Joan Metzger passed away at Pioneer Ridge on Friday, July 30. She was born February 13, 1925 to William Henry and Goldie Belle Allen. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Marvin. They were married in 1945 after Marvin returned from service in the Marine Corp, WWII. Together they owned and operated Motor In Garage for nearly 50 years. They were founding members of Redeemer Lutheran Church and enjoyed camping, playing bridge and traveling with church friends. Among their favorite was a trip to Europe. Rumor has it that Marvin participated in a Can-Can dance in Paris. Joan was an ardent quilter and knitter. She was also past president of the Ladies Auxiliary American Legion and active in the Lutheran Ladies’ Guild. Joan leaves behind her two sons Lynn (Susan) and their daughters Hilary and Emily and Mark (Vanessa) and their son Morgan, along with a brother, Roger Allen, all of Lawrence. The family wishes to thank Pioneer Ridge Nursing Facility and Elara Hospice for their excellent care and attention to Joan’s comfort. Private graveside services and inurnment will be held for immediate family only, due to Covid. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Elara Hospice in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Category: Uncategorized
Paul Matthew (Matt) Weidenbach
Matthew Weidenbach, known to everyone as Matt. Matt was born on May 30, 1983 and passed away on July 25, 2021 at Olathe Regional Medical Center. He is survived in life by his wife Kristin Birk, his daughter Haylee Weidenbach (19), son Cody Weidenbach (18), son Gage Birk (15) and daughter Elaine Bennett (13), his brother Brandon Weidenbach, sister-in-law Samantha Weidenbach, nephew Caden Weidenbach and niece Alexis Weidenbach.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother Cora McClanahan, mother Marcia Weidenbach, father Paul Weidenbach and sister Angela McClanahan.
Family request any donations to be sent to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas.
A small intimate service will be held on Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at 6340 SE Shadden Road, Berryton, KS 66409 at 10:00 a.m.
James Elwyn Stanton
James Elwyn Stanton, 75, Lawrence, passed away Friday, July 23, 2021, at LMH Health.
He was born August 7, 1945, in Freeport, IL, the son of Raymond Charles and Alice Lenore Lindeman Stanton. Mr. Stanton graduated from high school in New Ulm, MN and later received a bachelor’s of science.
Mr. Stanton served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Thailand. He enjoyed writing books and was published on Amazon. He also enjoyed collecting stamps.
He married Si Namontri in Thailand in 1969. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include a son, John Stanton and wife Maricel of Vail, AZ; a sister, Rebecca Stanton of Lawrence, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Samantha, Jett, and Jaden Stanton.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Richard Allen Rist
Memorial services for Richard Rist, 66, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Sat., July 31, 2021, at River City Church. He died Friday, July 23rd, 2021, in Lawrence, KS at his home.
He was born on April 18th, 1955, in Lawrence, KS, the son of Floyd and Lottie Rist. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1973, and started his career at Hallmark shortly after. In 2007 he went out on long term disability due to health concerns, and he retired in April 2020.
Mr. Rist was a member of River City Church in Lawrence, KS. He and his wife Janene Rist enjoyed volunteering through their church, he was always a man to give.
He married Janene Rist on August 22, 2011 in Lawrence, KS. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include three stepsons, Brandon, Dustin, and Sean Reese all three of Lawrence; a brother, John Rist, Sister in law, Terri Rist, and niece Lauren Rist, of Arizona; two nieces Katy and Kristina Foster of Overland Park, KS; grandson Liam of Tulsa, OK and six grandchildren of Lawrence.
A son, Jake Barnes, died August 5th, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the Family will receive them 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The family suggests memorials be sent to the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.
Earl Eugene (Gene) Curl
Earl Eugene (Gene) Curl, 83, passed away on December 4, 2020 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital while recovering from kidney cancer surgery. He was born on July 30, 1937 to Earl Curl and Rowena Nottingham Curl. After going to a one room schoolhouse for eight grades, he graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1955 at the top of his class.
Gene lived in the same area of Jefferson County his entire life except for two years in the Army. While in the service he was stationed in Korea in the DMZ zone. His job there was to transport entertainment groups to different locations.
Gene worked for the U.S. Post Office in Bonner Springs, Kansas as a letter carrier for 33 years. He also farmed part time with his father until his father’s death in 1984. His hobbies included collecting and building model planes and trains. He also enjoyed reading the history of just about everything.
A big part of his life was a devoted, lifelong member of Lawrence Masonic Lodge #6, joining in 1978 and holding many positions there. As a Scottish Rite member, he was endowed with the 33rd degree in 2017. A special, thank to his many lodge friends and coffee buddies.
Survivors include his sisters Mary (Paul) Runyon, Raleigh, North Carolina and Betty (Jay) Wagner, Lawrence, Kansas, one niece and 4 nephews.
Gene had chosen to be an organ donor. Private interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mark Aaron Gile
Services for Mark Gile, 60, Lawrence will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Mark died Sunday, July 18, 2021, at his home in Lawrence, Kansas with his family by his side. Mark’s passing comes after a long, brave battle with Glioblastoma.
He was born January 15, 1961 in Wichita, the son of Gerald and Dorothy Gile. He graduated from Wichita North High School in 1979 and went to Kansas University where he played baseball before being drafted by the Texas Rangers organization. After playing baseball for several years, he returned to Lawrence.
