Name of Deceased: Mary Eldean Cruse                                            Age: 79

Date of Death: August 20, 2013

Place of Death: Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas

Date of Birth: October 24, 1933 at St. Rose Hospital, Great Bend, Kansas

Parents Name: John & Dora (Helfrich) Heinz

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Married Eugene Wilbur “Gene” Cruse May 5, 1954 at Ellinwood, Kansas.  He died July 18, 1999.

She was a proof operator at Security State Bank and American State Bank.

Mrs. Cruse was a long-time Barton County resident.

She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Altar Society, and Daughters of Isabella. She was an avid five-point pitch and pinochle player and loved spending time with family. She was a volunteer for Barton County Historical Society and Meals on Wheels.

SURVIVORS

Five children: Sharon A. Harms and her husband Herbert of Great Bend, KS; David E. Cruse and his wife Jane of Great Bend, KS; Annette M. Merlau of Hoisington, KS; Dorothy S. Smith and her husband Roger of Milton, WV; and Maurice A. Cruse of Colorado Springs, CO

Daughter-in-law: Colleen Cruse of Colorado Springs, CO

One Brother: Gale Heinz and his wife Janice of Great Bend, KS

Fifteen Grandchildren: Andrew Harms, Kara Harms, Katy Harms, Sara Cruse, Emily Cruse, Daphne Stalcup and husband Barry, Evan Merlau and wife Jami, Alaina Gibbens and husband Allen, Erin Burton and husband Eric, Patrick Smith, Ian Smith, Hannah Osborne and husband Jordan, Amy Smith, Rex Cruse, and Veronica Cruse

Five Step Grandchildren: Kelsey Ward, Rick Walker, Tim Walker, Charlie Walker, Andy Walker

Twelve Great-grandchildren

Several Step Great-Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by one grandson, Ryan Merlau.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Altar Society Rosary:  4:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Vigil Service with Daughters of Isabella Rosary: 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend

Celebrant:  Father Don Bedore

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2013at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Golden Belt Humane Society or Holy Family School, 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

Name of Deceased: Marcellene Marie McDonold                        Age: 99

Date of Death: August 14, 2013

Place of Death: Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, Kansas

Date of Birth: October 24, 1913 at Barnard, Kansas

Parents Name: Harris L. & Anna M. (Hunter) Hart

OBITUARY INFORMATION

Mrs. McDonold was a graduate of Barnard High School, attended Kansas Wesleyan College and earned her undergraduate degree from Sterling College and her Masters degree from Fort Hays State University.

Married Andrew Cameron McDonold March 12, 1936 at Lincoln, Kansas.  He died November 24, 1964.

Moving to Great Bend in 1960 coming from Ellinwood, Kansas, she was a third grade elementary teacher with USD 355 for thirty-five years before retiring in 1983.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, KNEA, Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of Eastern Star and Barton County Association of Retired School Personnel. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed needlepoint.

SURVIVORS

one daughter: Donna K. Evers and her husband David L. of Great Bend, KS

Seven Grandchildren: Randall Pryor and his wife Eva of Enid, OK; Kristie Pryor of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; David Evers II and his wife Betty of Great Bend, KS; Darla Edwards and her fiancé Joe Saindon of Great Bend, KS; Nancy Jansen and her husband Mike of Fort Worth, TX; DiAnne Rome and her husband Mark of Salina, KS; Danielle Rowe and her husband Bobby of San Antonio, TX

Great-grandchildren: Twelve

Great-great-grandchildren:  Seven

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Rebecca Ann Pryor Ward; one grandson, Rodger Pryor; and one brother, Dr. John Hart and his wife Mary Helen.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Saturday, August 17, 2013

Time of Service: 10:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: The Reverend William F. Johnson

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: Golden Belt Humane Society or Anna Hart Memorial Scholarship at Kansas Wesleyan College, 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

Name of Deceased: Glenn E. Opie                                                       Age: 87

Date of Death: August 11, 2013 at Olathe, Kansas

Date of Birth: April 11, 1926 at Great Bend, Kansas

Glenn Opie, lifelong resident of Great Bend, died August 11, 2013, in Olathe, Kansas, after a brief hospitalization for a heart related illness.

He was born April 11, 1926 to Edward and Olive Agnes (White) Opie, and was a graduate of the Great Bend Senior High School class of 1944.  He went on to serve in World War II as a radio operator aboard the USS Meade DD 602.  He returned from the war and received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, followed by his J.D. from KU Law School in 1954.  Glenn then returned to his hometown where he was extremely active in the community and practiced law for his entire life.

He was a member and past president of the Barton County Bar Association and the Kansas Bar Association, where he served for 19 years on the Public Information Committee with11 of these as its chairman.  He earned the KBA President’s “Outstanding Service Award,” and during his career was admitted to the Bar and to practice at the Unites States District Court, the Kansas Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.

He was an Explorer Scout Leader for Troop 110, served on the school board for USD 428 for 14 years and the Great Bend City Council for 2 years.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees and sang in the choir for over 50 years.  Throughout the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s he served as Executive Director of the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps,  culminating in three national championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973.  Most recently he served as the Chairman for the Jack Kilby Memorial Plaza honoring Great Bend’s own 2000 Nobel laureate in physics.

Glenn’s investment in his community has been acknowledged in the form of several awards.  He received the Great Bend Jaycees “Distinguished Service Award” for community service, the Kiwanis Club’s “Make Great Bend Greater” Award, is a member of the “GBHS Hall of Fame”, and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce “Community Award of Honor for Outstanding Service” for his work on Jack Kilby Plaza.   He was an avid runner throughout his life well into his 80’s, and also carried a great compassion for animals, especially his dogs!  Glenn loved Great Bend!

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Sandra, his sons: Harlan and wife Katherine Opie of Olathe, Kansas; and Robin and wife Jennifer Opie of Lafayette, Colorado; his grandchildren, Tristan and Eden Opie of Olathe Kansas; and Logan and Bennett Opie of Lafayette, Colorado.  He was predeceased by his sister Helen (Opie) Conner.

Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2013 at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Lennie Maxwell officiating.  Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 15, 2013 and from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Friday, August 16, 2013, all at Bryant Funeral Home.  Memorials are requested to the Glenn Opie Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.