Category: Obituaries

Calvin Paul Hartman

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Calvin Paul Hartman’s prayers for a peaceful passing at home in his sleep were answered on December 25, 2024 when he passed away with his family by his side and awoke in the gracious presence of his Lord and Savior. He passed at 99 years of age, just four months shy of living to be 100. It was never his goal to live to be 100 years old, but just to live each day to the fullest. Daily, he lived out his faith to the Lord, his love for his family, and in service to God’s people.

Calvin was born on April 25, 1925 to Fred and Leona (Kraft) Hartman in the farm home near Lecompton, Kansas. He often shared stories about growing up on the farm and the many farm chores, and he particularly liked to work with the teams of horses. Calvin felt like he learned the discipline of hard work and family responsibility by working on the farm as a young man and he tried to instill these character traits into his own family. While attending Westmar College, Calvin began dating Nellie Streib and they were married on May 24, 1952 at the Bellevue Evangelical Church in Leona, Kansas. Calvin graduated from the Evangelical Seminary in Naperville, Illinois and served in the United Methodist Church as a pastor, serving four churches in the Kansas West Conference from 1954-1989. After retirement Calvin and Nellie built a new home on a 60 acre tract of land that was a part of his family farm. That gave Calvin the opportunity to enjoy the land and work outside. They especially enjoyed being a part of their grandchildren’s lives and sharing in their many activities.

Calvin is survived by his children, Craig Hartman (Leslie), Curt Hartman (Margaret) and grandchildren, Caleb Hartman (Leah), Joshua Hartman (Kristin), Luke Hartman (Kaitlain), Megan Rose (Ryan), Annie Muckenthaler (Austin), and 15 great grandchildren.

Calvin was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Hartman, his parents, Fred and Leona (Kraft) Hartman, his siblings, Warren Hartman, Leland Hartman, and Lila Bonnel.

Visitation will be held at Stull Community of Faith Church, Stull, Kansas on Saturday January 4th at 10:00am followed by the Funeral Services at 11:00am. Graveside service will follow the funeral.

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Shirley June (Moody) Johnson

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Shirley June (Moody) Johnson was born on Nov. 1, 1943, in OKC, OK, to Coleene (Chapman) and Myron Moody. She departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Lawrence, KS at the age of 81. Paraphrasing Pa Ingalls’ description of Laura Ingalls, “Shirley was as strong as a little French pony.” She could change the oil in your car, sew 12 pairs of elves’ shoes for the South Rock Creek Holiday show, catch fish, fix the fence, type a college entrance essay and check for grammar in nothing flat, and put up grape jelly from grapes she grew and strawberries too.

She was a long-time resident of Shawnee, OK and she and her husband Jerome “Bud” Johnson were in the monument business and owned and operated the monument shop, Shawnee Memorials, Inc., for over 40 years. Shirley graduated from high school at Davenport, OK with the Class of 1961. In high school she was football queen one year and captain of the basketball team. She worked keeping books at the local lumber yard and was teller at the bank, hence her affection for bank tellers and accountants. An accomplished seamstress, she sewed for family and friends and what she did was professionally finished. She sewed the seat covers of the first classic car Bud and she restored, she sewed maternity clothes for her sisters and put in little gussets so the dresses could be let out, she sewed costumes (a tiger one year, lots of angels’ wings, and a colonial woman’s dress and hat for the Bicentennial in 1976).

She and Bud were regulars at the Davenport homecoming parade driving one of Bud’s classic cars with their classes ’60 and ’61. She married Bud on June 23, 1962. They started in a trailer then built their own house in Chandler, OK before moving to Shawnee. They were married 54 years until Bud’s passing in 2016. Shirley dearly loved her sisters. “The Sisters” formed a formidable phalanx. The oldest sister is Myrna Forbis (TX), Shirley was next in order, then Linda Melson (OK), Mary Margaret Waters (TX), and Sue Ann McGee (OK).

Through lines of her life were a love of art and anything that was well crafted, and, better yet, if it was found bargain hunting at swap meets or antique stores. In Shawnee she knew every shopkeeper and banker. If you ran errands with Shirley, you had to be prepared to talk with everyone from the store owners to the cashiers. She was also a master at working the phones! Ask her to help find a prop for an upcoming school play and she was on it. She would visit artists in their homes picking out pieces and placing special orders for family presents (paintings by twins Ruth and Rachel McLaughlin, quilts, china dolls, and wooden toys). She collected Norman Rockwell plates, Thomas Kinkade prints, and kept up, year-round, a Christmas tree with all clear glass ornaments.

Speaking of “Little House on the Prairie,” let her hear 1 minute of an episode and she’d tell you the complete story empathizing with whatever hardships or joys the characters experienced. She could do the same with episodes of “The Waltons.” Shirley’s parents, husband Bud, and oldest daughter Leah preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter Bonnie Johnson and son-in-law Bruce Frey (Lawrence, KS), her sisters and brothers-in-law, sister-in-law Sue Blakely, cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, purchase a piece of art or craft for yourself direct from the artist (which could be a florist) and talk to them too. Be kind to lost puppies and opossums under the porch, they just might turn out to be your best friends. In the summer of 2025, we will have a celebration of life at New Zion cemetery near Chandler, OK.

