Obits for Butler County, Kansas Genealogy Trails

BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

OBITUARIES

ANGLETON, JOAN R. VOORHEES

Joan R. Voorhees Angleton, 38, Route 3, died yesterday at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Her service will be 1:30 tomorrow afternoon at the Broadway Mortuary Chapel in Wichita and burial will be in the Towanda Cemetery.

A memorial has been established with the Kansas Lung Association.

The NCR Corporation personnel analyst was born September 3, 1942 at Winfield as a daughter of Glenn Milton and Lulu Voorhees.

She was the wife of Marvin G. Angleton. He survives.

Other survivors include a son, Marvin G. Jr., of the home; a daughter, Marla Marie, also of the home, her mother, Marie Arthur of Wichita, a brother, Larry Milton Voorhees of Maize and a sister, Glenda Crites of Wichita. (El Dorado Times, June 23, 1981)

BAKER, RUSSELL P.

Russell P. Baker, 92, of EL Dorado, died Saturday evening, Nov. 28, 1992 at Susan B. Allen Hospital. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Towanda Cemetery. The Rev. Stan Seymour will officiate.

He ws born Sept. 26, 1900 in Fairview Township in Butler County to Joseph W. and Hattie Pollock Baker, and spent his life in this area. He was an oil field worker and tool pusher and retired in 1972. On June 18, 1922 he and Velma Ratts were married in El Dorado. He was a former member of the Elks Lodge.

Survivors include wife, Velma, sons, Ercel W., Ralph E., both of El Dorado, daughters, Elnor M. Nace of Towanda, Diane E. Giacomo of Tulsa, brother, Glenn Baker of El Dorado, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren. He was preced in death by his parents, a son, two sisters and two brothers.

Memorials are to Hospice Inc. Carlson Funeral Home has the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, November 30, 1992)

CAMPBELL, MILDRED E. "MIDGE"

Mildred E. "Midge" Campell, 94, of El Dorado, died Sunday at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Carlson Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Towanda Cemetery.

She was born March 31, 1907 to Fred E. and Bertha Hittle Robinson in Lavilla, Iowa. She spent most of her life in the area moving here in her early childhood from Oklahoma. She was a homemaker and had worked at the Towanda State bank from 1960 to 1969.

In 1925, she was married to Fred C. McGahan. He died in May 1960. She later married Harry Campbell in 1962 and he preceded her in death later that year.

Survivors include: a daughter, Norma Johnston and husband David of Wichita, a brother, Fred E. "Tuffy" Robinson of Sacramento, Calif., sisters, Alberta Doan, Mary Webster, and Laverna Essex, all of El Dorado; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Robinson and sisters, Helen Golike and Lucille West.

Memorials may be made to Hospice, In. in care of Carlson Funeral Home, which has the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, June 25, 2001)

CASH, SHIRLEY ANN MARSHALL

Shirley Ann Marshall Cash, of Wichita, passed away Jan. 13, 2006. Services are 1 p.m. Monday, January 16 at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. Rev. Tom Scott of Countryside Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Towanda Cemetery, Towanda.

A beloved Christian wife and mother. Shirley was born May 15, 1937, in Towanda, to John and Erma Marshall.

Survivors include: beloved husband George; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Raven Cash of Winter Park, Colo., brothers, Dale Marshall of Benton and Merlin Marshall of Wichita, sisters, Sharon Marshall of Renton, Wash., and Marilyn Marshall Knisal of El Dorado; along with several nieces and nephews.

Shirley will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and brother, Gene Marshall.

A memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202. (El Dorado times, January 16, 2006)

COCHRAN-HOLSCHER, WILLARD O. "BILLIE"

Willard O. "Bille" Cochran-Holscher, 83, formerly of Towanda, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 7, 1994 at the Augusta Medical Complex. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Carlson Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Towanda Cemetery.

She was born March 9, 1911 in Basil, the daughter of James and Evelyn Gene Ball Morris and lived most of her life in the Towanda area. She was a homemaker and a housekeeper for several people in the area.

On Nov. 15, 1928 she and John Cochran were married. He died Feb. 27, 1953. On march 8, 1957 she and Edgar L. Holscher were married. He died May 29, 1986.

Survivors include: sister, Carol Nichols of Wichita; stepson, Gerold Holscher of Emporia. (El Dorado Times, December 7, 1994)

CORBIN, FERN

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Dunsford chapel for Mrs. Fern Corbin, 80, 1506 Parklane, who died Tuesday at the Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado. The Rev. Vernon White will conduct the services. Interment will be in the Towanda cemetery.

Mrs. Fern Corbin was born south of Towanda on Feb. 25, 1887, the daughter of Eugene and Ida (Rhea) Fulton. She was married to James Richard Corbin on the home farm south of Towanda on Nov. 18,1908.

