Author: RumseyYost

Leslie “Dean” Howard

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Leslie “Dean” Howard, 80, of Lawrence, will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025 at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Howard passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born November 5, 1944 in Gatesville, Texas to Robert C. Howard and Anna “Viola” Stein. His family moved to Lawrence when he was 2 years old. Dean attended Bismarck School and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1962.

Mr. Howard was an over-the-road truck driver for many years, working for Lawrence Freight Line and retiring from Penske’s. He then worked in custodial services at the University of Kansas until retiring. He attended Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene where he drove the bus picking up kids on Sunday mornings. He later transferred his membership to Central United Methodist Church.

According to Dean’s brother Bob, during his junior high and high school years he enjoyed roller skating and playing pool. Bob says he was a pretty good at both and able to perform any pool trick shot at that time.

He married Carol Penny in 1967. They later divorced. He then married Wanda Knapp on December 1, 1988 in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2018.

Dean enjoyed the outdoors and he and Wanda loved to travel in their motorhome. They would spend winters in Bandera, Texas, come home to Lawrence for a visit, and then travel to Colorado and other states enjoying the country.

Survivors include two sons, Todd Howard and Timothy Copp, both of Lawrence, KS; two daughters, Jama (Jeff) Carter, of Ottawa, KS and Tammy (Jon) Barta, Lawrence KS; a brother, Robert (Louise) Howard 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 more coming soon.

Visitation will be before and after the service at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1517 E. 15th Street.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society and to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country for Kerrville Flood victims, where Dean and Wanda frequented on their winter stays in Texas, both sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

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

Fredrick Jesse Harrell

Posted on by RumseyYost

Fredrick Jesse Harrell, 71, Lawrence, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Medical Lodges of Eudora. Fred lived his final year and a half at Medical Lodges, where he received excellent care and was well liked.

He was born November 13, 1953, in Lawrence, Kansas to Henry Ford Harrell and Opal Jeanette (Wiley) Harrell.

Fred and his three brothers were raised in Lawrence by their grandparents, Lemuel and Grace Wiley. He graduated from Lawrence High School and after high school worked as a custodian at The University of Kansas until 1982. Fred then worked in a variety of other capacities on campus, including Oliver Hall Housing, SAE fraternity, and Mrs. E’s cafeteria.

In 2001, following his grandparents’ deaths, Fred connected with Cottonwood, Incorporated. Fred was supported in his home, his work, his retirement and leisure, and with his community-based health care until his significant health decline in 2023.

Fred was a very endearing person who always had a twinkle in his eye and a wickedly funny comment ready to go. Fred loved:
• Going fishing, going out to eat, especially pizza and Chinese buffets
• Going shopping, to the movies, watching sporting events, ball games, wrestling etc.
• Sleeping until mid-morning on the weekends
• Working on artwork projects including rock carvings
• Going on long walks around his neighborhood (Fred was a fervent believer in “reusing” found items and was an avid visitor to neighborhood dumpsters and curbsides. The annual apartment turnover was a particularly good time to find treasures.)
• Traveling! Fred visited many cities thanks to Lawrence Parks and Recreation’s Unified Recreation service (formerly Special Populations). His fellow travelers have many stories of Fred’s love of travel and occasional single-minded pursuits (Fred sometimes left the group behind, causing a few panicked moments until he was tracked down and reunited).
• Fred greatly enjoyed gardening and spent a considerable amount of time in his grandparents’ large garden.

Fred was a very jovial fellow and enjoyed talking and laughing with many friends. His boisterous laughter will be greatly missed.

Survivors include two brothers Jeff and Tim Harrell, and many good friends from Cottonwood, Inc.

Cremation is planned and ashes will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence. A celebration of life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cottonwood, Inc. at cwood.org.

