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Bagley
Albert E. Bagley, 77, Gadsden, Ala., died Feb. 15, 2004, at a Gadsden hospital. He was born March 1, 1926, the son of Arlie and Zula Bagley. Mr. Bagley served in the U.S. Navy aboard the battleship U.S.S. New York during World War II. He was an over-the-road truck driver for 41 years, retiring in 1991. He was a member of the Baptist faith. He also was a member of the Elks Lodge and the VFW in Gadsden. Survivors include a daughter, Ginger Bagley, Oxford, Ala.; two sons, Ken Bagley, Alexandria, Ala., and Kelly Bagley and wife Ann, Whiting; two granddaughters, Lori Williams and husband Kyle, Whiting, and Jill Glidewell and husband Ken, San Antonio, Texas; and two grandsons, Zac Bagley, Manhattan, and Kyle Bagley and wife Abby, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. Funeral services will be held Feb. 18 at Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden, Ala.
McCoy
Violet May McCoy, 85, Holton, died Feb. 15, 2004, at a Holton care facility. She was born Feb. 13, 1919, in Alma, the daughter of William Robert and Hilda Elizabeth Moege Meyer. She graduated from Alma High School in 1936 and attended Strickler's Business College in Topeka. Mrs. McCoy worked for United Telephone in Alma from 1951 to 1966 and in Holton from 1966 to 1981, when she retired. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Holton and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She married Raymond McCoy on Sept. 30, 1941, in Alma. He died in 1980. Survivors include two sons, Cecil Duane McCoy and wife Phyllis, Effingham, Ill., and Byron Lee McCoy, Rock Springs, Wyo.; a grandson, Ryan Shane McCoy and wife Monica, Rock Springs, Wyo.; and two great-granddaughters, Gabrya and Shelby McCoy, both of Rock Springs, Wyo. Three brothers preceded her in death. Services for Mrs. McCoy will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 19 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Holton. A lunch will be served at the church at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 19. She will lie in state at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton through Feb. 18 and after 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the church. Burial will be in Alma Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, sent in care of the church or Mercer Funeral Home, 1101 W. Fourth St., Holton, KS 66436.
Moore
Rachel L. Moore, 88, Holton, died Feb. 13, 2004, at Holton Community Hospital. She was born Oct. 27, 1915, at Vermillion, the daughter of William D. and Elsie Johnson Cannon. She was a 1934 graduate of Holton High School and a lifelong Holton and Jackson County resident. Mrs. Moore was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member of Larkinburg Christian Church and the King's Daughters of the church. She married Verne Moore on March 9, 1935, at Holton. He survives. Other survivors include a son, Ronald Moore, Topeka; a daughter, JoAnn Becker, Eudora; a sister, Marie Oden, Lee's Summit, Mo.; nine grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and a stepgreat-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Harshaw of Holton, on Oct. 22, 1980. Funeral services were held Feb. 16 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial was in Holton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Larkinburg Christian Church or to the American Cancer Society, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, 1101 W. Fourth St., Holton, KS 66436.
Steele
Mervyn S. Steele, 70, Hoyt, died Feb. 13, 2004, at his home. He was born Dec. 19, 1933, at St. Louis, Mo., the son of James and Alma Barth Steele. Mr. Steele served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years, retiring as a Technical Sergeant in February 1974. He was a member of Lake Shawnee Country Club. He married Jerry Peffer on April 29, 1960, in Granite City, Ill. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Robert Steele and Scott Steele, both of Hoyt; a daughter, Tonya Steele, Hoyt; and a granddaughter, Desiree Steele, Hoyt. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 17 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel in Topeka. Graveside military honors will be conducted by Adjutant General's Ceremonal Platoon in Hoyt Cemetery. Mr. Steele will lie in state after 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at the funeral home, where family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 16. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604.
Swaim
Richard "Red" Lee Swaim Sr., 76, Silver Lake, died Feb. 11, 2004, at a Topeka hospital. He was born Sept. 26, 1927, in Martin City, Mo., the son of Alfred D. and Sophia M. Kelsey Swaim. He lived most of his life in Silver Lake. Mr. Swaim worked for Rock Island Motor Transit for 27 years and retired from Lawrence Freight Line in 1982. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Silver Lake and Teamster Local 696. He married Helen Maxine Flory on Sept. 26, 1952, in Topeka. She died June 28, 1992. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Swaim. Survivors include four sons, Richard L. Swaim Jr. and Brian D. Swaim, both of Silver Lake, Kenneth W. Swaim, Moweaqua, Ill., and Larry D. Swaim, Delia; a daughter, Carolyn M. Griffith, Ozawkie; a sister, Alice Lewis, Lawrence; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services were held Feb. 14 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel in Topeka. Burial with military graveside honors conducted by an Army detail from Fort Riley was in Walnut Hill Cemetery
at Grove in Shawnee County. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Silver Lake, P.O. Box 387, Silver Lake, KS 66539.
