Author: RumseyYost

Mary E. Tate

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside inurnment for Mary Evelyn Tate, 82, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Friday, at Washington Creek Cemetery.

She died Sunday, November 12, 2017, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Mary was born April 11, 1935, in Lone Star, KS, the daughter of Fred C. and Cora B. Hoover Flory.  She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1953.

She was a lifelong member of the Lone Star Church of the Brethren.  Mary enjoyed knitting and crocheting.  She belonged to a knitting group for over 50 Years.  Mary was a true fan of KU Basketball.  She enjoyed visiting with her cousins at their monthly lunch.

Mary married her husband of 64 years, Lanny R. Tate on October 4, 1953, he survives of the home.

Other survivors include their children Steven Tate(Susan), Silver Lake, KS, Susan Turner, Lawrence, Dawn Tate(Terri Jacobson, Caregiver), Lawrence; grandchildren Demetria White (Warren), Eudora, KS, Megan Whitney (James), Pittsburg, KS, Pete Turner (Rachel) Lenexa, KS, Lauren Tate (Bill), Kansas City, MO, Elijah Turner, Lawrence, KS; Great grandchildren, Maliya White, Zoey White, Audrey Whitney; Flory sisters, Irene Williams, Jacksonville, FL, Belle Nelson, St. Augustine, FL, Lucille Batson (Jim) McPherson, KS.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Francis Flory, Lucinda Rose Flory, Ben Flory, Lois Hanna, and Virgil Flory.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Living Opportunities (CLO), sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences may be made at rumsey-yost.com

Roberta Lynn Hedges

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Roberta Lynn Hedges, 67, Lawrence, will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas.

Ms. Hedges died Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born May 13, 1950, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Robert Lee and Zola Patricia Cates Hedges. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1968, and has been a resident of Lawrence since 1958.

Ms. Hedges was employed by Rusty’s IGA in 1967 which was purchased by Alvin Joe Schmitberger in 1989. She continued working at the grocery store and later at Alvin’s Wine & Spirits as a book keeper.

She is survived by a brother, Richard Lee Hedges and wife Ginny, niece Julie Lowrance; several cousins; and many loving friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 3-5 p.m. Sunday.

The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home.

Viola Ray Thomas

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial services for Viola Ray Thomas, 77, Winchester, will be 11 am, Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Living Water Church, 13960 Highway K92, Oskaloosa, KS 66066.

She was the Daughter of Mabel Marie Clark and Grady Jesse Beard , born on the day of July 3rd 1940, she was blessed with a family of three sisters, and two brothers, Kathleen Pearl Kennett , Mattie Lea Kelly, Grady Clifton , Juanita Jeanette Boles, Thomas Leonard, all have passed.  She has a daughter Debra Kay McClelland, a son Todd Allen Thomas, and three step children Nancy O’Herron, Dave Thomas, and John Thomas.  She was married to Loyd Burroughs, for a short period. Then remarried to Alvin Clifford Thomas, he preceded her in death May 1998. She was blessed with many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

She was a great wife, mother, and friend to those that new her.  She worked hard in many jobs over the years that she was proud of.  She was a guard at Hercules army plant in Desoto, a line operator at Hallmarks Cards, ran a line at Aeroquip making pistons for large trucks, an Auto Mechanic and in the AC refrigeration department at KU.  She was strong and determined to make it in a world that was hard for women at the time, she was the first woman hired at KU in the refrigeration department and it made her proud.  She survived breast Cancer, a heart attack, a stroke that took her mobility. Last she died of overran Cancer after a battle of about a year and a half.  She found Jesus early in life and recently renewed her faith. Now she is in heaven with all of her loved ones that died previously.

The family suggests memorial contributions made in memory of Viola Ray Thomas to be made to Great Lakes Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044, or made online at http://www.greatlakescaringhospicefoundation.org

Melvin L. Dark

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Melvin LeRoy Dark, 73, Lecompton, will be at 2 pm Saturday at Maple Grove Cemetery, Lecompton, with Pastor Rob Ernest officiating. Melvin died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at Stormont-Vail Health Care, Topeka.

He was born Dec. 15, 1943, in Lawrence, the son of Clayton L. and Irma Maxine Glenn Dark. He graduated from Lecompton High School, and served a tour in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War. Melvin was an equipment operator for the Kansas Department of Transportation for 35 years. He was a member of the Lecompton Historical Society and the Lecompton United Methodist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and archery.

Melvin married VeNora B. Farnsworth on Apr. 2, 1966, at Lecompton UMC. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons, Dustin Dark and wife Susan, Lecompton, and Chad Dark and wife Annie, Lecompton; three siblings, David Dark, Sherri Neill (Craig), and Barbara Haney, all of Lecompton; seven grandchildren, Tyler Dark, Bonner Dark, Mark Breuninger (Jennifer), Austin Breuninger, Tulsa Dark, Colten Dark, and Sam Sealbach; and two great grandchildren, Taylor and Nevyn Gold.