Delbert Edward “Ed” Jarvis

Posted on by RumseyYost

Delbert Edward Jarvis better known family and friends as “ED” passed away peacefully August 1, 2025. Ed was born in Nortonville, Kansas on February 21, 1947. After graduating high school, joined the Army and served in Vietnam awarded the Air Medal, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After two Tours, he returned to Lawrence, Kansas where he resided for the rest of his life. Ed graduated first at Kansas State University with a Primary/Secondary Education degree however, after a couple years of teaching switched occupations earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Kansas University and worked his way up to heading the Visual and Media Technical Department based in Lippincott Hall (KU). Ed retired both from KU and Army Reserves after combining 50 years of dedicated service.

Ed loved his horses, especially Tennessee Walkers, and traveled going on many camping trips, and trail rides around the country. Ed was an active member of the LET’S RIDE PERRY (horse trail riding group) and maintained the trails for all riders to enjoy the Perry Lake (KS) area. Ed was also a member in VFW and American Legion.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents Delbert James Jarvis and Gwendolyn E. Selves Jarvis, and two sisters: Kay Simon and Betty Martin.

Ed is survived by his wife Sue of 31 years; two sisters: Marthanne Simon and Marylin Tebow; two sons: Derek Edward Jarvis and his wife, Crystal (Stroud) Jarvis, and Stefan Micheal Jarvis; one step-daughter: Amy Downing-Drake and her husband, Patrick Drake; five grandchildren: Zachary, Ashlyn, Molly, Micah, Benjamin; one great-grandchild: Cyrus Jarvis; and many extended family members.

A memorial service with military honors will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a visitation until 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or Friends of Lake Perry Wild Horse Trails, 3262 54th St., Meriden, KS 66512.

Gary A. Stanwix

Posted on by RumseyYost

The family of Gary Stanwix will receive guests August 12 from 6 to 8 pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Gary passed away August 3, 2025, at KU Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

He was born September 1, 1945, in Lawrence, the son of Clayton and Betty Edgar Stanwix. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1964.

He married Linda Beers on June 9, 1967, in Lawrence. She survives of the home.

Gary worked for Kansas Public Service, now known as Black Hills Energy as the inventory control specialist for 31 years.

Gary loved to play baseball in high school and beyond. He loved watching old westerns. He watched them so much he could recite what the characters were going to say. He was a deacon at Southside Church of Christ for many years. He loved goose hunting (building goose blinds with his father in-law, Glenn), fishing and being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Mr. Great”. He loved bowling and was on a league for numerous years. He also loved, in his younger years, to play racquetball with his daughter Jennifer and some of his friends. He always loved doing his word search puzzles.

He loved family vacations to Branson, Myrtle Beach and Sanibel Island. He became an avid sheller in Sanibel. It was always a contest with him as to who got the best shell.

Gary was a collector of Santa Clauses and could not wait to display them at Christmastime.

He loved helping others. He spent countless hours snow blowing and mowing for neighbors, friends and family.

Gary always looked forward to breakfast with his friends at McDonalds, retirement luncheons and daily car rides with Linda.

He loved going to the ball fields and collecting cans for recycling. He made many friends there who called him the “can man”

Survivors include a son, Kyle Stanwix (Vicki) of Lawrence; a daughter, Jennifer Hamon (Travis) of Lawrence. A brother, Dale (Linda) of Lawrence. Four grandchildren, Shelby Lavelle (Ryan), Miranda Fisher (Ben), Mikayla Greenamyre (Spencer), Hannah Stanwix; three great grandsons and one great granddaughter.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Betty Stanwix and one brother J.R. Stanwix.

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

Barbara Lynne (Gowan) Watkins

Posted on by RumseyYost

Barbara L. Watkins, 84, died August 1, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held September 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Broken Arrow Park Shelter, 2800 Louisiana St., Lawrence, KS.

Barbara Lynne (Gowan) Watkins, of Lawrence, Kansas, died August 1, 2025. She was born June 25, 1941, in Ames, Iowa, to Arthur Mitchell Gowan and Marjorie Mace Gowan. She was an ornery child and a tomboy and loved to play outside and help her father tend his gardens. Barbara graduated from Ames High School in 1959 and Iowa State University in 1963. She later earned MEd and PhD degrees from the University of Kansas. She was awarded a United States Department of Justice graduate research fellowship for her dissertation research.

