Archived Marriage Records
Regina M. Birzer 1918-2001
ELLINWOOD - Regina M. Birzer, 82, died April 23 at Ellinwood District Hospital. She was born Oct. 8, 1918, in Claflin, the daughter of Frank and Anna Hoffman Tinkel. She married
Leo M. Birzer Oct. 21, 1947, in Dubuque. He died May 4, 1993. A lifetime Barton County resident, she was a high school cook, gardener and homemaker. Mrs. Birzer was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and Altar Society, both of Ellinwood. Survivors include two sons, Matthew Leo Birzer of Bonner Springs and Aaron Birzer of Ellinwood; two daughters, Linda Sherman of Ellinwood and Karen Brough of Junction City; one brother, Albert Tinkel of Claflin; four sisters, Mary Redetzke and Elizabeth Zorn, both of Claflin, Ann Urban of Hoisington and Bernice Zorn of Smith Center; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Tinkel and Tony Tinkel. Altar Society Rosary will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. David Flagor officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph's School Endowment Fund, in care of the funeral home. April 24, 2001
Ruth Esther Nelson 1912-2001
JETMORE - Ruth Esther Nelson, 88, died April 21 at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore. She was born Oct. 11, 1912 in Ness County, the daughter of Hugh M. B. and Leah Burditt Frusher. She married
Lawrence Nelson June 3, 1945 in Ness City. He died Aug. 8, 1997. A lifetime resident of Jetmore, she was a teacher, local artist and homemaker. Mrs. Nelson was a member of United Methodist Church of Jetmore, Delta Kappa Gamma, Art Association of Kansas and the Home Demonstration Extension Unit. She is survived by one sister Melvi Lea Frusher of Jetmore. She was preceded in death by four brothers, William A. Frusher, Hugh L. Frusher, Robert G. Frusher and Edgar C. Frusher; and two sisters, Mary Frusher and Emily Jane Sayler. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church of Jetmore with the Rev. Mitch Reece officiating. Friends may call until 8 p.m. tonight at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Hodgeman County Long Term Care Center in care of the funeral home. April 23, 2001
Jesse W. Deckert 1903-2001
LARNED - Jesse W. Deckert, 97, died April 21 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born July 30, 2903 in Stafford County, the son of John William and Ethel Mae Baldwin Deckert. He married
Faye Lillian Kerns June 10, 1924 in Lyons. She died April 10, 1963. He married
Thelma F. Carpenter Vanderree Nov. 7, 1967 in Clayton New Mexico. A resident of Larned, coming from Pawnee County and Lewis, he was a farmer. Deckert was a member of United Methodist Church of Lewis and former school board member of Unified School District 23. Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Lois Kennedy of Pratt, Glenna Mae Johnson of Larned and Shirley Brollier of Kinsley; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Leon Deckert; two brothers, Ivan Deckert and John Deckert; two sisters, Helen Dirks and Opal Nulf; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church in Lewis with the Rev. Debra Hanes-Nelson officiating. Friends may call until 8 p.m. tonight and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, both at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Burial will be at Wayne cemetery in Lewis. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice in care of the mortuary. April 23, 2001
Glenn E. Gilliland 1928-2001
Glenn E. Gilliland, 72, of Great Bend, died April 21 at his home. He was born Nov. 1, 1928 in Scott City, the son of Hugh A. and Bernice Petefish Gilliland. He married
Velda L. Steinert July 22, 1951 in Otis. A resident of Great Bend, he was a plant foreman for Halliburton and worked for Security State Bank. Gilliland was a member of Central Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Michael W. Gilliland of Lafayette, La.; one daughter, Charlotte L. "Shari" Perry of Soldier; two brothers, Robert H. Gilliland of Pueblo, Colo. and Charles L. Gilliland of Dolan Springs, Ariz.; four sisters, Mary L. Bright of Blanding, Utah, Leona J. Taylor of Peabody, Alice E. Curtis of Delta, Colo. and Jessie L. Myer of Moab, Utah; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, James A. Gilliland; and one grandson, Trenton Perry. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bryant-Christians Funeral Home Chapel in Great Bend with the Revs. Dr. Gordon E. Rhodes and John Grummon officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call until 9 p.m. tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Home Health and Hospice, both in care of the funeral home. April 23, 2001
