Author: RumseyYost

Maxine Guenther

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Graveside services for Maxine Guenther, 96, Lawrence, will be 1 pm Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at Memorial Park Cemetery.

She died Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.

Maxine was born July 17, 1923, in Eudora, KS, the daughter of Frank Daugherty and Myrtle Ackerman Daugherty. She grew up in Eudora, and married LaVerne H. Guenther on December 20, 1944. He preceded her in death on July 2, 2003.

She did volunteer work at LMH Health and worked along side her husband for many years at the family Jewelry business Guenther Jewelry.

Survivors include Grandchildren, Russ Guenther, Jodie (Cory) Meyersick, Erika (Jace) Thomas, Ryan (Ashlyn) Guenther; great grandchildren, Brandon, Colin, Dylan, Raimey, Kaylee, Kinsley and Colton.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, son Randy in 2002 and son Rex in 2003, her brother Wayne.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Ridge, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Ronald Eugene McKeeman

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Ronald Eugene McKeeman, 70, of Council Bluffs, IA, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2020 in Kansas City, KS.

Ron was born in Iowa to Roy and Gertrude McKeeman on July 5th, 1949. He was raised with his 8 siblings and had a modest life. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1967 and then joined the US Air Force during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Turkey.

He worked as an exterminator in Council Bluffs, IA, Omaha, NE and surrounding areas for over 30 years with Presto-X. He spent those years building relationships within the communities, and everyone knew “Ron the Bugman.” Upon retirement he loved to travel in his camper with his wife Donna. They spent much of the later years of both of their lives on the road seeing the country and visiting family and seeing grandkids as much as possible.

Ron is preceded in death by both of his parents, Roy and Gertrude McKeeman; his wife, Donna McKeeman; his brother, Rick McKeeman and his sister, Nancy McKeeman.

Ron is survived by his 3 daughters, Keri Cormier, husband Stephen Cormier, Nicole Albaugh, husband Bob Albaugh, and Sara Peters, husband Sean Peters; his 6 siblings, Sharon (Joe) Zahurones, Kathleen (Earl) Rollins, Patricia Wright, Bob (Vicki) McKeeman, Mike (Mary) McKeeman, and Bill (Holly) McKeeman; his grandchildren Cameron Moore 21, Ryan Cormier 19, Paige Albaugh 18, Kyle Cormier 16, Jacob Peters 7, Harper Peters 2. With a large extended family of 24 Nieces and nephews their spouses and children.

There will be a memorial in Council Bluffs, IA at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Date and time of this service will be announced at a later date once restrictions from the Coronavirus are lifted.

Samuel Fredrick “Fred” Grammer

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Private family services for Samuel Fredrick “Fred” Grammer, 82, Lawrence, will take place at a later date.

He died Monday, April 27, 2020, at his home.

Fred was born January 23, 1938, near Overbrook, KS, the son of Samuel H. and Ruth May Muckey Grammer.

He graduated from Vinland High School. After this he worked at Stokley Van Camp then Lawrence Paper Company for Forty years before retiring. He also worked for Reuter Organ Company for a few years.

Samuel married Barbara Jean Hiddleston on June 6, 1959, She preceded him in death in April 2016.

Survivors include daughter Holly Siller, Lawrence; son, Larry Grammer, Ottawa; grandchildren Brandon Siler, Lawrence, Crista and Dreya Grammer, Ottawa; siblings Donald (Joyce) Grammer, Lawrence, Sandra (Don), Golden CO.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara and an infant daughter in 1960.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Andrew (Andy) M. Torres

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Andrew (Andy) M. Torres, 89, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully on April 27, 2020, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born January 20, 1931, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Agatha Vigil Torres and Matias M. Torres.