Smith
Donna Smith, 66, Topeka, died Feb. 10, 2004, at a local nursing home. She was born March 31, 1937, the daughter of Edward W. Gerety and Margaret Beyer. She attended Saint Anne's grade school and Atchison County Community High School in Effingham. Mrs. Smith worked at Santa Fe offices, Menningers and the Shawnee Heights School District. She was a former resident of Berryton and also attended Berryton United Methodist Church. She married George Dean Smith in 1961. They later divorced. Survivors include four sons, Terry, Ernest, Edward and Richard; a brother, Ralph Gerety; a sister, Bonnie Schneider; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by four siblings. Services were held Feb. 13 at Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Topeka. Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Donna's family and sent in care of the funeral home.
Beach
The Rev. Alva Otis Beach Jr., 89, Topeka, died Feb. 9, 2004, at a Topeka care center. He was born June 21, 1914, in Topeka, the son of A.O. and Nellie Lercher Beach. He grew up attending schools in Topeka and Baldwin City, graduating from Topeka High School in 1931. He graduated from Baker University with a BA degree in 1937 and attended seminary in Boston, graduating from Boston University with an STB and MA in 1940. The Rev. Beach pastored Methodist churches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, before returning to Kansas. He served churches in Lansing, Topeka Oakland, Council Grove, Holton, Osawatomie, Neodesha, Topeka Grace and Easton. He was a member of the Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church. He married Dorothy Cross on June 10, 1939. She died in August 1997. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Esther Nadine. Survivors include two daughters, Darlene Fiedler, Abilene, and Pamela Whitmore, Topeka; four grandchildren, Jennifer Schulz and Timothy Whitmore, both of Overland Park, Steffani Tomson-DeGreeff, Topeka, and Brandon Tomson, of Salina; and six great-grandchildren. Services were held Feb. 13 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel in Topeka. Interment was in Topeka Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, Aldersgate Village, 7220 S.W. Asbury Drive, Topeka, KS 66614.
Hennis
Kenneth Lewis Hennis, 61, Holton, died Feb. 9, 2004, at Holton Community Hospital. He was born Dec. 8, 1942, at Atchison, the son of Bernard L. and Ora Patricia Hennis. He was a 1961 graduate of Atchison County Community High School at Effingham. Mr. Hennis was a retired auditor for Red Roof Inn in Holton. He previously had worked for the Branson Inn Best Western Motel in Branson, Mo., and for Atchison Casting Foundry in Atchison for many years. He was a member of Lakeview Faith Chapel at Holton. He had been a member of the Army National Guard for 12 years. He married Marsha Dunn on May 31, 1980. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Rick Hennis, Kearney, Neb., and Willie Lewman, Alliance, Neb.; a stepson, Whitney Williams, Holton; five daughters, Shelly White, Bridgeport, Neb., Jeannie Seagle, Kearney, Neb., Tina Leisy, Mitchell, Neb., Cheri Katz, Marysville, and Kendra Puckett, Wetmore; a stepdaughter, Monique Williams, Gainesville, Ga.; his mother, Pat Hennis, Holton; two sisters, Patsy Clementson, Olathe, and Janice Moulden, Topeka; four brothers, Ron Hennis and wife Susanne, Mayetta, Frank Hennis and wife Sandy, Normal, Ill., Bill Hennis and wife Deanna, Byron, Ill., and Roger Hennis, Dixon, Ill.; 29 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Funeral services were held Feb. 13 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial was in Holton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Kenneth Hennis Memorial Fund, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, 1101 W. Fourth St., Holton, KS 66436.
Karnes
Donald D. Karnes, 95, Netawaka, died Feb. 8, 2004, at a Netawaka nursing home. He was born Nov. 15, 1908, at Dixon, Neb., the son of Charles S. and Nellie E. Metz Karnes. He was a graduate of Gregory High School in Gregory, S.D. Mr. Karnes taught elementary school after graduation from high school and in 1929 became a minister in the Non-Denominational Christian Church in South Dakota. He came to Kansas in 1930 as a minister, and went to France in 1935 to continue his mission work. He also served in mission work in French Morocco, and was in Africa for 20 years. He was in Israel during the 1967 Six Day War, and spent three years there. He later went to France, Corsica and Germany, and spent time in Luxembourg. He retired to Seven Oakes Care Home at Netawaka in 2001. Survivors include six nieces, Marjorie Harrison and Violet Ring, both of Gregory, S.D., Charlotte Nicholas, Naper, Neb., Eve Turnipseed, Boise, Idaho, Joyce Crawford, Wilder, Idaho, and Dorothy Nieman; and three nephews, Lyle Karnes, Spencer, Neb., Robert Karnes, and J.D. Karnes, Wiser, Idaho. He was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers. Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial was in Madison, S.D.