In the 1960s, she taught English and history at secondary schools in Brown County, Indiana, and ESL at the Immanuel Kant Hochschule in Neumunster, Germany, and the University of Kiel, Germany. She was an editor and coordinator of distance learning at the University of Kansas Continuing Education for 38 years, retiring in 2007. She also coordinated the Kansas Studies Program and coedited several books on the history of the University of Kansas and Lawrence. In addition, she was project coordinator and editor for a series of interviews with Lawrence/Douglas County African Americans. She received several regional and national awards for these projects and was the recipient of multiple national and regional awards for her work as co-director of the Langston Hughes National Poetry Project. Twice she received the NUCEA Award for Continuing Excellence in Programming in the Arts, Sciences and Humanities.

She served as a Girl Scout leader; vice-president of the Lawrence Community Nursery School board; president of the Independence, Inc, board and the Westwood Homeowners Association; a member of the University of Kansas Faculty Senate; and on the boards of Historic Mount Oread Friends, Douglas County Legal Aid Society, and several other local and national organizations.

In 1973 she was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America. In 2001 she received the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service, and in 2002 she was inducted into the University of Kansas Women’s Hall of Fame.

Following her retirement from KU she was a partner in the web design company KLW-Webwork. She also edited several books and museum exhibit texts and wrote articles and book reviews for The Best Times, the Johnson County and Douglas County, Kansas, senior citizens newspapers; and the Jayhawk Audubon Society Newsletter.

In l963 she married Donald Watkins. They later divorced. She is survived by their daughter, Alison Watkins, and son, Aaron Watkins, and his wife, Dawna, and grandsons, Nicholas and Xanthus Watkins; her sister, Sandra Kirk, and the families of her daughters, Donna Kirk-Swaffar and Kim Kirk Polson; and her sponsored child Sandhiya in India.

She was a passionate gardener, raising hostas primarily; dog owner, especially her beloved Great Pyrenees; an avid tennis player, winning several city, university, and state championships; and loved to spend quality time with dear friends, hiking, cross-country skiing, and reading.

Barbara supported local organizations including Health Care Access, Douglas County Senior Services, Visiting Nurses, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, the Lawrence Public Library, the Lawrence Humane Society; and national and international organizations including the Audubon Society, UNICEF Children’s Fund, Oxfam, Doctors without Borders, Charity: Water, and Amnesty International.

As she wished, there will be no funeral or memorial service. She requested a green burial—preferably in her backyard so she could become compost for future generations of her beloved hostas. Memorials can be sent, in her name, to the charity of your choice.

Until she died, she continued to be trouble–of the best sort.

“I give you this one thought to keep – I am with you still – I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not think of me as gone – I am with you still – in each new dawn.”

A final thought: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

Kenneth G. Anderson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Kenneth G. Anderson, 76, Lawrence, passed away on July 31, 2025, at home with his family.

He was born on March 7, 1949, in Warsaw, Missouri. He was the son of Kenneth and LaVerne (Baumgarden) Dean.

Kenneth graduated Lawrence High School in 1967.  He married his high school sweetheart Joyce Hattabaugh February 25, 1968.  Immediately after he joined the Navy.  He was a radio man/communications on U.S.S. Point Defiance transport ship that transported marines to and from combat during the Vietnam War.  He also held communications with Neil Armstrong and his crew during the Apollo 11 space mission that put the first man on the moon.

He and Joyce were blessed with two children, Kimberly and Jason.

Kenneth was a hard worker with a very strong work ethic.  He retired at 59 1/2 years old from Chemtrade in 2008, Where he worked as a Senior Mechanic after receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy.

He enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling and socializing with friends and family.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Joyce (Hattabaugh) Anderson, of the home. Daughter Kimberly (Anderson) Miller of Lawrence, Son Kenneth Jason Anderson and his wife Salene Anderson of Lawrence, grandchildren Jordan, Zachary and Jackson, great grandchildren Oliver and Travis.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Dean and LaVerne Sinnet, sister Donna Kay Hill and granddaughter Taylor Lister.

