Obits for Butler County, Kansas Genealogy Trails

BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

OBITUARIES

ABBOTT, MAURICE J.

Maurice J. Abbott, 74, of 610 South Star, died Sunday afternoon at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church with burial in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

Mr. Abbott was born Aug. 22, 1904 at Madison, the son of Andrew Jackson and Cynthia Hofacre Abbott. He was a driller and pumper in the oil fields and moved to El Dorado in 1937 from Yates Center. He retired Dec. 1, 1972. Mr. Abbott was a member of the First Christian Church and a life-time member of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks Lodge No. 1407.

On Jan. 4, 1935 he married Minnie Guiou at El Dorado.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; a son, Virgil of Enid, Okla., a brother, Andrew of San Mateo, Calif., a sister, Charlotte Egner of Emporia; a grandson, Maury of Enid and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

A memorial has been established at the First Christian Church or the Kansas Eye Bank. Contributions may be sent to the Church office or to Dietz-Carlson Funeral Home where friends may call until the time of the service. (El Dorado Times, April 16, 1979)

BERENS, GRACE E.

Grace E. Berens, 74, of El Dorado, homemaker, died Friday morning, April 15, 1994, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

She was born Jan. 20, 1920 in LaCrosse, the daughter of Rhea and Ethel Mendenhall McNemee. On Nov. 4, 1941, she and Otto Berens were married in LaCrosse and they moved to El Dorado in 1951.

Survivors include: husband Otto, sons John of Huntington Beach, Calif., Bob, Tom both of El Dorado, daughter, Jan Ridgeway of El Dorado, five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister.

Memorials are to Bradford Memorial Library and the Wildlife Rehab Center. Carlson Funeral Home has the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, April 15, 1994)

BERENS, OTTO LEO

Otto Lee Berens, 92, of El Dorado, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006 at the home of his daughter.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at St. James Catholic Church in Augusta. Interment will follow in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

He was born May 19, 1913 in Victoria, Kan., the son of John and Anna (Kuhn) Berens. During World War II, he served in the Cavalry of the U. S. Army.

On Nov. 4, 1941, he was united in marriage to Grace McNemee in LaCrosse, Kan.

Otto was a retired oilfield driller and superintendent. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the Petroleum Club, and was a member of the Kansas Oil and Gas Hall of Fame.

He is survived by two sons and their wives, John and Linda Berens of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Tom and Anita Berens of El Dorado, a daughter, Jan Ridgeway of El Dorado, two brothers, Leo Berens of Colby, Kan., and Elmer Berens of Grainfield, Kan., five grandchildren, Nick Berens, Brent Berens, Chris Berens, Amy Ridgeway, and Stephanie Kiler; and six great-grandchildren, Jorrin Ridgeway, Alex Berens, Ben Kiler, Nick Kiler, Abigail Grace Kiler and Kathryn Berens.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace on April 15, 1994; a son, Bob and eight brothers and sisters.

Memorials in his memory for the Butler County Oil Museum may be left at Carlson Funeral Home, where friends may call. (El Dorado Times, January 24, 2006)

CAIN, THELMA P.

Thelma P. Cain, 22, Augusta, died yesterday at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound at an El Dorado motel.

Investigating officials identified the deceased woman as Thelma Cain Urban yesterday, but her family reports she took her maiden name back after a divorce.

The funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Carlson Funeral Home at El Dorado. Burial will be in the Walnut Valley Memorial Park there.

She was born March 3, 1961 in El Dorado to Raymond Delbert and Marilyn Sue Geer Cain.

Survivors include her parents of rural Leon, four daughters, Anna Marie, Amanda Joan, Amber Dawn and Anita Jane Urban all of Wichita; five sisters, Sue Prewitt of Towanda, Linda Cain of Billings, Mont., Candice Sue Cain, Kimberly Ann Cain and Staci Lynn Cain, all of Leon and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Geer of Potwin. (Augusta Gazette, December 15, 1983)

CALHOON, ALFRED E. "AL"

Alfred E. "Al" Calhoon, 79, of El Dorado, died Thursday, Aug. 2, at his home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Temple Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

He was born March 11, 1922 to Charles E. and Lena Belle (Kitterman) Calhoon in Chilhowee, Mo. He moved to El Dorado as a young boy. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1940.