Her husband preceded her in death on Oct. 29, 1966. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Forpahl of Augusta, Mrs. Genevieve Reschler of Ponca City, Okla., Mrs. Margaret Morris of Augusta, Mrs. Harriette Young of Boulder, Colo., and Mrs. Janet Markley of Augusta, a son, Leslie Corbin of Towanda, a brother, Claude Fuller of Wichita; two sisters, Miss Ina E. Fuller and Mrs. Beth Lyon, both of Wichita, 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Corbin lived in this area during her entire life time. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Augusta H. D. U. She was active in church work and belonged to the Friendly Philthea Class. (El Dorado Times, Nov. 9, 1967)

Augusta - Services for Mrs. Fern Corbin, 80, who died Tuesday, were held today at Dunsford Funeral Home. Burial was in Towanda.

Born in Towanda, she came here after her husband died last year. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son, Leslie, Towanda, five daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Forpahl, Mrs. Margaret Morris, and Mrs. Janet Markley, all of Augusta, Mrs. Genevieve Renschler, Ponca City, Okla., and Mrs. Harriet Young, Boulder, Colo., a brother, Claude Fulton, Wichita and two sisters, Miss Ina Fulton and Mrs. Beth Lyon, both of Wichita. (El Dorado Times)

DAVIS, MARY ANN

Funeral rites for Mrs. Mary Ann Davis, 85, of Towanda, who died here Friday, were held Monday afternoon at the Towanda Methodist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Ernest Clark, pastor of the Fairview Baptist Church.

Glen R. Lehman, Jr., sang "Beyond the Sunset," and "Going Down the Valley." Mrs. Glen R. Lehman, Sr., was the organist.

Serving as pallbearers were Diew Edmiston, Otto Koester, Raymond Ray, Sid, Nace, Harold Seglem and Harry Mosier.

Interment was made in Towanda cemetery.

The Kirby Funeral Home was in charge. (El Dorado Times, June 18, 1963)

FAULKNER, ESTHER. L. "Tinger"

Esther L. "Tinger" Faulkner, 75, of El Dorado, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006 at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Carlson Funeral Home. Private burial will be in Towanda Cemetery.

Esther was born April 13, 1930, in Denton, Texas, the daughter of Clifford and Clara (Green) Faulkner. She had spent the last 45 years in El Dorado and was a caregiver for Ethel Hammer for several years.

Survivors include: sisters, Faye Ramsey of El Dorado, Ruby McNair of Towanda and Doris Chastain of El Dorado; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial in her memory has been established with the American Heart Association. Contributions may be left with Carlson Funeral Home, which is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Friends may call on Sunday afternoon and all day Monday. (El Dorado Times, February 21, 2006)

GIBBS, FAYE ELLEN

Faye Ellen Gibbs, 75, of Towanda passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, 2006 at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. A Celebration of Faye's Life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 21 at the Benton Christian Church in Benton. Interment will follow at Towanda Cemetery.

Faye was born April 27, 1930, in Cove Creek, Ark., the daughter of Alexander and Mary Rebecca (Reese) Smith. She grew up and attended schools in Cove Creek. She ws united in marriage to Hollis R. Gibbs Sr. on Dec. 29, 1947 in Fayetteville, Ark. They made their home in Cove Creek until 1949, when they moved to Rogers, Ark. In 1951, Faye and Hollis moved to Towanda, where their home has been ever since. She was a loving wife, dedicated mother and a devoted homemaker. Faye was a member of the Benton Christian Church. Faye loved to spend her extra time quilting, working in her flower and vegetable garden, canning garden goods and whipping up a meal from scratch.

Her surviving family include her husband of 58 years, Hollis of the home; two sons, Hollis Gibbs Jr. of Wichita and Larry Gibbs of Towanda, four daughters, Betty Mousel of Cheyenne Wells, Colo., Dale Swigert of Pleasant Hope, Mo., and Mary Little and Della LaFever both of Towanda; 16 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and three sisters.

A memorial has been established with the Benton Christian Church. Contributions and condolences may be left with Kirby Morris Funeral Home, which is assisting the family with these arrangements. (El Dorado Times, January 20, 2006)

HORTON, MRS. GEORGE

Mrs. George Horton, 76, Towanda, died Friday at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, El Dorado, Kan.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Fairview Baptist Church. Burial will be in Towanda Cemetery.

She was born at Smith Center, Kan., and came here in 1908 from Bloomington, Neb. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church.

Survivors include her widower; two sons, George, of the home; and Clarence, Electra, Tex., and a daughter, Mrs. Maynard Lemly, Gridley, Kan.

Dietz-Pittman Funeral Home, El Dorado has charge. (The Wichita Eagle, Saturday, January 21, 1967)

OVERTON, THOMAS D.

