Obituaries from December 2003

Charles Edwin Ensor, 71, died on Nov. 29, 2003. He was born on Sept. 1, 1931, near Appleton City, Mo., to George E. and Helen (Murphy) Ensor, who preceded him in death. He attended schools in the Appleton City area, and high school in Butler, Mo. He served in the U.S. ...

Frankie Lee Saathoff, 66, of Stockton, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, Mo. Mr. Saathoff was born on May 19, 1937, at Bronaugh, Mo., the son of Frank and Viola Couch Saathoff. He lived most of his life in Bronaugh, moving to Stockton, Mo., with his father in 1989...

Etna Mae Stone Gransbury, 75, Nevada, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Mo., following an illness of several weeks. She was born on July 16, 1928, in McCook, Neb., to Charley Milton Thornley and Joanna Etna Bailey Thornley. She married Dick Stone on Oct. 20, 1945, in McCook, Neb. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1984. She then married Arthur Gransbury in 1985 in Nevada, Mo. He preceded her in death on Nov. 17, 1995...

Opal E. Moore, 93, died Nov. 27, 2003. Services were held at 1 p.m., on Dec. 1, with Mark Mitchell officiating. Musical selections were "Amazing Grace" and "In The Garden." Pallbearers were Max Handly, Bill Handly, Joseph Lyons, Charles R. Pursley, Lisa Stewart and John Pippin. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City, Mo. Arrangements by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Mo...

Irene Mae Pawley, 72, Nevada, Mo., died Sat., Nov. 29, 2003, at the District No. 1 Hospital in Girard, Kan., following a brief illness. She was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Osborne County, Kan., to John William Hall and Mabel A. Palmer Hall. She was married Dec. 16, 1955, in Nevada, Mo., to Ronald Pawley who survives of the home...

John Edgar Sherman, 85, of Nevada, died Nov. 30, 2003. He was born on March 17, 1918 in Cedar County to William Henry and Mina Ellen Waller Sherman. He lived his childhood on a farm in and around El Dorado Springs. On Nov. 24, 1942, he married Ruby Maddalin Hargrove, and to this union three daughters and one son was born; Toni Kay, Thelma Rae, Rita Mae and Jack Evan...

Josephine Ida Fassel, 80, formerly of Schell City, Mo., died Dec. 1, 2003, at Barone Alzheimer Care Center. She was born on June 13, 1923, in Lincoln, R.I., to Arthur Garfield and Bessie Olivia (Parsons) Smith. On Aug. 20, 1941, she married Albert Earl Fassel in Cranston, R.I...

Mary JoAnn Sallee was born on Nov. 8, 1939, and went to be with Jesus on Nov. 28, 2003, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. Mary loved to spend time with her family, watching movies chosen by her grandchildren. She looked forward to holidays, when her children and loved ones gathered together. ...

01 Announcements ST. PAUL LUTHERAN YOUTH GROUP will be holding a Christmas Babysitting Service Fundraiser. Get an early start on your Christmas shopping while we watch your children. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003 at St. Paul Lutheran Church located on south BB highway. ...

Etna Mae Stone Gransbury, 75, Nevada, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Mo., following an illness of several weeks. She was born on July 16, 1928, in McCook, Neb., to Charley Milton Thornley and Joanna Etna Bailey Thornley. She married Dick Stone on Oct. 20, 1945, in McCook, Neb. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1984. She then married Arthur Gransbury in 1985 in Nevada, Mo. He preceded her in death on Nov. 17, 1995...

Homer Edward Wangler, 84, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., died Dec. 3, 2003, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. He was born on July 31, 1919, in Kansas City, Mo., to William J. and Armilda Jane (Brown) Wangler. He married Nola D. Kroger in 1959 and she preceded him in death...

Cecil D. Smith, 88, Nevada, Mo., passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He was born on Jan. 11, 1915, in Nevada, Mo., to Floyd W. Smith and Inez M. Jones Smith. He married Edoline L. Brous on May 2, 1937, in Nevada, Mo. She survives of the home...

Lola M. Knouf, 78, of El Dorado, Kan., died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday at Sunset Lawns Cemetery. She was born Nov. 3, 1925, in El Dorado, Kan., the daughter of Curtis and Retha (Rouse) Cartmell. She lived most all her life in Butler County. For many years she cared for senior citizens both in nursing homes and home health care. She was married to Ted Knouf. He preceded her in death on Jan. 4, 1988...

