Archived Marriage Records
Leona Margaret Williamson 1926-2003
HUDSON — Leona Margaret Williamson, 77, died Dec. 5 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was born Feb. 2, 1926, at Stafford, the daughter of Charles and Carrie Lichte Hildebrand. She was a 1944 graduate of Stafford High School and a 1947 graduate of United States Cadet Nurses Corps program at Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Hutchinson. She married
Robert Williamson Oct. 16, 1947. A resident of Hudson since 1952, she was a registered nurse and homemaker. Mrs. Williamson was a member of Stafford Church of the Nazarene. Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Dale Williamson of Nampa, Idaho, Keith Williamson of Sublette and Gary Williamson of Dodge City; one daughter, Linda Williamson of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one brother, Chester Hildebrand of Stafford; three sisters, Irma Eisenhower of Tahlequah, Okla., Elsie Hildebrand and Marjorie Hildebrand, both of Hutchinson; and nine grandchildren. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford with the Rev. Ron Moser officiating. Burial will be at Stafford Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to Kansas District Nazarene Children’s Camp in care of the funeral chapel. Dec. 9, 2003
Warren J. ‘Buddy’ Wetzel 1956-2003
Warren J. “Buddy” Wetzel, 47, of Great Bend, died Dec. 4 at Radium. He was born June 14, 1956, at Dodge City, the son of Carl T. and Erna L. Dierolf Wetzel. He married
Marlene Eining June 6, 1975, in Spearville. A resident of Great Bend, formerly of Kinsley, he was a laborer. Wetzel was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Offerle. Survivors include one son, Travis of Kinslely; and one daughter, Amy Wetzel of Kinsley; his father and mother of Spearville; three sisters, Joyce Orebaugh and Nita Winfrey, both of Dodge City, and Joleen Stein of Spearville. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Andrew Becker officiating. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran cemetery in Offerle. There are no call times or vigils. Memorials are suggested to Buddy Wetzel Children’s Education Fund in care of McKillip Memorial Funeral Home in Kinsley. Dec. 7, 2003
Dorothy M. ‘Dottie’ Hass 1930-2003
LYONS — Dorothy M. “Dottie” Hass, 73, died Dec. 4 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born June 6, 1930, at rural Rice County the daughter of Dallas W. and Geneva Hardwick Bundy. A longtime Lyons area resident, she was a retired janitor for Enron Corp. and housekeeper for Rice County Council on Aging. She was a member of First Christian Church of Lyons. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Nicholas of Geneseo and Dana Hardcastle of Las Vegas, Nev.; one step-son, Jim Evan Stookey of Westerville, Ohio; two step-daughters, Jayne Coleman of Geneseo and Julie Miller of Welling, Okla.; three sisters, Betty Rickard of Sterling, Eleanor DeArmond of El Dorado and Janice Potter of Merriam; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Eric Neal Hass. Memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Tom Eastman officiating. Memorials are suggested to the church or Rice County Council on Aging in care of Sillin Funeral Home in Lyons. Dec. 7, 2003
Hazel Helen Baker 1915-2003
Hazel Helen Baker, 88, of Great Bend, died Dec. 4 at Great Bend. She was born Jan. 3, 1915, at Bruno, Ark., the daughter of William O. and Ola Adkins Gray. She married
Ancil W. Baker Aug. 14, 1935, at Bruno. A resident of Great Bend since 1991, coming from Mountain Home, Idaho, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Baker was a member of First Southern Baptist Church, Order of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile and Beauciant. Survivors include her husband of the home; and one sister, Juanita Breece of Ft. Worth, Texas. She was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Moulder. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. Dr. Doyle Smith officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Fund or First Southern Baptist Church, all in care of the funeral home. Dec. 7, 2003
Eva Arlene Pittman 1918-2003
MCPHERSON — Eva Arlene Pittman, 85, died Dec. 6 at The Cedars in McPherson. She was born Feb. 5, 1918, at Gorman, Texas, the daughter of Joseph John and Winnie Ona Lane Brown. A resident of McPherson, formerly of Great Bend, she was a homemaker. She married
Ardeth “A. D.” Pittman, May 14, 1939. He died August 25, 2001. Mrs. Pittman was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gorman, Texas. Survivors include one daughter, Patricia Jane Anderson, Great Bend; one brother, Eldon Neal Brown, Kankakee, Ill.; six grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Neal Ray Pittman, one daughter, Julia Ann Belgau and one brother, J. W. Brown. Funeral will by held Friday at 2 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Bill Campbell officiating. Burial will be at Gorman Cemetery. Friends may call from, noon - 9 p.m. Tuesday, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend and from noon - 9 p.m. on Thursday at Higginbottom Funeral Home in Gorman. Memorials are suggested to The Cedars, 1021 Cedars Drive, McPherson, 67460. Dec. 7, 2003
