Obits for Butler County, Kansas Genealogy Trails

BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

OBITUARIES

BARKER, WILLIAM ELMER

William Elmer Barker, 622 Park avenue, died July 20, 1946 at his home after an illness of six weeks. He was born September 11, 1881, near Sabetha, Kansas. On March 2, 1902 he married Maggie Catt at Potwin. He lived in Kansas most of his life and in El Dorado about four years. He was engaged in farming.

Surviving Mr. Barker are his widow; four daughters, Nola Howery, Whitewater, Cleo Blackburn, El Droado, Ellen Hull, Topeka and Maxine Heyman, Gothenburg, Nebraska, four sons, Lewis A. Barker, Rosalia; Victor Barker, Rosalia; Charles W. barker, El Dorado and Delbut Barker, El Dorado; five sisters and three brothers.

Services were held Monday afternoon at the Arnold Kirby Funeral Home and later at the Furley Methodist Church with the Rev. Nelson Nice officiating. Interment was in the Green Valley Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, no date was given)

BLASS, JOHN W.

John W. Blass, of Midian, died at Buffalo, Missouri, February 24, 1946. He was born at Colony, Kansas August 10, 1870. Death was caused by an auto accident.

Surviving are his widow, five daughters, one son and eleven grandchildren.

Services were helda t the Byrd Funeral Home in El Dorado Friday morning, the Rev. A P. Henthorn of the Church of Christ officiating. The body was taken to Braman, Okla.,, for interment in the Plainview cemetery, where the I. O. O. F. lodge had a service at the grave. (El Dorado Times, March 1, 1946)

BRIGHT, GUY GILBERT

Funeral services for Guy Gilbert Bright, 64, former Towanda resident who died Sunday at Scott City, Kansas, were held Tuesday afternoon at the Towanda Methodist Church. Rev. Walter K. Kirk officiated and burial was in the Towanda Cemetery.

Mr. Bright wsa a heavy machine operator and lived most of his life in Towanda, having moved to Wichita three years ago.

Survivors are three sisters, Mrs. Maude Weeks, Estherville, Iowa, Mrs. Mabel Monroe, Augusta and Mrs. Clara Bauer, Kinglsey, Iowa; and two brothers, Harry of Carthage, Missouri and James L. of Woodburn, Oregon. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, September 9, 1954, page 1)

BROWN, FRANK M.

Funeral services for Frank M. Brown, 71, 630 North Topeka, El Dorado, who died Tuesday, were held this morning at the First Christian Church in El Dorado with Rev. Clayton W. Hildebrand officiating.

Burial was made in the Economy Cemetery with the Kirby Funeral Home in charge. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 22, 1954, page 1)

BUCK, CLAYTON

Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Gray recently received news of the tragic death of Mrs. Gray's 13 year old nephew, Clayton Buck. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Buck of Kit Carson, Colorado. Clayton was working in the field with his father, filling a tractor with gasoline when it exploded. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, June 17, 1954, page 1)

CHASE, EDWIN RAINS

Funeral services for Edwin R. Chase, who died Tuesday, May 4, 1954, were held Thursday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Potwin, with Rev. Clinton M. Thomas, pastor in charge.

Edwin Rains Chase the son of Reverend John Earl and Mae Littell Chase, was born July 19, 1906 in North Bend, Nebraska, and died suddenly Tuesday, May 4, 1954, from coronary thrombosis.

When he was a small boy his parents moved to Texas where he grew to manhood and received his education. At Colorado City, he met and married Virginia Thomson on July 23, 1932 at Carlsbad, New Mexico. To this union were born three sons, Eddie Austin Chase, now in the Armed Service, stationed at Guam, Robert J. Chase also in the Air Corps stationed at Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado and John Earl of the home, who together with his wife survive him. Other surviving relatives are his parents, Rev. J. E. and Mrs. Chase of Bronson, Missouri, one sister, Mrs. Myra Sanders of Stown, Texas, three brothers, J. W. Chase of Bronson, Missouri, John Earl Chase, Jr. of Bronson, Missouri and L. T. Chase of Whittier, California. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 6, 1954, page 1)

CHURCH, ROLLIN L.

Rollin L. Church, 58, 720 South Star an independent oil promoter died here Friday afternoon following a three year illness.

Services will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Dietz Pittman Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. O. Ray Cook, pastor of the First Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Lawns Cemetery.

Born on April 26, 1901 at Clarks, Mo. Mr. Church came to El Dorado in 1920. He later resided in California, Missouri, and Nebraska before returning to El Dorado in 1935.

He married Melvina Phoebe Sockdale here on Sept. 27, 1922. She survives.

Mr. Church was a member of the Methodist Church. He also held an associate membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Other survivors are three sons, Orville A. Newton, Maynard L. Route 2, El Dorado and Rollan L. Jr. 508 South Star, three daughters, Mrs. Roy Osborne, 1525 Park Avenue, Mrs. Bell Lehr, 1500 Edgemoor Drive and Mrs. David Paul, 916 Orient.

