Name of Deceased:Bette M. BillingerAge: 96

Date of Death: February 28, 2013

Place of Death: Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas

Date of Birth: July 30, 1916

Parents Name: Fred & Alice Alt

OBITUARY INFORMATION

She married the love of her life, Edmund Raymond Billinger, on April 11, 1942 at Tacoma, Washington. He died October 23, 2011.

She was a Registered Nurse, working both in hospitals and private practices in the Denver area, until her retirement.

Mrs. Billinger was a Hoisington, Kansas resident since 2011, living at Country Place Living, coming from Denver, Colorado.

SURVIVORS

Three sisters-in-law: Clementine Shives of Hoisington, KS

Barbara Knoll of Derby, KS

Rosalie Fabricius of Great Bend, KS

She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews

SERVICE INFORMATION

Graveside Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Golden Belt Memorial Park, Great Bend

Inurnment: Golden Belt Memorial Park, Great Bend, Kansas at a later date

Officiant: Father Reginald Urban

Visitation: None as cremation has taken place

Memorial Fund: Clara Barton Foundation or Country Place Living Activity 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

Name of Deceased: Melvina Mary Francis                                       Age: 85

Date of Death: June 10, 2013

Place of Death: Catholic Care Center, Bel Aire, Kansas

Date of Birth: February 7, 1928 at Liebenthal, Kansas

Parents Name: Adam & Mary (Gaube) Kreutzer

 

OBITUARY INFORMATION

 

Married Thaine “T. C.” Francis September 14, 1948 at Great Bend, Kansas. 

She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Francis was a Great Bend, Kansas resident for 48 years.

She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

 

SURVIVORS

 

Husband: Thaine “T. C.” Francis of Wichita, KS

Two Sons: Dale Francis and his wife Barbara of Houston, TX

                    John Francis and his wife Nancy of Great Bend, KS

One Daughter: Renee Hawes of Haysville, KS

One Brother: George Kreutzer of Dallas, TX

Nine Grandchildren: Joshua Francis, Nicholas Francis, Jordan Schupbach, Brandon Hawes, Ashley Hawes, Candace Hawes, Katelynn Hawes, Leslie Francis, and Morgan Francis

Seven great-grandchildren

 

She was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Aaron Hawes; four brothers, John Kreutzer, Joe Kreutzer, James Kreutzer, and Tony Kreutzer; and four sisters, Geneva Sweetman, Clara Sweetman, Mary McMullen, and Frances Denning.

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

 

Altar Society Rosary:  4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Vigil Service with Rosary: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2013 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend

Celebrant: Father Reginald A. Urban

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund:  Holy Family School Endowment 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

Name of Deceased: Michael Wayne “Smiley” Kirkman                                Age: 62

Date of Death: June 7, 2013

Place of Death: At home in Midwest City, Oklahoma

Date of Birth: November 6, 1950 at Great Bend, Kansas

Parents Name: Wayne & Carolyn (Nowles) Kirkman

 

OBITUARY INFORMATION

 

He married Gail Broadbooks on August 12, 1972 at Great Bend, Kansas.  They later divorced.

He was an oilfield salesman for W. L. Kirkman, Inc., until his retirement.

Mr. Kirkman was a longtime Great Bend and Pratt resident living in Midwest City for three years.

 

SURVIVORS

 

Three Daughters: Heather McFann of Rozel, KS; Jennifer Kirkman of Houston, TX; and Leslie Kirkman of Wichita, KS

One Sister: Kathy Herman of Great Bend, KS

Four Grandchildren: Alexis Kent, Hunter McFann, Blake Kirkman, and Bryli Brown

Dog:  Radar

 

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

 

Funeral Service: Friday, June 14, 2013

Time of Service: 10:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home

Officiant: The William F. Johnson

Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas

Visitation:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Michael Wayne Kirkman 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    (620) 793-3525

               Jane Anne (Fisher) Engleman, 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Lawrence, Kan., June 6, 2013. She was born September 17, 1920 in Wichita Falls, Texas, daughter of William L. and Valeria Belle (Astin) Fisher.  She married the love of her life, Dale Engleman on November 21, 1944 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He died October 17, 2005.

