Graveside service for Wayne C. Ridgway, 79, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Angela Lowe officiating.
Mr. Ridgway died Friday, November 25, 2011, at his home.
He was born January 15, 1930, in Tonganoxie, the son of Merle and Mary Gallagher Ridgway.
Mr. Ridgway moved to Lawrence in 1934, attended Lawrence public schools, and retired from the University of Kansas Union.
He married Ethel M. Caldwell on Oct. 9, 1955 in De Soto, Kansas, she survives of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Damon Ridgway on Nov. 20, 1966.
Other survivors include sons Mark and wife Debbie Ridgway, and Kevin Ridgway all of Lawrence; twin brother Willard R. Ridgway of Lawrence; sisters Merlene Avery of Lawrence, Joanne Powell of Lone Star; and grandchildren Bryce, Caleb, Bailey, and Carson Ridgway.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Visiting Nurses, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Funeral services for Geraldine Muriel “Gerie” Aiken, 70, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Ogden officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Aiken died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at Medicalodges Eudora.
She was born Dec. 8, 1940, in Lawrence, the daughter of William Maxwell and Muriel W. Cain Potts. She attended Lawrence Public Schools, and later moved to Fresno, Calif. to attend the School of Cosmetology. After returning to Lawrence, she worked at Blane and Jesse’s Hair Salon for several years. She later worked as a hairdresser at many local retirement homes.
Mrs. Aiken was a Brownie leader and an avid volunteer in 4-H. as well as a Tiger Cub leader in Boy Scouts. She enjoyed attending youth sports and co-ed softball games, and was a member of several bowling leagues. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and its Joy Circle, Women’s Missionary Society, and prayer chain.
She married Harold Aiken Jr. on Apr. 1, 1967, in Lawrence. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include two daughters, Carol Kimball and husband Bo, and Lisa D. Bryson and husband Alfred Kramer, all of Lawrence; nine grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Billy and Dale Potts.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Vitas Hospice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS ,66044.
Graveside services with military honors for Harold Peters Howard, 94, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Howard died Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born Mar. 9, 1917, in Lawrence, the son of Walter Dewitt and Pearl Salena Peters Howard. He attended Lawrence public schools and attended automotive school in Fort Benning, Ga. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 to 1954 in the 361st Infantry.
Mr. Howard was a mechanic working for Rapid Transport from 1945 to 1957, Wichita Bus Co. from 1957 to 1960, and Lawrence Bus Co. from 1960 until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Dorsey-Liberty Post # 14 of the American Legion and the Alford-Clarke Post #852 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He married Ruby L. Hadl on May 3, 1942, in Jackson County, Mo. She preceded him in death on Oct. 22, 1998. He was also preceded in death by a son, Jack Howard on Dec. 3, 2005.
Survivors include a grandson, Brad Howard, Baldwin City; a granddaughter, Abbe Hale, Lawrence, great-grandchildren Chad and Luke Howard, and Kaitlynn and Branden Flowers.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Funeral services for E. Jean Dunn, 86, Lawrence, will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Revs. Dr. Gary W. Teske and Don Conrad officiating. Private family interment will be later in Oak Hill Cemetery
Mrs. Dunn died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community, where she had been a resident for several years.
She was born Aug. 20, 1925, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Bert and Margaret Getker. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School and later attended Lawrence Business College.
Mrs. Dunn worked at Smith Paper Supply, and also held a Realtor’s license. She had suffered from Multiple Sclerosis since 1961. She enjoyed playing bridge and bingo.
She married Ralph D. Dunn on Sept. 24, 1949, in Lawrence. He preceded her in death on Mar. 31, 2006.
Survivors include two sons, Dana, Lansing, Kan., and Dallas, Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Lynn Dunn, Eugene, Ore.; two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Hospice, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Affectionately known to everyone as “Granny”…Lavon Williams, age 91, slipped peacefully from our loving hands into the arms of Jesus on Friday, November 11, 2011. Lavon was born in Ottawa, KS on January 22, 1920, to Fred and Nell Anderson-Brown. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Lawrence, Ks, where she graduated from Lawrence High School in 1937, raised a family, and lived most of her life.