A son, Corproal Thomas Vernon Church was killed in action on IWO Jima Feb. 27, 1945 while serving with the United States Marine Corps. His parents, three sisters and six brothers also preceded him in death. (El Dorado Times, March 12, 1960)

CLIFTON, ARTHUR ROY

Arthur Roy Clifton, Route 4, El Dorado, died at his home Tuesday, July 16, 1946, following a heart attack. He was born at Esben, Kansas in 1896 and married Louanna Kay at Yates Center in 1917. Before coming to El Dorado. Mr. Clifton was a resident of Balckwell, Oklahoma and Neosho Falls, Kansas. He worked here as an employee of the El Dorado Refining Company.
Surviving are his widow, three children, Mrs. E. F. Thompson, Wichita; Eugene Clifton, El Dorado and William Clifton, Dorrance; three grandchildren and his mother Mrs. Ida Beasley of Lowell, Arkansas.

Services were held Thursday at the Byrd Funeral Home, the Rev. George Hendrixson, minister of education of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Interment was in Sunset Lawns Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, July 19, 1946)

COPELAND, GEORGE H.

George H. Copeland, age 90, died early Wednesday morning, April 28, at his home in Winfield following a long illness. He had been bedfast for the past six months.

Mr. Copeland, the father of V. C. Copeland of El Dorado, came to the Towanda community in 1935 from Bucklin, Kansas, residing here until the spring of 1945, at which time he moved to Winfield.

Funeral services will be held this Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the Swiser Mortuary in Winfield. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, April 29, 1954, page 1)

COX, JOHN H.

Funeral services for John H. Cox, 61, Towanda, killed Tuesday in a car accident, north of El Dorado, will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Byrd Funeral Home in El Dorado. Rev. John Jones, pastor of the Towanda Congregational Church will officiate. Burial will be made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, June 17, 1954, page 1)

DEWAR, STELLA

Al Conley received a message last night stating that his sister, Mrs. Stella Dewar, died yesterday at Stockton, Calif. The body will be brought to El Dorado for burial. Her two sons, George and J. H. Dewar were with her. Her third child, a daughter, Mrs. Ellen Baker, lives south of El Dorado. Mrs. Dewar was a resident of El Dorado many years and her friends will be deeply grieved to learn of her death, which was due to apoplexy. (El Dorado Times, September 30, 1921)

DITSON, EARL

Mrs. Ed Haase of Benton received word of the death of her brother, Earl Ditson of Dodge City, Kansas. Mr. Ditson died Monday night of a heart attack. He was a veteran of World War I. Funeral services were held Thursday of this week at Dodge City. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, June 3, 1954, page 1)

DURNIL, MRS. CLEO L.

Mrs. Cleo L. Durnil, 55, of Wichita, former resident of Whitewater, died Wednesday evening at the St. Francis Hospital following a long illness.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday morning at 10:30 at the Byrd Snodgrass Chapel in Wichita and burial in the Wichita Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Durnil was a member of the Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church at Wichita. She was a daughter of the late George W. Coffman. She was born October 21, 1898 in Whitewater, and moved to Wichita in 1919. She was married in 1921 to Warder R. Durnil who survives.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Dolores Bean and husband James of Benton and other relatives. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 27, 1954, page 1)

DUNSMOOR, PAGE

Graveside services for Page Dunsmoor, of 1115 Clark, were held Tuesday morning at Sunset Lawns Cemetery. Burial followed the services. Mr. Dunsmoor died Saturday, August 13.

The Rev. Harold E. Kieler pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiated at the services.

Mr. Dunsmoor is survived by his wife, Elsie, of the home; a son, Bruce Dunsmoor and his wife, Ethel, El Dorado; two sisters, Fleda Beavens, Salem, Ore., and Ruth Caywood, Calistoga, Calif.; a sister in law Mrs. Leora Dunsmoor, Coloardo; a granddaughter, Georgiana (Mrs. Robert) Deffner and a great-grandson, Matthew Deffner, both of Maize, and several nieces and nephews.

Carlson Funeral Home was in charge. (El Dorado Times, August 18, 1983)

ENGELS, MATTHEW

The Engels family of Benton have the sympathy of the community in the loss of Mr. Engels' father, Matthew Engels of rural Wichita.

Mr. Engels died at his home Friday of last week. Funeral services were conducted at the Church of Magdalen in Wichita, with interment in the Calvary Cemetery at Wichita. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, April 29, 1954, page 1)

FULLER, NETTA MAE

Netta Mae Fuller, of Midian Kansas died December 2, 1946. She was born at El Dorado December 11, 1932. She was an eighth grade student at the Oil Hill Schools.

Surviving are her parents Mr. and Mrs. O. A. (Gussie) Fuller, and two brothers, Billy and Jackie Fuller, at home.

Services were held at the Arnold Kirby Funeral Home Thursday afternoon, the Rev. L. F. Toburen and the Rev. C. S. Stork officiating. Interment was in Towanda cemetery. (El Dorado Times, December 6, 1946)

GREEN, WILL L.

Funeral services for Will L. Green, of Wichita, were held at Downings Mortuary on Thursday morning, October 28 with Rev. Cowan pastor of the Woodland Methodist Church in Wichita, officiating. Burial was made in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Wichita.

Mr. Green was born in Hancock County, Indiana on December 19, 1865, and died in a Wichita hospital after an illness of several months.

He came to Kansas in a covered wagon when a small boy and spent the early part of his life in Benton Community, moving to Wichita fifty years ago. His wife, the former Ella Wilson, died in 1941.

Mr. Green was employed by the International Harvester Company for many years until his retirement.

