Category: Obituaries

Thomas Michael Skrtic

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Services for Thomas Michael Skrtic, 75, Lawrence, will be at 6pm Thursday December 2 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be in McKeesport, PA on December 4.

Dr. Skrtic died on November 19, 2021 at the University of Kansas, Medical Center.

He was born in McKeesport, PA on August 10, 1946, the son of Paul and Caroline Skrtic.

Dr. Skrtic, was a distinguished scholar who wrote with rigor and deep intellectual insight into how the problem of institutions, the professions, laws and policy shaped the field of special education, and the impact of these on children with disability and their families. He joined the Special Education faculty of the University of Kansas in 1976. He won numerous honors for his research and teaching and was recently appointed the Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Special Education. His scholarship was informed by numerous local, regional, and statewide projects he directed over several decades. This work was enriched by many graduate students whom he wholeheartedly respected and mentored.

Dr. Skrtic was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Caroline, and his sister Cathy, who was well known in the Lawrence and KU communities.

Eugene James “Jim” Breshears

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Services for Eugene James “Jim” Breshears, 76, Lawrence, will be 11am Sat, Dec. 4 at Victory Bible Church, 1942 Massachusetts St. (Due to parade traffic, please use 19th or 23rd street)

Mr. Breshears died Nov. 22, 2021.

He was born on January 24th, 1945 in Berkeley, CA. to Helen & Eugene (both deceased).
Growing up his family owned a golf course and the Granada Cafe here in Lawrence and then went on to join the Navy as a boiler man. Then upon his return, he worked at Jayhawk Paper Co, KMART distribution center, and Kansas University.

He was married to Patricia E. Martin from 1975 to 1984 and had 2 children, Eugene R. Breshears and Lori S. Shackelford.

He was married to Anna Mae McNeal from 1984 to 1995 and had 5 children, Ronnie E. Breshears, Joshua E. Breshears (deceased), Elizabeth M. Clark, Matthew J. Breshears (deceased), and Mary M. Billingsly.
He is survived by a sister, Donna, brother, JJ, Ronnie’s fiancé, Katalyn Brandy, and 7 grandchildren: Aron, Netanya, Olivia, Makenzie, Gunner, Gabriella, & Haleigh.
He was also preceded in death by stepfather, Ward Shull, brother, William (Bill) Breshears, and Matthew’s finance, Elizabeth Allen.

Jill Darcene Penrod

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Jill Darcene Penrod went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 23, 2021 after a brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born in Kansas City, KS to Chester R. Nelson and Katherine (Glory) Nelson on January 23, 1936. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1953. She graduated from Park College in 1973. She was an elementary school teacher in Kansas City, KS. She married Robert M. Penrod on June 17, 1960 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS. She continued teaching throughout her life. Jill had a passion for helping others. She fostered many children throughout the years. She loved to sing and play the piano. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her husband on February 7, 2006. She is survived by her sister Donna G. Russell of Lawrence, KS and her six children, Darin K. Penrod (Cheri) Kansas City, MO, Staci A. Earl Lawrence, KS, David R. Penrod (Marni) Lawrence, KS, Debby S. Slifer (Scott) Olathe, KS, Kari B. Lewis (Warren) Olathe, KS, Paula Gregory (Gary) Fort Worth, TX, grandson and caretaker Joshua T. Penrod Lawrence, KS, and 12 other grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. There will be a visitation at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on November 29, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Burial Service will be Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Bonner Springs Cemetery in Bonner Springs, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harvesters Food pantry.

Raymond H. ‘Ray’ Kulp

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Born April 27, 1942, to Kate Edith Cameron and Frank Edward Kulp in Haddam Kansas. He was the youngest of four children, Ruth Rossell, Dr. Kathleen Kulp-Hill, and Dale Kulp, who all preceded him in death. Raymond died November 22, 2021, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence Kansas.

Raymond graduated from Haddam High School and joined the Air Force shortly after, in 1962, and served as an airplane mechanic until 1966. He earned his minor in Accounting from Fort Hays Kansas State University in 1969.

He also met Cheryl Ann Redd at Fort Hays and married her on June 1, 1969, in St. John, Kansas. They had three children, Douglas Edward, Christina Marie, and Lila Renee. Lila married William L. Shaumeyer on July 15, 2000 in Lawrence Kansas. Ray’s granddaughters, Alexandra Renee Shaumeyer, age 15, and Erica Joyce Shaumeyer, age 10, gave him endless joy.

Ray worked at a variety of jobs and his last long term employment was at Ladicom as a lazer printer technician. For a brief time he drove a bus for KU on Wheels and enjoyed meeting and interacting with the students.

His time in the Air Force began a lifelong interest in airplanes. He earned a pilot’s license July 8, 1968, and was a lifelong member of The Combat Air Museum in Topeka Kansas. He was well known for his sense of humor and stories.

Donations in his honor can be made to the Combat Air Museum or any veteran’s organization.

Connie Jean Trowbridge

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Services for Connie Jean Trowbridge, 80, formerly of Overland Park and Lawrence, KS will beheld on Saturday November 27th, 2021 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3615 w 10th street, Lawrence, KS, 66049. A viewing will be from 2-3:30 and graveside services will follow directly after at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Connie was born on August 10th, 1941 in Ogden, Utah. She was the daughter of Howard M. Hendrix and Jean Elsie Budge.

