Category: Obituaries

Vickie Ann Scruggs

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Graveside memorial services for Vickie Ann Scruggs, 62 of Baldwin City, Ks, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Ms. Scruggs passed away on May 6, 2016 in her home.

She was born January 29, 1954 in California to John & Doris Scruggs. They later as a family moved to Lawrence, Ks. She was a well known resident of Lawrence, Ks
for many years until her retirement.

She was a devoted mother to her two children and a devoted grandmother (Granny) to her grandchildren. She was a graduate of Lawrence High School and was a member
of the F.O.E. Arie #309 of Lawrence for many years.

She was a hairdresser for most her working years. After no longer cutting hair for the general public her door was always open for family and friends to come in for a
“cleanup” and a few laughs.

She loved sewing, crotcheting, cooking, and family. But most of all, her grandbabies. She had a sharp sense of humor that will be greatly missed by all her knew her. If you
ever met her you would like her, if you got to know her you would love her.She had a beautiful smile and a wonderful laugh.

She leaves behind her two children, Lucinda Orth (Schafer) and her husband Clark, John “J.C.” Scruggs and his wife Julie. Six grandchildren (Abby, Lilli, Cain, Avery, Stephanie,
& Jamie). Two great grandchildren Addy and Savannah. Two brothers and one sister and many nieces and nephews.

Albert I. Decker, MD

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A. Decker PhotoAlbert I. “Deck” Decker was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on February 20, 1921 and died in Lawrence, Kansas on June 28, 2015. He was the son of Albert I. Decker, Sr. and Lavonia Hickey Decker. In 1935, the family moved to Lawrence where Deck completed high school. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Kansas where he was a Summerfield Scholar and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1944.

As a Navy medical officer, he served in World War II and the Korean War. He remained in the Naval Reserve retiring as a Commander in 1980. He practiced medicine for almost forty years, in Kansas City, MO and in Melbourne, FLA. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

On February 28, 1946, Deck married his great love, Marie Elizabeth Williams, who passed away in 2011. He is survived by their children, Linda of Truro, MA and Jeffrey of Driggs, ID, their grandson, Brett Decker, Brett’s wife, Katelyn, their daughters, Lucy and Clara, of Syracuse, NY, many wonderful nieces and nephews and his special angel, Kathy Cook. His sister, Dorothy Anderson, and brother, William, predeceased him. The last of the siblings, Charles, died in March, 2016.

Dr. Decker was a member of the Greene County Medical Society, The Missouri State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, St. John’s Regional Medical Center (honorary staff), MENSA, the League of Women Voters, and Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Mo where he served on the vestry.

In retirement, Deck became increasingly interested in the issue of human population growth and its impact on the environment. He belonged to Zero Population Growth, the Environmental Collaborative of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks, and served on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

Friends and family will gather to remember him this Father’s Day weekend in Lawrence. His generous spirit and quiet wit are sadly missed.

Geneva Jane Pohl

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Geneva Jane Pohl passed on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

Geneva was born January 20, 1924, in Edmond, Oklahoma, the daughter of George W. and Ida J. Reynolds. She is preceded in death by a brother, Earl, sister, Mildred and her beloved husband, Ralph. Geneva was raised on a farm in Baldwin, Kansas, graduated from Baldwin High School in 1941, and was a member of the Worden Church.

She married Ralph H. Pohl in 1942 and together they lived in Ottawa for 10 years. In 1952 they moved to Lawrence where she became an active member of Central United Methodist Church and lived the rest of her life.

Geneva was employed by Baldwin Telephone Company, Hercules Powder, and later retired from the Lawrence School District Administration Office.

She was devoted to her family, church, and friends. Geneva enjoyed Jayhawk sports (especially basketball!), quilting, and volunteered at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for 22 years.

Geneva’s survivors include sons Charles and Dennis, daughter Carol, and daughter in law Judy. She enjoyed six grandchildren, Jill Lamkin, Josh Coffman, Carrie Pohl, Brad Pohl, Dylan Pohl, Evan Pohl, and five great-grandchildren.

The family invites all to join them from 1:30 to 2:30 pm on Friday, May 13 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home to share her memories. Burial will follow at Worden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Visiting Nurses, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Eola Mae Stull Casey

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Funeral services for Eola Mae (Stull) Casey, 99, Berryton, KS, will be at 2 pm Saturday at the Stull United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Stull Cemetery. Mrs. Casey passed away peacefully at home May 3, 2016. She was a lifelong resident of the Stull community.

Born Oct 31, 1916, in Stull, KS, Eola was fourth of nine children to Matilda (Wulfkuhle) and Henry Stull. She married Emmett A. Casey on Jan 12, 1958 in Lawrence, sharing over 50 years of laughter, joy, and tears together. He preceded her in death Mar 5, 2009.