Surviving are two sons, Bert of San Antonio, Texas, and Ralph of Dallas, Texas; one granddaughter, Phillys Green of Dallas, and a sister, Mrs. Minnie McCune of Benton. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, October 28, 1954, page 1)

GRIER, MARY E.

Mrs. Mary E. Grier, 74, Andover, Kansas, died Tuesday in the Wesley Hospital.

She was born March 25, 1880, in Kentucky and had been a resident of Andover Community for 52 years. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Survivors are her husband, Ralph H., three daughters, Mrs. Grace Allison, Greenwich, Kans., and Mrs. Vera Bally, Fredonia, Kans., and Mrs. Winifred Stucker, Route 5, Wichita, three sisters, Mrs. Mark Means, Mulvane, Kans., Mrs. Bertha Harvey, Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Anna Coulson, 1431 Otis Street, Wichita, one brother, Henry Shaup, Birmingham, Ala., and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Downing Mortuary in Wichita at 2 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Ray B. Bressler, pastor of the Andover Methodist Church officiating. Burial was made in the Andover Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, December 9, 1954, page 1)

GRIST, MINNIE ALMIRA

Mrs. Minnie Almira Grist, died Friday, July 12, 1946. She was born May 3, 1884 at Neva, Missouri. She was married to Walter W. Grist February 22, 1905 at Bible Grove, Missouri. She had been a resident of El Dorado for 15 years.

Surviving are her husband five sons, Paul J. Grist, Odessa, Mo., John W. Grist, Kansas City, Mo., George E. Grist, El Dorado, Walter R. Grist, Rosalia and Warren W. Grist El Dorado and five daughters, Mrs. Marion Christy, El Dorado, Mrs. Mary Snodgrass, Towanda, Mrs. Anna Ayres, Augusta, Mrs. Winifred Reed, Galveston, Texas and Miss Ruth Grist, El Doardo and 12 garndchildren.

Services were held Monday at the First Methodist Church with Dr. Alvin W. Murray, of the Trinity Methodist Church at Hutchinson, officiating. Interment was in Sunset Lawns Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, July 1946)

HALL, MEDA E.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, December 15 at 2 p.m. at the Palmyra Baptist Church for Meda E. Hall.

Born December 20, 1904 at Kechi, Kansas, Mrs. Hall was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Duncan. She was married to Frank Hall on September 2, 1924 in Wichita, Kansas. The couple spent most of their married life around the Benton and Towanda communities.

Both Meda and Frank joined the Palmyra Baptist Church in the spring of 1926.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Robert Ross, of rural Towanda and Pearl Raymond of rural Benton; two sisters, Mrs. Ben Broers, Kechi, Kansas and Mrs. H. H. Clark of Benton; four brothers, John Duncan, and Charles Duncan of Wichita, Glen Duncan of Benton and Allen Duncan of Valley Center, Kansas and four grandchildren.

Rev. Chester Stork was the officiating minister for the services. Interment in Benton Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, December 16, 1954, page 1)

HIGDON, DOYLE ARTHUR

Funeral services for Doyle Arthur Higdon, 20 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Higdon of Cottage Grove, Oregon, who died Friday, August 13, 1954, at Cottage Grove, was held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Christian Church in Potwin. Burial was in the Douglass Cemetery.

He was born August 3, 1934 at El Dorado, Kans., and for the past five years resided at Cottage Grove.

Survivors are his parents and two sisters, Phyllis Ann and Alberta Sue of the home.

He was a nephew of Mrs. Harold Frerking of Whitewater. His father was formerly County Superintendent of Butler County Schools. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 19, 1954, page 1)

HOLDER, JOHN HENRY

John Henry Holder, died Tuesday, December 28, 1954, at his farm home near Benton. He was born June 6, 1875 in Iowa, and had lived in the Benton Community since 1901.

Survivors are one son, Marion Edward Holder of Benton, two brothers, Jim Holder of Mercer, Missouri and Charlie Holder, of 350-1/2 North Main Street, Wichita, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 31, at Downings Mortuary in Wichita. Rev. L. Fisher will officiate. Interment in the Benton Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, December 30, 1954, page 1)

HOLSEY, EMMA SARAH

Mrs. Emma Sarah Holsey, 77, Benton, Kans., died Thursday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Long of 1824 North Waco Avenue, Wichita, after a long illness.

She was born May 7, 1877 in Cumberland County, Illinois, and moved to Benton with her parents in 1879. Mrs. Holsey was a member of Benton Christian Church.

Besides Mrs. Long, survivors are, another daughter, Mrs. Donald Campbell, 2801 North Mead Ave., Wichita, a son, Clair Holsey, 1516 South Pershing Ave., Wichita, one sister, Mrs. C. E. Shreve, 1701 University Ave., Wichita, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Cochran Mortuary Chapel at Wichita, Saturday, July 3 at 10 a.m. with Rev. John J. Walker, pastor of the Benton Christian Church officiating. Interment was made in the Wichita Park Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 15, 1954, page 1)

HULL, HAZEL ELIZABETH

Mrs. Hazel Elizabeth Hull, 54, Towanda, a lifelong resident of Butler County, died at her home Tuesday, November 2, 1954, after an illness of four years.

Mrs. Hull was born November 8, 1899 at Rosalia and lived in that town until1927 swhen she moved to Towanda, where she had lived since. She married Harold R. Hull on July 31, 1920 at Towanda and Mr. Hull survives. She was a member of the Towanda Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 81, and the Gold Star Mothers.

