Author: RumseyYost

Robbie Adelaide Neelley

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Robbie Adelaide Neelley, Lawrence, died at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on February 3, 2014.

She was born on December 9, 1923, in Sweetwater, Texas. Parents were J. Archibald and Clara Roach. Robbie married James Neelley in 1943. Robbie and family moved to Lawrence in 1959.

There will be no public funeral service. It was her request that all her family gather for a memorial reunion and her entombment at some time after her cremation.

Survivors are daughter Elizabeth Leesti and husband Peter of Toronto, Canada; son Kevin and wife Iris of Lenexa, Kansas; son Malcolm of Lawrence; grandson Bertram Leesti, of Toronto, Canada; sister-in-law Nessye Mae, widow of Robbie’s brother J. Archibald Roach, Jr., of Alpine, Texas; brother William Roach and wife Joyce of College Station, Texas; and sister-in-law Mildred Roach, widow of Robbie’s brother Jack Roach, of Alpine, Texas.

Robbie donated her body to the University of Kansas Medical Center.

LuDell Johnson

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A graveside service for LuDell Johnson, 89, Lawrence, will be 2 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at OakHillCemetery.

Mrs. Johnson was born February 8, 1924 in Jasper, Texas to Frederick and Edna Horn.

She died January 24, 2014 at Medicalodges in Eudora, Kansas.

She married Frederick Lynn Johnson on June 3, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. He died October 15, 1999.

LuDell is survived by son James “Jim” Johnson; sister Ruby Potter and husband Richard; brother Frederick “Red” Horn, Jr.; grandchildren Linette Reves and husband Bruce, and Roger Johnson and wife Jenny; great-grandchildren Jessica Gurney and husband Josh, Erik Hatfield and wife Allie, Jenna Hatfield, and Taylor Hatfield; two step great grandchildren, Dylan Dean and Riley Dean; and great-great-grandchildren Amelia Gurney, Myra Gurney, Adrianna Martinez, and Michael Martinez, Jr.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Raymond “Lynn” Johnson, brothers William Henry Horn and Edward Nash Horn, and sister Helen Ray.

Friends may call from 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. 

The family suggests memorial contributions made to the Medicalodges of Eudora, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260Lawrence, KS66044

Easter Mary Pennington

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Services for Easter M. Pennington, 75, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Victory Bible Church. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Easter Mary Pennington of Lawrence, Kansas went home to be with the Lord on January 25, 2014. 

She was born January 13, 1939, in Cameta, Mississippi to the late Johnny McClain and Phyllis Marie Demby.  Easter was the sixth child of eleven children.  Her parents quickly discovered she was a special child who was gifted with many talents.  One of the talents was playing the piano.  She started playing at age 4.  She learned to play the piano by ear and soon after became the church pianist.  As she grew older they realized that she had a beautiful singing voice.  She became the lead soloist of the choir at The Church of God.  As a teenager she opened the church’s weekly broadcast by singing “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone”.  In addition to be artistically talented, Easter had a strong drive to go to school and learn as much as she can.  She graduated from Simmons High School in 1957 and was Valedictorian of her class.  She was offered a full music scholarship but turned it down because she wanted to get married and start a family.   On August 4, 1957, she married Earl Pennington.  To this union was born four daughters:  Linda, Lisa, Vanessa, and Jacqueline.  The marriage ended and Easter became a single mother.  She was a loving, devoted mother.  She taught them to love the Lord and the importance of being part of a Bible based church.  Even though she sometimes had to work 3 different jobs in order to make ends meet, get certified to be a pre-school teacher.  She went to school in the evenings and on weekends.  She had a special affinity with young children. Her love for children enabled her to work in early childhood education for more than thirty five years.  After raising her biological children to adulthood, she became a foster parent for several children and adopted three more children:  Danielle, Shamar and Lee Andrew.  Even after she “retired” she still worked 3 part-time jobs up until she became ill due to complications with Diabetes.

She served in the Church of God in Kansas City, Missouri faithfully as a musician, singer, teacher, church secretary, and was appointed as a Church Mother by the late Elder Murvin Dean. She was known for her giving and words of encouragement and inspiration.  For the past year, Easter resided at the Legacy on 10th nursing facility.  While there, she received a commendation for her work as a volunteer.  Even though her vision was very limited, she enjoyed playing the piano and singing for the residents.  She provided love and inspiration to the people who lived there and to the people who came to visit.

