Category: Obituaries

Gary Lee Aldridge

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Graveside services for Gary Lee Aldridge, 70, Lawrence, will be held privately at 10am Friday, November 27th, 2020, at Union Cemetery in Baldwin City, KS. The service will be streamed live on the Facebook page of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mr. Aldridge died Wednesday, November 18th, 2020, at his home.

He was born November 9th, 1950, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Albert and Virginia Aldridge. At a young age, he moved to Kansas and grew up near The Globe Store, where he attended Wakarusa Elementary School. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1969 and shortly after served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Gary worked at Bud Jennings Carpet, Jayhawk Plumbing, and most recently was a bus driver with First Student. His passions were fishing and sports, especially cheering on the Jayhawks and Chiefs. But most importantly to him was spending time with family and friends.

He married Cynthia Ann Reschke on August 15th, 1986, in Lawrence. They had just celebrated their 34th Wedding Anniversary.

He was known for his wit, smile, and caring personality. Gary was friends with anyone he’d ever met. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Other survivors include a son, Toby Aldridge, wife Bryanna, and grandson James of Olathe, Kansas; a daughter, Ty Albright and husband Charles of Avon, Colorado; two brothers, Albert Aldridge and wife Joyce of Baldwin City, Kansas, Preston Aldridge and wife Rose of Elizabeth, Colorado; and sister, Jan Emerson of Lawrence, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Lawrence Schools Foundation, in memory of Gary Aldridge, sent in care to Lawrence Public Schools at 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Rex Duane Slankard

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Rex D. Slankard, “Pa”, was received into heaven on November 20, 2020 at the age of 85 surrounded by family at home. His death was six weeks after receiving the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was much loved by his family. Rex was born to George and Cecil Slankard on September 9, 1935 at Greenwood Township, Kansas. He moved to Princeton, KS at the age of 5 and grew up there, went to high school in Williamsburg, KS, graduated from Williamsburg in 1953 and went on to K-State for one year. He started farming while in high school, was involved in F.F.A. and he continued farming all of his life until completing the fall harvest two weeks ago. Rex also worked at Farmers Co-op in Lawrence for over 20 years before retiring in 2001.

He met his future wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Finley in the spring of 1956. They were married in 1957 and she survives in the home after 63 years of marriage. Rex & Betty have a family of four daughters (Cathleen Cribbs, Faith Gorden, Christina DeArmond, and Amy Deay) and one son (Daniel Slankard) all married to wonderful spouses. They have 15 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren as well as one great-grandson in heaven to greet him. He was proceeded in death by his parents, three sisters, and three brothers as well as the great grandson.

His family went on many family vacations together with many happy memories. Rex loved being around all of them. They spent most holidays and birthdays out on the farm with Rex & Betty. He was a quiet man with deep feelings for the Lord. He will be missed by his church family also.

Services will be held at Eudora Baptist Church on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at 11 am. A visitation will be from 10 to service time. Memorials may be made to Eudora Baptist Church, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Michelle Elizabeth Pavlicek

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It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Michelle Elizabeth Pavlicek of Lawrence, KS on November 19, 2020 at the age of 65 years.

Michelle was born October 12, 1955 in Omaha, NE to Raymond and Marilyn Waner (both deceased). She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1973.

She married the love of her life Arland Pavlicek Jr, 67, on April 12, 1975. They were blessed with over 45 years of cherished memories of loving life together. A dedicated wife and mother, she treasured her family and embraced every moment with them.

Michelle worked for the USD497 for over 30 years. She shared her warmth and kindness with everyone she met.

Michelle will forever live in the hearts of her husband and her two children, Jason (Bah) Pavlicek and Rebecca Pavlicek. She is survived by her loving sisters Lynette Doucett, Jeanette Waner and Francine Koenig.

The family wishes to thank the staff of LMH Health, Lawrence first responders and police for their care and compassion.

A private family service was held in her honor. Memorial donations may be made in the name of Michelle Pavlicek to the American Heart Association, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Richard Paul ‘Dick’ Ashcraft

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Richard Paul Ashcraft, Lawrence, KS, was born March 27, 1935 in Ness City, Kansas to Cloyd Pennington and Ruby Owens Pennington. As a toddler, Dick’s father died and he was adopted by Willard Lee and Ruth Orr Ashcraft. Dick grew up in Newton, Kansas, attending Cooper Elementary School, Newton Junior High and graduating from Newton High School in 1953. He enjoyed his high school years, especially playing trumpet in the band and serving as a drum major. Class reunions were a highlight of his later years and he surely enjoyed his tight-knit graduating class. Dick served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958 on active duty, followed by two years of inactive duty.

Dick was married to Susan Fagan Ashcraft, his tennis partner. She survives. To this happy union were born James Richard Ashcraft and Erin Sue Ashcraft, who survive, of Lawrence. Other survivors include sister Elaine Dill of Hugoton, Kansas, and numerous nephews and nieces. Dick was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters in the Pennington family. Ashcrafts preceding Dick in death were: brothers Glen, Carroll, and Leroy, all of Newton, and sister Norma, of Hesston.

