Category: Obituaries

Barbara S. Randel

Posted on by RumseyYost

Barbara S. Randel passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Lawrence, Kansas. Barbara was born October 24, 1940 to Charles E. Kahl and Faye (Creamer) Kahl.

Barbara was united in marriage to Leon H. Randel on August 30, 1958. They shared 55 years of marriage. She enjoyed dancing, bowling, and playing bridge.

She is survived by husband Leon of the home; two daughters, Connie Gentry and husband Roger, Cathy Owens and husband Ken, both of Lawrence, KS.; five grandchildren: Kenny and Casey Owens, Megan, Taylor, and Riley Gentry; and one sister, Brenda Wright and husband Ronnie of Cloudcroft, NM.

The family will meet with friends at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 12. A private burial will be held at a later date. The family requests memorials be made to the Vinland Cemetery, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Virginia “Gini” Lee Conger Wigington

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial services for Virginia Lee Conger Wigington, 80, a resident of Lawrence since 1972, will be 3 pm, Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Brandonwoods Town Hall. She died Monday, July 8, 2013, in her home. She was known to her family and friends as Gini.

She was born August 8, 1932, in Pawhuska, OK, the daughter of Dr. Robert W. and Rosetta Hall Conger. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Pawhuska.

Gini graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1949. She attended Columbia College (formerly Christian College) in Columbia, MO, and earned her bachelor of music education degree at Oklahoma State University in 1953. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority. She did post-graduate work at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, where she also taught elementary and junior high vocal music and chorus.

She married John Henry Wigington Aug. 31, 1952, in Pawhuska, OK. Mr. Wigington’s 23-year career as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force took the couple to numerous air bases across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. After a 3-year tour as associate professor of Air Force ROTC at the University of Kansas, Lt. Col. Wigington retired from the Air Force, and the couple made Lawrence their permanent home.

Gini’s great love of music began in her childhood with piano and dance lessons. As a teenager, she was active in hometown choirs, theatre productions and recitals. As the family moved during her husband’s Air Force career, she joined choirs and choruses (both secular and church-based) and served as accompanist. She was a member of the Lawrence Civic Choir. She was a life-long supporter of the arts, enjoying season subscriptions at Theatre Lawrence, the University of Kansas and the Lied Center. In June of this year, she donated her beloved piano to Theatre Lawrence.

She was also active in the KU Women’s Club, the KU University Bridge Club and other local bridge groups and the Lawrence Antiques Group.

She is survived by daughter Leslie Wigington, Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Lisa Miller, Grand Rapids, MI; son John Robert, Baldwin, KS; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

The family suggests memorials to Grace Hospice or Theatre Lawrence, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

Alice Lorene Merrill

Posted on by RumseyYost

Private family services for Alice Lorene Merrill, 80, Eudora, will be held at a later date.

Alice passed away Sunday, July 7, 2013, at her home in Eudora, surrounded by family.

She was born Aug. 3, 1932, in Wetumka, Okla., the daughter of Roy and Alice Harwell. She graduated from high school, and later attended college in Napa, Calif. to obtain her welding degree.

Alice worked as a welder for Kaiser Aluminum in Napa for several years. She later worked as a pizza cook at Casey’s in Eudora for seven years. She enjoyed games, crafts, political activism, cooking, dancing, and spending time with family.

Survivors include four children, Thomas W. Merrill and wife Sharon, Greenwell Springs, La., Katherine M. Altazan and husband Elmo, Hattiesburg, Miss., Tracy L. Merrill, Harker Heights, Tex., and Tina Hopson and husband Scott, Eudora; a brother, Lloyd Harwell and wife Glenna, Holdenville, Okla.; two sisters, Linda Curtis and Lela Bradley, both of Okla; 12 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Leroy Harwell, and a sister, Lucille Dyer.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 8630, Topeka, KS, 66608.

George William Robson

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial services for George William Robson, 74, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mr. Robson died Thursday, July 4, 2013, at his home.