Thelma A. Finch Yarick, Hume, Mo., died Dec. 8, 2003, at Christian Health Care, Nevada, Mo. Thelma was born Oct. 16, 1917, to Albert Furney Finch and Jessie Elizabeth (Curtis) Finch in Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from Hume High School in 1935 and attended Fort Scott Community College. She married Frank John Yarick on Nov. 25, 1937...

Frederick L. Thompson, Jr., 84, Nevada, Mo., formerly of Caldwell, Kan., died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Christian Health Care, Nevada. He was born, their only child, Sept. 15, 1919, in Blackwell, Okla., to Dr. Frederick L. Thompson, Sr., and Ruby Frances Johnson Thompson. He married Ruth Virginia "Gini" Teeter on March 13, 1942, in Dallas, Texas...

Nelson Foster, 54, of Lamar, Mo., died Dec. 9, 2003, at his residence of a short illness. He was born on May 21, 1949 in Lamar, Mo., to the late Harold Foster and surviving mother Jean Foster of Lamar, Mo. He married Connie Foster on May 20, 1972, in Everton, Mo., she survives of the home...

Alma H. Phillips, 81, of Sheldon, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at her daughter's home in Sheldon following a brief illness. She was born on Nov. 6, 1922, in Shamrock, Okla., to Eugene and Sarah Strickland Hart. On Feb. 5, 1941, she married Joseph Phillips in Drumright, Okla. ...

Cecil D. Smith, 88, died Dec. 8, 2003. Services were held at the United Methodist Church in Nevada, on Dec. 11, at 10 a.m., with Pastor Ralph Clark officiating. Musical selections "Lord I Life Your Name on High" and "Great is the Lord" were performed by the United Methodist Praise Band. ...

June E. Flint, 93, Nevada, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at Christian Health Care in Nevada following a lengthy illness. She was born on June 1, 1910, in Ketterman, Mo., to Benjamin Thompson and Nellie Jane Forkner Thompson. She married Harry Flint on June 3, 1931, in Kansas City, Kan., and he preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 1989...

Frederick L. Thompson, Jr., 84, died Dec. 8, 2003. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 13, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Greg Ferree officiating. Musical selection was "Amazing Grace." Honorary pallbearers were grandsons; Curt Reimer, Grant Fay, Will Thompson, Adam Thompson, Trent Thompson and Matthew Thompson. Interment will be in Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kan., on Dec. 15, at 12 p.m. Arrangements by Ferry Funeral Home...

Alma H. Phillips, 81, died Dec. 11, 2003. Services were held at the Sheldon Cemetery on Dec. 12, at 2 p.m., with Bobby Hart officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons; Gary Piper, Jr., Shon Bogart, Rick Piper, Eric Sneed, Bo Bogart and Tom Piper. Interment was in the Sheldon Cemetery. Arrangements by Beeny-Ferry Funeral Home...

Marian A. Butler, 101, Raymore, Mo., formerly of Nevada, Mo., died Dec. 12, 2003, at Foxwood Springs, Raymore, Mo. She was born on June 28, 1902, in Charlestown, Ind., the daughter of James H. and Bessie M. Waters Ruddell. On June 2, 1934, she married Edgar W. Butler in Fort Scott, Kan., and he preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 1975...

John Steven Willers, 45, Nevada, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He was born May 2, 1958, in Nevada, Mo., to John Dale Willers and Burnita Joyce Disney Willers. Steve was born and raised in Vernon County and spent the majority of his life here. He made his living as a trucker...

Carol C. Poulter, 73, Appleton City, Mo., formerly of Rich Hill, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at Ellett Memorial Hospital, Appleton City, Mo. Mrs. Poulter was born April 27, 1930, near Metz, Mo., the daughter of Ray and Ruth (Payne) Christy. She was united in marriage to James I. Poulter, who preceded her in death on March 21, 1998...

June E. Flint, 93, died Dec. 10, 2003. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 15, 2003, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. Richard Thompson officiating. Soloist was Monty Gordon. Musical selections were "One Day at a Time," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace." Organist was Mollie Denning. ...

Richard B. Welch, age 90, of Horton passed away on Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Kansas City, Mo., following a short illness. He was born on Aug. 31, 1913, in Arthur, Mo., to James and Myrtle Wasson Welch. On Dec. 24, 1934, he was married to Martha E. Perry in Nevada, Mo. ...

Melvin Chester Hartzfield, 84, Bronaugh, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Port Nuef Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, following a lengthy illness. He was born March 15, 1919, in Bronaugh, Mo., to John Hartzfield and Mollie Lehmkuhl Hartzfield. He married Helen Marie Moore on Aug. 14, 1944, in Englewood, Kan., and she survives of the home...