Mark married Susan Bowen on April 13, 1991 in Lawrence. She survives of the home. They had two children together, Aaron (Lawrence) and Kristen (Overland Park). His children were his pride and joy and he spent their youth attending their sporting events and supporting them in every way possible. He also had a new grandson, Axel who he was just enjoying getting to know.
Other survivors include his mother, Dorothy, Wichita; A sister, Nancy (Nunie), Wichita; three brothers, Harlan (Kelly), Wichita, Galen (Sandy), Foley, Alabama, and Jeff, Fort Worth, Texas; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald, two nephews, Tom and Nicholas and a Niece, Bayli, brother-in-law, Scott, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be made to Rumsey Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Gordon Randolph Robinson
Private family services for Gordon Randolph Robinson, 79, Bridgeport, WV, will happen at a later date.
He died July 18, 2021, at Medicalodges Eudora.
Marion King Roberts
Marion King Roberts was born in Hutchinson, KS, July 14, 1947 to Rubie King and Thomas Allen Roberts. He died July 17, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marcia, and sons Seth (Susanne) of Lawrence, and Spencer (Brittany) of Pacifica, CA., and nine grand children.
He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from William Jewell College, his Masters in Music from Kansas State University, and his D.M.A. from the University of Kansas. He was Chairman of the Department of Music and Director of Music Education at Baker University from 1975-1985. He was Director of Bands at Blue Valley North High School from 1986-2014. He was past president and charter member of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, KBA Outstanding Bandmaster, and twice selected as One of Fifty Directors Who make a Difference by the School Band and Orchestra magazine. He received many other teaching awards. He was inducted into the Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2017. Until recently he served as associate conductor and President of the Board of Directors of the Lawrence City Band and conductor of the De Soto Brass Band.
He loved vacations with his family from the mountains to the beach, time at the lake sailing and water skiing. He was a car enthusiast and dog lover who never met a stranger. He was a mentor and teacher to thousands.
Open memorial celebration will be at Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St., Lawrence, July 31 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Service at 1:30 p.m. Masks required for the unvaccinated…please! Link to parking: https://ibb.co/qnQhNWM
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lawrence City Band (reference Marion Roberts Memorial Fund), 1619 East 686th Road, Lawrence, KS 66049.
Naomi Dixie “Mema” Little
Funeral services for Naomi Dixie Little, 88, Lawrence, will be 11 am, Saturday, June 20, 2020, at Lawrence Heights Christian Church. A visitation will begin at 10 to service time. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family requests all in attendance please use personal protection to prevent the spread of the Corona virus. If unable to attend the service will be broadcast on Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/RumseyYostFuneralHomeandCrematory
Naomi Dixie “Mema” Little passed away peacefully on June 14th, 2020 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by the love of her five daughters.
She was born to Robert H. Collins and Cordelia Beatrice Smith on February 13th, 1932. The third eldest of five children, Naomi was born and raised in Mt. Olive, Missouri, where she lived happily among her parents and sisters until relocating to the nearby town of Warrensburg in her teenage years. Naomi spent much of her life as a Warrensburg resident, creating her family there while living and working in the community. She provided for her family with 18 and a half years of service as an employee of Central Missouri State University, and an additional 17 years employed at Rivals Manufacturing. In 1998, after many wonderful years in Missouri, Naomi chose to retire and relocate to Kansas to be closer to family. Naomi spent the last 22 years of life living happily among family and friends as a resident of Lawrence, Kansas
Naomi is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Beatrice Collins, her sister Mildred Goodwin, and sister Dorothy Johnson.
She is survived by her two sisters (Irene Goodwin, Marie Rucker) her five daughters (Lois Avery (Felton), Aurelia Thomas-Ray (Robert), Norma Jean Lyles (Charles), Connie Adams (Gary) and Shelia Hogue (Charles)). Naomi also leaves behind seven grandchildren (Stacy Adams, Ryan Adams, Kourtnie Avery-Chung, Torren Thomas, Cedrick Lyles, Garrett Lyles, Cameron Hogue,) two great-grandchildren (Jordan Adams, Mei Avery-Chung) honorary daughter (Deanna Tetuan) honorary grandchildren (Blake Tetuan, Brooklin Tetuan) and a host of beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Naomi was a woman of strong convictions who lived and walked by faith. She was defined by her unwavering devotion to her family and the Lord Jesus Christ. In all trials and tribulations faced, in times of sadness or joy, Naomi always put God first and lived her life in the spirit of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
The family suggests memorial contributions made to Lawrence Heights Christian Church, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street. Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
Jonathan Andrew Billig
The exciting moments of pregnancy have turned to sorrow and loss with the death of our baby boy, Jonathan Andrew Billig on June 2, 2020. He was a much anticipated member of our family and his sister Abigail was delighted to have a sibling. However he was too bright a star and wasn’t ready for this world. He will forever be in our hearts.
He leaves behind his loving family: Parents Shane and Kyla Billig, Sister Abigail Chester, Maternal Grandparents Karen and Kurt Dieffenbach and Steven and Jodi Adams, Paternal Grandparents Karla and Allen Williams and Doug and Esther Billig, numerous Great-Grandparents, several Aunts and Uncles and other loving family and friends.
We want to thank the doctors and nurses at the KU Medical Center and particularly Dr. Winchester and RN Lauren Galvin for the support and care during this difficult time.
