Celebration of Life services for Charles Edward Whitman, 79, Lawrence, are pending and will be announced at a later date by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
He died October 9, 2022, at LMH Health.
Category: Obituaries
David D. Metsker
Services for David D Metsker, 65, Lawrence, will be at 10:00 am Thursday, October 20th at Lone Star Church of the Brethren. Inurnment will be in Washington Creek Cemetery at a later date. Mr. Metsker passed away Sunday, October 9th, 2022 at his home in rural Douglas County.
David was born June 19th, 1957 in Lawrence. The son of John Phillip and Bettie-Lou Metsker. He graduated from Baldwin High School in 1975.
David married Julie LuAnn Stanwix on April 24, 1982 at West Side Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS. She survives at their home. Other survivors include oldest son, David and wife Erin, Lawrence; daughter, Marla Metsker, Lawrence; and youngest son, Grant and wife Madison, Eudora; three grandchildren, Jarett Phillips, Austin Phillips, and Grace Metsker; two brothers, Andy and wife Deb, Leavenworth, Phillip and wife Debbie, Lawrence; two sisters, Margaret Kalb and husband Kermit, Wellsville, and Merry Metsker, Overbrook; mother-in-law, Verna Stanwix, Lawrence; and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Barbera Ellen; and father-in-law, Richard Stanwix.
Mr. Metsker was a tire salesman, serviceman, and farmer. He worked for Quality Oil, All Star Dairy, co-owner of Metsker Brother Farms, Hallmark, owner of Poindexter Tire and Wheel, and salesman at KansasLand Tire. He enjoyed serving the needs of local farmers and businesses and was always willing to work the extra hours to serve his customers, family, and friends.
David was an active member of the Douglas County 4-H community. He was a member of the Worden Workers 4-H club, served as a community leader for the Lone Start 4-H club, was a member of the Douglas County Fair Board, and leader of the Douglas County Area Pork Producers which provided donations to the swine project and scholarships to a graduating swine showman. He was also an active member of the Lone Star Church of the Brethren, where he served as a deacon for many years. He was an also active fan of Kansas Jayhawk athletics and was a season ticket holder for basketball for many years.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday, October 19th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Lone Star Church of the Brethren, or Douglas County 4-H Foundation to establish the David Metsker Pork Producers Scholarship Fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Michelle D. Barta
Michelle D. Barta, 72, Lawrence, KS, died on October 8, 2022, in Lawrence, KS.Michelle is survived by her husband, Donald L. Barta and son DeJay Barta, of the home; step-children Jon Barta (Tammy), Myk Barta (Kelly) and Lea Barta Morris (Steve Martin); all of Lawrence, KS; seven step-grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren; three nephews and one niece. She is preceded in death by parents Taylor J. and Opal L. McRae and siblings Kenneth T. McRae and Debra G. Clinton..Michelle McRae was born on May 1, 1950 in Ellsworth, KS, to Taylor J. McRae and Opal Lucille Rogers. She got her GED in Oklahoma.She worked in several positions in grocery stores, insurance offices and doctor’s offices.On March 22, 1974 she married Donald L. Barta in Ellsworth, KS. They have been married over 48 years.Private family services will be held at a later date
M. Darlene Hart
Private family services for Melva Darlene Hart, 79, rural Lawrence, will happen at a later date.
Melva Darlene Lauppe Hart died October 7th, 2022 at Baldwin Rehabilitation and Medical Center.
Melva, who went by Darlene, was born 11/24/42 in Winfield, Kansas the daughter of Harold O. Lauppe and Ione Ruggles Lauppe of Burden, Kansas. Darlene attended Silver Creek School, which was a one room school house, until she attended Burden High School, for the 9th grade. She graduated from Burden High School in 1961 and after her graduation she moved to Lawrence, Kansas.
While growing up in Burden, Kansas, Darlene participated in 4H, school activities, played basketball at the high school, and was a cheerleader. She lived in rural Burden in which her home did not have indoor plumbing and electricity until she was older. In 1961 she was selected as Miss Burden to represent Burden in the Arkalalah Festival in Arkansas City, Kansas.
After her high school graduation she moved to Lawrence, Kansas and attended flight attendance school for a short period. In early 1962 she met Neal Hart and they were married, in Lawerence, on 08/26/62 and resided in Lawrence, Kansas after their marriage. In 02/64 Darlene gave birth Elizabeth Hart and in 09/65 she gave birth to her second child Phillip Hart.
Darlene worked for various companies including Hallmark Cards, McCrory-Otasco Company, Assisted Living, and the State of Kansas. While working for the State of Kansas and Assisted Living, she cared/attended to the elderly who needed assistance. She developed long lasting and sincere relationships with many of her clients.
Darlene greatly enjoyed life which included listening to Bluegrass music and attending the Walnut Valley Music Festival near her hometown of Burden, Kansas. She crocheted and loved sitting on her deck, with her husband, at her rural Lawrence, Kansas home watching deer, birds, and viewing the sunset. She attended Vinland United Methodist Church where she was active in UMW and taught Sunday School to youth for years. If she found a penny on the street she would donate it to the church and collected aluminum cans and donated the recycling proceeds to the church.
