Category: Obituaries

Allan E. DiSanto

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A Celebration of Life for Allan Edward DiSanto, 87, Lawrence, is planned for Saturday, June 9, 2018. More information will be provided at a later date. Allan died Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at his home.

He was born Apr. 25, 1930, in Perth Amboy, N.J., the son of Bartel J. and Mary R. Roman DiSanto. He graduated from Blair Academy in Blairstown N.J., and later served our country in the United States Air Force, being honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He returned to school, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Utah in 1956, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.  Allan was employed by Essex Wire International in Fort Wayne, Ind., and retired in 1997 as Vice President of Manufacturing. He was a life member of Wire Association International, American Society of Metals, and the Tonganoxie Historical Society, and a previous member of Plain Ol A’s Model A car club. His hobbies included travel, woodworking, making fine furniture, and antique car restoration.

He married Linda F. Dugger on July 4, 1981, in Reno, Nev. She survives of the home. Other survivors include children David DiSanto (Delina), Phoenix, R. Bart DiSanto, Bonita Springs, Fla., Diane DiSanto, Marlton, N.J., Robert DiSanto, Asbury Park, N.J., Dean Wharton, Shreveport, La., Dan Anthony (Becky), Fort Wayne, Ind., and Nancy Vaughn (Richard), Overland Park; a brother, James DiSanto (Jackie), Durango, Colo.; and a loving multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Barbara Sue Roper

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A visitation for Barbara Sue Roper, 70, Lawrence, Kansas. Will be at 10 am Friday January 19, 2018 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home followed by a burial at 11 am at Oak Hill Cemetery.

She passed away Thursday January 11, 2018 at her home in Lawrence, Kansas.

Barbara was born June 21, 1947 in Vinita, Oklahoma. She is the daughter Jasper Roland Nall and Mary Maud Piquard. Mrs. Roper moved to Lawrence, Kansas as a teenager from Vinita, Oklahoma.

She worked for the visiting nurses for 23 years. She loved her clients as if they were her family. She loved fishing, camping, and just plain being outdoors. She had a big heart that she wore on her sleeve. Her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews meant the world to her, she loved them all very much.

Barbara married Fred Patterson in Lawrence, Kansas they got divorced after about 10 years. Mrs. Roper married Eugene Leroy Roper on February 23, 1985. He passed away 5 years later on February 20, 1990 in Lawrence, Kansas. She did not remarry.

Survivors include 3 sisters Rosemary Bryant of Eudora, Judy Kay of Perry, Jane of Tulsa, 1 sister in law Debbie Nall of Lawrence,  2 sons Fred Patterson and wife Sandy of Lawrence, Roland Roper  and wife Catie of Lawrence, daughter Jeannine Moore of Lawrence, and daughter Ava Frazier of Lawrence, 6 grandchildren Annette Patterson 20 Topeka,  Angel Patterson 19 Lawrence, Elexis Moore 17 Olathe, Daylynn Moore 15 Olathe, Khristian Moore 13 Olathe, and Devon Moore 10 Olathe, and close family friend Jan, and many other family and friends not listed.

She is being reunited with her loved ones that have went to be with the lord.

Shirley Christine Bennett

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Funeral services for Shirley Christine Bennett, 75, Louisburg, will be 1:00 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory with visitation from Noon to 1:00. Cremation will take place after the service and inurnment will be held at a later date.

Ms. Bennett passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Olathe Medical Center.

She was born July 29, 1942, in Lawrence, the daughter of Everett and Agnes Nowak Shockley. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1960. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Ms. Bennett worked at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant.   She then attended cosmetology school and became licensed in the early 1970’s. She owned and operated Charm Beauty Salon on Massachusetts Street for many years, and later owned A-1 Cab Company. She was a very hard worker sometimes working two jobs to provide for her only son.

She attended the Lawrence Free Methodist Church before moving to Louisburg. Shirley enjoyed playing dominoes, crocheting, reading, crafting with beads, and being on the go and was an avid shopper on QVC. She wasn’t one to sit still for very long. Shirley very much enjoyed her time with her daughter-in-law and three granddaughters where she created many lasting memories. She adored her dog Ali and mostly her only son, Chris, whom she would always lovingly refer to as her “baby boy”, even at 54 years of age and often telling him, “it’s just you and me, babe”.

