Category: Obituaries

Dale H. Gregg

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Funeral services for Dale H. Gregg, 81, Wichita, will be at 10 am Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Rod Hinkle officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Lecompton. A visitation will be held from 6-7 pm Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Dale H. Gregg was born on September 16, 1933 in Lone Star, Kansas and died on December 24, 2014 at his home surrounded by family. He was the son of Sybil Schroyer, Harry S. Gregg and William (Bill) Schroyer. He is survived by his wife Elise Stucky-Gregg of Wichita, Kansas, brother, Charles (Jana) of Seattle, WA, his daughters, Dayle Hodges (Brian) of Kansas City, Julia Ingrassia of Lawrence, and Christine Hollister (Mark) of Des Moines, IA and his son, Dan Gregg (Janet) of Tonganoxie, KS, 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Brenda and a son Steven, brother Jack and sister Virginia.

Dale graduated from Lecompton High School and served in the US Air Force in the 1950’s. He retired from the University of Kansas Memorial Union and started a painting and repair business with his son Dan. Dale was active in his community where he served on the Lecompton City Council for several years. He was instrumental in starting the annual Territorial celebration. He was a founding member of the “Crusaders” Car Club in Lawrence, KS. He was president of the Lecompton Historical Society and helped with the initial campaign to restore Lane University as a museum. He also served as a volunteer on the Lecompton Fire Department.

Later in life Dale and Elise moved to South Carolina where they were active in the Lions club and touched many lives with his repair business. Dale was a member of the Odd Fellows and Compassionate Friends. In recent years Dale and Elise returned to Kansas and were lucky to be near his children, grandchildren and family.

Robert ‘Bob’ Banks

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Robert “Bob” Banks died unexpectedly at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Monday, December 22, 2014 in Lawrence, KS at the age of 84.

Robert is survived by his wife, Linnie; 3 children Robbi Jenkins of Lawrence, Joseph Banks (Casandra) of Hernando, MS, Cheryl Johnson of Berkeley, CA; 4 grandchildren Zachary, Lauren, Justin, and Cassie.

Robert was born on July 17, 1930 in Columbus, MS to Georgia Harris Walker and raised in Starkville, MS by his grandparents, Mariah and Charlie Harris. He attended and graduated from W.C. Henderson High School in Starkville, MS and then enlisted in the United States Army serving in the Korean War where he earned the Silver Star. He attended Jackson State College (now Jackson State University) from 1953 to 1957 under the G.I. Bill earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education. While at Jackson State, he was a member of the Jackson State Tiger football team and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. In April, 1990 Robert was inducted into the Jackson State Tiger Sports Hall of Fame.

He married Linnie, his high school sweetheart in November, 1953. They resided in Starkville, MS where his lifetime of service began working for the Boy Scouts of America. Soon after, he found himself teaching, mentoring, and coaching students at his former high school and his former college. After moving to Aberdeen, Maryland in 1965 he began serving our nation’s veterans over the next 25 years at the following VA hospitals: Perry Point, MD, Coatsville, PA, Montrose, NY and Hines VA Hospital in Chicago, IL from where he retired. During these years, Robert also served in the U.S. Army Reserves retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Robert has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, USA for many years, serving in various roles in the Chicago Presbytery, and was an Elder Commissioner to the 211th General Assembly. Robert is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Lawrence, KS where he served on the Board of Trustees. Robert was an avid golfer, loved a good cigar, and was passionate about Jayhawk athletics.

Robert will be interred at Leavenworth National Cemetery with full military honors, on Tuesday, December 30th at 10 a.m. with a Service of Witness to the Resurrection to follow at First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, KS at 12:30 p.m. The Reverend Kent Winters-Hazelton will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Robert’s life. Condolences can be sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Presbyterian Church, Lawrence, KS-Deacon’s Love Fund.

Christine R. Torneden

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Christine R. Torneden, 40, of Lawrence, KS passed on December 19, 2014 at University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, KS. Christine was born March 4, 1974 in Chicago, IL to Edward Knippen and Virginia Thomas.

Christine was united in marriage to Troy Torneden on October 14, 1994 in Lawrence, KS. They shared 20 years of marriage. He survives of the home.

