Archived Marriage Records
Oscar Bender 1931-2002
Oscar Bender, 71, died Oct. 1 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born July 26, 1931, at Russell County the son of August and Bertha Bender Bender. He married
Mabel M. Riemann Aug. 29, 1954, at Salina. Having lived in Great Bend for 56 years, coming from Russell County, he was an accountant for Ames Oil Company Inc. for 42 years and later with Bird Oil Company for four years. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. Bender was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder and treasurer, American Legion Post 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111, all of Great Bend. He coached for the Great Bend Recreation Commission from 1965 to 1976. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Doug W. Bender of Salina; two brothers, Marvin Bender of Russell and Milton Bender of Salina; two sisters, Esther Fleischman of Greeley, Colo., and Tillie Prather of Guyman, Okla.; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Louie Bender; four sisters, Lena Sanders, Pauline Scheck, Elma Sandy and Esther Bender; and one grandson, Brandon D. Bender. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Hal Statts officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 9 tonight, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials may be made to the church or the American Cancer Society, all in care of the funeral home. Oct. 2, 2002
Esteban 'Steve' Juan Mendoza 1950-2002
CHASE - Esteban "Steve" Juan Mendoza, 52, died Sept. 30 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He was born July 11, 1950, at Hutchinson, the son of Federico H. and Rafaila Flores Mendoza. He married
Sarah Joanne Blackwell July 9, 1993 in Hutchinson. He received his GED from Hutchinson. He was a longtime Hutchinson resident, having spent a year in Nickerson before moving to Chase in 1994. Mendoza was a member of the Catholic faith. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Rafaila Brokish of Junction City; one step-daughter, Adriana Andrade of Hutchinson; four brothers, Guadalupe Mendoza and Fred Mendoza Jr., both of Hutchinson, and Victor Mendoza of Sterling and Ernie Mendoza of South Hutchinson; two sisters, Gloria Mendoza Rodriguez of Denver, Colo., and Linda Mendoza Hernendez of Hutchinson; four granddaughters; and two step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Margarito "Midnight" Mendoza, Felix "Chano" Mendoza and Carlos Mendoza. Parish rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in South Hutchinson with the Rev. Ned J. Blick officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral chapel. Oct. 2, 2002
Christopher Alan Quinn 2002-2002
LARNED - Christopher Alan Quinn, infant, died Sept. 29 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Survivors include his parents, Tracy and Sabrina Quinn of Larned; one sister, Alexandria of Larned; and grandparents, Bill and JoAnn Horner and Marcy Beer, all of Larned. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jim Quinn. Funeral service was today at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned with the Rev. Jim Hawthorne officiating. Burial was at Larned Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Spinal Bifida Association, in care of the mortuary. Oct. 2, 2002
Oscar Bender 1931-2002
Oscar Bender, 71, of Great Bend, died Oct. 1 at Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. He was born July 26, 1931, in Russell County, the son of August and Bertha Bender Bender. He married
Mabel M. Riemann on Aug. 29, 1954, at Salina. A resident of Great Bend for 56 years, coming from Russell County, he was an accountant for Ames Oil Company for 42 years and later for Bird Oil Co. for four years. Bender was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder and treasurer, and was also a member of American Legion Post 180 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111, all of Great Bend. He was a coach for Great Bend Recreation Commission Baseball from 1965-1976. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Doug W. Bender of Salina; daughter-in-law, Karen Meitler Bender of Salina; two brothers, Marvin Bender of Russell and Milton Bender of Salina; two sisters, Esther Fleischman of Greeley, Colo., and Tillie Prather of Guymon, Okla.; and eight grandchildren, Benjamin McDowell of Denver, Colo., Heath McDowell of Garden City, Blake McDowell, Tommy McDowell, Laura McDowell, Dalton Bender and Audrianna Bender, all of Salina, and Danica Bender of Independence. He was preceded in death by one brother, Louie Bender; four sisters, Lena Sanders, Pauline Scheck, Elma Sandy and Esther Bender; and one grandson, Brandon D. Bender. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Hal Staats officiating. Burial will be at Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call until 9 tonight and from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday, all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to the church or American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home. Oct. 3, 2002
