Author: RumseyYost

The Rev. Marshall I.J. Lackrone

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The Reverend Marshall I.J. Lackrone was born July 8, 1948, in Wichita, Kansas. He passed away June 8, 2013, at his home. His parents were Marshall Jacob Lackrone and Minnie Juanita Colvin. His name was a combination of his father’s name, Marshall Jacob Lackrone, and his grandfather’s name, Ishmael Jacob Lackrone. He was preceded in death by his mother, step-mother, and his father.

He had three sisters, Anita May, Sharron Noretta, and Kathy Joe. Following a divorce, his father was married a second time to a Christian lady, Mary Helen Root, when he was eight years old. Two children were born to this union: one sister, Mary Helen, and one brother, Mark David. Lackrone’s step-mother and the local pastor’s wife made his salvation a priority with a daily prayer pact. Lackrone says with these two woman praying for him everyday to be saved, he didn’t have a chance to stay away from God.

At age eleven he joined the Boy Scouts of America, and worked his way to the most elevated rank of Eagle Scout. He attributed his organizational skills to being a part of Boy Scouts while serving as Patrol Leader, a Cub Scout Den Chief, and Junior Assistant Scout Master. He also helped in forming a new Boy Scout Troop in Fort Scott, Kansas. Through this association with Boy Scouts he also earned the God and Country Award. While working on his God and Country Award he did many things by learning a good amount about the Bible, which really translated a few years later in his training to eventually become a Christian and Minister of the Gospel.

Lackrone graduated from high school in 1966 in Uniontown, KS. After high school he entered into formal training at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Because of financial restraints he was capable of attending C.B.C. only two years, and continued his studies by correspondence for the next five years. During summer months he worked at Cessna Aircraft military division as an aircraft sheet-mentalist in Wichita, KS. These earnings made it possible to help with college expenses. After Leaving C.B.C. he was then married to Carol Elaine Stewart of Bronson, KS, who was his high school sweetheart. To this union three sons were born; Matthew Timothy, Ozark, MO, Jonathan David, Fort Scott, KS and Luke David of Maryland near Washington D.C.

He was issued his credentials in 1967 and qualified for his Exhorter’s Permit by the Kansas District Council of the Assemblies of God. Lackrone qualified for the next level of credentials as a Licensed Minister one year later while still in Kansas. His ministry took him to pastor in Southern Missouri where he was issued his second License to Preach for the Southern Missouri District. In 1973 he was ordained by the Southern Missouri District.

In 1968 he began pastoring at Pleasant Green Assembly of God in rural Phillips County, Kansas. Then he moved to Ness City, KS. Assembly of God as pastor for two more years. In 1971 the Lackrone’s moved to Osceola, MO where they pastored five years. After that they came back to Kansas and pastored the Assembly of God at Chanute. While there they were called upon to start a new church called Hope Chapel Assembly of God in rural Allen County. That Pastoral Ministry lasted for 20 Years and four building programs. Then they were asked by the Kansas District Council’s Superintendent to go to Lawrence, KS and be the first Assembly of God Pastor of Calvary Temple Assembly of God. This was an independent church and had just became an Assemblies of God fellowship. This church had a total number of nine members. This church became totally self-supporting in approximately two years. While at Lawrence he completed his Doctor of Divinity through a Baptist Seminary in Covina, CA.

Over the past several years he has written and taught more than a dozen Bible Studies from A.S.I. (Association of Christian Schools International). With this endorsement these studies count toward certification credit; which is needed by all Christian School Teachers. These Bible Studies are used by other pastors and missionaries in various countries around the world.

Pastor Lackrone is survived by his wife, Carol Elaine of the home, three sons and six grandchildren. He started preaching at age 16 and has continued in pastoral ministry for the past 48 years.

Services for The Reverand Marshall I.J. Lackrone, 64, Lawrence, formerly of Iola, will be 2 p.m. Tues. June 11, 2013 at Calvary Temple Assembly of God in Lawrence. Also 2 p.m. Wed. June 12, 2013, at First Assembly of God in Fort Scott. Burial will follow in Uniontown. He passed away June 8, 2013, at his home. Visitation will be from noon to service time on both days.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions made to the Calvary Temple Assembly of God Building Fund.