Sandra Lee Countryman 1963-2003
Sandra Lee Countryman, 40, died Dec. 4 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Oct. 24, 1963, at Medicine Lodge, the daughter of Kenneth C. Coley and Patty Black Parks. A resident of Great Bend for 25 years coming from Arizona, she worked as a home health caregiver. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Great Bend. Survivors include her mother of Great Bend and father of Pratt; one son, Scott Howard Countryman, of the home; one daughter, Ashley Patricia Countryman, of the home; one step-daughter, Christina Countryman, LaCrosse; one brother, Charles Otis Coley, St. John; three sisters, Donna Sue Richard, Ness City, Robin Ann Lee, Hudson and Kathryn Kay Coley, Great Bend. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Monday at the church with Rev. Robert Castile officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Friends may call 1 - 9 p.m. today, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family in care of funeral home. Dec. 7, 2003
Thomas E. Shauers 1922-2003
NESS CITY — Thomas E. Shauers, 81, died Dec. 3 at Hodgeman County Long Term Care Home in Jetmore. He was born April 17, 1922, at Ness County, the son of Fred J. and Marian Curtiss Shauers. He married
Wilma B. Prose Oct. 7, 1947, at Dighton. She died Feb. 14, 2002. A lifetime resident of Ness County, he was a farmer and a rancher. Shauers was a member of American Legion and Walnut Valley Masonic Lodge, both of Ness City, and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Ransom. Survivors include two sons, Peter T. Shauers of Buffalo, Texas, and Steve Shauers of Lenexa; one daughter, Tana Fehrenbach of Haven; one brother, Charles Shauers of Ness City; one sister, Virginia Wilson of Great Bend; and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Nikki Griffith; one granddaughter, Trina Shauers; five brothers, Fred Shauers, Bob Shauers, Mike Shauers, Delbert Shauers and Lee Shauers; and two sisters, Jeanne Miller and Vada Reinert. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church of Ness City, with the Rev. Sue Talbot officiating. Burial will be at Buda cemetery near Beeler with military graveside rites by Frank Stull American Legion Post No. 152 of Ness City. The casket will be closed. Friends may call to sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City. Memorials are suggested to American Legion Post No. 152 of Ness City, in care of the funeral home. Dec. 5, 2003
Kenneth Schartz 1923-2003
Kenneth Schartz, 80, of Great Bend, died Dec. 2 in Ellinwood. He was born Sept. 9, 1923, in rural Great Bend, the son of Nicholas A. and Aileen Kimpler Schartz. He married
Treva Saunders Aug. 23, 1946, at Emporia. He later married
Lillian Deem in 1983. She died in 2000. A resident of Great Bend, formerly of Topeka, Sacramento, Calif., Hutchinson and Baguio, Philippines, he retired from the U.S. Air Force as a major on May 1, 1970. Schartz was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church of Great Bend, 4th degree Knights of Columbus No. 862 of Great Bend and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include three daughters, Stephanie Schartz of Loomis, Calif., Monica Couch of Horseshoe, N.C., and Connie Schartz of San Leandro, Calif.; five brothers, Vernon Schartz of Grants Pass, Ore., Norbert Schartz of Sutter Creek, Calif., Gerald Schartz of Hays, Thomas Schartz of Phoenix, Ariz., and Patrick Schartz of Ellinwood; two sisters, DeSales Feist and Mary Bowes, both of Ellinwood; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Schartz; three brothers, Charles Schartz, Leon Schartz and Loren Schartz; and one sister, Celesta. Altar Society rosary will be at 3 p.m. Monday and Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7 p.m. Monday, both at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Ted Stecklein officiating. Burial will be at Mount Calvary cemetery in Topeka. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Dec. 5, 2003
Martin B. Birzer 1911-2003
HUTCHINSON — Martin B. Birzer, 92, died Dec. 3 at Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. He was born Nov. 11, 1911, in Ellinwood, the son of John B. and Anna Polzine Birzer. He attended Ellinwood schools and Emporia State University. He married
Mary J. Prosser May 17, 1938, at Odin. A resident of Hutchinson since 1944, he farmed in Osbourne and Reno counties, was a former Hutchinson business owner, insulation installer for Decker & Mattison, 30-year union painter working for Schmitt Painting and Walter W. Pohl painting companies, and independent painting contractor for many years. Birzer was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church of Hutchinson, Knights of Columbus Council No. 612 and former member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 982. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Glenn Birzer of the home and Gary Birzer of Des Moines, Iowa; two daughters, Barbara Kostner and Diane McKinney, both of Lakewood, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 13 brothers, John Birzer, Joseph Birzer, William Birzer, Paul Birzer, Frank Birzer, Nicholas Birzer, Anthony Birzer, Edward Birzer, Leonard Birzer, Raymond Birzer, Ernest Birzer, Leo Birzer and Matthew Birzer; two sisters, Ann Marie Zink and Inez Birzer; and two grandsons. Parish rosary will be at 7 tonight at the church. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Joe Eckberg officiating. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter and Paul cemetery in Ellinwood, with the Rev. John Maes officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the mortuary. Dec. 5, 2003
