Category: Obituaries

Margie Elrene Wiseman

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Margie Wiseman 94 years old, a lifelong resident of Lawrence, Kansas passed away at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living, her home of many years, on October 27, 2022.

Services will be held on October 31, 2022 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Visitation at 10 a.m. followed by Services at 11:00 a.m.. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas.

Margie Elrene Bell-Smith, was born March 1st, 1928 to Charles Fletcher Bell and Ruby Hopper-Bell, in Lawrence, Kansas.

Her parents preceded her in death when she was a young child. Margie was taken in and raised by Ruby’s sister and husband Pearl Hopper- Smith, and Tom Smith, Margie gained bonus siblings of Charles, Howard, Dorothy, and Hazel Smith, who all have preceded her in death.

Margie graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1946 and went on to work as a bookkeeper at the Lawrence Ice Plant where she met her future husband.

Margie married Glen Wiseman July 29, 1950, after 50 years of marriage he preceded her in death on March 14, 2001. Together they owned and operated Glen’s Garage and Salvage, starting out in East Lawrence and later moving to North Lawrence. Margie enjoyed Country Music, Bowling, the Coachman Camping Club, Square Dancing, being a winter Texan and Lawn Darts. Margie enjoyed making Plastic Canvas Christmas Ornaments and her favorite was the Christmas drums she loved to give them to her family and friends. Most of us have quite the collection to remember her by.

Margie is survived by her daughter Glenda Easum and partner Mike Farwell, son Tom Wiseman and wife Lorrie all of Lawrence, and a stepdaughter Katherine Howrey, of Carthage, Mo.

Grandchildren are Stephanie ( Antonio ) Manley, Kari ( Ken ) Brungardt, Ryan Easum, Lindsay Wiseman, Kim ( Kevin ) Reichmuth , and Jeff (Angela ) Howrey.

Great- Grandchildren Ramello Manley, Brayden Ballew, Jackson Easum, Bristol Wiseman, Cole Easum, Elizabeth (Michael ) Lemos, Jennifer Reichmuth, Tyler, Isabelle, and Oaklie Howrey, Faythe, Jackson, and Lawson Brungardt.

2 Great-Great Grandchildren, Aiden Lemos and Kenzeleigh Brungardt.

Memorial contributions to, Ascend Health 5020 Bob Billings Parkway, Lawrence, Kansas 66049 or Alzheimer’s and Dementia Foundation P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Livestream service at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY2NzAwNzkxMTIxNjIzMSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Thomas Lee Klocke

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No services for Thomas Lee Klocke, 73, are planned at this time.

Thomas Lee Klocke passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

He was born May 18, 1949, to Gertrude and Ivan Klocke in Clay Center, Kansas. Their place of residence was Green, Kansas. It was in this rural setting and due primarily to Gertrude that he first experienced the influence that art can have on daily life.

He graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1967. He earned a BFA from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1971 and an MFA from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, in 1973. He was a lifelong artist (as a painter and playwright) and arts advocate having worked at the Kansas Arts Commission in Topeka, Kansas, 1992-2007, and Hospital Audiences Inc. in New York city, 1986-1990.

Survivors include a brother, Richard Klocke, Lawrence, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Laura Klocke, Lawrence, Kansas; a niece, Thessa M’loe Klocke, Los Angeles, California.

William (Bill) Meeks

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William (Bill) Meeks joined his Heavenly Father in the early morning hours of Tuesday October 18, 2022. He peacefully and unassumingly slipped into Heaven escorted by angels.

Bill was born January 4, 1932 the son of Earl and Edna Meeks in Cincinnati, OH. He lived his formative years in Monroe, Ohio where he excelled in numerous sports graduating from Monroe High School in 1950.

He served as a Sgt in the US Marine Corps from 1952 – 1954 receiving the Honorable Medal of National Defense. His ability to draft defense plans was utilized throughout his military career. Once a Marine always a Marine.

Bill’s first marriage produced four daughters, marriage to the love of his life Myrna (Pudge)a fifth daughter, and two bonus daughters. He was very proud being the father of seven girls.

Bill and Myrna married on June 2, 1969 and moved to Lawrence, Kansas when he was recruited as an engineer for Lawrence Paper Company. He designed and patented numerous paper machines while there retiring in 2006.

Bill was a living, loving Christian whose wisdom and witt were beyond compare. Funny to the end. He wasn’t the kind of man to tell us how to live but let us learn by watching him.

A Celebration of Life services will be 5 pm, Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Bill is survived by wife Myrna and seven daughters. Kathy Stewart, Vicki Smith (Stan), Maryanna McGill (Darren), Billie Meeks, Cheri Blankenship (Larry), Shelly Hiatt, and Jane Juelsgaard (Joel).  Sister Imogene Mercer and brothers George and Dale Meeks (Pat). Grandchildren Brendan, Raven, Kip, Ashlee, Haley, Sable, Liam, Dylan, Travis, Tyler, Zach, Taryn, Truman, Odessa, Turner, and Lucy. Great Grandchildren Arlo, Tallula, Imogene, Tonnie, Lydia, Cadence, Lucien, Luna, Lilli, Scarlett, Audrey, Tenley, Harper, Peyton, Carter, Bryson, Baleigh, Blakesly,  Moria and Lincoln.