Jacquelyn Pauline “Jackie” Niel Marrs

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Surrounded by beloved family and friends, Jacquelyn Pauline “Jackie” Niel Marrs passed peacefully into the welcoming arms of her Maker on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at Brandon Woods in Lawrence, Kansas. A warm and beautiful woman who lived for her family, loved her friends and faced her final months courageously, with spirit and faith, kindness and grace, she will be forever missed by all who knew her.

The third of 5 children, Jackie was born to Henry and Carrie (Merrick) Niel of Joplin, Missouri on April 19, 1928. Raised on a small farm, she graduated from Joplin High School in 1946.

Shortly thereafter, she went to work at a local bakery where mothers of many young servicemen stopped in to urge the charming and unattached green-eyed beauty to meet their sons. One smart mother, however, took her recently-discharged Marine to Empire Baptist Church to point out the lovely dark-haired girl in the choir. Wayne Marrs was captivated but, he says with a laugh, worried that she “looked like the marrying kind.” Nevertheless, he attended all the church socials and so did she, always seeking each other out. Before long, he discovered he was the “marrying kind”, too. They became husband and wife on March 26, 1947.

Between 1947 and 1951, they made their home in Joplin, Missouri, where Jackie gave birth to their first son and first daughter, enjoyed the pleasures of a large and local extended family and was active in the Empire Baptist Church.

During 1951, Wayne’s reactivation in the Marines for the Korean War took the young family to California, where they lived in Santa Ana, Orange, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Jackie’s first experience of the beach started a life-long love of sand and water that she indulged whenever she could.

Returning to Joplin in 1953, Jackie gave birth to her second son and was happy to resume her rich, full family life. An excellent seamstress, she spent many careful hours creating clothes for herself and, especially, for her daughter. During this time, the family began to enjoy many, many weeks and weekends at Grand Lake of the Cherokees. Jackie, an avid fisherman, was once thrilled to be featured on Harold Ensley’s “Gone Fishin’” TV show with the nearly 7-pound Large-Mouth Black Bass she caught.

In 1959, the first of Wayne’s many transfers with ATT LongLines took them from Joplin to the Kansas City area, where they lived first in Shawnee and then Overland Park, Kansas. In Overland Park, Jackie was busy with canning, freezing and pickling the bounty from a massive vegetable garden and several fruit trees. Early in 1961, her second daughter and fourth child was born.

Transferred again later that year, they moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, later and then to Hiawatha, Kansas in 1963. It was in Hiawatha that her addiction to golf took hold. Playing as often as she could, the first of the many trophies she would later win was for “Most Improved Player” – something she looked back on with a giggle in later years because she “was soooo bad!”

It was during the Hiawatha years, too, that her first-born son enlisted in the Navy and was soon off to serve two tours in Viet Nam. She wrote him religiously every day and encouraged others to do the same. Moreover, she made sure letters and “goody boxes” were sent to other servicemen, believing that everyone needed to hear their name at mail call.

In 1967, ATT took the family to Dodge City, Kansas, where Jackie and Wayne developed many friendships, playing golf and going dancing very frequently. It was here, too, that Jackie hand-crafted the ultimate example of her seamstress talents…the exquisite wedding dress both of her daughters would wear.

In 1975, the final ATT transfer took them back to the Kansas City area, where they settled near Parkville, Missouri. A grandmother now with only one child at home, Jackie went to work as a receptionist for Far-Mar-Co at the bustling Board of Trade in Kansas City. Her retirement in 1985 gave her even more time to devote to her golf. Their home on the 10th green of the Windbrook Golf Club made it easy, too – even if it was just a “quick 3 holes” after dinner. Active in the North Kansas City Women’s Golf Association as well as the Fort Clark Women’s Golf Association in Del Rio, Texas, where she and Wayne spent their winters, Jackie was a highly-sought partner who delighted in teaching newer players nearly as much as she delighted in tournament play. “Some people ‘clutch’ when other people are watching,” she said once after a ‘sudden-death playoff’ that she won, “but I LOVE it!” Winner of many tournaments and titles, including Women’s Club Champion at Fort Clark, she also achieved what few golfers do…a hole in one. Twice!

