Author: RumseyYost

Michelle Roberta Law

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A Celebration of Life Gathering for Michelle Roberta Law will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Michelle was born November 17, 1953 in Hays, Kansas to Robert James and Mary Frances Paul Law, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025. She suffered from respiratory failure and passed peacefully at 1:15 in the morning at the age of 71.

She was born in Hays, Kansas 1953 and moved with her family to various towns in Kansas and Texas. Michelle attended high school in both Hays and Great Bend, then graduated from Great Bend High School in 1971. She next went to Barton County Community Junior College for some extended schooling. In 2001 Michelle graduated from American School of Business and received her OPAC certification.

Michelle was single and worked initially at the Great Bend Tribune as a typesetter, and then moved to Graham, Texas around 1978 where she worked first as an MTC operator at eMag Solutions, then as a Bank Teller at Graham Savings and Loan, and as a clerk for Walmart. 2013 was the year she and her mother moved to Lawrence, Kansas after her father passed. She continued her clerking with Walmart until she retired in 2018.

Michelle mourned the passing of her dear cats Baby and Boo Boo, had a passion for all animals and was a devoted supporter of the Kansas Humane Society. She loved BTS and she was a loyal and loving friend. A spicy individual, she was well known and well loved for her ability to “call ‘em as she saw ‘em.” She was a dear soul and it is hard to imagine a world without her in it.

She is survived by her Sister Mary Kate Law and brother Michael P. Law and a niece, Talulah Barni.

Burl Dean Davis

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Services for Burl Dean Davis, 84, of rural Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Ks., with his nephew, Gary Halford, officiating. Burial will take place graveside in Udall, MO Friday 23, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Dean died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Saint Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 9, 1940, in Ozark County, Mo, the son of Carl Davis and Beryl Dean. He grew up learning how to fish, hunt, and grow a bountiful garden from his father, Carl. Once he graduated from Bakersville high school, he began his long, successful career building the world we’ve come to know today. His first major project of note was building the Pomme De Terre Dam.

Dean married Dorothy Climer on March 27, 1960, in Mt. Pleasant, Mo. Together they packed up and moved from Missouri to Las Vegas, Nevada where Dean began working for his Uncle Norman Dean as a roofer during the boom of the Las Vegas strip. During their time in Las Vegas, Dean and Dorothy were blessed with their only son Larry Todd. Once they closed their chapter in Nevada, they moved closer to “down home” and settled in rural north Lawrence.

His life in Lawrence revolved around helping to raise his son, the Carpenter’s Union, and continue his career as a construction superintendent at Straub construction of Kansas City and later Harris construction of Lawrence. He took pride in his yearly garden and regularly competed with his daughter-in-law on who could grow the largest tomato each year, until her death in 2007.

Upon retirement he continued his talents of construction and carpentry by maintaining his homes and aided his son in the repair and addition of his home. He enjoyed his wife’s pies and company until her death in 2017. Additionally, he worked with his son on the small cattle and crop farm, rarely seen without his Kabota nearby. He spent his final days walking amongst the fence lines and trees, talking to the cattle, and enjoying meals with his family.

Dean is survived by his son Larry Todd and granddaughter Chantelle, both of rural Lawrence; as well as, his younger sister, Jessie Fasanella.

Patricia Ann “Pat” Anderson

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Memorial Services for Patricia Ann Anderson, 76, will be 11:00 am Friday, May 23, 2025 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Her family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery.  She passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Lexington Park in Topeka, Kansas.

Patricia was born January 7, 1949 in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Melvin C. and Muriel Anne (Hunter) Maness.

Pat graduated from Lawrence High in 1967 and took courses at KU.

Pat was a clerk at Merchant’s National Bank for many years and also worked at KU later in life.

She is survived by her children, Kristi (Leeland) Meyer, Tiffany (John) Gomel, grandchildren, Shelby Zacher, Travis Gomel, Trisha Gomel, Aislyn Meyer, Gabriel Meyer and Jacob Meyer, great-grandchildren Ezra and Eli Gesner and Pat’s sister Donna (Marc) Linton and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin C. Maness and Muriel Anne Maness.