On Oct. 18, 1942, he was married to Ruth Spradlin at the First Baptist Church in El Dorado. He was a farmer until Oct. 29, 1942 when he entered the U. S. Air Force and served his country during World War II. He was a Technical Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner and engineer. He flew 32 missions over enemy territory and flew one of the leading planes on D-Day. He received the Air Force Air Medal with four Oak Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross and Good Conduct Medal. He returned home Sept. 6, 1945. he was co-owner of the R & L Garage Company. In 1962, he went to work for Fishers as a service manager for 15 years and worked for Gray Motor Company as a service manager. He retired in 1983 and went to work at the El Dorado Middle School, then at Grandview Elementary, where he worked up until a few months ago as a custodian. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, the American Legion Capt. Edgar Dale Post #81, the V. F. W. Fred Priestly Post #1174, Patmos Masonic Lodge #97 A. F. & A. M. and the Moose Lodge. He loved spending time bowling, fishing and bird hunting. Two years ago he built a woodshop beside his home where he spent endless hours creating birdhouses, birdfeeders, mailboxes and different types of arts and crafts items. He was known for his "green thumb" and the wonderful flowers he could raise. His greatest joy was being with his children and grandchildren and working with the students of Grandview Elementary.

Survivors include his wife of the home, sons Ronald E. Calhoon of Glendale, Ariz., and Ross Calhoon of Andover, a daughter, Ruth Ann Peterson of Goodyear, Ariz., a niece Sharon Shelton of El Dorado, grandchildren, Brad Atha, Bryan Atha, Emily Calhoon, Sarah Calhoon, David Calhoon, Earen Rast and Eve Rast; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Memorials may be made to Partner's in Education - Grandview School Fund in care of Kirby-Morris Funeral Home, which has the arrangements. (El Dorado times, August 4, 2001)

COPELAND, ALENE RAE

Alene Rae Copeland, 80, of El Dorado, died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002, at the Sedgwick Health Care Center. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Walnut Valley Memorial Cemetery.

She was born Dec. 1, 1922 in Winfield, Kan., the daughter of Charles F. and Annie (Sheeks) Young. She was united in marriage to Raymond V. Copeland on Sept. 19, 1941 in El Dorado. In her mid 30's she went to cosmetology school to become a hairstylist. She was the owner and operator of Alene's Beauty Salon for many years. After their retirement, Alene and Raymond moved to Alamo, Texas, where they lived for 18 years. She was a wonderful wife and mother.

Survivors include two daughters: Raylene Propps of Wichita and Debbie Poe and husband Mike of Flower Mound, Texas; two brothers, Harold Young of Kansas City, Mo., and Kenneth Young of Texas; a sister, Charlotte Parker of Corpus Christi, Texas; granddaughters, Misty Poe of Oklahoma City and Jalena Lichtenwalter and husband Chris of Dallas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Raymond on May 31, 1991, a brother Howard Young and two sister, Leola Dowell and Laura Bell Carey.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Contributions may be left with Kirby-Morris Funeral Home, which has charge of the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, December 4, 2002)

DAY, CLAYTON W.

Clayton W. Day, 84, of El Dorado, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 1994, at Susan B. Allen Hospital. Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Carlson Funeral Home. Burial will be in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

He was born July 11, 1910, in Woodruff, the son of Elmer and Hallie Hopkins Day. He worked for Gas Service for 33 years and moved to El Dorado from Rosalia in 1941.

On May 19, 1929, he and Leona F. Clark were married in El Dorado. She died Aug. 19, 1984. He was a member of the First Christian Church.

Survivors include: daughters, Betty Hill, Donna Leach, both of El Dorado, Pat Johnson of Ft. Scott, sister, Vera Needhand of El Dorado, 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and one granddaughter.