Andy married Georgiana Kathryn Hale on February 12, 1955, who survives of the home. He is survived by his children, Andrew Jr. (DeeDee) Holland, MI, Brian (Janel) Broken Arrow, OK, Laura T. Porter (Rex) Lawrence, and Michelle T. Campbell (Joseph) Aiken, SC, grandchildren Matthew Torres (Camille), Andrea Torres, Bryce Torres (Ashley), Aaron Torres, Kelsey and Breanna Pence, Maegan T. Harrist (Tyler), Michael Campbell, Zachary Pence, Mark Campbell, Grace Campbell, Nicholas Porter, great-grandchildren, Andrew Ty, Tucker, Elijah, Maxwell, Birdie Mae and sisters Mary T. Rupp and Minerva T. White.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Brothers Joseph, and Matias, sister, Evelyn T. Alarid, grandson Alexander Joseph Torres and three nephews.
Andy graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1948, College of St. Joseph, B.S. 1952, University of New Mexico, M.S. 1958, and Ph.D. from Indiana University 1961. He served as a U.S. Naval Officer from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, San Diego, Seattle and Astoria, OR.

Andy taught at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI 1960-1961; UW-Milwaukee, WI 1961-1964, and the University of Kansas from 1964 to 1996, retiring as Professor Emeritus. Andy made frequent scientific research trips to Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Tunisia, U.S. Southwest, California, and Alaska. From1969-72 he was Associated Dean of the KU Graduate School, Associate Chairman, Department of Botany 1971-79. He was summer visiting professor at Texas Tech University in 1975, visiting professor at the University of California-Riverside, Fall 1978, Summer visiting professor at Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia Blanca, Argentina, summer 1981, visiting scientist in Adelaide and Merbein, Australia in 1984 and 1985, and summer visiting professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder Research Station in 1986 and 1987. Throughout his career he was invited to present scientific presentations and consultations in Australia, Israel, China, Argentina and several U.S. universities. He held a position as senior advisor to the Universidad De Oriente, Cumanà, Venezuela under the Ford Foundation and the University of Kansas, 1966-67 and Chief of Party and Field Representative of Higher Education in the Dominican Republic-AID program in 1968-69. During his career his chief areas of study were taxonomy, genetics and paleobotany. His research was funded by several national and international grants. In 1987-1993 he was an associate editor of the Journal of Heredity and member of several biological societies. Andy was the author of over 85 peer-reviewed and published scientific publications.

Our husband, father, grandparent was a life-long Learner—always fascinated with the world of science, nature and technology. After retirement Andy and Georgiana made frequent trips to visit family, the USA and embarked on many travels abroad. The love he had for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren filled his heart, and closely followed the progress of their lives. Andy deeply cherished the friendships he had with many around the globe.

Aside from professional interests, he was an avid tennis player since high school and changed to Pickle Ball a few years ago. Andy learned how to sail by studying a book on the subject in Cumanà, Venezuela, later spending years sailing on Clinton and Perry Lakes. He learned to downhill ski at age 47 and earned a Gold Medal in Nastar slalom races at age 64. Andy thoroughly enjoyed biking, hiking in Lawrence and Colorado, computer challenges and repairing anything that needed fixing! At various times in his life he did oil painting, made rock jewelry, stained glass objects, built furniture, constructed a solar-powered water heater and remodeled parts of the family’s homes. He lived by the mantra, “Leave everything better than you found it.”

The family wishes to thank Dr. Blake Conklin, Nurses, staff and aides at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Visiting Nurses of Lawrence, the staff, health Caretakers and Therapists at Brandon Woods, for their loving and excellent care.

Graveside services for family will be held at Pioneer Cemetery this spring when it is possible. A celebration of Life is pending. Memorials may be made to the Visiting Nurses, Lawrence Memorial Hospital or a charity of choice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Donald Lee Buchanan

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Graveside services for Donald Lee Buchanan, 91, Lawrence, will be private.

Mr. Buchanan died Monday, April 27, 2020, at Restwell Home Plus in Oskaloosa, Kansas.

He was born August 3, 1928, in Leavenworth, KS, the son of Perry W. and Geneva Lillian Kuchera Buchanan. He graduated from Basehor High School in 1946.

