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Mary Jo Elston
Funeral services for Mary Jo Elston, 77, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Terry Jacobsen officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Elston died Sunday, January 8, 2012, at her home.
She was born Feb. 27, 1934, in Reading, Kan., the daughter of Lewis Myron and Mabel Nona Workman Brittain. She attended Liberty Memorial High School.
Mrs. Elston was a clerk at Howard Pine’s Garden Center and Green Houses in North Lawrence for 17 years. She had previously worked at Muncher’s Bakery and as a daycare provider, providing care for many of her own grandchildren, great-grandchildren and children of many friends. She was a member, office holder, and Hall of Fame member of the Lawrence Women’s Bowling Association. She participated in, and coached women’s co-ed slow pitch softball and volleyball, and many called her “Grandma.” She was an avid Lawrence High School football supporter. She enjoyed Kansas University Athletics, and worked in concessions at many events. She also enjoyed supporting and watching all the athletic events her grandchildren were involved in.
She married Duane A. Elston on Jan. 17, 1950, in Lawrence. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, Larry Elston and Scott Elston, both of Lawrence; two daughters, Jo Lee Erskin, Eudora, and Michelle Elston, Tonganoxie, a bother, Joseph Brittain and wife Josephine, Medford, Ore.; a sister, Imogene Kilgore and husband William, Lawrence; ten grandchildren, Stefan, Shaun, Nathan, and Christopher Elston, Tiffany Medina, Jeremy, Misty, and Justin Nichols, and Jasen and Kayla Hadl; one step grandson, Dustin Hadl; 17 great-grandchildren, Courtney, Kyler, Cameron, Jackson, Maya, Ethan, Aiden, Seth, Brooklynne, Cody, Caden, Devon, Shauna, Gracelynne, Chasity, Jaden, and Zarius; and three step great-grandchildren, Mason, Riley, and Bella, and adopted granddaughter, Shelly Armstrong.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a son, Rick Elston.
Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Visiting Nurses, or Douglas County Youth Sports, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Lubomyra O. Palij
Services for Lubomyra O. Palij, 89, Lawrence, are pending and will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Mrs. Palij died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Lonnie O. Johnson
Graveside services for Lonnie O. Johnson, 81, Lawrence, will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence.
Mr. Johnson died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born Feb. 24, 1930, in Lincoln, Mo.
He married E. Pauline Short on Dec. 21, 1947, in Sedalia, Mo. In 1958, Mr. Johnson and his family moved to Lawrence, where he worked for Kansas Public Service. He retired after 20 years of service.
His wife preceded him in death in May 1998.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Ronn and Donna Johnson, Lawrence; and a brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and MaryLou Johnson, Ashton, Iowa.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the funeral home.
Esther E. Oyler
Funeral services for Esther E. Oyler, 98, Rural Baldwin City, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Willow Springs Old German Baptist Brethren Church. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery
at Pleasant Grove.
Friends may call at the home of her daughter, JoAnne Shuck, on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Walter R. Gibson
Graveside services for Walter R. Gibson, 85, Lawrence, will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Lawrence. Bishop John Haslem will officiate.
Mr. Gibson died Thursday, January 05, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born September 15, 1926, in Lawrence, the son of Walter Oliver and Lucinda May Risley Gibson.
He was in the United States Army during WWII; he worked for Lawrence Technology in the maintenance department and ran the laundry mat at 19th and Haskell.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints in Lawrence.
He enjoyed wood crafting, working on anything with an engine, and working with his hands.
Survivors include two sons, Gene Gibson and wife Sally, Lawrence, and Cecil Oliver Gibson, John Day, Oregon; two daughters, Freda Priest and husband Jeff, Whiting, Kansas, and Patricia Marie Gibson, Lawrence; a sister, Alta May Cruses, and husband Richard, Ottawa; four grandchildren, Matt Britton, John Gorski, Tammy Evans, and Becky Sinclair; two great-grandchildren, August Sinclair and Alexandria Sinclair.
Friends may call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.
The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home.
Maria “Lolita” Dolores Valdez Wells
Graveside services for Maria “Lolita” Dolores Valdez Wells, 88, Lawrence, will be 1:00 p.m. Monday at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Lawrence
Maria died Wednesday January 4, 2012 at Midland Hospice Care, Topeka.
She was born December 27, 1923 in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico, the daughter of Juan and Matilde Isuegas Valdez. She married Robert “Verle” Wells on May 30, 1948 in Mexico.
