Patricia Mae “Pat” Garren, 84, Oskaloosa, died April 22, 2008, at the Jefferson County Geriatric Center in Winchester. She was born Nov. 29, 1923, at Oskaloosa, the daughter of William Frank and Madge Marie Cord Vendel.

She was a lifelong resident of Oskaloosa and a 1942 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. She married Turner LaVere “Bill” Garren June 14, 1942. He preceded her in death May 27, 1991.

Mrs. Garren worked at Kansas Aluminum Inc. and at Garren’s Grocery, both in Oskaloosa. She was a member of the Oskaloosa United Methodist Church and was active in the Marys and Marthas church group. She was a past-president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 36 in Oskaloosa.

She is survived by one son, Bruce Garren, Wichita; two grandsons; and five great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Fox.

Funeral services were April 25 at Oskaloosa United Methodist Church. Burial was at Pleasant View Cemetery, Oskaloosa. Memorials can be made to the Oskaloosa United Methodist Church or to the Jefferson County Home Health and Hospice in care of the Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, 66066.

Vivian Stansell

Vivian L. Stansell, 81, rural Winchester, died April 27, 2008, at the Specialty Select Hospital of Topeka. She was born April 25, 1927, in Quinter, the daughter of Glenn Wesley and Hazel Helen Earley Miller.

She was a 1945 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. She retired after many years of service as a teller at the State Bank of Oskaloosa.

She married Dee Stansell Jan. 30, 1946. He preceded her in death Jan. 30, 2001. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Jo Frazier, Springfield, Mo., and one brother, G. Wesley “Wes” Miller, Chandler, Ariz.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Oskaloosa. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to services at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Reformed Presbyterian Cemetery in Winchester. Memorials can be made to the Jefferson County Friends of Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, 66066.

Wilbur Ray

Wilbur L. Ray, 90, Lawrence, died April 25, 2008, at the Hickory Pointe Care Center in Oskaloosa. He was born Feb. 1, 1918, at Oskaloosa, the son Benjamin Harrison and Margaret Hartman Ray.

Mr. Ray was a glass installer for the Kennedy Glass Company and had also worked at the James Radiator Shop and was a custodian at the First United Methodist Church, all in Lawrence.

He married Evelyn Smith. They divorced. He married Meredith P. Tate and she preceded him in death Sept. 8, 1986. Survivors include four daughters, Barbara Lemon, Bonner Springs, Beverly Craig, Sharon Guthrie and Carolyn Ray, all of Lawrence; one brother, Alfred Ray, Topeka; one sister, Hazel Coffman, Ottawa; 24 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by four sons, David Ray, Eldon Ray, Steven Ray, and Robert Ray; one daughter, Meredith Ann Norcross; four grandchildren; three brothers, Johnny Ray, Melvin Ray, and Howard Ray; and a sister, Dorothy Higgins.

Graveside services were April 30 at the Reformed Presbyterian Cemetery in Winchester. Memorials can be made to Jefferson County Hospice and sent in care of the Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, 66066.

Imogene Higley

Charlotte Imogene Higley, 90, Nortonville, died April 28, 2008, at her home. She was born July 15, 1917, in Farmington, the daughter of James Henry and Edna Myrtle Hartman Wright.

She attended schools in Farmington. Imogene and William Johnson Higley Jr. were married April 20, 1935, in Leavenworth. He preceded her in death Dec. 31, 1990. She had worked for Weishaar Grocery and as a cook for Rosdahl’s Restaurant, both in Nortonville. She was a member of the Nortonville Pleasant Grove Christian Church where she taught Sunday school and Bible school for over 30 years. She was a member of the ladies aide of the church and helped coordinate funeral dinners for many years. She and her husband served as custodians of the church. She volunteered at the Nortonville Clothing Bank, Meals on Wheels, and had been the supervising judge for the election board.

Survivors include three sons, Jim Higley and Mike Higley, both of Nortonville, and Gene Higley, Topeka; one daughter, Judy Lehew, Topeka; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister, Esther Schrader.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, at the Nortonville Pleasant Grove Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Nortonville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pleasant Grove Christian Church.

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