Mr. Buchanan was as a dairy farmer for the majority of his working life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing in Alaska, traveling, and spending winters in Arizona.

He married Betty Louise Swope on September 10, 1946, at his parent’s home in Leavenworth County. She died earlier.

Survivors include his children, Ed Buchanan and wife Donna of Grantville, KS, Lois Fulkerson and husband Ed of Branson, MO, Douglas Buchanan and wife Shelly of Eudora, KS, Robert Buchanan and wife Diana of Lawrence, KS; sister, Doris Duley of Denver, CO; brother, Richard Buchanan and wife Joan of Leavenworth, KS; cousin and travel companion, Millie Keim of Kremmlin, CO; grandchildren, Kandee, Michael, David, Tarah, Patrick, Troy; great grandchildren, Samantha, Brandon, Olivia, Jonathan, Kathleen, Hayley, Emily, Carly, and Owen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Dennis Buchanan; brother, Perry Buchanan Jr.; and grandson, Owen.

The family suggests memorials to Jefferson County Home Health & Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Susan L. (Barry) Miller

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Funeral services for Susan Lynn Miller, 67, Lawrence, KS were Friday May 1, 2020 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial followed at Elcado Cemetery west of Caney, KS and south of Peru, KS.

She died April 26, 2020 at her home.

Susan was born October 9, 1952 in Great Bend, KS the daughter of Vernon Barry, Jr. and Loneita Haney Barry.

She worked in customer service for several companies and in food service for Cordley and Sunset elementary schools in Lawrence, KS.

Susan was involved in FOP Auxiliary, Parent/Teacher activities and her Neighborhood Association. She enjoyed researching Genealogy and visiting cemeteries. She also enjoyed family vacation traveling and RVing. In addition, she enjoyed murder mysteries and collecting strawberry memorabilia. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She married Douglas Gale Miller on April 12, 1975 at the Presbyterian Chapel in Great Bend, KS officiated by Rev. Paul Biays. Douglas survives of the home.

Other survivors include:

Christopher Barry Miller – Oldest Son, father of:

Emma Marie Miller – Oldest Granddaughter

Lily Beth Miller – Youngest Granddaughter

Scott Douglas Miller – Middle Son, father of:

Hezekiah Josiah Miller – Oldest Grandson

Cade Michael Miller – Youngest Grandson

Nickolas Gale Miller – Youngest Son

Susan is preceded in death by:

Her parents, and her 2 brothers that passed away in infancy.

Memorial contributions may be made to Women’s Social League, Lawrence Humane Society and Girl Scouts sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com

Donald Lee Flory

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Donald Lee Flory, 75, of Baldwin City Kansas, passed peacefully from this life into eternity on April 25, 2020, in his home. He lived courageously while managing prostate cancer for 14 years. Despite the unknowns of this disease, he greeted each day with optimism.

Don was born on November 8, 1944, in Lawrence, Ks, the first of four sons, to Harold and Mary (Kinzie) Flory. On November 29, 1969, he married Kathleen Sue Denlinger of New Carlisle, OH. Because of his commitment to Jesus Christ, he publicly professed his faith and was baptized in September, 1974. Don served his church in various capacities and enjoyed the rich blessings and fellowship of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church.

Don attended Baldwin High School for two years before graduating from Lawrence High School in 1963. Late that same summer, while working the harvest in Modesto, California, the course of his life was changed; he was called back to Kansas following a farming accident that took his father’s life. Just a boy, he was thrust into the role of father figure to his three younger brothers and became the man of their home and family farm.

Don embraced this calling, and so began the depth of his character. He was a dairy farmer until 1983. He worked for Horizon Systems in Lawrence, Kansas, where he found his niche in metal fabrication and production management. He later used these skills as a founder of Sunflower Fabrication in Desoto, Ks. While he enjoyed this profession, perhaps he found his greatest satisfaction in managing and encouraging the shop employees, with whom he formed lasting friendships.

