Author: RumseyYost

William Anthony Wapp

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William Anthony Wapp, 83 passed away November 19, 2023 at LMH Health in Lawrence, KS. He was born January 17, 1940 to John David, Sr. and Marie Ellen (Mangan) Wapp. He was raised in Frankfort and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1958. He farmed with his father on the family farm until he joined the U.S. Army in 1962. He went through training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, and then worked as an overseer at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS. He was deployed to Germany through the Vietnam era. When he returned in 1965 he worked on the family farm. In September 1965 he met the love of his life, Betty Lee Eden of Marysville, KS. They married on November 26, 1966 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Marysville, KS. They had three children: son, Cory Anthony Wapp, and daughters, Crystal Lynne Herschell and Charity Monae’ Wapp, all of Lawrence, KS. His life was blessed with two grandsons, Matthew Meseke, Manhattan, KS and Nathan Herschell, Lawrence, KS.

In 1980, Bill and his family moved to Jeddah, Saudia Arabia where he was an aircraft welder for TWA American Contractors. The family returned to Frankfort in 1984. Bill farmed for a few years before the family moved to Lawrence, KS in 1988. He was employed by AeroQuip then E&E Display until retirement, and later he was a delivery driver for Advanced Auto Parts to stay busy.

Bill was always there to love and help his family in whatever they needed. He especially loved making family memories with his wife, children, and his two favorite grandsons. He enjoyed many family trips, daily outings, family dinners, parties and family game nights. He made many cherished memories while taking his grandsons to daycare and school when they were little. He made lots of memories with his nieces and nephews as well. Bill built a strong legacy for his family to cherish forever. May he rest in peace.

Preceding him in death was his parents, John and Marie Wapp; sisters, Eleanor Coe, Mary Schreiner; brothers, Edward, John Jr., Arthur, and Joseph; and nephews, Richard Wapp and Mark Coe. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, his son and daughters, grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.

A prayer service will be held on December 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, Frankfort, KS with lunch to follow in the Cigna Center. Cremation is planned. Memorials may be made to “Wounded Warriors” and condolencences to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS

Corporal Logan James Hamby

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Corporal Logan James Hamby, age 20, passed away at his home on November 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, NC, after losing a battle with depression. He was born on August 4, 2003, in Lawrence, KS, the much-loved and only son of David and Stephanie (McDuff) Hamby and beloved brother to Taylor (Hamby) Cabral.

Logan entered the United States Marine Corps a month after graduating from Free State High School in May 2021. He graduated basic training as a Private First Class as an expert rifleman in September 2021 from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. He completed Infantry Training Battalion and participated in the Recon Training and Assessment Program at Camp Pendleton in California before being relocated to Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC, in December 2021. While at Camp LeJeune, Logan served as a supply administrative clerk for the Marine Raider Regiment, where he received a commendation for his service in February 2023.

Logan was a young man whose playful antics and sarcastic wit kept his family and friends laughing. He was adventurous in spirit, loyal to friends, and fiercely private. Some of his favorite activities included playing video games on his computer and Xbox as well as hanging out with his beloved dog, Sierra, and cat, Whiskey. As a teen, Logan and his dad developed a shared enjoyment of indoor and outdoor rock climbing. They completed the American Alpine Institute Outdoor Rock Climbing Course and climbed the First Flatiron Mountain together in Boulder, CO. In recent years, he enjoyed training in boxing, mixed martial arts, and Jiu-Jitsu both at Thatchers’ Training Center in Lawrence and at Rising Athlete Warriors MMA in Jacksonville, NC. A few weeks ago, he won two individual gold medals and one team gold medal in Jiu-Jitsu, going 7-0 in his matches.

Another favorite activity was traveling with family and friends. As a kid, he loved camping at Clinton Lake and in Estes Park, CO, with the Royal Ambassadors at FSBC Lawrence, where he was a member. Throughout his life, Logan built great memories with his sister while traveling with their parents to Italy, Poland, and Hawaii. The siblings also relished traveling together with their grandparents, and sometimes even with exchange student siblings, to Disney parks, on roadtrips along the East and West coasts and cruises to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. Perhaps one of his favorite adventures was a roadtrip he took with his friends to California in June 2021, in between his graduation from high school and beginning boot camp. Logan’s beautiful photographs of his many travels dot some of the walls in his parents’ home and will be cherished in the years to come.

