Sushila Bhattachan, 86, Lawrence, died July 2, 2024, at LMH Health. Services are pending and will be announced at a later date.
A full obituary will appear here at a later date.
Author: RumseyYost
Kimberly Lynn Wolff
Kimberly Lynn (Williams) Wolff was the first daughter born to Stephen and Donna (Holmes) Williams on January 8, 1969 in Shawnee Mission, KS. She was later joined by sisters Marci and Chandra. Kimberly graduated from Lawrence High School in 1987 and attended Emporia State University and Pittsburgh State University where she received a degree in Education. She lived briefly in Sherman, TX as well. After teaching History and Geography, she began a career with Maupintour Travel, coordinating tours and traveling the world. She worked for Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas, Mid America Bank, the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Kaw Valley, and most recently as the Partnership Development Specialist at Shawnee County
Parks & Recreation.
Kimberly was active in many activities while at Lawrence High School including track and basketball. She was a longtime member of the Kanwaka 4-H Club where she participated in a variety of projects and earned honors for her project work, leadership, and citizenship.
Kimberly married Jeff Wolff on November 24, 1995 in Lawrence, KS. They later divorced. Kimberly is survived by her children, Cole and wife Courtney, and daughter MaecyLynn; mother Donna Worley and stepfather Steven Worley; sister and brother-in-law Marci & John Walburn and their children Taylor & Grayson; sister Chandra Williams and her children Téadora and
husband Brandon Booth and their children Isla & Wren, Xander and Gillian and her daughter Esmé; her aunts Rosalind and Alma, her uncles Dick and Larry, and her many cousins; her in-laws Toni and Gary along with many other members of the Wolff family; and her childhood best friend Bobbie Ward-Hinds. She was preceded in death by her beloved father Stephen Williams.
Kimberly passed away June 18, 2024 at KU Med Center surrounded by her family. A celebration of Kimberly’s life will be held Friday, July 12 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Lawrence Union pacific Depot located at 402 North Second Street in Lawrence, KS. The family invites Kimberly’s
guests to wear bright colors in her memory and to share their special stories. Light appetizers will be served. The family has designated Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas or the Douglas County 4-H Foundation for memorials.
Lee Ann Bennett
Lee Ann Bennett died Sunday, June 30, 2024 at home. Her husband, Jerry Whistler, was with her.
Lee Ann was born July 25, 1963, in Aurora, CO, the daughter of Elizabeth (Lych) and LTC. Eugene Bennett.
The fourth of five children, Lee Ann was raised in a military family that crisscrossed the US and Canada from Pennsylvania to Alaska multiple times.
Of the five children, she was the quiet one, Her calm, even-keeled and patient demeanor came in handy in a household of five rambunctious kids, as did her strong will.
Lee Ann grew up playing in forests and streams, and hiking mountains in Colorado (where her family owned property in Estes Park) and Alaska, the foundation for her interest in and love of plants, insects, animals, and the natural environment. Family members have fond memories of her running through fields, intervening when she came across others who were killing or torturing bugs. Rather than letting her mother kill spiders in the house, she volunteered to remove them herself. She picked berries in Alaskan bogs and collected mushrooms in Alaskan woods. She liked to run the bases in softball games, enjoyed ice skating, and made snow forts in subzero temperatures.
Raised in a scouting family, Lee Ann spent summers at Alaska’s Harding Lake Girl Scout Camp swimming, canoeing, and making crafts. Lee Ann taught herself to knit and crochet. Throughout her life, her inventive mind turned ordinary objects into original creations, art, decorations, and jewelry that filled walls, drawers and adorned her family home. She was the “MacGyver of repair,” fixing many a toy and stuffed animal for distraught siblings.
Lee Ann graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1981. At the University of Kansas, she earned a bachelor degree in Biology in 1986 and a degree in Psychology in 1992. She completed her master’s degree at the University of Kansas in Biology (Entomology) in 2000.