In addition to indulging her passion for golf during retirement years, Jackie enjoyed traveling with her husband. They frequently visited Joplin, Denver, Boston and Minneapolis as well as Del Rio, Texas, where day trips to Mexico were common. They enjoyed the beaches in Hawaii, Mexico, Texas and Florida with their children.

In 2011, Jackie and Wayne moved from Kansas City to Meadowlark Estates in Lawrence, Kansas, where they were embraced by many new acquaintances who quickly became the dearest of friends. A modest and self-effacing woman, Jackie never understood why people gravitated to her the way they did or why, after just a few minutes, so many people seemed to love her.

An active participant in many activities, Jackie was thrilled and fascinated by the both national and international acclaim she briefly shared with the other members of “The Rooster and The Chicks” – Meadowlark’s famous Senior Citizen Flash Mob dancers – the YouTube sensations who received millions of “hits” and were featured on Good Morning America, the Today Show, CNN and other TV programs.

In April, 2013, declining health caused Wayne and Jackie to move from Meadowlark to Brandon Woods, where she spent her final weeks. The family will always be grateful for the truly compassionate and tender care she received from the health care workers who became her newest friends, as well as from dear Jade.

Jackie was preceded in death by her mother Carrie Della Merrick Niel and father George Henry Spencer Niel, sisters Patty Niel Barnett and Eva Niel Fullerton, and brother Lyle Niel.

She leaves her husband of 66 years, H. Wayne Marrs; sons Stephen Wayne Marrs and wife Juda Parks Marrs of Lawrence, KS, and Richard Niel Marrs and wife Linda Cunningham Marrs of Centennial, CO; daughters Janet Lynn Marrs Laughead of Wellesley, MA, and Susan Marrs Snay and husband Kevin Snay of Olathe, KS. She also leaves her dear sister Carolyn Niel Beckham Handley of Eugene, OR; sister-in-law Camille Niel of Carthage, MO; and brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Barnett of Magazine, AR.

Grandma leaves ten grandchildren; Zachary (Jennifer) Marrs, Matthew (Jennifer Forman) Marrs, Chelsea Marrs (Jason) Johnson, Trevor Marrs, Caitlyn Marrs, Lauren Laughead (Billy) Macaulay, Jonathan Laughead, Heather Snay, April Snay and Lindsey Snay.

Her six great-grandchildren will miss her dearly, too; Madison, Zane and Morgan Marrs, Haven and Gracie Johnson, and Noah Laughead Corso.

Too numerous to mention are the many nieces and nephews who, along with their own children and grandchildren, will also long for their warm and engaging Aunt Jackie. She took great interest and delight in each one of them, relishing their visits, calls, emails and Facebook posts, concerned when they were troubled and happy in their joy.

Services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at The Smith Center at Brandon Woods, 1430 Brandon Woods Terrace, Lawrence, KS. Reception following.

Jackie’s heart was often touched by those in need, especially children. Donations in her memory may be made to Jack’s Magic Bean Fund, 185 Weston Road, Wellesley, MA 02482.

Online condolences available at Rumsey-Yost.com.

Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Gillesse

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Memorial services for Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Gillesse, 87, Lawrence, will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church. Jackie died Friday, June 7, 2013, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.

She was born May 12, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Ellsworth D. and Anna Christine Petersen Wallace. She graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1947. She worked as an R.N. in Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, and Oregon. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and was active as a Den Mother, Brownie leader, and PTA president. She was actively involved in ‘Reach to Recovery’ breast cancer support group, Elderhostel, and First Presbyterian Church Parish Nurse Ministry.

