Category: Obituaries

Scot Thomas Johnston

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A private family visitation for Scot Thomas Johnston, 53, Lufkin, Tex., will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Scot fell ill on a road trip back to this area and passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kan.

He was born August 29, 1967, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Gerald and Judy Tarwater Johnston. He graduated from Eudora High School.

Scot worked as a petroleum landman in the oil & gas industry.

He married Karen Janell Hasley, who survives of the home. He will also be missed by his daughters, Taylor Johnston, Katlyn Nickell, and Candace Spain, granddaughter Virginia Mae Spain, his parents Robert and Judy Degenstein, and brothers Eric Johnston, Adam Johnston, Krystopher Hylton, and John Hylton, and many friends.

 

Althea Dawn “Bea” Eaton

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Althea “Bea” Dawn Tapahonso Eaton, 50, left this world to be reunited with her beloved husband on March 26, 2021.

A viewing will be held for Lawrence family and friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana. Funeral and burial services will be held on April 2, 2021 in New Mexico.

Althea was born on February 28, 1971 in Shiprock into a large and loving family on the Navajo Nation. She attended school in Ojo Amarillo where she met her future husband, Fredrico Eaton in the 4th grade. The two graduated from Kirtland High School and later moved to Lawrence, KS, where they married. Althea graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University with a bachelor’s degree in Business. Althea and Fredrico remained in Lawrence where they raised their children. Fredrico died on April 1, 2017 in Lawrence, KS.

Althea immersed herself into her work at Haskell, where she quickly became an integral part of a welcoming student support network. She meticulously managed the student post office and campus printing center for 15 years. Students knew her as a caring and supportive “Auntie” figure on campus who got to know students by name. She also offered her services to Haskell by helping her co-workers and colleagues on committees and various projects on campus. The Haskell community will miss her deep support and dedication.

Althea worked in and around Lawrence, KS since 1994. She worked for the Social Security Administration and EMR, Inc. before joining Haskell. Her life in Lawrence is marked by her wonderful network of friends who quickly became family. Many of those connections are tied to her love of her Denver Broncos. Her departure leaves a huge void in all of the lives Althea touched, influenced, and helped shape.

Althea is preceded in death by her husband, Fredrico Eaton; her maternal grandparents, Eugene, Sr. and Lucille D. Tapahonso; and her father, Henderson Talk.

She is survived by her children Joshua Floyd and Amber Skye; her mother, Marie Tapahonso; her sister Dorothea (Bob) Fox; and her nephews and nieces, Haley, Ethan, Ian and Kylie. She is also survived a close-knit Navajo family that includes 24 brothers and sisters (cousins); a number of nieces and nephews; and a handful of grandchildren.

Hannah B. Brady

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Our beloved mother, friend, aunt, sister, “baboo” and great “baboo”, Hannah Beth Brady, passed away Friday, March 26, 2021 after a hard fought battle with cancer.  She is survived by her older sister, Olive Miller, her niece Joyce, and nephews Bruce and Brian.   She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles E and Josie Fisher as well as sister, Aileen, and brother Charles Dale – it was the loss of Aileen that motivated Hannah to become a nurse.

Hannah was born and grew up in Marceline, Mo.  She graduated from Marceline High School where she was also first chair flute.  During the summers she was a lead life guard. Hannah went on to St Luke’s School of Nursing in Kansas City where she achieved her RN.  Hannah married David John Troxel and had two daughters, Melissa (Sumner) and Lisa (Pickel).  They later divorced.  Hannah met and married the love of her life, William R Brady, June 3, 1978.  They had 14 fantastic years together until cancer took his life.  Hannah focused her energies on her career in nursing, where she was the first county jail nurse, a mental health nurse helping children and adults, a nurse with Ask A Nurse, a nurse recruiter, a case manager and a nurse manager.  Her greatest passion and love was helping care for her own grandsons, Cameron (wife, Amanda & great-grandsons Isaiah, Jameson), Chandler (fiancé Danielle), Calloway, Corban (wife, Madison & great-grandsons Bennett, Noah) and Jack.  The last 2 years of her life were spent cooking with her daughter Lisa and planning magical meals for the grandkids and family.

Hannah was a lovely lady who brought joy to everyone she met.  She had a flare for fashion and interior decorating for which we were all in awe.  Hannah was a treasure and she will be missed deeply by her friends and family.

The celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 1, 2021 at the Meriden Community Church, 200 S Dawson St.  Meriden, KS 66512.  Visitation 10 a.m. – 11a.m. Thursday.  A lunch will be at the church afterwards.

The family requests donations to Alpha Christian Children’s Home www.alphachristianchildrenshome.com in lieu of flowers.