Chester A. Brotherson 1907-2001
LINDSBORG - Chester A. Brotherson, 94, died April 22 at Lindsborg Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 25, 1907 in Lindsborg, the son of Andrew C. and Adeline M. Amoid Brotherson. A lifetime resident of Lindsborg, he was a farmer and plumber for Lundstrom Brothers Plumbing. Brotherson was a member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include one sister, Viola Larson of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hays-Christians Funeral Home Chapel in Lindsborg with the Rev. Don Hawk officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood cemetery in Lindsborg. Memorials are suggested to Bethany Home in care of the funeral home. April 23, 2001
Charleen Taylor Moser 1920-2001
WICHITA - Charleen Taylor Moser, 81, died April 21 at her home in Wichita. She was born March 11, 1920 in Butler, the daughter of William and Edith Boucher Taylor. She married
Robert E. Moser. A resident of Wichita, she was a homemaker and cosmetologist. Survivors include her husband of the home; three daughters, Marcene Amend of Ft. Collins, Colo., Marilyn Hagemeister of Wichita and JoAnne Fleska of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jan Davis. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Lakeview Funeral Home Chapel in Wichita with the Revs. Preston Barrett and Oral Newberry officiating. Burial will be at Lakeview Mausoleum in Wichita. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to Augusta Historical Museum in care of the funeral home. April 23, 2001
Freda Clarke 1909-2001
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Freda Clarke, 92, died April 22 at Bishop Spencer Place in Kansas City. She was born April 5, 1909 in Rush County, the daughter of Philip and Mary Catherine George Schwartzkopf. She was a 1928 graduate of Alexander High School and attended Trinity Lutheran Nursing School in Kansas City, Mo. She married
Joe B. Clarke October 1935 in Olathe. He died. A resident of Kansas City, Mo., coming from Rush County, she was a registered nurse. Mrs. Clarke was a member of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village. Survivors include two brothers, William "Bill" A. Schwartzkopf of Larned and Carl E. Schwartzkopf of Wichita; and one sister, Clara Wallace of Kansas City, Mo. She was preceded in death by one brother, Herman Schwartzkopf. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Alexander cemetery in Alexander with the Rev. Maurice Schaus officiating. Burial will be at Alexander Cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Memorials are suggested to Oaks Indian Center, Oaks, Okla., in care of the funeral home. April 23, 2001
Raymond L. Vopat 1926-2001
WILSON - Raymond L. Vopat, 75, died April 20 at his home in Wilson. He was born Feb. 8, 1926, in Lincoln County, the son of John M. and Ruth Eshe Vopat. He married
Frances Friebus may 26, 1957, in Wilson. A lifetime area resident, he was a grocery manager at Klema's IGA in Wilson, worked at Novak's IGA in Ellsworth and was an insurance salesman. Vopat was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wilson, was the Voice of the Wilson Dragons for 37 years and emceed the Wilson's Czech festival parade for 39 years. He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Leslie Vopat of Wilson; two daughters, Tamara Garrett of Hutchinson and Dawn Obermeyer of Wichita; one brother, Harold Vopat of Wichita; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant sister and an infant grandson. funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Jim Wagner officiating. Burial will be at Wilson City Cemetery, with military rites by John F. McManus American Legion Post 263 in Wilson. Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Foster Mortuary in Wilson, and from 8 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the mortuary. April 22, 2001
Thelma Marie Smith 1908-2001
Thelma Marie Smith, 93, of Great Bend, died April 19. She was born Jan. 22, 1908 in Pittsburg, the daughter of Charlie and Anna Belle Ward Stringer. She married
Walter Guy Smith. He died March 11, 1968. A resident of Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Smith was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Great Bend. Survivors include two nephews, Francis Carpenter and William Carpenter, both of Independence, Mo.; and one niece, Jean Crane of Holiday, Fla. She was preceded in death by three brothers, William Carpenter, Lloyd Carpenter and Jess Carpenter; and two sisters, Helen Wright and Leonna Peterson. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Great Bend cemetery with the Rev. Diana Coberly officiating. Friends may call from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at Fryberger Mortuary in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the mortuary. April 23, 2001
