Author: RumseyYost

Lee F. Young Jr.

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Lee Franklin Young, age 92, of Lawrence, KS, passed away August 30 at his residence in Neuvant House surrounded by his three children and beloved granddaughter.

A funeral service will be held at 5pm Thursday, September 6, at First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, with Rev. Kent Winters-Haselton officiating.

Lee was born in Syracuse, NY, to Lee Franklin Young and Helen Marie Young, on November 3, 1925. After graduating from Nottingham High School in Syracuse, Lee enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a sonar technician on a destroyer escort in WWII. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa.

After the war, Lee attended Syracuse University on the GI Bill. He received a BA in American Studies in 1950. While working on the school yearbook he met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Evans. They married in Shirley’s hometown of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, on June 30, 1950. The young couple lived in and loved New York City, but relocated to Kansas City, MO, when Lee accepted a job in advertising. Within a couple of years, Lee took a job in magazine production and moved his growing family to Lake of the Forest, Edwardsville, Kansas, where he said he spent his happiest years.

Lee and his family made Lawrence their home when he was hired as an instructor to teach journalism in the advertising sequence at KU in 1964. Following a longtime dream, he completed a Master’s in Journalism at the university in 1967. He became an assistant professor in 1968, an associate professor in 1970, and a full professor in 1975. In addition to teaching advertising, Lee developed a sequence in magazine journalism, and at various times taught in the news-editorial and radio-television areas. His administrative responsibilities included: Director of the Midwest Journalism Camp, Chairman of the University Daily Kansan Board, and Director of the William Allen White Foundation. During his tenure at KU, Lee received the 1967 Hillteacher award, the 1969 H.Bernard Fink award for excellence in teaching, and the Mortar Board teaching award. He was seven times a finalist for the senior class’ H.O.P.E. teaching award, and the first holder of the William Allen White Distinguished Teacher Professorship in 1985. Lee twice served as acting Dean of the Journalism School, 1969-70 and 1985-86. In 1985, he was named as Distinguished Teaching Professor of Journalism.

He was a member of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Edwardsville, KS, where he served as a senior warden and a lay reader. He joined the Trinity Episcopal church in Lawrence, and later became active in the First Presbyterian Church. Following his retirement he enjoyed volunteering at church, the Lawrence Community Theater, and with Audio-Reader. He loved to play golf, watch the Royals and rarely missed a KU basketball game.

Lee is preceded in death by parents, Lee and Helen Young, his bride, Shirley Evans Young, his beloved friend and son-in-law, David Wiebe, great granddaughter, Madrona Hartford, and great grandson, Quinn Brady.

He is survived by his children: Leslie Young, Catherine Little (Rodney), and Kenneth Young, sister Gwendolyn Kratz (Bill), sister-in-law Myrene Hoge (Sterling Sorrel); grandchildren: Graham Farris (Kelly), Kathelyn Young, Mark Wiebe (Anne), and Chris Wiebe; and great grandchildren: William Farris, Noah Brady, Sorrel Hartford, Wren Hartford, and Amber Hartford. Lee also leaves behind several nieces and nephews as well as cherished friends Doni Mooberry and Eva Alley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Neuvant House, 1216 Biltmore Dr., Lawrence, KS, 66049, or Heartland Hospice, 2231 SW Wanamaker Rd., S 202 Topeka, KS, 66614.

The family wishes to extend its deep gratitude to the staff at Neuvant House, who provided Lee with a loving home for the last three years of his life. Additionally, the support and services provided by the staff at Heartland Hospice made it possible for Lee to remain in the home he loved during the final weeks of his life.

The family is honoring Lee’s wish to have his body donated to the Department of Anatomy, University of Kansas Medical Center.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Smith Ann Myers

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Smith Ann Myers was born into the arms of the angels Thursday, August 16th at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She is survived by her parents Brett and Kelsey Myers, Grandparents  Craig and Joan Starks and Craig and Ann Myers.

“There’s nothing in this world
that brings such happiness
as that of a dear sweet child,
to hold, to love and caress.

When one comes into our life
there is no greater joy.
It matters not the gender,
a baby girl or baby boy.

There’s nothing in this world
that brings such heartfelt sorrow,
as to have them in your life one day
and find them gone tomorrow.

At the loss of a little child
we must put our love and trust
in God, our Heavenly Father,
who gave the child to us.