Thomas D. Overton, 92, formerly of Towanda and El Dorado, died Monday evening, Dec. 10, 1990 at the Neodesha Nursing Home. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Carlson Funeral Home with burial following in the Towanda Cemetery.

Mr. Overton was born May 14, 1898 at Carutherville, Mo., to Thomas D. and Anna Lula Reed Overton. He moved to El Dorado in 1920 and had also lived in Oil Hill and Towanda.

He worked in the oil fields as a driller, pumper and tool dresser for Cities Service Oil Company, retiring in 1963. He was a member of the Towanda Lodge No. 30 AF&AM, a life member of the VFW in Neodesha, and was instrumental in organizing the local O. C. A. W.

He served as an infantryman in the First Infantry Division from 1917 to 1919. He was part of the first American division to see combat. On July 17, 1918 he was wounded. After recovering he participated in one of the greatest battles of the war, the Meuse Argonne and was cited for gallantry. He returned home Sept. 17, 1919 with the First Infantry Division, "The Big Red One."

Mr. Overton received three of five battle clasps, three Bronze Stars, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

On Oct. 18, 1919 he and Thelma L. Slankard were married in Blytheville, Ark. She preceded him in death July 22, 1973.

Survivors include three sons, Hollis of Towanda, Thomas Jr. of Ponca City, Okla., daughters, Joy Rogers of Neodesha, Patsy Galyen of El Dorado, Julia Mae Ashby, of Blytheville, Ark., eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren.

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

A memorial has been established with the American Diabetes Association. Carlson Funeral Home has the arrangements. Masonic services will be conducted at the funeral home by Towanda City Lodge No. 30. (El Dorado Times, December 12, 1990)

PURSELL, VIOLA F.

Viola F. Pursell, 73, of Towanda, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006 at the home of her son in Towanda. Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Carlson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Towanda Cemetery.

She was born April 23, 1932, in Texline, Texas, the daughter of Pete and Adina (Smith) Ratzloff. Viola had lived in this area since 1950 and was a homemaker.

Survivors include sons, Bob Pursell of Paola and Steve Pursell and his wife Connie of Towanda, brother, Perry Ratzloff and his wife Irene of Marion; sisters, Loreen Ratzloff of Halstead and Nadine Ratzloff of Moundridge; sister-in-law Bonnie Ratzloff, three grandchildren, Angie Pursell, Tracey Oliver and her husband James and Nicole Lacy and her husband Naron, and three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Baylee and Wyatt.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Chet.

Friends may call at Carlson Funeral Home who is assisting the family with the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, February 21, 2006)

SMITH, BERRY L.

Berry L. Smith, 28, of 110 S. Orchard, died Friday, June 26, 1987 at St. Francis Regional Medical center in Wichita. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Carlsons Colonial Chapel. Burial will follow the services in the Towanda Cemetery.

Berry was born Sept. 8, 1958 in Arkansas City, the son of Bobby Ray and Donna Parry Smith. In 1966 he came to Towanda and he moved to El Dorado seven years ago. He was a member of the Towanda United Methodist Church of Christ. He worked as a roustabout for Cities Service.

He married Sondra Bannon on June 12, 1987 in El Dorado. She survives.

Other survivors include one son, Tyler Smith of El Dorado; his parents, Bob and Donna Smith of Towanda; three brothers, Bob Smith, Jr., of Rosalia, Bill Smith of Towanda, and Benny Smith of Plainville; and his grandmother, Nellie Parry of Douglass.

Memorials to terramara Inc., may be left at Carlsons Funeral Home, where friends may call. (El Dorado Times, June 27, 1987)

Services for Berry L. Smith, 28, of El Dorado, were held Monday morning at Carlson's Colonial Chapel. Burial followed in the Towanda Cemetery. He died Friday, June 26, 1987.

Reverend Alan Holtz officiated at the services. Reverend Fred Houston officiated at the cemetery. Mrs. Marge Marsh at the organ, played the prelude and postlude. Mrs. Kay Burden sang, "How Great Thou Art," and "God Will take Care of You."

Casket bearers were George Greer, Greg Greer, Danny Gooding, Mike Frickey, Chuch Call, and Clay Mitchell. Honorary bearers were Scott Baker, Neil Schwemmer, Russ Sanders, Charles Silvers and Jim Manchego. (El Dorado Times, June 30, 1987)

SMITH, BOBBY RAY SR.

Bobby Ray Smith Sr., 71, of Towanda, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006 at his home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at Towanda United Methodist Church of Christ. Interment will follow in Towanda Cemetery.

