Author: RumseyYost

Douglas Walter Bastyr

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Funeral services for Douglas Walter Bastyr, 87, Lawrence, will be 10 am, Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Burial will follow in San Fernando Mission Cemetery in California on February 5, 2016 at 11am.

Douglas passed away on January 29, 2016, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar in Lawrence, KS.

He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 8, 1928 to Walter and Sidonia Bastyr. He graduated from North Hollywood High School in California. Doug served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean War. He received his Bachelor’s degree from UCL A, where he met his wife Beverly, who preceded him in death in 1997. A Sigma Pi brother, he was a lifelong Bruins, Dodgers, Rams and Bears fan.

Doug is survived by his daughters, Linda Bastyr and partner Andrea Witczak, Susan Bastyr and husband Patrick Baumgartner and children Reese and Rayna, and Lisa Morris and children Noah and Luke, and his sister Beverly Hansing, her children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions made to the Alzheimer’s Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044.

Constance Marlatt Huested Allen

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Constance Marlatt Huested Allen died on January 29, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. She was born on May 21, 1940 in Englewood, New Jersey to Richard Salisbury Huested and Constance Marlatt Huested. Her father was an aeronautical engineer who served in many areas around the world, during and after World War II. Her mother was a homemaker and the descendent of a prominent Washington, D.C. family.

Conkie, as she was known to her friends, came to Lawrence to attend KU and it was there that she met Arly Allen, who became her husband. He remembers first seeing her skipping and bouncing along as she walked to class. She was vibrant, beautiful and intelligent. They married on June 23, 1962 in the chapel of St. Christopher by the Sea on Gibson Island, Maryland.

Conkie had two children: Arly Hedrick Allen of Lawrence and Patience Allen of Oslo, Norway. For many years Conkie worked at Allen Press, Inc. where she managed the proofroom and developed an editorial services program for scholarly journals. She also served as den mother for her son’s Cub Scout troop, was a member of a local book club and the Daffodil Club. She loved to knit and made sweaters which her son remembers wearing constantly to school. She was a master gardener and liked picking berries and working in her garden. She was a great cook and wrote a wonderful cookbook, which her family still treasures. Finally, she loved cats. When one died, the word would go out in cat-circles and a new stray would appear at the back door to take up residence.

The major love of her life was genealogy. She learned this from her grandmother, Helen Stuart Mackay-Smith Marlatt who published a major work: The Stuart Letters of Robert and Elizabeth Sullivan Stuart (1819-1864) (Privately printed 1961) 2 volumes. After Conkie’s retirement from Allen Press, Inc. she devoted much of her time to continuing the work her grandmother had begun. She and her husband traveled to many out of the way graveyards doing genealogical research. She collected a significant library of materials and books on early Kansas and American genealogy. She leaves this library to her sister, Mrs. Brian Nield, to carry on this work.

She suffered a stroke in 2007 which curtailed her travel and her activities, but she still carried on her genealogical work to the extent she was able. She died suddenly this past week from various medical complications. She will be greatly missed.

There will be a funeral service at the Rumsey-Yost funeral home at 4 pm, on February 10, 2016. A private family celebration of life party for Conkie will take place at her home at a later date.

Gilbert Wayne Bates

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Private family services for Gilbert Wayne Bates, 67, Lecompton, will take place at a later date.

He died Monday, January 25, 2016, at DaVita Dialysis Center, Lawrence.

Gilbert was born June 29, 1948 to Virgil Lee Bates and Helen Louise (Hodson) Bates.

Gilbert spent most of his life in and around Lecompton, KS. He graduated from Lecompton High School in May of 1966. Soon after graduation, he went to work for Hallmark Cards in Lawrence. In 2000, he had to take early retirement due to health.

Gilbert leaves behind his mother, 3 sisters, Edna and husband (John Curran), Judy and husband (John Bryant) and Rita and husband (Steve Fisher), 7 nephews, 2 nieces, 6 great nephews, 14 great nieces and 2 great great nephews.

Gilbert will be greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to DaVita Dialysis Center in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

John Michael Schermerhorn

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No public services are planned for John Michael Schermerhorn, 44, Lawrence, who died January 16, 2016, at his home. Cremation is planned, and inurnment will be held later at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens in Shawnee, Kansas.

Mr. Schermerhorn had recently worked at Rehrig-Pacific in DeSoto.

Memorial contribution in John’s name may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, P.O. Box 651, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

David Craig Bell

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David Craig Bell, 70, passed away on January 18, 2016 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital due to pneumonia.

David was born in Topeka, KS on August 24, 1945, to Carl Bell and Helen (Clark) Bell. He grew up in Overland Park, KS but enjoyed many happy summers on his uncle Ted Clark’s farm in Centropolis, KS with his lively cousins.

He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 in 1962, serving on the carrier U.S.S. Enterprise with tours of duty to the Mediterranean, South America, Vietnam, and Australia. He was honorably discharged in 1966.

David began work in the Kansas City area, mainly on residential and bridge construction. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 61.

In 1981 he relocated to Houston, TX and became an elevator mechanic with membership in Local 31 of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, employed by Otis Elevator Co. and Fujitech America Inc.

Returning to Kansas in 1988, he was employed as a maintenance mechanic at Midwest-Werner and Pfleiderer in Topeka, KS. In 1991 he joined Amarr Garage Doors in Lawrence, KS working until his retirement in 2003.

He married Jane (Guy) Perkins on May 1, 1977, who survives of the home. He is also survived by sister, Deborah Cannafax of Atlanta, GA and aunt, Jean Clark of Ottawa, KS.

