Archived Marriage Records
Helen Pittman 1917-2002
Helen Pittman, 85, of Great Bend, died Nov. 18 at Medical Lodge of Kinsley. She was born Oct. 16, 1917, at La Crosse, the daughter of Lloyd Franklin and Katheryn A. Nelmes Pittman. A longtime resident of Great Bend, she was a secretary for the Selective Service office of Great Bend. Pittman was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ of Great Bend, American Legion, Elks and Rebbecas. She was a U.S. veteran, having served during World War II. Survivors include special friend, Theda Miller and family of Great Bend; two nieces, Kathryn Heine and husband William of Richland, Wash., and Stephanie Alexander of Portland, Ore.; one great-nephew, John Heine of Portland; two great-nieces, Christine of Pasco, Wash. and Tracy of Valencia, Calif. She was preceded in death by one brother, Thomas Pittman; and three sisters, Thelma Pittman, Joann Pittman and Hazle Hale. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Diana Coberly officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery, Veterans Circle. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Sunday at Fryberger Mortuary of Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church or Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, both in care of the mortuary. Nov. 21, 2002
Grace LaFaun Rittenhouse 1915-2002
HANSTON - Grace LaFaun Rittenhouse, 87, died Nov. 19 at Western Plain Medical Complex of Dodge City. She was born July 6, 1915, in Seward County, the daughter of William Howard and Anna Isabelle Baldrey McNabney. She married
James Rittenhouse on June 16, 1937, at Hanston. A lifetime resident of rural Hanston, she was a homemaker and teacher. Mrs. Rittenhouse was a member of the Christian faith, a Sunday school teacher, church song leader, 4-H leader and a member of Cowbelles, all of Hanston. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Kent Rittenhouse of Hanston; one daughter, Marilea Rittenhouse of Hanston; one sister, Mary Lonnberg of Fort Dodge; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, James Housman, Harold Housman and Charles Housman; and three sisters, Berdena McKibbin, Nettena McMurry and Dorothy McNabney. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church of Burdett with the Rev. Tony Horsley officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery of Jetmore. Friends may call until 8 tonight and from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, all at Beckwith Funeral Home of Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Western Plains ICU, in care of the funeral home. Nov. 20, 2002
Patsy A. Thompson 1938-2002
ARKANSAS CITY - Patsy A. Thompson, 64, died Nov. 19 at South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center. She was born Sept. 13, 1938, at Healdton, Okla., the daughter of Hosey D. and Eddie Lee Underwood Perkins. She was a 1960 graduate of Arkansas City High School. A resident of Arkansas City since 1957, coming from Healdton, Stroud, Okla., and Lorraine, she was a nurse's aide. Thompson was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Arkansas City. Survivors include four brothers, Travis Perkins of El Dorado, Charlie Perkins of Geneseo, Clifford Perkins of Las Vegas, N.V., and John Perkins of Arkansas City; two sisters, Mary Folk of Bushton and Linda White of Branson, Mo. She was preceded in death by one brother, Bob Perkins; and one sister, Betty Lahar. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Mark Boxman officiating. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be at Riverview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the church or Open Door, Inc., both in care of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home of Arkansas City. Nov. 20, 2002
William 'Bill' James Grant 1919-2002
HOISINGTON - William "Bill" James Grant, 83, died Nov. 18 at Health Center of Richland Nursing Home of Nashville, Tenn. He was born Oct. 25, 1919, at Perth Amboy, N.J., the son of James and Margaret Mahr Grant. He married
Helen Tripp on June 15, 1945, at Alamogordo, N.M. She died April 29, 1992. A resident of Hoisington for 51 years, moving to Brentwood, Tenn., in 1996, he was a retired tin smith for Hickey Sheet and Metal Company of Great Bend until his retirement in 1984. Grant was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church of Hoisington. He was a U.S. Army Corp veteran, having served during World War II. Survivors include two sons, James Grant of Brentwood and John Grant of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one daughter, Patricia Ruff of Logan; one sister, Katherine Bunker of Piscataway, N.J.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John Grant and James Grant; and one sister, Margaret Dailey. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John Church cemetery of Hoisington with the Rev. Ultan Murphy officiating and military rites provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7428 and American Legion 286. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home of Hoisington. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. Nov. 20, 2002
George David Blair 1925-2002