Friends may call from noon to 8 pm Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lecompton Historical Society or the Lecompton UMC, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Sheila L. Schmitendorf

Posted on by RumseyYost

Visitation for Sheila L. Schmitendorf, 91, Lawrence, will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mrs. Schmitendorf died Sunday, November 5, 2017, at her home.

She was born February 18, 1926 in Alma, Kansas, the daughter of Howard and Eva Blossom who preceded her in death.

She was a child care provider for many years and retired from Hallmark Cards in 1991.

She married George D. Schmitendorf, Jr., July 25, 1948 at the Danforth Chapel in Lawrence. He died August 1, 2008.

Sheila was the 10th of 13 siblings. Brothers preceding her in death are Homer, Floyd, Taylor, Hubert, and Howard Blossom. Sisters preceding her in death are Buelah Ryman, Esther Avery, Violet Ford, Daisy Hemming, Lavella Keltz and Iris Vlasschaert. She is survived by one brother Lyle Dean Blossom and wife Dinny.

She is also survived by her five children George D. Schmitendorf III, Ocala, FL.; Chester A. Schmitendorf, Lawrence; Sandra J. Cordill (Dean), Topeka; Thomas E. Schmitendorf (Jennifer), Lawrence; and Rose Kopf, St. Petersburg, FL. She has seven grandchildren Becky Kramer (Bill); Jessica Huston (Scott); Kalem, Aleese, and Chase Kopf; and Dallas and Kendall Schmitendorf and nine great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to the Ballard Community Center in Lawrence and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

 

 

Jerold Duane Evans Sr.

Posted on by RumseyYost

A graveside service with military honors for Jerold Duane Evans, Sr. (JD), 63, Lawrence, will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Evans died Monday, November 6, 2017, in Lawrence after a difficult battle with cancer.

He was born October 11, 1954 in Lawrence, the son of William Edward Evans Jr. and Lila Avey Evans Patton. He has lived in the area most of his life.

Mr. Evans served in the U.S. Air Force in North Dakota during the Vietnam era and had many jobs over the years most notably as a carpenter, automotive mechanic and drain cleaner.

He enjoyed coon hunting, fishing, working on cars, riding motorcycles and horses, and most of all spending time with his grandchildren. He was also a member of Narcotics Anonymous for the past 14-½ years.

He married Sylvia Higgins in 1984, becoming the stepfather of her two children and had two children together. They later divorced.

Survivors include a daughter, Olivia Dawn Stephens and her husband Carlos of Lawrence; son, Jerold Duane Evans Jr. and wife Ashley of Eudora; mother, Lila Patton of Lawrence; sisters, Vicci Erwin of Lawrence, Rhonda Hunt of Lawrence, Judy Crawford and husband Willis of Lawrence; grandchildren, Isabelle Stephens, Lucille Evans, and Fredrik Evans; step-children, Robert Miller, Sarah Miller and many nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his father, William Edward Evans Jr., step-father Don Patton as well as two nieces.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive visitors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.

The family suggests memorials to the Jerold Evans Sr. memorial fund, to help with funeral expenses.

Joel Lee Arthur Wales

Posted on by RumseyYost

A visitation for Joel Wales, 34, Eudora, will be from 9 to 11 am Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow. Joel died Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Lawrence.

He was born June 7, 1983, in Lawrence, the son of Thomas W. and Debbie E. Ulry Wales. He attended Perry schools, and was employed as an HVAC technician by River City Heating and Cooling at the time of his death. In his spare time, Joel enjoyed golf, fishing, bowling, and spending time with his friends and his beloved daughter, Halee.

Survivors include his daughter, Halee; his mother, Debbie Wales and companion Gary Athey; his sister, Jennifer and family; maternal grandparents, C.W. and Jane Ulry; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Tom Wales, and his paternal grandparents, Charles and Rheba Wales.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Debbie Wales, for the benefit of Halee, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Carol Ann Moore Wade

Posted on by RumseyYost

Carol Ann Moore Wade, a retired nurse and avid Mickey Mouse and KU Basketball fan, died unexpectedly with her son and daughter-in-law by her side at her home in rural Lawrence, on Saturday, November 4, 2017.

Carol was born on April 29, 1944, at St. John’s Hospital in Iola, Kansas. She was the daughter of Chet and Barbara Moore. Carol grew up on the family farm in rural Allen County, Kansas, and attended Jefferson Elementary, Enterprise Country School, Prairie Dell Country School and Humboldt High School (Class of 1962). She graduated from St. Luke’s Nursing School as a Registered Nurse in 1965. Carol worked as an RN at a variety of hospitals for 40+ years until her retirement from St. Luke’s.

