Category: Obituaries

Phillip L Woods

Posted on by RumseyYost

Phil Woods, 64, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away peacefully in his home on March 18, 2025.

Phil was born in Lawrence, KS on December 23,1960 to William and Sara Woods. He grew up in a family that loved the KU Jayhawks, so he was truly a life-long fan. Phil enjoyed sports, especially riding dirt bikes in his younger days, but he also liked going to the lake, bowling, fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with family and friends and participated in coaching his son’s baseball and basketball teams, he loved animals, especially dogs and horses. His current pets at home KC & Kali miss him dearly. Phil enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader, always reading about history, politics and religion, always watching programs to learn more about weather events and far-away places.

Phil and Cathy met in Parsons, KS in 1990, and were married in 1996. Phil is survived by his wife Cathy, two sons Tyler (Ashley) of Olathe and Daniel (Lexus) of Lawrence, his sister Cynthia Kim (David) of Connecticut, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Phil is also survived by one grandchild, the light of his life, Claire Elizabeth.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents.

Phil graduated from Lawrence High in 1979 and was around the lumber business his entire life. Following in his father’s footsteps, he owned a lumber yard in Parsons, KS. He was also a lumber salesman, a builder and a trim-carpenter, as well as being self-employed doing remodel work.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas on March 29 at 10:00 am. Following the memorial service will be a gathering of friends and family at Johnny’s Tavern (Johnny’s West) from 12:00 – 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses as they brightened his day so many times, or the Lawrence Humane Society for his love of animals.

Karl Robert (Bob) Williams

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Karl Robert (Bob) Williams 89 went home to be with his Lord Savior Jesus Christ on March 19, 2025.
Karl Robert (Bob) Williams was born to Raymond Anselm and Hazel Thedora Forman Williams on March 10, 1936 in Lawrence, Kansas. Karl attended the Kanawka School Lawrence, Ks across the road from his family’s farm and Liberty Memorial High School Lawrence, Ks and attended KU for 2 years before becoming employed at the Santa Fe Railroad.
Karl (Bob) met his wife Catherine Kreighbaum in 1969 at the Hillcrest Bowling Alley where they both loved bowling. They were married on May 13, 1971 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence, Kansas by Pastor Harold Hamilton where Bob had been a member for fifty years.
Karl Robert (Bob) was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka, Kansas for 40 years. He was an active volunteer for twenty-three years at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital he loved his time working twice a week until covid and then was reduced to once-a-week Bob had given close to 5,000 hours of time volunteering and loved working the Health Fairs. In 2020 Bob was given the Marguerite Lockwood Volunteer of the Year Award.
Bob also worked for the Laird Noller Ford here in Lawrence driving new cars and going to the auctions in Kansas City to buy used cars. He did both of these activities up until July of 2024.
Karl Robert (Bob) and Catherine were blessed to have two sons Robert Scott Britton-Williams and David Raymond Williams.
Karl Robert (Bob) is survived by his wife Catherine, a son David Raymond Williams and a granddaughter Averi Poe Williams all of Lawrence, Kansas. A sister Marjorie Caroline Schenck Poquoson, Va. A son Robert Scott Britton-Williams preceded him in death August 22, 2018 and a grandson Riley Lane Davis­ Britton preceded in him death May 14, 2019. Bob was forever changed when our granddaughter Averi was born. Averi was Papa’s girl and loved to sit on his lap and play school, or grocery store, or making up silly stories and laughing. Bob adored Averi and he was forever blessed being a part of her life. He always called Averi his little cupcake.
As per Bob’s request there will be no services or visitation.
John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Corinne Mildred (“Millie”) Dew Averitt

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Corinne Mildred (“Millie”) Dew Averitt, age 93, of Lawrence, Kansas, entered into eternal life with her Savior on March 18, 2025.

