A Celebration of Life Service for Barbara Darlene Barber, 74, Lawrence, are pending and will be announced at a later date.
She died November 11, 2022, at her home.
Category: Obituaries
Margo Lee (Pierce) Smith
Graveside services for Margo Lee (Pierce) Smith, 93, rural Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Monday, November 14, 2022, at Memorial Park Cemetery. Chaplain Delmar White will officiate. Ms. Smith will lie in state Sunday from 8-8 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. She passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at LMH Health.
She was born January 22, 1929, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Harry H. and Willie Mulvaney Pierce. She graduated from Northeast High School in KCMO and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Kansas.
Margo taught physical education at Haskell Indian Juco (now Haskell Indian Nations University) and later worked as a secretary at Riverside and East Heights elementary schools for Willie Amison. She enjoyed raising litters of Labrador pups and anything cattle related, and was an avid KU fan. Margo was a loving farm wife.
She married Leo Keller Smith Aug. 29, 1948, at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus. Leo worked on the Campanile on campus, and he and Margo were the first married graduates to walk through the Campanile. He preceded her in death in 2016, Survivors include a son, David Smith (Ramona Willits), Lawrence, and a daughter, Bobbi Reichart (Neill) of Alma, Kan.; four grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.
Darrell Charles Shuck
Darrell Charles Shuck, was born in Lawrence, KS, on September 27, 1932. The son of Charles E Shuck and Alda M Brohammer Shuck. He passed away on November 8, 2022, at the age of 90 years old. He was baptized on July 27, 1947, into the Old German Baptist Church, which he remained faithful until his death. He served his conscientious objector (CO) work in Larned, KS, milking cows for the State Hospital, from 1953 to 1955. On September 28, 1957, he was united in marriage to Frances M Heck, they shared over 60 years together until the Lord called her home, in May 2018.
He was elected to the ministry in 1960 and in 1979 ordained to an Elder. He preached the word of God, until a stroke took that ability from him, in Dec of 2015. The damage from his stroke made life more difficult for him. He strived to keep a positive attitude, believing the cup was half full and never half empty.
He worked as a farmer in his younger years, then later did janitorial work. He drove a school bus for the Lawrence School District for 25 years. When he retired from janitorial work at KU, he worked for the Douglas County Senior Center as a transport driver. He later transferred to the office, greeting the public and answering the phone. He volunteered at Lawrence Memorial Hospital as an ambassador. He worked until his stroke in 2015, forced him to retire completely.
Dad had a gracious heart and a contagious smile. He loved being included and feeling needed. Helping others made him happy and brought him great satisfaction. He gave over 150 pints of blood to the Red Cross, in his lifetime. He lived in Douglas County, KS, all his life and was very well known to everyone in the community. Dad felt his anchor was anchored, his ship was done sailing, and he was ready to go home.
He is proceeded in death, by his parents, his spouse, and a brother-in-law, Ray Knaus.
Those left behind to mourn his loss: His three sons: David William (wife Laurie) Overbrook; Douglas Charles (wife Dotti) Lawrence: Daniel Darrell (wife Bonnie) Delta, Colorado; one daughter: Donita Jo DeMersseman (husband Randy) of Baldwin City. Five grandchildren: Dawn Huddleston, Dara Wilson, Savanna Beaver, Dustin and Charlie Shuck. Three great grandchildren: Bryce Huddleston, Artie and Ellie Wilson. One brother: Duane Shuck (wife Lois) Overbrook; One sister Barbara Knaus, Sautee GA; One sister-in-law, Thelma Heck, Westphalia, KS. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A visitation will be held at the Old German Baptist, Willow Springs Church, Wednesday, November 16th, 5 to 8 PM. Funeral Services will be Thursday, November 17th, at 10 AM, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Assoc., or the Old German Baptist Church, in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044.
Alfred Lee Henricks
Alfred “BIG AL” Henricks, 68 of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Monday, November 7, 2022.