Love for the gift He gave us,
and trust that in His time,
we will hold our child again
in our heavenly home divine.”

-Ron Tranmer

Antone E. (Tony) Hackett

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Antone (Tony) (Buddy) E. Hackett, 67, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away suddenly on August 15 in Leadville, Colorado, while vacationing in a place he truly loved.

Tony was born on September 8, 1950, Pomona, Kansas, to Milton E. and Kathryn (Rita) Hackett. After graduating from Pomona High School in 1968, Tony went to work at Kansas Color Press in Lawrence, Kansas, where he met first wife Patricia Hess. Tony enlisted in the USAF on October 30, 1970, where he was stateside working as a layout person in printing and publishing, mostly stationed in Michigan & Wichita Falls. First daughter, Heather Lynn Hackett, was born on June 5, 1971, while Tony was in basic training. He was honorably discharged from Sheppard AFB in Texas on April 15, 1974.

After being discharged from the service, Tony & family returned to Lawrence, Kansas, where he continued to work in the printing business. Second daughter, Sherri Lou, was born on January 3, 1976. The family moved to Baldwin City in 1978. Tony continued in the printing trade until his retirement in 2010. Tony worked part time at Carquest in Lawrence, Kansas, until his death. Mr. Hackett loved watching Jayhawk basketball, the KC Royals, and the Denver Broncos. He was an avid hunter and gardener in his spare time. The crops he produced from his immaculate garden was the talk of the county and what a pleasure to be treated to a jar of his pickled okra. Tony loved to ride 2-wheel bikes and camp. He even drove a Ponystock race car at Thunderhill in the early 2000’s. Tony was a long-time member of the Baldwin City American Legion, 40 & 8, and the Kaw Valley Studebaker club.

Mr. Hackett is survived by his current wife, Connie Lindell Hackett, Baldwin City and dog Brody; two daughters, Heather Lynn Hackett, Edwardsville; Sherri Lou McDonald (Michael), Kansas City, Kansas; one brother, Ed Hackett (Margie), Lawrence; three sisters, Kay Whitman (Merle), Lawrence; Beth Marsh (David), Waverly; and Mary Whipple (Larry), Eureka, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Jeffery Rawleigh, Kody Rawleigh, Autumn Rawleigh, Michele Rawleigh, Ethan McDonald, Matthew McDonald, and Isaac McDonald; plus many special cousins, nephews, and had an abundance of close friends from coast to coast.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 am at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice, and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Ellie LeCompte

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Ellen LeCompte, 68, died August 10 at her home in Lawrence, Kansas. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Oliver and Janet LeCompte, the second of six children, Ellie grew up in that city, attending local public schools and later the Colorado Springs School for Girls before transferring to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado, where she graduated in 1968. Ellie thrived in the school’s iconoclastic atmosphere, where students helped build barns and operate the school’s farm.

Ellie attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City before completing her undergraduate work at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. She held various jobs during and after her college studies, including teaching English at the Technical Vocational Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico and working in administration for the Colorado Springs Symphony.

Ellie received her Ph.D in psychology at the University of Kansas. She spent the rest of her life working in Topeka and Lawrence as a practicing therapist.

She wanted to feel life to the fullest, to truly connect with the world, and among all her passions, her love of animals stands out. From childhood on, the intelligence and charm of standard poodles delighted her. She was surrounded in daily life in Lawrence by her beloved poodles Pete, Betty, and Chika and her beloved cats Magic, Libby, and Archie. She sometimes rescued injured animals on the roadside, unhesitatingly funding the veterinary bills needed to restore the creature’s health.

Ellie’s generosity and devotion extended to the artistic community of Lawrence. She helped found the Lawrence Arts Center artist-in-residence program and became a friend and mentor to many emerging artists who came to Lawrence from around the world. Ellie was often in the Arts Center print studio creating her own work and delighting in her fellow printmakers.

Ellie’s voracious spirit ensured that she never stopped questioning the meaning of the world or seeking deeper connections with those she loved. Ellie believed in risk-taking, boldness, liberal notions, and unconditional love. Her home was filled with art and animals and books. She loved to have dinner and debate movies and politics and human motivations with her close friends. More than a few of her friends and family, not to mention her patients, could say she had rescued them.