Mize
J. Ira Mize, 93, Circleville, formerly of Topeka, died Feb. 8, 2004, at Jackson County Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 13, 1910, at Oneida, the son of Joseph Pleasant and Bertha Ellen Schooler Mize. He was a 1930 graduate of Corning High School. Mr. Mize retired as a women's apparel salesman for Parkland of Dallas, where he worked for 35 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, AF&AM in Topeka, and a charter member of the National Association of Women's & Children's Apparel. He attended Circleville United Methodist Church. He married Lyla B. Lippincott on March 11, 1934, at Mankato. She died April 9, 1992. Survivors include a daughter, Carol Sue Huyett-Mellies, Circleville; a son, Donald E. Mize, Topeka; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by five sisters and three brothers. Funeral services were held Feb 11 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial was in Holton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Circleville United Methodist Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, 1101 W. Fourth St., Holton, KS 66436.
Jameson
Paul L. Jameson, 95, Holton, died July 12, 2004, at Holton Community Hospital. He was born March 28, 1909, at Garrison, the son of George and Emma Swan Jameson. He grew up trapping, hunting and farming, and graduated from Garrison High School in 1926 and later attended Kansas State University. Mr. Jameson was a leader and political activist in organizing public and congressional opposition to the construction of Tuttle Creek Dam. In this endeavor, he made two trips to Washington D.C., to defend the Blue Valley area. Upon eventual defeat by pro-dam forces, he and his family moved to Holton in 1958. He continued farming until his full retirement from the farm in 1999. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Holton, where he served as a trustee, committeeman and adult Sunday school teacher. He also served as a church member and school board member at Garrison, where he was active in the early conservationist society of the Isaac Walton League, and as a member of the Holton Lions Club. He married Gladys Ames on Jan. 7, 1945. She died in 1983. He also was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Green. Survivors include two sons, Don Jameson and wife Cathy, Yakima, Wash., and Roger Jameson, Holton; a brother, Homer Jameson, Topeka; and five grandchildren, Emily Jameson, Langley, B.C., Canada, Aaron Jameson, Shawnee, Okla., Willie and Anne Jameson, Yakima, Wash., and Angie Urban and husband Perry, Silt, Colo. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. July 16 at First United Methodist Church in Holton. Burial will be in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 15 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorial contributions may be given to First United Methodist Church or to Holton Lions Club, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
Bloom
Gary L. Bloom, 63, Wetmore, died July 11, 2004, near Wetmore. He was born April 4, 1941, near Goff, the son of Irvin L. and Ida Niehues Bloom. He graduated from Bancroft High School and lived most of his life in the Wetmore area. Mr. Bloom operated a backhoe business and also worked for the City of Wetmore. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church. He married Mary Lee Schleif on June 4, 1962, in Corning. She died April 12, 2001. Survivors include two sons, Gerald Bloom and Jim Bloom and wife Alane, both of Wetmore; three daughters, Marsha Bloom and Michele Bloom, both of Wetmore, and Melody Bloom, Topeka; two sisters, Ginger Meyer, Wetmore, and Linda Gerhardt, Holton; two brothers, Ronald Bloom and LeRoy Bloom, both of Goff; and two grandsons, Curtis Allen Bloom and Eric Lee Bloom. Services will be held at 10 a.m. July 15 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in Wetmore Cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. July 14, followed by visitation at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Catholic Church, sent in care of the church or Mercer Funeral Home, 1101 W. Fourth St., Holton, KS 66436.
Cokeley
Janice Marie Cokeley, 72, Topeka, died July 11, 2004, at her home after an extended illness. She had ovarian cancer. She was born Nov. 15, 1931, in Morgantown, W.Va., the daughter of H. William and Anna Weiland Doubles. She graduated from Morgantown High School in 1949, and attended Morgantown Business College. Mrs. Cokeley was employed for several years at a power company and as a high school secretary. She then returned to college and earned her bachelor's degree in secondary education (business and English) from West Virginia University in 1956. She and her husband moved in 1960 to Topeka from Charleston, W.Va., to facilitate his residency at the Menninger School of Psychiatry. She later taught for a year at Clark's School of Business in Topeka. She then began teaching in the Auburn-Washburn school district in 1975 and remained there until her retirement in 1997. She was a member of several teachers' professional organizations and a past president of the Shawnee County Medical Auxiliary Alliance. As a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, she served as an elder and clerk of the session. She married John M. Cokeley on Aug. 21, 1954, in Morgantown, W.Va. He survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Laurie Cokeley, Topeka; a son, Will Cokeley and wife Lynda, Delia; a daughter, Sharon Yakshaw and husband Greg, Shawnee; two grandchildren, Holly and Ryan Cokeley, Delia; a stepgranddaughter, Heather Carter, Topeka; and a brother-in-law, Edmond Cokeley and wife Georgia, Anaheim, Calif. Mrs. Cokeley was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws. Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. July 15 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service. Private inurnment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606-2800; to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604; or to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 N.W. Rochester Road, Topeka, KS 66617. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