No visitation is planned and cremation services will be private.

Mercedes Lynn Austin

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Mercedes Lynn Austin was granted her angel wings on January 14th 2016. Leading up to her passing at home, she was diagnosed in December 2015, with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Stage II Cancer. In her final days, Mercedes was awaiting a cure. Her faith was promising, her strength was of a greater purpose and she envisioned in due time, she would be a survivor.

Although she didn’t get to see the beauty in growing old, fourteen youthful years of her free-spirit impacted those she touched around her. Mercedes’ understanding of unconditional love came from within her pure beautiful soul. She was nice to all, filled with happiness, deeply caring and a compassionate person who enjoyed life and being around people. She had a vivacious smile that could fill you with joy. Her affection was so present, it found a way of attracting your soul and in a sense making one feel complete.

Mercedes’ illness was so sudden, her curiosity; of what would be her last few remaining weeks in life kept her fighting to dig for answers. In all of her confusion, she trusted overcoming the odds. She managed to stream sun rays of positivity throughout her battle with cancer. There’s many memories of her dancing, and singing along with her iPad. She loved doing puzzles, word searches with mom, riding her bike with her cousins, swimming and visiting with animals. She loved dressing up as a princess and going to sleepovers.

Since preschool Mercedes was always eager for school days, she attended Sunflower Elementary School. After graduating from there, she went on to South Middle School where she completed eighth grade. She enjoyed riding the school bus, school staff and students, and had a special bond with the students in her class.
She was born on October 19th 2001, in Pasadena, Texas. Raised in Lawrence, Kansas. She is survived by her loving mother Stephanie Lynn Austin; brother Cedric Austin; sister Shiandra Austin; brother Tyson Austin; sister Brittney Austin; brother Dominique Austin; two nieces and three nephews.

With her passing over, leaves opportunity to create lasting memories, to latch onto one another for courage, maintain a meaningful life and a path of direction for living our own life when we reflect of the past.

Graveside service will be held Friday January 22, 2016, at 11am at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday January 21, 2016, from 6-7pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Friends may call from 9am-6pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mercedes Austin Memorial Fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044.

Dawn C. (Henderson) Grosdidier

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A memorial visitation for Dawn Christine (Henderson) Grosdidier, 47, Stoughton, Wisc., formerly of Eudora, will be Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, from 10 am to noon at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Dawn died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisc.

Dawn graduated from Eudora High School and Baker University, where she was a standout athlete. Some of her track and field records still stand at Eudora High School, and she was enshrined in the Baker University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Survivors include two children, Claire Grosdidier and Zachary Grosdidier; her fiancee, Mike Ganzman; and a brother, Danny Henderson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Shirley Henderson, and two infant brothers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Baker University Athletics, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Albert G. (Sonny) Smith

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Services for Albert George “Sonny” Smith, 82, Lawrence, will be 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be 4 p.m. Monday at Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, Kansas.

Al died Thursday, January 14, 2016 at his home.

He was born December 22, 1933, in Carona, Kansas, the son of Albert George and Anna Marie Ghilino Smith. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1957 with a Bachelors of Science in Dairy Husbandry.

Al served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. From 1957 to 1977 he was employed at the University of Kansas as the manager of the Mammalian Genetics Lab. He then was the business manager of the K.U. Animal Care Unit from 1977 until retiring in 1999. Al was a member and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church, volunteer for Meals on Wheels & L.I.N.K., a former member of Breakfast Cosmos, Kiwanis, scout master of Troop 59, member of Lawrence Bridge Club (formerly University Bridge Club) for 37 years. He was very generous, gentle, kind, and caring. His family was most important to him.

He married Carol Ann Mummert, October 12, 1957 in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Robert Freeman Smith and wife Lisa of Lawrence; daughters, Stephanie Jean Smith of Lawrence, Jamie Jo Hatfield and husband Mark of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren, Christina Smith and husband Ryan Shaughnessy, Jessica Smith and fiancé Matthew Teague, Nicholas Hatfield, Amanda Hatfield; great grandson, Liam Shaughnessy; sisters, Alberta June Chesner of Columbus, KS, Valorie White and husband Dennis of Wichita, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The family suggests memorials to First Presbyterian Church (L.I.N.K.) and Lawrence Bridge Club, sent in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

John Henry Ray

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Funeral services for John Henry Ray Sr., 85, Baldwin City, will be 1 pm, Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

He died Sunday, January 10, 2016, at his home.

John was born March 25, 1930, in Lawrence, the son of John Sherman and Fleeta Anna Poeverlein Ray.

He worked for many years as a mechanic and auto body repairman.

He married Edna Mae Faler, November 10, 1983, in Green River, Wyoming, She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his children John H. Ray JR, Lonnie E. Ray and wife Sharon, Angela LaCasse and husband Robert, Jerry D. Ray and wife Sabrina; stepchildren, Alvie Tate and wife Anna, Keith Tate and wife Marty, Lawrence Tate and wife Linda, Mike Tate and wife Carolyn, Patty Jorgensen and husband Brad; sisters, Betty Vesco and Fleetta Mae Higgins; grandchildren, John S. Ray, D.J. Ackerman, Tamara L Smith, James S Ray, Dustin Ray, Steven M Ray, Carissa L Ray; eleven stepgrandchildren; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews from both sides of the family.

The family would like to acknowledge Ron Vesco and wife Kathy, John’s Nephew but has been more like a son.

Friends may call from 5-8 pm Tuesday night at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurses