Vernon H. Newell, 87, Valley Falls, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, at Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Hospital in Topeka.

He was born Oct. 23, 1920, northeast of Oskaloosa, the son of James C. and Frances Alice Turner Newell. He had operated the Sunset Drive-in Restaurant at Valley Falls. He had also worked at the Lawrence Paper Co. and the Sunflower Ordnance Plant. He worked in housing construction and had farmed northwest of Oskaloosa.

He was a member of Lakeview Faith Chapel at Holton and a lifetime member of Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Vernon served in the U.S. Army in World War II in North Africa and Italy where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals.

He married Lena M. Clanin Jan. 30, 1950, at Oskaloosa. She died Dec. 1, 2004. Three brothers, Omer Newell, James Newell, and Val Newell also preceded him in death. Survivors include a son, John Newell, Tallahassee, Fla.; two daughters, Mary Engel, Lawrence, and Joanne Graves, Holton; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Services were Jan. 3 at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Burial, with military honors by Grahem-Herbers VFW Post 3084, were in the Fairview Cemetery northwest of Oskaloosa. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fairview Cemetery Association and sent in care of the funeral Home, 810 Broadway, Valley Falls 66088.

Louise Knapp

Louise Hollis Knapp, 63, Winchester, died Dec. 30, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

She was born July 10, 1944, at Richmond, Va., the daughter of Elmer Hollis and Lois Marie Collins Jeffries. She had lived in Winchester many years. Mrs. Knapp was a homemaker.

She was married to Lewis Frank Knapp Jr. at Texarkana, Texas. He preceded her in death Aug. 20, 2000. Survivors include her companion, Austin Dinger, Topeka; one son, David Lloyd Anderson, Lawrence; four daughters, Anita Acuna, Topeka, Felecia Murphy, Winchester, and Lois Marie Knapp and Maurica Schmidling, both Lawrence; one brother, Richard Jeffries; four sisters, Lois Hewitt, Juanita Meyer, and Sheila Eaton , all of Valley Falls, and Roberta Heneck, Lawrence; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Jan. 5 at the Winchester-Wise Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the organization of the donor’s choice and sent in care of Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, 66066.

Helen Hamm

A memorial Mass for Helen Hamm, 73, Perry, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Perry. Inurnment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Perry.

Mrs. Hamm died Dec. 15, 2007, at the Hospice Care Center in Port Orange, Fla. She was born Jan. 6, 1934, at Perry, the daughter of Thomas and Agnes Bleske Quinlan and was a lifelong resident of the Perry area. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Perry.

Survivors include her husband, Gary, of 53 years; four sons, Rod Hamm, Brad Hamm, Lil’ Gary Hamm, and Jeremy Hamm; daughter, Moni Gray; a brother, Bud Quinlan, Grantville; two sisters, Rita Higgins, Topeka, and Ann Hurd, Perry; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild on the way. She was preceded in death by a son, Jeff Hamm; two brothers, Tom J. Quinlan and Gerald F. Quinlan; and five sisters, Sarah Steinmetz, Mary Lemon, Theresa Gideon, Barbara Feaman, and Sheila Watson.

Memorials can be made to the Jefferson County Humane Society and sent in care of Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, 66066.

Frederic Southiere

Frederic C. Southiere, 82, Macon, Ga., died Jan. 4, 2008, at the Medical Center of Central Georgia.

He was born Dec. 21,1925, in Holyoke, Mass., the son of Claude and Lillian Gangon Southiere. He was employed in the banking industry for over 40 years. He started as a teller and ended his career as president and CEO of Dirigo Bank and Trust in Augusta, Maine.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II, past president of the Augusta Rotary Club, member of the BPOE Elks, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Estelle Bisogno Southiere; four children, Diane Collins, Blue Ridge, Ga., Frederic Southiere, Macon, Vincent Southiere, Oskaloosa, and Richard Southiere, Winthrop, Maine; seven grandchildren; and three great-grand children.

Services were private. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of one’s choice.

Mildred Vanderslice

A graveside service for Mildred M. Vanderslice, 72, Lawrence, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Oskaloosa.

She died Jan. 5, 2008, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Vanderslice was born Sept. 9, 1935, in Gardner, the daughter of Clyde E. and Anna B. Hutton Trout. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include three sons, Ross West, Gravois Mills, Mo., Robert West, Goodland, and Roy Vanderslice, Lawrence; three daughters, Michelle West, Seneca, Lisa Vondruska, Las Vegas, and Marie Kennedy, Versailles, Mo; numerous grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Rhonda Neighbors and Lynda Creviston.

Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, Lawrence.

Joseph Pospisil

Joseph F. “Joe” Pospisil, 67, Worthington, Minn., died at his home Jan. 3, 2008.

He was the owner of Worthington Truck & Trailer. He was raised in Winchester and graduated from Winchester Rural High School in 1958.

Surviving are his wife, Carol, of Worthington; three sons, Kevin Pospisil and Craig Pospisil, both Worthington, and Keith Pospisil, Lakeville, Minn.; a sister, Mary Welch, Leavenworth; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services were Jan. 5 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington. Burial was at the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the church’s elevator fund, Sanford Hospice, or the American Cancer Society. Benson Funeral Home, Worthington, was in charge of arrangements.

Glen Hochard

Glen S. Hochard, 72, Tonganoxie, died Jan. 5, 2008, at the Providence Medical Center, Kansas City.

He was born Jan. 11, 1935, the son of Clarence and Anna Miller Hochard. He worked as a supervisor for Griffin Wheel Co., Kansas City, and was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church, Basehor.

He married Maxine Ronnebaum May 29, 1954, in Corning. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three sons, Roger Hochard and Kevin Hochard, both of Oskaloosa, and Rick Hochard, McLouth; two brothers, Clarence Hochard Jr., Kansas City, Wayne Hochard, Wetmore, and Maurice Hochard, Topeka; five sisters, Rose Mary Haug and Teresa Rethman, both of Corning, Irene Donahy, Frankfort, Rita Smutney, Hoyt, and Patti Smith, Topeka; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services were Jan. 8 at the Holy Angels Catholic Church, Basehor. Burial was in Hubbel Hill Cemetery, Tonganoxie. The family suggests memorials to the American Diabetes Foundation and sent in care of Quisenberry Funeral Home, Box 993, Tonganoxie, 66086.

Scott Klausman

Scott Klausman, 50, Topeka, died Dec. 29, 2007, at his home.

He was born Feb. 3, 1957 in Wisconsin, the son of A.J. and Donna Klausman. He grew up in Valley Falls and attended Valley Falls schools. He had an extensive career in medical and residential sales. He was administrator of the Valley Health Care Center in Valley Falls for approximately 10 years, leaving in 1996.

He married Peggy Cummings Sept. 15, 1988. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his parents, A.J. Klausman, Huntington Beach, Calif., and Donna Klausman, Kansas City, Mo.; stepchildren, Joshua Ricketts and Nicole Obregon; a brother, Jim Klausman, Topeka; a sister, Tamara Klausman-Nijsse, Smithville, Mo.; and two step-granddaughters.

Services were Jan. 2 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, Topeka. Inurnment will be at the Easton Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., 66608.

Jeanette Rightmeier Hysom

Jeanette Rightmeier Hysom, 60, Concordia, died Dec. 27, 2007, at the Salina Regional Health Center.

She was born Nov. 8, 1947, at Chester, Neb., the daughter of Leon and Bonnie Kadave Rightmeier. She lived most of her life in Ellsworth, moving recently to Concordia. She was a registered nurse and had been employed by the Ellsworth County Health Department. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Ellsworth where she had belonged to the United Methodist Women and the choir.

Survivors include her parents of Concordia; three daughters, Amy Belden, Mulvane, Beth Strandbert, Las Vegas, and Cheri Buchanan, Kansas City, Mo.; a brother, Eldon Rightmeier, Meriden; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services were Dec. 31 at the United Methodist Church in Ellsworth. Interment was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Montrose. Memorials can be made to the church or the National Kidney Foundation. Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, was in charge of arrangements.

Geraldine Peak

Geraldine P. Peak, 88, Leonardville, died Jan. 2 at the Leonardville Nursing Home.

She was born June 29, 1919, at Grinnell, Iowa, the daughter of Lewis and Garnet Davis Sampson. She was a homemaker and had been a secretary with DeKalb Agresearch in Topeka. She was a member of the Crestview United Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star.

She married Hugh Robert Peak March 31, 1939, at Grinnell. He preceded her in death Jan. 30, 1999. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Carroll Sampson, Lynn Sampson and Gerald Sampson, and a sister, Genevieve Sampson. She is survived by four daughters, Sarah Grahlman, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paulette Kulp, Leonardville, Roberta Kellogg, Grantville, and Martha Hennager, Ames, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Private services were held Jan. 5 at the Walsburg Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Walsburg Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Crestview United Methodist Church in Topeka. The Holmes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, Riley, was in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Sanford

Patricia M. Sanford, 60, Ozawkie, died Jan. 4, 2008. She was born Nov. 14, 1947, at Olympia, Wash., the daughter of Elmo M. and Rita M. Seeley Brown.

She married Byron L. Sanford Dec. 4, 1982, at Juneau, Alaska. He survives at the home. Also surviving are a son, Thomas L. Sanford, Lawrence; four step-children, Stephen H. Sanford, Anchorage, Alaska, Robert L. Sanford, Costa Rica, Rebecca D. Huffman, Topeka, and Jennifer L. Larson, Ozawkie; three grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters; her mother of Camp Verde, Ariz.; and 10 siblings.

Services were Jan. 8 at the Rock Creek Bible Church. Burial was at Meriden Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the church or to the organization of the donor’s choice and sent in care of the Barnett-Chapel Oaks Meriden Chapel, P.O. Box 331, Meriden, 66512.

Edna Platt

Edna Ann Platt, 89, Ozawkie, died Jan. 4, 2008, at a Topeka hospital after a brief illness.

She was born June 9, 1918, at Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary Pyrc Tryszczyla.

She married Cecil Platt Dec. 28, 1947, at New Castle, Neb. He preceded her in death April 14, 1977. The couple lived in Iowa and Topeka before moving to a farm near Meriden in 1948, where they owned and operated a dairy farm for many years.

She is survived by a sister, Rose Moe, Ozawkie. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John Tryszczyla and Stanley Tryszczyla, and three sisters, Mary Van Gleder, Tille Stanek, and Stella Harebeck.

Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 9 at St. Aloysius Church, Meriden. Burial was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Duluth. Memorials can be made to the church and sent in care of Barnett-Chapel Oaks Meriden Chapel, P.O. Box 331, Meriden, 66512.

Lorena Rose Utz

Lorena Rose Utz, 98, Valley Falls, died Jan. 4, 2008, at the Jefferson County Memorial Geriatric Center in Winchester.

She was born April 14, 1909, at Ozawkie, the daughter of Arthur Elbert and Eva Pearl Rose Utz. She graduated from Valley Falls High school in 1927, attended Emporia State Teacher’s College, and graduated from Washburn University in 1970.

Miss Utz taught rural schools in Jefferson County at Peters Creek, Fairview, and Rock Creek. She was teaching fourth grade at Jefferson West Elementary School at Ozawkie when she retired in 1974.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Glen Utz, in May 1997 and her sister, Iva Mae Tholl, in July 2003. Survivors include a cousin, Leona Jean Rossell, Girard, Ohio; nephews, Bob Tholl and Don Tholl, both of Orion, Ill.; and a niece, Judy Olson, Andover, Ill.

Private graveside services were at the Valley Falls Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Jefferson County Emergency Medical Service, District 11, and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, 810 Broadway, Valley Falls, 66088.

Eunice Petesch

Eunice E. Petesch, 78, died Jan. 5, 2008, at Lexington Park Nursing Home, Topeka.

She was born on March 2, 1929, in Topeka, the daughter of Charles C., and Ida Marie Meyer Casto. She grew up with a family of 14 brothers and sisters.

She married Andrew Henry Petesch Oct. 19, 1949. The couple farmed near Meriden. Mr. Petesch died 2002. Mrs. Petesch worked in women’s sales at Ray Beers and Crosby department stores in Topeka. She was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Meriden. Survivors include two children, Pamela FitzGerald, Topeka, and Vincent Petesch, Meriden; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Glenn Casto of Colorado, and Dale Casto, Topeka; two sisters, Wilma Adams, Topeka, and Darlene Van Pykerine of California. She was preceded in death by numerous brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were Jan. 9 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, Topeka, with burial at Meriden Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be given to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 615 E. Wyandotte St., Meriden, 66512.

Pauline Craft

Pauline Alberta “Polly” Craft died Jan. 1 at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington, Ky.

She was born in Topeka Sept. 14, 1916, to Sinclair and Prudence Tillson.

She had been a cashier at the Kansas Power & Light Co. for 15 years. She also worked at the former Craft Liquor Store in Valley Falls. During her past 10 years, she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease.

Survivors include a son, Charles L. Craft, Valley Falls; a daughter, Sandra F. Gladfelter, Lexington; two sisters, Celia Barfield and Dorothy Drever; four grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis F. Craft; and twin sister, Frances Delberta Harrold.

A memorial service was held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Topeka, Jan. 7. Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 800 S. Limestone St., Lexington, 40536-0230.

Daniel Falley

Daniel Falley, 55, Topeka, died Jan. 6, 2008, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born May 10, 1952, in Topeka, the son of Frederck and Elsie Gilbert Falley. He was an avid guitar player and taught music.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Falley, Topeka; four sisters, Colleen Wallisch, Hoyt, Sharon Thomas and Donna Adams, both of Meriden, and Nancy Shaw, Ozawkie; and one grandchild.

Memorial services will be held at Davidson Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dan Falley Memorial Fund and sent in care of the funeral home.

Obituaries Archive