ELLINWOOD – Marjorie Ann Leech, 68, passed away June 27, 2019, at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood. She was born February 13, 1951 at Great Bend to Robert & Wanda (Brown) Calvert.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Marjorie was a homemaker. She loved to play bingo and spend time with her grandkids.

Survivors include, one son, Travis Leech and one daughter, Robin Leech, both of Great Bend; two brothers, John Calvert and Dennis Calvert, both of Wichita; on sister, Nancy Calvert of Wellington; and three grandchildren, Talin Leech, Jacob Lauber and Avery Leech. She was preceded in death by her parents.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place and services will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Marjorie Leech Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

Huberta Lazelle Eaton, age 92, of Houston, Texas and formerly of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away in Houston, Texas on June 15, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Marion Eaton. Huberta is survived by her son, William Eaton; daughter, Missey Micheletti; and grandson, Matt Micheletti. Services were held in Bellaire, Texas.

A Graveside Committal Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 27, 2019 at Great Bend Cemetery in Great Bend, Kansas. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.

 

Local Arrangements Entrusted To
Charter Funerals
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS 67530
(620) 793-6161

Dateline – Hoisington

Janice LaRue Coker, 88, died June 22, 2019, at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood.  She was born April 16, 1931, in rural Rice County, Kansas, the daughter of Samuel Franklin and Lucy Mathilda (Allinger) Stackhouse.  Janice graduated from Bushton High School in 1949.

On September 4, 1949, she married Kenneth Victor Coker in Bushton. He preceded her in death on September 19, 1972.

A longtime Hoisington resident, Janice was a homemaker, a seamstress for Suburban Cleaners, and the custodian for the First United Methodist Church for 12 years.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.  She also volunteered at Friendship Meals.  Janice loved cooking and canning everything she grew in her garden.  She was an accomplished seamstress, she made clothing and quilts for all of her grandchildren, and also taught them how to sew, crochet, and embroider. She loved spending time with her family, especially the holidays where she would cook a big meal for them.

She is survived by five children; Richard Coker (Deanna) of Hutchinson, Keith Victor Coker of Hoisington, Cheryl Coker of Hutchinson, Rita Lillard (David) of Houston, Texas, and Nancy Shives (Ron) of Hoisington; a sister, Margaret Williams of Welch, Oklahoma; 14 grandchildren, LaMonte Lillard (Crystal), Virginia Lillard (Lewis Nunez), Frank Coker (Debra), Kenny Coker, Carrie Achilles (Martin), Delbert Flanders, Sherry Smith (Garrett), Kayla Curtis (Danny), Landon Coker, Mary Coker, Janice “LaRue” Coker, Candi Coker, Golden Coker, and Darrell Shives (Amber); 34 great grandchilden and 7 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Gerald Ray Coker, brother, Norman Stackhouse, and a brother-in-law, Jack Williams.

Friends may call 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.. Tuesday at the funeral home.  Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Seong Lee presiding.  Burial will follow in Clafin Cemetery, Claflin, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

HOISINGTON – Norman Lee Kimber, 82, passed away June 20, 2019, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. He was born October 16, 1936, at Great Bend to Howard and Genevie (Yahne) Kimber. He married Norma Jean Schmidt June 23, 1956, at Hoisington.

After living in Larned, Pratt and Great Bend, Norman and Jean had resided in Hoisington since 1960. He worked for Exxon Oil Co. as a pumper and roustabout in Kansas, as well as the gas plant in Hennesey, Okla., retiring in 1994. Norman, a 1954 graduate of Great Bend High School, was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 286, both of Hoisington, American Legion Argonne Post 180, V.F.W. Post 3111 and the Elks BPO Lodge 1127, all of Great Bend. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany, earning the rank of Private First Class. He enjoyed square dancing, round dancing, polka dancing, playing cards, dominos, mowing, fishing, bow hunting and golf.  Norman and Jean loved to travel, taking great pride in visiting all 50 of the United States.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Kimber of the home; two daughters, Sherri Kephart and husband Mike of Atlanta, Ga. and Tammi Carpenter and husband Doug of Wichita; two brothers, Russell Kimber and wife Donna of Great Bend and Leo Kimber and wife Kathy of Gladstone, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Jean Kimber of Great Bend; and four granddaughters, Andrea Kephart, Chelsea Kephart, Shelby Carpenter and Ashley Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donald Kimber; one sister, Shirley Bobeck; and one brother-in-law, Roy Bobeck.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2019; 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 24; and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 460 W. 9^th, Hoisington, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Concordia Lutheran Church, with Rev. Gary Wolf presiding. Interment will follow in the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, with Military Rites conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids or Concordia Lutheran Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

 

Dateline – Wichita

August L. “Gus” Thorne was born Dec. 21, 1934, at Great Bend, Kan., and left this world on Dec. 25, 2018.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry A.J. Thorne and Teresa (Redetzke) Thorne. He married Barbara A. Conner on Sept. 25, 1957. She survives. Other survivors include his sons, Brad Thorne of Great Bend, Keith Thorne and Curtis Thorne both of Wichita; grandchildren, Chelsea Murphy of Salina, August D. Thorne of Wichita and Paige Thorne of Denver, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Cameron and Tyler Murphy and Cooper Thorne; sisters, Karolyn McCaslin of Hoisington, Frances (Melvin) Wehmeier of Cheney, and Lyvonne Hull; and several nephews and nieces.

Gus served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954-1957. He lived in Great Bend from 1960-1985. He owned Thorne Janitorial Service and later owned four laundromats called Mr. T’s. In 1985, he moved to Wichita where he owned Tom’s Sewer & Drain Service from 1989-1998, after which his son bought the business. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, but really loved working in his shop.