Ernestine Marie (Beverley) Dougherty

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Ernestine “Ernie” Dougherty, 88, died unexpectedly on Dec. 18, 2024 in Lawrence, Kansas. She had recently moved to Pine, Colorado after living in Lawrence for almost 10 years. She was born Feb. 9, 1936 to Ernest R. Beverley and Mildred Kramer Beverley in Kansas City, Kansas, and lived in the Kansas City area for most of her life. She graduated from Loretto Academy in 1953. She married Neil W. Early on June 12, 1954; they later divorced. She married Peter T. Dougherty on Nov. 27, 1976, and was married for 41 years. Ernie was always a working mom, and she retired in 2001 as an insurance executive.

She was passionate about her faith, her family and her quilting. She enjoyed traveling with Pete across the country, and in more recent years with family to Arizona and Minnesota. She was a die-hard Jayhawks, Royals and Chiefs fan.

Ernie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister, one son, two grandsons and a granddaughter. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Farrington, Overland Park, KS; and Ernie’s and Pete’s eight children: Janice Early, Pine, CO, Nancy (Mike) Spiegel, Shawnee, KS, Neil (Cheri) Early, Omaha, NE, Keith Early, Peoria, AZ, Chris (Jana) Early, Overland Park, KS, Teresa (Byron) Riley, Holton, KS, Deanne (Jay) Arnote, Overland Park, KS, and Patrick (Kathy) Dougherty, Pearland, TX; 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

A Mass will be celebrated in her memory at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Prairie Village, KS. Per her wishes, Ernie donated her body to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. The family requests memorials to the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Michael Raymond Miller “Mike”

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Michael Raymond Miller “Mike” died peacefully in his home on December 16, 2024.  He was born on August 23, 1949, in Independence, Iowa, to James and Janet Miller. He graduated from Shattuck-St.Mary’s, Minnesota, in 1967, earned a bachelor’s degree of Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1976, and earned his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1982.

He married Barbara Miller (Armstead) on October 11, 1970 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. They celebrated their 54th anniversary this year, and she survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Patricia Gooldy (Jay), Minneola, KS; a sister, Cyndi Brickman (Dave), Harpers Ferry, Iowa and Mission, Texas; a grandchild, Link Pollet, Junction City, Kansas; a step-granddaughter, Rachel Gooldy, Manhattan, Kansas; and all his nieces and nephews.  Mr. Miller served the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1988 as a Lieutenant Commander. He then worked at Hall Kimbrell until joining the University of Kansas Facility Operations in 1990 and retired in 2011 after service of 22 years.

Mr. Miller was extremely active in the community of Lawrence, Kansas, making lifelong friendships, and touching many lives throughout all of the activities. He was a member of the Luncheon Optimists, American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, and Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Mr. Miller was a lifelong bowler. He was involved in the Young American Bowling

Association for at least 25 years where he started as a coach, then co-directing, then coaching Lawrence’s Youth Bowling program through Royal Crest Lanes.  During his time there, he built up the Youth Scholarship in the program. He became the “face of youth bowling”. Young bowlers filled the bowling alley each Saturday morning. He loved working with young bowlers of all ages, making a difference in their lives, many maintained contact into adulthood. He holds a place in his heart for all of them. He was inducted into the Kansas Bowler’s Hall of Fame for all of his work in the Lawrence youth bowling league.

Mr. Miller loved his church family at Redeemer Lutheran since joining in 1993. He was very active in his membership, helping the church anyway he could while also attending many activities they offered. He was a “social butterfly” who loved making new friends, and seeing people daily.

All services will be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2700 Lawrence Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66047. A visitation will begin at 9 am, the funeral mass service at 10:30 am. The family suggests memorial contributions to Redeemer Lutheran Church with Love Fund in the memo line, and Lawrence YABA for the scholarship fund sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.  Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.

Nicholas Thomas Woods

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Nicholas Thomas Woods, 84, passed away peacefully on 15 December, 2024. Nick was born in western New York in Lockport, however attended National College in Kansas City 1958-60 where he met his future wife and best friend Elizabeth, subsequently sharing a wonderful life together of 64 years. Nick served 4 years as US Army enlisted Lab Technician in France and following his enlistment attended Baker University earning a Bachelor’s Degree, followed by another three years study at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colo where he earned a Master’s Degree. Nick then began a lifelong calling as a United Methodist minister in Kansas from 1969 to 2012, also as US Army Chaplain from 1973 until 1982 before returning to civilian ministry. Nick’s final parish was the Vinland United Methodist Church. Throughout Nick’s civilian ministry he was blessed with small town Kansas churches which fit his down to earth style and love of rural life. During his time as a regular Army Chaplain, he was always known by Soldiers and commanders as a “Soldier’s chaplain” – one who was always there for the troops and always in the field alongside them. Whether in civilian ministry or active duty military, he touched so many lives through his deep faith, love of people, empathy and ability to genuinely listen. Nick always believed the most powerful witness of faith is by simply living it.

