Archived Marriage Records
John Mark Smith 1959-2002
MEADE - John Mark Smith, 43, died April 6 in Dodge City. He was born Jan. 6, 1959, in Rolla, Mo., the son of Clarence and Betty Spence Smith. He married
Debi Woltje Jan. 21, 1997. A resident of Meade since 1991, coming from Medicine Lodge, he worked as the general manager for Charter Communications of Meade. Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Christopher Lawless of McPherson and Clint Massey of Meade; four daughters, Nicole Smith and Theresa Smith, both of Great Bend, Leslie Massey of Meade and Kadie McCulloch of Meade; his mother of Lyons; and one brother, David Smith of Tulsa, Okla. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at Saint John Lutheran Church in Meade, with the Rev. Lynn E. Spencer officiating. Cremation has taken place and there will be a private family burial at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the donor's choice, in care of Fidler-Orme Mortuary in Meade. April 9, 2002
Rex Dean Fischer 1926-2002
LARNED - Rex Dean Fischer, 75, died April 9 at Salina Regional Medical Center in Salina. He was born Aug. 26, 1926, in Great Bend, the son of Paul and Neva Mellies Fischer. He married
Veta Marie Whitcomb Feb. 16, 1947, in Larned. A resident of Salina for seven years, coming from Larned, he was a retired farmer. Fischer was a member of First United Methodist Church in Larned. Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Tami Fischer of Topeka; one daughter-in-law; Reta Fischer of Salina; two brothers, Robert Fischer of Hutchinson and Lee Fischer of Larned; and one granddaughter, Renee Fischer of Olathe. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Fischer; and one sister, Lois Fox. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned, with the Rev. Charles Grant officiating. Burial will be at Larned Cemetery. Friends may call until 8 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, all at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church of Larned or Salina, in care of the mortuary. April 9, 2002
Evelyn E. LaOrange 1909-2002
MINNEAPOLIS - Evelyn E. LaOrange, 92, died April 8 at Ottawa County Health Center in Minneapolis. She was born July 30, 1909, in rural Minneapolis, the daughter of Harvey and Adda Wood. She married
Alfred L. LaOrange. He preceded her in death. A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, she owned and operated E & F Floor Covering in Minneapolis before retiring in 2000. Mrs. LaOrange was a member of First United Methodist Church of Minneapolis, past president of Rebekah Assemblies, secretary emeritus of International Association of Rebekah Assemblies and volunteer with Red Cross Bloodmobile for 40 years. Survivors include one stepson, Jim LaOrange of Gillette, Wyo.; three stepdaughters, Jean New of Derby, Edith Kinman of Hoisington and Gloria Kline of North Glenn, Colo.; nine step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one grandson. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be at Highland cemetery in Minneapolis. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Shields Funeral Home in Minneapolis. Memorials are suggested to Red Cross Bloodmobile or Ottawa County Health Center, both in care of the funeral home. April 9, 2002
Hester Smith 1903-2002
STAFFORD - Hester Smith, 98, died April 4 at the Leisure Homestead in Stafford. She was born Nov. 23, 1903 at Vincinnes, Ind., the daughter of Crassie and Myrtle Potts Young. She married
Earl Smith in Hutchinson. He died in 1957. A resident of Stafford, coming from Hutchinson and Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Smith attended the Methodist Church in Stafford and Great Bend. Survivors include two nieces, Helen Montgomery of Kirkland, Wash., and Glenora Roberts of Salem, Ore. She was preceded in death by one brother, Ellsworth Young, and three sisters, Mary Potts, Helen Fraser, and her twin, Esther Roberts. There is no visitation, cremation has taken place. Burial of the ashes will be at Fairlawn cemetery in Hutchinson at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Leisure Homestead in care of Minnis Chapel in Stafford. April 7, 2002
Helen Marie Stauth 1917-2002
ST. JOHN - Helen Marie Stauth, 84, died April 5 at Central Kansas Medical Center St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. She was born Sept. 15, 1917 at Haviland, the daughter of Ed and Florence Kimberly. She was a 1935 graduate of Greensburg High. She married
George W. Stauth, April 14, 1944. A resident of St. John, coming from Greensburg, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Stauth was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Order of Eastern Star, and past girl scout leader. Survivors include her husband of the home; one daughter, Patty Cravens of Yukon, Okla.; one sister, Effie L. Couch of Greensburg; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Diana Lee Stauth; one brother Dewaine Kimberly, four sisters, Faye Housholder, Nell Kerrick, Edna Obenchain, and Mary Pedigo; and one grandson. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Minnis Chapel in St. John, with the Rev. W. Harlan Rittgers officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. today at the chapel in St. John. Memorials are suggested to the church or donors' choice both in care of the chapel. April 7, 2002