 

Meriden Community Church ❤️ is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Hannah Brady Memorial Service

Time: Apr 1, 2021 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

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Terrence Lee Stewart

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Terrence Lee Stewart, formerly of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away March 23, 2021, while staying in Lawrence, Kansas after having been in the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

He was born April 22, 1953 in Oakland, California, to Wilbur and Mollie (Hopkins) Stewart, who preceded him in death. He went to Cupertino High School, in Cupertino, California two years later he started college at De Anza College also in Cupertino, studying Police Science.

Terrence was united in marriage to Susan Marie Foster on March 26th 1976 in Miami, Oklahoma, she preceded him in death on November 19th, 2018. To this union they had five children Lori, Steven, Timothy, Stephanie and James. He was a veteran having served in both the Army and the Navy, serving from 1980 to 1986. Terrence received Good Conduct awards from both the Navy and the Army as well as the Navy Expeditionary medal, M-16 Rifle Sharpshooter medal, M-14 Rifle Marksman ribbon and Pistol Marksman ribbon. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1980, he went to work for the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Topeka, Kansas as a police officer. During his time at the VA he was the weapons armorer and defensive tactics instructor. While working at the VA he took on the nickname of Stew. You can still walk through the hospital and ask about Stew and people will know exactly who you are talking about.

Terrence is survived by his five children and four grandchildren; Lori Freeman, her husband Thad and two grandsons Michael and Nicholas all of Omaha, Nebraska, his sons Steven Stewart of Manhattan, Kansas; Timothy Stewart, his wife Aleida and two grandsons Gabriel and Sebastian of Lenexa, Kansas; daughter Stephanie Stewart of Lawrence, Kansas; and son James Stewart and fiance Rachel and her daughter Lola of Overland Park. Sister in laws Connie Leahew, Lenexa, Kansas and Roberta Harper, Tulsa, Oklahoma and many cousins and Terrence is preceded in death by his parents and by his sisters Viola (Maxine) Delevoryas, Eleanor (Boots) Standley and Lois Meeker-Toney.

Services will take place at 10 am Monday, March 29th, 2021, at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.

M. Sharon ‘Shari’ Wiggins

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M. Sharon Wiggins passed away March 21, 2021 in Texas, where her daughter lives. She was born May 16, 1943, in West Plains, Mo to Verdia (Croney) Gaulding and Howard Farrar. Sharon grew up in West Plains, graduating from West Plains High School in May of 1957. After high school she moved to Springfield, Missouri.

Shari married Nyle R. Wiggins on February 20th, 1965, at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Mo. In 1967 Nyle’s employment took them to Kansas City, Missouri where they lived in Prairie Village, KS. During this time Shari worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone.

On October 28, 1968, a son, Steven Ray Wiggins was born. In 1971, Shari and Nyle moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where Nyle started his own business.

Once in Lawrence they had a daughter Tracy Lynne (Wiggins) Turner, born on September 16, 1973.

Shari did several different jobs over the years, from Realtor at Stephens Real Estate to Accounts Payable at Lawrence Public Schools, where she retired. Shari was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. She loved to garden and often spent weekends in the backyard planting flowers or pulling weeds. Shari was known by many as a kind and giving person. She valued her friendships greatly and worked hard to maintain close ties to all those in her life. She fought many hard times in her life and always came out stronger. She was a breast cancer survivor. In January of 2020, Shari was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and after a hard fight, the disease finally took her life.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Nyle Wiggins, and her parents Verdia Gaulding and Howard Farrar.

She is survived by her son Steven (Stacee) Wiggins of Lawrence; granddaughters Kaylee Wiggins, Kellee Wiggins, Kylee (Coy) Leming of Eudora; and a grandson Brandon (Kegan) Wiggins and a great-grandson, Nolan, of DeSoto, KS. Also surviving is Shari’s daughter, Tracy (Steven) Turner and grandsons Dylan and Jacob Turner of McKinney, TX. Other survivors are a brother-in-law, C.J. Wiggins (Jan) of Springfield, Mo and a sister-in-law, Loretta Kay Wiggins of Branson, Mo. and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at Clinton Cemetery at 1203 E 500 Road, Lawrence, KS 66049 on March 29th, 2021 at 11:00 am. Due to the coronavirus, social distancing and masks are required.

In honoring Shari, a donation can be made to First Church of the Nazarene, Lawrence, KS, or the Pancreatic Cancer action network (pancan.org), in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Angel ‘Max’ Fitzgerald

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Angel “Max” Fitzgerald passed away on March 18, 2021, at his home in Lawrence, Kansas. No services will be held at this time.