George David Blair, 77, of Great Bend, died Nov. 18 at Fort Dodge Soldiers Home of Fort Dodge. He was born March 14, 1925, at Silver Creek, Neb. the son of David Walter and Winniford May Thorn Blair. He married
Effie Louellen Larkin on Dec. 8, 1948, at St. John. She died Feb. 18, 1996. A longtime resident of Great Bend, he was a truck driver and oilfield hand for Rice Engineering Company of Great Bend. Blair was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, having served during World War II as a corporal. Survivors include two sons, Bill R. Blair of Norton and Roger J. Blair of Scott City; four daughters, Linda K. Worley of Lawrence, Molly F. Blair and Polly G. Blair, both of Albert, and Stacy J. Tiede of Hoisington; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Blair; one sister, Alberta May Barry; and one half brother, Albertlee Blair. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Paden officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend cemetery with military honors provided by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Fort Dodge Soldiers Home, in care of the funeral home. Nov. 20, 2002
Berniece Helen 'Bernie' Dechant 1931-2002
HAYS - Berniece Helen "Bernie" Dechant, 71, died Nov. 16 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus of Wichita. She was born Oct. 23, 1931, at Schoenchen, the daughter of George and Helen Schoendaller Munsch. She married
Harry E. Dechant on Sept. 6, 1948, at Schoenchen. A resident of Hays, she was waitress at Pheasant Run for 16 years. Mrs. Dechant was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Hays. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Ronald Dechant of Dodge City, Kerry Dechant of Aurora, Ohio, and Troy Dechant of Streetsboro, Ohio; six daughters, Geri Hamilton of El Dorado, Sandra Pennington of Boulder, Colo., Michelle Pinkall of Great Bend, Brenda Dechant of Phoenix, Ariz., Carla Dechant of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Kristal Dechant of Victoria; four sisters, Julieta Randa of Hays, Viola Werth of Schoenchen, Cora Schumacher of Hays and Darlene Bortz of Claflin; one stepbrother, Marvin Werth of Hays; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one infant son, Cornelius Dechant; her stepmother, Johanna Werth Munsch; one infant brother; and two sisters, Marietta Beyer and Vera Dinges. Parish vigil service will be at 7 tonight at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hays. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Revs. Kevin Weber, David Metz and Carl Kramer officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph cemetery of Hays. Friends may call from 2-8 tonight and from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Masses or the Building Fund for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, both in care of the funeral home. Nov. 19, 2002
Dale C. Shaner 1920-2002
SAN MARCOS, Texas - Dale C. Shaner, 92, died Nov. 16 at San Marcos. He was born Sept. 11, 1910, at Lost Springs, the son of Harry and Lillie Shaner. He married
Ethel Cheever. She preceded him in death. A resident of San Marcos, he was a retired foreman for Phillips 66. Shaner was a member of Church of Christ and BPOE. Survivors include one son, Dale D. Shaner of Salina; two daughters, Dot Strobel of San Marcos and Karen Hilgers of Houston; one sister, Margie Farney of Hutchinson; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Dean Shaner; and one sister, Dorothy Shaner. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Fulton cemetery of Fulton, Texas. Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes and Crematory of Rockport, Texas, is in charge of arrangements. Nov. 18, 2002
Mark Allen Maynard 1962-2002
DENVER, Colo. - Mark Allen Maynard, 40, died Oct. 29 at Denver. He was born June 14, 1962, at Great Bend, the son of John Maynard and Royce M. Clark. A resident of Denver, he was an events coordinator for Denver University. Survivors include his father and stepmother, John and Micah Maynard of Lake City, Ark; his mother of St. John; and three sisters, Stacey Maynard of St. John, Shelly Kern of Ellinwood and Lisa Jeffers of Lake City. Inurnment service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Golden Belt Memorial Park of Great Bend with the Rev. Carl Feril officiating. Memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Denver University Chapel of Denver. Memorials are suggested to Great Bend Humane Society, in care of Minnis Chapel of St. John. Nov. 18, 2002
Norma Dobbs 1930 - 2002
KANSAS CITY - Norma Dobbs, 72, died Nov. 15 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City. She was born Feb. 13, 1930 in Kingsdown. She graduated from Hudson Kansas High School in 1948. She married
Wayne Dobbs on Aug. 20, 1948. He preceded her in death in 1997. She resided in Great Bend until 1994, retiring to a home outside Kansas City. Survivors include three sons, Gary Dobbs of Spring, Texas, Steven Dobbs of Overland Park, and Dallas Dobbs of Edmond, Okla.; two daughters, Karen Simpson of Annandale, N.J., and Kala Patterson of Lawrence; and 10 grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Kansas City. Memorials are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in care of McGilley and Hoge, Johnson County Memorial Chapel in Overland Park, or donor's choice.
