Category: Obituaries

James “Jim” Thomas Newell

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Services for James “Jim” Thomas Newell, 54, Baldwin City, will be 10 am Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Sutton Cemetery.
Jim died February 27, 2013 in Leadville CO.

He was born November 17, 1958, in Lawrence, the son of Harry and Clarice Deay Newell. Jim graduated High School from Baldwin City in 1977. He owned and operated Jim Newell Trucking for the past 30 Years. He enjoyed many hours and years trail riding with family and friends. He was the guy that always made you feel welcome when you visited, a wonderful host. A very talented person that could do anything he put his mind to, he constantly had multiple projects going and he thought they should have been done yesterday. Always had a story to make you laugh and made sure there was a good time, loved a good argument in which he was never wrong and enjoyed life the only way he knew how. Jim strived to teach his children his way of life, work hard and reap the benefits.

Jim married his best friend and the love of his life, Brenda Y. Burton on April 4, 1981 in Baldwin City. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son; J.T. Newell, Baldwin; a daughter Pamela Y. Carnagie and husband Drew, Lawrence; two brothers Tim Newell, and Virgil Newell both of Baldwin, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Vernon Newell who passed in 1991.

Friends may call from noon to 8 pm. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6 pm to 7pm. The family suggests memorials made to American Heart Association sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to rumsey-yost.com

Lora Lee Johnston

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Memorial Services for Lora Lee Johnston, 86, Lawrence, will be held March 6 at 3:00-4:00pm at Brandon Woods at Alvamar, 1501 Inverness Drive, in the Oaks Building, 2nd floor Town Hall.

Mrs. Johnston died Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at her residence.

She was born April 24, 1926 in Oakland, CA to Louis M. and Zeta Lee Smith Bliler. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

She married Richard F. Johnston in 1948 in Oakland, CA. He survives of the home. After Richard received his PhD, he and Lora moved from Oakland to Las Cruces, NM where they lived for a few years, eventually moving to Lawrence in 1958.

Mrs. Johnston worked as an artist and homemaker most of her life. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, creating and selling stained glass at the Phoenix Art Gallery, playing the piano and harpsichord, traveling, reading, her pets, and nature. She was also a member of the Kansas Mycological Society. She was quite a renaissance woman.

Other survivors include three daughters, Regan Johnston and husband Carl Lutz of Pomona, KS, Janet Johnston and husband Mark Rose of Langley, WA, Cassandra Johnston and husband Douglas McEnery of Al Manama, Bahrain; and two grandchildren, Miles McEnery of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Winn McEnery of Humboldt, CA.

Mrs. Johnston was dearly loved and cherished by her family and those who knew her.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Eva Louise Curtiss

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Eva Louise (Lawson) Curtiss, 79, passed away on February 24, 2013 at her home, in Lawrence, KS. She was born on November 21, 1933 to Ernie James and Velma May (Richardson) Lawson in Hutchinson, KS where Eva met and married the love of her life, Kelley J. Curtiss. They were married from 1952 until her passing, sharing a lifetime of laughter and love and an appreciation for music, art and literature that they have passed to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eva loved sunshine and moonlight and working in her gardens. She was an avid reader, dragon collector,and a baker known far and wide for her fabulous cinnamon rolls. She loved all babies, her Yorkies, Patsy Cline, Big Band singers and Bluegrass at the Walnut Valley Blue Grass Festival before it was cool. She was Miss Hutchinson of 1951. She was an undefeated leg wrestler, a champion jack player, and once bowled a 500 game. She played the autoharp, a mean tambourine, and had a throaty contralto voice. She was sassy, stubborn, loyal, opinionated, independent and generous.

She considered her greatest achievement to be her family. Six children were born in Hutchinson. The family moved to Salina in 1964 and to Topeka in 1970.

In Topeka she went to work, first at Northern Hills Jr High as a baker (hence the fabulous cinnamon rolls), then at Calhoun’s Department store, and finally at Hall Directory. She was a member of Pleasant Hill UMC. When her husband was transferred to Guthrie, Oklahoma, they made a new life, joining the First United Methodist church and choir, Eva working at BancFirst, Kelley playing in the Okie Dokie Banjo Band, and kicking up their heels while (square) dancing the night away. When she retired, they moved to Colorado Springs, then back to Kansas for the last 4 years. While living in KC she attended Wesley United Methodist Church.