Max was born in Guatemala in August 2001 and adopted at age 10 months by Barry Fitzgerald and Lori Johns. Growing up he loved nature, fishing, raising tarantulas and snakes, summer camp at Camp Wood, and hiking in Colorado with his parents and cousin Doug Davis. He participated in wrestling at West Middle School and cross country at LHS, and played the bass in school orchestras. He enjoyed mastering new skills like skateboarding, unicycling, ceramics in Lawrence Art Center’s family pottery, and solving the Rubix Cube.

Max is survived by his parents, his grandmothers, Ann Fitzgerald and Betty Johns, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many family friends in Lawrence as well as Michigan and New York. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather, Roger Johns and his Uncle Scott Fitzgerald.

Max’s parents welcome memorial gifts to the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, an invaluable source of support for the family over the last several years.

Robert Dean Lillich

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Robert (Bob) Dean Lillich, 77, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2021 at his family home in Lawrence, Kansas due to complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

He was born on November 15, 1943 in St. Francis, Kansas. He was the third of five children, all boys. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1966 with dual degrees in mathematics and chemical engineering. After graduation, Robert volunteered for the Peace Corp and was stationed in Balanga, Philippines where he taught science and math, and he would meet his wife, Erlinda. They were married in 1968 in Manila, Philippines.

Upon returning to the States, Robert began his career as an engineer, working for Dow Chemicals in Houston, Texas, where his first three children were born. Robert and Erlinda later moved to Derby, Kansas, where he worked for Vulcan Materials and sponsored several members of his wife’s family to come to the United States. In 1979 he moved overseas to work for Aramco in Saudi Arabia, where his two youngest children were born. He originally planned to work there for three years but stayed until his retirement in 1999. Afterwards, he split his time between Angeles City, Philippines and Derby, Kansas, where he started a second career as a tax preparer for H&R Block. In 2015 he finally retired and moved to Lawrence, Kansas to be closer to his children.

Robert was a workaholic and volunteered for many organizations within his community. He served as treasurer with the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) in Texas where he helped returning veterans from Vietnam get jobs, was Vice President of the Saudi Aramco Employees Association (SAEA) in Saudi Arabia where he brought many world famous musical artists to provide entertainment into the country, and treasurer of his homeowner’s association in Derby.

He was a true character and never ashamed to be himself. He had a radiant personality, and always showed kindness and respect to all those who crossed his path.  He loved to make people laugh. He was a vocalist that loved to croon in his sultry baritone voice. He was a humble man, who never wanted praise for his random acts of kindness and service, but would love to brag if he saved a dollar. In his later years, he enjoyed working in the yard and spending time with his grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his wife of 52 years Erlinda; children: Arnold, Stewart, Scott (Alicia), and Crystal (Erick); grandchildren: Salvatore and Elliott; and brothers: Marlin, Wendell, Ronald, and Gary; along with many nephews and nieces. Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Arvella, and son Jeffery. Graveside service will be at Noon, Friday, March 26, 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: CurePSP at 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/ or to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association at 200 Maine Street Suite C, Lawrence, KS 66044 or online at https://www.kansasvna.org/make-a-donation

George F. Berlin

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George Fredrick Berlin of Lawrence, Kansas died at home on March 17, 2021.  He was born on July 15, 1921 in Ottawa, Kansas to Anna Marie Maxwell and Clyde Augustus Berlin.  He attended Ottawa High School and delivered milk for his grandfather’s dairy.  He would sneak off to go to Kansas City to see the big bands including Frank Sinatra.  After leaving high school he hitchhiked and rode trains around the southwest.

George was a man of many talents and interests.  He was the owner of Berlin-Wheeler Credit Union in Topeka, Kansas for many years and then felt the calling to enter social work when he was 45 years old.  He graduated from Washburn University in 1970 and KU School of Social Work in 1972.  He was a child protection supervisor for SRS, a medical social worker at St. Francis Hospital, and then entered private practice as a therapist at Shadow Wood Mental Health Services.  He also worked at the medical Clinic at Valley Falls, Kansas with Dr. Rider.  He retired December 31, 2000.  He helped many people during those years and was loved by many.

Over the years he was active in many organizations: charter member and past governor of Topeka Moose Lodge #555, Disabled American Veterans life member and past commander of Topeka chapter #3, DAV Kansas State commander 1965 & 66, 32nd degree mason and 50 year member of Arab Shrine of Masonic Lodge #17, member of American Legion #14, active in Topeka Chamber of Commerce, active at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka and First United Methodist Church in Lawrence, and the KU Alumni Association.

George was in the Army infantry in the Battle of the Bulge and other battles in WWII.  He fought with the 75th Division Infantry and was a member of the 75th Division Association.  He received numerous medals including the French Legion of Honor.