Eola, or Aunt Olie as she was affectionately called, received great joy from cooking for and spending time with family and friends—especially children, whether through her years of care giving for 24 families or visits from three generations of nieces and nephews. She enjoyed receiving company. Friends and family were often greeted with homemade treats like Angel food cake, apple pie, cinnamon rolls, or Bierocks and with tea parties for the children.

Eola was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother; and four sisters, Alberta Casey, Evelyn Stull, Geneva Stull, and Mary Ann Johanning. She is survived by her beloved niece, Julie (Johanning) and Robert Neff; sisters, Orinda Avey, Zella Stull, and Luella Rinard; and generations of adoring nieces and nephews.

She will be forever remembered for her patience, positive outlook, kind words, and caring soul.

Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, or visit with the family preceding the funeral service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Stull United Methodist Church Youth Fellowship, sent in care of the funeral home.

Sue Carole Siegfreid

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A memorial service for Sue Carole Siegfreid, 66, Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mrs. Siegfreid died Thursday, April 28, 2016, at her home.

She was born January 15, 1950, in Wichita, the daughter of Chester Vernon and Carol Lee Carpenter Cale. She graduated from Great Bend High School in 1968, from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1972, and from the University of Kansas in 1976 as a reading specialist.

Mrs. Siegfreid taught school for 32 years, 25 of them were spent at Woodlawn Elementary in Lawrence. She was a member of KNEA, NEA, and a monthly book club. She enjoyed gardening and flowers, painting and poetry. She was a “Bob’s Award” winner and was nominated “Teacher of The Month” several times.

She married Stuart Lewis Siegfreid, July 31, 1976 in the KU Chapel in Lawrence. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include daughters, Sarah S. Johnson and husband David of Olathe, and Laura Lee Sengchan and husband Som of Lawrence; son Eric Lewis Siegfreid of Lawrence; step sons, Jon S. Siegfreid and wife Dawn of Aurora, CO, and Bradley S. Siegfreid and wife Lori of Aurora, CO; mother, Carol Cale of Great Bend; brothers, Pat Cale and wife Nancy of Great Bend, and Chet Cale and wife Connie of Great Bend; brother in law, John Doggett of Great Bend; former sister in Law, Denise of Great Bend; and 8 grandchildren, Kristy, Steven, Connor, Somjai, Samuel, Solomon, Aubrey, and Joshua.

She was preceded in death by her father; a brother, Corby Cale; and sister, Shelley Doggett.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Oncology, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Marian Etta Rose

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Marian Etta Rose, 86, Lawrence, formerly of San Francisco, CA, died Monday, April 11, 2016, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar in Lawrence, Kansas. No services are planned.

She was born July 15, 1929, in South Gate, California, in the Los Angeles area to Thomas C. and Dorothy J. Patterson Brown. She grew up in San Francisco and graduated from Washington High School in 1947.

She married Mark Robert Rose and they had two children, Katherine and Peter, and lived in Los Angeles. After she and Mark divorced, she began her long career as a legal secretary. She continued working for many years after moving back to her beloved San Francisco.

Survivors include her daughter, Katherine Gail Rose–Mockry and son-in-law Lynn Mockry of Lawrence, Kansas; her son, Peter Rose of Los Angeles; her two grandsons, William Mockry of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Stephen Mockry of Denver, Colorado; and her parrot, Humphrey of Lawrence, Kansas. She also leaves some good friends who miss her.

Marian served as staff to several cats and one very boisterous parrot in her home through the years. She traveled to fun and beautiful places in Europe and Mexico whenever she got the chance. She loved music, especially opera and often attended live performances. Her biggest passion, though, was learning, and she created an extensive library in her home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home.

Dean LeRoy Hatch

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Graveside services for Dean LeRoy “Dino” Hatch, 52, Lawrence, will be 11 am Thursday, at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 am before the graveside at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

He died Saturday April 23, 2016, at his home.

Dino was born June 30, 1963, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of LeRoy Howard and Gertie Louise Heston Hatch. He attended Lawrence High School and later went on to be a self employed Laborer.

Dean loved playing pool with friends, working on cars, painting cars and helping people. He also liked working in yards, gardening and remodeling houses. He would do almost anything for anyone if you asked him to. He also collected trains and played the guitar.

Survivors include his mother, 2 children Tasha Hatch and Michael Hatch of Boyertown, PA, 3 Brothers Ernest Hatch and wife Kimberly Hatch of the home in Lawrence, KS, Glenn Hatch Foster of VA and Robert Hatch Smiley of CO and 3 sisters Elaine Hatch of Lawrence, KS, Deloris Hatch Riemer of Ottawa, KS and Patricia Hatch Jackson of Pomona, KS.