Survivors other than her husband, are a son, Paul G., Leon, a daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Hartwick, Towanda, two brothers, A. G. Pyle, Towanda and Howard A. Pyle, Wichita and three grandchildren. Another son, Loren was killed in Italy in World War II.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Towanda Methodist Church with Rev. Earl A. Nossaman of Salina and Rev. Phillips Chastain of Towanda officiating. Burial will be made in the Towanda Cemetery. The Byrd Funeral Home of El Dorado in charge. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, November 4, 1954, page 1)

HULL, ROBERT MAC

Robert Mac Hull, 87, Towanda, a retired farmer, died at his home Friday, August 20, 1954. He had lived in Towanda six years and prior to that had farmed three miles northwest of town.

He was born June 13, 1867, at Langsville, Ohio, and was married to Nora E. Frederick on February 7, 1894 at Gallipolis, Ohio. She survives.

Other survivors are three sons, Howard F. of Arkansas City, Kansas, Harold R. of Towanda and Robert W. of Potwin, a daughter, Mrs. Lena L. Lyons of Towanda, a brother, G. G. Hull of St. Petersburg, Florida, 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Four brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held at the Towanda Methodist Church Monday, August 23, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Charles Caulkins officiating. Interment was made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 26, 1954, page 1)

JEFFERSON, LLOYD MR. AND MRS.

Harold Seglem of rural Towanda and his sister, Mrs. John Boyer, of El Dorado, went to Garnet, Kansas last Saturday, where they attended the funeral services of their cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jefferson. The Jefferson's were killed in a car wreck in Oklahoma, which claimed the lives of four other persons. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, November 11, 1954, page 1)

JOHNSON, WILMA L.

Wilma L. Johnson, 62, of Wichita, former Ward Motel manager and sister of Imogene Keys of El Dorado died Friday. Services were scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Bird-Snodgrass Funeral Home.

Survivors include three brothers, Fred Smothers, Lee Smothers, both of Green Forest, Ark., Bill of Harrison, Ark.; sisters, Demoye Roland of Augusta, Eileen Marton of Wichita and Imogene Keys of El Dorado. (El Dorado Times, August 1, 1983)

JOHNSTON, JOHN KAY

Funeral services for John Kay Johnston, 65, former Douglass farmer, were held at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday in the St. James Catholic Church in Augusta, Rev. Leon A. McNeil officiated. Burial was made in the Douglass Cemetery.

Mr. Johnston died Monday night in his home at Elk City, Kansas, after a long illness. He had farmed in the Elk City community for the past seven years. He was born July 6, 1888 at Leon.

The Johnston family lived at Towanda for several years.

Survivors include the widow, Agnes of the home, three sons, John J., Wichita, David, Towanda, and Arthur, Augusta, one daughter, Mrs. Theodora Winters, Reece, and six sisters, including Mrs. Floy Sapp, Douglass. (The Western Butler County Times, May 13, 1954, page 1)

KELLEY, MRS. FRANK

Sympathy of the community is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Virgil McCune and Sharon of rural Benton in the passing of Mrs. Frank Kelley of Gypsum, Kansas.

Mrs. Kelley died Sunday morning, April 25, 1954 after an extended illness. Survivors in addition to Mrs. McCune are, her husband and three sons, and other relatives.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Baptist Church in Canton, Kansas. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, April 29, 1954, page 1)

KNOLES, CARL

Clyde Knoles of Benton, received word of the sudden death of his brother, Carl Knoles, age 85, of Iola, Kansas.

Mr. Knoles died Sunday and the funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon in Iola. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 1, 1954, page 1)

KNOLES, CLYDE JACOB

Clyde Jacob Knoles, was born May 1, 1877 at Springfield, Illinois, and died at his home in Benton, Kansas, November 9, 1954, at the age of 77 years, 6 months and 8 days.

Several years after his mother's death, which occurred when he was three years old, Clyde Knoles and his father moved West and settled near Benton, Kansas, with a sister, the late Mrs. Laura Winegarner. He received formal education in public schools near Benton.

After his marriage May 1, 1902, to Miss Rickie Haase, the couple moved to Benton where they lived in the same residence for 52 years. No children were born to this union. For the past 40 years, Mr. Knoles has been the sexton of the Benton Township cemetery.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Rickie Knoles; two nephews, Jerry Haase, who is serving with the U.S. Air Force in the Philippine Islands, and Irwin McNight from Burbank, Oklahoma, the following nieces, Pauline Haase, Wichita, Louise Holman, Long Beach, Calif., Viola Vogt, Wichita, Aldine Chapman, El Dorado, Dorothy and Hazel Knoles, Iola and Lena McKnight Whorton from Burbank, Okla., (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, November 18, 1954, page 5)

LEE, FRED

Fred Lee, a resident of Elm Creek community for over 30 years, died June 11, 1954, after an illness of one month. He was a farm boss for the Ramsey-Haines Oil Company for many years.

Mr. Lee was born June 10, 1892, at Paloa, and lived in Iola, Kansas for a number of years before moving here in 1917. He was married to Nora Smith at Iola on June 10, 1917.