 She was a member of the Prairie Dell 4-H Club for 11 years where she showed Registered Holsteins.

 On September 25, 1966, Carol married Edward Ross Wade. Their union was blessed with a son, Shane Lee Wade. They later divorced.

 Carol was a devoted mother, sister, aunt, great aunt, friend, nurse and neighbor. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren and cheering on her grandson, granddaughter, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews in all of their activities and in life. Carol did not know a stranger. If, by chance, they started as a stranger, she friended them quickly. Carol loved conversations around the table, family gatherings, and playing cards.

 Carol is survived by her son, Shane Lee Wade, and his wife Michelle Scheuler Wade; her grandson Miles Schwimmer Wade; her granddaughter Inda Brooke Ann Wade; her sister Sue Scantlin; her brother-in-law Dave Scantlin; her niece Missy Scantlin Gerardy and family; her niece Mona Scantlin Hull and family; her close friends/family Janice and Ken Bingham; and a host of family and friends who will miss her dearly.

She is predeceased by her parents Chet and Barbara Moore, her step-mother Mary Henderson Moore, and her nephew Michael Brent Scantlin.

 A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date. Carol would request that those attending wear bright colors, tie dye attire or Mickey Mouse shirts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to an education fund for her grandchildren to be set up shortly.

 

Christopher Damian ‘Chris’ Bower

Posted on by RumseyYost

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and friend Christopher D. Bower on November 1st.

Born June 20th, 1965 in Lawrence, Kansas to Vince and Linda Bower, he enjoyed calling Lawrence his home.  He was a Lawrence High School alumni and U.S. Army and Reserves veteran.  His creative spirit, endless curiosity, sense of humor, sensitive nature, and devotion to his best friend, Kai whose so recent passing affected him greatly, will be forever missed.

Chris is survived by his mother, Linda Kay Provo, Lawrence, father, Robert Vincent Bower, Omaha, daughters, Misty and Sierra Pritchard, Lawrence, brother, Gregory Louis Bower, Lawrence, sister, Michelle Moreland, Lawrence, nieces and nephews, Josh Moreland, Molly Moreland, Emily Moreland, Austin Bower and Sebastian Bower, and grandchildren Cameron and Kaya Kay Shackelford. He also leaves behind a special friend, Joy Allen.

A memorial service and art show will be held at 2 pm Sunday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. The family encourages any donations be made in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

 

 

Antonia ‘Toni’ Casagrande

Posted on by RumseyYost

Antonia Maria Giovanna Casagrande died on Wednesday morning, 11 October 2017, at her apartment after a long and couragous battle with cancer. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on 28 June 1963 to Peter J. and Pamela M. Casagrande, she lived in Lawrence since August 1967, attending Cordley Elementary, Central Junior and Lawrence High Schools. For two years she attended DePauw University in Indiana, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and graduated from Kansas University with three majors and a Phi Beta Kappa Key. She was an accomplished pianist and harpist. She received a Rotary Foundation Graduate Fellowship to study in Milan, Italy, and from there she went to Berlin to continue to learn German and observe the downing of the Berlin Wall. She exchanged instruction in English for instruction in German. She returned to Lawrence in 1991 with a concrete piece from the Berlin Wall. She also traveled in Spain, France, Mexico, and England, expanding her knowledge of European languages and culture. On her return to Lawrence she began graduate work while teaching beginning Italian at KU. One summer she led a student group for study in Italy. Her apartment burned in the Sunflower Bike Shop fire in 1997 and so did her pictures, her vintage furniture, her beloved cat and most of her writing. She never returned to finish her graduate work, though she continued to write poetry and fiction to the end of her life.

Antonia was an avid collector of Native American and Mexican pottery as well as vintage pottery and clothing. Much of that burned in the fire, but she continued buying and selling and collecting until the end of her life. She loved cats and gardening and baking. She shared her baked goods and her gardening skills for the last seven years of her life with her neighbors by baking cakes, muffins, cookies and breads and by reviving several flower gardens that had gone to weeds.

She is survived by her parents Pamela and Peter, and by two sisters, Teresa Casagrande and Elizabeth Shields; two brothers, Peter Christopher and Vincent; three nieces, Bailey, Mia and Sienna and a nephew, Joseph. She also is survived by 3 aunts, an uncle and 7 cousins. She will be missed by the children of her cousins in Montana and California. At times she prepared and sent amazing boxes of books and treasures to them. Her family and friends will miss her long notes, unusual gifts, flowers, plants and books.

Her parents thank the medical community of Lawrence, especially Dr. Penn and his staff, Dr. Klish and his staff, Dr. Huerter and his staff and Dr. King and her staff for their care and concern and patience in caring for Toni.

A memorial celebration of her life will be held 12 November 2017 at Maceli’s from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.