Category: Obituaries

Oma Lee Curtiss

Posted on by RumseyYost

Oma Lee Curtiss, 95, passed away September 2, 2023, at Homestead Assisted Living of Russell in Russell, KS.

Oma was born May 1, 1928, in Bowling Green, KY, the daughter of Rosa Lee and James Thomas Coleman. On October 15, 1946, she married Earl Leonard Curtiss at Morganfield, KY. He preceded her in death February 2, 1999.

She is survived by two sons, Donald (Brenda) Curtiss of Chubbuck, ID, and Joe (Susan) Curtiss of Ellinwood, KS, a sister, Roberta Mae Cheaney of Evansville, IN, along with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Charles, and a daughter, Alice Clark.

Funeral service will be 2 pm, Friday, September 8, 2023, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, KS. The family will receive visitors one hour before the service.

Memorials are suggested to Homestead of Russell or to the donor’s choice in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Constance Fay ‘Connie’ Hadl

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Constance Fay (Tevis) Hadl, 79, passed away peacefully on December 19th, 2022, at Bridge Haven in Lawrence Kansas.

She was born in Topeka Kansas on September 15, 1943. Daughter of Warren Tevis and Eura Murrel Woodward. Connie worked in food service for the Douglas County school district and enjoyed cooking for friends and family. She was an active member of the Kanwaka 4-H club and was passionate about Quilting. As a member of the Kaw Valley Quilters guild, she had made many quilts through the years. She married Wilfred Hadl on September 5, 1964, in Topeka, Kansas.

Willie and Connie enjoyed traveling and Connie always looked for quilt shops to visit when they were on the road. She was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church and enjoyed helping put on the Festival of Nativities every year. Connie is survived by her son Cory Hadl, Colorado.

She was proceeded in death by Wilfred Hadl April 18, 2016 and Darren Hadl April 21, 2019.

A memorial service for Connie Hadl, 79 will be held at 2pm October 1st, 2023, at Centenary United Methodist Church 245 N 4th St. Lawrence, KS.

Philip Dos Santos

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Services for Philip Dos Santos, 31, Gardner, will be from 1-3 pm, Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St, Lawrence KS.

Phil died Saturday, August 26, 2023 at his home.

He was born January 14, 1992 in Columbia, MO, the youngest son of Enrique Dos Santos and Catherine (Vossler) Dos Santos. He graduated from Rock Bridge High School in 2010. He moved to Lawrence, KS in 2018 and earned a degree from Neosho Community College. Philip earned his welding certification and worked as a welder for Select Steel in Wellsville, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents Enrique and Catherine Dos Santos. He is survived by his partner, Calli Zeilenga, and his beloved dog, Keller; his siblings, Steven Dos Santos of Albuquerque, NM, Alexandra Acock of Wellsville, KS, Peter Dos Santos of Omaha, NE, Craig Dos Santos of Lawrence, KS, and maternal uncle Steve Vossler and maternal aunt Sue Vossler both of Lawrence, KS.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to a Go Fund Me which will benefit the Columbia Second Chance animal shelter where Phil adopted his best friend, Keller. http://gofundme.com/f/philipdossantos”.

Judith Faye Scheff

Posted on by RumseyYost

Judith Faye Scheff died unexpectedly on August 24, 2023 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Judith was born May 9, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. She moved to Lawrence in 1965 to attend KU and earned her graduate degree. Her passion was theater and she volunteered at Theater Lawrence from its inception until the time of her passing.

Survivors include her sister Elaine (Ray) Durbin of Lawrence, KS and brother Edward Scheff of Providence, RI.

There will be a funeral service at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 29 at 10:00 AM. There will be no public burial.

In lieu of flowers, for those desiring, it is suggested that donations be made to Theatre Lawrence, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

To watch the service live, click the link below

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5MzE1OTg4NzI2ODgyMSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Theron Johnson Harper

Posted on by RumseyYost

Theron Johnson Harper, 91, passed away August 19, 2023 in the care of Ascend Hospice Care and the great people at Bridge Haven Memory Care in Lawrence, KS, after a short illness.