Christine is also survived by son Caleb Torneden and daughter Carlee Torneden both of Lawrence, KS. She has a step-daughter, Danielle Owens and husband Timothy, of Overland Park, KS and step-son Brandon Torneden and wife Megan, of Lavon, TX. Christine has four grandchildren, Gavin Torneden, Grace Torneden, Madolynn Torneden and Skyler Torneden. Christine is also survived by her mother Virginia Thomas of Lawrence, KS, sisters Kandy Lipp of Valley Falls, KS, Lori Mizell of Lawrence, KS, and brother Donald Cannon of Lawrence, KS.

She is preceded in death by her father Edward Knippen and sister Gina Gardere.

Christine worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant and worked in home health through Independence Inc.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, KS at 1:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family through Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, KS. www.rumsey-yost.com

Alfred John Lata

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Funeral services for Alfred John Lata, 83, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial with military honors will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Lata died Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born on November 14, 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Belle (Badowski) Lata. He graduated from South High School there, and received a BA in Chemistry from Princeton in 1954.

Mr. Lata served two years in the U. S. Army, and then earned his MA in Education from Western Reserve University in 1957. He taught at Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. During this time he sang under the direction of Robert Shaw. In 1965 he joined the General Chemistry Program at Kansas University.

He was one of the first to experiment with the use of computers for chemical education. He spoke on this topic at regional, national and international meetings. He served as Chairman of the ACS Division of Chemical Education’s Committee on Computer in Chemical Education. He retired from KU in 2003.

Within the Lawrence community, Alfred was best known for his voice and acting talents. He was involved with the University Theater and Lawrence Community Theater (now Theatre Lawrence) for many years. Alfred was one of the founding members of Voci de Camera, and also sang with the Lawrence Motet Singers, as well as singing for weddings and funerals.

Alfred married Mary Winston Jones on June 15, 1957. She survives of the home.

Other survived include one son, John Lata of Tallahassee, FL, and daughter, Jamie Lata of Topeka, KS, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by daughter Elizabeth Lata.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Visiting Nurses Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Tyler James Gould

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Memorial services for Tyler James Gould, 19, Lawrence, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Tyler died Tuesday, December 16, 2014.

He was born January 31, 1995, in Olathe, Kansas, the son of James Eliot and Colleen Denise Gould. He graduated from West Ranch high school in Stevenson Ranch, California in 2013. He has lived in Lawrence for the past year.

Tyler was a student at the University of Kansas. He played and enjoyed football and loved classic muscle cars.

He did volunteering at several retirement communities in the Santa Clarita, CA community. He worked in a group called “Tag” at his high school that helped kids with the loss of family members and friends. He always made people laugh and never knew a stranger. He always found a way to light up a room.

Survivors include his parents; sister, Bobbie Moore of McLouth, KS; grandparents, Rick Gould of Shawnee, KS, and Patty Barry of Lakewood, WA; nephew, Kaiser Springer; niece, Aria Springer; and loving girlfriend, Sarah Gilbreath of Drexel, MO.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Springer.

The family suggests memorials to Susan G. Komen, sent in care of the funeral home.

Margaret L. Padgett

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Services for Margaret Lenore Padgett, 86, will be held 10 a.m. January 10, 2015, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas.

Ms. Padgett passed away Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Bridge Haven Village in Lawrence, Kansas.

She was born December 14, 1928, in McPherson, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Edith Straka. She graduated from McPherson High School. She attended the University of Kansas for 1 year where she met and married William Laverne Padgett, September 3, 1947. She made her home in Wichita, Kansas. The last three years of her life were spent in Lawrence with her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Bob, then on to Bridge Haven Village.

Margaret worked in a Doctor’s office until she was 80 years old. She loved playing golf, attending the symphony music theater and playing bridge. One of her favorite past times was going to the movies with her girls or sisters, and then spending an afternoon piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.

She was a selfless woman, who embraced life and gave love to all.

Margaret is survived by her children, Lane Padgett, David Padgett and wife Lynn, Mark Padgett, Nancy Kocour and husband Bob, Susan Rabe, and Peggy Padgett Pitts and husband Robert; sisters, Marlene Thomas and husband Bill, Rosellen Lindblade and husband Roger, and Frances Oltman and husband Marlo; 12 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Douglas County Visiting Nurses and Hospice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Herman Wayne Marrs

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Surrounded by loving family and friends, H. W. (Wayne) Marrs, 89, departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, December 17, at Brandon Woods Retirement Community in Lawrence, KS.