Memorials are to Hospice Inc. and Prospect Baptist Church. (El Dorado Times, Oct. 24, 1996)

FOSTER, LLOYD EDGAR

Lloyd Edgar Foster, a native of El Dorado, died Saturday at a Newton hospital at the age of 87. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene in Newton, with rev. Leon Jennings officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Walnut Valley Cemetery.

He was a retired postal worker having worked in El Dorado for 35 years. He was born June 18, 1897, the son of Charles and Alma Foster and had lived in El Dorado for 62 years.

He married Myrtle Mitchell July 24, 1918 in El Dorado. She died Dec. 12, 1973 and he subsequently married Louise Pummill Aug. 3, 1981. She survives.

He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Newton.

Other survivors include a son, Lloyd, of Ponca City, Okla., four daughters, Ida Mae Waite and Juanita Hawks of El Dorado, Alma Hale of Norman, Okla., and Dorothy Malcolm, of Tulsa, Okla.; a step-daughter, Phyllis Vann of Wichita; three sisters, Zelma Bergen and Velma Pummill of Newton; and Zaida Huston of Yucaipa, Calif., 15 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Lee Foster, and a sister, Anita Locke, both of El Dorado.

A memorial has been established with the Harvey County Heart Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. (El Dorado Times, March 24, 1986)

FREY, LESLIE R.

Leslie R. Frey, 83, of Potwin, died Tuesday, December6, 1988, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Carlsons Colonial Chapel. Burial will follow the service at Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

He was born July 12, 1905 at Burns, the son of Fred and Hulda Gfeller Frey. He was a farmer and had worked at Skelly Refinery where he was the manager of the transportation department. He retired in 1970. He grew up in the Burns area and attended school there. He had lived in Potwin for the past 17 years, moving there from El Dorado. He was a member of the Potwin Golden Age Club and a former member of the Potwin Ladies Club. He married Mary Kathryn Stewart at Burns on April 24, 1926.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, a son, Rex of El Dorado, a daughter, Mary Jo Keller of Houston, Texas, two brothers, Elmer Frey of St. Joseph, Mo., Kenneth Frey of St. Paul, Mn.; one sister, Alice Crane of Wathena; four grandchildren, Mark Frey of El Dorado, Keith Frey of Great Bend, Kenneth Keller of El Dorado and Kathryn Keller of Houston, Texas., three great-grandchildren, Chris and Jeremy Frey of El Dorado and Eris Keller of El Dorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Memorials in memory have been established for the Potwin United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left at the church or at Carlsons Funeral Home where friends may call. (El Dorado Times, December 8, 1988)

Funeral services were held Saturday for Leslie R. Frey, 83, of Potwin at Carlsons Colonial Chapel. Burial followed the service at Walnut Valley Memorial Park. He died Tuesday, December 6, 1988.

The Rev. Larry Ankrom, pastor of the Potwin United Methodist Church officiated the service. The Eden Mennonite Quartette sang "Beyond the Sunset," and "Good Night and Good Morning."

Casket bearers were Chris Frey, Kenneth feller, Keith Frey, Mark Frey, Bill Kehr, Sherwin Ammeter and Larry Winzer.

Honorary bearers were Victor Jost, Kenneth Broyles, Don Whiteside, Francis Grabner, Fred Weber, Jim Hendricks, Mike Kaufman and Stewart McCreight.

Mr. Frey was a farmer and had worked for Skelly Transportation as transportation manager until retiring 1970.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, one son, Rex, of El Dorado, one daughter, Mary Jo Keller of Houston, Texas., two brothers, Elmer of St. Joseph, Mo., Kenneth of St. Paul, Mn., one sister, Alice Crane of Wathena; four grandchildren, Mark Frey of El Dorado, Keith Frey of Great Bend, Kenneth Keller of El Dorado, Katheryn Keller of Houston, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Chris and Jeremy Frey of El Dorado and Erin Keller of El Dorado. (El Dorado Times, December 12, 1988)

HAMILTON, CHARLES C.

