Category: Uncategorized

Deborah Helen Klales

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Deborah Helen Klales (née Russo), of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully and free of pain on February 9, 2026, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. To know her was to love her and to laugh until you cried (or peed).

Debbie was born on October 17, 1956, in Ridley Park, PA, to William Patrick Russo, Sr. and Theresa Nancy Russo (née Napoline). She graduated from Henderson Senior High, in West Chester, PA, in 1974 and attended Widener University, in Chester, PA, working towards her nursing degree.

On August 14, 1982, Debbie married the love of her life John Charles “Chal” Klales, Jr., of West Chester, PA. Together, they built a life of love and fun, that never had a dull moment, with their two daughters, numerous large dogs, Harley Davidson, and friends and family. Her girls, Alexandra Rose Klales “Chickaroo” and Theresa Nicole Klales “Chip” both of  Lawrence, KS, were her pride and joy and she considered herself blessed to be their mother. Her blessings only increased twofold with the birth of her grandchildren, twins Mia Amor and Niko Gregory Rocha-Klales. Really, they were the blessed ones.

She was generous, hysterical, strong, and like a second Mom to many. Through optimism, persistence, faith, and a bit of sheer stubbornness, she consistently defied medical odds and never gave up, even at the end.

Debbie worked as a Certified Unit Health Coordinator in nursing at Chester County Hospital, in West Chester, PA, for 23 years, spending much of that time in the Pediatrics Unit. Once retired, Debbie volunteered at Safe Harbor of Chester County and the Brandywine Valley SPCA and she supported many causes related to unsheltered individuals and animal rescue. In 2018, she and her husband moved to Lawrence, KS to be near her daughters.

She received the gift of organ (kidney) donation in 2019, which gave Debbie additional time to meet, love, and cherish her grandchildren and to become a “Grammy,” her proudest title of all. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Agnes Church, in West Chester, PA, for most of her life. She enjoyed card and letter writing, Harley rides with her husband “Chal,” reading, her pets and animals, the beach, hustling everyone playing cards after swearing “she could barely remember how to play,” giving and caring for others, and spending time with her husband, girls, and grandchildren.

Debbie is survived by her husband John, daughters Alexandra and Theresa, grandchildren Mia and Niko, brothers William Russo, Jr. and John Russo (Lisa), sisters Kathleen Moldenhauer (Ernie) and Margot Jacobs, her nieces Nicole Hove (Nick) and Karen Irwin (Bill), and nephews Bradley Russo, Jesse Russo (Melissa), and Michael Jacobs (Judy).

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Theresa Russo, her brother Nicholas Joseph Russo, her in-laws Rosina and John C. Klales, Sr., her nephew Casey John Russo, and her brother-in-law Thomas Klales.In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and loved ones to honor Debbie’s life through a donation to either the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester, PA, or the Lawrence Humane Society in Lawrence, KS, a cause close to Debbie’s heart and where her beloved dogs Precious (PA) and Vita (KS) were adopted.

A celebration of life will be held this summer in Pennsylvania at a date and time to be determined in the near future.

Arly Harrison Allen

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Arly Harrison Allen died peacefully on January 7, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 87 years old. Born in Lawrence, August 23, 1938, Arly was the eldest of seven siblings (Arly, Diane, Elaine, Dede, Rand, Lenore, and Barbara) born to Harold E. Allen and Barbara Jane Allen.

Arly attended Pinkney grade school in Lawrence and Pembroke Country Day High School in Kansas City, where he was active in drama, sang with the Glee Club, and served as a Yell Leader at sports events. After graduating in 1956, he attended the University of Kansas, joined Sigma Chi fraternity, and earned a BA in English (1960) and an MA in Medieval History (1963). He continued his studies at the University of Toronto and, as a Fulbright scholar, studied in Perugia, Italy. Arly briefly served as an instructor of Western Civilization and Medieval History at the University of Kansas. He had almost finished his PhD in Medieval History—only the dissertation remained—when he started working at his family’s business, the Allen Press. At KU, Arly met Constance Marlatt Huested, and they married at Gibson Island’s Chapel of St. Christopher by the Sea on June 23, 1962.