He was born August 14, 1938, in Lawrence, the son of William Albert and Ilo Bernice Hashman Robson. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1956 and has lived in the area his entire life.

Mr. Robson worked as a printer for Kansas Color Press and Intertec Publishing. He was a member of the printers union as well as the First Christian Church. After retirement he did volunteer work at Independence Inc. for 10 years. He was a family man, enjoyed working on cars, spending time at the baseball fields with his children, and was an avid KU sports fan.

He married Ada Marie Okimoto, July 25, 1982 in Lawrence, KS. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Steve Robson and wife Kelly of Lawrence, Larry Robson of Eudora; three daughters, Tracy Robson and partner Chris Spencer of Lawrence, Tammy Johnson and husband Doug of Stephen City, VA, Christina Robson of Lawrence; brother, Ronald Robson of Lake George, NY; sisters, Sandra McDonald and husband Ben of Kountze, TX, Marian Hess of Eudora, Cheryl Evilsizor and husband Larry of Lecompton, Cindy Hout and husband Allen of Lawrence, Connie Clark and husband Jim of Kansas City, KS; 12 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.

A visitation with the family will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Alvin William Reetz

Posted on by RumseyYost

Visitation for Alvin William Reetz, 88, Lawrence will be 6 pm to 7:30 pm Friday July 5, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at his home.

Alvin was born May 20, 1925, in Linwood, the son of William and Frieda Schwarz Reetz. He graduated from Eudora High School in 1943. He later drove a semi-truck for Farmland Industries. He retired after thirty years with them. During this time he received recognition for one million miles of accident free driving.

Mr. Reetz was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church of Lawrence. He was also a member of I.O.O.F. of Eudora, Lodge # 42. In his free time he enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing, and never missed KU basketball games on TV. He most enjoyed spending time with his family.

He married Wilma Jeffries on Aug. 18, 1946, in Leavenworth, KS.

Survivors include his wife of almost 67 wonderful years, Wilma Reetz; three daughters, Cheryl Klug (late husband Bob), Charla Tunget (late husband Sam), Debby Wedel and husband Dennis; one son Alvin William “Bill” Reetz Jr. and wife Judi, all of Lawrence; three sisters, Katherine Neis, Eudora, Lila Self, Hinsdale, IL, and Lorene Cox, Linwood; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Elmer Reetz (dec. 1980).

The family suggests memorials made to the Reno Township Fire Dept. or Visiting Nurses of Lawrence sent to P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Helen Virginia Brune

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Helen Virginia Brune, 91, Holton, will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday July 3, 2013, at Clinton Cemetery.

She died Saturday June 29, 2013, at Holton Community Hospital.

She was born September 12, 1921, near Stull, the daughter of Roy R. and Martha I. Bidinger Deskins. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1939. She retired from the Kansas Industries for the Blind, and previously worked for Slimmaker Dress Factory, Holton, and Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, DeSoto. She enjoyed playing softball and cards.
Survivors include two daughters, Sharon S. Cochren, Circleville, KS, Deb Dillner and husband Tim, Mayetta, KS; one stepdaughter Jerri Lou Wright, Highland, CA; two sons, Duane Dreyer and late wife Bobby, Hoyt, KS and Ron Dreyer, Hoyt, KS; fourteen grandchildren and thirty-two great-grandchildren and fifteen great-great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and proceed to Clinton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Clinton Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.

Clarence Wayne Hatch

Posted on by RumseyYost

Memorial services for Clarence Wayne Hatch, 76, Lawrence will be 2 pm. Tuesday, July 2, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. He died Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hosptial. He was born July 9, 1936 in Jefferson County, KS, the son of Leonard V. and Alice I. Holliday Hatch.

Mr. Hatch worked for Charley Taylor for 32 years, 1962 to 1994, and also worked at Stokely-Van Camp from 1965 to 1969.

He married Elvira I. Brittain, March 18, 1955. Elvira preceded him in death on May 18, 1985. He married Nancy N. Miller June 3, 1985. Nancy preceded him in death on March 27, 2008.

