Memorial services for Charles E. ‘Charley’ Leach, 73, Linwood, are pending and will be announced at a later date by the family.
Mr. Leach died Sat., Mar. 31, 2012, at his home.
Category: Obituaries
Beverly Elaine “Bev” Springer
Graveside services for Beverly Elaine ‘Bev’ Springer, 75, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Randall Weinkauf officiating.
Friends may call from noon – 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Beverly died Sunday, Apr. 1, 2012, at her home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Sept. 16, 1936, in Lawrence, the daughter of Leroy and Geneva Bateson Alexander. She attended Woodlawn Elementary School, the three junior highs at 9th & Kentucky St. – Central, Old High, and Manual – and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1954.
Beverly worked at Lawrence National Bank, Farmland Industries, Bay Real Estate, and retired from the Lawrence School District in 2002 after 27 years of service. She and her husband lived and farmed in the Lakeview area for more than 40 years. She enjoyed cooking, family, going to garage sales, and most of all, helping others.
She married James Allen Springer on Oct. 5, 1957, in Lawrence. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Jimmy and wife Julie, and Gregory and wife Samantha, all of Lawrence; a brother, Francis Alexander and wife Betty, Lawrence; grandchildren Lynly Craig and husband Steven, Morgan Hoss and husband Jason, and Taylor Springer, all of Lawrence; six great grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Jimmy Springer Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Visiting Nurses, Meals on Wheels, or other agencies that serve the sick and their families.
Kenneth Albert Schwarz
A celebration in honor of Kenneth Albert Schwarz, 66, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4th at Lawrence Free Methodist Church in Lawrence, Kansas. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas. Ken’s family will greet guests on Tuesday, April 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home at a closed-casket visitation.
Ken joined his grandson, Ryan James Walker, in heaven on Saturday, March 31st, after a brief battle with cancer, at his home surrounded in love by his family.
Ken will always be remembered for his sweet spirit, fierce love of family, hard work ethic, and the friendly wave he had for anyone who honked as they drove by the old green pickup parked by one of the many customers he serviced with his business, K&K Lawn Service.
Ken was born on December 1, 1945 to Albert & Neva Freeland Schwarz in Lawrence, Kansas. Ken grew up in Baldwin City, Kansas. He married Karron June Schwarz on February 17, 1979. She survives of the home. He is also survived by a daughter, Colleen Walker, and husband, Ted of Lawrence; son, Ron Ferguson of Hutchinson, Kansas and Dawn Ferguson of Haven, Kansas. Kenneth is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Sarah McIntosh and husband Randy of Smithville, MO; T.J. Walker of Eureka, California; Brittany Welch of Newton, Kansas; Andrew Welch of Mount Hope, Kansas; and great-grandson, Gavin Ryan McIntosh. He is survived by brothers, Dale Schwarz and wife, Phylis of Baldwin City, Kansas; Robert Schwarz and wife Patty of Adams, Wisconsin; and sister, Marian Hesser of Baldwin City, Kansas. He is also survived by nephews, Jonathan Schwarz and wife, Staci, of Lawrence, Kansas; and Daniel Schwarz and wife, Jeanne, of Raymore, Missouri; Allan Reeder of Mesa, Arizona; Tim Schwarz and wife, Joy, of Adams, Wisconsin; David Schwarz and wife, Lynn, of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Ken is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandson, Ryan James Walker.
Ken graduated from Baldwin High School in 1963. He served in the Army National Guard from May 1963 until June 1967. He was also involved in the Greater Wichita GTO Club and the GTO Association of America. Ken was employed at Lawrence Paper Company for 34 years. Ken and Karron have owned and operated K&K Lawn Service since 1990. Granddaughter, Sarah, and husband, Randy McIntosh will continue operating the business. Ken was passionate about his business and his clients and set a high standard for customer service.
The family suggests memorials in Ken’s name to the Ryan Walker Jazz Band Memorial in care of the Lawrence Schools Foundations at 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Edson F. “Ed” Mills
Funeral services for Edson F. Mills, 90, Lawrence will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2012 at Central United Methodist Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Mills died March 30, 2012 at Pioneer Ridge Nursing Facility.