Millie was born on September 3, 1931, in Lee County, North Carolina, to Herndon Tuttle Dew and Cora Dunn Smithwick Dew. She was the seventh of nine children and spent most of her childhood years in Lancaster, South Carolina, where she came to faith in her Lord Jesus at an early age. After high school, Millie graduated from nursing school and married William Shepard (“Bill”) Averitt in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1953. Their fifty-four year union included the birth of their daughter Dawn in 1955 and son Jim in 1958. In 1963, the family relocated to Hutchinson, Kansas, which was home for forty years. Millie worked as a registered nurse until retirement, and she and Bill moved to Lawrence, Kansas, in 2003 to be closer to children and grandchildren. Millie found great joy in her family and friends.

Following Bill’s death in 2007, Millie became reacquainted with Lake McCain, a recent widower whom she had known in high school. Millie and Lake were married in 2009, and they enjoyed life together in South Carolina until 2013, when Millie returned to Lawrence due to declining health. She spent the rest of her years at Presbyterian Manor, where the devoted staff cared for her with compassionate tenderness. St. Croix Hospice also provided loving care and kindness to Millie in her last year of life.

Preceding Millie in death were her husband, Bill; her second husband, Lake McCain; and her eight siblings.

Surviving Millie are Dawn and Danny Trent; Jim and Karen Averitt; grandchildren Andrew Trent and wife Emily, Aaron Trent and wife Grace, Alex Trent and wife Dayana, Aric Trent, and Joshua Averitt; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and their families; and Lake McCain’s children, Karen Baxley and Roger McCain, who with their families lovingly welcomed Millie into their lives.

A private graveside service was held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Hutchinson, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, P.O. Box 348, Warrenton, Missouri 63383.

Philip Ray Hoffman

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Services for Phil Hoffman, 75, of Lawrence, will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Phil died on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by Marge, his wife, and family members.

He married Marjorie Holladay on June 21, 1986 in Lawrence, KS. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two brothers, Carl Hoffman, Topeka, KS, Lee Hoffman (Barb), Coeur d’Alene, ID, one sister, Linda Grossardt, Siloam Springs, AR and a number of nieces and nephews. Phil was also very close to Marge’s brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents and Elaine Hoffman, and Jim Grossardt.

He was born on August 12, 1949, in Lawrence, the son of Ralph and Mildred Hoffman. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1967 and entered the Navy in 1968. He was honorably discharged from the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Georgia in 1971. He was a skilled printer for several printing companies in Lawrence and worked as a mechanic in 1974 for M&M Oil Company. He was employed with M&M Oil Company for 28 years and became general manager in 1993. After the closing of M&M Oil he worked as a custodian for USD 497.

Phil received the Eagle Scout rank while a member of Troop 55 and served as a assistant scout master from 1971 through 1978. Phil & Marge enjoyed taking their 1930 Model “A” Deluxe Ford Roadster to car shows throughout the Midwest. He and Marge also enjoyed traveling in and out of the United States. Phil also enjoyed fishing and hot air ballooning.

Visitation will take place in the reception area of Rumsey-Yost after the service. Graveside services will be private.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Disabled Veterans, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Josie Lynn Miller

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A celebration of life will be held for Josie Miller, 34, of Lawrence. Date and time are forthcoming. She passed away on Saturday, March 15th, 2025, in her home.

She was born January 5th, 1991, in Kansas City, Kansas to Clay and Paula Miller. She grew up in Lawrence. She graduated from Free State high school in 2012.

Josie loved being outdoors and on the move. She enjoyed car rides, hearing birds singing, listening to music, and playing with her musical toys. Most of all, Josie loved people, especially her family. She had a highly contagious laugh and an infectious smile that everyone loved to see.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clay. She is survived by her mother, Paula; sisters Destiny, of Osawatomie, Jessica, of Lawrence, and Cassandra; and her brothers Chance (Kayla), of Overbrook, Braden, of Lawrence, and Caleb, of Lawrence.

Other survivors include many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and her roommates and staff members at GoodLife.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.

Charlotte Ann Marino

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Services for Charlotte Marino, 82, of Lecompton, will be at 10:30am, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Lecompton United Methodist Church.

Charlotte passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge Nursing, surrounded by her children.

