Author: RumseyYost

Earl Douglas Jameson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside inurnment, with military honors, for Earl Douglas Jameson, 93, Lawrence, will be 11:30  March 29, 2014, at Vinland Cemetery,

Earl was born October 18, 1920, in Billings, MT. the son of Roy and Myrtle Stevenson Jameson. When he was eight he and his family moved to Vinland, KS, where they stayed.

Earl was in veteran of three foreign wars. He was a bomber pilot in World War II, and was shot down and spent ten months as a German POW. He was with OSI during the Korean War and was a Military Air Advisor to the South Vietnamese Army.

He married Helen Marie Schrader in 1947, at the Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include his daughter Barbara and her husband Charles. Five grandchildren Colton Morris and wife Heather, Debre’ Charlton and husband Matt, Kimberly Wass and fiance Derrick, Tammy Parker and husband Chris, and Wayne Morris and wife Sonia. He had eleven great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife  Helen and  his brothers Howard and Lloyd.

Dorothea Margaret Evans

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Dorothea Margaret Evans, 97, Lawrence, will be 11 am Thursday at Plymouth Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Peter A. Luckey officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Dorothea Bartz Evans passed away on March 23, 2014 at Presbyterian Manor where she had been a long-time resident.

Dorothea Margaret Bartz was born on August 1, 1916 in the family farm house in Eudora, Kansas.  The two bedroom house with a dirt floor had no running water, gas or electricity with cooking and heating done on a wood-burning stove.  All six of the family members lived in the house.

Dorothea was called Do (as in Doe) much of her life by family and friends.  She was the youngest of four children born to Lidia Haas Bartz and Fred Bartz.  Her grandmother, Mary Haas, was born in Germany and married William George Haas near St. Louis.  Her brothers, George and Raymond, and her sister Pearl Seyler all lived near Eudora and preceded her in death. 

She attended a country school from first through eighth grade and rode her beloved horse Fanny two miles to school alongside a neighbor girl.  They were late one day and galloped to the school only to be turned in by a neighbor lady to the Principal for “racing”.  This resulted in a good scolding and their parents were told.

Dorothea moved to her Brother George’s home in Eudora when she started high school.  George had started the first telephone company in the Eudora area and after school, nights and weekends Do was the switchboard operator.  1934 was the year of her high school graduation.  She then rented a room in Lawrence and attended the LawrenceBusinessSchool located at Seventh and Louisiana Streets and after graduation worked for several local attorneys.

Do met Robert Kenneth Evans at a Eudora civic picnic and they were married on December 23, 1944.  Bob and Do began a career together operating a mobile x-ray unit for the State of Kansas, visiting every central and western town and county in the state.  Their work was instrumental in drastically reducing the incidence of tuberculosis throughout Kansas.  The State Board of Health retired the unit in 1957 as inoculation became widespread and successful.

Bob and Do then became employed at KansasUniversity, Bob as manager of the Chemistry Department Warehouse and Do as a secretary for several offices at Strong Hall including Vice-Chancellor for Finance Raymond Nichols.  Bob and Do both retired in 1981.

Do was a member of the Lawrence Business and Professional Women’s Club and served as corresponding and recording secretary while heading several committees.  She was selected Woman of the Year as reported by the Journal World in 1977.  She was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church, Ladies Auxiliary of the Lawrence Shrine Club and the Republican Woman’s Club.  She has also served as a Second Precinct Committee Woman since 1972 and as a delegate for the Third Congressional District for the Kansas Republican Party.  Bob and Do lived in their home at Eleventh and Illinois prior to her move to Presbyterian Manor.

Dorothea is the last remaining member of the immediate Bartz and Evans families of her generation.  She is survived by a niece from the Bartz family Doris (Elijah) Touchton of Pittsburg, Kansas, two nephews from the Evans family, Robert (Ruth) Allison of Spring Hill, Kansas and Steve (April) Evans of Lecompton, Kansas and two nieces from the Evans Family, Anita Evans Rounkles of O’Fallon, Illinois and Nancy Evans (Raymond) Schaffer of North Little Rock, Arkansas.  She was preceded in death by husband Robert Evans in 1993 and three nieces from the Evans family, Pat Allison (Larry) Mercier of Anaheim, California, Earlene Pierce (Murrel) Dean of Anaheim, CA and Elaine Pierce Siebuhr of Pittsburg, Kansas.   