She leaves behind a dear family of friends in Lawrence, Kansas as well as four siblings, Jenny Anderson of Berthoud, Colorado; Charles LeCompte of Brookline, Massachusetts; Tom LeCompte of Sharon, Massachusetts; and Peter LeCompte of Walanae, Hawaii. She was preceded in death by her younger sister Louisa LeCompte in 1964.

A celebration of Ellie’s life will be held Sunday, August 26 at 5:00 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center 940 New Hampshire Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Honor Ellie with gifts to the Lawrence Arts Center, Van Go, Inc. or the Lawrence Humane Society.

Published in Lawrence Journal-World on Aug. 16, 2018

Virginia Ann Williams

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Virginia Ann Williams, 80, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2018.

Born Virginia Ann Hampton on September 14, 1937, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, she is predeceased by her parents Ethel Maude McClurg Hampton and Matt Wilson Hampton and her brother Matt Wilson Jr. Hampton. She married the love of her life, Jim (James Herbert) Williams on August 25, 1961, and they were inseparable and devoted to each other for almost 57 years.

Virginia is survived by Jim, daughters Jennifer (Jay) Tusten, Ulysses, and Ellen Chindamo, Lawrence, and grandchildren Katarina (Bem) Pelletier, Lara, Mary and Natalie Tusten and Siena Casagrande, Dawson and Sophia Chindamo, and great-granddaughter Ava Pelletier.

Virginia always loved education and attended Oklahoma State University where she received a BS in home economics and elementary education and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She met Jim at the First Baptist Church where her father was his Sunday School teacher. As was the college tradition at the time, Jim pinned her with his Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity pin following graduation and proposed to her on Mount Scott in Lawton, Oklahoma.

When Virginia and Jim were first married, she taught while Jim was in the Air Force and continued her love for teaching young children in elementary education all of her life. They moved to Lawrence in 1962, where she continued to teach and she and Jim were active in the community, loved the arts and attended many events. Virginia was devoted to her family and she and Jim shared with them their passion for travel all over the United States, Caribbean and Europe. Her very favorite place to visit always remained Paris. She participated in many bridge groups, loved shopping with her girlfriends, cooking from scratch and working in her garden.

She was very brave and fought a long and difficult battle with multiple myeloma and the family is grateful to the many family, friends, and caregivers who helped her for many years. They are especially grateful to Dr. Don Hatton, Dr. Christopher Penn, Dr. Matt Stein, Dr. Jodie Barr, Dr. Lida Osbern, Dr. Shari Quick and the staff of Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Dr. Martha Lacy at the Mayo Clinic for all of their excellent care.

The memorial service will take place on Friday, August 17 at 10:00 am at the First Southern Baptist Church, 4300 West 6th Street, Lawrence. A lunch reception will follow at the church. Contributions can made to the First Southern Baptist Church and be sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

George William Francis

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George Francis, lifelong resident of Lawrence, Kansas and local business owner, died at the age of 90. He was best known for his store, Francis Sporting Goods which he co-owned with his father Gilbert Francis (established in 1947) and son, Jon Francis, until George’s retirement in 1993.

George was born January 30, 1928 to Bernice Evelyn Starkey Francis and Gilbert Alexander Francis, married Carol Buhler in 1950 and celebrated 64 years of marriage before she passed away March 21, 2015.

George is survived by his children April (Mike) Dwyer, Lawrence, Wendy (Scott) Clay, Desoto, Jay (Doreen) Francis, Topeka, Jon (Julie) Francis, Baldwin, and grandchildren, Madison, Morgan, Anikka, Kyle and Elaina.

George played trumpet for over 70 years, until the age of 83. He was band leader/owner of the Collegians band, played with New Horizons and the Lawrence City Band (concerts in the park) for many years. He was a member of the Jazz House Band, Junkyard Jazz Band, played with Charles Steeper Orchestra, the Varsity Crew Orchestra, Harlen Livingood’s Orchestra and Bob Blum’s Orchestra.

George graduated from Lawrence High School in 1946 and attended Kansas University. He was a previous member of the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Lawrence Association, National Sporting Goods Association, Life Member Local 512 American Federation of Music, Life Member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Life member of Masonic Lodge, 32 degree Mason, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and 69 year member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

George was in the Army National Guard for 13 years in Company H, 137th Infantry Regiment with a rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was up for Captain but resigned prior to that.

