharias; his niece, Opal Chiles and nephew, Daniel Chiles; and Peter’s wife, Mary “Carita” Bullard, all of Lawrence. Other survivors include Nick’s girlfriend, Chelsea Harris of Portland, OR. and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends who share in mourning his death.

A memorial gathering for Nick will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 4 P.M. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. in Lawrence. After the gathering, please join us for Nick’s celebration of life at Dexter’s Pub and Grill (formerly Murf’s Grill), 3115 W. 6th St. #D, in Lawrence, beginning at 6 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Lawrence Humane Society.

Nick loved his dogs

Doris Maxine Guggisberg

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial services for Doris Guggisberg, 97, of Lawrence will be Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. with the service following at 10:30 a.m.

Private family graveside services will happen at a later time at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Doris died Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Tranquil Haven in Lawrence, Kansas.

She was born August 4, 1927, on a farm in rural Peabody, Kansas, the daughter of Jule Henry Roberts and Tina (Laymon) Roberts. She graduated from Burns High School in 1944.

She married Carl Guggisberg on June 13, 1948, in Burns, Kansas.

She worked for seven years in the 1950’s at the Topeka Air Force Depot, then “retired” to become a full-time mother. Being a wife, mother, and homemaker brought her great joy. She loved working outdoors, taking care of her yard, flowers, and small garden.

She attended the First Baptist Church in Lawrence for twenty years, then later she became a member of the Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship (now Rev City Church). Over the years she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and belonged to many women’s bible study and prayer groups. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and wanted others to know that love, too.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, one sister (Elizabeth Wagoner), and a brother (Clifford Roberts).

Survivors include two daughters, Carol (Steve) Martindale of Lenexa, Kansas, and Kimberly (Clarence) Rayton of Lawrence, Kansas; a sister, Bonnie Richards of El Dorado, Kansas; 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grand children and 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggest contributions to Rev City Church and Visiting Nurses (VNA) Hospice of Lawrence, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Karen Joy Schmitz

Posted on by RumseyYost
Karen Joy Schmitz died peacefully Monday April 14, 2025, in her room at Tonganoxie Terrace, where she lived following a stroke in August of 2021 when she lost the use of her right side.
Visitation for Karen Schmitz, 71, of Lawrence, will be from 12:00 PM-1:30 PM at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Monday, April 21, 2025. Graveside service will begin at 2:30 PM at Eudora City Cemetery, 2223 N 1420 Rd., Eudora, KS.
She was born November 21, 1953, in Ottawa, KS, the daughter of Carl and Gail Converse.
Karen married Richard (Jack) Schmitz August 13, 1971 in Centropolis, KS. She is survived by her husband, Jack Schmitz, daughter Elizabeth Schmitz, grandson Quentin Mitchell, mother Gail Converse, and brother Danny Converse. She was preceded in death by her brother Kirk Converse, grandmother Vivian Powers, and her father, Carl Converse.
Karen moved with her husband, Jack, to Lawrence, KS in 1971. She worked for a few years at Hallmark Cards. After leaving Hallmark, she devoted her life to caring for her family. She loved living in Lawrence and taking in all of the local color. For many years, Karen enjoyed attending the Maple Leaf Festival, looking at quilts and shopping for crafts. She enjoyed collecting wicker baskets and antiquing with her mom. In her later years, she found joy collecting jewelry. She had a zest for life and exuded love everywhere she went. She was a fierce supporter of her daughter, Elizabeth, and frequented events at Lawrence High School and Emporia State University. Friends and family were always welcome in her home. She thoroughly loved the years she was able to live with her grandchild when he was young. Being a grandma to Quentin was one of her greatest joys in life.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral home: PO Box 1260 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.

Robin Ann Holladay

Posted on by RumseyYost

Robin Ann Holladay, 68, passed away peacefully at home on April 15th, 2025 after a valiant fight with brain cancer.

A lifelong Douglas County resident, Robin was one for four children born to Robert Lee and Helen “Jean” (Kratky) Etherton on August 6th, 1956, in Lawrence, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother Scott.

