Author: RumseyYost

Benjamin A. Tibbits

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Benjamin “Ben” Andrew Tibbits, 83, Lawrence, died peacefully August 9, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Ben was born June 14, 1935 in Topeka, the son of Earl Lee and Frances Tibbits. He graduated from Highland Park High School, Topeka, Kansas in 1954. Ben served as a cook in the Medical Company 137th Infantry of the Kansas Army National Guard, Topeka from 1955-1961. His final rank was corporal.

He was employed by Henry Manufacturing, Topeka. He moved to Lawrence in 1960 where he was employed as an accountant by Moore Associates and then Farmland Industries. He retired from Farmland Industries after 34 years as an accountant and later the office manager.

Ben married Carol Krause on May 22, 1955 in Burlington, KS. They had two daughters and divorced in 1983. He married Shirley Stultz on April 26, 1990 in Las Vegas.

Ben was long known for his positive outlook on life, sense of humor and ability to make an instant friend. He had a life long interest in woodworking and building and could often be found helping neighbors and friends with their repairs or home improvement projects. Ben enjoyed bowling, playing cards and dominoes with Shirley and traveling with his wife and friends. He was a simple man and though small in stature, he had a kind, generous heart and a mischievous wink.

Ben is survived by his wife Shirley, Lawrence; two daughters Tracy Back (Mark) Wildwood, MO and Kerri Daye (R. Mark) Medina, OH. He was very proud of his grandson R. Benjamin Daye, Medina, OH. Other survivors include stepchildren Fred Binkley (Karen) Denison, KS; Kelly Binkley (Kim) Topeka; seven step grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren; sisters Donna Elliott and Sharen Tibbits plus numerous nieces and nephews and good friends Tom and Debbie Kurtz, Lawrence; Jennifer Shambaugh, Overland Park, KS and Ed Samp Lawrence.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Michael Elliott, Thomas Tibbits and Robert Tibbits and two stepdaughters Susan Shackleford and Nancy McGee.

No services are planned. It was Ben’s wish for his family and friends to remember the good old times.

Brenda Kaye (McConkey) Long

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Brenda Kaye Long entered into heaven, August 8, 2018, after a very recent cancer diagnosis. She was 68 years old.

Brenda was born June 5, 1950 in Kansas City, KS to Francis and Betha (Sharp) McConkey. She graduated from Eudora High School in 1968 and married Dale Long on August 28, 1970 in Miami, OK. She worked at King Radio and the Woolworth department store in Lawrence. Brenda took great joy in sharing her love for the Lord, by teaching Kings Kids, a children’s program at her church. She was very talented with crafts and crocheting. She greatly enjoyed being a grandmother to her grandsons, and she also loved Monday night football.

She will be deeply missed by her husband Dale of the home, daughter and son-in-law Tiffany and Michael Baxter, of Eudora; son Kevin Long of Topeka; four grandsons Michael-Shayne & wife Britani, Peyton, Drayke, and Sylus, three sisters Frances Macey of Lee’s Summit, MO; Joyce Massey and Patricia Dardis both of Eudora; one brother Mike McConkey of Wamego; three nieces, and five nephews. ”Brenda, your wings in heaven were ready, but our hearts were not.”

A memorial to, Douglas County VNA & Hospice, in memory of Brenda, may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

A private family inurnment will be held.

James Jerome (Jerry) McGriff

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Services for James (Jerry) Jerome McGriff, 80, Lawrence, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on 3615 W. 10th Street in Lawrence, Kansas. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Argos, Indiana.

Jerry McGriff died Monday, August 6, 2018 at his home.

He was born October 7, 1937 in La Porte, Indiana, the son of Paul and Dorothy McGriff. He graduated from Argos High School in 1956. He moved to Lawrence in 2005.

Mr. McGriff served in the U.S. Army Reserves and was an E-6 Staff Sergeant stationed in Argos, Indiana from 1956 to 1962. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He married Phyllis Joan Reece on June 14, 1959. They were married for 59 years this past June. She survives of the home. To this union four children were born.

Other survivors include sons, David (Nancy), Provo, Utah and Kevin (Susan), Bossier City, Louisiana; a daughter, Penne (Jim), Lawrence, Kansas; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters Patricia, Joeann, Dorothy and a son, Richard Allen.

