Category: Obituaries

Derek Kent Mitchell Sr.

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Derek Kent Mitchell Sr., 59.  He left behind his earthly life on Saturday, October 12, 2024, surrounded by his family. Derek was born on March 2, 1965, to Kenneth Mitchell and Donna (Vann) Mitchell in Lawrence, KS. Derek attended Lawrence Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. During his early elementary years, Derek was known to leave Pinckney without permission and walk to his grandmother’s house. He would show up at her door and exclaim a whole day of school is too long. He attended West Junior High School and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1983.

Derek started work as a teenager with his first job being a paper boy with his very own route. In high school, he moved from throwing papers for the Journal-World to dishwashing at Sirloin Stockade. Upon graduating from high school he worked briefly at Packer Plastics and then landed a job at K-Mart Corporation/Sears Holding Company where he worked for 33 years in quality control. During this time Derek also completed certifications through Kaw Valley Vocational School and operated Mitchell’s Cabinetry for 10 years while working full-time at K-Mart Corp. Many homes have cabinets built by Derek from his one-man shop. He was a skilled and talented carpenter. Derek’s last 5 years of employment were spent with Hallmark Cards. Derek valued hard work and displayed it every day of his life through his work ethic and the sacrifices he made to support his family.

Derek was a 1st round draft pick as an armchair quarterback and he loved cheering for KU basketball, yelling at KU football, and celebrating the KC Chiefs. Derek was a car enthusiast, especially automobiles and motorcycles with power and speed. He appreciated good music from all genres and could often be found in his music studio picking on one of his many guitars. He always said, “A man could not have too many guitars.” Over the years he played in a few bands, the most notable of all was “Fried Chicken” and in the past, he had also played for his church choir.

Derek’s first and second loves were music and cars. He knew them long before his third and final love, Tina. Derek married Tina on June 23, 1990, and they enjoyed 34 years together. They were blessed with two children. Derek will forever beam with pride over the man and woman his son DJ and daughter Tori have become.

Derek gave his life to Christ as a young father and was fully aware of the meaning of his commitment and privilege. He embraced God’s love and promise.

Derek was preceded by his grandparents, Elmer Oliver Vann, Mildred Fern (Reddick) Vann, and Samuel and Sarah Mitchell.

Derek is survived by his wife, children, and parents and by his brother, Mychael Mitchell; sisters, Pamela (Isiah) Lawson, and Kimberly (Keith) Fowler; nieces and nephew, Gementri Fowler, Andre McNeely, Lauren (Braxton) McNeely-Harris, Chanelle McCluer, and DeOnna Fowler;  brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold (Muriel) Cook, Sandra Hardin, Terry Cook, James (Cathy) Hilliard, Gary (Brenda) Hilliard, Nicki Carter, Rudy (Becky) Hillard, Rhonda Smith, Dale (Susan) Hilliard and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Funeral services will be officiated by Rev. Reginald E. Bachus, Pastor of Friendship Baptist, Chicago, Il., and Rev. Delmar White, Senior Pastor at New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Topeka KS at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the funeral home.  A Repass and Celebration of Life will follow at 6 Mile Chop House at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the American Heart Association, 5800 Foxridge Dr., Mission, KS 66202 or your local blood bank.

Donald Eugene Haar

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Donald Eugene Haar, 75, of Lawrence, Kansas, formerly Peoria, passed away at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 at Bridge Haven in Lawrence, Kansas. Don was born on September 6, 1949 in Burlington, IA to Ralph and Margaret (Welch) Haar. He was raised in the Monmouth area and graduated from Avon High School in 1966.

He married Linda S. Bensel on April 8, 1972, in Peoria.

After high school, Don attended the University of Illinois in Champaign and completed his degree in Engineering at Bradley University. He worked as a service engineer for Caterpillar Inc. for 39 years, serving globally and residing in Peoria, Lafayette, IN and Geneva Switzerland.

Upon retiring he consulted part-time, specializing in emission enhancements for a cleaner environment, and moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Don enjoyed gardening, sports and playing card games and croquet with family.

He is survived by one daughter, Angela Haar and one son, Aaron Haar (Megan Kepler). Also surviving is Linda Haar, two nephews and two grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Christine (Haar) Musava.

A service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, 10:30 a.m., at First United Methodist Church located at 221 E. Broadway in Monmouth, followed with a burial at Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Bridge Haven and Interim Healthcare for their support and excellent care they provided to Don.

Janet Ruth Winkler

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Janet Ruth Winkler, aged 74, passed away on October 11, 2024, in Kansas City, KS. Born on May 10, 1950, Janet was known for her loving nature, eternal optimism and servant’s heart. She lived a life filled with enduring faith, deep convictions and a fierce devotion to family.