Funeral Services for Kenneth G. Anderson, 76, Lawrence, will be 6 pm, Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, a visitation will follow immediately after.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Ronald (Ron) Eugene Lewis

Posted on by RumseyYost

Ronald (Ron) Eugene Lewis, 91, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2025. Ron was born on August 8, 1933, in Topeka, Kansas, to Vernon Dean Lewis and Ada Josephine Lewis. He moved to Emporia at the age of eight, where he spent the majority of his life. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1951 and married the love of his life, Mildred Louise Sill, on December 5, 1952. Nearly 20 years ago, Ron and Mildred moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he spent his later years. Ron proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 as a military police officer stationed at Camp Gordon near Augusta, Georgia. During his service, he also played trombone in the Army band—an expression of the love of music he carried throughout his life. Ron worked as a police officer at Emporia State University, retiring in December 1995. He remained a devoted fan of Hornet athletics and enjoyed attending basketball and football games. After moving to Lawrence, he quickly became a Jayhawk fan as well, enjoying both KU basketball and football. Ron had a deep appreciation for nature and found joy in fishing and exploring the scenery of Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park. In his later years, he developed a taste for craft beer and proudly attended the Great American Beer Festival in Denver—an experience he fondly remembered. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 67 years, Mildred, who passed away in 2019. He is survived by his brother, Bill Lewis of Topeka; his children: Rhonda Russell (Randy) of Lawrence, Chip Lewis of Cowley, Wyoming, and Mike Lewis (Heidi) of Lawrence; his grandchildren: Nathan, Melanie, Spencer, Tara, Elizabeth, Charlene, his great-grandchildren: Alexis, Julianna, Bailey, Willow, Lily, McKinley, Lincoln, Hunter, Chrysta, Merrick, Hanna, Kannon, and many nieces, and nephews who loved him dearly.

A visitation and viewing will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 901 Indiana St. in Lawrence, Kansas on Sunday, August 3 from 3:00-500. Ron will be cremated and laid to rest beside Mildred at Evergreen Cemetery south of Emporia. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice https://www.goodshepherdhospice.com/donationform/) or Lawrence Meals on Wheels (LAWRENCE MEALS ON WHEELS, 2121 KASOLD DR STE B, LAWRENCE KS 66047-2204), two organizations the family deeply appreciates.

Ron will be remembered for his quiet strength, determination, and unwavering love for his family. He was a man who served his country, loved his community, and lived a good life.

Robert Eugene (Bob) Kerr

Posted on by RumseyYost

Robert Eugene (Bob) Kerr passed away on July 20, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born February 14, 1937, in Ellsworth, Kansas, to Dr. Donald E. and Helen M. Kerr.

A standout from the start, Bob lettered in football, basketball, and track and field and was selected as Homecoming King at Lincoln High School. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. There, Bob was a member of the Kansas Gamma Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, for which he later served as a Distinguished Chapter Counselor, and Alpha Psi Chapter of the Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity. He was a lifetime member of the KU Alumni Association and ardent Jayhawk fan.