Moving to Pasadena, Calif., at an early age, she attended elementary and junior high school and Pasadena Playhouse School of Theater. Later she moved to Hollywood, Calif., where she graduated from Hollywood High School and Los Angeles City College Theater Academy, with classes from UCLA.

She was active in theatre, working with Al Woods Productions, Domino Theatre, and was under contract at Columbia Studios. During World War II she was employed at Lockheed Aircraft Company.

Jane and Dale moved to Great Bend, Kan., in 1947 from Hollywood.  She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, where she taught Sunday school and served on many church committees including ministry and staff parish.  She was also a longtime faithful attendee of First Christian Church, Great Bend.   She was also a substitute teacher at Great Bend High School.  She was a winner of NBC’s “Most Beautiful Voice in America” in 1957 and was elected to “Who’s Who of American Women”.  She was integral in Great Bend Community Theatre, serving on the board of directors, acting and directing.

In the 1960’s and 1970’s, she was Women’s Program Director at KVGB Radio Station in Great Bend.   After moving to Lawrence, Kan., in 2009, she was involved with the Lawrence Community Theatre and Vintage Players.

She was a lifetime Golden Girl member of PEO Chapter FS, Athenian Club, Bloomer Girls, and various other clubs and organizations.  Survivors include two sons: Mark Engleman and his wife Janet Smalter and Steve Engleman, both of Lawrence, KS; and two grandchildren: Sam Engleman and Megan Engleman.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Scott T. Engleman, and sister Marguerite (Fisher) Kolp.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence.  Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2013 at First Christian Church, Great Bend, with the Reverend William F. Johnson officiating.  Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home.  Memorials are requested to the Scott Tucker Engleman Memorial Loan Fund, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family and the obituary viewed atwww.bryantfh.net

Name of Deceased: John Baker                                                              Age: 85

Date of Death: June 2, 2013

Place of Death: Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Great Bend, Kansas

Date of Birth: September 11, 1927 at Wichita, Kansas

Parents Name: Oscar & Lottie (Frasier) Baker

 

OBITUARY INFORMATION

He was a graduate of El Dorado High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from Butler Community College.  He later pursued and obtained a Bachelor and Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University

He married Marlene Asbury August 11, 1955 at Tulsa, Oklahoma.  They later divorced and he married Dolores P. White Runquist May 24, 1997 at Great Bend, Kansas. 

He was a high school and college athletic coach, starting his career in St. John, KS where he coached various sports.  He then continued his coaching career at Shawnee Mission West, Baker University, and Pershing College, where he served as the athletic director, coached basketball, and initiated the soccer program. He later was associated with the Development Office of the Martin Luther Home, Beatrice, Nebraska, and then was appointed as the Director of the Madonna Foundation, Lincoln, Nebraska.  He retired as the Alumni Endowment Director at Oklahoma City University in 1980. 

He was a United States Navy veteran, serving during World War II. 

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge #1127, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111, and American Legion Argonne Post 180, and former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles all of Great Bend.

 

SURVIVORS

Wife: Dolores P. Baker, of the home

Two Sons: Tony Baker and his wife Kathleen of Lawrence, KS; and Mike Baker and his wife Chris of Overland Park, KS

Nine Grandchildren: , Corey Baker, Trevor Baker, Anthony Baker, Luke Baker, Jordan Baker, Nicholas Baker, Anna Runquist, Ryan Runquist, and Parker Runquist

Two Great-grandchildren: Isabelle Baker and Benjamin Baker

Three Step Sons: Randy Runquist of Lubbock, TX; Eric Runquist and wife Steffen of Minneapolis, MN; and Shane Runquist of Boston, MA

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 8, 2013

Time of Service: 11:00 a.m.

Place of Service: Bryant Funeral Home with military rites by United States Navy Honor Guard

Officiant: Pastor Lynn Schlosser

Visitation:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, June 7, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home

Memorial Fund: American Legion Youth Baseball or 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