Services for Charles C. Hamilton, 70, of 219 South Poplar, who died Jan. 25, were held Friday morning at the Kirby-Morris Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the Walnut Valley Memorial Park Cemetery.

The speaker was Cliff Umbarger and Mrs. H. W. Bullerdiek played organ selections.

Casket bearers were Darryl Ullrich, James Darnell, Lloyd Allen, Richard C. Davis, Charles E. Fry and Roger T. Stoops.(El Dorado Times, January 30, 1978)

HARDWICK, JOYCE G.

Joyce G. (Mrs. Robert E.) Hardwick, 47, of 323 South Orchard, died Thursday morning at St. Joseph Hospital at Wichita.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dietz-Carlson Colonial Chapel with burial in the Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

Mrs. Hardwick was born Aug. 11, 1930, at Great Bend, the daughter of Stanley and Marie Jones Rogers. She was the owner and operator of Man Trap West. She was married to Robert E. Hardwick. The family came to El Dorado in 1950 from the Great Bend area. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the El Dorado Business and Professional Women, the NHCA, the Town and Country EHU, was active in the Skelly Parent-Teacher Organization and had been a member of the Desk and Derrick Club.

Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Stanley of Canton; three daughters, Mrs. Susan Sphar and Mrs. LeaAnn Petersen, both of El Dorado and Jane of the home; her mother, Mrs. Marie Griffith of Stafford, four sisters, Mrs. Doris Ring and Mrs. Lou Girard, both of Stafford, Mrs. Norma Smith of Lamar, Colo., and Mrs. Sharon Burge of Cardington, Ohio, and seven grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father.

A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society. Contributions may be sent to Mrs. Kenneth Fisher, 611 West Ash or left at the Dietz-Carlson Funeral Home. (El Dorado Times, May 25, 1978)

HARRIS, GEORGE R.

George R. Harris, 78, Great Bend, and a former resident of El Dorado, died Tuesday at Great Bend Manor Nursing Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Fryberger Mortuary. Burial will at 3 p.m. Saturday in Walnut Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in El Dorado.

He was born Oct. 19, 1901 in Bonham, Texas and was a retired supervisor for Gas Service Co. He married Mae Gibbs, Sept. 7, 1927 at Claremore, Okla. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. (Bill) Wanda Nelson of Great Bend, and Mrs. John (Lillie) Junk, of Chicago; four sisters, Mrs. Sally Barsh, Mena, Ark., Mrs. Edna Dikeman, Talala, Okla., Mrs. Anna Cummins, Collinsville, Okla., and Mrs. Mildred Curtis, Guymon, Okla., six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Fryberger Mortuary has charge. (El Dorado Times, October 9, 1980)

HASKELL, HELEN V.

Mrs. Helen V. Haskell, 70, of 415 South High, died Monday afternoon at the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Dietz-Carlson Colonial Chapel with burial in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

Mrs. Haskell was born Nov. 1907 at Latham, the daughter of Wesley and Loretta Park Charles. She had worked at the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital and retired in 1970. She moved to El Dorado in 194? from Latham. On April 28, 192? she married Warren Haskell at Winfield and he died February 1964.

She was a member of the Latham Methodist Church, Women of the Moose, College of Regents of the Moose and a past Senior Regent and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Harold of 122 North Washington, and Dale of 1424 Edgemoor; two daughters, Mrs. Marjorie Vittitoe of Westport, Ore., and Mrs. Betty Wiles of Tulsa, Okla., a brother, Keith Charles of El Dorado; 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by her parents and a son.

A memorial has been established with the Cardiac Care Unit at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Contributions may be left at the hospital or at the Dietz-Carlson Funeral Home. (El Dorado Times, Page 7, February 28, 1978)

HILL, EDITH (MRS. PAUL J.)