Dick worked at many jobs, including positions with Pepsi Cola, Santa Fe Railroad, Household Finance, Douglas County Bank, and Berry Plastics. His true calling was as a husband and father, and he excelled at those vocations. His interests included golf, tennis, traveling, reading, cheering on his kids in their many endeavours, and following Sue wherever she took him. He was a founding member of the Zigfield Vollies volleyball team and spent many years proudly ushering at home KU sporting events.

Dick passed away on November 18, 2020. A celebration of his life will be scheduled in the future when it is safe to gather. Memorials to Dick are welcome to the Douglas County 4-H Foundation, in care of the K-State Research and Extension, Douglas County, 2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046.

Rita Jean Renfrow

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Services for Rita Jean Kingsbury Renfrow, 73, Lawrence, will be 2pm Saturday, December 5th, streamed live on the Facebook page of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Attendance at the funeral home will be private.

Mrs. Renfrow died Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar, after a long battle with neuropathy.

She was born November 20, 1946 in Fredonia, Kansas, the daughter of Oliver Lynn and Yola June Cather Kingsbury. She graduated from Fredonia High School in 1964 and attended CNA school as well as Wichita Business College.

Mrs. Renfrow worked as a librarian at Larned State Hospital and then at Southwest Junior High in Lawrence as a library aid.

She married the love of her life David Thomas Renfrow on August 27, 1967 in Fredonia, Kansas. He died January 19, 2005 after a valiant battle with cancer.

Survivors include her daughters, Rhonda Stephen and husband David, Rebecca Weeks and husband Lance; grandchildren, Judson King, Ashton Weeks, Avery Weeks; and her sister, Karen Hull.

She was preceded in death by parents, Oliver and Yola Kingsbury; siblings, Irvine Dean and Evelyn Maxine (who died in childhood), Vera Ramsey, and Vesta Scott.

The family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of your choosing that is special to you.

Mom was all about the little things that matter. And while Covid has thrown a huge wrench in some plans – please reach out to a vulnerable neighbor, keep track of those family members you’ve “been meaning to reach out to”, and just be kind to each other; no matter their beliefs. You may find some common grounds and gain a different perspective.

Mary Merlene Ridgeway Patchen Avery

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Private family graveside services for Mary Merlene Ridgeway Patchen Avery, 94, Lawrence, are planned. Merlene passed peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2020, with family at her side.

She was born September 14, 1926, in Tonganoxie, Kan., the daughter of Merle Glen and Mary Mable Gallagher Ridgeway. She was a homemaker and provided child care in her home for many prominent Lawrence families. She was a member of West Side Presbyterian Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Merlene married Harold Eugene Patchen in 1944. He preceded her in death in 1957. She later married Melvin Dale Avery in 1974. He preceded her in death in 1994. She was also preceded in death by a son, Steven Patchen, a sister, Joanne Powell, three brothers, Willard Ridgeway, Wayne Ridgeway, and Damon Ridgeway, and a step brother, Richard Avery.

Survivors include a son, Mike Patchen and wife Sandy, Lawrence; a daughter, Mary Beth Rooney, Lawrence; a step son, Gary Avery and wife Rita, Lawrence; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lawrence Humane Society.

Lucile Eisele

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Services for Lucile Eisele, 89, Deltona, Florida will be at 10 AM Saturday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Eudora Cemetery.

Lucile Eisele died Friday, November 13, 2020 at the DeBary rest home in Orange City, Florida.

Lucile was born on December 7, 1931 to John and Grace (nee Copley) Hargadine in Greensburg, Kansas and spent her childhood in Haviland, Kansas. She was a three time graduate of the University of Kansas earning a BA in Education, a BA in Geography and a MA in Geography. She was a school teacher in the Tonganoxie and Lawrence school districts. Lucile then went on to earn a Masters degree in Library Science from Emporia College. She subsequently worked for Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas as a Technical Librarian. Lucile was a gifted piano player and she loved to sing in church.

Lucile married John Eisele in 1948. They resided in the Eudora area on the Eisele farm east of Eudora for most of their married life. Two sons were born of this union Dennis Eisele and David Eisele (deceased). After John Eisele was seriously injured in a highway tractor accident in 1984, Lucile lovingly took care of him in the home for the next 12 years until his death in 1996.

Lucile is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Jane Eisele. Her grandsons are Dietrich and Dehn Eisele with associated granddaughter-in-laws, Shelley and Samara Eisele. The great grandchildren are Sophia, Adrianna and Sadie Eisele from Dietrich and Shelley Eisele and Malese and Maren Eisele from Dehn and Samara Eisele.