In 2001, Don became the Co-owner and President of Mobile-Envirowash, also in Lawrence. Excited to lead and be an owner, he invested energy into the business as an employer and salesman. He was also a dedicated vendor at the Lawrence Farmer’s Market for over 20 years and was well-known for his tasty sausage and biscuit sandwiches. Once again, lasting friendships were forged, this time with his customers and fellow vendors. His enthusiasm for this endeavor was fueled by his desire to connect with people. Through this platform he served many, from the wealthy to the homeless.

Don loved his Kansas grandsons and his California granddaughters to the fullest, taking the boys to pancakes every Wednesday before school and making trips to California to spend time with the girls. He waited in hospital waiting rooms for the birth of each grandchild and made his first and only international journey to China to welcome his oldest granddaughter into our family.

Don enjoyed horses and horsepower, the wind at his face, and the scenery of a ride. Farm life seemed to be the perfect canvas for him to sketch out a life of meaningful relationships and warm hospitality. He welcomed friends and strangers alike, taking them on horse rides and buggy rides and sharing his big heart and warm smile with each one. He lived on the family farm for 72 years, until health and age developed the need to sell the farm and move to town. Don was talented, artistic and innovative. Often, if there was something he needed for his cooker or for life on the farm, he would just make it. His energy and work ethic were summed up in this often used phrase “Let’s get ‘er done.” Sometimes he was quiet, other times witty and funny. His priorities never wavered and were always in this order: His God, his family, his friends, all before himself.

Don will be remembered for his Godly character, and his steadfast faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He never became bitter or held grudges; he just did the next right thing. He trusted God with his life and the life of his family. He lived intentionally, and often was a father to the fatherless. It was never showy but instead, always genuine and humble.
Preceding him in death are his parents; his brother, Eldon; an infant granddaughter, Caroline Hope Carr; and an infant grandson, Henry Mortenson. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathy; along with 3 daughters; Kristin and Loren Thompson of Modesto, California, Kelly and Pete Carr of Baldwin City, Kansas, and Katie and Dustin Mortenson of Baldwin City, Kansas; six grandchildren, Emi and Everly Thompson, Caleb, Cooper and Spencer Carr, and Hudson Mortenson; two brothers, Ralph (Sarar) Flory of Beijing, China, and Merle (Judith) Flory of Chiang Mai, Thailand; Sister-in-law Cheryl (Mike) Flory and many close cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives.

The immensity of our gratitude for who he was and what he stood for can not be adequately expressed. Our last week with him, caring for him as he outwardly faded away, was our greatest privilege. Moment by moment to the very last, the hand of God’s mercy was displayed. A visitation will be at Rumsey Funeral Home on Thursday, April 30. Friends may call between 9:00AM and 8:00PM. A graveside service will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Ks on Friday, May 1 at 10:00 AM. Memorials may be made to Lamb Services, Inc. P.O.Box 1050, Ceres, CA 95307- Mission/Outreach Fund.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Carrie Michelle Searcy

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Services for Carrie Michelle Searcy, 42, Lawrence, are pending at this time.

Mrs. Searcy died April 23, 2020, at her home.

She was born September 20, 1977, in Texarkana, TX, the daughter of James Michael and Carla Jane Gerber Hodges. She graduated from Central High School in San Angelo, TX in 1996.

Mrs. Searcy worked as a cashier at Wal-Mart. She enjoyed spending time with her children, crocheting, playing video games, cooking, and baking. Carrie was an amazing mother and wife that will be missed by so many.

She married Cory Otis Searcy, January 18, 2003, in San Angelo, TX. He survives of the home. After their marriage the couple moved to Brownwood, TX, and later to Lawrence.

Other survivors include her children, Colin Searcy of Lawrence; Sky Searcy of Lawrence; parents, Mike and Carla Hodges of San Angelo, TX; and maternal grandmother, Trunell Gerber of Texarkana, TX, and countless more family and friends from around the world.