Services for Mrs. Paul J. Hill (Edith Sherman), 50, who died, unexpectedly Thursday, August 1, at her home, 209 South Atchison, were held at the Dietz-Pittman Funeral Home Monday, the Rev. Fr. John Gilsenan, assistant pastor of St. John's Catholic church, officiating. Mrs. Clarren Butterworth and Mrs. Jack Gordon were the musicians. The casket bearers were Carl Lindbeck of Sterling, Gaines Bell, Wendell Feller, Ralph Muir, Floyd Fulks, Hoyt Green. Honorary bearers were F. G. Shaft of Kingman; John Crumrine, Mark D. White, Gould Randolph, J. M. Johnson, Wayne Shropshire, Lee Winkleman, Pearl Jellison, J. H. Jellison, and Don Irwin. Interment was in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

A member of a pioneer family and possessed of many friends was Mrs. Hill who was born in El Dorado, March 19, 1913 and was highly regarded in this community. She was a daughter of John Claude and Georgia Ellen (Jellison) Sherman, and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Briggs Sherman. Excepting for seventeen years spent in Pratt, Turon, Preston and Burrton, she had spent her life here. She and Mr. Hill were married May 18, 1920 at Newton.

Surviving are Mr. Hill; two sons, Paul J. Hill, Jr., of Wichita, and Gary Lee Hill, 209-1/2 South Atchison; her mother, Mrs. Georgia Sherman, 301 North Residence; a sister and three brothers, Mrs. Harold H. Peal, (Ann) 1101 South Summit, John B. Sherman, 1109 West Olive, W. M. Sherman, 1100 North Taylor, and Levi b. Sherman of Russell; three grandchildren, Marcia Kay, Debra Sue and Brenda Lee Hill of Wichita, an aunt, Mrs. Mary Rennaker, 413 North Gordy, three nephews, Richard Peal, Seattle, Wash.; William R. Peal of Houston, Texas and Levi B. Sherman of Chicago. (El Dorado Times, August 5, 1963)

HUDDLE, MARY E.

Mary E. Huddle, 74, Leon sister of Helen Brown of Augusta, died Sunday at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Christian Church in Leon, Rev. Tony Venturella will officiate and burial will be in the Walnut Valley Memorial Park at El Dorado.

A memorial has been established with the Christian Church in Leon.

She was born Feb. 10, 1909 in DeGraff to G. B. and Elgie Cain Beard.

She married Lester Merle Huddle, Feb. 10, 1928 in Sedan. He preceded her in death in 1965.

Huddle was a lunchroom supervisor for the Leon school district.

Other survivors include daughters, Violet Miller of Mulvane, Lucille Neptune of Wichita, Margaret Quinn of LaCanada, Calif., brothers, Alfred Beard of Sedan, James Beard of Atlanta, sisters, Ruth Crawford of El Dorado, Martha Courtoy of Aurora, Mo., six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Kirby-Morris Funeral Home of El Dorado is in charge of arrangements. (El Dorado Times, January 3, 1984)

Memorial services for Mary E. Huddle, 74, of Leon, were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Leon Christian Church. Burial was in Walnut Valley Memorial Park. She died Sunday, Jan. 1 in Wichita.

Rev. Tony Venturelia officiated. Organist was Mrs. Gladys Jones and singers were Mrs. Arleta Hammer and Mrs. Bette Morris. Musical selections were "Beyond the Sunset," and "Whispering Hope."

Casket bearers were Terry Nixon, Robert Tatum, Jim Linder, Don Jones, Norris Wheeler and John Ades.

Order of the Eastern Star services were conducted by Worthy Matron Lois Westervelt and Worthy Patron Bud Cross.

Kirby Morris Funeral Home was in charge. (El Dorado Times, January 7, 1984)

JOHNSON, CHARLES H.

Services for Charles H. Johnson, 64, of 523 North Denver Street, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Dietz-Pittman Colonial Chapel. Mr. Johnson a mechanic for the State Highway Commission, died Saturday.

A resident of El Dorado since 1918, Mr. Johnson was born in Chase County, April 27, 1091, to Ceressia "Tiny" Bailey at El Dorado. He lived at Elmdale before coming to El Dorado.