Harold Allen founded The Allen Press in 1935, and with Arly leading from 1971 to 1993, it achieved national and international acclaim for scientific publishing. Arly placed a strong emphasis on superior imagery and continuously explored innovative methods to assist small and medium-sized scholarly societies. In 1977, he published Steps Towards Better Scientific Illustrations. He expanded journal printing, developed nonprofit society services, and participated in scientific organizations. Arly was a founding member of the Society for Scholarly Publishing and the Council of Biology Editors (CBE), speaking at international events and serving as CBE President from 1989 to 1990. He retired from Allen Press in 1993 and established Sheridan Electronic Systems, an online service provider for academics in Baltimore, MD.

Arly enthusiastically supported KU sports and the Kansas City Chiefs. He also loved golf, and on one occasion, he amazed his friends by scoring a hole-in-one with an eight iron on Orchard’s eighth hole.

After retiring, Arly focused on medieval history and boxing. He joined the International Boxing Research Organization and published works such as Jess Willard: Heavyweight Champion of the World (1915-1919), The Beginning of Boxing in Britain, 1300-1700, and Wrestling in Medieval England.

Arly belonged to The Old & New Club and the Rotary Club of Lawrence, served as a deacon at Oxford OH Presbyterian Church, and was a Master Gardener. His daughter recalls him mowing the lawn in dress pants while singing Gilbert & Sullivan tunes.

Arly’s wife Constance, his parents Harold and Barbara Jane, and his sisters Elaine Forman and Diane Bannen all passed away before him. He is survived by his son, Arly Hedrick Allen of Lawrence, KS; his daughter, Patience Allen (partner Frode Linna) of Oslo, Norway; his sisters, Dede Dresser, Lenore Allen, and Barbara Wasson; his brother, Gorden Rand Allen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and Johanna Reinhart of Oxford, OH.

Visitation will be at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home at 2pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026, followed by a funeral service at 3pm. The family, guests and friends are welcome to raise a glass to Arly at the family home following the service. A private burial will take place at the Allen family gravesite, Oak Hill Cemetery on a future date.

The family suggests memorial donations to the Lawrence Humane Society in lieu of flowers, 1805 E 19th St, Lawrence, KS 66046 or www.lawrencehumane.org/donate/

Dr. Josephine Alice (Rusher) Bartow Ruud

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Dr. Josephine Alice (Rusher) Bartow Ruud, 104, of Lawrence, Kansas, died on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.

She was the daughter of Frank and Mina (Allen) Rusher, born on October 16, 1921, in Mitchell, Nebraska.

During WWII, she married Richard Bartow who was later killed in Okinawa on April 11, 1945.

She went back to college, graduating with bachelor and master’s degrees in Home Economics from Iowa State University.

She earned her doctorate from Penn State University while managing a community adult education program.  He next position was at North Dakota State University (NDSU) where she was head of the home economics education program from 1961 to 1973. After that she became the State Program Leader for Home Economics Extension at the University of Wyoming from 1973 to 1982.

On June 12, 1965, she married Norman Ruud.  Upon their retirement, they moved to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, purchasing a hobby farm near Norman’s home place.

After the hobby farm and Norman’s death, Josephine Bartow Ruud published numerous articles and three professional books during the 1970s; “Teaching for Changed Attitudes and Values”, “Adult Education for Home and Family Living”, and “Handbook on Home and Family Living.” She also enjoyed writing two cookbooks, “How to Pot It Now That He Shot It” and “The Young Adult Cookbook.” She kept up to date professionally by writing a monthly column, “News Flashes” for Lake Region Electric Cooperative for 20 years from 1991 to 2010.  The columns were on nutrition, gardening, children, homemaking, etc. She always included a few tested recipes.

She is survived by her son, Jerry (Jane) Bartow of Lawrence, Kansas; grandson, Doug Bartow of Chicago, Illinois; granddaughter, Amanda (Chris) Storm of Lawrence, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Lydia and Elliott Storm of Lawrence, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Jo’s memory, with details to be shared at a later date.

Mulford Eugene Gentry

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Mulford Eugene “Gene” Gentry, 86, departed this life on February 3, 2024, after a battle with Parkinsons and a stroke, surrounded and comforted by his family. Gene entered the world on November 8, 1937, in Pittsburg, Kansas, one of five children between Mulford and Evelyn (Elston) Gentry. He was their only son. In the early 1940s, the family planted roots inLawrence, Kansas. Gene relished growing up in North Lawrence, graduating from Lawrence High in 1956.In 1960, Gene was drafted into the US Army and spent two years traveling the world before returning to Lawrence. He worked for Rusty’s IGA for several years before finishing his career at Dillon’s, where he was the head of several different departments over the years. He was proud of his long career in the grocery business and retired after 47 years.