Eva is survived by her spouse, Kelley, of Lawrence, KS; three daughters, Cleon Curtiss of the home, Melody Curtiss (Jamie Beletz) of Seattle, WA, and Lyric (Larry) Bartz of Lawrence, KS; three sons, Kelley (Myra) Curtiss of Colwich, KS, Kevin (Darcy) Curtiss of Kansas City, KS, Patrick (Martha Coffman) Curtiss of Lawrence, KS; and her stepson Ronald (Amelia) Curtiss of Guatemala City, GT.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Gillian (Brandon) Masters; Colin (Catherine) Cathey, Era (Ari Hornick) Cathey, Robin (Barry) Adcock, Jenny (Matt) Talley, Eric and Sarah Beletz; Brianne, Kindra, Charlton (Cheyenne) and Brenton Bartz; Danielle (Jessica) Curtiss-Smith, Dana (Rick) Piatt, Gwen (Kevin) McDonald, Bill, Rachel, Christa, Joel and Jessica Curtiss; Sarah, Caitlin, Arin, Evan, and Ryan Curtiss; Kelley Evans, Clint Curtiss and Brendan Gallagher; and Loraine, Ronald Jr., and Oscar Curtiss.

She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Patricia Trantham and Donna Adcock, and 8 nieces and nephews.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Goldie Helflin and Pat Baytosh.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

A link to relive more memories caught in still frame will be posted here soon, so come back and hash up those happy memories.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Scleroderma Foundation (300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923), theAlzheimer’s Foundation of America (322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001) or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605).

Edwin Lee McKelvey

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Funeral services for Edwin Lee McKelvey, 75, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Clinton Parkway 360 Church, with the Rev. Rick Burwick officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Lee died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born May 31, 1937, in Lawrence, the son of Jacob and Edith Tipton McKelvey. He attended Lawrence schools. He was a 3rd generation Union Pacific Railroad employee, working as a section man for 34 years. He was an avid bowler, and member of the Lawrence Men’s Bowling Association. He attended Clinton Parkway 360 Church.

He married Susan K. Farmer on Jan. 12, 1976, in Miami, Okla. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two brothers, Bill McKelvey and wife Connie, Oakdale, Calif., and Roger McKelvey and wife Mavis, Rogers, Ark; a sister, Edna Dirks, Corpus Christi, Tex; and a cousin, Esther L. Sparks, Lawrence. He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Edward Leroy McKelvey.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lee McKelvey Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.

Helen Marie Dardis

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UPDATE: THE SERVICES SCHEDULED FOR HELEN DARDIS FOR 10:30 A.M. TUESDAY HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR 11:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY AT HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, EUDORA. THE ROSARY AND VISITATION SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY EVENING WILL TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED.

Helen Marie Dardis, 85, joined her husband and loved ones in the peace of eternal life, when she passed away at her home in Lawrence, Kansas on Wednesday February 20, 2013. Helen was born to Frank and Beulah Williams on June 12, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri.
After graduating from Leavenworth High School, she worked as a secretary for the Veterans Administration Hospital in Leavenworth, KS. She married Michael Dardis at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 24, 1947.

While raising a family of nine children, Helen and Michael lived in Leavenworth, Kansas; Killdeer, North Dakota; Butte, Montana; and Sunflower Village, Kansas. She and her family lived in Eudora, Kansas until Michael’s death in October 1998. For many years, Helen was active with the Holy Family St. Theresa’s Society in Eudora. Helen retired from the University of Kansas, where she worked in the Watkins Student Health Center. After moving to Lawrence, she volunteered for Hospice Care of Douglas County, Kansas.

Helen was proud of her many loved ones who served in the military. She enjoyed traveling, music, and watching the Jayhawks – but her greatest enjoyment was being with her family. The achievements and adventures of her children, as well as their spouses and children, was a source of joy for her. Helen’s maternal devotion was most evident by her endless acts of love for her son, John. Helen’s sense of humor and kindness enriched the lives of all who knew her.

Helen is survived by her children Mary, Patrick, Mark, Gregory, Michael, Jeffrey, Anne, and John; sons-in-law Ross Shuman and Daryl Perry; daughters-in-law Patricia, Melissa, Candy, and Elizabeth; grandchildren Aaron, Brie, Emily, Amanda, Kelly, Travis, Andrew, David, Jacob, and Alyssa; great grandchildren, Sarah, Moriah, and Jordan; and sister Louise.