She married John Howard Trowbridge on June 21st, 1961 at the Logan Temple in Utah.

While living in Lawrence and Overland Park, Connie was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, quilting, and her grandchildren.

Connie is survived by two daughters Tammy Lynn (Earl Randel), Linda Huggins, and daughter in-law Jennifer Trowbridge; brothers, Allan Hendrix and Jerry Hendrix. Connie had 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Howard, her husband, John, and her son Bruce.

Barbara Ann Smalter

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Barbara Ann Mansfield Smalter, 93, departed Lawrence, KS, November 20th, 2021

Wife to Donald J, sister to Francis and Wayne, mother to five children, all current or previous residents of Lawrence- Kent, Greg, Marty, Colleen, Janet, and grandmother, great grandmother to all of our children. A loving mother challenged with raising children in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, defender of women’s rights at all dinner discussions, community support advocate providing time and funds to Habitat for Humanity and countless Meals on Wheels deliveries, and believer of God. Mom was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, traveled around the world, lived in many places, and chose Lawrence, KS in her final years to nurture her family while longing to return to the subtropical weather of Florida where she once lived. May she be basking in the warmth of golden sunshine, Rest in Peace Mom.

A private memorial service will be held January 15th with family, photos, memories, laughter, tears and love. In lieu of flowers, please donate to her granddaughter’s organization, The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center online at stacarecenter.org or through Venmo @stacarecenter.

Eleanor Joanne (Lady) Jones

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A celebration of life for Eleanor Joanne (Lady) Jones, 90, Lawrence, will take place at a later date.

Eleanor Joanne Jones (Lady) died on November 20, 2021 with her family by her side at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Eleanor was born on June 4, 1931 in Ottawa, KS and was the oldest daughter of Katherine and Wayne Lady.

She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, as well as her son Steve Jones of Lawrence, KS and her daughter Deb Jones from Massachusetts.

She is predeceased by her brother Ronald Lady and her sister Karen Redford.

Eleanor has one surviving sister, Elaine Berry who lives in Virginia. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1949. Eleanor was instrumental in working at the University of Kansas Computer Center for 17 years. During her early retirement days, she and her husband enjoyed traveling the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, and the Southwest. Eleanor loved playing Pinochle with her St. John card buddies.

We will miss her stories of her early days living in North Lawrence with the “Sand Rats”.

Her family wants to give thanks to Floor 3W at LMH and the adult day center and home support of PACE

Randy Eugene Miller

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Funeral services for Randy Eugene Miller, 66, Gardner, will be 11 am, Monday, December 6, 2021, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.  A visitation will be Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 3-4 pm.

Randy Eugene Miller was born in Lawrence, KS on August 28, 1955 to Roffle Mayes Miller and Ella Mae (McPike) Miller. Randy passed away November 15, 2021 at the home of his brother Steven in Gardner, KS.

He attended Lawrence schools, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1974. He joined the army in 1975 and was honorably discharged in 1977 as a Pvt. 2nd Class. Randy moved to Maine upon leaving the army. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine with his degree in Communications. Randy eventually made his home in Gonic, NH where he was an automotive mechanical technician before moving back to Kansas.

Randy loved the outdoors and simply walking the trails, especially the Gonic trails. He was also a huge history buff who could keep you on the phone for hours describing all the facts he had researched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Roffle, Jr., and two sisters Linda Marie and Edythe Willhite.

Randy is survived by his brothers Thomas (Wendy), Jonathan (Vicki) and Steven (Shelly); sisters Gayle Sims (Alan), Brenda, Anita Sims (David), Patricia Davis (Mitchell), and Christina Graham (Larry). Randy is survived as well by his many nieces and nephews.

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Janet Elaine Pollard

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Janet Elaine Pollard, 62, died Sunday, November 14, 2021, at Overland Park Memorial Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas.  Her sons, Gideon and Gabriel VanRiette, were both by her side when she passed.  A Visitation for Ms. Pollard will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, November 21st, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.  Attendees will be required to wear masks at the funeral home and for the service.

She was born April 10, 1959, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Jerry and Nelly Kate (Rippy) Pollard.  She moved with her family to Mannford, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Mannford High School in 1977.  She attended college at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. She later obtained her associate degree in business administration from Allen County Community College.

While at Graceland University, Ms. Pollard met Bradford VanRiette. The two married in 1979.  Together they had sons Gideon and Gabriel. They divorced in 1987.  Ms. Pollard married James M. Rodman in 1988. They later divorced.

Ms. Pollard considered her most important role as that of a mother, though she held a variety of other jobs throughout her life including providing end of life care for ailing individuals and working as a pharmacy technician.  Ms. Pollard was also an active member of her church, where she played the piano, arranged for special speakers, and organized church events.  She spent most of her adult life in Iola, Kansas.

In recent years, Ms. Pollard resided at Delmar Gardens of Overland Park, Kansas.  She is survived by her sons, Gideon VanRiette of Chicago, Illinois, and Gabriel VanRiette and his wife, Janet Pontious, of Lawrence, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Heart Association.  Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.