Darlene loved to socialize with family and friends. She was quick to invite others to her home for Easter, Thanksgiving, or just a Sunday lunch. Darlene cherished her family which included immediate and extended family and enjoyed attending family reunions in Winfield, Kansas. She kept an extensive and detailed genealogical record of her family as her heritage was of great value to her.
Darlene was proceeded in death by her brother Dwain O. Lauppe. She is survived by her husband, Neal Hart of Baldwin, daughter Elizabeth Hart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, son Phillip Hart and wife, Laurie of Lawrence, grandchildren Hollis and Wylie Britton of Minneapolis, and Darius and Desmund Hart of Lawrence. She is also survived by her brother, George M. Lauppe of Lawrence, and sister-in-laws Marceil Lauppe (Lawrence) and Jaurene “Moe” Lauppe (Burden). Other survivors include multiple nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, cousins, and distant relatives.
Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurses, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.
Dr. Robert Jean Burch
A service of remembrance for Dr. Robert Jean Burch, 79, will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM on Friday, October 14th at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street in Lawrence, Kansas. Robert died suddenly on Thursday, October 6th, 2022 in his Lawrence home.
The son of Robert E and Francis Elizabeth Burch, Robert was born on August 18, 1943 in El Centro, California. Robert is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa Ann Burch; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Kent Beltram; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert T and Harmony Danielle Burch; his daughter and son-in-law, Jillian and Adam Bardwell; his grandchildren, Norman and Amanda Davis, Addison and Jack Leonard, Spencer Beltram and Wesley Bardwell; his great grandchildren, Norman Jr, Lea Maree and Lexi; his brother-in-law Tom Konopka; his nephew, Scott Burch; his nieces, Shelly Blair, Kristy Rogers, and Lindsey Constance.
Robert graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1961 and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas. He was awarded a Fulbright-Hayes scholarship in 1969 for a year-long study at the University of Finland in Helsinki.
Robert earned his PhD from the University of Washington where he became a professor of Soviet Studies. He went on to become Vice President of Marketing for McGraw Hill and President of Sales and Marketing for Hammond Map and Atlas.
Robert will be remembered for his kind and loving spirit, quick-witted sense of humor, and his intellectual and artistic endeavors. He spoke 6 languages and loved traveling the world; his favorite destinations included Italy, England, and Germany. Throughout his travels, Robert photographed places around the world and this beauty lives on through his artwork.
Robert was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching KU basketball, the Kansas City Royals and college football. He enjoyed watching old movies, antiquing and gardening.
Perhaps the best way to describe the life and legacy of Dr. Robert J Burch is through the lyrics of his favorite song, Until We Meet Again, “You painted hearts with colors bright and bold…there’s never been one quite like you.”
Frances Elizabeth Kirk
Private family services for Frances Elizabeth Kirk, 84, Lecompton, will take place at a later date.
She died October 4, 2022, at Medicalodges Eudora.
Roberta Senner Hofer
Roberta Senner Hofer, 74, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on October 5, 2022. The cause was complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Roberta was born to Robert and Rachel Epp Senner in Newton, Kansas, on April 8, 1948. She grew up in Buhler, Kansas, where she joined her siblings John and Rachel, followed by her brother Stan. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Bethel College in N. Newton, Kansas, like her parents, grandparents, and older siblings before her.
In 1970, after earning a degree in Art, Roberta acted upon her dream to go to Europe. Rod Hofer, a Bethel friend who was working for the Red Cross in Yugoslavia, secured her an au pair position in Ljubljana, where she was able to explore the beautiful city with its castle on the hill. During the summer she lived on the Croatian island of Hvar before joining Rod and his parents in Germany for a month-long tour of Western Europe in his new VW beetle. To this day, Rod claims that Roberta traveled halfway around the world just for him.
Roberta and Rod were married on December 27, 1971, and moved to Lawrence, Kansas. Other than brief stints in Pennsylvania and Thailand, Roberta called Lawrence home for the rest of her days.
Roberta and Rod started their family with the adoption of Alexandra in 1978, followed by the birth of Timothy in 1979 and Elise in 1982. She was a volunteer English instructor at Small World, an organization that helped international women and their preschool children adapt to a new culture. In 1984, the family moved to Bangkok, Thailand for six months, where Rod served as a Water Quality Advisor to the Royal Thai Government. Roberta homeschooled and cared for their three children, ages 6 and under, navigating the bustling streets by bus, taxi, and tuk-tuk.
With her children in school, Roberta matriculated at the University of Kansas and earned a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics in 1991. She worked as a lecturer at the KU Applied English Center from 1991-2001, teaching advanced reading and writing to international students. In 2001, she completed training as a paralegal and worked at the John Knox Law Firm until her retirement in 2014.
Throughout her life, Roberta was committed to peace and social justice. She helped to establish and served as Board President of the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) in Douglas County, and helped to bring the fair-trade marketplace 10,000 Villages to downtown Lawrence. She was an active participant in the formation and growth of Peace Mennonite Church. She proudly displayed the citation she received for a peace demonstration at Fort Leavenworth, from which she was banned for life.