Orison L. Small 1913-2001
HOLYROOD - Orison L. Small, 88, died April 20 at Salina Regional Health Center. He was born March 27, 1913, at Galva, the son of Gay and Lottie Gayer Small. He married
Eva Mae Ripper June 8, 1932, in Lyons. She died Sept. 2, 1967. He then married
Marian L. Simpson June 1, 1971, in Burlington, Colo. A resident of Holyrood since 1950, he was a retired welder-mechanic for National Co-op Refinery Association. Small was a member of the St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Holyrood, AFLCIO Union and KY2 Campers. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Bobby K. Small of Lyons; one daughter, Merilyn Meyer of Mesa, Ariz.; one stepson, Dale Simpson of Salina; one stepdaughter, Maralee Whitehead of Natchez, Miss.; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandhildren; and two great-great -grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church in Holyrood with the Revs. Mary Lou Klein and Jeff Meyer officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul's United Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. today at Parson's Funeral Home in Ellsworth and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Morris Gene Hollingsworth 1929-2001
LENEXA - Morris Gene Hollingsworth, 71, died April 20 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Overland Park. He was born Aug. 8, 1929, in Toronto, the son of Ed and Helen Hollingsworth. He married
Shirley Krug on Oct. 13, 1956, in Bazine. He was a teacher and retired from working for the Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages. Hollingsworth was a member of the Lenexa United Methodist Church, National Education Association, CWA Local 6327, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was U. S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include wife of the home; one son, Steven Hollingsworth of Overland Park; one daughter, Susan Hauenstein of St. Peter's, Mo.; and three grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church in Lenexa. Burial will at St. Joseph cemetery in Shawnee. Friends may call from 6:30-8 tonight at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa.
Thomas Lyle Edwards 1922-2001
Thomas Lyle Edwards, 78, of Great Bend died April 21 at his residence. He was born Nov. 30, 1922, at El Dorado, the son of Thomas Orlando III and Euphamia Brace Edwards. He married
Betty Z. Smith Sept. 9, 1943, at Gainsville, Texas. A resident of Great Bend since 1987, coming from rural Albert, he was a retired engineer for the U.S. Forest Service. Edwards was a member of the Methodist Church and American Legion, both of Moline; and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Russell. He was U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in both the European and Pacific theatres. He was awarded the bronze star. Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Lyle Jane Gould of Dodge City and Joy Elizabeth Cooper of Strasburg, Colo.; three brothers, Veryl Edwards of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Bob Edwards and Frank Edwards, both of Littleton, Colo.; one sister, Nancy Balloun of Russell; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Geraldine Edwards. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Moline Cemetery, Moline. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the Bryant-Christians Funeral Home in Great Bend.
April Marie Boettcher 1980-2001
RUSSELL - April Marie Boettcher, 21, died April 19 near Grainfield due to a vehicle accident. She was born Jan. 27, 1980, in Casper, Wyo., the daughter of Jerry Patton Lyttle and Nona Kay Adams Wagner. A resident of Russell, she was a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Austin Boettcher of Russell; one daughter, JoHanna Boettcher of Russell; her mother of Russell; her father of Casper; one brother, Roosevelt Henderson of Russell; three sisters, Shantara Adams and Santia Henderson, both of Russell, and Jasmine Crosley of Casper; numerous grandparents; and numerous great-grandparents. funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Pohlman's Memorial chapel in Russell with the Rev. Dick Ogle officiating. The body was cremated.
April 19, 2001