Gene was united in marriage to his beloved Margie on July 19 th , 1959. Their 65-year union welcomed two daughters, four grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. “Pop” enjoyed attending every ballgame, play, and dance recital he could, and took special pride in recording player stats during his grandsons’ games throughout the years.

An avid bowler, Gene played league for several years, acquiring many trophies he proudly displayed. He also enjoyed his outings with the guys from work to the casinos where he especially liked trying his luck with the slot machines. He was a bit of a homebody and was not much for travel, but he took special pride in keeping his lawn and home in good condition, spending hours outdoors mowing, trimming, painting and talking to neighbors over the fence.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Dottie Coffman and Sue Gibbons. He is survived by his wife, Margie, of the home; two daughters Lori Moon (Michael) of Osawatomie and Marcie Hadl (Darin) of Eudora; four grandchildren, Amanda Lewis (Clifton) and Samantha Moon of Osawatomie, Tyler Hadl (Nadia) of Lansing, and Randy Hadl of Tonganoxie; and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Gray of Topeka, Ks and Janie Daniel (Harold) of Lawrence, and numerous nieces and nephews.

There is a correction to the Lawrence Journal World announcement on February 6th: Funeral services for Mulford Eugene Gentry will take place at 10:00am on Friday, February 9th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will take place the night before, on Thursday, February 8th from 6:00-8:00pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Jo Nell Proctor

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Mrs. Jo Nell Proctor passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2023 at LMH Health.

She was born November 29, 1951 in Sayre, Oklahoma to Lovelle and Bill Dunsworth. She graduated from Wilson High School in Wilson, Oklahoma in 1970. She then attended Northwestern State University in Alva, Oklahoma and graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree.

She eventually moved to Newton, Kansas, where she met her husband Jack A. Proctor Jr. They were married on March 29, 1980. In 1982 they both moved to Lawrence, Kansas. She worked for the University of Kansas for over 30 years and retired in 2015 as an accountant as Watson Library. Her friends and co-workers remember her as friendly, happy, and always having a smile on her face. She was the type of person who could make friends easily.

After retirement she enjoyed simple pleasures. She liked to read a lot which she frequently enjoyed with Dr. Pepper and Cheetos. She enjoyed being home in the country helping her husband with outdoor projects. It has been said that her and her husband were joined at the hip. They loved doing things together and were seldom apart.

She is survived by her husband of over 43 years Jack A. Proctor Jr.

No services are planned at this time.

Anne Gorbutt Adams

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Anne Gorbutt Adams, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in her own home on November 7, 2023. She was born on March 21, 1932, in Topeka, Kansas to John Detweiler and Doris Ash Gorbutt. She attended Topeka High School where she was a cheerleader. She then went on to Washburn University where she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. In 1951 in Omaha, Nebraska, she married Raymond E. Adams, Jr. of Maple Hill, Kansas. After raising her six children, she completed a bachelor’s degree and graduate level courses at the University of Kansas. Additionally, she studied yoga and meditation with mentors like Judith Lasater and Shinzen Young. She taught and researched the positive effects of yoga in classes convened at the University of Kansas. She also held yoga classes at Alvamar Country Club and other locations in Lawrence, where she lived for the last four decades of her life. She always welcomed her family and friends graciously into her home and lived there until her last breath.

She is survived by her five living children: Marie Adams Dolembo (Tom), Jessie “Sally” Bitar, John Adams (Lisa), Clay Adams, and Charlie Adams.  She is also survived by her eight living grandchildren: Janne Robinson (Aaron), R. E. “Pete” Adams IV (LeAnn), Rebecca Witmer (Greg), Lacy Berryman (Jay), Emily Gropper (Max), Jack Adams (Stefanie), Katy Adams, and Will Adams.  As well, she is survived by her nine great-grandchildren: Lauren Newell, Hadley Schreiner, Autymn Schreiner, Meredith Denton, Sarah Denton, Amelia Denton, John Witmer, Daniel Witmer, and Mackenzie Gropper. She was preceded in death by her son, R. E. “Eddie” Adams III (Peggy), and granddaughter, Rhiannon Meier.

Edna J. Van Schmus

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A memorial service for Edna J. Van Schmus will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 15 at Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence. Edna passed away in her home in the presence of family on Thursday morning, February 23, 2023, after a prolonged illness.