Frank W. Wendt 1918 - 2002
WICHITA - Frank W. Wendt, 84, died Nov. 9 at his home in Wichita. He was born Oct. 14, 1918 at Herington, the son of E.F. and Martha Kandt Wendt. He married
Opal Byer on Oct. 10, 1944 in Wichita. She died Dec. 11, 1998. A long time Wichita resident, he was employed with Beechcraft and the Wichita School District. Wendt was a U.S. Navy veteran having served in World War II. Survivors include a brother, Donald Wendt of Merriam, and two sisters, Frances Weisbein and Elfrieda Crouch, both of Overland Park. Burial of the ashes will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Stafford Cemetery. Minnis Chapel of Stafford is in charge of the arrangements.
Lydia Brack 1911 - 2002
HOISINGTON - Lydia Brack, 91, died Nov. 15 at Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. She was born Feb. 24, 1911 at Vaoklingen, Russia, the daughter of Alexander and Louise Benner Galloway. She married
Harrison B. Brack on Dec. 1, 1919 in Otis. He died Nov. 10, 1996. A resident of Hoisington since 1943, moving from rural Otis, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Brack was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Hoisington. Survivors include a son, Robert E. Brack of Raymondville, Texas; one sister, Marie Boorum of Naples, Fla.; five grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Eugene M. Brack and Marlyn Lee Brack; one grandson; and two great grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church with Rev. Kelly Taylor-Schaus officiating. Burial will take place at Hoisington cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home and 9:30 until service time Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.
Margaret L. Hofstrom 1912 - 2002
ELLINWOOD - Margaret L. Hofstrom, 90, died Nov. 16 at Brethren Home in New Oxford, Pa. She was born July 3, 1912, the daughter of Rev. Orlando and Minnie B. Shay. She was a graduate of the Haskell Institute in Lawrence. She married
Einar Hofstrom on Jan. 22, 1942 in Wagoner, Okla. He died Nov. 21, 1989. A resident of New Oxford since 1999, coming from Ellinwood, she was a homemaker and co-owner of Cherokee Pump & Supply in Ellinwood. Mrs. Hofstrom was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ellinwood and the Modern Literature Club. Survivors include a daughter, Mariam I. Bechtel of East Berlin, Pa.; two granddaughters; and one great grandchild. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Andy Keltner officiating. Burial will take place at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Kimple Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Youth Center, both in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to alzheimer's research in care of the funeral home.
Bonnie M. Delker 1909-2002
ELLINWOOD - Bonnie M. Delker, 92, died Nov. 13 at Central Kansas Medical Center Long Term Care Center of Ellinwood. She was born Dec. 27, 1909, in Stafford County, the daughter of Walter M. and Bertha Adcock Snell. She was a graduate of St. John High School and Wichita Business College. She married
Orval V. Delker in 1935. A resident of Ellinwood, she was a typist for Barton County Abstract and Title Company for 31 years until her retirement in 1985. Mrs. Delker was a member of Church of Christ of Great Bend. Survivors include one son, David W. and Barbara Delker of Wichita; two daughters, Merita F. and Milton Rice of Pawnee Rock and Alpha M. Honaker of Denver, Colo.; one brother, Walter W. and Andora Snell of Garden City; one sister, Margaret R. Lambert of Newton; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one step great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three sisters and one great-grandchild. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church with Mr. Kevin Plowman officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery of St. John. Friends may call from 1-8 tonight and 9 a.m. until noon, all at Fryberger Mortuary Chapel of Great Bend, and from 1-1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family will receive friends from 6-8 tonight at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the mortuary. Nov. 15, 2002