Survivors include his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Marvel Geddis of Omaha, Nebraska and Mrs. Floyd Zong of 1114 West Olive and two brothers, Raymond of 514 Frazier and Dick Lee of La Cygne, two sisters, Mrs. Nel Brant of 510 South Atchison and Mrs. Carl Hoering of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday at 12 p.m. at the Byrd Funeral Home in El Dorado with the Rev. C. W. Hildebrand, pastor of the First Christian Church officiating. Burial was made in the Sunset Lawns Cemetery in El Dorado. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, June 17, 1954, page 1)

LEWIS, GEORGE S.

George S. Lewis, son of John D. and Tabitha Chaney Lewis, was born in Bates County, Missouri, April 22, 1876 and died June 26,1954 in the Asbury Hospital, Salina, Kanas at the age of 78 years, two months and four days.

In the early 1880's his family moved to Greenwood County, Kansas, settling on a farm ten miles west of Hamilton on Swing Branch, in what is now known as the Cartwright and Heiddleston Community.

He was never married. He became an inmate of the Salina Nursing Home in Salina, Kansas June 22, 1948. His health was very poor for the last two years.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, six brothers, and three sisters. He leaves to brothers, Smith Lewis of Eureka, Kansas and Floyd Lewis of Madison, Kansas; one sister, Mrs. Nora Wilson of Eureka, Kansas, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held from the Baird Funeral Home in Eureka, Kansas, Monday, June 28 at 3:30 p.m. conducted by Rev. R. F. Schaetele. Interment was in the Hamilton (Kansas) Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 1,1954, page 3)

LEWIS, MELVIN HENRY

Melvin Henry Lewis, five month old infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Lewis, of Benton, died at the Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Friday afternoon June 11, 1954.

Survivors are the parents and a brother, Edwin Smith Lewis, Jr., the paternal grandfather, Smith Lewis of Eureka, Kansas, and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sexton of Howard, Kansas.

Graveside services were held at the Eureka Cemetery, Saturday at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Schettle officiating. The Baird Funeral Home of Eureka was in charge. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, June 17, 1954, page 1)

LONGSTRETH, ELSIE MAE

Mrs. Elsie Mae Longstreth, 86, Towanda, died in El Dorado, Monday, August 9, 1954, after a two month illness.

Mrs. Longstreth, was born January 8, 1868 at Gridley, Illinois and came to Kansas at the age of 16. On February 9, 1887 she was married to Melvin E. Longstreth, at the family home in Fairview Township. He died in 1926. She was a member of the Christian Church and for many years attended the Fairview Baptist Church.

Survivors are a son, Lloyd M., Route 1, Towanda; two sisters, Mrs. Harry Flint, Route 4, El Dorado, Mrs. Vietta Belt of El Dorado, a brother, George A. Ruckle of Arkansas City, Kans.; two grandsons and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Fairview Baptist Church with Rev. Seymour Bruce officiating. Burial was in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 9, 1954, page 1)

LOWDERMAN, LAOMA (MRS. WILLIAM)

Mrs. Laoma Lowderman, 128 West First died July 24, 1946 in the Halstead hospital. She was born January 17, 1871 at Frankfurt, Kansas. She lived in Kansas all her life having been a resident of El Dorado for 18 years. She married William M. Lowderman at Wichita August 16, 1938.

Surviving are her husband and one step-daughter Mrs. Kenneth Burgert, 1020 West Fifth.

Services will be held Saturday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Byrd Funeral Home with the Rev. Chester N. Stork, Baptist minister, officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Lawns Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, July 1946)

MARNANE, JAMES

James Marnane, of rural Benton, died Saturday, October 2, 194, in the St. Francis Hospital at Wichita after a months illness.

Mr. Marnane was born at Saratoga, Illinois in May 1879 and with his parents, brothers and sisters, came to Kansas in 1895. His parents purchased the farm southwest of Benton where he lived until last August.

He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mary Culhane Wichita, three brothers, W. F. Marnane, Haverstraw, New York, D. R. Marnane, Wichita and J. L. Marnane, Benton, eight nieces and nephews and ten grandniece and grandnephews.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 10 a.m. St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wichita, with the Rev. Father Ameigh officiating. Burial was made in the Calvary Cemetery in Wichita. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, October 7, 1954, page 1)

MILLER, FRANK E.

Frank E. Miller, of Wichita, died in the St. Francis Hospital at Wichita, Tuesday morning, May 18. He was the father of Mrs. Ruth Doyle, who at one time lived in Towanda and the brother in law of Mrs. Clea McWilliams of Towanda.

Funeral services were held Thursday in Wichita and interment was made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 20, 1954, page 1)

MONTGOMERY, J. T.

Mr. J. T. Montgomery, of Route 4, Wichita, died last Friday morning at the Wesley Hospital at Wichita.

Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Downing Mortuary Chapel at Wichita. Rev. Pierce of the Faith Baptist Church and Ronald Hume of the Andover Methodist Church, officiated.

He was buried in the Andover Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 20, 1954, page 1)

MURREY, SAMUEL R.

Samuel R. Murrey, was born November 15, 1872 near Marshalltown, Iowa, and died October 20, 1954 at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 5 days. He moved to Kansas with his parents in a covered wagon near Grenola at the age of 12 years. Living there two years, the family moved to the farm five miles southwest of Towanda where he lived the rest of his life until he retired.