Bob excelled first as a junior high teacher and coach in Topeka, then later as an Assistant Branch Manager of Capitol Federal Savings and Loan. He returned to Lawrence and entered the insurance profession in 1968 when he founded a property and casualty insurance agency, which he co-owned until 1997. Bob was a producer for Holmes, Peck and Brown, Charlton-Manley, Schifman Remley Associates, Tozier Parkway Housh Jones, and most recently AG Insurance, where he worked until 2025, and served as President of the Kansas Association of Professional Insurance Agents and on the board of USF&G Insurance Company during his long career. Trustworthy and devoted to his clients, Bob earned designations as an Accredited Advisor in Insurance and Certified Insurance Counselor, was deemed an Outstanding Agent by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Kansas, and was awarded the Kansas Agent of Merit by the Kansas Insurance Association 1752 Club. Dedicated to serving his community, Bob assumed various leadership and volunteer roles for the Lawrence Luncheon Optimists, Lawrence SERTOMA Club, First Christian Church, Lawrence Country Club, KU Audio-Reader Network, and Veritas Christian School Golf Team.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Bob was an adoring husband, loving father, doting grandpa, and loyal friend who shared his radiant warmth, adventurous spirit, and appreciation for life with everyone he met. You could find Bob teaching his girls how to water ski around Pamona Lake or execute a flawless swan dive, honing his golf game, frying up French toast for family brunch, perfecting his Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing recipes, gifting chocolate covered cherries to friends and co-workers every Valentine’s Day, cussing like a sailor at a Jayhawk basketball game, or by the pool grilling burgers and jamming to Jimmy Buffet. He was each of his daughters’ steadiest supporter (even though they all ended up Wildcats!) and his grandkids’ biggest fan, sitting front row at countless games and performances. We all miss our forever Valentine.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marcia (Chaney) Kerr; daughters Kelli Brahler, Kandi (Scott) Schaake, and Kylee (Chris) Leatherman; grandkids George (Chelsey Grillot) Brahler and Grace (Neil) Brahler Newsome, Shane (Melissa) Schaake and Shilo (Jamie) Schaake, and Alex Leatherman Frost and Bob Leatherman; great grandkids Morel and Vitales Grillot-Brahler and Miles and Maren Frost; and cherished siblings-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws John and Betty Chaney, sister Barbara Kerr, nephew, Don Snedden and sons-in-law Daryl Duff and John Brahler.

All those who loved Bob are invited to join the Celebration of Life services at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the First Christian Church located at 1000 Kentucky Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Flowers are welcome at the service and guests are encouraged to don their favorite Jayhawk or crimson and blue attire. The family is also collecting donations for the KU Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) Fraternity House, the KU Pep Band and the KU Audio Reader program in honor of Bob’s love of the Jayhawks. Funds donated via Rumsey-Yost will be collected and personally presented in Bob’s name. Please make payable to the Bob Kerr Memorial Fund in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas, and indicate your preferred recipient (KU Sig Ep, KU Pep Band, KU Audio Reader or simply leave it blank for Family’s Choice). Donations can also be made online directly to KU Sig Ep via https://kusigep.com/donate/ (Under ‘Order Notes’, please indicate that your contribution is in honor of Robert (Bob) Kerr) or KU Endowment via https://kuendowment.org/RobertKerr for the KU Pep Band or KU Audio Reader. Your heartfelt contributions are greatly appreciated.

Glenn William Wise Sr

Posted on by RumseyYost
Glenn William Wise Sr. passed on July 26th, 2025, in his home surrounded by friends and family.
He was born on June 22nd, 1959, to Irl and Wyonna Wise in Fredonia KS. Preceded in death by mother, father and grandparents.
He worked at D & D tire in Lawrence Ks from 2000-2008. Then Schmidtz lumber in Lawrence Ks from 2008-2010. Then Wilson Transport / Rock N L Trucking in Eudora Ks from 2010-2023. He retired in 2023.
Glenn Sr. served in the Army as private second class at fort hood Texas in 1978.
He married his childhood friend and love of his life, Anna Wise, on April 20th 2001 in Lawrence KS. They renewed vows on April 20th, 2020, in Eudora KS.
Other survivors include a sister Wilma Wise of Topeka Ks. A daughter Lisa (Michael Pickering) of Ottawa KS. Christina of Iola Ks. Misty (Scott Mannen) of Iola Ks. Glenn Jr (Stacy Wise) of Iola Ks. Kathryn (Michael Pederson) of Myrtle Creek Or. Anthony (Laura Thomas) of Overbrook Ks. Vanessa Cravey of Woodville Tx. Karen (Dusty Schultz) of Linwood Ks. William Wise of the home. 27 Grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life will be held at 949 E 1500 RD Lawrence Ks, 66046 on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 6 pm.
Please bring a covered dish and your stories.