Alphonse ‘Al’ D. Prusa 1920-2003
CLAFLIN — Alphonse “Al” D. Prusa, 83, died Dec. 4 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born Feb. 18, 1920, at Claflin, the son of Joseph and Mary Holechek Prusa. He married
Lorena M. Mater Jan. 14, 1947, at Olmitz. A lifetime resident of Claflin and Dubuque area, he was a retired farmer and stockman. Prusa was a former member of St. Catherine Catholic Church of Dubuque, and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council No. 2630, both of Odin. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II as a staff sergeant in the African and European theaters. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star. Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Steve Prusa of Coldwater, Anthony Prusa of Ulysses and Kenneth Prusa of Ames, Iowa; one daughter, Cathy Kooser of Cleveland, Mo.; one brother, Joseph Prusa of Salina; 10 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Prusa; and one sister, Cecilia Schneweis. Vigil will be at 7 p.m. today followed by Knights of Columbus rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Dubuque, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. Catherine cemetery in Dubuque, with military graveside rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Claflin Ambulance Service or Dubuque Heritage Association, both in care of the funeral home. Dec. 5, 2003
William L. Morris 1926-2003
KINGFISHER, Okla. — William L. Morris, 76, died Nov. 29 at Cimarron Nursing Center in Kingfisher. He was born Dec. 17, 1926, at Drumright, Okla., the son of Robert Morris and Bessie E. Stephenson Mayes. He married
Mary Cammack June 26, 1948, at Drumright. She preceded him in death. A resident of Kingfisher, coming from Drumright, Great Bend and Salem, Ill., he was employed by Texaco for 47 years. Morris was a member of American Legion and Masonic Lodge, both of Drumright. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. Survivors include three daughters, Alex Morris of Oklahoma City, Okla., Janice Kloxin of El Mirage, Ariz., and Carol Everett of Great Bend; his mother of Drumright; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Oklahoma City with the Rev. Bob Barr officiating. Memorials are suggested to Oklahoma Library For the Blind and Physical Handicap, 501 North Douglas, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Sanders Funeral Services Inc. of Kingfisher is in charge of arrangements. Dec. 4, 2003
Shirley J. Hovey 1939-2003
Shirley J. Hovey, 64, of Great Bend died Dec. 2 at her residence. She was born June 18, 1939, at Rochester, N.Y., the daughter of Stephen Sr. and Mildred Spencer. She married
Richard L. Hovey March 14, 1989, at Rochester. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Greensburg, she was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Bruce Clark of Indianapolis, Ind., and Phillip Clark of Great Bend; three daughters, Lorrie Burgin of Oregon, Vonnie Thomas and Patty Snow, both of Great Bend; one brother, Stephen Spencer of Rochester; one sister, Lois Landon of Florida; 25 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ronnie Sloey. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Charter Funeral Chapel in Great Bend with the Rev. Michael Joiner officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Extreme Hope Christian Fellowship of Great Bend, in care of the funeral home. Dec. 3, 2003
Lydia Beahm 1914-2003
LA CROSSE — Lydia Beahm, 89, died Dec. 2 at Rush County Nursing Home in La Crosse. She was born Aug. 7, 1914, at Bison, the daughter of Michael and Elisabeth Reichel Krug. She married
Herbert T. Beahm June 12, 1937. He died Dec. 16, 1979. A resident of La Crosse, coming from Hutchinson, she taught school in a one-room school house in La Crosse and was a bank cashier before her retirement. Mrs. Beahm was a member of First Methodist Church of Burlington, Colo., and Elks Club of Goodland. Survivors include two sons, Burton L. Beahm of Lake Oswego, Ore., and Roger L. Beahm of Greensboro, N.C.; three sisters, Selma Moore and Marge Sampson, both of Salina, and Pauline Holopirek of Timken; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Krug, Michael Krug and Glenn Krug; and three sisters, Esther Popp, Hannah Wharton and Janita Reha. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. today at La Crosse City cemetery with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore officiating. Burial will be at La Crosse City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Rush County Nursing Home of La Crosse, in care of Janousek Funeral Home in La Crosse. Dec. 4, 2003
Ronald D. Munsch 1948-2003
GARDEN CITY — Ronald D. Munsch, 55, died Dec. 2 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. He was born Feb. 11, 1948, at La Crosse, the son of Edwin and Marina Suppes Munsch. He was a 1966 graduate of Bazine High School. He married