A 1974 graduate of Lawrence High School, Robin enjoyed playing in the marching band, which played in the Rose Bowl parade and was a majorette her senior year. She was involved with Job’s Daughters and was a Kanwaka Literary Club member. She was also a member of the Kanwaka 4-H club in her youth and took part in many activities and events with her husband and sons when they joined the Jayhawk 4-H club. After high school, she attended the Kansas City Business School and married her high school sweetheart, Willard L. Holladay Jr.

The majority of her career was spent at the University of Kansas. While working at the University, she established many friendships and relationships throughout the years. She provided her expertise to multiple departments, the most recent being the Human Resources Shared Service Center. In 2021, she retired after 40+ years of service.

Away from work, Robin greatly treasured babysitting her grandchildren often, spending time with family, and watching KU & Kansas City Chiefs sporting events. She also helped her sons work on 4-H projects and had a passion for restoring antique camelback trunks. She loved to sew and quilt, and mended generations of clothing. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed spending time outside, canning salsa for her family, picking blueberries with her grandkids, and always being asked to make her famous pea salad for special occasions.

Robin is survived by her husband of 49 years Willard; sons Dustin, and Jason (Emily); granddaughters Hailey and Shelby; her sister Diane Etherton Page (Darrell), and her brother Mark. She is also survived by her other sisters(in-law) Velma Flory, Gloria Musick (John) and Majorie Hoffman; brother-in-law Robert Holladay (Sharon), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services for Robin Ann Holladay, 68, Lawrence, Will be 10 am, Monday, April 21, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Lawrence Humane Society in Robin’s memory. Special thanks to the members of the Home Health Care team who made her, and Willard’s lives easier and to nurses at Kansas City Hospice.

Charles Franklin (Chuck) Fisher

Posted on by RumseyYost

Charles Franklin (Chuck) Fisher, 88, Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully April 11, 2025. He was born on August 26, 1936, in Parsons, Kansas, to Mel and Betty Fisher.

Chuck spent most of his childhood in Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1954, before attending the University of Kansas where he became a lifelong Jayhawk fan. He was a familiar face at The Round Corner Drug Store on 801 Massachusetts Street, the family business where he worked from 1941 to 1975. He later continued his career at the 1st National Bank until his retirement in 1996.

He served his country as a member of the Army Reserves, where he was honorably discharged in 1965. During his time in the Reserves, he met and married his wife, Erma Carstens on June 24th, 1960. In 1971, Chuck was elected to serve as a Lawrence City Commissioner, where he served for 2 years. He was an active member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, where he sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Luncheon Cosmopolitan Club, the Elks Lodge and the Lawrence All-British Car Club. Chuck enjoyed KU sports, restoring British cars, traveling with his family, and lending his time to causes close to his heart like the KU Audio-Reader Network, where he was a volunteer reader for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Erma, and their son Brad, who passed away in 1973. He is also preceded by his parents and his brothers, Bob and Tom Fisher.

He is survived by daughter Lisa, husband Jamie Gilbert, granddaughters Mallory and Loralei Gilbert, and his nieces & nephews: Mike Fisher, Steve Fisher, Meg Fisher, Doug Jordan, Pam Jordan, Don Jordan, Cheryl Miller, Debbie Carstens and Connie Arnstead.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 7:00-8:00 pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Graveside Services will be held Friday, April 18, 2025, at 10:00 am at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In memory of Chuck, donations may be made to Audio-Reader   https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1312/lg21/form.aspx?sid=1312&gid=1&pgid=650&cid=1568&bledit=1&dids=404.1897&sort=1&appealcode=WDP

Charlotte Ann McGee

Posted on by RumseyYost

Charlotte Ann McGee, 84, passed away on March 29th, 2025 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas.

Charlotte was born in Oklahoma on July 23rd, 1940 to Paul A. and Mary Ann Peare. The family then moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Charlotte attended primary and secondary school. She graduated from Wichita East High School in 1958.  Also in 1958, she married Franklin Brown McGee.  They settled in Olathe, Kansas in 1967, where they remained for the next 53 years.