Friends may call from Noon to 8 pm on Wednesday March 26, 2014, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Plymouth Congregational Church, sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at rumsey-yost.com

Margaret Merle Vestal

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside service for Margaret Merle Vestal, 93, Overbrook, will be 2 pm Tuesday March 25, 2014, at Maple Grove Cemetery, Lecompton.

Mrs. Vestal died Wednesday March 19, 2014, at Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook.

She was born June 13, 1920, in Vici, OK, the daughter of Max and Clara Street Winter. She attended grade school and high school in Vici, OK, where she participated in 4-H, band, cheerleading, glee club, baseball, track, and basketball. She set a new time record in 50 and 100 yard dash, she also made the All-Star Team in her senior year in basketball.

Mrs. Vestal married James Herndon Vestal Sr. on July 15, 1940, he later passed on April 18, 1995.  She and her husband worked on a farming operation, with many head of cattle and hogs.

She was a member of AARP, and served on the election boards and belonged to many clubs.

Survivors include her son James Herndon Vestal Jr. and wife Jeanie; a granddaughter Beverly Jean Vestal; great grandsons Aaron and Ryan Rinehart; and great granddaughter Rachael Rinehart. 

She was preceded in death by a twin granddaughter Barbra Jo Vestal; a grandson Larry Allen Vestal; two brothers George Winter and Max Winter Jr.; and a very dear friend and companion John Francis Denton.

Friends may call from 10 am to 8 pm Monday, March 24, 2014, where the family will receive them from 6-7 pm at the funeral home.

 The family suggests memorials made to Special Olympics or Grace Hospice sent in care of the funeral home.

Georgia Helen Hess

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Georgia Helen Hess, 103, Lawrence, will be at noon Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dan Norwood officiating.  Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.  Mrs. Hess died Saturday, Mar. 15, 2014, at Drury Place at Alvamar.

She was born Jan. 1, 1911, in Oskaloosa, the daughter of Ben and Nell Underwood Inverarity. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School.  Georgia was employed by First National Bank for 27 years, and retired as manager of the south branch.  She has been a member of Centenary United Methodist Church since 1935.  She was also a member of the Fidelity Shrine #11 of Lawrence, Toltec Chapter 1 of Topeka, Order of the Eastern Star Evangeline Chapter 162 of Baldwin City, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She married Carl F. Hess. He preceded her in death in 1959, as did a daughter, Helen Page-Smith in 2006, a son, William G. ‘Bill’ Hess in 1999, and two great grandchildren.  Survivors include four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, and two step great-great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 11 am until service time Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Centenary United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.  Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Patrick Daniel Roberts

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Patrick Daniel Roberts, 39, Lawrence, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Roberts died Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born April 10, 1974, in Lawrence, the son of Raymond Henry and Marilyn Kay Wales Roberts.  He graduated from Lawrence High School.

Mr. Roberts was a stay at home dad. He enjoyed following politics and spending time with friends and family.

Survivors include a son, Michael Neis-Roberts of Lawrence; mother, Marilyn Howard of Lawrence; sisters, Lona Roberts of Lawrence, Heidi Roberts of Lawrence; and brother, Wayne Roberts of Lawrence.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marinda Ami Roberts; father, Raymond Roberts; and step-father, Alonzo Howard.

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

The family suggests memorials to the Patrick Roberts Memorial Fund.

Wayne Albert Davenport

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside inurnment with military honors for Wayne Albert Davenport, 93, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence, KS.  Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm on Friday March 21, 2014 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6:30-7:30 pm.

He passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 12, 2014, at Medicalodges in Eudora, KS.