He married Lacy Corbin October 2, 1890, who preceded him in death in 1947.

Survivors are four daughters, Mrs. Vesta Wike, Augusta, Kansas, Mrs. Louie Priest and Mrs. Ernest Hull, both of Towanda and Mrs. Max Coffman of Benton, Kansas and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Effie Sutter of Wichita, Kansas and Mrs. Lizzie Sutter of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Funeral services were held at the Towanda Methodist Church, October 23, with Rev. P E. Chastain, pastor officiating. Burial was made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, October 28, 1954, page 1)

OLSON WILLIAM HENRY

William Henry Olson of Burns, Kansas, died suddenly of a heart attack Tuesday evening about five o'clock at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Mr. Olson was the stepfather of Mrs. Stacy Bell of Potwin. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, December 9, 1954, page 9)

PARSLEY, JOHN GUY

John Guy Parsley, 76, Benton, died in El Dorado, Tuesday, after an illness of four months. He had been a resident of Butler County since moving to Midian township at the age of seven.

Mr. Parsley was born July 30, 1877 in Sangamon County, Illinois and after moving to Butler County farmed in Midian and Fairview townships. Since 1931, he has lived in Towanda and Benton. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. Number 73 of El Dorado. He was married to Leona Adsit in Texarkana, Arkansas.

Survivors are the widow, a son, Hiram G., Benton, a brother, George of Liberal; two sisters, Mrs. Roy Carlisle, Towanda and Mrs. Lulu Adsit, Wichita, and a grandson.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Byrd Funeral Home in El Dorado. Burial was made in the McGIll Cemetery at Potwin. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 22, 1954, page 1)

RALSTON, RALPH B. JUDGE

The sudden death of Judge Ralph B. Ralston, on Thursday saddened the whole of Butler County. Judge Ralston was born at Towanda and had lived in this county throughout his life. He graduated from El Dorado High Schools, he studied law in private offices, after the fashion of early days and was admitted to the bar. At the age of 25 he became judge of the probate court. Later in his career he was elected state senator.

He was a Mason and a charter member of the Kiwanis Club in this town. He was a staunch Republican. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 19, 1954, page 1)

Funeral services for Judge Ralph B. Ralston, 71, 327 North Atchison, El Dorado, who died Thursday, were held Saturday morning at the First Christian Church in El Dorado with Dr. O. Ray Cook officiating.

Burial was in Towanda Cemetery with committal services by the Towanda Lodge Number 30, A. F. & A. M. Leon Cousland was orator. The Kirby Funeral Home was in charge. Members of the Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis Club, E. M. Club, highway patrol, the El Dorado police department, general board of the Christian Church and courthouse employees attended in groups. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 19, 1954, page 1)

RAYMOND, HARRY LEROY

Memorial services for Harry Leroy Raymond were held Sunday, August 8, 1954, at the Towanda Methodist Church for which he was a member.

He suffered a fatal heart attack at Peru, Nebraska, August 5, 1954, where the family was spending the summer. He was born at Towanda, September 4, 1905, the son of H. L. and Lucretia Raymond.

Dr. O. Ray Cook of the First Methodist Church in El Dorado conducted the services, assisted by Rev. Charles Caulkins of Towanda. Burial was in the Towanda Cemetery.

Surviving are his wife, Hazel, a daughter, Carolyn, and a son, Donald all of the home in El Dorado, a sister, Mrs. Bethel Reed of Winfield, Kansas, a brother, Joe Raymond of Wichita and six nephews. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 19, 1954, page 1)

ROLLINGS, ALICE JANE

Mrs. Alice Jane Rollings, 86, died at 6:25 p.m. Sunday in the Allen Memorial Hospital, EL Dorado. She had resided in Butler County for many years and her home was at 512 North Alleghany in El Dorado.

Mrs. Rollings was born in Clark County, Illinois, October 19, 1867, the daughter of Sarah and David Cherry. She resided in the Towanda and Fairview communities until she moved to El Dorado in 1942.

Mrs. Rollings married Ezra Oren Rollings at Marshall, Illinois, January 25, 1891. He died in 1923. Surviving are two sons, Everett, of Wichita and Edwin of the home; one brother, J. A. Cherry, Wichita, three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a number of nephews and nieces. A daughter died in 1935 and one brother and one sister preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Towanda Congregational Christian Church, with Rev. Ford Bolton of Christian Church, Wichita, officiating. She was a member of the Towanda Christian Church.

Burial was made in the Towanda Cemetery. Dunsford Funeral Home of Augusta was in charge of arrangements. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 6, 1954, page 1)

ROLLINGS, GEORGE COREY

George Corey Rollings, 47, Route 1, El Dorado, died in El Dorado, Friday morning, October 22, 1954, after a four day illness. He had been a Butler County resident all his life, with the exception of 12 years spent in Oklahoma.

He was born in 1907 in Benton township and married to Eva Wilson on November 12, 1933, at Whitewater. Mrs. Rollings survives.

Other survivors are four daughters, Mary Anne, Edith Marie, Esther Ruth and Alice, four sons, George, Jr., Walter E., Herbert W., and Paul P. all of the home, two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Wintermote, 1219 Douglas Road, El Dorado and Mrs. Doris Griffith, 322 North Vine, El Dorado, five brothers, Bill, 627 North Orchard, El Dorado, Francis and Merlin, 625 North Orchard, El Dorado, Charles, Tacoma, Orchard, El Dorado. A daughter died in 1941.