While working on her masters, Lee Ann was employed as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Kansas Biological Survey (KBS) to identify various species of chironomids (lake flies, notoriously difficult to identify) in support of water quality studies in streams in Kansas and neighboring states. After completing her graduate studies, Lee Ann was employed at KBS as a Senior Research Assistant—Entomological Specialist. In that position her work was diverse, including data analysis, editing, training students, and working with actual specimens. She was especially keen on local outreach activities that included Kaw Valley Eagle Day, Earth Day, and Water Day.
Lee Ann married Jerry Whistler on December 18, 2009 In Lawrence. However, they began their life together much earlier in 1989. Despite both working at KBS but in different units, and only separated by two offices, they had never run in to one another at work. That meeting occurred on a late Spring evening at a local watering hole that both research units retired to most every Friday after work. Lee Ann spied Jerry from across the bar toasting a newly minted PhD by drinking beer from her tennis shoe. For Lee Ann, it was love at first sight!
Like many flatlanders, Lee Ann and husband Jerry heeded John Muir’s famous quote, “The mountains are calling and I must go”. Their favorite destination was Estes Park and nearby Rocking Mountain National Park. One of her favorite activities was listening to bugling male elks during the fall rut. Her eyes would light up at their sound. Lee Ann enjoyed every opportunity to get out in nature, and she and Jerry took many Sunday drives to local lakes and parks. They had a wonderful life together and considered themselves lucky to have one another.
Lee Ann’s deep love for her family was reflected in recent years by her care of her mother Elizabeth and her younger brother Kent. Lee Ann lived her life on her terms; no barriers deterred her from pursuing her own dreams and goals.
Lee Ann is survived by her husband, Jerry, her mother, Elizabeth, her siblings: Michele Bennett Light, Michael Wayne Bennett (Marina), Lyn Ellen Bennett (Scott), and Kent Bennett, and cat Kara-Zor-El.
A visitation will take place Saturday, July 13 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044. A private inurnment will take place at Pioneer Cemetery on KU West Campus.
Family has requested no flowers at this time, besides what they will provide themselves. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution in Lee Ann’s name to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Darryl Lawrence Stone
Darryl Lawrence Stone passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024 under hospice care while a resident at Parkway Care Center in Edwardsville, Kansas; he was 80 years old. Darryl was born to Clayton Lawrence and Virginia Anne (Downey) Stone on March 3, 1944 and welcomed into the family by his five year old twin sisters, Frances Darleene and Donnis Jeanne.
Darryl was a life long resident of Lawrence, following in the footsteps of several generations of Kansas Stones including his great grandfather W.E. Stone, a Civil War Union Veteran and former board member in the Big Springs School.
Darryl attended Cordley Elementary and Lawrence Jr. High School. He graduated Lawrence High School, a member of the exceptional LHS Class of 1962. He was a student at KU until he was drafted into service during the Vietnam War. He received Basic and Advanced Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, before serving a year in country in Vietnam. He received his honorable discharge as a Specialist Class 5 in January 1969.
Mr. Stone worked in several varied positions through the years in Lawrence, including building high quality stereo speakers, in computer technology for Microtech Computers and in sales for Ace Hardware. He also managed an apartment complex for many years.
Darryl was a quintessential Renaissance man with a continuous thirst for knowledge and a boundless interest in many fields of study. He lived in the moment, had an infectious smile, and he loved music of every genre from Gospel to Jazz and Rock and Roll. He was a collector of books and music albums.
Darryl was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Donnis J. (Stone) Reinken and brother in law, William P. Reinken. He is survived by his sister Frances Darleene (Stone) Overstreet and brother in law, Joseph S. Overstreet, Jr, along with his nieces and nephews Debra Lynn (Reinken) McElroy, Michael (Michele) Reinken, Patrick (Cindy) Reinken; Jean Marie (Overstreet) Druffel and Craig Druffel, John J. (Melissa) Overstreet and Dawn V. Overstreet and five great nieces and nephews, as well as his many beloved friends, first and foremost his former wife and best friend, Jan Kraus and her family. He will be greatly missed.
Mr. Stone will be laid to rest beside his parents at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence, followed by a celebration of his life by family and friends.