Survivors include sons, Leonard W. (Kevin), Daniel L., Richard W. all of Lawrence, daughters, Brenda L. Weber (Mark), Tiffany Hatch both of Lawrence, grandchildren, Matthew Weber, Bridget Brown, Matthew, Caden, Alyssa, Destiny Hardy, and Bryson Hatch.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday after the memorial service at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Private inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, north of Perry, KS.

Marceline Roseida Turner

Posted on by RumseyYost

Funeral service for Marceline Roseida Turner, 85, Linwood, will be 10 am Friday June 28, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. She died Tuesday June 25, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

She was born Feb. 4, 1928, the daughter of William and Margaret Jones. She married Harold E. Turner on Nov. 17, 1948, at Harrisonville, MO. He preceded her in death on March 31, 1995.

Marceline worked on the family farm, was a devoted mother and grandmother. She volunteered on the election board and was a board member for the Linwood Community Library for several years.

Survivors include three daughters, Leona Moeder and husband Bob, Topeka, KS, Neva Herd and husband Carl, Lecompton, KS, Glenda McCleary and husband Mike, Linwood, KS; one son Harold Turner and wife Jalayne, Linwood, KS.; ten grandchildren, Rob, Quentin, Michael, Tammy, Jessica, Jacob, John, Jasmine, Lisa and Cory., and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 8 am to 8:30 pm Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 7 – 8:30 pm.

The family suggests memorials made to the Friends of the Linwood Community Library or Douglas County Special Olympics, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Lawrence, KS 66044.

Robert R. Chalender

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services with military honors for Robert R. “Bob” Chalender, 77, Linwood, will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2013 at Reno Cemetery in Reno, Kansas.

Mr. Chalender died Monday, June 24, 2013 at The Windsor of Lawrence nursing home after losing his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born October 4, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, the only son of James Robert and Alice Boyd Chalender. He graduated from Garden Plains High School in 1971.

Mr. Chalender retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years of service. He also retired from the Topeka DMU as a postal clerk after 15 years of service. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, boating, and was an avid KU Jayhawk Fan.

He married Betty Powell, October 12, 1953 in Lawrence, Kansas. Bob and Betty celebrated 59 ½ years together. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include three sons, James Chalender, Eudora, KS, Dale Chalender and wife Kris, Big Lake, AK, Richard Chalender and wife Debbie, Baldwin City, KS; daughter, Debra Schlesener and husband Kenny, Reading, KS; 7 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

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

Rowena Jane “Janee” Hillebert

Posted on by RumseyYost

Services for Rowena Jane “Janee” Hillebert, 59, Eudora, will be 4 p.m. Monday, June 24, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in Vinland Cemetery at a later date.

Ms. Hillebert died Sunday, June 16, 2013, at her home.

She was born February 22, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph Ward Sr. and Lois Laverne Minor Hillebert. She graduated from Frontenac High School in 1972 and later from dental school. She moved to Eudora in 1979 from Pittsburg, Kansas.

Ms. Hillebert worked as a dental assistant. She enjoyed spending time with family and taking care of her grandchildren.

She married Tony Hickman in 1973. They later divorced.

Survivors include a son, Jamy Hickman and wife Amy of Oskaloosa, KS; daughter, Nichole Hayes and husband David of Eudora, KS; brothers, Delbert Hillebert of West Palm Beach, FL, John Hillebert and wife Sherry of Eudora, KS, Joseph Hillebert of Franklin, KS; sisters, Sadie Coon of Lawrence, KS, Joan Ellis and husband Pete of Anacortes, WA, Marilyn Smardo and husband John of Franklin, KS, Victoria Hillebert of Eudora, KS; grandchildren, Randy-Paul Hickman, Lance Hickman, Tomi-Lyn Hickman, Kaitlyn Hayes, Brayden Hayes, Charlee Hayes; 38 nieces and nephews; and 54 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers Roy Hillebert, Bruce French, and Teddy Hillebert; and an infant sister, Rita.

The family suggests memorials to the Janee Hillebert Memorial Fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.