A graveside inurnment service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at the Hoisington Cemetery, with Rev. Gary Wolf presiding and military honors by the United States Marine Corps.

Memorials may be made to the Ascension Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Dateline – Hoisington

JoAnn Katherine Bieberle, 82, died June 20, 2019, at Country Place Senior Living, Hoisington.  She was born October 13, 1936, in Ellinwood, Kansas, the daughter of Henry and Josephine (Straub) Luebbers.  JoAnn graduated from Claflin High School in 1954.

On June 9, 1958, she married Clarence Bieberle at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington.

A lifetime Barton County resident, JoAnn was a homemaker.  She was a longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society, and a former member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and Altar Society in Dubuque, Kansas. She was a former member of the Daughters of Isabella, and the Clara Barton Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Clarence Bieberle of the home; four daughters, Sandra Demel (Mike), Donna Nett (Dwight), all of Hoisington, Betty Evers (Dave) of Great Bend, and Janel Rugan (Richard) of Claflin; 9 grandchildren, Adam Demel (Corinna), Kiley Demel, Dayona Nett, Dayton Nett, Logan Evers, Hannah Evers, Sydney Rugan, Brady Rugan, and Delaney Rugan; and one great grandchild, Harlow Demel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Norbert & John Luebbers, and five sisters, Beatrice Mooney, Dorothy Mae Bishop, Annette Mall, Louise Schreifels, and Alice Smith.

Friends may call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. with Altar Society Rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday, all at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 24, 2019, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, MSP. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Clara Barton Hospital Foundation or Kindred Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

ELLINWOOD – Judy C. McDonald, 74, passed away June 19, 2019, at Medicalodges of Great Bend. She was born July 9, 1944, at Great Bend to Howard Leon & Murva (Rogers) Klapp. She married Francis Ensminger, Jr. on June 18, 1964. He died in 1969. She later married Gary McDonald on March 7, 1973 at Ellinwood. He survives.

A lifetime Ellinwood resident, Judy was a homemaker. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Ellinwood. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved collecting DVD’s. She especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include, her husband, Gary McDonald of the home; two daughters, Teresa Grubb and husband James of Ellinwood and Christina Rowell and husband Jim of Great Bend; and three grandchildren, Gary Grubb, Judy Grubb, and Emily Rowell. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Francis Ensminger, Jr.; and two sisters, Betty Medlock and Norma Jean Osbon.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood, with Pastor Rick Standlee presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Judy McDonald Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

 

Dateline –Hoisington

Clayton D. Williamson, 84, died June 17, 2019, at Almost Home, Great Bend, Kansas.  He was born April 24, 1935, in Hoisington, Kansas, the son of Ivan Gilbert and Edith Blanche (Hanson) Williamson.

Clayton graduated from Hoisington High School in 1953. He then served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

On March 11, 1960, he married Teddy I. Fennell in Hugo, Oklahoma.

Clayton was a welder in the oil field, owning his own welding service, Willie’s Welding Service and his own sprinkler and fencing company. He later worked  for Epox Poly Fittings for 17 years. He was  a designer and engineer for GeoScope Pro, LLC. Later, he was a driver for both Manweiler and Dove Chevrolet, delivering cars all over the country.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was a trustee and the treasurer for 17 years. Clayton was an ordained minister, and had the great pleasure of officiating for three of his grandchildren’s weddings. He was the co-founder for the Kansas Association of Inventors, helping to write laws, and a co-founder for the United Inventors Association.  Clayton also served as mayor of Hoisington for 15 years.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Teddy I. Williamson of the home; children, Rita Secrest (Dane) of Chautauqua, Oklahoma, Jettie Zoller (Jeff) of Hoisington, Laura Barnard (Brad) of Hoisington, Karla Weeks of Reno, Nevada; sister, Joy Unruh of Kearney, Misouri; 9 grandchildren, Daneil Secrest, Brance Barnard, Ryan Zoller, Breanna Weeks, Matthew Secrest, Blaine Barnard, Brooke Mann, Jonathan Weeks, and Bailey Streit; 10 great grandchildren, Alyssa Secrest, Maddie & Jaylin Kolas, Braelyn Johnson, Chase Secrest, Branson Barnard, Kinlee Secrest, Huntley Streit, Shaylin Barnard and Renley Streit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Ilomay Darner and brother, John Gilbert Williamson.

Friends may sign the book, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Hoisington, with Rev. Seong Lee presiding.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Almost Home, Kans for Kids or GPS Kids Club, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

GREAT BEND – Karen G. Nicholson, 81, passed away June 17, 2019, at Almost Home, Great Bend. She was born January 18, 1938, at Hoisington to Franklin and Velma (Winter) Herthel. She married Bill Nicholson on August 7, 1960, at Hoisington. They later divorced.

A lifetime Hoisington and Great Bend resident, Karen was a teacher for USD 428, retiring in 1998 after 36 years of teaching. Karen was a graduate of Hoisington High School Class of 1956. She attended Kansas State University, where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education and Fort Hays State University, receiving her Master’s of Education degree. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, PEO, Retired Teacher’s Association, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Social Sorority. Karen enjoyed traveling, teaching, her grandchildren, her social groups, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include, one son, Michael Nicholson and wife Tammy of Great Bend; and four grandchildren, Ryan Nicholson, Drew Nicholson, Addy Nicholson, and Ben Nicholson. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Ivan Beetz; one daughter, Becky Nicholson; and one brother, Doug Herthel.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2019, at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with Pastor Morita Truman presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials have been suggested to Almost Home, Inc. or the Becky Nicholson Scholarship/Kans for Kids, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530