Easter was proceeded in death by her parents, and five siblings; Rebecca Dean, Richard Demby, Beau Demby, Frank Demby, Bobby Funchess,  and Dorcus Taylor. She leaves to cherish her beloved memory: seven children, Linda Pennington-Pearl, Lisa Jewsome (Jeff), Vanessa Rials (Jerry), Jacqueline Fitzgerald (Paul), Danielle Demby Pennington (Arturo Vega, Jr.), Shamar Nelson Pennington, Lee Andrew Mitchell Pennington;  more than twenty Grandchildren; three sisters, Lessie Mae Rhodes, Gladys Turner, and Phyllis Fulton; one brother Samuel Demby (Florence); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Roberta ‘Jean’ Flory

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Funeral services for Roberta Jean Flory, 84, Lawrence, will be 10 am Monday, Jan. 27, at Central United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Washington Creek Cemetery.

Mrs. Flory died Thursday at Baldwin Health Care Center. She was born Jan. 28, 1929 in Ottawa, the daughter of Louis Emery and Grace Roseta Taylor Turner.

She worked at India and Kaw Valley schools for 22 years and along with her husband owned and operated the Bungalow Laundry Mat for several years.

She married Calvin Fox Flory on Apr. 9, 1950. He died Jan 22, 2007.

Survivors include a son Stan Flory and wife Michelle of Lawrence, daughter Carol Taul and husband Jimmie of Baldwin City, brother Eldon Turner of Ottawa, sister Doris Sullivant of Lawrence, brother and sister in law Raymond and Caroline Flory of Lawrence, grandchildren Pete Flory, J.J. Keltner, Nickie Harding, Levi Flory, Katy Boehm, Tyler Flory, great-grandchildren Hunter Harding, Leanna Flory, Oscar Keltner, Caden Keltner and Kylie Keltner.

Friends may visit Sunday noon to 8pm. and the family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Grace Hospice, Heifer Project International or Central United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS66044.

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

M. Ruth Rosen

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Mabel ‘Ruth’ Rosen, 93, passed away Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.  She was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Plymouth, Mass., the daughter of Elias & Katherine Thornhill.

Ruth married Daniel Rosen in 1956 in San Diego, Calif.  He died in 1998.  Ruth was an avid bowler and loved to fish and travel.  Her husband was a career Navy man, and she traveled to many states in the U.S. during his career.

Survivors include a sister, Pearl ‘Rusty’ Moore, Lawrence, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by brothers George, Jim, Leslie, and John Thornhill.

No services are planned.  Ruth will be cremated and inurned next to her husband at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, Calif.

Harold Gus Brune

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Services for Harold Gus Brune, 97, Lawrence, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.  Cremation is planned following the service.

Mr. Brune died Thursday, January 23, 2014, at his home.

He was born September 8, 1916, in Lawrence, the son of Gustav Wilhelm and Doris Rothwell Brune.  He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School and later attended Kansas State University.  He has been a life long resident of Lawrence.

Mr. Brune worked as a farmer, raising cattle and growing various crops.  He enjoyed bowling, golf, bird watching, fishing, playing games, and watching the Royals, Chiefs, and Jayhawks.

He married Wilma Lee Nichols in 1943.  She died in 1984.

Survivors include a sister, Ruth Bowlin of Olathe; grandsons, David Nichols of Lawrence, Michael Nichols of Ozawkie, Dee Nichols of Lecompton, Richard Nichols of Lecompton; granddaughters, Ann Clark of Lawrence, Donna Davis of Tonganoxie, Susan Wood of Lecompton; 15 great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Charley Harold Nichols; brother, Danny Brune; and sister, Eugenia Jones.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 1 p.m. until service time Tuesday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Jayhawk Audubon Society, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Cheryl Marcia Evans

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Cheryl was born Aug. 4, 1958, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. to Clifford LaVerne Evans Sr. and Barbara June Withers. She grew up in Lawrence, Kan., and went to public schools there, graduating from Lawrence High School.

She died Jan. 21, 2014, at her brother’s home in rural Douglas County from advanced stages of cancer. Her home was in Rifle, Colo., and she decided to be with her family here for her final days.

She served in the U.S. Navy from 1977 – 1981 in Hawaii.

She married Jimmie D. Johnson in 1980 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and they lived in various locations around the U.S. near the ship yards where they worked. They divorced in 1996.