He married Thelma Hawks in November 1942. They later divorced.  He married Dee Ann Mezger March 19, 1988 who survived at home.  He is also survived by his son Randy Berlin (Carol Imwalle), Carmel, California and daughter Jeanne Berlin Roberts (Bob), Topeka.  Four grandchildren: Tara Lips (Pete), Kierstyn Bachmann-Berlin, Emily Roberts and Johann Berlin (Uma Viswanathan) and four great-grandchildren: Belle, Simon, Julian and Tatum; Step grandchildren: Gwendolyn Michel (Mark) and Katherine Cardoza (Sean) and step great-grandchildren: Christopher and Sarah.

Funeral services will be 2 pm, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at First United Methodist Church Lawrence with Rev. Kay Scarbrough officiating. Masks and social distancing required.  Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th St. Topeka, KS 66604.

He will lie in state from noon-8 pm, Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church or Midland Care, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Many, many thanks to Destiny, Kayla and Scott from Midland Care whose care and service were exceptional and brightened George’s days.

Dr. David Lee Lohmeyer

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David Lee Lohmeyer (b. May 5, 1951) died peacefully in his sleep on March 14, 2021.

David was born May 5, 1951, in Washington, MO, to Fred and Stella Lohmeyer.  After graduating with honors from Central Methodist University, he attended medical school at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his M.D.  He completed his pediatric residency at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  He began his practice in 1980 and served the children of Hannibal, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Sikeston, Kirksville, and Quincy, IL.  Throughout his career, he had a passion for helping those in greatest need and, as a result, he was active in local, state, and national initiatives to address equity gaps in the healthcare industry.

As a doctor, he was known for his good humor and gentle heart.  As a father and brother, he was known for the same.  He laughed hard at slapstick humor, played a mean trumpet, fed dogs from the table too often, threw really hard fastballs into his kids’ gloves, and didn’t mind the sunburn whenever an epic sandcastle was at stake.  He was a generous, kind, and devoted father. In retirement, he enjoyed Cardinal baseball and serving his church community at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington, LA.  He loved, and was loved by, his family while living in Louisiana with his sister and brother-in-law Anne and Ray Scheer, and later in Independence, MO near his son, Adam.

David is survived by his siblings Anne, Wayne, Charles; three sons Joseph, Adam, Aaron; and seven grandchildren Sophia, Owen, Lindsay, David, Maisie, Clara and William.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Quincy, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Quincy Public Schools Music Department.

Barbara Kay Skeet

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Funeral services for Barbara Kay Skeet, 77, Lawrence, will be 10 am, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A visitation will be from 9-10am. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Pomona.

Barbara Kay Skeet was born Barbara Kay Atchison at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, KS on October 18, 1943. She lived until she was about 2 years old with her parents and siblings in Pomona, Kansas.

After the death of her father, Fred Irvin Atchison, she, her mother and one of her siblings moved to Ottawa, Ks where she attended Eugene Field Elementary, Ottawa Junior High and Ottawa High School, graduating in May of 1961. For a short time, she attended Clark Business School in Topeka, Kansas before returning to Ottawa, Kansas. She worked at OK Bargain Store, H.D. Lee’s Sewing Company, making parts of jean jackets. Later, she worked at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant, then Douglas County Courthouse where she sold car tags and titles to cars; sent paperwork to Topeka so that people would get their car titles. Finally, she worked at King Radio in Lawrence, Kansas for many years. She soldered tiny components that go inside radios and also worked in the department where she checked computer boards.

She married Michael Leon Henry of Pomona, Kansas in June 1963 at her sister and brother-in-law’s farm near Leloup, Kansas. Together they had two sons, Scott Alan Henry and Dana Lee Henry. The couple divorced. Barbara married Robert “Bob” McKone Skeet in 1972 at the Ottawa United Methodist Church. They later divorced.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Irvin and Ida May (Lanier) Atchison; her son Dana Lee Henry; her first husband Mike Henry; her adopted son Kevin Henry; her siblings Marjorie Ann Oshel; Everett Junior Oshel; Dale Leroy Oshel; Betty Jane Chrismer; Katherine Louise Hiatt, June Marie Swank; Wilson Atchison and Dorothy Cook.

She is survived by her son Scott Alan Henry; many adopted grandchildren Cheyenne Kay, Brian Daily, Brandon Howard, Mallory Clark, Hannah Moss, Isaac Henry, Liam Henry and Corbin Henry. She has 7 great-grandchildren.

Barbara loved planting vegetables and flower gardens and watching the plants grow; reading, cooking when she was younger; she loved volunteering for the Lawrence Memorial Hospital; she also loved eating out, spending time with friends and family and swinging at the park; she enjoyed participating in citizen ride a longs with the police department and received a certificate of completion for the 9th Citizens Police Academy. She helped at voter registration in Douglas County for approximately 5 ½ years until she developed breast cancer.  Barbara was truly proud of her certificate of completion for multiple rounds of Chemotherapy. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.