Roberta loved to travel – particularly to Paris in the spring – and she returned to Europe with Rod 10 times throughout their marriage. But she also loved the simple pleasures of daily life: coffee on the front porch, a cool morning jog, a new pattern on her sewing machine.
Roberta will be remembered for her fierce loyalty, warmth, and sense of humor. She was intelligent and creative, and an excellent listener who made others feel at ease. Her outward beauty – and unparalleled stylishness – reflected her inner grace and kindness. For more than 50 years, Roberta made her home a welcoming place for family and friends to gather over delicious food, good wine, and plenty of laughter.
Roberta is survived by her loving family: Rod Hofer, her husband for more than 50 years; her children Alexandra Hofer, Lawrence; Timothy (Melania) Hofer, Lenexa, KS; and Elise (Adam) Derstine, Goshen, IN; grandchildren Abram and Sally Derstine and Kathryn and Thomas Hofer; siblings John (Diana Taylor) Senner, Little Rock, AR; Rachel Van Wingen, Randolph, KS; and Stan (Pat) Senner, Missoula, MT; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Rachel Epp Senner and her brother-in-law Peter Van Wingen.
A memorial service will be held on November 5 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive, Lawrence KS. Donations in Roberta’s memory may be made to Peace Mennonite Church, Mennonite Central Committee, Bethel College (Kansas), or the National Audubon Society, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Jennifer Lee Reeves
Jennifer Lee Reeves, age 63, of Stilwell, Kansas passed away on October 4, 2022, at her home in Stilwell from a heart attack.
She leaves behind her lifelong friend and roommate for 38 years, Susan Lee. Two brothers and sister in laws, Michael and Amy Reeves of Oskaloosa Ks., Mitchell and Lorrie Reeves of Eudora Ks. Jennifer has four nephews, three nieces along with ten great nieces and nephews that adore her, and she loved to spoil. Jennifer was a big Chiefs fan and loved attending home games with Susan and her other friends and liked to travel. She was a great loving person and Aunt and will be dearly missed.
Service will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence Ks. at 6 pm Friday, October 7th, 2022. Visitation following in foyer until 8 pm.
Memorials go to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Jennifer Reeves’s honor
Michael E. ‘Mike’ Payne
A Celebration of Life for Michael Eugene ‘Mike’ Payne, 71, rural Lawrence, will be held Saturday, October 15th at 11 am at Lawrence Church of God (Holiness), 724 N. 4th St. Mike passed away Sunday, September 25, 2022, at LMH Health.
He was born May 1, 1951, in Lawrence, the son of Robert and Erma Payne. He attended Lawrence schools and worked for many years for the City of Lawrence as a welder and in the maintenance department.
He married Mary E. Campbell who survives of the home. He is also survived by two sons, Michael J. Payne and wife Julia, and Joseph Payne; a brother, Robert Payne; two sisters, Sharon and Roberta; two granddaughters, Amelia and Evelyn, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
James Lee (Jim) Athey
A graveside service for James Lee (Jim) Athey, 82, will be Friday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 6 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Jim passed from this life into eternal life Monday, September 26, 2022, at his home in Eudora Kansas.
Jim was born on a farm in Baldwin, Kansas, October 10, 1939, to Harve and Olive Athey. He graduated from Baldwin High School in 1959.
Soon after High School, while working for a local appliance store, Jim trained as a repair technician at the Maytag Corporation in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1983 Jim turned his aptitude for fixing things into Athey Appliance Repair and spent the next 30+ years repairing household appliances for customers throughout Douglas County. In the interim, Jim’s other jobs included working at the Lawrence Box Factory, installing wiring in pipe organs at Reuter Organ Company, and distributing baked goods to area IGA stores in Lawrence.
Jim was a faithful Christian who loved the Lord, his family, the church. As a deacon at Southside Church of Christ, he put his heart into planning and setting up dinners for church potlucks, retreats, and other church events. Jim also occasionally led singing.
Jim loved life and he touched those around him with his energetic nature. He had a strong work ethic and resolved daily to focus on the positive aspects of life. He lit up the room with his smile.
Jim was most relaxed when spending time outdoors. His favorite pastime was fishing, and he enjoyed inviting others to go with him. Jim’s enjoyment of cooking shone through the flavor of fried fish dinners he shared with his family and those he and Joyce invited to their home, and fruit pies he shared at church potlucks. When it was too cold to fish, he spent evenings tying flies for fly fishing. Jim also enjoyed tending his garden and photographing Kansas plants and wildlife.
Jim married Linda (Joyce) Smith on November 20, 1962. Jim and Joyce were married 54 years until her death on February 21, 2017.
Jim was also preceded in death by his parents, Harve and Olive, sister, Norma Walburn, brother, Jesse Athey, and his eldest granddaughter, Lisa Dawn Athey. He is survived by daughter, Alexia Maben (Paul), son, Shawn Athey (Melissa), and daughter, Gwen Mallot (Bill). He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Tarpy, grandchildren: Tabitha, Diana, Jessica, Collyn, Alexis, and Darrell, and his dog, Tyke.
Memorial contributions may be made to Douglas County Meals on Wheels or Southside Church of Christ, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.