Janet had many fond childhood memories that include participating in Girl Scouts, 4-H, and spending summers at her grandparents’ farm with her cousins. She graduated from Oak Park High School in Kansas City, MO, before furthering her education at Maple Woods Community College and the University of Central Missouri where she earned degrees in Art and Parks and Recreation. Janet dedicated over 30 years of service to the US Postal Service, most notably as a clerk at the Wyandotte West Post Office, where she was known for her friendliness, joy and dependability. After retiring in 2009, Janet remained active in her community as a Master Gardener volunteer for the Wyandotte County Extension and was a founding member of the Turner Community Garden. She dedicated thousands of hours of service to youth programs, Wyandotte County Agricultural Hall of Fame, 4-H, and won numerous ribbons at the annual Wyandotte County Fair for her vegetables, canned goods, flowers, and her mother’s honey.

Janet was a devoted caregiver, an artist, and she always prioritized the nurturing of her people, her plants, and her community. Her hobbies were as varied as they were fulfilling. Janet was an avid reader and enjoyed bringing her children and then grandchildren to an array of library programs. She was a talented baker known for her scratch recipes and famous for her pies with made-from-scratch crusts. Janet served as a PTA president, taught Sunday School, and was a Girl Scout leader for many years.

Janet’s love for adventure took her hiking and camping in numerous State and National Parks. She and her husband enjoyed attending art exhibitions, concerts, community education lectures, and sailing at the lake with the dogs.

Janet’s pride in her daughters was only exceeded by her adoration for her grandchildren. Her love and support were unmatched, always the most enthusiastic supporter at sporting events, school programs, recitals, and art shows. She eagerly shared her love of gardening and baking with her grandkids and was endlessly patient with the joyful mess of children’s projects.

Janet was a beloved member of her family, survived by her husband, Mark Winkler; daughters, Angie Winkler, Carolyn Winkler, and Kenya Taylor; and grandchildren, Nathan, Willie, Jackson, Emily, and Demario; as well as countless extended family and bonus grandchildren. She was a cherished friend and will be remembered by so many for her contagious laugh, her warmth and her kindness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Carolyn (Wilcox) and Lyndell Charles Miller, and her sister, Elizabeth (Miller) Inmon.

Services to celebrate Janet’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 1:00pm at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, in Lawrence, KS. Janet was deeply committed to the care and preservation of the natural world and will have a green burial at the Oak Hill Cemetery – Natural Burial Plot in Lawrence, KS, following the service. Attendants are encouraged to bring native plants, flowers or grasses to add to the natural burial.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Turner Community Garden, at 5:00pm on October 16, 2024, to share memories and commemorate Janet’s life.  Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in Janet’s memory, honoring her generous and caring spirit.

J. Duane Mortensen

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Duane Mortensen (96) of Lawrence, KS, passed away on October 9, 2024, in Lawrence. He was born on a farm near Royal, lowa, on December 3, 1927, the third son of John and Ella Mortensen. He was a kind, generous, friendly man, who was always curious about the world, a true gentleman, and an avid reader and sports fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Darrel, Virgil, and Vernon. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Audrey, three children, Mary Mortensen, Lawrence, KS, Ruth Mortensen, Chicago, IL, Neal Mortensen (Trena), Indianapolis, IN; two grandchildren, Tristan Mortensen (Erika Schlichter), Riner, VA, and Tianna Maschger (Tyler), St. Petersburg, FL, two great-granddaughters, Elan and Layla, one brother Ronald (Barbara) Mortensen, Valley, NE,, and one sister, Peggy Miller, Ft. Worth , TX, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

He attended country schools as a child then graduated as valedictorian from Royal High School in 1945. He worked for Hale Grain Co. in Royal for 18 months (including driving a school bus), prior to serving in the U.S. Army of Occupation in Seoul, Korea until 1948. Under the G.I. Bill, he attended the University of lowa and graduated with a B.S. in Commerce in 1952.

Duane was active in the Lutheran campus ministry in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he met his future wife in 1953, Audrey Mortvedt, who was serving as Lutheran Counselor to Students. They were married in Dell Rapids, SD, on Oct. 16, 1955, and had three children, Mary, Ruth and Neal. Family vacations including visiting 47 states, as many state capitols as possible, as well as going to many baseball games featuring his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.