He was born October 8, 1954, in Oklahoma City, Ok. The son of Donald Worth and Myrtle Lois Horne Henricks.
Al worked for RMT Construction for 15 years then went on to become a senior carpenter for the University of Kansas for 9 years.
He married Molly J. Harkins on February 6, 1976 in Ottawa, Kansas, she survives of the home. Big Al is also survived by three sons, Frank (Vandi) Henricks of Eudora, Kansas, Dave (Kara) Henricks of Baldwin City, Kansas, SSGT Kyler (Kyleigh) Henricks USMC, Jacksonville, North Carolina, one daughter Ange (RJ) Quigley of Lawrence, Kansas, five grandkids, Samuel, Shyanne, Denan, August & Mady, three great grandkids, Harper, Kam and Olivia. One brother Richard Henricks of Quenemo, Kansas, and many extended family.
He was preceded by three brothers, one sister and parents.
Cremation is planned, with memorial services at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence, Ks.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Walter LeRoy (WL) Alexander
Walter LeRoy Alexander, 80, Lawrence, passed away November 5, 2022, at LMH Health, from respiratory complications.
He was born in Lawrence, KS but raised in Pineville, MO.
Leroy was a proud Marine serving in Vietnam, He enjoyed going to auctions and buying too many old tvs and clocks. He worked at K-Mart Distribution Center as a Fork Lift Operator till his retirement in 2008.
He was a gym rat at local gyms for many years as an inspiring body builder, even placing 5th in his first competition. His passions were his ’99 Red Corvette and ’99 Black Honda. His western hero was Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke, never missed watching every episode with his beloved dog, Waldo on his lap. He enjoyed watching the Chiefs and Jayhawks, never giving up on them as a chair side supporter.
Leroy was a man of simple means but generous with the needs of others. He is survived by his wife Judy, of the home. Leroy was a father, step father, grand father, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He was loved by many and will be missed more than he could imagine.
Per his wishes, no services are planned but he hopes to be remembered with love and laughter.
“Go Rest High On That Mountain, Your Work On Earth Is Done”
Jeanne A. Adams
Services for Jeanne A. Adams, 71, Winchester, are pending and will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
She died November 5, 2022 at LMH Health.
Morris Speed IV
Arrangements are pending for Morris Speed IV, 58, Lawrence, who passed away Sunday, October 30, 2022, at LMH Health.
Bradley Gilbert Price
Arrangements are pending for Bradley Gilbert Price, 36, Lawrence, who passed away recently in Lawrence.
Darlene Bright
Hazel Darlene (Proctor) Bright, age 88, a resident of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 31, 2022, at LMH Health.
Darlene was born in Effingham, Kansas on July 18, 1934, the daughter of Lester D. and Hazel (Hudson) Proctor. Darlene married Robert Bright on June 7, 1953, and they had two children: Terrence Lee Bright and Jeffrey Lynn Bright.
As a young woman, Darlene worked at several downtown Lawrence businesses, including the Granada Theater and Weaver’s Department Store. Once married and for most of her adult years, she was an active civic volunteer with such organizations as the Douglas County Extension Service, Cottonwood 4-H Club, and American Red Cross. Darlene was a member of the First Christian Church in Lawrence where she taught Sunday and Vacation Bible Schools, made and donated crafts for holiday bazaars, and chaired a committee providing funeral dinners for families. As an active homemaker, she loved to cook and bake, sew, quilt, shop, and spend time with her family and friends. She always had a quest for knowledge and displayed care for others.
She is survived by her husband: Bob Bright, of the home; by her children: Terry Bright and wife Kathy (Carpenter) Bright of Duncanville, Texas and Jeff Bright and husband Steve Gass of Kansas City, Missouri; by her three grandchildren: Joshua Bright; Jacob Bright; and Jordan (Bright) Montasser and husband Rob Montasser; and by eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Carol (Proctor) Guy and her husband John Guy as well as her brother Robert Proctor and his wife Kathy Proctor and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Her parents and her brothers Richard Proctor and Lester N. Proctor predeceased her.