Mr. Davenport was born January 18, 1921, in Lawrence, the son of Charles and Anna Ford Davenport.  He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1938.  He attended Lawrence Business College for one year.  Later he was a machinist at National Defense School at KU Fowler Shop.

During World War II he served in the US Army Air Corp.  He was a part of the 680th Bomb Squadron 313th Wing 20th Air Force, and was stationed in Tinian Island Mariannas. When his military career was finished he had the rank of Sergeant.

Wayne retired after fifty years as a Superintendent at Kansas Construction in January of 1986, and worked part time at 6th Street Westlake Hardware from 2001-2008.

He married Genevieve Fern Comstock in 1946 in Lawrence.  She died in 1975.  He married Sara Ruth Wilson in April of 1976, she survives of the home.

Other survivors include one daughter Sharon Miller, Lawrence; one son Steven Wilson and wife Marcia, Perry; one daughter-in-law Linda Comstock, Knob Noster, MO; seven grandchildren, Elisa Edgar Loving, Dwayne Comstock, Kyle Twogood, Jill Christian, Kim Twogood, Shannon Heston, and Haley Winfrey; twelve great grandchildren, Braxton Loving, Luke , Max, Levi and Ava Twogood, Thomas, Jack, Genevieve and Jude Christian, Barrett and Harper Heston and Kennedy Winfrey; and several nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Genevieve Davenport, son Laurence Davenport; daughter Jane Twogood, two stepsons Philip and Richard Comstock and son-in-law Frank Miller; one brother Harley Davenport.

He was an avid photographer, woodworker and gardener.  He loved jazz, history, Jayhawk basketball, but most of all, his family.  He will always live on in our hearts.

The family suggests memorials made to Visiting Nurses or the American Cancer Society, sent in care of the funeral home.

Dana Michele Conway

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Dana Michele Conway, 49, Lawrence, will be 11 a.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.  Cremation is planned to follow the service.

Ms. Conway died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was born September 23, 1964, in Savanna, Georgia, the daughter of Isaac Jeremiah “Jerry” and Betty Rose Hewig Conway. Dana graduated from Springdale High School in 1982 in Springdale, Arkansas. Ms. Conway was an author and photographer.  She enjoyed writing and taking pictures.  She also published two books and was working on a third. Dana survived stage 3 breast cancer, underwent a mastectomy, and full breast reconstruction (TRAM).

She married Philip Perez on January 7, 1989 in Johnson County.  They later divorced. Survivors include a son, Caleb Anthony Perez of Lawrence; her parents, Isaac and Betty Conway of Lawrence; brother, David Alan Conway of Lawrence; and three nephews, David Alan Conway II, Dallas Kane Conway, and Christopher William Conway. She also had 2 great nieces, Celestra Conway and Avani Coil.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The family suggests memorial contributions to Susan G. Komen For the Cure, or Relay for Life, sent in care of the funeral home.

Izabella Dawn Edmonds

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Izabella Dawn Edmonds, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Saturday March 15, 2014, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral home. She was born at rest on March 6, 2014, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She is the daughter of Derek Edmonds and Cheyenne Henry.

Other survivors include her grandmothers April Jennings and Jacinda Howard; grandfather Scott Henry; uncles Brian Daley, and Brandon Howard; and aunt Desirae Edmonds. 

The family would like to send out a special thanks to Drew Briggs for making Izabella’s box.  They would also like to thank all the other family members for their support and kindness.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Izabella Dawn Edmonds Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.

Beverly June Rylko

Posted on by RumseyYost

Beverly June Rylko, 67, passed away quietly at home on March 10, 2014.

Henry Rylko, her husband of 45 years, survives.

She leaves her daughters Sophia Rylko (husband Jonah Seibel), Amelia Rylko and Rose Rylko, all of Lawrence. Her beloved grandsons Jeremiah and Jude Seibel also survive. And she leaves one sister Cheryl Miller of Port Orchard, WA. Nieces, nephews, in-laws and a raft of friends will also feel her loss.

Bev was born in Kansas City, MO, to Dorothy Elder and Robert Kelly Butler, who both preceded her in death.