He was the head starter for many swim meets with the Lawrence Aquahawks from its inception in 1968. He was a 46 year member of the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club logging over 1400 miles in a canoe. He also was a genealogist tracing the family heritage back through generations.

George was instrumental in helping his wife with the restoration and upkeep of the historic House Building in downtown Lawrence where his business was located.

He survived several strokes and worked his way back to near normal each time with his very special physical therapist of many years, Doug Hitt. He loved canoeing, camping, hunting, fishing and playing his trumpet.

He leaves behind many friends and caregivers at Brandon Woods.

A special thank you to Dr. Eric Huerter.

A Visitation will take place Thursday, August 16, 2018, from 6-7:30 pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Contributions can be made to the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club (OWWC) a non-profit that promotes the health of our rivers, or the Lawrence City Band, both sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Pamela Jean Mattson

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Memorial services for Pamela Jean Mattson, 66, Lawrence will be 1 pm, Saturday August 25, 2018, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

She died Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at her home.

Pamela was born September 8, 1951, in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of Maurice Everett and Vera Evelyn Knoepker Gordon.

She graduated from North High School in Wichita, KS in 1969. Pam retired from the city of Lawrence after 19 years in 2001.

Pam was loved by most but liked by all the people she has met throughout her life. She loved all of her grandchildren immensely and would do everything she could for all of them. Her grandkids absolutely adored her and state that she “was and still is the greatest grandma ever!”  We definitely couldn’t have asked for a better mother, grandmother and friend.

She had a great passion for animals and has had numerous cats throughout her wonderful life. Pam loved to travel and has seen many parts of the country and Canada.

Survivors include her sons Shawn Bedient, Andrew (Boni) Mattson; sisters, Patricia Baker, Kathleen (James “Bud”) Wilkes; brothers, Doug (Susan) Gordon, Chuck (Seikiko) Doolittle; grandkids, Michael , Zachary, Lucas, Alexus, T.J. , Kaylee; nieces and nephews, Courtney, Samuel, Rick and Miki.

She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Maurine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pamela Jean Mattson Memorial Fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Joseph “Joe” Edward Adler

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Memorial services for Joseph E. Adler 58, Lawrence will be held Saturday, August 18, 2018, 10:30 AM at Memorial Park, 1517 E. 15th St, Lawrence, KS.  Casual attire.

Joe passed away at his home July 17, 2018. and will be remembered as a kind and loyal friend, son, brother, and with  a sometimes quirky sense of humor.  He was always full of interesting facts and stories.

Joe was born in Fredonia, KS  September 24, 1959, the son of Henry and Carol Pfeifer Adler.

In 1977, He graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School. While there,  he was inducted into the National Forensic League in 1974 and continued his Debate career at  JCCC and at Kansas University winning awards and tournaments with his Debate partner. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism in 1983.

In 1984 he joined the US Army.  He was selected to represent his platoon   in the   WWII reenactment  at his Boot Camp graduation in Ft. Benning, GA.  Sgt. Joseph E. Adler was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany and at Ft. Hood, Texas.  He was awarded The Army Achievement Medal in June 1986  for meritorious service as the commander’s radio telephone operator during Reforger 86, and to handle additional responsibilities of operating the company’s Net Control Station vehicle. Sgt. Adler was recognized for many achievements by the Army.  He was a charter member of the Amvets Post of Lenexa KS.

After he was discharged from the military he returned to  Kansas University to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1992.

Joe had a life long interest in history from the time he was a young child.  He was a voracious reader with an insatiable search for knowledge and he encouraged others to expand their horizons. An avid sports fan of KU Basketball, Chiefs and Royals.  Joe loved playing Frisbee golf, tennis and was a member of “The Gods of Football” team as chronicled in  “Modern Football History”.

He was a Freight Conductor for the BNSF Railroad.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Adler in 1981.  He is survived by his mother Carol Adler, of Mission, his brother Alex Adler of Mission and niece Samantha Jane Adler, Albuquerque, NM.

Memorial contributions can be made to Veterans Community Project KC  (Tiny Houses project for homeless veterans)To donate online www.veteranscommunityproject.org or by mail  8900 Troost Ave. Kansas City, MO 64131   or Overland Park Historical Society, PO Box 4022, Overland Park, KS 66204.