He is preceded in death by his father LeRoy Howard Hatch and a sister Ruby Hatch Schmidt.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dean LeRoy Hatch Memorial Fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Chester William Proctor

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C. ProctorServices for Chester William Proctor, 95, Lawrence, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be at Washington Creek Cemetery.

Mr. Proctor died Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

He was born January 2, 1921, in Erie, Kansas, the son of John Benjamin and Kitty Culperna Meredith Proctor. He graduated from Erie High School in 1938.

Mr. Proctor served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, during WWII, was a prisoner of war for 5 ½ months and was awarded the Purple Heart medal. After his time in the service he began working in Parsons, KS at Commercial Publishers, learning to be a book binder. He continued his training in Kansas City, MO. In 1967, he and his wife started their own business “Proctor Bindery” in the basement of their home and was successful in becoming a craftsman of the trade, he eventually retired in 2000. Mr. Proctor enjoyed woodworking, crossword puzzles, and was a very active member with the First Central Church of the Brethren in Kansas City. He was also on the worship committee at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

He married Lorene Margaret Meanor of Parsons, KS, on June 13, 1944, in Lebanon, PA. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Roxane Fawl and husband Mike of Overbrook, KS; grandsons, Russell, Ben, Jonathan, and Matthew Fawl all of Overbrook; and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother Earl Proctor, and twin brother Lester Proctor.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor’s Good Samaritan Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.

Jack William Skeels

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Services for Jack William Skeels will be on Monday, April 25, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS.

Jack was born on November 3, 1929, in Wausau, WI. He was the son of Gertrude Preuss Skeels and Lawrence John Skeels. He grew up in the Wausau, WI area, and spent his time working 2 paper routes, to help support his family, and reading. A high school teacher ignited his love of learning, and through hard work and military service, Jack was able to attend the University of Wisconsin. While there, Jack attained a B.A. in Economics with High Honors in 1951, and a Ph.D in Economics in 1957. Jack served in the military from 1951-1953, and was stationed on the island of Guam. He completed his post-doctoral work at Wayne State University in the Detroit, MI area, where he compiled an oral history the development of Unionism in the Automobile Industry. Jack then began his long and rewarding teaching career at Northern Illinois University, which spanned from 1963 until 1997. During his time at NIU, along with a full teaching load, Jack published over 20 articles, and was director of numerous doctoral dissertations. While at NIU, Jack held the positions of Full Professor, Chairman of the Department of Economics, Associate Dean-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Associate Provost, and chaired various other committees. In 1974 Jack started an outside consulting business as a Forensic Economist, and provided expert testimony in wrongful death, injury, discrimination and divorce cases, as well as some economic evaluations of business and collective bargaining situations.

Upon his retirement in 1997, Jack moved to Lawrence, KS to live near his daughter, Jennifer Nelson. A short time later, Jack met the love of his life, Barbara Frick. They were married in June of 1999 and Barbara preceded him in death in October, 2004. Jack lived a rich life in Lawrence, which included volunteer work at the Lawrence Library and LINK. He enjoyed dining out with friends and his coffee spots. Jack’s most important role after his retirement was that of Father/Grandfather to Chase Waterman, and Grandfather to Ian, Tori, Chris and Lee Nelson. Jack was rarely absent from a school concert, open house, or sporting meet. He served as a valued advisor and mentor, and encouraged his children and grandchildren in whatever path they chose in life.

Jack is survived by his daughter Jennifer Nelson, son-in-law Tom Nelson and children Ian, Tori, Chris and Lee Nelson of Lawrence. He is also survived by Chase Waterman, wife Jennifer Waterman, and daughter Ava of Colorado Springs, CO. Also surviving is son Jack Allen Skeels and wife Michelle Herman, of Topanga, CA.

Donations may be made to Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen (LINK) in lieu of flowers.

Martha Erlene Stevens Stewart

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Graveside inurnment services for Martha Erlene Stevens Stewart, 80, Renton, Wash., will be held Saturday, Apr. 30, 2016, at 10:30 am at Vinland Cemetery. Mrs. Stewart died Nov. 10, 2015, in Newcastle, Wash.

She was born Apr. 28, 1935, in Lawrence, the daughter of Albert and Mary Stevens. She graduated from Vinland Rural High School in 1953. She went on to earn a certificate in Computer Programming from Renton Vocational Technical Institute in 1968. Martha worked for the Renton School District, and several companies in the area as an accountant. She enjoyed movies, jigsaw puzzles, her beloved Corgi Radar, and spending time with her family.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Stevens and Mary (Stevens) Miller.

Martha is survived by her sister, Talitha (Stevens) Bailey, Baldwin City; a daughter, Lynette (Stewart) Murphy; sons Brian, Bruce, and Brent; and five grandsons, Michael and Shawn Murphy, and Dutch, Zachary, and Cooper Stewart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vinland United Methodist Church, 1724 N. 692 Rd., Baldwin City, KS, 66006.