Author: RumseyYost

Mary Catherine Valus Zapala

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Mary Catherine Valus Zapala, age 90, died on April 11, 2026 in Lawrence KS. She was born on November 21, 1935 in Bridgeport CT to Mary (Phillips) and Stephen Valus. Mary, affectionately known as Cookie, was married to Edward J. Zapala, they had no children. They resided in Milford CT and she retired from Sikorsky Aircraft after 37 years of service. They retired to Bradenton FL, where they lived for 15 years until Ed’s death in 2004. Mary then moved to Kansas to be closer to family. She is also predeceased by a brother, Thomas A. Valus and brother-in-law, Richard L. Jacobs. Survivors include a sister, Carol D’Andrea Jacobs of Lawrence KS; a nephew, Marc D’Andrea (Lisa) and two great-nieces, Sydney and Adrianna D’Andrea, all of Shawnee KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306; or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675; or Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Pkwy, Lawrence, Kansas 66049.

A Memorial Mass is set for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.  Inurnment will take place at a later date at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Stratford, Ct.   Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.

Sharon Lynn Frye

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Sharon Lynn Frye (née Simons), age 86, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, in Lawrence, Kansas.

Sharon was born on July 16, 1939, in Bismarck, North Dakota. She lived a life defined by devotion to her family, a lifelong passion for learning, and an enduring love of music.

She was a concert‑trained pianist, a talent that brought beauty and meaning to her life and to those fortunate enough to hear her play. Her intellect, curiosity, and appreciation for learning remained with her throughout her life and were evident in all that she did.

Beyond music, Sharon enjoyed a variety of hobbies that reflected both her creativity and practicality. She had a fondness for cars and took pride in her interest and knowledge of them. She also loved knitting and sewing, finding joy and purpose in creating things by hand for those she loved.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Frye, and her grandson, Joshua Wallace.

Sharon is survived by her children, Deanna (Steve) Thomas and Kendall (Lindsey) Frye. She was a proud grandmother to Alyssa (Chris) Chambers and a cherished great‑grandmother to Carver and Levi Chambers, who brought her great joy.

Those who knew Sharon will remember her for her quiet strength, her love of family, her sharp mind, her creativity, and the grace she expressed through music. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on April 17, 2026, at Clinton Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Breast Cancer Care Fund at The University of Kansas Health System: https://giving.kansashealthsystem.com/fundraiser/7112458

Ronald Joseph Wolf

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Ronald Joseph Wolf, age 90 of Lawrence, passed away April 8, 2026.  There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Ronald at 2:00 PM, Friday, April 17, 2026 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Lawrence.  Visitation will from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Thursday evening at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.  Interment will take place at a later date at St. James Catholic Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.

Maria Perez

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Graveside Services for Maria Perez, 100, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 4:30-5:30 Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

She died April 4, 2026, at Presbyterian Manor.

Frederick Earl “Fred” McCreary, Jr.

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Frederick “Fred” Earl McCreary, Jr., 82, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. A celebration of his life will be held on April 11, 2026, at New Life Assembly in Baldwin City, KS. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with services following at 11:00 a.m.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2026 at Norton City Cemetery in Norton, Kansas.

Fred was born on April 25, 1943, in Norton, Kansas, to Frederick Earl McCreary, Sr. and Ivalee (Miller) McCreary. A lifelong student, he graduated from Kansas State University, earned his teaching certificate from Kansas Wesleyan University, and completed several military NCO schools.

In May 1966, Fred answered the call to serve his country by joining the National Guard. He served honorably for more than 24 years. During his final six years, he worked full-time as a retention sergeant with the National Guard in Ottawa, KS, retiring in December 1990 with the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). Fred also served his community as “Education’s Sixth Man,” enjoying his years as a substitute teacher in the Lawrence, Gardner, and Baldwin school districts.

On May 23, 1969, Fred married the love of his life, Mary Seusy, in Salina, Kansas. They shared more than 56 years of marriage. Fred and Mary made music together with local choirs, participated in melodramas, community plays and musicals. Together they danced with the Ottawa Promenaders. He also enjoyed supporting local sports teams, woodworking, traveling, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He remained an active member of American Legion Post 228 in Baldwin City.

Fred is survived by his wife, Mary Seusy; three children: son Bryce McCreary, his wife, Julie, and their children Alec, Emma, and Maya of Lakeland, Tennessee; daughter Sarah McCune and her children Grady and Marley of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter Ruthanne Smith, her husband, Chad, and their son Bryce of Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law Noelle Schechter, her husband, Orvis, and their children Brent Schechter, Suzanne Schechter, Joshua Schecter, and Bonnie Longnecker of Joshua, Texas; sister-in-law Karen McCreary-Alderman, her husband, Kent, and their children David and Andrew of Salt Lake City, Utah; and brother William McCreary of Salt Lake City, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Abba House or New Life Assembly.

Ardis Gay Connor

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Funeral Services for Ardis Gay Connor, 82, of Lawrence, will be at 11am, Friday, April 10th, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Lawrence, Ks. There will be A Visitation at Rumsey-Yost Funeral home on Thursday, April 9th, 2026 from 6pm – 7pm, with an additional viewing at the church at 10am prior to the funeral.  Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence, KS.

Mrs. Connor died Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family.

She was born January, 2nd, 1944 in Batesville, Ark., the daughter of Henry and Ina Harmon. She grew up in both Batesville and Lawrence. She attended Lawrence High School.

Mrs. Connor married John William Connor in 1964 and together they raised 8 children in Lawrence. Mr. Connor passed in 2007. She is survived by Glenda Harding, Lawrence, Paul and wife Linda, Raleigh, NC, Brad and wife Erin, of San Antonio, TX, Jeff of Raleigh, NC, Sarah Connor, Lawrence, KS, Stella Connor, Topeka, KS and Kenneth, Lawrence, KS.  Together they had 27 grand children and 25 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Connor was preceded in death by her daughter, Darla Vossler, in 1999, as well as 3 siblings and 2 grandchildren.

Mrs. Connor worked as a Certified Nurses Aid at Presbyterian Manor. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in various areas of service throughout the years. She and her husband served as Church & Family History Missionaries in SLC, UT and for 2 years as temple workers in the LDS Temple in St. Louis.

Ardis Gay Connor was a beloved wife, mother, friend and member of her community and will be missed.

Melvina Gail Freeman

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Melvina Gail Freeman, 76, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026, at LMH Health.

She was born February 27, 1950, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Melvin and Fayemont (Whitacre) Gray.

Melvina found great joy in caring for her grandchildren, serving as a devoted childcare provider to her family. She also worked at Naismith Hall at the University of Kansas. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, crocheting, and working word search puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Freeman, Sr.; her daughters, Debra McDaniel and Polly Hildenbrand; and her sons, Robert Freeman and Jimmy Freeman.

Survivors include her daughters, Jody Brown and Terri McDaniel; her son, Avery Hedgecock; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 3, 2026, at Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.