Survivors include her son, Chris Bennett and Robyn Yung of Gardner, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bennett of Baldwin City; brother, Johnson Shockley and wife Nancy of Lawrence; grandchildren, Ashley Bennett of Austin, Texas, and Emily and Danielle “Dani” Bennett of Baldwin City, her cousin Anne Dornberger of Louisburg and many other cousins, nieces and nephews along with her many friends at WEA Apartments in Louisburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Jackie Powers and Louise Holyfield.

Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday, where the family will receive them from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday.

The family would like to thank the nursing and physician staff at Olathe Medical Center CCU for the impeccable care Shirley received in her final days. The family suggests memorial contributions to Rumsey-Yost in Shirley’s name.

Patricia Kay Harrop

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A memorial service for Patricia Kay Harrop, 73, Lawrence, will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Mrs. Harrop died Friday, January 5, 2018, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence.

She was born December 8, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Keith D. and Doris Marjorie Ross Graham. She graduated from Wichita East high school, attended the University of Kansas, and went on to earn a master’s degree in software design.

Mrs. Harrop worked in IT as a computer programmer. She enjoyed reading, knitting, traveling, cooking, and watching KU sports.

She married David Wayne Harrop in August of 1969. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Matthew Harrop and wife Elise Waldron of Lawrence; and a granddaughter, Emma Harrop of Lawrence.

The family suggests that memorial contributions to the Lawrence Public Library, sent in care of the funeral home.

Dr. Bruce David Auchard

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Dr. Bruce David Auchard (known as David) passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.  He was born December 20, 1934, in Lawrence, the son of Virgil Marion Auchard, MD, and Mildred Leota Coker Auchard.  He  graduated from Lawrence High School in 1953 and the University of Kansas in 1957 with a major in physiology.  He obtained his medical degree at the University of Kansas in 1961, and did internship  as well as 1 1/2 years of residency in general surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, before completing two years of orthopedic residency and an additional year as Chief Resident  at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  After his residency, he remained on staff of Henry Ford Hospital and later became Board Certified. In 1967 he was sent with wife and children to Fifth Field Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, where he served as an orthopedic surgeon in the US Army.  He continued to serve through 1969 as a Major after transfer to DeWitt Army Hospital in Ft. Belvoir, VA.  In his medical practice in Mansfield, OH, from 1969 to 1993, at  a time when arthroscopic surgery was in its infancy, he was the first to introduce it to his area in Ohio.  As team physician for local high school football teams, he developed a special interest in Sports Medicine, and became Board Certified in that specialty.  After closing his practice, he was plant physician for General Motors from 1993 to 1995.  While there, he spoke at a national conference regarding need for rotation of jobs to avoid injuries caused by repetitive motion in the workplace.  After retirement, he returned to Detroit to conduct training of representatives from all plants on the same topic.
He held a pilot’s license as a young adult, and was an avid golfer.  He was champion of an Ohio state medical golf tournament in 1974.  In 2001, his team won the cup in a Kansas state seniors’ game.  He is remembered for his lively sense of humor, uncanny sense of geographic location (even into advanced Alzheimer’s), knowledge of history, and voracious reading of scientific and medical journals. In his retirement he retired also some of his outdated orthopedic tools.  He used old cast saws for removing sheetrock, as well as trimmed windows, doors and built cabinets for his own home.
He married Carol Anne Schowengerdt on July 3, 1957, at Danforth Chapel on KU campus, Lawrence.  She survives him, as well as his sister, Adrienne I. York of Council Bluffs, IA.  Other survivors are: a son, Greg A. Auchard of Bellville, OH, his son, Nicholas David Auchard of Cary, NC, and Greg’s wife, Sarah Maschke Auchard with two daughters, Audrey, and Amelia of Bellville.  David  is also survived by:  daughter, Kerry M. Auchard married to Bruce S. Miller, their son, Colten A., and daughter, Emmarie K. Miller of Kansas City, MO; a daughter Kymari A. Auchard-Smith married to Grant A. Smith, their son, Cameron T., daughter, Rachel L., and son, Conner A. Smith of Overland Park KS; and a daughter, Amy C. Blaufelder of Oskaloosa, KS, Erik Blaufelder, and sons, August K. and Kyan A. Blaufelder. David and Carol also have two grandchildren “by claim:” Jerrard Tucker and Alicia Tucker, children of Greg’s first wife, Lisa.
David was preceded in death by his parents, as well as a sister, M. Maurine Jost; a sister, Arlene E. Anderson; a sister, R. Rosemary Harris;  his brother, V. Allen Auchard, MD; and a grandson, Clayton W. Miller.
The family wishes to  thank especially Jefferson County Health and the staff of Lawrence Memorial Hospital for their caring support.  A service in David’s memory was held privately at the home by immediate family.  A gathering in the home for family and friends will be in three months on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 2 to 4 pm.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions made to “Insightful Minds Legacy Fund” in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 6601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences can be made at rumsey-yost.com.