Funeral services were held at the Byrd Funeral Home in El Dorado, Tuesday afternoon, October 26 at 2 o'clock. Burial was made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, October 28, 1954, page 1)

SLAVENS, MRS. ED BOYCE

Mrs. Ed Boyce Slavens, and also known as Mary or May Slavens, was born near Benton, October 23, 1881, and lived there most of her life. She died June 26, 1954 at the home of George Rollins, rural El Dorado where she had made her home since last November.

She was married to Ed Boyce last September. He preceded her in death early in June.

She had no immediate family. Her parents and brother having died several years ago. She had been a member of the Presbyterian Church and Order of the Eastern Star.

Funeral services were held at the Byrd Funeral Home in El Dorado, Tuesday afternoon, with Rev. Clarence Murphy officiating. Burial was made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 1, 1954, page 1)

SMITH, OLIVER JOSEPH

Mrs. Ernest Vosler of Benton received word Saturday evening of the serious illness of her father, Oliver Joseph Smith. Of Severy, Kansas. He died Saturday night in the Eureka (Kansas) Hospital.

Mr. Smith was 73 years of age and had been ill for some time.

Survivors besides the daughter, Mrs. Vosler, include his wife, two other daughters and four sons.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the Byrd Funeral Home in Eureka, Kansas with burial in the Eureka Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 22, 1954, page 1)

SOMERS, JOHN DEAN

Mrs. C. C. Campbell of Benton, received news of the death of four year old John Dean Somers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Somers of Conway Springs, Kansas. Little John Dean died Saturday night in the St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita of Leukemia.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Conway Methodist Church at Conway Springs. Mrs. Somers is a cousin of Mrs. Campbell. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 27, 1954, page 1)

SOWARD, MRS. CHARLES

Mrs. C. L. Green of Midian has received word of the death of Mrs. Charles Soward at Port Angeles, Washington. She was formerly Euseba Hall and was born in Potwin. Mrs. Soward was the aunt of Mrs. Lyn Wheeler of Towanda. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 6, 1954, page 1)

SUMPTER, ANNA

Mrs. Mearle Davis, of Wichita, returned home Monday from Bartlesville, and Pawhuska, Oklahoma where she was called by the death of her grandmother, Mrs. Anna Sumpter. (The Western Butler County Times, Page 1, Thursday, September 30, 1954)

SUMPTER, FRED

Mearle Davis went to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where she attended funeral services for her uncle Fred Sumpter last Tuesday. His home caught fire by an explosion. He was 40 years old. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, May 27, 1954, page 3)

TANNER, MINNIE

Benton, Kans., July 12 - Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Christian Church at Benton for Miss Minnie Tanner, 82, of Benton, who died Sunday in a hospital at Winfield. The Rev. Clayton W. Hildebrand, pastor of the El Dorado Christian Churhc, will officiate and burial will be at Benton. Byrd Funeral Home of EL Dorado is in charge.

Miss Tanner had been in failing health for several years.

She ws born May 16, 1872 in Fulton County, Illinois and moved to Harvey County in 1897. After living in Harvey County for three years she moved to Butler County. She had been a resident of Benton for forty years. Miss Tanner was a member of the Methodist Church. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 15, 1954, page 1)

VARNER, MILTON EMERY

Milton Emery Varner, 87, Route 1, Towanda, died Wednesday, August 4, 1954, after an illness of ten days. He was born September 13, 1866 in Iowa and came to Kansas with his parents in 1871. His father homesteaded in Fairview Township and Mr. Varner lived there until 1928 when he retired and moved to Towanda.

He married Cora F. Washburn in 1891 in El Dorado and she died in 1936. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Florence Pierce, Towanda, and Mrs. Wilma Woods, Burlington, Kansas, a son, Grant Varner, Towanda, a sister, Mrs. Dulcie Cook, Ashland, Kansas, a brother, Frank H. Varner, Burns, Kansas, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. One grandson, Darrell B. Wood is serving with the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, and a second, Ray Varner is with the Army in London, England. Six sisters and a brother preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Friday, at 10 a.m. at the Kirby Funeral Home in El Dorado, with Rev. Seymour Bruce officiating. Burial was in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, August 12, 1954, page 1)

WAGONER, MINNIE B.

Mrs. Minnie B. Wagoner, 82, 424 North Atchison, died in El Dorado, Thursday, September 2, 1954 after an illness of three weeks.

She ws born April 8, 1873, in Burlingame, Kansas and was married to A. D. Wagoner on October 17, 1894 in that town. Mr. Wagoner died in 1943. A member of the Baptist Church Mrs. Wagoner had lived in the Vanora community from 1904 until two years ago when she moved to El Dorado.

Survivors are a daughter Mrs. Ross Wheeler, Towanda, four grandchildren, Mrs. Allen Richey, Towanda, Mrs. Paul G. Hull, Leon, Mrs. Rex V. Milbourn, 701 South Race, El Dorado, and Ross W. Wheeler, LaHabra, California and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Kirby Funeral Home in El Dorado with Rev. John H. Jones pastor of the Towanda Congregational Christian Church officiating. Burial was made in Sunset Lawns Cemetery at El Dorado. (The Butler County Western Times, Thursday, September 9, 1954, page 1)

WAIT, WALTER SIMON

Walter Simon Wait, was born January 1, 1855 in Grundy County, Illinois, and died June 27, 1954 aged 99 years and six months. He was a pioneer of Butler County having moved here with his parents in the fall of 1871, living in the J. R. Meade Indian Trading Post Cabin that winter. The following winter the family moved to the farm, which was homesteaded in the spring of 1871. Mr. Wait was a charter member of the Towanda Methodist Church.