Debra L. Gross July 1, 1966, at Ness City. A resident of Garden City, coming from Wellington, Dodge City, Lyons and Ness City, he was a meat cutter, assistant manager and market manager for Dillons Food Market for many years. Gross was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church of Garden City and was a scout master for Boy Scout Troop No. 61 for several years. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, David Munsch of Victoria and Matthew Munsch of Garden City; one daughter, Rebecca Newell of Great Bend; his parents of Ness City; one brother, Mike Munsch of Boise City, Okla.; three sisters, Vickie Herrman of Emporia, Betty Knoll of Deerfield and Christy Healzer of Ness City; and four grandsons. Vigil service will be at 8 p.m. today at the church. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. James E. Baker officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery in Ness City. Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. today at Garnard Funeral Home in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to Ronald D. Munsch Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home. Dec. 4, 2003
Kathleen ‘Dixie’ Elffner 1923-2003
MEADE — Kathleen “Dixie” Elffner, 80, died Dec. 2 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Feb. 3, 1923, in Daleville, Ala., the daughter of Charlie and Estelle Cooper Dixon. She married
Thomas H. Elffner July 3, 1944, at Tallahassee, Fla. He died Aug. 18, 2000. A resident of Meade since 1957, coming from Florida and the family farm in Meade County, she was a homemaker and owned Elffner’s Upholstery. Mrs. Elffner was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church of Meade and former member of Altar Society of Fowler. She was elected as the only female mayor of Meade, serving one term. Survivors include two sons, Thomas H. “Butch” Elffner of Great Bend and Robert C. “Topper” Elffner of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Flossie “Jo” Young and Betty Davis, both of Lakeland, Fla.; and one grandson. She was preceded in death by one son, Charles G. “Chuck” Ellfner; one brother, Bud Dixon; and one sister, Murl Britt. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Francis Stuart officiating. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Graceland cemetery in Meade. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Fidler-Orme Mortuary in Meade. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association or the church, both in care of the mortuary. Dec. 4, 2003
Lizzie Burchart 1909-2003
ELLINWOOD — Lizzie Burchart, 94, died Dec. 1 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. She was born July 3, 1909, at Raymond, the daughter of Adolph and Emma Floran Burchart. A longtime resident of Ellinwood, coming from Larned and Hutchinson, she was a food service employee at Waxy’s Restaurant in Ellinwood and at Larned State Hospital. She was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Heritage Club and Hospital Auxiliary, all of Ellinwood. Survivors include one sister, Alice Bryant of Ellinwood. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert Burchart, Louis Burchart and Edwin Burchart. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood with the Rev. Larry Young officiating. Burial will be at Lakin-Comanche District cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church in care of the funeral home. Dec. 3, 2003
Clarence William ‘Bill’ Brandt 1913-2003
SARASOTA, Fla. — Mr. Clarence William “Bill” Brandt passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 29, in Sarasota, Fla. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1913, and raised in Great Bend, he was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Wichita, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. For many years he co-owned Midwest Motor Parts in Wichita before retiring to Long Beach, Calif., and later to Sarasota. After retiring he worked for Huntington Beach Library System in California and later for Schulman’s in Sarasota. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helen; son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence and Daniela Brandt of Portland, Ore.; daughter Billye Marie Navarro of Austin, Texas, daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and John Rutherford of Clayton, Calif., and Teresa and Melvyn Cansell of St. Pete Beach, Fla. Also surviving him are seven grandchildren, Craig Brandt of McPherson, Shari Brandt of Tucson, Ariz., Jacquie Nahom of Scottsdale, Ariz., Maria del Carmen Soto of Guadalajara, Mexico, Ivonne Navarro Filobelo of Houston, Texas, Jennifer Rutherford of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Brian Beebe of Arcadia, Fla. Great-grandchildren include Nicholas Brandt of McPherson, Michael and Andrew Nahom of Scottsdale, Ariz., Ricardo and Eduardo Soto of Guadalajara and Max Filobelo of Houston. Service is being held in Sarasota today. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. Condolences may be sent to the family via Toale Brothers Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer T, Sarasota, FL 34230. Dec. 2, 2003