John Edward Hays
John Edward Hays, 72, passed away peacefully in his home in Lawrence, KS on June 27th, after a long battle with progressive multiple sclerosis.
John was born in 1951 in Sublette, KS to John and Charlotte Hays. He was an outstanding student and athlete at Sublette High School, excelling in football, basketball, and track. He enrolled at the University of Kansas in 1970 and joined the Delta Upsilon fraternity, where he made lifelong friends. John was very charismatic, creative, and extremely adventurous. In his early 20s, when he started feeling the beginning symptoms of MS, he decided to start traveling. He traveled many times to South America and Europe accompanied by friends and family, making many memories and new friends along the way. Eventually John returned to Sublette to help on the family farm, continuing his education at the local community college and also continuing his adventures. After his father passed, John took over the operation of the farm until he physically was unable to do so. He then returned to Lawrence where he lived at his home in North Lawrence until his passing.
John rarely complained about his predicament and fought his disease with tremendous strength, stubbornness, and grace. He was loved and admired by many friends and caregivers. As one of his friends said, “John was someone that you met once and wanted to be his best friend.”
Many thanks must be given to the wonderful folks at Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association for all the help, love, and care given to John and for the help from their wonderful hospice team. Also many thanks to all of John’s caregivers over the years with special thanks to Rachel, who cared for him this past year, and to Trish, who was able to spend the last few weeks with John helping him to stay in his home, which was his greatest wish.
Graveside services will be Saturday, August 3rd at 11:00 am in Sublette, Kansas, with Weeks Funeral Home in charge of local arrangements. There will also be a Celebration of Life gathering in Lawrence for John that will be held at Union Depot, North Lawrence, Sunday, September 8, from 1:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local visiting nurses association/hospice organization or a charity of your choice.
William Allan “Bill” Hadl Sr.
William Allan “Bill” Hadl Sr. age 77 of Eudora, passed away June 26, 2024. Bill was born October 7, 1946 in Lawrence, Kansas to parents Allan E. and Viola Hadl. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and very proud of his service. Bill went on to work for the City of Eudora where he worked for many years in the Water Department as a Plant Operator and as a volunteer Firefighter.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jim Hadl and one sister, Jeanie Hadl. He is survived by his daughter, Roxene Findley and husband Chris of Princeton, Kansas; son, William A. Hadl of Ottawa, Kansas; sisters, Betty Lou Miller of Lenexa, Kansas, Marilyn Weeks of Garnett, Kansas, Nancy Higbie of Wellsville, Kansas, Lorie Hadl of Gardner, Kansas, Patty Gifford and Connie Larson of Eudora, Kansas; three grandchildren, Megan and husband Bryan Stadler, Alison and Emalane; a great-grandson, Atlas and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside Services with full military honors are set for 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Holy Family Cemetery of Eudora. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence.
Shirley Jene Freeman (Higgins)
Shirley Jene Freeman (Higgins) passed away on June 25, 2024 in McMinnville, Oregon.
She was born on January 9, 1941 to Richard and Theda (Oaks) Higgins; she was one of 8 children.
Shirley moved to Oregon in 1982. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting.
Shirley was proceded in death by her husband, Herschel H. Freeman, son, Ricky D. Freeman, grandson, Joshua W. Freeman, father, Richard Higgins, mother, Theda Higgins, sister, Barbara Wiggins, brother, Charles Higgins and Donald Higgins.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Freeman-Wherry, TX, son, Gary Gann, MO, sisters; Betty Roberts, OR, and Sylvia Bigsby, KS, brothers; David Higgins, KS, and Darrell Higgins, KS. grandchildren; Amber Cook, CT, Jessica Freeman, KS, Abby Gann, MO, great grandchildren; Soren H. Cook, CT, Caitlynn and Colby Lash, KS.
May Shirley Rest in God’s Eternal Love and Peace! Inurnment will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 12, 2024 at Oak Hill Cemetery of Lawrence.