While in Mexico, Maria taught dance and sang on the radio and on stage.
After her marriage, she and Verle ultimately settled in Lawrence, Kansas and raised their three daughters.
She was a dedicated wife and mother and she shared her artistic talents with her daughters.
She was an accomplished artist, crafter and seamstress.
Maria is survived by her daughters: Jenny Sellman of LaHarpe; Marissa Harris of New Braunfels, Texas; and Nuria Lucas of Valley Falls; five grandchildren; Buffy and Robin Sellman, Justin and Samantha Harris, and Kelly Snap.
She was preceded in death by her husband Verle in 1974, and her five brothers: Juan, Adalio, Enrique, Ernesto, and Reynol.
Friends may call from noon to 8:00 Sunday at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home where the family will receive them from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The family suggests memorials to Visiting Nurses or Midland Hospice Care in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Martha Ann Harper
Memorial services for Martha Ann Harper, 79, Lawrence, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Harper died Monday, February 20, 2012, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
She was born July 20, 1932, at the family farm at Fall Leaf, the daughter of Charles and Olive Eberwein. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence in 1950.
Mrs. Harper worked for the Lawrence School District, and retired from Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
She married Clifford Wayne Harper on November 10, 1951, in Lawrence. He died in 2006.
Survivors include two sons, James and wife Liz, Perry, Kansas, Paul and wife Marla, Denver, Colorado; a sister, Mary Limke, Collinsville, Oklahoma; a brother, Elroy Eberwein, Patterson, California; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her brother Robert Eberwein, Lawrence.
Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Vonda L. Mears
A Celebration of Life visitation for Vonda Louise Mears, 70, Lawrence, will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory. Cremation is planned, and inurnment will be at a later date at Scott Cemetery
in Amsterdam, Mo.
Mrs. Mears died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at her home.
She was born June 2, 1941, in Amsterdam, Mo., the daughter of Boyd M. and Veta V. Vannoy Kershner.
Mrs. Mears was an associate at Walmart for 25 years, and retired in 2010.
She also volunteered at The Shelter, Inc. She enjoyed crocheting, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She married Claude A. Mears Jr. on June 13, 1959, in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2006. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Bob Kershner.
Survivors include a son, Dennis Mears and wife Melanie, Robinson, Kan.; a daughter, Denise Gibson and husband Bruce, Lawrence; six grandchildren, Chad, Amanda, Ryan, Kelly, Kyle, and Kaitlyn; and three great grandchildren, Logan, Quintin, and Robyn.
The family suggests memorial contributions to The Shelter, Inc. Foster Care Program, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Chester “Chet” F. Thomas
Friends are invited to visit with the family of Chet Thomas, 89, Lawrence, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Rumsey Yost Funeral Home.
A private graveside inurnment will be held later for the family.
Mr. Thomas passed away on February 16, 2012 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was 89.
Chet was one of four children born to John and Evelyn Thomas. He was born in Danvers, Massachusetts on July 7, 1922 and grew up in Newton, MA.
He attended Northeastern University and served his country in the Army Signal Corp during WWII.
He married June Miller on July 24, 1948 and they had 3 children.
Chet moved his family to Lawrence, KS in 1968 to open the B. F. Goodrich distribution center.
He was active in the Lawrence community, belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion Post 14, the Elks Lodge, and the Cosmopolitan Club.
He was a founding member of the social organization, Big Blue.
He was an avid golfer throughout his life and received a number of golf trophies and medals including recognition for 8 “holes in one”.
He competed in the Senior Olympics in golf and volunteered for the Sunflower Games, Junior Division.
He enjoyed dancing at the American Legion, playing cards, gardening, and watching all sports, especially professional golf and KU basketball.
Preceding him in death was his wife, June Thomas, his parents, John and Evelyn Thomas, his older brother, John Thomas, and his younger sister Rose Ferdenzi.
Survivors include his 3 daughters and their husbands, Christine Ross-Baze, (Jim Baze) Ozawkie, KS, Caren Gaultney, (Joseph Gaultney) McLouth, KS and Cindy Kruger (Greg Kruger), Baldwin City, KS, his younger sister and her husband Evelyn Hines (Bill Hines) of Needham, MA, 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 6 nephews, a niece and his dear friend Rusty Moore, Lawrence, KS.
The family would like to suggest donations made in Chet’s name be sent to the American Legion Post 14 Lawrence, KS in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home.
