Category: Obituaries

Jane Elaine Platt

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside memorial services for Jane Elaine Platt, 57, Lawrence, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 12 at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Jane Platt died Saturday, October 6, 2018, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born August 22, 1961, in Lawrence, the daughter of Ervin Dale and Enid Elaine Spielman Eklund. She attended grade school in Tulsa, OK, moving to Derby, KS, Rogers, AR, Lenexa, KS, and back to Lawrence where she went to West Middle School and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1979.

Jane worked as an administrative assistant and accountant. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, caring for her pets, and following KU sports.

She is survived by sons, Nathaniel Demby and wife Kristin of Lawrence, Chris Demby and wife Zoey of Lawrence, and Jordan Platt of Lawrence; mother, Elaine Eklund of Lawrence; brother, Rodney Eklund and wife Melissa of Lawrence; grandchildren, Malayah Demby, Livia Kennedy-Demby, Zayleigh Demby, and Enid Demby; nephews, Skylar Eklund, Elijah Eklund, Alex Eklund, and Erik Eklund.
Her father, Ervin Eklund preceded her in death.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society or Visiting Nurses, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Marilyn Flory Gibbs

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Marilyn Flory Gibbs, 72, Suwanee, Georgia, formerly of Lone Star, Kansas died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community, Lawrence, KS.

At Marilyn’s request, no public services are planned. In lieu of a public service, Marilyn has asked that you please take this day to remember her and the special times you spent with her. She loved life and was so grateful for any time you shared with her. God bless each and every one of you.

Survivors include her husband, Roy Gibbs, Suwanee, GA; her brother, James (Jim) Flory and wife Donna, Lawrence, KS; her son, Fred Smith and wife Lisa, Austin, TX.; her daughter, Mindi Raby and husband Eric, Overland Park, KS; and grandchildren Lily and George Raby, and Ashley and Alton Chaney.

Christopher A. Finkbiner

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A Rosary for Christopher A. Finkbiner, 48, Lawrence, will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clifton, Kan. Graveside services will follow at 4 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Chris died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan.

He was born Feb. 10, 1970, in Topeka, the son of Elmer J. and Tanis A. Marshall Finkbiner. He graduated from Delta High School in Delta, Utah, and later attended Washburn Tech. Chris worked for Kansas University Facilities & Operations for 17 years, and later worked for Lawrence USD 497 for seven years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and enjoyed hunting and travel.

Survivors include his parents, Elmer & Tanis Finkbiner, Lawrence; his brother, Eric Finkbiner and wife Karen, Lawrence; his maternal grandmother, Shirley Marshall, Clifton; two nephews, Ian and Spencer Finkbiner; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Clifton Ambulance Service, or the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Christopher “Scott” Martin

Posted on by RumseyYost

Christopher ‘Scott’ Martin of Lawrence Kansas passed away on Thursday, September 27th at the age of 50.

He was born in Lawrence, Kansas on June 22, 1968.

Scott was a cook at various Lawrence restaurants, he spent many years as an over the road trucker and most recently as a rural newspaper carrier. He enjoyed camping, fishing, softball, golfing and spending time at the lake. He was an avid KU sports and NASCAR fan.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Jones (Steve); father, Jeff Martin (Phyllis); siblings, Mike Martin (Beth Littleton), Theresa Gilges (Les), Mike Jones (Julie) all of Lawrence, and Phil Jones (Linda) of Oak Grove Missouri; nieces, Sarah Gilges and Megan Martin, both of Lawrence.

Scott was preceded in death by his grandparents.

A celebration of life will be held from 6-8 pm, Thursday, October 4th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas County Toys for Tots or Willow Domestic Violence Center, sent in care of the funeral home.

Betty Lou Cobb

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NOTICE: The graveside services originally scheduled for Tuesday have been moved to Thursday at 11 am at Union Cemetery. A procession will leave Worden United Methodist Church at 10:30.

Betty Lou Cobb (Martin, Butler), 88, formerly of Baldwin City, Kansas and Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on September 28, 2018.

Betty suffered for many years from Alzheimer’s.

She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to James and Mildred Martin. She was the youngest of 6 children. Her sisters Erma, Opal, Vera, and brothers, Ray and Lee all preceded her in death.

Betty was a lifelong educator, including teaching music in Lawrence, Kansas for many years. She loved music and played many instruments and particularly enjoyed teaching the special education students.

Betty had many hobbies, including wheat-weaving and painting. She was a member of Worden United Methodist Church.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Gene Orie Cobb.

She is survived by two sons, David Butler of Ozawkie, Kansas and Ken Butler, of Topeka, Kansas; a niece, Jeanne (Barry) of Topeka; brother in law, Marion of Lawrence; step daughter, Cindi (George) of Tonganoxie; step daughter, Jennifer Leach (Coy) of Peoria, Illinois; stepson David Cobb (Carol) of Olathe; twelve grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 11 am Thursday at Union Cemetery in rural Douglas County. A procession will leave Worden United Methodist Church at 10:30 am.