He was an accountant at the John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works from 1952-1963 and at the John Deere Dubuque Works from 1963 until his retirement as Plant Controller in 1982. In Iowa, Duane served as president of the Dubuque Industrial Bureau and on the boards of the Dubuque Savings and Loan, the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, the lowa Taxpayers’ Association and the Governor’s Commission on Judicial Compensation. He served on the board of Aquinas Institute in Dubuque and also as president of the Dubuque Library Board and was active in the politics. He and Audrey received the Distinguished Civic Service Award from the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce in 1975. He also served on many congregational and area leadership positions in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

He served as Business Manager of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque from 1982-1987, then he, and his wife Audrey, retired to Springfield, MO, living there until 1999. They enjoyed spending time in the Ozarks, where they had spent their honeymoon. They then spent 11 years in Columbia, MO, and moved to Lawrence, KS in 2010 into a duplex at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

The funeral will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2211 Inverness, at 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Inurnment will be held in the spring of 2025 at Stordahl Lutheran Cemetery, Dell Rapids, SD.

Memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund, 1429 Kasold, Lawrence, KS 66049 or the Lawrence Public Library Friends and Foundation, PO Box 973, Lawrence, KS 66044 or at lplks.org/give

William Roger Stoner

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WILLIAM ROGER STONER

AUGUST 7,1943 to SEPTEMBER 29, 2024.

Son of Ivan and Virginia Stoner. Brother to Jill (Jim Virginia) Tilton, Virginia Stoner, and David

Stoner, here is something he wrote on Chief Table Paper.

JOY LAND MEMORIES

…” In Wichita when I was a kid, maybe Six or seven years old, my dad often took the family to the amusement park, a place called JOY LAND, which had a huge rollercoaster almost too scary to ride. For many years my great aunt had a pony ride there and we got all the free rides we wanted. But the best thing about the place was that behind the pony ride was a sizable collection of Steam Tractors and Threshing Machines in all the stages of repair and restoration. My little brother and I would escape as soon as possible and head back to those big machines and spend as much time as we could just fooling around climbing all over them, opening doors, turning wheels and knobs, and yanking levers. Then my parents would find us, haul us back to the midway, and try to make us behave “like other kids”.

Years later, I found out that the park was owned and operated by the Ottaway family. “Bill Ottaway” in his younger days, had been very successful as a Racine manager for Harley-Davidson. And by the time I developed an interest in motorbikes, he had become a legendary figure in U.S Motorcycle Racine History. His son Herb was well known as a Top Eight Restorer of Antique Machinery, Steam Tractors and motorcycles as well.

In 1949 or so, I didn’t know anything about the Ottaway’s but I do know that climbing around on those bug tractors beat riding those little ponies by a Mile!…

His sister Jill said Bill was the smartest and the most athletic of the four kids, playing baseball and football well. When I met him, he liked “cuties”, motorcycles, wood working, good engineering, Formula 1, and sport car racing.

A conversation with Bill was like reading Hemingway or watching Marlon Brandon act. It was exciting and filled with minutia, often recounting adventure and misadventure on his motorcycle. Bill could remember and recount details that made any conversation fun and I’d learn something. In his early thirties, he decided to make some circular Steamed Wooded Shaker Boxes with matching lids. They were all beautiful and perfect like everything else he did.

During his last years, Bill had good neighbors and friends like Oscar and Olga Nicoloff. They shared Wonderful Uruguayan dishes with him and took him shopping at the Dollar Store.

For the last month, Bill was content at Tonganoxie Terrace Nursing Home enjoying the company of pretty girls. A nice young man, along with others like my wife Claudia and children attended all his needs. He had good food, plenty of ice cream, and a comfortable bed to add to his happiness

If anyone wanted to give Bill a happy dream, he would have encouraged them to help someone without letting them know it. The Lawrence Public Library was his second home, and he supported KPR. Bill will be interred with his family in Wichita. Bill’s other good Church of Christ neighbor, let Bill pick up sticks all over the Church grounds, putting them in neat piles under the trees making it easier to mow. This made Bill happy.

Todd Daniel Ellison

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Todd Daniel Ellison, age 59 of Lawrence, passed away October 7, 2024. Todd was born October 6, 1965 in Lawrence, Kansas to parents Donald Schaefer and Ava Jane Vandeventer-Ellison. As a young man, Todd served in the Army National Guard operating heavy tanks and artillery, and spent a number of years on active duty. Todd worked as head maintenance and possessed a vast knowledge of handy skills—he was HVAC certified and had such a strong work ethic. He was the first person his friends and family would call when they needed advice with a project or vehicle.

He was united in marriage to Anna Leamon in 2018 and spent many lovely years together. In this time Todd really explored creating metal artwork, pottery, e-biking, and cooking with his granddaughter. He loved having family over for dinner and spending time with those he cared for. Those who knew Todd knew him for how selfless, strong, and loving he was.

Todd was preceded in death by his brother, Terry Lee Ellison. He is survived by his wife, Anna Leamon of Lawrence; daughter, Lindee Liggett and husband Joey of Lawrence; stepsons, Isaac Barrett and Donald Mellenbruch and wife Ashley of Texas; step-daughter, Renee Mosher and husband Jon of Lawrence; grandchildren, Cooper Lee, Haylee, Dominic, Hadleigh and Dax; one sister, Tani Ruff and husband Danny of Ozawkie, Kansas and a host of other relatives and close friends.