“I’ll see you birds later”.

Livestream the service at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY2NzQ0MzY5NzIxNzAyMCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Shirley Marie Baker Johnson

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Visitation for Shirley Marie Baker Johnson, 89, Clinton, will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2022, Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The casket will be closed at the request of family. Burial will be at Clinton Cemetery Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 11:00 am; Pastor Patrick Yancey will be officiating. Shirley died October, 17, 2022, at Bridge Haven memory care home.

Shirley was born August 10, 1933, at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, Kansas. She was the youngest of five children born to Orville Newton and Geneva Preston Baker. She attended Brubaker Grade school and Baldwin City High School, before graduating from Overbrook High School in 1951, where she was a cheerleader.

Shirley worked in the office of Dr. W.O. and Richard Nelson and then nine years at the Kansas Geological survey office, followed by 15 years as a school bus driver for Lawrence Public Schools. She loved her job as a bus driver and drove several of her own grandchildren to school each morning.

Shirley met her husband Rex Johnson “in jail” while visiting her sister. In 1965 Rex became Sheriff and he and Shirley and their family moved into the Sheriff’s quarters which was connected to the jail and Douglas County courthouse. In 1970 Rex and Shirley moved to the country, west of what is now Clinton Lake. Many deputies affectionately called Shirley “mom” whenever they saw her. Shirley cooked for the county inmates, and later hired out the cooking, a job requirement of the acting sheriff until the mid-eighties, when the County took over the task of feeding the inmates.

Shirley married Rex Johnson on October 31, 1954, in Lawrence, KS. He preceded her in death in 2021. She was also preceded in death by two sons Duane Lee Johnson and David Bruce Johnson, three sisters, Maxine Elschlager, Virginia Aldridge and Jean Hodson, and a brother, Creed Baker.

Survivors include two sons, Allen Johnson and wife Robin, Baldwin City, and Dale Johnson and wife Kathy, Lawrence; a daughter Susan Collins, and husband Jason, Pooler GA; 9 grandchildren, Aaron, Paul, Patrick, Ross, Colton, and Jake Johnson, Kyle Bulmer, Kelly Mondi, and Robi Murray; and 22 great-grandchildren

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to VNA/Hospice of Lawrence, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com

Martin (Kevin) Dowd

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Martin “Kevin” Dowd, 69, Kansas City, KS, passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday, October 17, in Eudora, KS. A private service will be held with friends and family. Kevin was preceded in death by his mother Mary Frances Calaway Dowd, his father Matt Dowd, his sister Mary Beth Dowd, and his brothers Matt Dowd, Mike Dowd and Terry Dowd. Survivors include many nieces and nephews, friends and fellow artists.

Kevin was born August 2, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up the fourth of five siblings. He studied and appreciated art, music and media; he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ottawa University and his Masters of Liberal Arts from University of Missouri Kansas City. He lived and worked in the downtown Kansas City area most of his life, primarily at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. He volunteered his time at the Rose Brooks Shelter and gave back to his community often. His love of music, good food and company often connected him to others in the art community. He loved to travel; one especially unique trip was his hitchhiking to Woodstock at the age of 16. He was a conscientious objector of the war and spent time living on a commune with other artists. He was as quirky as he was intelligent and as stubborn as he was creative and playful: an avid reader and maker, loving books and woodworking as well as photography, media and audio visual technology.

We celebrate Kevin’s life and remember his laughter and love of good music, and all things unique and artistic. He is loved.

Services will be private. The family suggests memorial donations to the non-profit: Rose Brooks, P.O. Box 320599, Kansas City, MO 64132; Offices (816) 523-5550; www.rosebrooks.org

Robert E. White Sr.

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Memorial services for Robert E. White Sr., 74, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Mr. Robert White, Sr died Saturday October 16, 2022, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born August 11, 1948, in Lawrence, Kansas.  He was the son of Floyd L. White, Sr. and  Estella M. Frazier-White.

He was a lifelong Lawrencian and proud of being a true local.  Known to most as Kool Bob or simply Bobby.  He was a local legend in life and will likely become bigger than life in death.  He graced our world with a voice of angels, a charismatic personality and a larger-than-life presence.  His voice was his greatest gift but equally impressive was his immense love for his family and his ability to make EVERYONE feel seen, heard, accepted and loved.  We will remember him always for his vocal talents, his love and the way he made us feel.

Former wives include Carolyn Weems-White and Debra Pacheco-White.  He married Kathy Lawson-White on October 26, 2004, who survives.