Josephine Urban 1908-2002
HOISINGTON - Josephine Urban, 93, died April 6 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born June 8, 1908 at Antonio, the daughter of Gerald and Catherine Stecklein Pfannenstiel. She married
Joseph August Urban Nov. 9, 1927 at Pfeifer. He died Aug. 19, 1993. A resident of Hoisington since 1942, coming from Ellis County, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Urban was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society both in Hoisington. Survivors include five sons, Julius Urban of Hoisington, Melvin Urban of Ellinwood, Ervin Urban of Garden City, Arsenius Urban of Seward, and Joseph Urban Jr. of Dodge City; six daughters, Lillian Beck of Hoisington, Johanna Brodie of Great Bend, Twilla Kush of Colorado Springs, Colo., Dolores Harris, Lorraine Wedman, and Alberta Klein all of Wichita; 37 grandchildren; 57 great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Virginia Zimmerman, and eleven brothers and sisters. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. tonight followed by an Altar Society rosary, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Pascal Klein officiating. Burial will be at St. John cemetery in Hoisington. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church or Hoisington Ambulance Service, both in care of the funeral home. April 7, 2002
Warren E. Buchanan 1920-2002
LARNED - Warren E. Buchanan, 81, died March 2 at Central Kansas Medical Center, St. Rose Campus in Great Bend. He was born Aug. 5, 1920, near Fellsburg, the son of Everett L. and Gertrude Carson Buchanan. He married
Marilyn Morse June 29, 1945, in St. John. A resident of Larned since 1987, coming from Lewis, he was a retired farmer. Buchanan was a member of United Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge, both of Lewis and American Legion of Larned. He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Michael Buchanan of Lamar, Mo. and the Rev. Jerry Buchanan of Columbia Falls, Mont.; two daughters, Lois A. Buchanan of Prescott, Ariz. and Joann L. Lavery of Shawnee; seven grandchildren; one step-grandchild; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one brother, Everett L. Buchanan; and two sisters, Evelyn Hinderson and Maxine Buchanan. Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. David Bell officiating. Burial will be at Fellsburg Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, all at Morell Funeral Home in Larned. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church Education Fund or Alzheimer's Fund, both in care of the funeral home. April 5, 2002
Dorothy S. Osburn 1930-2002
PEABODY - Dorothy S. Osburn, 71, died April 4 in Marion. She was born May 15, 1930, in Latimer, the daughter of Walter Frederick Carl and Stella Buethe Tiede. She married
Willie R. Osburn Dec. 28, 1948, in Herington. A resident of Peabody, she was a homemaker and retired bookkeeper. Mrs. Osburn was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Peabody. Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Gary L. Osburn of Evans, Ga.; one daughter, Jeanie Grippin of Great Bend; two sisters, Lucille Will of Herington and Sylvia Winchester of Marion; and five grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Robert Kloth officiating. Burial will be at Prairie Lawn cemetery in Peabody. There is no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Baker Funeral Home in Peabody. April 5, 2002
Livona B. 'Jo' Beller 1908-2002
Livona B. "Jo" Beller, 93, of Great Bend, died March 6 at Showalter Villa in Hesston. She was born July 23, 1908, in Smith County, the daughter of Edgar and Elzora Mae Lyon Moore. She married
Archie L. Beller Nov. 10, 1928, in Phillipsburg. A resident of Hesston since 1998, coming from Great Bend and Dodge City, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Beller was a member of First United Methodist Church, 20th Century Club, Pedal Pushers and Elks BPO Lodge 1127, all of Great Bend. Survivors include her husband of the home; one daughter, Margaret L. Kraisinger of Halstead; one sister, Dorothy Campbell of Larned; and three grandchildren. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. There is no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. April 4, 2002
Emma Ida Lydia Foos 1908-2002
NORTH BEND, Wash. - Emma Ida Lydia Foos, 94, died April 1 at Mt. Si Transitional Health Center in North Bend. She was born Feb. 1, 1908, in Morgan, Minn., the daughter of Wilhelm and Wilhelmina Bethke Langholz. She married
