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Lonnie O. Johnson
Graveside services for Lonnie O. Johnson, 81, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence.
Mr. Johnson died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born Feb. 24, 1930, in Lincoln, Mo.
He married
E. Pauline Short on Dec. 21, 1947, in Sedalia, Mo. In 1958, Mr. Johnson and his family moved to Lawrence, where he worked for Kansas Public Service. He retired after 20 years of service.
His wife preceded him in death in May 1998.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Ronn and Donna Johnson, Lawrence; and a brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and MaryLou Johnson, Ashton, Iowa.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the funeral home.
Lubomyra (Luba) Olha Palij
(1922-2012)
Mrs. Palij died peacefully on Friday January 6, 2012 at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas.
Memorial services for Mrs. Lubomyra (Luba) Olha Palij will be held on Sunday January 22, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center in Lawrence, Kansas, with Monsignor Vince Krische officiating.
Graveside services for Lubomyra Palij will be held on Monday January 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox cemetery in South Bound Brook, New Jersey, with Fr. Jeremiah Rybakov officiating.
Lubomyra was born March 14, 1922 in Chortkiv, Ukraine, the daughter of Dr. Ivan and Maria Yashan Welyhorskyj. She was the middle child of three siblings. She had an older brother Myroslaw and a younger brother Ihor. In 1940, she finished high school in Yavoriv, Ukraine. In 1943, she graduated from the Pharmaceutical College in Lviv, Ukraine with a degree in pharmacy. After the Second World War, in 1948, the Welyhorskyj family immigrated to Espanola, Ontario, Canada. A few months later, they moved to Toronto where they settled permanently. Lubomyra obtained her license to practice pharmacy, and worked in St. Joseph’s Hospital until 1963.
In 1963, she married
Chicago publisher and businessman Mykola Denysiuk. She moved to Chicago and became co-owner and manager of the Mykola Denysiuk Publishing Company. Mykola and Lubomyra published hundreds of books on Ukrainian culture; a monthly cultural magazine called “Ovid”; and the complete works of iconic Ukrainian writers like Taras Shevchenko and Ivan Franko. She was also active in the Chicago Branch of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA). Mykola Denysiuk died suddenly in 1976. Widowed after 14 years of marriage, Lubomyra returned to Toronto to be with her family.
In 1979, she married
Dr. Michael Palij, a librarian and historian in the Slavic Department of the Library of the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where for 30 years Michael and Lubomyra dedicated all their time and energy to enlighten American academics about the history and culture of Ukraine. They also became benefactors of several religious and cultural organizations in Ukraine, and donated over 4000 books to Ukrainian libraries. Michael Palij passed away in Lawrence, Kansas in 2010. Lubomyra lived in Lawrence until her death on January 6, 2012.
Lubomyra is survived by her stepson Peter Palij, his wife Linda Leibengood, and their children Maria and Mark Palij, of Ardsley, New York.
Lubomyra was predeceased by her two brothers: Ihor Nicholas Welyhorsky (1927- 1997) of Toronto and Myroslaw Ivan Welyhorskyj (1920-2007) of Espanola.
She will be sadly missed by: sister-in-law Velta Druvis Welyhorskyj of Espanola and the Shepitka family; cousin Alexandra Yashan Kowalsky of Toronto with the Onyschuk, Moskaliuk, Kowalsky, Morozov and Elijiw families; niece Christina Welyhorsky Senkiw of Toronto with her husband George and the Senkiw family; niece Maria Welyhorskyj of Port Dover, Ontario, with her husband Malcolm and her son Alastair Crombie; cousins William and Anne Melnychuk of Oshawa, Ontario; cousins Yaroslaw and Vera Kryshtalsky of New York City; and extended family in Canada, the United States and Ukraine.
The family welcomes memorial contributions to the Palij Family Fund c/o University of Kansas Endowment, PO Box 928, Lawrence KS 66044.
Maria “Lolita” Dolores Valdez Wells
Graveside services for Maria “Lolita” Dolores Valdez Wells, 88, Lawrence, will be 1:00 p.m. Monday at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Lawrence
Maria died Wednesday January 4, 2012 at Midland Hospice Care, Topeka.
She was born December 27, 1923 in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico, the daughter of Juan and Matilde Isuegas Valdez. She married
Robert “Verle” Wells on May 30, 1948 in Mexico.