Patricia enjoyed reading, word puzzles and watching movies.   She was a huge animal lover.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E 19th St, Lawrence, KS 66046.

Donna Faye Lewis

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Donna Faye Lewis nee Minson , 86, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at LMH.

She was born February 17, 1939 in Iola, Kansas, the daughter of Lyle and Mabel (Stout) Minson.

Donna is survived by her husband, Dr. Herschel Lewis; two sons, Patrick (Andrea) Lewis of Olathe and Jarod Lewis of Lawrence; and three grandchildren, Annika, Aidan, and Riley.

Celebration of Life Services for Donna will be from 2-4 pm, Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Dr, Lawrence, KS 66047.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Meals on Wheels in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Norma Jean (Jeanie) Wheelock

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Graveside Inurnment for Norma Jean (Jeanie) Wheelock, 72, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Monday, May 19, 2025, at Oak Hill Cemetery.  A Visitation will start at 10 am, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Norma Jean Wheelock “Jeanie,” 72, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas.

Jeanie was born December 12, 1952, in Lawrence, Kansas. The daughter of Leonard Sparks and Helen Bliss (Wagoner).

Jeanie worked in insurance for 14 years and also worked several years at Ellena Honda in Lawrence, Kansas.

She was a devoted, loving, and caring Mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother. She cherished time with her family, including her fur grandbabies Rylee and Harper. She was an avid Kansas Jayhawk basketball fan, followed all their games and did not like to be disturbed while watching them play.

Survivors include three daughters: Jamie Wheelock of Lawrence, Kansas, Kerri Wilkins (John) of Joplin, Missouri, Ashley Hornberger of Kansas City, Missouri; sister Nancy Sifford of Adams, Oklahoma, grandchildren; Brandon Wheelock (Allison), Trenton Wilkins (Tiffany), John Wilkins, Sydney Wilkins; nephew Edward Sifford Jr. Adams, Oklahoma; niece Kristina Ferguson (Duane) Amarillo, Texas and seven great grandchildren; dear friends: Lonnie and Kay Burggraf Lawrence, Kansas and Mary Simpson Topeka, Kansas. She has 6 half siblings and 1 is passed away, 2 step brothers and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her love of 32 years Robert “Bob”Lemon.

 

Louis James “Jim” Eckler

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Louis James Eckler, known to all as Jim, passed away on May 10, 2025 at the age of 82 in Tonganoxie Kansas.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 25, 1942, he spent his youth in Irondequoit, New York, living on the bay off of Lake Ontario. Here he developed a lifelong love of boats, and as a teenager first met his future wife Penny. Jim followed his brother Don into serving honorably in the United States Coast Guard, visiting Hong Kong, Japan and Hawaii during his service.

After he left the Coast Guard, Jim owned and operated a historic cobblestone auto service station in Williamson, New York. During this time in the early 1970’s, Jim reunited with Penny Ely Schneider and together with her three daughters they lived across several states before settling in Lawrence, Kansas.

After a career in automotive service, Jim then worked in various positions for Hallmark Cards until his retirement.

Jim and Penny loved traveling back roads, watching their backyard birds, and looking after their beloved kitties. Jim was also a longtime member of the Douglas County Amateur Radio Club, his call sign of KC0IDF.

Jim lived his life his way, not particularly liking “rules” or being told he couldn’t do something – much to the exasperation of his wife Penny, and frequently his daughters.  Despite this, he will be missed and hopefully Penny isn’t giving him too much of a hard time in the hereafter.

Jim is survived by his brother, Don Eckler; his daughters Theresa Nachreiner (Rick Gresbach), Cheri Corpening (Jim), and Rachel Schneider; grandchildren Shane Shogrin (Dusti), Kacey Corpening, Karah Bunker (Max), Amanda Nachreiner, Robert Nachreiner (Lindsay), and 7 great-grandchildren.
No services are planned per Jim’s request, but please feel free to perform a random act of kindness, or visit the local Humane Society and spread some love to the animals there.