Mr. Johnson was a member of the Augusta United Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are the widow: two daughters, Mrs. Dale W. Anderson, Augusta and Mrs. John R. Grabner, Columbus, Ohio; four brothers, William E., Wichita, John F., 111 North Arthur Street, Bert, Thermopolis, Wyo., and Ralph L. Imperial Beach, calif., three sisters, Mrs. G. M. Percell and Mrs. Evelyn Tiller, both of Wichita and Mrs. Eugene Didier Topeka. There are eight grandchildren.

The Rev. William A. Hastings will officiate at the services. Burial will be in Walnut Valley Memorial Park. (El Dorado Times, December 27, 1965)

JONES, ELIZABETH E. "LIZ"

Elizabeth E. "Liz" Jones, 50, died Sunday, August 27, at LakePoint Nursing Center, El Dorado. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Walnut Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, El Dorado.

She was born Sept. 7, 1949 to Walter G. and Wilma G. (Hammond) Moore in Garden City. She was in the United States Army for eight years. She moved to El Dorado 10 years ago from El Paso, Texas.

Survivors include a son, Eric Jones of El Dorado, brothers, Bill, Manford and Dennis Moore, all of El Dorado, and Tom Moore of Hennessey, Okla, and a sister, Wanda Martin of El Dorado. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Vernon Moore.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. (El Dorado Times, August 28, 2000)

JUNKINS, WINNIE C.

Winnie C. Junkins, 70, of 836 North Taylor, died Tuesday at Allen Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Kirby Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

Mrs. Junkins was born Feb. 25, 1905 at Long Lane, Mo., the daughter of George and Amanda Jane Hackler McCoy. She married John E. Junkins on April 19, 1924, in El Dorado. She had lived in El Dorado since 1923 and was a member of the Baptist Church.

Survivors are her husband of the home, a sister, Mrs. Linnie Horner of Fulton, Mo., and a half-brother, V. M. Hackler of Collins, Iowa. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis A. Junkins, a sister, three half-sisters and a half brother.

A memorial has been established in Mrs. Junkins' name with the Kansas Heart Foundation. Contributions may be left at the Walnut Valley State Bank or at the Kirby Funeral Home. (El Dorado Times, Feb. 4, 1976)

Funeral services for Winnie C. Junkins, 70, 836 North Taylor, who died Feb. 3, were held Friday at the Kirby Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

The Rev. Carl Bush officiated and the vocalist, Darryl F. Patten, sang "Precious Lord," and "In the Garden." Mrs. H. W. Bullerdiek ws the accompanist at the organ.

Casket bearers were D. W. Hackler, E. L. Hackler, Harold Snyder, Ronnie Hackler, Tommy Hackler, and Harold Junkins. (El Dorado Times, February 10, 1976)

NITZ, LALLA GARNETT

Lalla Garnett Nitz, 80, 1210 School died yesterday at the Augusta Medical Complex.

Her service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Dunsford Funeral Home. Rev. Richard Axmann will officiate and burial will be in the Walnut Valley Cemetery at El Dorado.

A memorial has been established with the First Baptist Church in Augusta.

She was born May 20, 1901 in Augusta to Stephen D. and Lucy M. Bumgarner Fitzwater.

She married Oscar t. Nitz Feb. 8, 1929 in Wellington. He survivies.

She was a member of First Baptist Church.

Other survivors include a brother, Bill Fitzwater of Grenola and two sisters, Mary Reinhart of El Dorado and Mildred Potter of Wichita. Two brothers, Emmett Fitzwater and Ray Fitzwater, preceded her in death. (Augusta Gazette, November 3, 1981)

PETERSON, WRITA (MRS. E. H.)

Writa May (Mrs. (E. H.) Peterson, 89, of Towanda, died Thursday afternoon at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dietz-Carlson Colonial Chapel with burial in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

Mrs. Peterson was born May 25, 1890, at Shelby, Mo., the daughter of Benjamin and Laura Bailey McGhee. She married Eric Herman Peterson Oct. 16, 1926, at El Dorado and they moved to Towanda 19 years ago. Mrs. Peterson was a member of the Church of Christ at Shelby, Mo., Ladies of the Moose and the Cities Service Retirees Club.