She married Rev. John Gillesse on Oct. 31, 1947, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He preceded her in death in 2001. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Christine Gillesse in 1998, and a son, Timothy Gillesse in 2013. Survivors include a grandson, Seth Morningson, Palm Crest, Fla.; a brother, Keith Wallace, White Cloud, Mich.; and a sister, Jean Van Faasen, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Parish Nurse Ministry, in care of the church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS, 66047. Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Nancy R. Dunn

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Memorial services for Nancy Roofe Dunn, 76, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2013, at Plymouth Congregational Church, with the Rev. Dr. Peter A. Luckey officiating. Private inurnment will take place at Pioneer Cemetery on the University of Kansas Campus.

Nancy Dunn died Thursday, May 30, 2013, at Select Specialty Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, following a long illness.

She was born October 30, 1936, in Abilene, Kansas.

Nancy came to Lawrence in 1945 with her parents Paul Gibbons Roofe and Helen Waddell Roofe. As members of the University of Kansas community, Paul Roofe was Head of the Anatomy Department.

Nancy attended Lawrence public schools, graduating in 1954 as a member of the first graduating class from Lawrence High School. In 1958, she graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on Design. She was a Life Member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association. She worked for the U.S. Geological Survey and the Political Science Department.

In 1983, Nancy and James met at a Square Dance sponsored by Square De Lites Square Dance club, of which Nancy was a founder. They were married in the Althaus Chapel of Plymouth Church on October 1, 1983. The following month a square dance wedding reception was held at the church. James and Nancy enjoyed many forms of dancing: ballroom, Scottish country, clogging, in addition to square dancing.

She enjoyed knitting, beading, drawing, many arts and crafts activities, including consignment sales in Kansas and Florida. Gardening, including planting a fruit orchard, was a part of Nancy’s activities.

Nancy was a 50-year member of Plymouth Church, a life member of the Franklin County Historical Society, a board member of The Associated Landlords of Kansas, a member of Landlords of Lawrence, a Republican Precinct Committeewoman, a member of the League of Women’s Voters – Lawrence/Douglas County, Knife and Fork Club, Oread Neighborhood Association, Oread Residents Association, and Spencer Art Museum.

Nancy and James enjoyed traveling principally by intercity rail with departures and arrivals at the Lawrence Amtrak/BNSF Station. Train tours in the U.S. and Canada were on the American Orient Express and Grande Luxe Rail. Seventeen days were the greatest number of consecutive overnights on the rails.

Overseas travel included journeys to Antarctica, Europe, Africa, Australia-New Zealand, Hawaii, Caribbean Islands, and Central/South America. Nancy and James enjoyed theater trips to New York, the Berkshire of Western Massachusetts, Sanibel Island, Florida, and Orange County, California.

Nancy is survived by her husband, James C. Dunn.

Memorial contributions may be made to Plymouth Church – Althaus Chapel Renovation Fund, Depot Redux, or the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Charles Douglas ‘Doug’ Coffman Jr.

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Charles D. ‘Doug’ Coffman Jr. passed away May 30, 2013, at his home following a long illness. Doug was born Jan. 11, 1943, on a farm just outside of Halfway, Mo., the eldest son of Charles D. Sr. and Georgia Guinn Ross Coffman. Most of his school years were in the Ruskin area of Kansas City.

In 1960, Doug was saved and baptized into Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo. Later that same year, God called him to preach the Gospel. At the time of his death, he was a member of Charity Missionary Baptist Church, Independence, Mo.

Doug married his high school sweetheart, Patricia I. DeShazo on June 2, 1962, and has one son, Mark Douglas Coffman. Doug and Patty moved to Lawrence in 1969 and lived in the same house where Patty was raised from 1970 until his death. Doug is survived by his wife, Patty, of the home; his son Mark (Kim) of Humansville, Mo; granddaughter Kira Coffman, Greeley, Colo., and Kim’s grandchildren; two brothers, Robert A. Coffman (Carol) and Johnnie Coffman and their children; father-in-law John Mark DeShazo, and brother-in-law Roy DeShazo. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister-in-law, Mary Coffman.

We will miss Doug, but we know by his own testimony that he’s gone to walk those streets of gold with his Savior.

Services for Doug will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in North Lawrence. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to VNA/Hospice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent to rumsey-yost.com.