Marjorie A. Schick

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Funeral services for Marjorie Ann Schick, 83, Lawrence, will be at 10 am Tuesday at Lone Star Church of the Brethren. Burial will follow in Washington Creek Cemetery. Mrs. Schick died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born May 17, 1934, in Lone Star, the daughter of Murray E. and Florence Kingery Bond. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School. Marjorie worked at Lawrence National Bank, and as a bookkeeper for her husband’s business – Don Schick Auto Parts. She also helped on the farm, and in her spare time enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, and following KU sports. She was a lifelong member of Lone Star Church of the Brethren, where she taught Sunday School and prepared the weekly bulletins.

Marjorie married Donald D. Schick on Apr. 10, 1955, at the Lone Star Church. He preceded her in death in 2012. Survivors include two sons, Jerry Schick, Chillicothe, Mo., and Larry Schick and wife Kathy, Meadow Grove, Neb.; four grandchildren, Valerie Gould and husband Zach, Bradley, Kendall, and Joshua Schick; and two great grandchildren, Esther & Samuel Gould.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Lone Star Church of the Brethren, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

George W. Byers

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George William Byers, retired professor of entomology at the University of Kansas, died at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital on 1, January. He was born on 16 May 1923, in Washington, D.C., son of George and Helen (Kessler) Byers. The family moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he attended grade school and high school. He was second of eight children. During high school years, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout (BSA), served a year as editor of his high school’s newspaper, and was chosen an outstanding high school student of the midwest, by the Chicago Tribune.

Early in 1942, when a student at Purdue University, he enlisted as a private in the Army, in field artillery, later attended officer training (OCS), and by the end of World War II was a first lieutenant. Following college training in biology and specializing in entomology at the University of Michigan, he was recalled to active duty, transferred to the Army’s Medical Service Corps, and sent to Korea to head a research unit to study a regional disease called epidemic hemorrhagic fever, to determine its cause in military personnel and how it could be controlled. After a few other, brief periods of active duty, he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel.

He married Lt. Gloria B. Wong, an Army nurse, on 16 December 1955, and together they raised three sons, in Lawrence: Bruce A. (born 28 Dec. 1958), Brian W. (14 May 1964] and Douglas E. (24 Dec. 1965). From a previous marriage, to Martha Esther Sparks, on 25 Feb. 1945, came son George W. (born 25 Feb. 1946, died 29 Apr. 2009) and daughter Carolyn S. (16 April 1948),

In 1956, he joined the Department of Entomology, at the University of Kansas, teaching systematic entomology, medical entomology, and some other courses, and curating the insect collection in the Snow Entomological Museum (later named the Entomology Division of the Biodiversity Institute of the University). He also taught a summer course in general entomology, alternate summers from 1961 to 1992 at Mountain Lake Biological Station, University of Virginia, and once at the University of Minnesota biological station, Lake Itasca. For more than 30 years his research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation.

Twice he served as department chairman, 1969-1972 and 1984-1987. He retired in 1988 but retained office and laboratory space, where he continued research on crane flies and scorpionflies until the time of his death.

The family will welcome friends at a reception Saturday, 6 January, 2-4 p.m. at 2707 Oxford Rd. The family requests no flowers, but contributions in memory of George may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Marcia Elaine Hutson

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Services for Marcia Elaine Hutson, 75, Eudora, will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Hutson died Friday, December 29, 2017, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born October 21, 1942, in Pontiac, Michigan, the daughter of Freeman Laurence and Bertha Lucille Olin Spurlock. She graduated from high school and attended some college.

Mrs. Hutson worked as a computer programmer for a pharmaceutical company. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, making jewelry, bowling, and playing bingo.

She married James Daniel Hutson on June 2, 1960 in Texas. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Jeanette Ayala and husband Richard of Lake Oswego, OR; sons, Jim Hutson and wife Sabrina of Lawrence, Scott Hutson and wife Teresa of Parkville, MO; sister, Phyllis Ballard of Payson, AZ; brother, Jim Spurlock and wife Sue of West Jefferson, NC; grandchildren, Dani Hutson of Omaha, NE, Jessica Hutson of Riverbank, CA, Ryan Hutson of Riverbank, CA, Richard Ayala of Portland, OR, and Lauren Ayala of San Diego, CA.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.