Survivors include her husband of the home, two daughters, Vivian DeWoody of Grove, Okla., and Velma Hale of Stroud, Okla., two sisters, Roxie Finney of Purdin, Mo., and Winona Gooch of Meadville, Mo., five grandchildren, 1? great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and two sisters. (Augusta Gazette, June 15, 1979)

REINHART, SHIRLEY A.

Shirley A. Reinhart, of El Dorado, passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2006 at her home. Services are 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006 at the Towanda United Methodist Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Walnut Valley Cemetery in El Dorado.

Kirby-Morris Funeral Home is assisting the family with these arrangements. (El Dorado Times, January 18, 2006)

VALLINDINGHAM, HAZEL

Hazel Vallandingham, 70, 329 N. gordy died Tuesday at the Halstead Hospital.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Kirby Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Walnut Valley Memorial Park.

Mrs. Vallandingham was born Dec. 27, 1904 in Neosho, Mo., the daughter of George and Hattie Uhles Paul. She married Clayton Vallandingham Dec. 31, 19833 in Kansas City, Missouri. He survives her.

She had lived in El Dorado since 1919 graduating from El Dorado High School in 1924. She was bookkeeper and sales woman at Eaton's Style Shop, and a member of the First United Methodist Church.

In addition to her husband, Clayton, she is survived by one brother, Maurice Paul of 329 N. Gordy. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. (Augusta Gazette, Sept. 25, 1975)

VAN MIDDLESWORTH, MINNIE M. (MRS. HUGH R)

Mrs. Hugh R. (Minnie M.) Van Middlesworth, 80, of Newton, died Sunday evening at Halstead Hospital after a long illness. She had been a longtime resident of El Dorado.

She was born Jan. 11, 1895 at Augusta and married Mr. Van Middlesworth at Augusta on July 12, 1916. He died in 1971. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of El Dorado. She moved from here to Newton in 1971.

Surviving are two sons, H. R. (Dick) Van Middlesworth, Beaver, Okla., and K. dean Van Middlesworth, Orlando, Fla., a daughter, M. A. H. Allan (M. Charlene Mattrix) Mills of Newton; three brothers, Harold Lietzke, El Dorado, Donald Lietzke, Augusta and Virgil Lietzke, Carson, Calif., a sister, Mrs. Beulah Anderson, Wichita, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Draper-Cannon Funeral Home at Newton with the Rev. John W. Jones, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Newton officiating.

Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. at Walnut Valley Cemetery in El Dorado. A memorial has been established for the Hertzler Research Foundation at Halstead through the Draper-Cannon Funeral Home. (Augusta Gazette, Sept. 15, 1975)

DOCKUM, VELMA VARNER

Mrs. Velma Varner Dockum, 45, died Wednesday May 30, 1956, afternoon at her home, 40 Stratford Road, after an illness of three years.

She was the wife of Robert B. Dockum, president of the Dockum Rexall Drug Co.

Bom July 1, 1910, in Augusta, she had been a resident of the Wichita area most of her life.

She attended grade school and high school in Augusta and later was a student at the University of Kansas. She was married to Robert B.Dockum in April 1934.

Mrs. Dockum was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, the Junior League of Wichita, Inc., and PEO. She also was a member of Pi Beta Phi, national social sorority, becoming affiliated with the group while attending the University of Kansas.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Judy of the home, and Mrs. John Trombold of Kansas City, Mo., and two brothers, Ralph Varner of Winfield and Cecil Varner of Augusta.

Services for Mrs. Dockum will be held at 2:30 p. m. Friday from, St. James Episcopal Church with the Rev. Daniel Jackson officiating. Pallbearers will be Robert Howse, Kenneth Fitch,John Butts, Granville Tierney, James Klepper, Jack D. Pottenger, and Virgil Browne. Burial will be in Highland Mausoleum.

Gill Mortuary is in charge of services.
(The Wichita Beacon ~ submitted by Marland Boucher)