Charlotte retired from Deluxe Corporation in 1995 after 29 years of service as a production secretary, a press floor inspector and other positions throughout her career.

She is preceded in death by her husband Franklin in 2016 and by her only sibling Paula Arlene Peare in 2022.

She is survived by her daughter Trace Ann McGee and her daughter’s wife Valerie Lynn Brunson, both of Lawrence. Charlotte lived with them until her death.

Charlotte loved to read science fiction, fantasy and classics. She loved anime, especially Naruto, Attack on Titan, Ghost in the Shell and Violet Evergarden. She dearly loved her dogs and cats, of which there were many over the years. Her final time was spent with her girls, enjoying her favorite things and snuggling up with three rambunctious black kitties.

At Charlotte’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral, however donations in her memory may be made to Lawrence Humane Society.

Virginia  L.  Tomlinson

Posted on by RumseyYost
Virginia  L.  Tomlinson, 87, passed away April 8, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence, KS. She was born Jan. 13, 1938 in Dover, AR to Lee Roy and Ella (Bates) Pyle.
On  May  12  , 1954, she married Jerry Tomlinson in Morrilton, AR. He survives.  Other survivors include daughter Debra  (Francis) Meisenheimer, Pratt, KS and granddaughters Martha Meisenheimer, KC, and Emily (Chris) Seasholtz, Overland Park; two sisters Pat Singleton and Sharon Freeman, Ft. Smith, AR.
Cremation has taken place. Burial will be at a later date in Charleston, AR.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Patricia Ruth “Pat” Williams

Posted on by RumseyYost

Longtime Lawrence resident Patricia Ruth “Pat” Williams, aged 92, passed away on March 31, 2025, due to natural causes at Homestead of Eudora Memory Care. Her youngest daughter, Betsy Alford of Lawrence, was with her when she died. 

Born on August 24, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, Pat attended public schools and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1950. She obtained her degree in elementary education from Baker University in 1954, where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority. At Baker University, she met her husband, Ira “Bud” Williams III, whom she married in August 1954 in Kansas City, Kansas. Upon graduation and marriage, the couple relocated to Seattle, where Pat taught first grade while Bud completed his military service. They later returned to Baldwin and eventually settled in Lawrence. 

A devoted mother, Pat was deeply committed to her children’s development and happiness. During their elementary school years, she founded the Golden Star Sewing Club in their Barker Court neighborhood, served as a Brownie Girl Scout troop leader, a Cub Scout den leader, and frequently volunteered as a school room mother. As a lifelong Methodist, Pat taught Sunday School and ensured her children participated in the weekly family candle-lighting celebration of Advent before Christmas, even when they left home to attend the University of Kansas. 

In 1967, Pat began full-time employment within the Lawrence school district, ultimately serving as the attendance secretary at West Junior High School from 1969. Approximately five years later, she commenced over 25 years of employment at the University of Kansas, culminating in the role of lead accountant for the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Known affectionately as “Mother Pat” by the “Pharm Chem” community, she was revered by students and faculty alike. 

“She impacted our lives, our children’s lives, and the lives of hundreds of faculty members, staff, and students in our department,” stated Dr. Ronald Borchardt, distinguished professor emeritus. Following Pat’s retirement, the Department honored her by naming a seminar room in her memory within the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratories, part of the Higuchi Biosciences Research Area. 

Predeceased by her husband, her parents, Royal Theodore “Ted” Williams and Evelyn Sarah (Cordner) Williams, and her younger sister, Mary Ann (Williams) Turkington, Pat is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Kay “Suzi” Peerbolte of Little Rock, Arkansas, Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Alford of Lawrence, and a son, Michael Ira “Mike” Williams of Salem, Oregon. Additionally, she is survived by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Pat was renowned for her kind spirit, ever-present wry humor, and exceptional jigsaw puzzle-building skills. Although occasionally stubborn, she was unwaveringly dedicated to her family and friends. Her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her. 

In accordance with her wishes, a simple family graveyard gathering will be held. Donations in her memory may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or Good Shepherd Hospice in Lawrence.