Audrey Marion Sheridan

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Audrey Marion Sheridan passed in the afternoon of May 6th, 2025 at the Baldwin Healthcare and Rehab Center.

She was born in Letchworth, England on March 31, 1928 the daughter of Olive and George Porter. She always loved school and was head girl at her grammar school. She pursued a teaching degree at the London School of Economics where she met her future husband, Richard B. Sheridan who was pursuing a pHD in economic history. He tried to get a teaching position in England, but ended up in his home state of Kansas and worked for many years at KU. Audrey followed him to America to start their life together. Audrey raised two children, Richard and Margaret. When they were school age, she received her teaching certificate and taught third and fourth grade at Cordley grade school. She later went back to school and received a master’s degree in Education. She used her education to become a Title 1 remedial reading teacher in various grade schools in the Lawrence area (this program has recently been eliminated by the Trump administration). Many at-risk students benefitted from her immense patience and dedication.

Audrey was always very British and she maintained her British sensibilities. She was gracious in the face of adversity. She was also a no-nonsense, no-frills lady. She was brave, kind, humble and serious but always had a smile.

She lived for 4 years in Sacramento with her daughter and her partner. She also lived for 10 years at Meadowlark Estates in Lawrence, Kansas where she enjoyed the meals and made many friends.

She believed in education, service and family. She knitted scarves for the homeless, worked in community kitchens, and had life-long friends from Plymouth Church, teachers she worked with and neighbors.

As her favorite flowers were peonies, those who loved her find it very appropriate that they are just now coming into bloom, giving her a proper send off as she continues her journey.

She will join her son, Richard David Sheridan who died in 2023. She leaves behind her daughter, Margaret, her sister Margaret and nephews Michael and Graham and their families as well as her daughters-in-law, Lynette and Kimberly.

Services will be held at the Plymouth Church May 19, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. For those attending the service, please bring peonies from your yard (or your neighbor’s). Also, consider a gift to The Salvation Army or Just Food.

Dr. Bill Lathrop

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Dr. Bill Lathrop was born on March 28, 1931 and died on May 6, 2025. He married Bonnie Underwood on July 15, 1952.

Bill is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter Cheryl Fruetel (Gordon); daughter Pam Lathrop (Charlie Drees); granddaughter Megan Fruetel Gosseling (Joshua); granddaughter Molly Fruetel Fritzel (Patrick); along with five great grandchildren: Ruby, Tyson, and Jack Fritzel; Lilly and Charlotte Gosseling.

He graduated from Norton High School in 1949 and attended Oklahoma State University on a wrestling scholarship. He then entered the U.S. Navy after his freshman year. Following his military service, he graduated from Fort Hays State University and the UMKC School of Dentistry. He practiced orthodontics in Norton and Hays, Kansas. He also served as president of the Kansas State Association of Orthodontists. Bill and Bonnie have thoroughly enjoyed living in Lawrence, Kansas since 1999.

Bill served during the Korean War as a Navy Hospital Corpsman aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Los Angeles (CA-135), which sustained two direct hits from enemy shore batteries. His complete Navy service was 1950-1954 and his military honors include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, and Korean Service Medal with four bronze battle stars. He proudly served the country he loved.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister. He requested no service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, Ballard Center, or Family Promise.  Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.

Annette Marie Bumgardner

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Annette Marie Bumgardner, the daughter of Edwin and Carolyn (Carrie) Heck Schowengerdt, passed away in Lawrence on Sunday, April 27 at the age of 100. She requested no funeral.

Annette was born January 14, 1925 in Lawrence. She went to Midland Grade School and graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1942. She attended the University of Kansas before joining the workforce at the Hercules Powder Company during the Second World War.

Annette and Edward Stuart (Ed) Bumgardner were married at Danforth Chapel June 1, 1947 and were married for 72 years. They had one son, John Edward, of Golden Colorado and his wife Kory, who was like a daughter to them. Annette has a granddaughter, Erica Lyn Bumgardner, and a great grandson, Lochlan Edward of Littleton, Colorado. Erica has a brother, Nathaniel Currey, of Salt Lake City, Utah who is also a member of our family.

Private inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas.