Author: RumseyYost

Robert L. Taylor

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Robert (Bob) L. Taylor, 83, passed peacefully Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at The Windsor of Lawrence. A Celebration of Life service will be 10 am, Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church. A private burial was previously conducted in the green section of Oak Hill Cemetery.

Bob was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Willis, Kan., the son of C.W. and Bessie Tinsley Taylor. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Washburn University, and his Master’s and additional Doctoral coursework at Kansas University.

Mr. Taylor spent his entire career with Lawrence School District 497, initially as principal at Pinckney Elementary, later as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and finally as Assistant Superintendent until his retirement in 1995 after 35 years of service. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, along with numerous civic and professional organizations. He enjoyed traveling, reading, and yard work. Bob had a passion all his life for dogs and rarely didn’t have one in the home.

He married Fern Wolff in 1951 in Everest, Kan. They divorced in 1978. He married Romaine Douglas on Aug. 28, 1978, in Valley Falls. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, Kent Taylor and wife Cheryl, Lawrence; a daughter, Susan Grier and husband John, Chula Vista, Calif.; a step daughter, Claire Oxtoby and husband David, Claremont, Calif; seven grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.

The family suggests memorials to Friends of the Lawrence Public Library, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

LeNora T. Emray

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LeNora Emray of Brandon Woods in Lawrence, Kansas, died 14 May 2013. She was born 02 June 1917 in the township of South Fork, Wayne County, Iowa, the daughter of Leroy Holden Carr and Winnie Ayers. She is predeceased by her husband, Frank E. Emray, her sister, Elsie M. Close, and her brother, Richard L. Carr; she is survived by her daughter, granddaughter, and two great grandchildren. No services will be held.

Arthur Warren Polk

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Arthur Warren Polk, 54, of Lawrence, KS, died on May 15, 2013, in Topeka, KS.

In accordance with his last wishes, he will be cremated at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS. There will be no services.

Arthur was born on Oct. 8, 1958 in Lawrence, KS to Milton and Eva (Hicks) Polk. After graduation, he joined the United States Army, but, due to health complications, he was discharged shortly afterwards. He worked for the World Company, Lawrence, KS as a driver prior to his death.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Eva Polk.

He is survived by his sister, Ruth Rocker, Beavercreek, OH; a cousin, Kim Davis, Salina, KS; a cousin, Lee Shoemate, Lawrence, KS; a nephew, Dustyn Polk, Lawrence, KS; and a niece, Traci Hegarty, Colorado Springs, CO.

LeRoy Allen Cooley

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Memorial services for LeRoy Allen Cooley, 67, Lecompton, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mr. Cooley died Thursday, May 9, 2013, in Lawrence.

He was born August 29, 1945 in Pomona, Kansas, the son of Joseph Cress and Marjorie Alice Ward Cooley. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1963, and has lived in the area for most of his life.

Mr. Cooley served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and worked for “Wood N Stuff” as a carpenter. He enjoyed fishing and helping people.

Survivors include three sons, Tony Allen Cooley of Lawrence, Tye Ambrose Cooley and wife Amber of Olathe, KS, and Clayton Whitten of Florida; his mother, Marjorie Alice Cooley of Lecompton, KS; grandchildren, Kaden, Lexi, Hannah, Dane, Gemma, Alora, and Ava; nephews, Joseph and Eric Lipp; and niece, Bobbie Jo Smith.

He was preceded in death by his father, and a sister, Joyce McClenton.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the LeRoy A. Cooley Memorial Fund, or the American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Lucille Irene Mason Fewins

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Private family services for Lucille Irene Mason Fewins, 88, Eudora, will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Fewins died Friday, May 10, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born July 16, 1924 in Elder, Colorado, the youngest of 16 children to Henry James and Bessie Irene Bellis Mason.

Mrs. Fewins was a member of the Methodist Church in Elsmore, Kansas.

She married Cecil W. Fewins February 26, 1945. He preceded her in death June 28, 1983.
Survivors include daughters, Crystal Louise Downing and husband Dale, Celia F. Tebe and husband Lloyd, Betty B. Ray and husband Rick, Myrl L. Roberts and husband Richard, and Pat Gibson; sons, Cecil Fewins and wife Darlene, Frank Fewins; 10 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, and daughter, Margaret Louise Fewins in 1945, and a granddaughter, Ginger in 2000.

Glen Howard Walker

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Funeral services for Glen Howard Walker, 82, Lawrence, will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home with the Rev. William Dulin officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Howard died Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at his home.

Howard was born February 6, 1931, Lawrence, KS, the eldest son of Glen Everett and Alice Jane Kizer Walker.

Howard graduated from Liberty Memorial (Central) High School, Lawrence, KS, in 1948. He went on to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Army during the Korean War.

After leaving the Army, Howard began his career at Rumsey’s Funeral Home as a porter, and soon obtained his funeral directors license from the Kansas State Board of Funeral Directors. He retired from Rumsey-Yost Funeral home after 40 years of service. Howard was also a self-employed business man, who established his own janitorial and bartending service, Howard Walker and Sons.