Visitation is from 7 to 8 PM on November 20, 2020 in the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

C. Richard “Dick” Robins

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C. Richard (Dick) Robins was born 25 November, 1928, in Harrisburg, PA, the third and last child of Helen Ayers Robins and Claude Revere Robins. He died peacefully on 12 November 2020 of natural causes, secure in the knowledge of loving family and friends. He had been baptized as an infant by his maternal grandfather, a circuit riding pastor for the EUB. His siblings, Marguerite Brice and Robert L. Robins predeceased him.

Dick lived a long, productive, successful life with many accomplishments and awards in the field of ichthyology, the study of fishes. He received his PhD from Cornell University in 1954. A properly raised lad, he often pointed out that his later accumulation of colorful language began when he encountered as classmates returning veterans of the Korean War. His doctoral dissertation concerned North American freshwater fishes of the genus Cottus.

He entered the US Army as a private after receiving his doctorate, assigned with a group of other ichthyologists, to Ft. Detrick, MD, the biological warfare laboratory. While forming significant professional relationships there, he also, as he said, “received a lot of shots.”

He arrived at the then young University of Miami Marine Laboratory (UM) in 1956. During his career there he delineated the fish fauna of the tropical Atlantic. He authored or coauthored more than 200 research papers while mentoring 31 PhD students and 14 Master of Science students, many of whom became notable in their own careers. In addition to oceanographic expeditions to Africa and the deep ocean near the Bahamas, he participated in numerous submarine surveys, including one to Cuba. He coauthored with Carleton Ray, The Peterson Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes. He voluntarily taught undergraduate courses in environmental issues, an outgrowth of serving on Environmental Protection Agency panels.

After retirement from UM, he moved to Lawrence, KS where he was graciously received as Professor Emeritus, serving as an active member of the ichthyology program at the University of Kansas for several years. Dick loved animals of all types and showed great devotion to the many dogs and cats that populated his life.

As news of his death spread, the most frequent comments his family of three children and two grandsons received were those of love for his generosity and kindness. He was also scientifically generous, sharing coauthorship of many papers with others in his field.

Dick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Catherine Hale Robins and his children, Catherine Elaine (Lane) Robins, Robert Hale Robins (wife, Mary Brown) and Colin Richard Robins (wife, Caroline Sauvage).

The family wishes to thank Elaine Kennedy MD, Nurses Carrie Enick and Tara Lewis for their dedicated care. Special thanks to the staff of BridgeHaven for their exceptional kindnesses.

Gifts in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society or Just Food, sent in care of the funeral home.

Service and inurnment at Trinity Episcopal delayed until a Covid vaccine is available.

Valerie Suzette Fittell

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No services are planned for Valerie Suzette Fittell, 66, Lawrence.

She passed away painlessly of natural causes, surrounded by her family on November 13, 2020.

Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, the fifth child of Arthur Henry Poidevin and Stacy Sylvia Gerlach Poidevin.

Growing up on Anna Maria Island, Val fell in love with the warm waters and beaches of the gulf coast. There, she met God at the Church of the Annunciation, made incredible lifelong friends, became a proud member of Tri Delta, and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Communications. Val also loved to dance and once got in trouble for riding her pony to school.

The next stage of her life made for wonderful stories of her time with the Girls Club in Birmingham, Alabama before moving to Berkley, California with her then husband Kevin Brown. California sprinkled new spices into her life (and cooking) before finding herself in Lawrence, KS.

After years of missing the ocean, Val finally conceded herself a Kansan after finding life-long love in John Fittell with whom she grew their family in the landlocked state that used to be the bottom of a sea. Val’s 27-year career as a Massage Therapist blossomed as she touched people’s lives literally and figuratively. Val’s passion for sewing and creating educational activities led her to a perfect niche among the ladies of the Over the Rainbow Doll Club. She found incredible joy in being a (grand)mother and friend. She loved openly and deeply, and could always be counted on for a kind word of advice.

In her final years, ALS took Val’s physical autonomy, but never her strength of spirit. She passed away peacefully, in charge, and surrounded by love.

Valerie is survived by her husband John Fittell; daughters and sons-in-law Camille Fittell, Carol Fittell, Carlyle and Justin Salb, and Kathleen and Michael Hethcoat-Doyle; grandchildren Penelope Salb, Tallulah Salb, and Addison Hethcoat-Doyle; her brother and sister-in-law Ronald and Karen Poidevin; and sister Kathleen Hoffiz. She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Sylvia, and two of her brothers: Norman and William Poidevin

Margie Ann (Dillon) Hopkins

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Private family graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery for Margie Ann (Dillon) Hopkins, 83, of Lawrence.

Margie Ann (Dillon) Hopkins died November 13, 2020 in Lawrence, KS. She was born in Lawrence on September 12, 1937 where she lived her entire life.

Margie married Donald Hopkins on October 9, 1954. She is survived by her husband Donald, three sons, Daniel, Terry, Andrew, and a daughter Rachel. She has two living siblings Danny (Toby), and Patty, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Due to the current COVID pandemic the family will not be receiving visitors at their home, but you are welcome to call with your condolences.