Nick is survived by his wife Elizabeth; son, Thomas Woods of Abilene, KS; son, Andrew Woods and his wife Jennifer and their children Elizabeth, Katherine, Alexandrea, Nicholas William, and Victoria who live in Belgium.

All of Nick’s relatives here in Kansas, scattered across the United States and Europe want to thank all of you for your care, concerns, and the incredible assistance provided by so many. God bless you all. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service at the Eudora United Methodist Church will be scheduled for a later date to be announced by the family.

Bernardino Ramon Vega

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Bernardino (Bernie) Ramon Vega, 37, of Lawrence, peacefully passed on December 14th. A visitation will take place from 6:00-8:00 on Thursday, December 19th, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St. in Lawrence. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 20th at 2 p.m. at St. John’s the Evangelist Church, 1234 Kentucky St. in Lawrence.

Bernie was born on May 22, 1987, to Arturo Vega and Maria Sofia Gonzalez in Emporia, Kansas and grew up in Lawrence. He graduated from Free State High School and went on to pursue his passion as a journeyman lineman.

He was a proud Union member of IBEW Local 304 and IBEW Local 53 for 15 years.

Bernie was easy-going, jovial, and loved the camaraderie of family and friends. Whether enjoying a glass of fine whiskey, on the green playing golf, at the pool table, avid fan of the Chiefs and Jayhawks or involved with D&D, Bernie lived life with passion and a zest for good times surrounded by friends and family.

Bernie’s spirit will live on through his loving wife, Mariana, and stepdaughter, Bianca Nieto. He is survived by his parents, Arturo Vega and Maria Sofia Gonzalez; his siblings: Arturo Vega Jr. and wife, Danielle Demby; Diana Vega and husband, Hai Tran; Yvonne Vega and wife, Krista Vega. Bernie will be deeply missed by his nephews: Preston, Tristan, Caleb, Isaiah, Arturo, David and niece: Camila.

He was preceded in death by his uncles, José Gilberto and Ricardo Rafael González, and aunts: Josefina Palacios, Evelia Trujillo, and María Elena Vega.

Bernie’s life was a testament of his love of life. His absence leaves a hole that can never be filled, but his memory will continue to comfort those who knew him. Fly high as you soar through the stars!

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 17, 2025, celebrating his birthday where memories will be shared, and drinks will be poured in his honor. More information to come.

Bruce Allan Miller

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Bruce Allan Miller was born July 3rd, 1965, and raised in San Gabriel Valley, California. He enlisted in the army in 1984 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Bruce loved being in the army and he especially loved jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. While stationed in Hawaii in 1988, his only daughter Cassandra Miller was born.

Bruce eventually moved to Lawrence, KS in the fall of 2013, where he worked at the Social Service League before transitioning to Berry Plastics. He had a passion for running and was heavily involved in the running community in Lawrence. Bruce was a social butterfly and known for being full of life and inspirational as well as a great mentor/role model. He helped facilitate and support positive changes in others and made lasting friendships along the way.

In July, on the 4th, Bruce married his longtime partner Shannon in a small intimate ceremony.

On December 10th, 2024, after a long battle with cancer, Bruce passed away at home at the young age of 59. He is preceded in death by his mother Sally Jo Miller in 2023 and is survived by his wife Shannon Miller, daughter Cassandra Miller, his granddaughter Sophie, sister Kimberly Augusto, nieces Isabella Augusto and Lyra Augusto, and Alejandro Augusto his nephew.

A private cremation will be held on December 16th as the family mourns the loss of Bruce, who was a great and selfless husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who will be greatly missed.

Larry Gene Sledd

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Larry Gene Sledd, 78, of Eudora, died Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living Center in Lawrence, Kansas surrounded by his family.

He was born August 17, 1946, in Bethal, Kansas, the son of Patrick Sledd and Doris (Vestal) Ristow. He graduated from Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1964. Larry worked at the Pratt and Lambert Paint Company in North Kansas City and later as an iron worker with the Union. In the mid 70’s he started his long career as an Auto Body Technician at his family’s business, Lawrence Body Shop. After retirement he worked part time at the Clinton Lake campgrounds.

He married Elaine Frye, April 15, 1966, in Kansas City, Kansas. She survives of the home. Other survivors include two sons, Gregg (Mary Sue) Lecompton, Kansas and Brian (Jeri) Eudora, Kansas. Three brothers Lynn, Randy and Jim, 9 Grandsons and 23 Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Steve and Doug.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. A private burial will take place in City of Eudora Cemetery, 2229 N 1420 Rd Eudora, Kansas 66025.

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