Edna was born in July of 1938 to Arthur and Elizabeth Evison. She grew up in Liverpool, England during and following WWII. Although the years were difficult, Edna had fond memories of growing up surrounded by a close-knit extended family. Edna did her primary and middle schooling in Liverpool, then emigrated with her family to Montreal, Canada and then Chicago, where she graduated from Kelly High School.

After graduation, Edna worked for United Airlines, then transferred to Los Angeles where her father moved the family once again. In 1959 Edna resumed schooling, enrolling in the Nursing School at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena & Pasadena City College. At this time, Edna also became a U.S. Citizen

In 1960 Edna met her future husband, William R. (Randy) Van Schmus, who was a Senior at Caltech in Pasadena. They were married in Monterey Park, CA on June 30, 1961, and made their home in Pasadena where Edna completed her schooling in 1962. She then worked as a Registered Nurse for Huntington Memorial Hospital while Randy finished his PhD at UCLA. In 1964 the couple moved to Bedford, Massachusetts where Randy served on active duty as a research officer in the United States Air Force and Edna enjoyed the comradery of the other young Air Force families.

In August 1967 they moved to Lawrence where Randy took a faculty position in Geology at the University of Kansas. Edna became an active member of the community lending her time and talents to local schools, scout troops, the university, and Plymouth Church. She also enjoyed several social groups, through which she made many treasured friends. She resumed her professional career as a nurse at the Pediatrics office of Drs. Branson & Gilles and continued pediatric nursing until 1996, when she retired after more than 20 years.

Edna was a woman of many talents and interests. She was a skilled craftswoman and is especially remembered for her beautiful needle work, including knitting, crocheting, embroidering and quilting. She also enjoyed both cooking and baking and took great pride in entertaining and serving traditional holiday meals. An avid traveler, Edna enjoyed adventures throughout the U.S. and England in addition to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.

Edna was beloved by many and is survived by her husband, Randy, of the home; daughter-in-law Nina Van Schmus; son, Derek (Pam) VanSchmus; daughter Jennifer (Michael) Chartier; grandchildren Emily, Anthony, Devin, Molly, and Olivia and a brother-in-law, sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by son Brian Van Schmus, sister Pauline Dolinski, and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to VNA & VNA Hospice of Douglas County or Lawrence Habitat for Humanity sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences may be left at rumsey-yost.com

Steven Jewell Bruce

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A Celebration of Life for Steven Jewell ‘Steve’ Bruce, 58, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.

Born in 1964, son of Anita (Crewe) and J Bruce.  Preceded in death by his father, J Marshall Bruce.  Survived by mother Anita Moske of Lawrence; son Todd Bruce, daughter in law Sara Bruce, and grandchildren Addison Tyler and Ryder Steven all of Lansing; also an uncle, James Crewe of Lynchburg, VA; an aunt Ellen Becker and uncle Darryl Becker, cousins Theresa Teufel, and her husband Will Teufel, of Nickerson KS, Mica Stites, and her husband Britain Stites, of Junction City, KS and Mallory Teufel of Nickerson, KS.

Raised in Junction City, Steve moved to Salina for a number of years before settling in the Lawrence area.

Steve had many talents, interests, hobbies and enterprises.  Beginning young, he raced moto-cross – stopped by a compound fracture, he moved on to his passion for music.  Joining local bands just wasn’t enough – he became the impetus to start new bands and outfit them with sound systems. Band life was replaced by his obsession for racing, when son Todd was of age to begin racing quarter midgets.

Steve was a self-made man, building upon his dreams and aspirations.  Racing in his bloodstream, Steve built the SBRC company, building high performance custom race cars and racing his own, and then joined by son Todd and his own car, when time and money allowed.  As Steve always said, “racing is a lifestyle, not a hobby.”

Always on the lookout to maximize his business, Steve began Steve Bruce Welding and Fabrication, serving the Lawrence area, closely followed by Bruce Precision Arms Company.

Steve greatly enjoyed time outdoors, stocking and fishing his pond, taking care of the property, target shooting and being with the people he loved.  The arrival of his granddaughter Addie brought new joy and sparkles to his eyes, and then when his grandson Ryder arrived, he was overjoyed.  These youngsters were a source of joy in his last years, as were his mother, son and daughter in law.

Steve will be missed.  His love of life, his laughter, his complex knowledge – his love for his family – there is now a void that cannot be filled.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.