Category: Obituaries

Rodney Joseph ‘Rod’ Karlin

Posted on by RumseyYost

Rod Karlin of Dearborn, MO passed away March 11, 2020 in Lawrence, KS.

Rod was born February 27, 1954 in Hays, KS, the son of Felix and Henrietta Karlin.

Rod graduated from Lawrence High School in 1972 and earned a BA in Business from KU. Rod worked for many years in Texas before moving back to Lawrence and later settled in Dearborn, MO. Rod recently retired after 20 years of service as a correctional officer at Kansas Department of Corrections.

Rod is remembered with love by his partner Debbie Stephenson, his children Brent, Troy, and Brady Karlin, Rick (Allison) Richter, Krystle (Ross) Martin, Adam (David) Groth, Jessi (Chris) Timmons and Julian Turner; siblings Terry Karlin (Tim Smith), Donna (Dann) Coffman, Gary (Pam) Karlin, Pam Henry, Tom (Kim) Karlin, Pat (Mary Beth) Karlin, and Jason Karlin. Along with numerous grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.

He leaves behind many close friends from his years with the KDOC. As the owner/operator of his fireworks stand since 1998, at 31st and Kasold, Rod will also be remembered by his many loyal customers.

The family suggest memorials in his name to Behavioral Health Leadership Coalition and may be sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A Celebration of Rod’s life will take place at a later date once the bans on social gatherings have been lifted.

Sally Jane Gibson

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Graveside services for Sally Gibson, 69, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be Friday, from 6-8 pm, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mrs. Gibson died Monday, March 9, 2020 at Stormont-Vail Hospital.

She was born September 1, 1950, in Holton, Kansas, the daughter of Paul and Ancle (Knouse) Sweet. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1969. She lived in Valley Falls until she was 5, and then moved to Topeka. She moved to Lawrence in the 1960’s.

She worked as a cashier for K-Mart, EZ-Shop, and Checkers Foods. She worked as a clerical aide for the Lawrence School District at Kennedy Elementary School. She also worked at Southwestern Bell as a phone operator.

She married Walter Gibson on December 11, 1982 in Lawrence, Kansas, he survives in the home.

Other survivors include a son, John, Gardner; a daughter Tamera, Topeka; a daughter Rebecca and her husband Mark, Carbondale; a sister Merry, Topeka; a brother Paul and wife Jody, San Anselmo, CA; and 3 granddaughters, August, Alexandria and Xaria.

She is preceeded in death by her parents and sister Judy.

The family suggests memorials to be sent to Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044.

Richard Allen Curtiss

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Funeral services for Richard Allen Curtiss, 72, Lawrence, will be at 11 am Monday at Eudora Baptist Church, with Pastor Josh Monhollon officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Richard died Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at his home.

He was born September 10, 1947, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Earl and Oma Lee Coleman Curtiss. He graduated from Lawrence High School and later served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked for the Lawrence Fire Department for several years before beginning employment with ICL, where he retired in 2011 after 34 years of service. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed woodworking, gaming, NASCAR, and collecting hats. He was a member of Eudora Baptist Church.

He married Bonnie S. Smith on August 14, 1970, in Lawrence. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons, Aaron Curtiss and wife Teresa, Lawrence, and Shawn Curtiss and wife Kathy, also of Lawrence; his mother, Oma Lee Curtiss, Lawrence; two brothers, Donnie Curtiss and wife Brenda, Chubbuck, Idaho, and Joe Curtiss and wife Susan, Ellinwood, Kan.; and two grandchildren, Brent Curtiss and Alexis Walter. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charlie Curtiss, and a sister, Alice Clark.

The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time Monday at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St.

Abel Lucio Reed

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No services for Abel Lucio Reed are planned at this time. He was born at rest on March 4, 2020, at KU Med Center.

He is the son of Kate Ruth Reed and brother of Ashalynn and Nakoetah. Abel is also the grandson of Donald Eugene Reed Jr.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Lisa Purdon, and all the staff at the Social Service League of Lawrence.

“It can’t rain all the time”
The Crow

Ronald Gene “Ron” Thompson

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Graveside services for Ronald Gene “Ron” Thompson, 93, Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Thompson died Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at LMH Health.

He was born March 17, 1926, in Beloit, KS, the son of Mose and Bessie Thompson.

Mr. Thompson served in the United States Army during WWII. He worked as a carpenter and was a delivery driver for All Star Dairy for many years. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, working outdoors, and was a jack of all trades. Ron was a family man and was very devoted to his family.

He married the love of his life, Violet I. Hastings in 1950 in Beloit, KS. She survives of the home.

Friends may call from noon until 8 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Legion, sent in care of the funeral home.

John Jury Drees

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The memorial service for John Jury Drees, 60, Lawrence, that was scheduled for 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 4th, at Ecumenical Christian Ministries (ECM) at 1204 Oread in Lawrence, has been postponed.

John died March 3, 2020, at his home.

He was born January 8, 1960, in Boulder, CO, the son of Linus Sigmund and Barbara Jeanne Jury Drees. John’s family moved to Kansas in 1968, where he graduated from Holcomb High School in 1978. With a strong interest in the medical field, he was among the first paramedics in the state, leading him to earn a BSN from The University of Kansas.

After nursing school, he worked in the Emergency Department at KU Medical Center before joining the LMH Emergency Dept in 1992, where he worked for many years.

John was a incredible asset for the community, working tirelessly locally and nationally as a representative for the Safe Kids Coalition, and in 2010, he produced an Instructor’s Training video for use in the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training program. He was presented the Vision Award from LMH in 2000, and after 26 years he retired from LMH Health as a Community Education Specialist.

