Obituaries
Gary Talmadge Wheatley 1968-2011
Gary Talmadge Wheatley, 43, died Monday, October 10, 2011 at the Geary Community Hospital in Junction City. Gary was born in Chanute on July 20, 1968, the son of Thomas Patrick and Billie Maxine Solomon Wheatley. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1986 and received a Master’s Degree from Kansas State University in Agronomy. He was united in marriage to Stacey Chapman. They later divorced. Gary worked in fertilizer sales and agriculture ...
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DeWayne Curtis O’Dell 1971-2011
DeWayne Curtis O’Dell, 40, Parker, Colo., lost his battle with kidney cancer on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. DeWayne was born Sept. 26, 1971 to Leota “Sam” and William O’Dell in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was raised in the Pittsburg area, attending Pittsburg schools, and graduating from Pittsburg High School in 1989. He married April Ewan on Nov. 21, 1998 in Pittsburg. She survives, of the home. He was currently working for A & E Tire in Denve. He was a ...
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Miriam C. Fail 1927-2011
Miriam Clenys Fail, 84, rural Altoona, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17 at Altoona Cemetery under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel in Neodesha. The daughter of John Conrad and Elizabeth Jones Gronquist, she was born April 28, 1927, in Garrison. She graduated from Alma High School in 1944. She was united in ...
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Lynna W. Powers 1913-2011
Lynna W. Powers, 98, Marion, formerly of Yates Center, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at St. Lukes Living Center in Marion. She was born March 28, 1913, at Toronto, the daughter of Adam and Mary Liebau Stock. After her graduation from Toronto High School she moved to Yates Center and worked as a waitress later moving to Fredonia to work at Bennett’s Variety Store. In 1942 she moved to California and on June 15, 1942, she and Max A. Powers were m...
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Ella Bitts 1910-2011
Ella Bitts, 101, died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 at Heritage Healthcare Center, Chanute. Survivors include son Larry Bitts and wife, Vicki; granddaughter Cindy Crowl; grandson Kendall Bitts; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation is 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 in Mount Hope Cemetery, Wiliamsburg. Memorials to Richter United Methodist Chur...
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Catherine H. Young 1920-2011
Catherine H. Young, 91, Wichita, retired insurance clerk, entered eternal life Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. She was preceded in death by husband David J. Young, daughter Cynthia Ann Young and a sister Eleanor Keyser. Survivors are a daughter, Sister Pamela Young, CSJ, Wichita; sisters Gertrude Diekow, Tucson, Ariz., and Dorothy Kropkat, Mukwonago, Wis. Rosary 9:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7 and Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m., both at St. Elizabeth ...
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Raymond Allen Whiting 1932-2011
Ray Whiting, age 79, passed away at his home on October 4, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Jeanie, children Gary, David, Kathy Greve, Tammy Marnell, Rick Murphy, Cindy Dismang and Chris Murphy, and siblings, Harlin, Barbara Riffle and Leonard. He enjoyed 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rod and Greta, first wife, Carol and grandchildren, Mitia Murphy and Brad Whiting. He will a...
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Leon Eugene Shook 1957-2011
Leon Eugene Shook, 54, Chanute, died Thursday, September 29, 2011 at his home in Chanute. Leon was born in Chanute on March 30, 1957, the son of Leon D. and Mable Reed Shook. He graduated from Chanute High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm and in Iraq. Leon was united in marriage to Lori Croy on July 31, 1987 in Chanute. She survives, of the home. He worked as a groundskeeper for Kirby’s Super Sports in Chanut...
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Jeffrey D. Copley 1961-2011
Jeffrey D. Copley, 50, Colorado Springs, Colo., went home to be with Jesus Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. He battled kidney cancer for three months. He was born August 21, 1961 in Sacramento, Calif. Jeff worked 18 years for Pepsi, he served his country in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1986. He loved all of God’s creation, especially the mountains, the night sky, and his dogs. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Copley; parents Donal...
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Leota Mae Waddell 1917-2011
Leota Mae Waddell, 94, Moran, formerly of Kincaid, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. She was born on July 5, 1917, in the old Allen County Hospital of La Harpe, the daughter of Walter and Stella Leake Adams. Leota married George S. Waddell on June 5, 1937 at Kearney, Neb. In 1947, they purchased their 160-acre farm in Kincaid where they made their home for 52 years. She was a member of the Kincaid Methodist Ch...