Richard L. “Dick” Davis

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Funeral services for Richard L. “Dick” Davis, 84, Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at Clinton Cemetery.

Mr. Davis died Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at his home.

He was born October 10, 1928, in Lawrence, the son of Joseph Robert and Mabel Josephine Mitchell Davis. He attended Pinkney Elementary School, graduated from Liberty Memorial High School (1948) and then graduated from Clark’s School of Business in Topeka.

Mr. Davis served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean War, receiving the Purple Heart. He retired from the State of Kansas Department of Corrections as a comptroller in 1991 after 36 years of service. After retirement he raised Paint horses, Classic Shetland ponies, enjoyed his family, and coffee time with friends.

He married Joyce Herschell on April 8, 1956 in Lawrence. They recently celebrated their 57th anniversary. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include children, Julie and Hal Jensen, Scott and Gayle Davis, Marcia and George Hersh, Ellen and Kent Townsend, Steve and Gisela Davis; grandchildren, Kelly (Randy), Katie (Jerrod), Stacy (Justin), Abby (Matt), Jenny (Matthew), Becky (Jesse), Jessica (Tom), Jamie (Drew), Mark, Leslie (Mack), Steven, Melissa, Luke, Natalie, and Jacob, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Al, Ed, Dutch, Jane, Spec, Peg, Leonard, Lila, Vada, and twin brother Bob.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The family suggests memorials to the charity of donor’s choice or Clinton Presbyterian Church in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Gaylen Liska

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Funeral services for Gaylen Liska, 74, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Gaylen died Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.

He was born Apr. 5, 1939, in Pratt, the son of Peter G. and Mary Gunn Liska. He graduated from Pratt High School. Gaylen worked for John Haddock Ford from 1963-79, and later was the assistant director of the Kansas University Garage & body shop, retiring in 1992 after 21 years of service. He was a ‘Mr. Fix-it’, and enjoyed collecting and restoring cars. He also enjoyed traveling, bird watching, and ebaying.

He married Deronda Meacham in 1959. They later divorced. He married Carlotta Culver in 1985 in Lawrence. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three sons, Nathan Liska, Sterling Eubank, and Bill Eubank, all of Lawrence; two daughters, Dawn Stewart, Lawrence, and Michelle Shanks and husband Scott, Gardner; a sister, Evelyn O’Brien, Superior, Wisc; 19 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sons Dean Liska, Eric Eubank, and Lyle Lee Liska; daughters Robin Liska and Carleen Eubank; brothers Willard Liska and Larry Liska; and sisters Marvel Combs and Shirley Liska.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the LMH Endowment Association, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Kermit ‘Jay’ Laughlin

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Jay Laughlin, 72, was laid to rest Saturday, May 25, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Vinland Cemetery, with the Rev. Shirley Edgerton officiating.

Jan and Jay Laughlin were originally from the Vinland area, but had been living recently in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. They had two daughters.

Jay died Feb. 14, 2013, in Hot Springs Village. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed spending time with family.

Memorials may be made to Village United Methodist Church, or the American Diabetes Association.

Elizabeth Gorrill Sterling

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My beautiful mama, Elizabeth Gorrill Sterling, 80, joined her past loved ones on May 24, 2013, at her home in Lawrence.

She was born June 22, 1932, in Lawrence, the daughter of Galen A. and Mary O. Warren Gorrill. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School.

Elizabeth worked as a secretary for Kansas Power and Light for many years. Previously, she had worked for the Baldwin City newspaper, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and managed the Alley Shop in downtown Lawrence. She enjoyed Scrabble, crossword puzzles, knitting, gardening, Reader’s Digest, and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her companion, Harold Haskett, of the home; a son, Robert G. Sterling, Lawrence; three daughters, Cathy Lewis and husband Brian, Lawrence, Virginia Mofid, Lawrence, and Vicki Pendleton and husband Raymond, Jacksonville, Fla.; 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and three on the way.

Memorials may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, P.O. Box 651, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Any services for Elizabeth will be announced at a later date.