Mayme E. Jones 1907-2002
JETMORE - Mayme E. Jones, 95, died Oct. 2 at Minneola Nursing Home in Minneola. She was born Jan. 31, 1907, in Rush County, the daughter of Chester and Pearl Juvenal Eno. She married
Nealie F. Jones on Feb. 6, 1926, at Golden, Colo. He died Feb. 17, 1997. A lifetime resident of the Jetmore area, she was a librarian at Jetmore City Library. Mrs. Jones was a member of United Presbyterian Church, Rebekah Club and Bridge Club, all of Jetmore. Survivors include one son, Randy Jones of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie Jones; two sisters, Jean Yost and Eva Eno; and two granddaughters. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Mark Durham officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount cemetery in Jetmore. Friends may call from 1-8 tonight and from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, all at Beckwith Funeral Home in Jetmore. Memorials are suggested to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Oct. 3, 2002
Marion L. Williamson 1912-2002
ST. JOHN - Marion L. Williamson, 90, died Oct. 1 at Leisure Homestead in Stafford. He was born June 25, 1912, at Haddam, the son of George and Bess Williamson. He married
Nellie Colleen Peake on Oct. 8, 1933, at Washington. She died Jan. 12, 2000. A resident of St. John since 1942, he worked as an oil pumper for 30 years for Standolind Oil & Gas Company and Clinton Oil & Gas Company. Williamson was a member of Masonic Lodge 254 of St. John. Survivors include two sons, Keith D. Williamson of Wichita and Kent E. Williamson of Casper, Wyo.; one brother, Victor Williamson of Glendale, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Virgil Williamson; and one sister, Marjorie Byers. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with the Rev. David A. Ford officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Park cemetery in St. John. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. on Friday at the chapel. Memorials are suggested to Leisure Homestead of Stafford, in care of the chapel. Oct. 3, 2002
Bonnie J. Friedly 1926-2002
HOISINGTON - Bonnie J. Friedly, 76, died Oct. 1 at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. She was born July 6, 1926, at Healy, the daughter of Roy G. and Beulah K. Baxter Watt. She married
Leonard H. Friedly on Jan. 21, 1946, at Seattle, Wash. He died July 21, 1990. A resident of Hoisington since 1969, coming from Beaver, she was a former employee of Homestead Villa of Hoisington. Mrs. Friedly was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hoisington, was active with Meals on Wheels in Hoisington. She was also a member of Retired and Senior Volunteers Program and was a member of the High Rise Band. Survivors include three sons, Craig Friedly of Navasota, Texas, Roger Friedly of Hoisington and Douglas Friedly of Phillipsburg; three daughters, Nancy Conde of McPherson, and Mariann Shook and Connie Lowe, both of Hoisington; one sister, Mabel Dean Matheson of Grand Prairie, Texas; 15 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one step great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Roy Watt, Jr., Kenneth Watt and George Watt; and three sisters, Eloise Rogers, Gladys York and Mariann Watt. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Wayne Flanders officiating. Burial will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 1-9 tonight, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, both at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, at the church. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association and American Cancer Society for Barton County Relay For Life, all in care of the funeral home. Oct. 3, 2002
Ray H. Sargent 1921-2002
Ray H. Sargent, 81, of Great Bend, died Oct. 2 at Wichita. He was born May 30, 1921, at Leoti, the son of George and Flora Ridge Sargent. He married
TeCoa Opal Grantham on Nov. 20, 1940, at Guymon, Okla. She died Nov. 29, 1987. A resident of Great Bend since 1925, coming from Leoti, he was a heavy equipment operator in the pipeline construction business. Sargent was a member of American Legion of Great Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Ray Sargent of Reno, Nev., and Grant Lynn Sargent of Jacksonville, Fla.; one daughter, TeCoa Alexander of Wichita; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Bennie Sargent, James H. Sargent and Harry L. Sargent. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend with full military honors. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, from 1-9 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday, all at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to American Legion Baseball, in care of the funeral home. Oct. 4, 2002
Barbara M. Eakin 1950-2002
LARNED - Barbara M. Eakin, 52, died Oct. 3 at Hutchinson Hospital in Hutchinson. She was born Feb. 18, 1950, at Great Bend, the daughter of Wayne "Jack" Potter and Maxine Brown Ackerman. She married