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H. Owen Oliphant 1926-2011
H. Owen Oliphant, 85, Chanute, died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011 at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. He was born on Jan. 24, 1926 in Humboldt, the son of Riley O. and Myrtle Montgomery Oliphant. On Jan. 25, 1947 Owen and Nellie J. Taylor were married in Bentonville, Ark. They made their home in the Humboldt/Chanute area. Owen was employed by Monarch Cement Company for 42 years, retiring in 1988. Owen enjoyed fishing and hunting. He wa...
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Christine L. Elam 1919-2011
Christine L. Elam, 91, died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2011 in Youngtown, Ariz. Christine was born Dec. 20, 1919 in Shafter Township, Ill., to William Edgar and Rosa Blankenship Etcheson. She was raised and attended schools in Shafter and later attended Business College. She married Marvin R. Elam in 1940 and Marvin and she together pastored at more than 20 churches in six different states until their retirement in 1990. They retired from Colfax Ba...
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Nelda J. White 1921-2011
, 90, Fredonia, formerly of Wichita, died in Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha due to complications she developed after a minor surgery. She was born July 18, 1921 in Independence, the daughter of Walter Franklin and Ferne McKay Head. Nelda also worked as a seamstress for Alco Interiors for five years, retiring in 1986. On June 15, 1968, Nelda married Alfred P. White. He survives, of the home. Also surviving are a ...
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Marion Wentler 1921-2011
Marion Wentler, 89, Chanute, died Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the Chanute Health Center in Chanute. Marion was born in Summit, S.D., on Dec. 16, 1921, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Buschenfeldt Munsen. Marion was united in marriage to Raymond Wentler on May 23, 1940 in Summit, S/D. He preceded her in death on March 15, 1993. She was a homemaker. Marion is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Lopeman, Chanute; a son, Rueben Wentler and...
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Carolyn Sue Patterson Heptig 1939-2011
Carolyn Sue Patterson Heptig, 71, Iola, formerly of Fredonia and Chanute, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. She was born Dec. 17, 1939 in Chanute, the daughter of Kenneth A. and Leta Sinclair Patterson. She was a homemaker and attended the Sacred Heart Church in Fredonia. On Jan. 13, 1983 in Fredonia, she married Fred G. Heptig. He preceded her in death July 29, 2004. Her survivors include a brother, Oren Patters...
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Lawrence Lee Shultz 1917-2011
Lawrence Lee Shultz, 94, a resident of Chanute, died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011 at the Heritage Health Care Center in Chanute. He was born June 26, 1917 in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Lea Roy and Tilda Mae Moler Shultz. He served in the United States Army during World War II. On June 26, 1937 in Fredonia, he married Louise Baughn. She preceded him in death Sept. 10, 1991. Lawrence worked at various occupations throughout his life including d...
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Otheda Faye Hartin 1934-2011
Otheda Faye Hartin, 76, Bellevue, Neb., died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011. She was born Dec. 31, 1934. She was a retired realtor. She is survived by her mother , Faye Lenora Pruitt, Chanute; daughters: Veronica Hunt, Bellevue, Neb.,. Linda Hartin, Omaha, Neb.; a son, Daniel Hartin, Half Moon Bay, Calif.; granddaughter-in-law, Mary Todero and husband, Dana Spaccarotella, Papillion, Neb.; two grandchildren, Gina Todero, Bellevue, Shaun Hartin, Sac...
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Joan Toon Curtis 1929-2011
Joan Toon Curtis, 82, Chanute, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3 at 1st Assembly of God, 1102 Washington St., Fredonia, Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Fredonia City Cemetery. Joan was preceded in death by husband, John L., and grandson Kristopher Keenan. Survivors are sons, John M., Jeffrey L. and wife, Debbie, and Logan Curtis, all of Chanute; daughters, Debra K. Wright, Topeka, ...
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Deborah Kay Conner 1954-2011
Deborah Kay Conner, 57, Fredonia, formerly of Oxford and Winfield, died Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, at her home following an extensive battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 28, 1954, in Wellington, the daughter of Don and Louise Riggs Sawyer. On Nov. 5, 1970, in Winfield, Debbie married Jim Conner. He survives, at the home. Together they owned and operated Conner Construction. Debbie also worked in the food service department for Fredonia USD 484...
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Doyle Dennis Houk 1947-2011
Doyle Dennis Houk, 64, Erie, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 at Labette Health, Parsons. He was born Aug. 28, 1947 at the family homestead near Humansville, Mo.,, a son of Walter Russell and Beulah Irene Burchett Houk. He attended school at Humansville and graduated from the Humansville High School. He attended church growing up and was saved in May 1959 and baptized in June. He married Esther Jeanette Mann on June 17, 1967 at Pleasant Grove...
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