Contributions in the name of Betty Cobb can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 W. 75th St. Prairie Village, Kansas 66208 or online at alz.org

Jeanne Ellermeier

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No services are planned for Jeanne Ellermeier, who died September 16, 2018, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community. She was born August 15, 1925, in Holton, Kansas, the daughter of Nathan W. and Marguerite Gohlke McGrew, of an old pioneering family in that region. The family moved to Lawrence in 1942, and Jeanne graduated from Liberty Memorial High School and went on to receive Bachelor’s Degrees in both Arts and Medical Technology from the University of Kansas. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma at K.U.

She was married in 1948 to Robert D. Ellermeier, a K.U. Professor and administrator, who died in 1978. Mrs. Ellermeier was also employed at the University, where she worked for 39 years as a medical technologist and research assistant in the Division of Biological Sciences., retiring in 1996. She is survived by a brother, Nathan W. McGrew 1V, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and four nieces, along with several cousins in Lawrence,

Her ashes will be inurned in Pioneer Cemetery on the K.U. campus. Memorials may be sent to the KU Endowment Association, to be applied to the Jeanne Ellermeier Biochemistry Award Fund.

Dorothy Lois Stumbo

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Private family services for Dorothy Lois (Settles) Stumbo, 97, Lawrence, will happen at a later date.

She died Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.

Dorothy was born November 17, 1920, near Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Henry and Jennie (Carleton) Settles.

She graduated from Rockville, Missouri High School in 1938.

During World War II she volunteered to serve in the Women’s Corp of the Navy (Waves). Trained as an Aviation Machinist in Memphis, Tenn. She worked on Naval Air Stations until the end of WWII.

In 1946 she married Fred Stumbo of Lawrence and spent the rest of her life in her chosen career of Faithful Wife and Mother.

Survivors include two sons, Michael of South Freeport, Maine and Donald of Iowa City, Iowa; two daughters, Sandy Low of Las Vegas, NV. Linda Gray of Bakewell, England; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044.

Gene Orie Cobb

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Gene Orie Cobb, 87, formerly of Baldwin City, Kansas and Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on September 20, 2018.

Gene suffered many years from Alzheimer’s. Born in Oklahoma to Willard and Edna Cobb, he was the oldest of three children. His two sisters, Beverly Richards and Elizabeth Brandon, preceded him in death.

Prior to being an elementary teacher in Lawrence, Kansas and Tonganoxie, Kansas, Gene was a television engineer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was passionate about music and played guitar and bass in country bands for many years. Gene’s hobbies included tube radios, wood crafting, and collecting Gene Autry memorabilia. He was a member of Warden Methodist Church.

Gene is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betty Cobb, his daughter Cindi Mills (George) of Tonganoxie, Kansas, son David Cobb (Carol) of Olathe, Kansas, daughter Jennifer Leach (Coy) of Peoria, Illinois, stepsons David Butler (Ozawkie, Kansas), and Ken Butler (Topeka, Kansas), 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at Union Cemetery in rural Douglas County.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in the name of Gene Cobb to the Alzheimer’s Association 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208 or online at alz.org.

Robert Monroe Sykes Sr.

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Robert “Bob” Monroe Sykes, Sr., 80, Lawrence, died Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.

He was born July 30, 1938, in Brandon, Mississippi, the son of Tobie and Frances (Kahn) Sykes. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College and a Master’s degree from the University of Houston. He also attended and taught at the University of Kansas.

Bob served in the Navy from 1962 to 1966. He was a real estate broker and property manager.

He married Sallye Lou Atkinson in 1966 in Houston, Texas. She survives in the home.

Other survivors include sons, Toby Sykes and John Sykes; grandchildren, Jack, Dominick, Anabelle, and Gracelyn.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Sykes and sister, Lucretia Connell.

Shirley Ann McGlinn

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Private family services for Shirley Ann McGlinn, 84, Lawrence, will take place at a later date.

She died Monday, September 17, 2018, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Shirley was born October 11, 1933, in Neodesha, KS, the daughter of Clarence E. Rakestraw and Gladys F. Young Rakestraw. She was a 1951 graduate of Neodesha High School.

She married Larry F. McGlinn on January 26, 1955, in Bartlesville, Ok. After 63 years together he died earlier this year. She was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Larry Jr., in 2012.

As well as being a wonderful wife and mother Shirley worked as a clerk at Hallmark Cards in Lawrence for 28 years before her retirement in 1995. She loved doing needlework and was an avid reader. Shirley and Larry loved to travel and had many wonderful experiences as they toured the country in their motor home.

She is survived by two daughters, Teresa (Richard) Magnuson of Lawrence, Tracey (Jack) Schafer of Lawrence, one granddaughter, Ashley McGlinn, three grandsons, Patrick and Jacob Magnuson and Cole Schafer and three great grandsons, Nicholas, Cameron and Parker, all of Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street Lawrence, KS 66044.