While in Mexico, Maria taught dance and sang on the radio and on stage. After her marriage, she and Verle ultimately settled in Lawrence, Kansas and raised their three daughters. She was a dedicated wife and mother and she shared her artistic talents with her daughters. She was an accomplished artist, crafter and seamstress.
Maria is survived by her daughters: Jenny Sellman of LaHarpe; Marissa Harris of New Braunfels, Texas; and Nuria Lucas of Valley Falls; five grandchildren; Buffy and Robin Sellman, Justin and Samantha Harris, and Kelly Snap.
She was preceded in death by her husband Verle in 1974, and her five brothers: Juan, Adalio, Enrique, Ernesto, and Reynol.
Friends may call from noon to 8:00 Sunday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home where the family will receive them from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The family suggests memorials to Visiting Nurses or Midland Hospice Care in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Mark Eugene Kelley
Services for Mark Eugene Kelley, 55, Lawrence, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Mr. Kelley died Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, KS.
A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. until service time at the church.
Memorials may be sent to the Lawrence Humane Society.
Mary Jo Elston
Funeral services for Mary Jo Elston, 77, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Terry Jacobsen officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Elston died Sunday, January 8, 2012, at her home.
She was born Feb. 27, 1934, in Reading, Kan., the daughter of Lewis Myron and Mabel Nona Workman Brittain. She attended Liberty Memorial High School.
Mrs. Elston was a clerk at Howard Pine’s Garden Center and Green Houses in North Lawrence for 17 years. She had previously worked at Muncher’s Bakery and as a daycare provider, providing care for many of her own grandchildren, great-grandchildren and children of many friends. She was a member, office holder, and Hall of Fame member of the Lawrence Women’s Bowling Association. She participated in, and coached women’s co-ed slow pitch softball and volleyball, and many called her “Grandma.” She was an avid Lawrence High School football supporter. She enjoyed Kansas University Athletics, and worked in concessions at many events. She also enjoyed supporting and watching all the athletic events her grandchildren were involved in.
She married
Duane A. Elston on Jan. 17, 1950, in Lawrence. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Larry Elston and Scott Elston, both of Lawrence; two daughters, Jo Lee Erskin, Eudora, and Michelle Elston, Tonganoxie, a bother, Joseph Brittain and wife Josephine, Medford, Ore.; a sister, Imogene Kilgore and husband William, Lawrence; ten grandchildren, Stefan, Shaun, Nathan, and Christopher Elston, Tiffany Medina, Jeremy, Misty, and Justin Nichols, and Jasen and Kayla Hadl; one step grandson, Dustin Hadl; 17 great-grandchildren, Courtney, Kyler, Cameron, Jackson, Maya, Ethan, Aiden, Seth, Brooklynne, Cody, Caden, Devon, Shauna, Gracelynne, Chasity, Jaden, and Zarius; and three step great-grandchildren, Mason, Riley, and Bella, and adopted granddaughter, Shelly Armstrong.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a son, Rick Elston.
Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Visiting Nurses, or Douglas County Youth Sports, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Tomiko Mehl
Tomiko Mehl was born on November 14, 1930, in Fukuoka, Japan.
She was the daughter of Asao and Tozaburo Suga.
She was a nurse in Japan when she met Harry Lee Mehl during the Korean War.
They married
in Fukuoka in 1951, and after living in several locations settled in Harry Lee’s hometown of Beloit, Kansas.
He preceded her in death in 1958.
Tomiko lived in Beloit until 1988 when she moved to Lawrence to be close to her sons.
Survivors include 3 sons, Charles and wife Mary, McLouth; Joe and wife Kathy, Lawrence; Ray and wife Pam, Lawrence; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
A small memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday at Vermont Towers, 1101 Vermont, in Lawrence.
Charles Wood "Butch" Clark Jr.
Butch died of a heart attack at his Lawrence home on Friday, December 9, 2011. He was 64 years old.
He was born January 16, 1947 at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, the son of Charles Wood Clark and Ann Clark. He graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas, in 1965. For the last twenty years he lived in Lawrence and worked as a carpenter.
Survivors include his daughter, Sunina Upshaw; his brother Jackson Clark and wife Brigid Murphy and their daughter Aubin Murphy, all of Lawrence; his nephew Adam Clark, Hong Kong; and many loving friends.
There will be a party in Butch’s honor at 7:00 PM, Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Johnny’s Tavern, North Lawrence.
Daniel N. Schnettler
A Memorial Mass for Daniel N. Schnettler, 61, of Lawrence, KS will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Cremation is planed.