A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery. There is no scheduled family visitation; however, friends may still call if desired at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. The casket will remain closed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church of Lawrence, Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, or any other preferred charity/non-profit organization and may be left at or mailed to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. Online condolences may be made at www.rumsey-yost.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.
LTC (Ret) David Wolcott Olmsted
LTC (Ret) David Wolcott Olmsted, age 76, died on October 29, 2022 in his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas surrounded by his loving family after soldiering through a twenty year battle with Parkinsons.
David was born in Lawrence, Kansas on September 3, 1946 to Herbert and Faye (Jones) Olmsted. He went to Lawrence High School where he excelled academically, earning him a congressional recommendation to attend the West Point Military Academy. He graduated with honors in 1968. While a cadet at West Point, David met his wife Jessica, a New Jersey native of Italian heritage, who was the animating force of his life. She extended his serious-mindedness and stoicism with a playfulness and warmth, complimenting his character.
As a young commissioned and newly married Captain in the United States Army, David served in the Vietnam War from July 4, 1970 to July 4, 1971. His first daughter, Kate was born during this time and he was grateful to make it home to meet her. He would later learn that his exposure to Agent Orange during the war was responsible for his diagnosis of Parkinsons in 2003.
After the war, the family moved back to Lawrence where David did his graduate work at The University of Kansas. His son, Peter, was born in 1973 extending the Olmsted legacy in Lawrence. After earning his Masters degree, David returned to West Point as a Professor of English. There his family welcomed another daughter, Beth, in 1975. The family moved five more times, including posts in Germany and at White Sands Missile Range (New Mexico) where David was the public affairs officer during the space shuttle Columbia’s landing in 1982.
David retired from the military in 1992 after a 28 year career. His last post was leading the Wheaton College (Illinois) Army ROTC Program where he was instrumental in mentoring and developing leaders. This final professional chapter was evidence of his faith, leadership and scholarship. As a testament to his influence and example, from this relatively small program there are four Wheaton College ROTC graduates from his tenure who are now Brigadier Generals currently serving in the US Army.
David and Jessica spent the last fifteen years in close vicinity to their children and grandchildren in the Pacific Northwest. David kept the impacts of his disease at bay for many years by doubling down on his love for golf. At his local golf course, The Home Course, he played regularly (shooting an impressive 75 at the age of 68) and worked as a meticulous groundskeeper and welcoming but circumspect course marshal. It was not in him to hurry people on the golf course or in life. He then moved back to Lawrence at the beginning of 2022 to be lovingly cared for by his son Peter and daughter-in-law, Crystal.
David embodied his Christian faith. He was a trusted advisor to many, a wise and balanced counsellor, a teacher who embraced truth and made space for mystery, and a quiet presence. In addition to being an avid golfer, he was also a competitive racquetball player (Illinois state champion at one point!), a broad based sports enthusiast, a master of math problems and Crossword puzzles, and an early adopter of technology who wired his house to be smart before we had the word for it. But, as he said, at his 50th wedding anniversary with his signature, dry self-effacing humor, his greatest delights were his wife, children, and grandchildren.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jessica, and three children along with their spouses: Kate & Brett Ballbach (London, UK), Peter & Crystal Olmsted (Lawrence, KS), and Beth & Matt Maclean (Seattle, WA.) He also had seven grandchildren whom he loved well: Quinn Ballbach, Colin David Ballbach, Lawton Ballbach, Joshua Maclean, Ethan David Olmsted, Rachel Maclean, and Eli Olmsted. He is also survived by a sister, Betsy Faulkner, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Herbert W. Olmsted (April 1973), his brother Robert P. Olmsted (November 2021), and his mother Faye Olmsted Jones April 22, 2022, at the age of 103.
A funeral with full military honors will be held on Veteran’s Day, November 11 2022, at 2:15 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence. A visitation will be held from noon until 2 pm with remarks at 1 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 852, Lawrence, or Wounded Warrior Project, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