She was born July 25, 1942, in New Castle, PA, the daughter of Fred and Anna Corsi. She graduated from Alemany High School in 1960 and earned a certificate in Food Service Supervision from Johnston-Willis Hospital in April, 1989, where she was employed as the Catering Manager for 25+ years until retiring in 2005.

Charlotte lived in Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Virginia, Kansas, and Hawaii – finally settling in Kansas. Charlotte’s loves included faith, family, cooking, fishing, camping, bowling, playing card games, getting her nails done, watching sports (anything her kids/grandkids were in, Jayhawks and Chiefs), and playing Bingo!

Charlotte is survived by her son, Steve Marino (Vickie), Lecompton, KS; daughter, Marci Borden (John), Midlothian, VA; daughter, Trudy Ames, Longmont, CO; brother, Fred Corsi (Nancy), Ventura, CA; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nine grand-dogs, and one grand-bunny. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and sister.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 10:30am, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Lecompton United Methodist Church, 401 Elmore St, Lecompton, KS, 66050.

To honor Charlotte’s love of children, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Children’s Mercy Hospital, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home; P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Thomas John Rogers

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Memorial Services for Thomas John Rogers, are set for 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home Chapel.  Inurnment will follow at 12:30 P.M. Monday,  April 14, 2025 at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Tom was born in 1964 in Burlingame, California, and lived with his parents and siblings for as much as was possible. Tom was diagnosed as Autistic when he was a young child, though it was clear that he had a disability from birth. He never learned to speak but he was one of the first autistic children to learn to communicate with American Sign Language. Tom’s mother Helen was instrumental in educating Tom and she went on to become proficient in ASL. Tom’s father Clyde tried to bring Tom joy by taking him on rides on his bicycle around the neighborhood in Palo Alto and on picnics in the park where he could run.

Tom and his parents moved to Kansas in the 1990s to be near his sister Nancy and family. Tom lived in many different group homes and shared family homes but he thrived when he lived with Michelle Ray and family in Eudora. Aging with Autism is not easy but he was living a happy life until two years ago when his behaviors required more support than was available in a family home. He moved to Parsons State Hospital and Training Center in summer of 2023 and remained there until he passed away due to an accident on March 15, 2025.

Tom loved food, especially hamburgers and lasagna. For many years he came to Sunday dinner at Nancy’s home. His insistence on regular routines forged several traditions with Nancy’s family, including the Sunday family dinners, annual pumpkin cutting and Friday lunches out. His birthday always included shopping with his brothers Eric and Clyde for new shoes, even if he didn’t need them. Tom loved his roommates David and Mark who passed before him, and Michelle’s family who included him in many activities, including vacations to St. Louis and the Ozarks.

Tom had a very distinctive laugh that would emerge at times when no one thought he was listening or paying attention. He had a way of looking straight through you, like he could see your soul. He struggled to understand concepts like death and was very stressed about the possibility of dying. While we who loved Tom are very sad about his passing, we all hope he has found peace at last.

Tom is survived by his brothers, Clyde and Eric (and his wife, Gillian) as well as his sister, Nancy, and their families.

Memorial donations in honor of Tom, may be made to https://mygoodlife.org/donate/.

For donations through the mail, please send to GoodLife Innovations, P.O. Box 14395, Lenexa, KS 66285-4395

Miranda Rose (Smith) Souvannavong

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Celebration of Life Services for Miranda Rose (Smith) Souvannavong, 41, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A Visitation will follow the service.

She died March 7, 2025, at her home.

Miranda Rose (Smith) Souvannavong was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on April 27, 1983 and passed away at home March 7, 2025. Miranda was a natural ambassador of kindness and compassion with a loving nature that was never dampened by her eight-year battle with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome).

She is survived by her daughter Mia Souvannavong (9), her son Noah Souvannavong (12), her stepdaughter Hunter Coates (25), her soulmate Andy Wozniak, her sister Marlena (Smith) Guettaf, and her parents Mark and Brenda Smith.

Miranda’s work life, primarily in the travel industry, made her a legendary supervisor and customer service representative. But her real passion was being “Mommy”. Her nurturing soul gave all to loving and guiding her children who embody the best of her with humor, intelligence, and kindness. She is greatly missed.