Other survivors include sons:  Lonnie L. Johnson, Robert White Jr, David Warner, Robert A.F. White, Demetrius Y. White, Shane White, and Alexander Nunez.  Daughters include: Pam Cook, Traci Brown, Gayle Sweets, Kimberly Pacheco-Rahman.  Brother, Carl E. White Sr, who survives of the home. 30+ grandchildren and 15+ great grandchildren whom he adored.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother Floyd L White Jr, sister Dollie Faye White, son Willie Dotson III and granddaughter Victoria Nicole White.

Memorials may be made to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Live streaming of service, click below. Starting at 1: 50pm.

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1666317207214754

Donald G. Ahlert

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Donald G Ahlert , 89 passed away at LMH after a short illness on Friday October 14, 2022 . He was born January 23, 1933 in Chicago  to Fred and Erna Ahlert. He graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1955. He was an executive at Illinois Bell telephone, transferred to New York to help start up AT&T and returned to Chicago to finish up his career . He retired to Ludington, Michigan and later moved to Lawrence in 1991.

He married Carol Deahl in 1958 and treasured 52 years together before her death in 2010. He loved family, enjoyed playing with grandkids, gardening and traveling.

Survivors include a son Steve( Leslie )Lawrence ; two daughters Mary Kaufman( Terry) of Boynton Beach, Debbie Ahlert-Caffey of Lawrence . He was preceded in death by a son, James,  in 2008. He has 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to St Margaret’s Episcopal church.
Family is having a private service on October 24 with inurnment in the columbarium at Trinity Episcopal Church.

José Aurelio (Butch) Larios

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Jose (Butch) A. Larios of Lawrence, Kansas passed away on September 1, 2022.
He was born in Ottawa, Kansas on July 15, 1945. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1963 and served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1964. After his service in the army, he worked at the University of Kansas for 43 years.
Butch was divorced and his former spouses include Bonnie L. Pearce and Harriet A. Liebig. He is preceded in death by his parents, Delfino M. Larios Sr and Francisca (Cortez) Larios; and, his sisters Juliana Cortez and Carolina Coleman. Butch is survived by his siblings Marcy Baer, Defino M. Larios Jr., Cristina Meherry, and Elizabeth Huff; his sons Brian D. Larios and his husband Chuck Harper, Jose M. Larios, and Miguel A. Larios; and his grandson Miguel Emiliano Larios.
Memorial contributions can be made in Jose’s name to the American Cancer Society or the American Kidney Fund, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044
A private family burial has already taken place.

Patricia J. Coffey

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Patricia J. Coffey passed away October 10, 2022, surrounded by family at LMH Health. She was born March 19,1961, in Ottawa, KS, to Merle and Maxine Willhite. Patricia was the baby of the family, born the youngest of four daughters.

Patricia grew up in Ottawa, graduating from Ottawa High School in 1979. During school, Patty participated in cheerleading, Cytones, and student council, while also competing on the track and gymnastics teams. Following graduation, Patricia attended Baker University where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She graduated with a degree in Education, following in the footsteps of her mother and sisters.

Patricia moved to Lawrence in 1984 where she met her husband, Shaun. They married on September 21, 1985, and recently celebrated 37 years of marriage. She is survived by husband Shaun of the home; three children: Christopher Coffey (Natalie) of Lawrence, Patrick Coffey of Bailey, CO, and Elisa Burgoon (Alex), of Lawrence; three grandsons, Jaxen, Ryker, and Baker; and three sisters, Jean Anne Leigh (Tom), Barb Stransky (Frank), and Marcheta Pearson (Rick); in-laws Roger and Deana Coffey; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Patricia was preceded in death by her mother and father.

Patricia’s memorial service will be held Friday, October 21, at First United Methodist, West Campus at 10:00 AM. The visitation will be held Thursday, October 20, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from 6-8:00 PM.

Patricia loved her three grandsons more than anything else in this world. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Patty Coffey Grandchildren Educational Fund and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66049. Condolences may be sent to the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home page, rumsey-yost.com

 

Rhuea Marie France

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Ms. Rhuea Marie France, at the age of ninety-one, expired on October 9, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas, her place of residence from 2005 to 2022.  Ms. France, born on July 13, 1931, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Fannie  and Legus Patton, spent her formative years in Spencer, Oklahoma and attended Dunjee High School.  She also attended the University of Oklahoma.

She was employed by the Department of Education in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. and the Internal Revenue Service in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Her husband of sixty-six years, George McGarland France, III, of Huntington, West Virginia, predeceased her on February 6, 2019.  Her surviving family members include: Renay France, Esq. of Washington, DC, daughter; George M. France, IV of Lawrence, Kansas, son; Pierre Andre France, son, and his wife, Dr. Christine Jenkins, D.V.M., and their daughter, Kathryn France, of Tallahassee, Florida; Maggieann Louie and her husband, Johnel Louie, of Temple Texas, Beverly Smith and Sarah Patton, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, sisters; Craig Patton of Oklahoma City, brother; and a host of loving nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held at Noon on Monday, October 17th, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 1011 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.