He was born Aug. 3, 1921, in America City, Kan., the son of Frank Lowell and Opal May (Seymour) Mills. He graduated from Corning (Kansas) High School in 1939, having played for the CHS football, track, and basketball teams. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, where he served as a machinist and a petty officer, touring the Pacific Rim and the Mediterranean.
He returned to Lawrence in 1946 to visit a cousin and found work at the Kansas State Employment Service. He later became manager of the renamed Lawrence Job Service until his retirement in 1989. He was honored by then Kansas Gov. John Carlin for his 44 years of service to the state, and the Lawrence City Commission proclaimed May 2, 1986, a day to honor Mr. Mills for his service to the city through the Job Service.
He was a Boy Scout master for nearly eight years; a member of the board of trustees for his church, Central United Methodist, of which he was a member for 65 years; a member and officer in the International Association of Personnel and Employment Security; a member of Toastmasters; and the Lawrence Knife and Fork Club. He loved fishing and the outdoors.
He married Edna Mae Graff on Aug. 14, 1948, in Lawrence. She preceded him in death on Dec. 25, 2008.
Survivors include a son, Larry Mills, of Osh Kosh, Wisc., and a daughter Carol Atkinson, of Warrensburg, MO., as well as several nephews.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, April 6 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at Central United Methodist Church.
The family suggests memorials to the Central United Methodist Church.
Lila B. Boehle Sawyer
Graveside services for Lila B. Boehle Sawyer, 91, Quapaw, OK will be at 10am. Friday, Mar. 30, at the Worden Cemetery, Douglas County, KS.
Mrs. Sawyer died Tuesday in Quapaw. She was born Nov. 19, 1920 in Lawrence the daughter of Henry August and Vera Ellen Pippert Boehle.
She lived in the Lawrence most of her life until moving to Oklahoma in 2003.
She was a homemaker and worked in the kitchen at Baker University.
She married Richard D. Sawyer, he preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 1971.
Mrs. Sawyer was a member of the Worden United Methodist Church and enjoyed sewing, traveling, and gardening.
Survivors include a daughter Karen and husband Robert Barnhart of Afton, OK, grandchildren Richard and wife Christine Chanute, KS, Julie and husband Glen of Chanute, Sandy Handrich of Brunswick, GA, and Connie Corley of Afton, 7 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 7pm. at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Worden Church in care of the funeral home.
Katherine J. Haas
Graveside services for Katherine J. Hass, 83, Oskaloosa/Lawrence will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2012 at Oak Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Haas died Monday, March 26, 2012 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
She was born May 19th, 1928 the daughter of William and Lillie Hartman Ray. She went to school at Franklin School and later attended Lawrence High School.
Mrs. Haas was married to Charley W. Hass in the late 40’s. She worked at the Lawrence Laundry. Later she and her husband opened the local bar and Grill “Congo Bar”, where they worked for many years. After retirement they both grew large gardens for family and friends to enjoy.
She was proceeded in death by her husband Charley in 2006.
Survivors include a daughter Debra Haas Widman of the home, three brothers; Art Ray, Harold Ray both of Golden CO., and Paul Ray and wife Wilma of Lawrence, KS, One Grand Daughter Emillee Widman, One great-great granddaughter Willow Widman, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from Noon-8pm Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
William C. “Bill” Ray
Inurnment for William Charles “Bill” Ray, 48, Lawrence will be at 11am. Wednesday at Maple Grove Cemetery, North Lawrence.
William died at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in the ICU on Friday March 23, 2012 due to a severe infection.
He was born Dec. 22, 1963 in Lawrence.