Howard was a passionate leader of the community, fighting for civil rights in Lawrence and surrounding community. He was instrumental in the integration of the Lawrence education, social and athletic systems; ensuring that Blacks were allowed equal rights and privileges in education, team sports, homecoming court, and swimming pools. He served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, co-founded the West Lawrence Community Center and the Community Issues Forum, member of the Kansas Democratic Party, and as a member of the American Civil Liberties Union. His support of the community also included the United Fund, Senior Citizen’s Council, and East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN) and Ballard Center board of directors.

Howard had a passion for music and working with kids, and was a strong believer in youth development. He served as president of the Pinckney School Parent-Teacher Association, vice-president of Children’s Hour Day Care, Webelos leader for the Boy Scouts of America, and co-founder of Electa’s Daughters and Sons Masonic youth group. He also served as band manager of The Recitations, and coached the community basketball team, the Wolverines.

Howard was a devoted member of Calvary Church of God in Christ, and organized the annual Easter and Christmas baskets for the kids. He was also great outdoorsman; he loved to travel, hunt and was an avid sports enthusiast.

Howard also served as Past Master of Western Star Lodge No. 1. F. & A.M., Lawrence; was Past Worthy Patron in the Order of Eastern Star, Grand Chapter, Kansas Jurisdiction; Worthy Patron Siloam Chapter No. 10, Lawrence, Past Potentate Shrine Temple No. 29, Topeka; and was an Illustrious 33o member of the Kaw Valley Consistory No. 16, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 39 years, June Wilma (Wilhoite); brother, Wesley Walker; and his daughter Delores E. Walker.

Howard is survived by his children, Glen H. Jr. (Kristen), Lawrence, Wilma Jean Walker, New Brunswick, NJ, John W. (Karen), Newburgh, IN, Wayne Allen (Lynn), Lawrence, Alice D. (Cedric) Walker-Flemming, Dallas, TX, Perry Walker, Lubbock, TX, Michael Lewis, Kansas City, MO; Lucy Mae Walker, Oklahoma City, OK; 16 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; two brothers, Donald (Doretha) Walker of Wichita, and Steven (Barbara) Walker of Lawrence; sister-in-law, Willa Wilhoite; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

There will be a Masonic service at 6 pm. Friday at the funeral home and the family will receive friends until 7:30.

The family suggests memorials to the Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center or Cosmopolitan International – River City Chapter, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Glenna Rose Marie Folkerts Row

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Graveside service for Glenna Rose Marie Folkerts Row, Lawrence, Kansas will be held at Larned, Kansas Cemetery at 2:00pm on Monday, May 13th. A Luncheon will be held at the Larned Methodist Church following the service. Reverend Bethann Black shall officiate the burial.

Glenna Rose passed away Tuesday, May 7, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She had been a resident of Brandon Woods at Alvamar Nursing Home for the last 7 months.

She was born on a farm near Larned, KS on Decemeber 19th, 1927 to Harm and Mable (Simmons) Folkerts. She attended a rural school until her father expired and then moved with her family to Larned. She was much involved in Choral Groups in Junior and Larned High Schools.

Upon graduation in 1945, she worked in Larned and met Alvin Row. They fell in love and were married in 1950. She and Al lived in Lawrence, KS until he graduated from the University of Kansas in 1952 as an Architect.

Alvin became an Air Force Officer and was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia where first son Steven was born. They returned to Larned in 1954 to enjoy civilian life and the practice of Architecture. They were blessed with three more children; Deborah (who died in infancy), Daniel and Rosemary. They returned to Lawrence and all three children graduated from the University of Kansas.

Glenna Rose was involved in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Church Circle. She was a President of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as other Community Organizations. She became a Life Time Member of the Lenexa, KS Chamber of Commerce and was given the Key to the City and was a Life Time associate member of the KU Alumni Association.

She also managed the business and traveled by car and private airplane to many projects over Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. They enjoyed 68 years together. She provided a wonderful home for her children and her ever grateful and loving husband. Together they have eight Grandchildren and four Great-Grandchildren.

The family requests no flowers but have set up a Memorial Fund that can be sent to The Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Lawrence, KS 66044.

Charles L. Curtiss

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Charles L. Curtiss, 61, concluded his battle with cancer May 6, 2013 at his home.

Charles was born on July 30, 1951 in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Earl and Oma Lee (Coleman) Curtiss.

He served his country as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Air Force from 1970-73 completing tours of duty in Thailand, Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Labrador.

He was an employee of Hallmark Cards in Lawrence for 38 years, retiring in 2007.

Charles married Debra Nichols in 1983; they divorced in 1994.

He is survived by his mother, Oma Lee Curtiss, and brother, Richard (Bonnie) Curtiss all of Lawrence, brother Don (Brenda) Curtiss of Pocatello, ID, sister Alice (Richard) Clark of Eudora, and brother Joe (Susan) Curtiss of Ellinwood, KS, son Richie (Susan) Curtiss of Oklahoma City, OK, daughter Kim Curtiss of Lawrence, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Curtiss.

Charles was intensely interested in genealogy tracing his own family back hundreds of years and also providing family trees to countless friends and relatives. His kind and generous spirit was known by all who let him enter their lives.

Funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family invites friends and family to join them following the graveside service for food and fellowship at the East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th Street.

Friends may call from noon – 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles L. Curtiss Memorial Fund administered by the Douglas County Community Foundation, to benefit those in need, or Grace Hospice, both in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.