John H. Foos in 1928. He died Aug. 29, 1986. A resident of Richland, Wash., coming from Bazine and Great Bend, she was a homemaker. Mrs. Foos was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick, Wash. Survivors include one son, the Rev. Randall Foos of Kennewick; one daughter, Carol Bohling of Issaquah, Wash.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two children; eight brothers; two sisters; and one grandchild, Jay Bohling. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the church. Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends are invited to sign the family's online guestbook at www.flintofts.com. Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend is in charge of local arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of the funeral home. April 4, 2002
Alta M. Ellis Southards 1917-2002
HUTCHINSON - Alta M. Ellis Southards, 85, died April 2 at Hutchinson Hospital. She was born Jan. 15, 1917, in Belpre, the daughter of George and Lillian Huffman Ellis. She married
Walter Southards June 2, 1935. A resident of Hutchinson, she worked as a nurse's aide for Broadacres Retirement Home. She was a member of Belpre Baptist Church in Belpre. Survivors include four sons, Kenneth Southards of Hutchinson, Ronald Southards of South Hutchinson, Walter Southards Jr. of Valley Center and Bruce Southards of Partridge; two daughters, Janet Bibbs and Sharon Yoder, both of Hutchinson; one twin sister, Alcha Snook of Hutchinson; 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Betty Robinson; and one grandson, Mark Southards. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Johnson and Sons Funeral Home Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Quentin Moore officiating. Burial will be at Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Diabetes Association or American heart Association, both in care of the funeral home. April 4, 2002
Jane A. Hayden 1938-2002
STAFFORD - Jane A. Hayden, 63, died April 3 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus in Wichita. She was born Sept. 13, 1938, in Wichita, the daughter of William and Lydia Frank Cunningham. She married
Albert Hayden June 16, 1984, in Peculiar, Mo. He died Oct. 23, 2000. A long time resident of Stafford, she worked as a LPN in long term care facilities for 37 years. Mrs. Hayden was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Stafford. Survivors include two daughters, Sherri Meyers of Wichita and Tammy Ward of Pawnee Rock; two brothers, Bill Cunningham of Rosalia, Mo., and Edward Cunningham of New Orleans, La.; one sister, Mary McNemee of Lincoln; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Minnis Chapel in Stafford. Burial will be at Stafford Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 tonight a the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the funeral chapel. April 4, 2002
Alvin A. 'Al' Billinger 1921-2002
HAYS - Alvin A. "Al" Billinger, 80, died April 1 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph's Campus in Wichita. He was born Aug. 16, 1921, in Victoria, the son of Michael and Mary Goetz Billinger. He was a 1941 graduate of St. Joseph's Military Academy in Hays and a 1950 graduate of Fort Hays State University. He married
Christina Rupp on April 5, 1943, in Hays. A resident of Hays, he taught and coached basketball at St. Joseph's Military Academy, later named Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, until his retirement in 1985. Billinger was a member of St. Joseph's church, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Hays. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was named to the Fort Hays State University Sports Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, was named to Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and was a charter member of Point of Life at TMP-Marian. Survivors include his wife of the home; four sons, Alan Billinger of Hays, Steve Billinger of Casper, Wyo., Greg Billinger of Bakersfield, Calif., and Doug Billinger of Chandler, Ariz.; one daughter, Roxie VonLintel of Victoria; three brothers, W.J. Billinger, Mike Billinger and Bob Billinger, all of Hays; two sisters, Margaret Bielman and Catherine Walters, both of Hays; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Adam Billinger, Pete Billinger, Joe Billinger and Bernard Billinger; and two sisters, Lee Ann Pfeifer and Rose Mary Karlin. Parish vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Al Billinger Fieldhouse on the campus of TMP-Marion High School with the Rev. Earl Befort officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph's cemetery in Hays, with graveside military honors by Hays VFW. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at the church and from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Friday at Brock's North Hill Chapel in Hays. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marion High School, Cancer Council of Ellis County, Oncology Department at Hays Medical Center or Masses, all in care of the funeral chapel. April 3, 2002