Son of Bobby (deceased) & Nina Ray, brothers: Gary Allen, David (both deceased), Robert & Paul Ray all of Lawrence Kansas. Survived by: a lost son William Charles Ray Jr, daughter Tonyell Ray, son Johnathan Alexander, daughter-in-law Nicole Alexander, granddaughter Elizabeth Alexander, niece Tracy Cook, nephew Troy Cook, life long friends: Phillip Lewis, Brent Howard, Terry Ellison, James Winborn, Paul Watson, Louie Bower just to name a few. William was an advocate for the handicapped or disable to get a law that all businesses or establishments be made handicapped accessible. He will be dearly missed.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, Mar. 27, at 6pm. at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Woodrow William (Woody) Templer
Woodrow William (Woody) Templer, age 96, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. Woody was born June 24, 1915 at Emporia, Kansas, the son of Chester Arthur & Pearl Shannon Templer. He had been a Lawrence, Kansas resident since 2007 moving from Leoti, Kansas, where he had served as Principal of Wichita County High School beginning in 1951 and retiring in 1982 as Superintendent of Schools for USD 467. Woody spent his youth in the towns of Greeley, Asherville, Bird City, Stockton and Moline, Kansas, graduating from Moline High School in 1930. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1936 with a Master’s Degree in Education and later earned a Master’s Degree in History in 1940. While at KSU, he served as a member of ROTC. In 1936, Woody taught in the Attica, Kansas school system and in 1940 joined the United States Army serving until 1946, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the American Defense Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. He then served as Principal of Paxico, Kansas K-12 school system and the Barnes, Kansas K-12 school system until beginning his career in Leoti, Kansas. Following retirement, he served as Leoti City Treasurer from 1993 through 2003. Woody was instrumental in the design and construction of the Wichita County Country Club, where he was a charter member. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He also held membership in the National Education Assn., the Kansas National Education Assn., Kansas State University Alumni Assn., and Rotary International.
On June 8, 1941 he married Alice Lucille Robbins at Larned, Kansas. She passed away on April 24, 2010 at Lawrence, Kansas.
Woody’s surviving family includes: two children, Patricia Hart, Lawrence, Kansas, and Bill Templer, Siloam Springs, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Derek Hart, Lawrence, Kansas, Heather Motzny, Cypress, Texas, Dr. Geri Hart, Hutchinson, Kansas, and Ryan Templer, Siloam Springs, Arkansas; and four great-grandchildren, Maddie Motzny, Kenzie Motzny, Remy Kulick-Hart and Roman Kulick-Hart.
His parents, wife, brothers Adrian “Temp” Templer and Floyd Templer, and a grandson, Nathan Templer, preceded him in death.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Mike Howard officiating. Inurnment will be in Leoti Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the W.W. Templer Education Scholarship Fund in Care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, P.O. 161 Leoti, Kansas 67861.
Gary Saathoff
Gary Saathoff
A Celebration of Life for Gary Saathoff, 46, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Church of the Nazarene, 1470 N. 1000 Rd., with the Revs. Brad Cooper and Dan Norwood officiating.
Gary died Thursday, Mar. 22, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Sept. 7, 1965, in Lawrence, the son of Robert E. ‘Bob’ and Judith A. ‘Judy’ Hoover Saathoff. He graduated from Lawrence High School.
Gary was a self-employed contractor in the construction industry. He had previously worked for Rusty’s IGA and Kring’s Interiors. He has organized the Fourth of July fireworks display for the Lawrence Jaycees for many years, and served as the chairman of the annual Christmas auction and did other volunteer work on behalf of the Jaycees. He also served as horticulture superintendent at the Douglas County 4-H Fair.
Survivors include his mother, Judy Saathoff, Lawrence; a brother, Larry Saathoff and wife Sheryl, Lawrence; and three nieces, Becky and Rachelle Saathoff, and Renae Walters and husband Nick.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bob, in 2011..
The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory
Memorials contributions may be made to LMH Oncology, or Health Care Access, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Alexander Seth Raker
Alexander Seth Raker, 18, of Lawrence, KS passed away March 15th, 2012 at his home with his mother, Dee Ann Raker, and wonderful friends at his side. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. A service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, March 24th at the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum, 5100 West 27th Street, Lawrence, KS beginning at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Alex’s honor may be made to The Lawrence Humane Society, The Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic or Encouraging Families with Exceptional Children Together (EFECT.org).
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