She worked for many years as a dispatch supervisor for a trucking company in Colorado and Wyoming. She was currently working for Tex Am Pumps as an office clerk.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford, a daughter from a previous relationship, Dawnita Brandon, and a brother, Douglas R. Evans Sr.

She is survived by her Mother, Barbara of Baldwin City; brothers, Richard, Greg, and Dana, all of Lawrence, Daryl, Leavenworth, Clifford Jr. and Robin, both of rural Douglas County near Overbrook; sons Benjamin, DeBeque, Colo.; Matthew, Rock Springs, Wyo., and Richard, Parachute, Colo. with their wives,  and 9 grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 2 pm Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery. A pot luck dinner will follow services at Brookwood Mobile Home Park Clubhouse.  Bring a dish.

Mary Riester Brooks

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A Celebration of Life for Mary Riester Brooks, 95, Lawrence, will be January 27, 2014 at
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 5-6 pm and service will begin at 6:00 in the chapel.
 
Mary passed away on December 31st, 2013, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
 
She was born October 2nd, 1918, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Louis Bonaface Riester and Gretchen Land Riester. Mary went to live with her Aunt, Kenneth Toon when she was 3 years old. She graduated from high school in Frankfort , Ky. She attended college at The University of Kentucky in Lexington.
 
Mary was a secretary for the Governor of Kentucky and was made an honorary “Kentucky Colonel”.

She was a secretary of the Lutheran church in St. Petersburg , Florida.
 
Mary married Thomas Oliver Gans in 1950 and moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia. They had a son Thomas Oliver Gans Jr. and daughter Vicki Lynn Gans. When her husband died they moved to St. Petersburg , Fla. Mary married Dennis Moscopulos in 1960. He died in 1963. Mary married Robert Brooks on June 17th, 1967. They moved to Lawrence in 1978. Robert died in 2007.
 
Survivors include a daughter, Vicki Lynn Vormehr and companion Vance Freeman, Lawrence; three grandchildren, Nate Vormehr and wife Alana of L. A., Katy Vormehr of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and Amy Vormehr of Chicago, Illinois; and one great-grandson, Brixton Vormehr of L.A.
 
A son, Thomas Gans, died in 1979.

Instead of memorials, give a flower to a friend or neighbor, or do a kind deed for someone in need.

The family would like to thank: Visiting Nurses of Lawrence, Senior Meals Delivery, The nurses and staff at Brandon Woods and Grace Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to rumsey-yost.com.

DeLoris Mae ‘Dee’ Gordon

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Funeral services for DeLoris Mae ‘Dee’ Gordon, 80, Lawrence, will be at 1 pm Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Dee passed away Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at The Windsor of Lawrence.  A visitation will be held from 1-3 pm Sunday at the funeral home.

She was born Nov. 18, 1933, in Edwardsville, Ill., and graduated from high school in Collinsville, Ill.  Dee worked as a nursing assistant at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for over 30 years.  The one thing that Dee loved most of all was taking care of her family and home, but over the years she also enjoyed camping, boating, arts & crafts, and had a great love of animals.  Dee was a very kind and thoughtful person; most of her children’s friends lovingly called her ‘Mom.’  Throughout her career with LMH, many of her patients, and families thereof, would stop her on the street, in a store, or restaurant to say ‘thank you’ for the excellent care they or their family/friend had received under her care.

She is survived by her son, Rick Hunt (Marti) of Mauldin, SC; daughter Pat Faulconer (Len) of Albuquerque, NM; son Michael Hunt, Roundup, MT, and daughter Cyndi Rodriquez (Stan) of Topeka; grandchildren Shaun Tate (Beth) of Aledo, TX, Deanna Hunt of Lawrence, Stephanie Miller (Tony) of Eudora, Jennifer Trotter (Phillip) of Greenwood, SC, Danielle Emanuel (Drew) of Omaha, Heather Fowler (Andrew) of Greenville, SC, Chris Kane, Lee’s Summit, MO, and Jennifer Rodriguez, Topeka; great grandchildren Nate Tate, Roch Emanuel, Jacob Fowler, Alex Trotter, Haley Trotter, Marissa Robinson, and Miranda Robinson.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Shannon Michael Daugherty, and a daughter, Deborah Sue Hunt-Boehle.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

As Dee’s family grieves for their loss, they take comfort in the fact that she is no longer in pain, is in the loving arms of the Lord, and is now their beautiful guardian angel.