In 1938, Lavon married Harry Herbert Hickock and they were blessed with 3 children; Harold, Elaine and John. Lavon was widowed after 41 years of marriage, but continued to enjoy camping with the Red Dale Campers Club, volunteering with L.I.N.K and tatting with the Tatting and Lace Guild in Lawrence.
Lavon found love for a second time in 1985, when she married Raymond Williams; however, after 10 years of marriage, she found herself widowed once again. Lavon filled her days visiting and caring for her elderly friends, making elaborate wedding and birthday cakes, assembling an ornate wooden doll house, volunteering at her church, West Side Presbyterian, and tending to her countless petunias.
At the age of 81, Lavon gave up driving and sold her home in Lawrence, opting to move to Kingsville, MO to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Bill Rogers. In 2008, they moved to Wellsville, KS, where she lived at the time of her passing. Lavon leaves behind her children, Harold and his wife, Anna Marie Hickock, Lecompton, KS, Elaine and her husband, Bill Rogers, Wellsville, KS, and John Hickock, Ottawa, KS. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Harlan Hickock, Largo, FL, Barb Wolf, Topeka, KS, Tamra Lucas, Edmond, OK, Bruce Rogers, Butler, MO, Anita Rogers, Wellsville, KS, Alan Rogers, Hutchinson, KS, Angela Wright, Olathe, KS, John Hickock, Lawrence, KS, Sharla Percival, Burlingame, KS, and Shaun Hickock, Lawrence, KS. She was lovingly known as Granny Great to her 28 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Lavon greeted everyone with a hug and always introduced herself as “Granny.” She loved life and referred to herself as a “recycled teenager.” There was never a doubt Gran enjoyed every day to the fullest, claiming she didn’t get to be old until she turned 90! We know Granny has touched the hearts of many, and pray her memory will serve as a reminder that every day is a precious gift!
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence on Friday, November 25th. Visitation: 10:00 A.M., Service: 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made to Olathe Medical Center Hospice.
Funeral services for James F. “Jim” Higgins, 72, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Don Ogden officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery
Mr. Higgins died Wedneday, Nov. 9, 2011, at his home.
He was born Oct. 29, 1939, in Lawrence, the son of Ernest and Goldena Peters Higgins. He graduated from Lawrence High School, and later attended technical school.
Mr. Higgins was employed as a master plumber and pipefitter through the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union #441 for more than 50 years. He also volunteered at Topeka VA Hospice. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and was an award-winning trap shooter, as well as an avid outdoorsman and gardener.
He married Betty Easley on Feb. 29, 1964, in Edwardsville. Four children were born to this union of 45 years. They later divorced.
Survivors include a son, Lonnie James Higgins and wife Sonya, Overland Park; three daughters, Amy L. Higgins, Cumming, Ga., Gail R. Shepherd and husband Brian, El Dorado, and Lorrie J. Butell and husband David, Lawrence; two brothers, Ray Higgins and Richard Higgins; three sisters, Bonnie Dankenbring, Jane Marconette, and Jean Peterson; and five grandchildren, Adam Shepherd, Derrick and Chandler Higgins, and Austin and Aaron Butell.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother, John.
Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, where the family will receive friends from noon until service time Saturday.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Just Food, a food bank in Douglas County, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044
Funeral services for Wesley B. Walker, 76, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Dulin and Pastor Delmar A. White officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by Dorsey-Liberty Post No. 14 of the American Legion will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Walker died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at Westlake Hospital, Melrose Park, Ill.
He was born May 19, 1935, in Lawrence, the son of Glen Everett and Alice Jane Kiser Walker.