Daniel died on Friday, December 24, 2010, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 17, 1949, in Sheboygan, WI, the 1st son of Jerome and Joan Schnettler.
He graduated in 1971 from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, with a degree in business. Throughout his life he lived in Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Tennessee, Texas, and Kansas. Dan was employed at Millis Transport and was an over the road truck driver for them for 11 years. Throughout his 31 year career, he drove more than 4.5 million miles.
He married
Cheryl Wallace on May 24, 1980 in Milwaukee, WI. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year, she survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Ty, Livonia, Mich., and Jaimie, Fort Worth, Texas; two daughters, Mya Sapien and husband Stewart, Denver, and Moriah Lindsley and husband Daniel, Lawrence; four grandchildren, Avalin and Blake Sapien, and Sean and Chester, Lindsley; two brothers, William and wife Patti, Neenah, Wis., and Kurt and wife K’Ann, Appleton, Wis.; and his parents, Appleton.
The family suggests memorials to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Vonda Louise (Kershner) Mears
Vonda Louise (Kershner) Mears, 70, Lawrence, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at her home leaving a legacy of compassion, love and an enjoyment for life. Her words of wisdom and supportive guidance will be passed on for many generations through all the lives she touched.
She was born June 2, 1941, in Amsterdam, Mo., to Boyd M. and Veta V. Vannoy Kershner. She graduated high school in Amsterdam in 1959, and married
Claude Alfred Mears, Jr. on June 13, 1959, in Miami, Okla. They moved to Kansas City, Mo., in 1961 where they had Dennis Boyd Mears, the first of their two children. They moved to Topeka in 1968, where they had Denise Louise (Mears) Gibson. The family moved to Hiawatha in 1969 and operated a grocery store in Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Mears moved to Lawrence in 1996. Mrs. Mears was an associate at Walmart for 25 years, and retired in 2010.
Children played a large role in her life. She spent her retirement volunteering for the Kansas Family Advisory Network and also at The Shelter, Inc., to support local foster care and adoptive programs. She also enjoyed crocheting, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was very common to see her at her family and loved one’s side. She often would travel on business and trips with her daughter, granddaughter and friends. Many of these trips ended in surprise and adventure because she would quietly plan an activity that imprinted memories, leaving great stories to share with others. One of her favorite pastimes was to attend school functions such as band and choir concerts. It was during this time that she would cheer as a proud grandmother does for all of her “adopted grandkids.” While at Walmart, Mrs. Mears organized the annual Children’s Miracle Network fundraising efforts. She earned recognition from CMN for her donated time and passion.
She was preceded in death by her husband on July 1, 2006. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Jim and Bob Kershner, and Boyd Jr., as well as infant great-grandsons Gavin and Gabriel.
Survivors include a son, Dennis Mears and wife Melanie, Robinson, Kan.; a daughter, Denise Gibson and husband Bruce, Lawrence; six grandchildren, Chad, Amanda, Ryan, Kelly, Kyle, and Kaitlyn; and four great grandchildren, Logan, Rogan, Quintin, and Robyn.
A Celebration of Life visitation for Mrs. Mears will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Cremation is planned, and inurnment will be at a later date at Scott cemetery in Amsterdam, Mo.
The family suggests memorial contributions to The Shelter, Inc. Foster Care Program, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory.
Carl A. Spray
Services for Carl A. Spray, 90, Lawrence, will be 1:00 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Spray died Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
Carl was born February 26, 1921, in Douglas County, the son of Chester and Hattie Jones Spray. He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1939. He worked for Kraft Implement for 10 years and farmed until he retired in 2000. He served as a director for Farmers Co-Op, and on a committee of Douglas County Extension. He was a director on Federal Land Bank, ACC Committee, and Soil Conservation, and on Wakarusa Kaw Drainage District. Carl was a former member of the Chamber of Commerce and member of the Sertoma Club of Lawrence. He also was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder.
Carl was married
to Miriam Kraft, daughter of Chris and Rose Nuffer Kraft, on October 3, 1942, in Lawrence. Miriam survives at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
Other survivors include two sons, Gary Spray and wife Kate, of Topeka, Larry Spray and wife Tammy, of Lawrence; four grandsons, Jason and wife Sarah, of Lawrence, Justin and wife Tuesday, of Parkville, MO, Eric, of Madison, WI, and Cory, of Topeka; three great grandchildren, Freeman, Ellis, and Gabriel.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The family suggests memorials to the Good Samaritan Fund at Presbyterian Manor, Lawrence Humane Society, or Visiting Nurses.