He was married to Luemma Priest in 1876 who preceded him in death in 1916. Four children were born to this union.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Lenora Skadden of Bellflower, California; two grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Towanda Methodist Church, June 29, with Rev. Charles Caulkins, pastor, officiating. Burial was made in the Towanda Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 8, 1954, page 1)

WALLACE, WILLIAM D.

Funeral services for William D. Wallace, native Kansan and brother of four Wichita residents, who died at his home in Murphy, California, Saturday night, July 3, 1954, were held at 3 p.m. at Las Andres, California. Burial was also made there.

Mr. Wallace was born at Benton, Kansas, and spent his early life in that vicinity, later moving to Emporia, Kansas. He was also a former resident of Topeka, Kansas and was affiliated with the Santa Fe offices there for several years.

He was the son of S. D. Wallace, pioneer Presbyterian Minister in Kansas. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a member of Siloam Masonic Lodge No. 225 in Topeka, Kansas.

Surviving are five sisters, Miss Ethel B. Wallace, 3421 East Morris Street, Mrs. A. R. McDermond of 3423 East Morris Street and Mrs. D. G. Byingten of 2004 South Terrace Drive in Wichita, Mrs. E. U. Widick of Fullerton, California; two brothers, S. L. Wallace of Los Angeles, California, and H. C. Wallace of 208 North Ridgwood Drive, Wichita and several nieces and nephews. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, July 15, 1954, page 5.)

WELCH, EDGAR R.

Word was received in Towanda of the death of Edgar R. Welch, 3633 Mossiman, Wichita, about noon today (Wednesday). The Welch's lived in Towanda many years. Mr. and Mrs. Welch at one time owned and operated the Western Butler County Times. They moved to Wichita from Towanda two years ago. Mr. Welch had been ill for the past two months.

Funeral services have not been completed but will probably be held Saturday, November 27, from the Byrd-Snodgrass Funeral Home in Wichita. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, November 25, 1954, page 1)

Friends, Neighbors and business associates gathered at the Byrd Snodgrass Funeral Home in Wichita to pay their last respects, Saturday, November 27 at 2 p.m. The Rev. R. E. Snodgrass pastor of the Central Christian Church of Oklahoma City, Okla., a former pastor and friend officiated. Interment was in the Rose Croix Park of the White Chapel Memorial Gardens at Wichita. Byrd Snodgrass Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.

Edgar Reid Welch, died Wednesday November 24, 1954, after an illness of two months. He had resided in Wichita for several years coming here from Illinois where he was reared.

In 1936 he and Mrs. Welch moved to Towanda, Kansas where Mr. Welch was editor and publisher of the Western Butler County Times. In 1942 he was employed by the Beech Aircraft corporation of Wichita and was still in their employment at the time of his death.

Edar R. Welch and Luella B. Welch, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Welch of Springfield, Illinois, four sisters, Mrs. F. H. Adkins, Mrs. Margaret Blalock, and Mrs. Harry Walsh, all of Springfield, Illinois, four brothers, Harold Welsh and Roger Welch of Springfield, Illinois, Donald Welch of Los Angeles, Calif., and Paul Welch of Atlanta, Georgia. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, December 2, 1954, page 1)

WELLER, MR.

Mr. and Mrs. George Weller and family were called to Greenridge, Missouri because of the death of his father. The elder Mr. Weller died suddenly of a heart attack although he had been in failing health for about eight months. Funeral services were held last Friday at Sedalia, Missouri. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, November 18, 1954, page 1)

WIDICK, MARY E.

Mrs. Mary E. Widick of Potwin died in the Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Monday September 13, 1953. She had lived in Potwin six years, having moved here from Independence after the death of her husband in 1948.

Mrs. Widick was born March 26, 1874 at Winchester, Indiana. She married James E. Widick September 28, 1897. She was a member of the Christian Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Callas of Fort Laramie, Wyoming, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, five sisters, Mrs. Rose Brenner and Mrs. Nettie Snorf of Potwin, and Mrs. Mahala Boyke of Pratt, Kans., three brothers, Ernest Rhoades of El Dorado, Charles Rhoades of Peabody, Kans., and George Rhoades of Potwin.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. at the Potwin Christian Church with Rev. Clinton Thomas officiating. Interment in the Potwin Cemetery. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, September 30, 1954, page 1)

WILSON, LEANN

Leann Wilson, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Wilson, Jr. of Towanda died last Friday morning at a Wichita hospital.

Survivors include the parents, and a sister, Valla Ann, of the home, the paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Wilson, Sr., Towanda, and the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Oda Mason, El Dorado.

Funeral services were held at the Towanda Cemetery Saturady, with Rev. Charles Caulkins of the Towanda Methodist Church, officiating. The Kirby Funeral Home of El Dorado was in charge. (The Western Butler County Times, Thursday, June 10, 1954, page 1)