Mary Ann Canfield
Mary Ann Canfield, born August 13, 1935, died peacefully on June 26, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Canfield; stepdaughter, Mary Caroline Canfield; sisters, Dorothy Smith, Ruth Heyenbrock, and Ruby (Cliff) Eller. She is survived by stepson Mark Canfield of Columbia, MO; nieces Carol Ohrenberg of Concordia, Missouri, and Beverly Carlton of Prim, Arkansas; and a number of great-nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann was born in Concordia, Missouri, to Ida Wilhelm Heyenbrock White and John Louis White, who preceded her in death in 1935. She was raised by her paternal aunt and uncle, Bertha and Burney White.
She attended Central Missouri State University, graduating with a B.A. in Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She enjoyed reading mysteries, traveling, and was a self-taught pianist.
She taught school for forty-one years in Ft. Carson, Colorado; Concordia and Odessa, Missouri; Ft. Osage and Kansas City, Missouri; and Lawrence, Kansas. Later in life, she worked in many Lawrence-area grocery stores, conducting food demonstrations, and enjoyed meeting many people in the process. She volunteered with Douglas County Hospice and was an active member of First Christian Church for many years. She was a resident of Pioneer Ridge Independent Living for the last seven years, enjoying many friends and activities.
Mary Ann had many friends, a charming zest for life, and people were drawn to her energy and attitude. She was the 4-H Queen in 1953 and showed cattle at the American Royal and Missouri State Fair.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church of Lawrence, Lawrence hospice organizations, or Douglas County Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Memorial services will be Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 at 11:00AM at First Christian Church, 1000 Kentucky Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044, followed by a light luncheon at the church. An inurnment will follow at 2:30PM at Zion Hill Cemetery in Concordia, Missouri.
Joanne Jean Batterman
Joanne Jean Batterman, age 82, formerly of Ogallala, Nebraska passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Pioneer Ridge Nursing Facility, in Lawrence KS.
Joanne was born May 18, 1942 in Dalton, NE, to Arthur Gustavo, “Art” and Ida Dorothy (Ewert) Hadwiger. She was a Nebraska farm girl until the age of 18. Joanne graduated from Curtis High School, Curtis NE, in 1960. She attended classes at Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, NE. After moving to Ogallala in 1965, Joanne was a childcare provider, worked as a librarian for the Ogallala library, and office manager at Rodech School Supply. She was also a representative for Vanda and Avon beauty products. Joanne served as both a 4-H leader and a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s clubs. She was very dedicated to her family.
Joanne was an avid reader, expert Scrabble player and crossword puzzle solver. She thoroughly enjoyed flower gardening, tending her plants, and crafting, especially miniatures. Joanne was exceptionally skilled at identifying a vast number of plants and flowers. She had an uncanny rapport with babies and children. Spending time with her grandkids, who knew her affectionately as Granny Jo, was her greatest pleasure. Joanne had a sweet tooth with an affinity for ice cream and cherry delight.She was known for her delicious homemade fried chicken, chocolate chip cookies, and pizza!
Joanne is survived by her children Debbie Batterman of Lawrence KS, Chet (Jill) Batterman of Lawrence, KS, Grandchildren, Jacob Batterman, Jimmy Batterman, Quinten Batterman, Zachary Batterman and Olivia Batterman all of Lawrence KS. Daniella Fiani, Andrea Fiani, and Alexander Fiani, all of Cincinnati, OH. Her siblings Allen (Rose) Hadwiger of Golden, CO, Linda Lee of Overland Park, KS, Patricia (Kurt) Zahner, of Gardner, KS, Cindy Hadwiger of Sunol, NE, along with numerous nieces, and nephews.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Ida Hadwiger, daughter, Roxanne Batterman, brothers, Dennis Hadwiger, and Billy Hadwiger. A service will be held on Sunday, July 7 th at 11:00 a.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home located at 601 Indiana St. Lawrence, KS 66044. The service will also be live streamed via the Funeral Home’s website.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, or the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Online streaming at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxOTg4MzQ2MzMxNjcyOCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Robert Lloyd Talley
Graveside Services with Military Honors for Robert Lloyd Talley, 82, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Twin Mound Cemetery.
He died June 22, 2024.