He is survived by his wife of two years, Corporal Megan Ozaki of Jacksonville, NC; his parents, David and Stephanie Hamby of Lawrence, KS; his sister and brother-in-law, Taylor and Justin Cabral of Topeka, KS; niece, Hadassah Cabral and a future nephew of Topeka, KS; grandparents, Theo and Celia McDuff of Wichita, KS; and grandparents, Brian and Doris Hamby of Hutchinson, KS; two uncles, two aunts, and seven cousins of Wichita, KS; and extended family in Michigan, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Logan was also a host brother to five international students: Teresa Tinebra of Asti, Italy; Anna-Sofie Skov of Ishøj, Denmark; Alessandra Maltempi of Carate Brianza, Italy; Jorge Cáceres of Campeche, Mexico; and Lucas Ohlberger of Wiesbaden, Germany. Additionally, Logan will be missed by a tightknit group of high school friends, his fellow soldiers in the Marine Corps, and those he trained with at Thatchers’ Training Center and at Rising Athlete Warriors MMA.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. in Lawrence. On Thursday, November 30, there will be a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 pm and a Funeral service at 2:00 pm at FSBC Lawrence, 4300 W. 6th St. The burial will take place immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1605 Oak Hill Ave. in Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the non-profit Stop Soldier Suicide in memorial of Logan Hamby at https://stopsoldiersuicide2023.funraise.org/fundraiser/hamby or mail a donation directly to Stop Soldier Suicide, P.O. Box 110605, Durham, NC, 27709.

Elnora Burggraf

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Elnora A. Burggraf, 100, Lawrence, died Saturday, November 18, 2023.  She was born August 11, 1923 in Cherokee County, Kansas to Maurice L. and Pearl Everett Boggess.  Elnora was raised on a farm south of Hallowell, Kansas, where they raised wheat, oats, barley and corn.  She attended Cherokee County Community High School and graduated May 1941.  Elnora worked at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant during WW2, while the love of her life was stationed in the Aleutian Islands.  She was united in marriage to Donald L. Burggraf, Nov. 14, 1941.  He passed away Feb. 16, 2003.  They lived in Parsons, Kansas and raised 4 children.  In January 1959 the family of 6 moved to Lawrence, Kansas.  Elnora was a stay at home wife and mother until the early 1960’s.  She then worked at McCrory Otasco, Sunflower Ammunition Plant and retired from E & E Specialties.  Survivors include a daughter, Linda Fritz; sons, Lonnie Burggraf (Kay), John Burggraf (Vickie), Donald Burggraf (Sheryl); 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.


Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 24, 2023 at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home Home Chapel.  There will be a visitation from 10:00 A.M. till service time also on Friday.  Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions can be made to the VFW Auxiliary in Ottawa or to Meals on Wheels, care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.  Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.

Diana Lynn Smith

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Graveside services for Diana Lynn Smith, 63, Lawrence, will be 12 pm, Monday, November 27, 2023, at Oak Hill Cemetery. A Visitation will be from 11-12 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  A reception will follow the graveside services.

Diana Smith of Lawrence, KS passed away on Sunday November 19, 2023 in her home at the age of 63.

She was born September 5, 1960 in Wichita, KS, the daughter of Lloyd and Wilma Smith. She graduated from Frontenac High School in 1978 and earned a degree from Pittsburg State University in 1981.

She married John Smith on May 27, 1983. They moved to Lawrence. KS in 1984. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include daughters Tara Smith and Laura Terry (Dustin), and 2 grandchildren Ryder Terry and Hadley Terry. She is also survived by her sister Barbara (Bill) Budd and her brother Lloyd (Shari) Smith; brothers-in-law Larry Smith (Candyce), and Dean Smith; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Ralph E. Reschke

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Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Ralph Eugene Reschke, 88, at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Ralph passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Star Living Assisted Living Facility in Lawrence.