She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, daughter Kathryn, granddaughter Lili, grandson Brennan, sister Beulah, and brothers Frank, Francis, Jim, John, and Bill.

Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence.

A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Monday February 25, followed by a visitation until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday February 26 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, and burial following in the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials in her name to the Cottonwood, Inc. Workshop for the Developmentally Disabled in Lawrence, Kansas; or to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, Kansas, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, KS 66044.
You can follow any condolences regarding Helen Dardis through rumsey-yost.com.

Sarah Jeanne Somerville

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Memorial services for Sarah Jeanne Somerville, 88, Lawrence, will be held at a later date at Rogers Chapel in Freeport, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Somerville died Sunday, February 17, 2013, in Valley Falls, Kansas.

She was born November 4, 1924, in Kittanning, Pennsylvania to Lloyd and Anna Hiwiller Johns. She graduated from high school in Kittanning and later moved to Lawrence, Kansas.

Mrs. Somerville started working for the draft board and later went on to work at the Social Security Administration. She enjoyed reading, cooking, and baking delicious pies. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Lawrence.

She married Reverend John William Somerville. He died in 2001.

She is survived by a son, Dan Neal and wife Janet of Valley Falls, KS; a daughter, Chris Neal and husband Carl Shivers of Little Rock, AR; step sons, Bob Somerville of Kittanning, PA, Rev. Mike Somerville and wife Linda of Akron, OH, Jeff Somerville of Phoenix, AZ; step daughter, Barbara Dougherty and husband Walter of Valparaiso, IN; sister, Nadine Cravener and husband Earl of Indiana, PA; granddaughters, Lauren Newell and husband Chris, and Christina Rogers both of Little Rock, AR; and a great granddaughter, Sophia Rogers of Little Rock, AR.

She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Linda Rath; and brother, Howard Johns.

Donnis June McCall

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Memorial service for Donnis June McCall, 70, Olathe, will be 10 am Wednesday Feb. 20, 2013, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. McCall died Sunday at Olathe Good Samaritan Center, Olathe, KS.

She was born March 27, 1942 in Wetmore Kansas, the daughter of Arthur and Wilma Rannebeck Klahr. She graduated from Netawaka High School in 1960.

She married Melvin George McCall on May 22, 1964. He survives of Lawrence.

Other survivors include one daughter, Kimberly Vitt and husband Joe, Eudora; one son, Brian McCall and wife Jenny, Lawrence; two brothers, Delwin Klahr and wife Norma, Holton, Duane Klahr and wife Barbara, Holton; three sisters, Delores Vitt and husband Gerry, Auburn, Darlene Wulfkuhle and husband Hubert, Topeka, Donna Porter and husband Roy, Holton; five grandchildren, Jordan and Katelyn Vitt, Amanda, Allison and Andrew McCall.

Family will receive friends from 9:30 am Wednesday before the service.

The family suggests memorials made to the Good Samaritan Society in care of the funeral home.

Claude Duval “Skip” Chappelle III

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Services for Claude Duval “Skip” Chappelle III, 63, Baldwin City, will be 5:00pm-7:00pm, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mr. Chappelle died Saturday, February 16, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Skip was born November 17, 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri to Claude Duval and Mary Jacqueline Alexander Chappelle II. He graduated from Columbus High in Waterloo, Iowa, and later earned his Associate’s Degree in waste water management from Ft. Scott Community College.

He served as a United States Marine during Vietnam. He also worked for the City of Lawrence as a Water Plant Operator before his retirement.

Skip was a member of the American Legion and Eagles Club, he also enjoyed golfing, traveling, gambling, and playing board games with his family.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Christopher Chappelle and James (Gus) Chappelle.

Skip married Debbie Ruth Watson January 8, 1988 in Lawrence, Kansas. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Jason Chappelle (Kelli) of Baldwin City, Kansas, and Joshua Chappelle of Phoenix, Arizona; a brother, J.P. Chappelle (Becky) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three sisters, Claudia (Virgil) Brown of Charlotte, South Carolina, Jane Ann Curtis (Victor)of Hutchinson, Kansas, Sandy Chappelle of Baldwin City, Kansas, Milessia Dorenkamp of Seattle, Washington; and two grandchildren, Brayden and Payton Chappelle.

Friends may call from 9:00am to 8:00pm Tuesday, January 19, 2013 at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Association, sent in care of the funeral home.