He was born Dec. 17, 1934, in Bastrop, Texas, the son of Linson and Emma (Thompson) Smith. On Dec. 29, 1952, Bobby and Donna Parry were united in marriage in El Dorado. In 1968, they moved to Towanda, where they have made their home since. He worked in the oil fields as a pulling unit operator at the time of his retirement. He attended Towanda United Methodist Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Donna, of the home, three sons, Bob Smith, Jr., of El Dorado, Bill Smith, of Towanda and Benny Smith of Augusta; a brother, Zane Smith of Barstow, Calif., a sister, Margie Clay of Neosho Falls, Ka., 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents a son, Berry, three brothers, and three sisters.

Memorials in his memory for the Towanda Recreation Department may be left at Carlson Funeral Home, which is assisting the family with the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, January 20, 2006)

STRAW, HERSCHEL

Services for the Rev. Herschel Straw, 65, of Earlton, Kans., who died at Chanute, Saturday, December 21, 1963, were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 24, at Evangelical United Brethren church, Chanute. Burial was in Towanda Cemetery.

He was a retired EUB minister and was acting postmaster at Earlton. He was born June 14, 1898 in Towanda and was a veteran of World War I.

Survivors include his widow, Lillie; two sons, Herschel F., Huntsville, Ala., and Paul D., San Antonio, Texas., a daughter, Mrs. Maxine Shaffstall, Scottsdale, Ariz., a sister, Mrs. Ada Worthington, Wichita; two brothers, Cecil, Wichita and Floyd, Benton, Kans., two half-sisters, Mrs. Laverna Berner and Mrs. Katherine Hollis, both of Augusta an ten grandchildren. (El Dorado Times, December 26, 1963)

STRINGER, JIM

Jim Stringer, for the past 13 years, a resident of rural Towanda, died Sunday morning at his home. He was 59 years old.

Mr. Stringer was employed by Towanda township maintenance department.

He moved to Towanda in 1951 from Wichita where he had lived for 31 years. He had also lived in Oklahoma.

He was born Dec. 20, 1904 at Oakwood, Okla. He and Caroetta Humphrey were married Dec. 24, 1922 at Wichita.

Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Jack O., Mins., Fla., Don C. and James E. both of Houston, Tex., two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Harris and Mrs. Beverly Woodson both of Wichita; two brothers, W. W. Stringer, of Wichita and Charles Stringer, Oakwood, Okla., 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Towanda Methodist church. The Rev. John Sterling pastor will officiate. Interment will be in the Towanda Cemetery.

The Dietz-Pittman Funeral Home is in charge of the services. (El Dorado Times, Febuary 17, 1964)

Final rites for Jim Stringer, 59, of Towanda, who died Sunday, were held this morning at the Towanda Methodist Church.

The Rev. John Sterling, pastor, officiated.

Mrs. Stacy Riney at the organ accompanied Mrs. Joe Johnson who sang "Nearer My God To Thee," and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Casket bearers include George Weller, Jonathan Sommers, Hugh Heatherington, George Stewart, Roy Wait and S. O. Wright, Jr.

Interment was in the Towanda cemetery.

The Dietz-Pittman Funeral Home was in charge of the services. (El Dorado Times, February 19, 1964)

SUTCLIFFE, KATE LAMER

The death of Mrs. Kate Lamer Sutcliffe, 901 South Denver Street, occurred Wednesday morning. Mrs. Sutcliffe was the mother of Mrs. Maurice Carter of El Dorado and also is survived by a step-daughter Miss Gertrude Sutcliffe of San Mateo, California; a sister, and a brother, Mrs. Ruby Walters of Kansas City, Mo., and Guy Lamer of Iola.

For years Mrs. Sutcliffe has been one of El Dorado's most revered residents, and active in the First Presbyterian Church. She was born August 23, 1871, at Lindsborg and was married to Dr. John S. Sutcliffe October 25, 1908 at Cottonwood Falls. Dr. Sutcliffe's death occurred in 1938, shortly after the family moved to El Dorado.

Services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Kirby Funeral Home, the Rev. James F. Clark officiating. Interment will be in the Towanda Cemetery. (Butler County News, April 7, 1960)

WILSON, HARRY W. SR.

Funeral rites for Harry W. Wilson, Sr., 76, prominent Towanda Oil Company executive and stockman who died Friday at Wichita, were conducted Tuesday afternoon in the Kirby Funeral Home chapel by the Rev. John A. Sterling, pastor of the Towanda Methodist Church.

At the organ, Mrs. H. W. Bullerdiek played "Sometime We'll Understand."

Casket bearers were R. P. Baker, Lyman Nace, Otis Nace, Marshall Hoy, Edward L. Geymann and W. I. Greenwell.

Interment was made at the Towanda Cemetery.

Obituary information published July 12 contained a misstatement of fact. Mr. Wilson's marriage to Vena Mae Hamilton took place on Dec. 4, 1912, not in 1915, as The Times was informed earlier. (El Dorado Times, July 19, 1967)