Ralph was born August 27, 1935, in Preston, NE, the son of William G. Reschke and Sophia E. Santo Reschke. Ralph grew up on farms in Preston, NE and Fairview, KS.

Ralph met his future wife, Mary Alice Ramsey, at the skating rink in Sycamore Springs, KS. They married on December 29th, 1956, in Dawson, NE, and moved to Lawrence, KS.

Ralph attended Kansas University for six years on a part-time basis and studied engineering. Ralph worked various jobs, including repairing autos at Lawrence service stations. Ralph was hired by Hallmark Cards at the Lawrence plant in 1959 as a maintenance engineer. While working for Hallmark, Ralph enjoyed traveling the world to install, repair, modify and transfer machinery in places such as Mexico, Europe, Africa, and Australia. Ralph retired from Hallmark in 2000.

Post-retirement, Ralph enjoyed fully restoring a 1930 Model A, a 2 door 1955 Plymouth Belvedere hardtop – the car of his youth, and a convertible 1955 Plymouth Belvedere. Ralph served as president of the Lawrence Region Antique Automobile Club of America for numerous years.

Ralph was active in the church throughout his time in Lawrence. Ralph was a long-time member of the St. John’s school board, and also served as its Athletic Director. He was on the parish council for many years and spent a large part of his life as an usher at both St. John’s and Corpus Christi.

Survivors include his children, Ralph Reschke, Jr. (Eradio Beltran), Arvada, CO, Christine Marie Reschke, Topeka, KS, Cynthia Ann Aldridge, Lawrence, Thomas William Reschke, Lawrence; eight grandchildren, Kathryn (Jay) VanBlaricum, Diana Spencer, Suzanne (Jay) Facer, Valerie (Dennison) Cox, Cameron Reschke, Natalie Reschke (Christopher Coffey), Toby (Bryanna) Aldridge, Ty Albright (Charles); six great grandchildren, Violet VanBlaricum, James and Michael Aldridge, Ryker and Mary Jo Coffey, Shipley Cox; his sister Joan Jurgensmeier of Salina, KS; his brother John’s wife Mary Ann Reschke of Valley Falls, KS, and a large extended family of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, William, Robert, John and Henry; two sisters, Mary Cashman and Ruth Ann; and his wife, Mary, who passed on October 13, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Daughter’s of Isabella – Corpus Christi or the Lawrence Region Antique Automobile Club and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. prior to the service on Thursday, November 30th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Joyce Ann Massey

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Joyce A. Massey, 83, formerly of Eudora, joined her Heavenly Father on November 17, 2023.  She passed away in Ottawa at her daughter’s home surrounded by her loved ones.

Joyce was born January 4, 1940 to Francis and Betha (Sharp) McConkey in Milan, Missouri. She moved to Sunflower Village when she was 5 years old. She graduated from Desoto High School in 1957.

She married Harold Massey on June 8, 1958 at Southern Baptist Church in Eudora. They met while she was working at A&W Root Beer in Lawrence while Harold was having a flat tire fixed across the street. They resided in Eudora with their two children, Mitch and Shari.

When her children were in grade school, she worked in the school cafeteria.  She later worked at Food 4 Less, Weaver’s Department Store, and retired while working for Farm Bureau Insurance Company.

In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling to disaster areas with her husband, Harold, who worked for FEMA. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and two generations of nieces and nephews.  She was proud to be a Christian.  Over the years, she was involved in many bible studies and prayer groups with close friends.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Shari Eichenberger of Ottawa; daughter-in-law, Cathy Massey of Eudora; grandson, David Massey of Eudora; granddaughters- Shelby (Cody) McCarty of Leawood and Lauren Massey of Longmont, CO; great grandsons- Isayah Green of Bonner Springs, William Steinberger of Overland Park, and Breck McCarty of Leawood; sisters- Frances “Loudie” (Dave) Macey of Lees Summit, MO, and Patricia (Patrick) Dardis of Eudora; many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents Francis & Betha, husband Harold Massey, son Mitchell Massey, sister Brenda Long, and brother Mike McConkey.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 25th at 2:00pm. There will be a visitation on Friday, November 24th from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Both funeral and visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. Burial will be at Eudora City Cemetery following funeral. Memorial contributions can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Leona Eva (Schmalz) Maxon

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Leona Eva (Schmalz) Maxon, 103, of Baldwin City, Kansas, died on November 15, 2023. She was born to John and Elizabeth Schmalz on January 14, 1920 in Paris, Arkansas. She was the fifth of 15 children.