She earned a BS in mathematics education from KU and most recently worked as a job coach for the Lawrence School District until her retirement last March. She was known for the patience and love she showed all of her students. 

Bev’s warm personality drew lifelong friends such as the book club members who met regularly for 30+ years. She also dearly loved opera, gardening and cooking; she was famous for the Oktoberfests she hosted at her home for the past 10 years.

Graveside services will be held Friday, March 14 at 1:00 PM at the green burial site in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends afterward at the home, 617 Walnut, to celebrate Bev’s life.

The family suggests memorials to Visiting Nurses or Lawrence Schools Foundation, Project Search program sent in care of the funeral home.

Evelyn M. Johnston

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral services for Evelyn Marie (Griffith) Johnston, 77, rural Lawrence, will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, at Plymouth Congregational Church.  Private inurnment at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Douglas County, KS will follow at a later date.  The Rev. Dr. Peter A. Luckey will officiate.

She was born on April 20, 1936 in Lawrence, KS.  She died February 26, 2014 at home in rural Lawrence, KS.  During that time she led a life filled with giving and love of family and friends.

Evelyn attended grade school at Pleasant Valley in rural Douglas County.  While growing up, she was a member of the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club in Douglas County.  She was active in the clothing, foods, citizenship, and leadership projects.  She was named the state winner of the “4-H Cherry Pie Baking Contest” and enjoyed playing softball on the 4-H team.  Evelyn graduated from Lawrence High School in 1954.  She married Paul L. Johnston on August 7, 1955 at the First United Methodist Church in Lawrence.  He preceded her in death on November 22, 2012.

Evelyn was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church for 52 years.  During that time she served as Church School Superintendent for five years, was a member of the Board of Deacons and Board of Christian Education and taught numerous Sunday School classes.

Evelyn enjoyed working with youth.  She served as an officer for the PTO at Wakarusa Valley Elementary School and on the advisory council at South Jr. High.  She traveled as a sponsor with the Lawrence High School band and orchestra on trips to Portland, OR, St. Louis, MO, and Washington, D.C.  She also served the 4-H youth of Douglas County in many ways.  She was a 4-H leader for 30 years for the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club.  Evelyn served as a sponsor for the 4-H Citizenship Conference in Washington, D.C.  She served on the 4-H Program Development Committee, the Extension Executive Board, and the Douglas County 4-H Foundation Board.  She served as a fair superintendent for approximately 40 years, assisted in the concession stand and with judging contests and sponsored fair awards.  Evelyn received the Douglas County 4-H Family Award, the Friend of 4-H Award, and the Friend of the Fair Award.

After retiring from food service in USD 497, Evelyn enjoyed quilting.  She made quilts for all of the children and grandchildren and as gifts for many.  She enjoyed sharing her beautiful quilts and wall hangings with others.  It was a great joy to open gifts at Christmas, graduations, weddings, birthdays and other special events to see what her skilled hands had created just for you.  Family gatherings were a great joy.  Watching everyone race around the yard hunting for eggs at Easter or setting down to eat a meal she had prepared brought a smile to her face.  It was very important to Evelyn to attend activities involving her grandchildren.  “Grandma Amy” could be found at all sporting events, band and orchestra concerts, plays, music programs, talent shows, and awards programs.

Evelyn is survived by her children Paula (husband David) Aiken, Mike (wife Julie), Merlin (wife Susan), Mark (wife Terra), and Penny (husband Clark) Eschliman; 11 grandchildren: Josh (Jennifer), Molly (Seth), Jake (Meghan), Micah, Katie, Jared, David, Douglas, Luke, Evan, and Carley; 3 step-grandchildren: Ron, Larry (Susan), and Gale; 3 great-grandchildren: Caroline, Wyatt, and Michaela; and 5 step great-grandchildren: David, Bry, Jacob, Kelly, and Jackson.  She is also survived by many other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 5 p.m.  to 7 p.m. Monday.

The family suggests memorials in her name to the Douglas County 4-H Foundation, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS, 66044.