Locally, John’s voice was heard on TV commercials, and his voiceover work was something he enjoyed doing. He briefly worked as an overnight DJ on a Topeka radio station, and had volunteered at Audio Reader for 20 years. He enjoyed hosting parties for his various circles of friends, and was widely known for his humor and ability to share his many life stories with gusto.

Survivors include two sisters, Lucy Drees Oberle and husband Richard K. Kirchberg of Haysville, NC, Bernadette Drees Rogers and husband Stanley E. of Lawrence; a brother, Paul Herbert Drees and wife Karin S. of Lawrence; nieces and nephews, Matthew Drees Oberle and wife Betty, Nathan Drees Oberle and wife Brie-Anne Emerson, Bernadette Lynne Drees, Laura Clare Drees, Monica Jean Drees, and Benjamin Miles Drees. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Safe Kids Douglas County, https://safekidsdouglascountyks.org/ sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Nancy Lee (Dolan) Porter

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Funeral services for Nancy Lee (Dolan) Porter, 72, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Wellsville Cemetery.

Nancy was born February 11, 1948, in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Donna Gertrude Beaty and Dallas Elroy Dolan.

She had an extensive work history including, Lawrence National Bank, School Employee Credit Union, KU Credit Union, KU Police Department, KS Geological Survey, Donna Lee’s (Owner/Operator), Sigler Pharmacy, Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living, Watkins Museum and Dean O. Radcliff CPA. In addition to her work history Nancy was a Charter member of the Youth Sports Inc. Complex, she did WWII Veteran Interviews for Experiences documentations, cared for elderly and family members and was a board member of DCABA and Lawrence Wrestling Club.

Nancy married Carl Duane (Butch) Porter on August 28, 1966, in Lawrence, KS. He preceded her in death on January 2, 2003.

Survivors include two sons Daniel Duane Porter, Moundridge, KS, Jerry Wayne Porter (Bola), Lawrence, KS; Brother, Dallas Joseph Dolan (Suzanne), Lawrence, KS; Sister, Rhonda Marie Dolan, Lawrence, KS; Grandchildren; Marlena Curran-Komulainen (Zachary), Nathaniel Porter, Thomas Porter, Gavin Porter, Andrew Porter, Grace Porter, Naomi Porter, Abigail Porter; aunt, June Ford.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Jay Dee Dolan, and husband Butch.

Friends may call from 4-6pm, Monday March 9, 2020, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial contributions made to the American Heart Association sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Gregory Dean Wingert

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Services for Gregory Dean Wingert, 58, Lawrence, KS.; visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home between 6pm and 7pm on Monday March 9th, 2020 followed by Graveside services at 11am, on Tuesday March 10th, 2020 and will be held at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Greg, a life-long resident of Lawrence, passed away at his home, Monday March 3rd, 2020. He was born August 18th, 1961, the son of Carroll and Darlene Wingert. His beloved mother, passed in 1994. His father Carroll remarried in 1999 to Donna Wade Wingert.

He attended Lawrence High and he worked for his family’s HVAC business for 20+ years. Greg was an incredibly talented woodworker and craftsman, he valued hard work and above all, he took pride in the quality of work he produced.

He married Tamara Wilson on November 22nd, 1980 in Eudora, Kansas. They had two daughters, Christie Wingert Palmer and Jennifer Wingert Branlund, who currently survive the home. His long-time partner, Carol Smith also survives the home and remains close with his daughters and family.

Survivors include his father, Carroll Wingert and Step-Mother Donna Wingert, Lawrence; Daughters Christie Palmer (Jeff), Argyle, TX , Jennifer Branlund (Shawn), Jacksonville, FL; a brother, Kevin Wingert (Dana Shuck)& his family, Baldwin City; a sister, Lori Wingert, Lawrence; and 3 grandchildern, Mckenzie, Britton and Baron; niece and nephew Ryan and Kailey.

All friends and family are encouraged to join in the celebration of Greg’s life on Monday for the visitation where family will receive them at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home between 6pm and 7pm. We also encourage you to join the family to lay Greg to rest, Tuesday March 10th at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at 11am.

The family suggests memorial contributions made to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Richard Henry “Dick” Lipscomb, Jr.

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Richard Henry “Dick” Lipscomb, Jr. died on March 1, 2020, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar after being diagnosed with cancer just over two months before. Dick was 79 years old. A visitation will be 2 to 4 pm Saturday, March 7, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

He was born on March 1, 1941, in Waynesboro, Virginia, the son of Richard Henry Lipscomb, Sr. and Estelle Mae Toman Lipscomb. Dick’s father, mother, and sister, Mary Taylor Lipscomb Garrity, preceded him in death.

Dick married his high school sweetheart, Sallie Thompson Phillips, in 1961. They lived in Richmond, Virginia, until his career relocated them to Lawrence, Kansas in 1976. They had three children.

Dick retired in 1998 from DuPont as a shift supervisor after 38 years of service, then worked in a variety of roles afterward. He had a contagious smile, a witty sense of humor, and a genuine love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.

He enjoyed fishing and was a huge fan of stock car racing and his KU Jayhawks. Dick loved a good game of family poker on holidays (always the banker – seems suspicious in retrospect as he usually won), collecting antiques, and taking care of the yard at his home near Clinton Lake.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sallie P. Lipscomb; three children: Sallie Knetzke and her husband, Jerry, of Springfield, Missouri; Rick Lipscomb of Lawrence; Mary Clark and her husband, Kevin, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; five grandchildren: Taylor Lipscomb (25), Jack Clark (20), Kaitlin Knetzke (19), Sarah Knetzke (17), Courtney Clark (16); and a great grandson, Ryker Lipscomb (4).

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dick’s doctors, the nurses and social workers at Elara Caring hospice, and the Brandon Woods staff for their loving care of him.

Memorials may be made to American Lung Association, incare of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.