She married Thomas L. Maxon on April 28, 1940. Together they owned a moving company in Kansas City, Maxon Transfer and Delivery. He preceded her in death in 1980.

Leona spent many years on the Maxon family farm near LaCygne, Kansas. In her later years she lived in Paola. Her final years were spent at Vintage Park in Baldwin City, Kansas where she got the nickname “Smiley”.

Leona had 3 sons; Ron (Joyce) Maxon, Kevin Maxon, and Tim (Diane) Maxon. She also raised three stepchildren; Tom, Carol, and Don. Her son Ron preceded her in death as have all three of her stepchildren. She is survived by a brother, Robert Schmalz (Peggy) and a sister, Betty Gravenstein.

Twelve siblings have preceded her in death. Two great granddaughters, Heather Maxon and Sandra Moore, have also preceded her.

Surviving are many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Leona enjoyed cooking, quilting, church functions, and spending time with friends and family.

Funeral Mass will be 10am, Monday, November 20, 2023, at Annunciation Catholic Church, 740 N 6th St, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Visitation to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Catholic Charities in care of the funeral home.

Richard “Dick” Leines

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Dick Leines was born in Willmar, MN, on July 8, 1937, to Arthur and Hattie Leines. He was baptized on August 8, 1937, and confirmed on July 16, 1950, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater, MN. Dick graduated from Willmar High School in 1955, and attended college at St. Olaf in Northfield, MN, St. Cloud State and Mankato State. He was a member of bands and orchestras throughout his college days, playing tuba and drums.

Dick worked at many jobs throughout his life starting in grade school as a farm hand, and then working at gas stations, fuel-oil-bulk plants, a grocery store, a residential dairy route, a soft ice cream business, a music store, helping to repair band instruments, a cafeteria (in college), as well as painting houses, doing highway construction and driving a taxi.Through working at a Nursing Home in college, he ended up leasing and operating a Nursing Home in Madelia, MN, where he met and married the love of his life, Janis Madson, in 1959. He went on with Health Care Administration in a small hospital in Minnesota and later opened several new Nursing Homes in Kansas, the last being a Medicare-approved facility in the mid-60s.

Dick was in sales for 15 years. He then worked for Cottonwood, Inc. in Lawrence, for 24 years, the last 20 of which he was the Human Resources Director. He retired in 2011. During retirement, Dick spent many hours transporting handicapped individuals to church, doctor appointments, etc.

Dick and Jan raised three children who were their pride and joy. He is survived by his wife, Jan: three children – daughter Terry (Greg) Burris, Garland, TX, son Rick (Shirl), Lenexa, KS, and son Jon (Elyce), Colorado Springs, CO: and six grandchildren – Amy Leines, Parker, CO, Eric Leines, Overland Park, KS, Bryan Leines, Ashburn, VA, Elle and Matthew Leines, Colorado Springs, CO, and Zane Burris, State College, PA. Dick is also survived by his sister, Beatrice Devereaux of Litchfield, MN, and several nieces and nephews.

Dick enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed music, driving, traveling, woodworking, and reading. Other interests and hobbies included involvement with his church, Immanuel Lutheran, where he held several positions over the years. He also served as the first president of the Haskell LIGHT Board of Directors in Lawrence. He was a charter member of the Salina Barbershop Chorus, and after moving to Lawrence, sang with the Heart of America Barbershop Chorus in Kansas City for several years.

Additionally, the family of Dick Leines would like to send a special thank you to A Helping Hand and Visiting Nurses for the care and assistance they gave Richard.

Memorial services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 2, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway, Lawrence. Visitation 10-11 am at the church, prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Rosendale Lutheran Church, Madelia, MN, at a later date.The family suggests memorials in Dick’s name to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cottonwood,Inc., or Haskell LIGHT, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.