W. Nolan Eakin on Aug. 5, 1967, at Larned. A lifetime resident of Larned, she was a secretary at Eakin Sand and Gravel and Larned Ready Mix since 1967. Mrs. Eakin was a member of Larned Country Club and Ladies Golf Association, both of Larned. She was a member of the Catholic faith. Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Tate Eakin of Larned and Ryan Eakin of Lawrence; her mother; two brothers, Larry Ackerman of Winter Haven, Fla., and Thomas Ackerman of Hutchinson; four sisters, Linda Salmans of Claremore, Okla., Cynthia Garvey of Metairie, La., Connie Blakely of Brenham, Texas, and Kathryn Beach of Las Vegas, Nev.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Mike Ackerman. No memorial service is planned. Cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register until 8 tonight and from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, all at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel in Larned. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, in care of the mortuary. Oct. 4, 2002
Ford Wilkes Lowry 1921-2002
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Ford Wilkes Lowry, 81, died Sept. 28 at Las Vegas. He was born July 23, 1921, at Hoisington, the son of Homer and Verna Ford Lowry. He married
Laura Alice Helt. A resident of Las Vegas, he worked in the oil fields in Ventura County, Calif., until his retirement. Lowry was a U.S. Navy veteran from 1942-1945, having served during World War II. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. Survivors include two sons, John Lowry and Kemp Lowry, both of Las Vegas; two brothers, Elmo Lowry of Great Bend and Donald K. Lowry of Kansas City, Mo.; and five grandchildren. No services are planned. Cremation has taken place. Private inurnment will take place at Hoisington cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested to donor's choice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. Oct. 4, 2002
Marilyn Della Workman 1939-2002
GARDNER - Marilyn Della Workman, 63, died Oct. 1 at her residence in Gardner. She was born April 30, 1939, at Wichita, the daughter of Samuel M. and Ruth Queen Miller. A resident of Gardner for six months, coming from Great Bend, she was a housekeeper for Super 8 in Great Bend until her retirement. Survivors include one son, Joe Criswell of Gardner; two daughters, Brenda Catterfeld of Gardner and Connie Schridde of Ocala, Fla.; three brothers, Manuel Schlagel of Independence, and Larry Miller and Marvin Miller, both of Great Bend; three sisters, Georgia Mead of Lyons, Bonnie Woodard of Tulsa, Okla., and Virginia Champ of Great Bend; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Lyman "Dink" Workman; one brother, Jerry Miller; and one sister, Caroline Burton. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are being handled by Bruce Funeral Home in Gardner. Oct. 4, 2002
Louise R. Smith 1919-2002
Louise R. Smith, 82, of Great Bend, died Oct. 3, at Integrated Health Services in Great Bend. She was born Dec. 6, 1919 at Providence, R.I., the daughter of Harold and Kathleen Smith Sherman. She married
William H. Smith, Nov. 21, 1941 at Providence. He died Dec. 13, 1977. A resident of Great Bend, coming from Cranston, R.I., she was a retired secretary for St. Joseph's Hospital in Cranston. Mrs. Smith was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. Survivors include three daughters, Penny Walker of Clairmont, Fla., Beth Searles of Cranston, and Nancy Wondra of Great Bend; six grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister. A private family graveside service will be at a later date. There is no visitation, cremation has taken place. No memorials are suggested. Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend is in change of the funeral arrangements. Oct. 6, 2002
Joyce Ann Besthorn 1935-2002
CLAFLIN - Joyce Ann Besthorn, 67, died Oct. 4, at Haysville Healthcare Center in Haysville. She was born Sept. 22, 1935, at Ellsworth County, the daughter of Merle L. "Shorty" and Wilma Louise Hoth Rathbun. She married
Herbert Lee Besthorn, Oct. 7, 1954, at Holyrood. He died Jan. 19, 1990. A resident of the Claflin area, she was a homemaker and farm wife. Mrs. Besthorn was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Holyrood, Cleveland EHU, Barton County Extension Council, Cleveland 4-H Club leader, Barton County 4-H foods leader, spokesperson for Kansas Wheat Commission, and Hoisington Swinging Stars Square Dance Club. Survivors include two sons, Bert L. and wife Lana Besthorn of Claflin, and Scott J. Besthorn of Birmingham, Mich.; two daughters, Jodi Besthorn of Wichita, and Dr. Elaine Besthorn of North Platte, Neb.; one brother, Ted and wife Babette Rathbun of Columbia, S.C.; one grandson, Clark Besthorn of Claflin; and one nephew, Joel Rathbun of Columbia. Family graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul cemetery in Holyrood, with Pastor Mary Lou Klien officiating. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at the church in Holyrood, with Pastor Mary Lou Klien officiating. Friends may call from 1-9 p.m. today, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kansas 4-H Foundation of Claflin Ambulance in care of the funeral home. Oct. 6, 2002