Memorial Services are set for 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. There is an optional dress code of his favorite color, baby blue, for the service. The family has asked any memorials be made to The Cancer Society in honor of Todd.

Cheryl Lee Alley

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Services for Cheryl Alley, 61, of Lawrence, will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, KS 66044. Burial and graveside services will take place at Hubble Hill Cemetery Kearny Ave, Tonganoxie, KS 66086

Cheryl passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.

She was born April 15, 1963, in Lawrence, the daughter of Lloyd and Margaret Douglas. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1981 and later became a nurse at Lawrence Plastic Surgery where she worked for (20) years. She was an avid KU Jayhawks and KC Chiefs fan. She enjoyed spending time with family and taking walks with her husband.

She is survived by her husband Henry Green and her brothers Mark Douglas (Kathy) Douglas and Steven (Norma) Douglas, along with her sons and daughters Bryan Alley (Monica Alley) and Cody Alley (Jessica Alley), and  granddaughters Thea, Emmalee, and Viola. Other survivors include her nieces and nephews, Amber, Ashley, Marie, Steven, Michael, Daniel, Jason and Anne.

The family suggests sending flowers to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home the day before services October 15.

Dorothy H. Miltner

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Dorothy H. Miltner, age 99 of Lawrence, Kansas passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024. Dorothy was born September 15, 1925 to Myron L. Dicker and Cecil M. Dicker (Pine) in Lawrence, Kansas. Dorothy graduated from Lawrence Memorial High School in 1943. On August 23, 1947 she married Hugh F. Miltner.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Mark (Rose), Margaret Lause (Michael), and Myron (Dorothy); six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and her sister Marian Braden (Virgil).

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Blaine, two sisters Margaret Cheek and Betty Miller, a brother Robert, and an infant granddaughter Julie Lause.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Monday October 7, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow immediately at Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 or Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N 4th St, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Robert Allen “Bob” Heacock

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Memorial Services for Robert Allen Heacock, 91, of Lawrence, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 12, at First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold, in Lawrence, Kansas. A private interment for family will take place at another time.

Mr. Heacock died on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born November 21, 1932 in Altamont, Kansas, to parents Alvie Daniel Heacock and Erma Florine Brown Heacock. He graduated from Winfield High School in 1950, and attended Southwestern College in Winfield briefly prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1953.

He married Darlene Louise Cullumber on July 17, 1952, in Winfield, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 15, 2009. He married Rev. Sandra Marie Stanford Walton on December 27, 2009. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Rev. Douglas Heacock (Carolyn), Lawrence, KS, and Bradley Heacock (Patty), Lee’s Summit, MO; two daughters, Teresa Gottstein (Steve), Lawrence, and Anne Munsterman (Dave), Lawrence; two stepsons, Timothy Walton, Aptos, CA, and Tom Walton (Lori), Lawrence; and a stepdaughter, Angie Danner (Ralph), Offenburg, Germany; a brother, John Heacock (Ruth), Anderson, TX, and a sister, Vivian Howell (James), Liberty, MO; twenty-one grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

While serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Heacock was assigned to the Army Corp of Engineers and was stationed at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He worked there under Dr. Werner von Braun, on the development of the Redstone rocket, and was honorably discharged in 1955, having attained the rank of Corporal. Mr. Heacock received an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Capital Radio Engineering Institute, Washington, D.C., and also attended the University of Cincinnati. He worked in engineering groups at Boeing, Cessna, General Electric, RCA Corporation, and DuPont. In 1966 he returned to Kansas to work on a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kansas, graduating in 1969. During his time as a KU student he also taught in the electrical engineering labs. After graduation, he worked for FMC Corporation, Lawrence, for 29 years. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and served in many positions in the Kansas City section and as a representative on regional and national committees. He was a registered professional engineer in Kansas. He received many safety awards and other awards from ASME. In retirement he taught for six years in the KU School of Engineering as a visiting lecturer.

He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, Lawrence, and served in many leadership roles there over the years, including singing bass in the choir and teaching Sunday School classes. He loved our family trips to the Blythe Spirit cabin in Colorado. In retirement, he wrote children’s stories and history books, repaired furniture, and enjoyed swimming, fishing, golf, and travel. In 2008 he became a licensed private pilot, and enjoyed flying for several years. Other hobbies included woodworking, sewing and tatting, model railroading, gardening, acting, amateur radio, hiking and sailing.

Mr. Heacock was a member of the Boy Scouts, Senior Scouts, and Cosmopolitan International.

The family will receive visitors at a reception following the service at the church on October 12.