Friends may call from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, where family will receive them.

The family suggests memorial services to LDS Humanitarian Services or Douglas County Visiting Nurses.

Thelma Lee Shay

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Thelma Lee Shay, (also known as Lee, T-Bone, T) age 68, died on August 4, 2018.

She fought an 18-year courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis and died due to complications of the disease.

Thelma, the youngest of six, was born in Thayer, Missouri and raised in Baldwin City, Kansas. She was a Rock Star and could be found performing rockabilly in small towns across Kansas in her teens and early 20’s. She was later inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame (2008).

Thelma went on to work for the Kansas Highway Patrol before moving to Kansas City and serving most of her career at Fowler Envelope Company.

She is remembered by family and friends as the ornery one who’s witt would keep the room in stitches and she willingly (and frequently) would do the splits on the dance floor.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Kelly (Tony) Berg and Jenny (Eddie) Acosta. She will also be fondly remembered by her four grandchildren, Mia, Macy, Eddie and Ellie, as well as her sisters, Barbara (Bob) Edmonds & Ann (Tom) Crosta, sister-in-law Louise Brewer (Gary), several nieces and nephews, & dear friends Dennis Supancic & Mary Higgins.

Thelma was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Watson Brewer, father, Lester Brewer, and brothers Herman, Charles & David Brewer.

A memorial visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a concerted effort to do something kind for someone today. You can also help support those fighting this terrible disease by making a donation at www.nationalmssociety.org.

David Willard Larkins

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David Willard Larkins, 70, of Lawrence, KS, passed away on Monday, July 30, 2018.

David was born on September 24, 1947, to Bill and Wilma Larkins. He spent his early childhood in Agenda, KS. The family eventually relocated to Concordia, KS where David completed his high school education. He went on to play football at Wichita State, eventually graduating from University of Kansas where he attended classes alongside his daughter, Crishna.

Lawrence, KS was home for David for 40+ years. He was an avid reader and gifted conversationalist. David could turn a stranger into a friend in a matter of minutes. He was also a sports fan, committed to his Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals.

David will be remembered as a loving and devoted father, brother, uncle and friend.

He is survived by his daughter, Crishna Vossman and husband Matt, of Denver; sister, Lynnette Caldwell, of Salina; niece, Katy Caldwell; niece, Summer St. Louis and husband Spencer; great-nieces, Larkin and Greer.

A Celebration of Life will be held for David from 1-4 pm on Sunday, August 19 at Cider Gallery, Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made in David’s name to First Book (firstbook.org).

 

Lois A. Eskilson

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Lois Aydelott Eskilson, 89, passed away Monday, July 30, 2018, in Lawrence where she had lived for 19 years. 

Lois was born April 7, 1929 in Erie, Pa. to John C.and Helen Aydelott. She attended Lawrence Park High School in Erie and graduated in 1947. She went on to DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. where she earned a BA in Mathematics in 1951. She was a member of Alpha Omega Pi sorority. Lois married Jack E. Eskilson in January 1954 and they were married for 52 years until he passed away in 2006. They started their family in Cleveland, Ohio before moving to St. Louis, Mo, Overland Park and Wichita, Ks. They retired in Lawrence in 1999. 

Lois dedicated her life to raising her children Eric, Kurt and Karen Eskilson. Lois realized the importance of quality daycare for working families and in 1973 started a preschool and daycare center at Overland Park Lutheran Church. She also worked for Rainbows United in Wichita for many years. Lois and Jack were dedicated members of the church in each of the towns where they lived and were members of the choir. Throughout her life Lois generously supported efforts with her time and resources to provide food to those in need. Her dedication to the First Baptist Food Pantry served many over the years. She loved cross-stitch, knitting sweaters and had a lifelong love of music.

Lois was an ardent Jayhawks fan and loved to watch & listen to Hawks basketball.