He was born October 15, 1931 in the home on the family farm near Virginia, (Bates County) MO, to Rollin Hill Harper and Ethel Irene (McGuire) Harper. He was married to his high school sweetheart Dixie Deems Harper at the home of her parents on July 17, 1949. They were happily married for 73 years before her passing in January this year.

Theron and Dixie had five children: Stephen Kyle, Kathi Sue Hunsinger, Theron Kevin, Roderick Deems, and Elizabeth Ann Spring. Theron and Dixie along with their children, owned and operated Deems Farm Equipment the John Deere Dealership in Lawrence for more than 30 years. Theron and Dixie both attended the University Community of Christ Church in Lawrence.

In the Fall of 1989, Theron and Dixie decided to become Floridian Snowbirds and spent their winters in Bonita Springs, Florida. They continued to be Snowbirds for more than fifteen years and loved every minute of it.

Theron was preceded in death by his parents, all three of his siblings, his wife, his oldest son Kyle, his youngest daughter Libby, son-in-law Chris ‘Elvi’ Hunsinger, and his great grandson Reese Massey. He is survived by daughter Kathi Hunsinger, son Kevin (Becky, Theresa, Theron Craig), Rod (Barbara, Erica, Rod Jr.), son-in-law Jim Spring, grandchildren Kelly Renick, Travis Renick, and Kyle’s children, Jeanne, Julie, Jennifer, Branden and Whitney, several greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation for both Theron and Dixie Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home 601 Indiana Lawrence, KS 66044 The family suggest memorials in Theron’s name to Ascend Hospice Care, and University Community of Christ Church. Donations may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS, 66044.

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

Donna D. Turner

Posted on by RumseyYost

Graveside services for Donna D. Turner, 86, Lawrence, will be at 11am, Friday, August 25, 2023 at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Donna died Saturday, August 19, 2023 at her home. She was born February 16, 1937. Ms. Turner worked at the Kansas color press, King Radio, and Independent Laundry. She then retired from Hallmark of Lawrence.

Survivors include a brother Aurther (Marjorie) Pine of Olathe, three daughters Susan (Mike) Wiediman of Lawrence, Vicki (Thomas) Ramirez of Lawrence, and Brenda Clark (Jason Kugler) of Raytown, MO. She has many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society or the American Heart Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Lucas Aaron Heckman

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Lucas Aaron Heckman died Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born May 3, 1983, in Lawrence, Kansas.

Lucas was one of a kind. He was incredibly brilliant, funny, talented, and definitely marched to a different drummer. Perhaps this is why he beat his heart out on the drums during his days as a musician here in Lawrence, Kansas, and then later in Albany, New York, and Kansas City. He promoted other musicians and supported many others in their creative efforts. An old friend said, “He was quite literally the life of the party” at the vegan potlucks and at The Pirate House. He enrolled at The University of Kansas not because he wanted a higher education, but really because he wanted to be a DJ for the college radio station. His knowledge of music was deep and wide, especially punk. He was a straight-edge punk which means that he never used alcohol or other drugs. In his life and even now, he’s carried the soul of a musician.

He is survived by his mother, Iris Craver, and his step-father, Steve Stemmerman, Lawrence; his father, George Heckman, and step-mother, Bekki Heckman, Ozawkie; his brother, Jesse Heckman, and sister-in-law, Jennifer Strickland, Lawrence; and his sister, Sara Schafer, Topeka.  He also had his niece, Ida Heckman, his nephew, Oliver Heckman, Lawrence; and his nieces Cecelia and Marjorie Schafer, Topeka. He had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who found him dear.

An open house memorial is planned for September 16, 2023, Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N 4th St. Lawrence, Kansas, 66044 beginning at 1 pm.  Potluck!  A time for sharing stories. Eulogy by his brother at 2.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunrise Project or the family suggests planting a tree.