He retired from General Motors in River Grove, Ill., as an auditor. He previously worked for Stokely-Van Camp, in the chemistry department at Kansas University, George William College, Chicago, and the U.S. Postal Service in Broadwell, Ill.
Mr. Walker was a boxer, winning 97 title matches. He was a member of the tri-state Boxing Commission and helped to establish Missouri AAU Boxing. He was a Lawrence boxing coach from 1961 to 1967 and competed as a world-class wheelchair athlete, winning gold medals in shot put, discus and the javelin in 1971 at the Pan American Games in Kingston, Jamaica. He served in the U.S. Army and boxed for the U.S. Army Third Armored Division, light heavyweight, and was the champion in the light heavyweight in 1959 and 1960. He also participated in track and field for the 3rd Armored Division in the U.S. Army and placed third in the shot put. In September of 2010 he was selected to the “Hall of Honor” at Lawrence High School.
He was a member of New Kingdom Christian Center in Bellwood, Ill., and attended Calvary Church of God in Christ until his health wouldn’t permit him to do so.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include three brothers, Howard Walker and Steven Walker and wife, Barbara, all of Lawrence, Donald Walker and wife, Doretha, of Wichita, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
Friends may call from noon to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
The family suggests memorials to Hospice Care, Boys & Girls Club, or Calvary Church of God in Christ, sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Graveside services with military honors for Lewellen Jay Harrison, 64, Osage City, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Stony Point Cemetery near Vinland, with Pastor Terry Bullock officiating.
Mr. Harrison died Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka.
He was born Mar. 20, 1947, in Baldwin City, the son of Alfred Louis and Maxine Davis Elliot Harrison. He served in the United States Army for 11 years during the Vietnam War, and obtained his GED from the military.
Mr. Harrison was a heavy equipment operator for more than 30 years. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 101 in Kansas City, Mo., the American Legion Post 198 in Osage City, and ABATE.
He married Beverly J. Stout on Aug. 9, 1969, in Baldwin City. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Justin Harrison, Osage City, and Casey Harrison and wife Crystal, Independence, Mo.; a daughter, Heather Murray and husband Steven, Baldwin City; two brothers, Marlin Harrison and wife Zarha, Anza, Calif., and Brian Harrison and wife Micki, McLouth; a sister, Beverly Seele and husband Olin, Johnston, Colo.; and eight grandchildren, Tempest Harrison, Shelby, Gary J., Charles, and Kimberly Murray, Amanda Douglas, and Alayna and Mariah Orsini.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Vincent Harrison, and a sister, Donna Hill.
Friends may call from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The family suggests memorial contributions to ABATE, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Graveside services for Douglas D. Hargadine, 67, Overland Park, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, with the Rev. Jeremy Farmer officiating..
Mr. Hargadine died Saturday, November 5, 2011, at his home in Overland Park.
He was born on January 7, 1944, in Hutchison, Kansas, the son of C. DeLoss and Emma (Gaddis) Hargadine. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1961 and lived and worked all of his life in Northeastern Kansas, including Lawrence, Overland Park, Topeka, and Atchison.
Mr. Hargadine worked as a planning engineer for Southwestern Bell Telephone for more than 20 years. He retired in the early 1990’s.
Mr. Hargadine is survived by his son, Charles C. Hargadine, of Dallas, Texas, and his daughter, Shelly D. Smith, of Helotes, Texas. Other survivors included his grandson, Nathan Smith, and granddaughter, Anna Smith, Helotes, Texas; his sister Mona Hargadine, Overland Park; his son-in-law Eric Smith, Helotes, Texas; his brother-in-law Wayne Andrews, Lawrence; three nieces, Lori Farmer, Lawrence, Tracy Garner, Illinois, and Tara Andrews, South Carolina; three nephews, Mark Gentry, Topeka, Allen Gentry, Florida, and Tyler Andrews, Lawrence; and 4 great-nephews and one great-niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sharral Andrews.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.Tuesday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed.
The family suggests memorial donations to the Salvation Army, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044