She is survived by her sister, Ruth A. Risch (Tom) of Pittsburgh, Pa., and brother John C. Aydelott (JoAnn), Cleveland; three children, Eric Eskilson (Edith), Lawrence Kansas; Kurt Eskilson, (Melissa), Topeka KS; and Karen Eskilson (LeAnne) Overland Park Ks; 10 grandchildren: Suzanne Galvin (Chris), Ethan Eskilson, Brooke Patterson (Wade), Anna Caldwell, Blake Eskilson, Emma Eskilson, Alek Eskilson, Sara Stowe Eskilson, Evan Eskilson, and Sam Stowe Eskilson;  and four great grandchildren: Lily & Harrison Galvin and Raina & Freya Patterson. 

A memorial service will be 1:30 Friday, Aug. 3, at First Baptist Church with graveside services at 2 p.m. Saturday at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita.

Flowers may be sent to Rumsey Yost Funeral Home or memorial contributions made to the employee scholarship fund at Presbyterian Manor where Lois resided for many years, sent in care of the funeral home.

 

Maxine McEnroe

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Dorothy Maxine McEnroe, 93, passed away on July 29, 2018, at home in Lawrence.

Maxine was born on February 11, 1925, in Atchison, Kansas, to Henry and Dorothy Walters.

Her family moved to Topeka shortly after her birth. She attended Potwin Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High School, and graduated from Topeka High School in 1942. Maxine attended Washburn University, where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority.

After college, Maxine worked for the Santa Fe Railway in Topeka, where she met Francis (Mac) McEnroe. Maxine and Mac were wed on May 30, 1952, and remained married for 63 years, until Mac’s death in 2015. They moved to Kansas City in 1953 and then to Overland Park in 1954, where they resided until 2014.

Maxine and Mac had two children, Bruce and Gail. Maxine cared for her family full-time until her children were grown. She worked at the Johnson County Library from 1978 until 2000. She enjoyed her work at the library so much that she continued as a volunteer after her retirement. Maxine and Mac were longtime members of Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village.

Maxine will be remembered as a loving and kind mother and friend. She was a sports fan who loved cheering for the local teams, especially the Kansas Jayhawks.

She is survived by her son, Bruce McEnroe, of Lawrence; her daughter, Gail McEnroe, of Chicago; granddaughters, Anne McDonald (Joseph) and Emily Lange (Scot); and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 3, at Lawrence Free Methodist Church in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials to Shawnee Mission Medical Center’s Volunteer Fund, P.O. Box 2923, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201.

Gladys Ann Parker Shaffer

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Gladys Ann Parker Shaffer, 87, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Brandon Woods Retirement Community, Lawrence, Kansas. She requested no service.

Ann was born April 15, 1931 in Lawrence, the daughter of Clarence and Ora Ann (Ikenberry) Parker.

Ann graduated from the one-room Fairview Elementary School and then Liberty Memorial High School, Lawrence in 1948. She enjoyed life in California for a number of years until the time of her mother’s death in 1986, when she moved back to Lawrence to care for her father until his death in 1992. Ann remained in Lawrence until her death.

Survivors include a son, Dennis Shaffer, Branson, MO, a daughter, Debbie Eschmann, Arlington, VA, and sister, Lucille Parker Rice, Baldwin.

George R. Blevins

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George Raymond Blevins unexpectedly passed away at his home on July 25, 2018. He was born December 4, 1947, to George A. and Doris (Lederer) Blevins in Lawrence, KS. He graduated from Eudora High School in 1964 and attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia for two years. He was drafted into the United States Army. He is a Vietnam veteran, serving as a helicopter mechanic and as a door gunner. When he returned from the war, he attended Kansas University majoring in psychology.

He worked for the City of Lawrence in the water department as a supervisor until retiring in 2004.

George loved riding and working on Honda motorcycles. He was active with ABATE for many years and enjoyed writing editorials for them.

George was married to Stella Collins. They divorced. He married Tedi Bennett. They divorced.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Jeff Jacob.

Survivors include a daughter, Brook Koontz, a son Nick Barnett of Lawrence, and a son, Levi, of the home; brother Gordon Blevins, and sister and brother-in-law Gloria and Craig Jacob, all of Lawrence. George had one grandson, Kyle, and two nieces, Cari Andrews and Kellie Blevins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

A graveside service for George will be held Saturday, Aug. 4th, at 10 am at Sutton Cemetery, rural Douglas County.