The first of three children, Wayne was born July 6, 1925 to Hugh and Liddie Marrs of Joplin, MO. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1943, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in October of that year. His seven years of service to our country included participation in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II (China, the Philippines and Japan) and participation in the Korean War, as well. He received an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Sargeant.

Beginning in 1947, Wayne enjoyed a remarkable career with Southwestern Bell/AT&T Longlines. Through skill, hard work and many transfers, he rose to the position of Central Office Chief in both Fairview and Dodge City, KS and Special Operations Manager in Kansas City, MO. Two highlights of his career were particularly meaningful to him. One was oversight of a top-priority underground facility with strategic military and governmental significance during the Cold War. The second was management of all communication lines and access during the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City. Following his retirement in 1981, Wayne maintained active involvement in the AT&T Longlines Pioneers. He especially enjoyed his affiliation through the Pioneers with Special Olympics, where his most meaningful position was that of “hugger” as contestants crossed their finish lines.

In 1946, Wayne married his lifetime beloved – the late Jacquelyn Pauline Niel, also of Joplin. They enjoyed starting their 67-year-long married life together in Joplin and stayed there until 1959, when the first career transfer took them to Kansas City. They were also very active in Joplin’s Empire Baptist Church, where Wayne was Head Deacon and Training Union Superintendent.

Wayne and Jackie both developed an avid interest in golf, playing several times each week, participating in (and winning!) tournaments and sharing wonderful friendships made on the course. In his retirement, Wayne delighted in supervising the Youth Golf Program at Windbrook Country Club in Kansas City. He also became a skilled custom golf club maker. Wayne and Jackie particularly enjoyed dancing together at every opportunity, too, including slow-dancing to music from the radio in the living room after the supper.

They loved traveling – especially to see children and grandchildren – and relished their winters spent with warm weather, warm friends and cold drinks on the golf course in Del Rio, TX.

In death, Wayne rejoined his dear wife Jacquelyn (Jackie) Pauline Niel Marrs who preceded him in death in 2013. He is also preceded by his parents Hugh and Liddie Marrs, sister Marilee Marrs Howell and brother Albert Laverne Marrs. He leaves behind sons Stephen (Juda Parks) Marrs of Lawrence, KS and Richard (Linda Cunningham) Marrs of Centennial, CO; daughter Janet Marrs Laughead of Needham, MA; and Susan (Kevin) Marrs Snay of Olathe, KS. He also leaves 10 grandchildren and 6 1/2 great-grandchildren.

We will miss him dearly, longing for his funny jokes and frequent wisecracks, his tender talks and advice, his big warm hugs and – always – his unconditional love.

Visitation is from 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Monday, December 22, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS, with funeral following at 10:00 AM. Burial services will take place at 3:30 PM at Ozark Memorial Cemetary, Joplin, MO.

Thomas F. Barbery

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A Celebration of Life service for Thomas F. Barbery, 63, Tonganoxie, will take place at a later date.

Mr. Barbery died Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

He was born September 3, 1951, in Princeton, West VA, the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Bushee) Barbery. After high school he attended college and also served in the US Army. While in the Army he served in Vietnam and received the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Service medal with three Campaign Stars.

Thomas married Debra Ann Glenn on December 22, 1988, in Topeka, Kansas. She survives of the home.

Mr. Barbery worked for the US Postal Service. After retiring from the Post Office, Thomas drove a bus for the Manhattan School district. While not working he enjoyed cooking, spending time with family & grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling and especially spending time at Tuttle Creek State Park.

He is survived by three sons, Dylan, of California; Josh, of Topeka; Jason Kahrs, of Clay Center; three sisters, Cassie Jackson & Jayne Di Vincenzo, of Virginia; Dawn Bonner of North Carolina; five brothers, Mike, Jay, Tim, of Virginia; Kevin of Texas; Tony, of West Virginia; and four grandchildren, Tray Kahrs, Mason Kahrs, Austin Barbery & Alyssa Barbery.