Orpha Ruth Heitz, 59, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at her home following a short illness. She was born June 22, 1944, in Nevada, Mo., to Dee Vern Goodpaster and Sylvina Parker Goodpaster. She married Lester T. Heitz on July 19, 1965, in Nevada, Mo., and he survives of the home...

John Steven Willers, 45, Nevada, Mo., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He was born May 2, 1958, in Nevada, Mo., to John Dale Willers and Burnita Joyce Disney Willers. Steve was born and raised in Vernon County and spent the majority of his life here. He made his living as a trucker...

Richard B. Welch, 90, died Dec. 12, 2003. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Dec. 16, at 1:30 p.m., with John Nichols and Pastor Connie Locke officiating. Musical selections were "How Great Thou Art" and "The Angels are Singing" presented by Janet Smith and a congregational singing of "The Lord's Prayer." There was also a medley of Patriotic songs including the "Hallelujah Chorus." Organist was Laurel Mason. ...

Bernice Johnson Teel, 95, Nevada, Mo., died Dec. 16, 2003, at her residence in Nevada. Mrs. Teel was born Feb. 1, 1908, in Sarcoxie, Mo., to Dr. E.W. and Mrs. Jessie Alice (Bales) Johnson. She attended Sarcoxie School and graduated in 1925, and attended Springfield Teachers College receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1929...

Alberta Janet Loiselle, 64, Nevada, Mo., died Dec. 16, 2003, at her home in Nevada. She was born Nov. 9, 1939, in Lamont, Mo., to Lawrence Alfred Stewart and Hazel Neomi Garland Stewart. She married Donald Loiselle on Jan. 25, 1971, in Miami, Okla., and he survives of Nevada, Mo...

Alfred "Throck" Leon Pitts, 75, Walker, Mo., left to go to his home in heaven Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003. Throck was born to Lois Pitts on May 13, 1928, at Bell Hospital in Wyandotte County, Kan. Throck grew up in the Milo area first with his grandparents then with Alfred and Mae Snowden...

Elmer Crockett Evans, 89, El Dorado Springs, Mo., died Dec. 21, 2003, at Community Springs Nursing Home in El Dorado Springs, Mo. Mr. Evans was born on Nov. 22, 1914, in Harrison, Ark., the son of Alexander LouVance and Oma Maggie Lena (White) Evans. On March 8, 1958, he married Mirtie Norene Sanders in Independence, Mo...

Dr. Katheryn Smith Robbins, 35, California, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at Saint Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City, Mo. She was born June 19, 1968, in Nevada, Mo., the daughter of Gene and Lucille Timber Smith. Her mother preceded her in death and her father survives, of Nevada, Mo. She was married Aug. 9, 1992, in Nevada, Mo., to Thomas F. Robbins, who survives of the home...

Frances Marie Reedy, 83, Nevada, Mo., died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, following a lengthy illness. She was born March 20, 1920, in Nevada, Mo., to Alfred Burris and Ada Griggs Burris. She married Thomas R. Reedy on April 19, 1941, and he survives of Nevada, Mo...

Irene C. Pfeifer, 77, Hays, Kan., died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Hays Medical Center. She was born Feb. 15, 1926, in Antonino, Kan., the daughter of Jacob and Pauline (Dechant) Haas. She married Albert J. Pfeifer on Aug. 23, 1948, in Hays. She was a homemaker, a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays and the Ellis Daughters of Isabella...

Louis Gordon Hoffman, 73, Sheldon, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, at his home in Sheldon, following lengthy illness. He was born May 28, 1930, in Akron, Iowa, to Basil Fabian Hoffman and Gladys Edith Campbell Hoffman. He married Marjorie Joan Fields on June 25, 1982, in Miami, Okla., and she survives of the home...

Francis Marion "Frank" Meek, Jr., 80, of Richards, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, at the Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott, Kan. He was born Nov. 5, 1923, in Richards, Mo., the son of Francis M. Meek and Nellie Brundridge Meek. He married Virginia Poyner on Oct. 15, 1942, in El Dorado Springs, Mo. Mr. Meek had worked for Buell Cabinet and later retired from SmiCo Norvell. He was also a longtime farmer and stockman...

Doris Opal Smith, 92, Nevada, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at Christian Health Care in Nevada following a lengthy illness. She was born Jan. 10, 1911, in Fulton, Kan., to Fred Eugene White and Laura Adline Higbie White. She married Ralph Hamblin Smith on Dec. 26, 1931 in Adrian, Mo. He preceded her in death on March 3, 1990...

Emma Verneal Love, 85, died Dec. 27, 2003, at Moore-Few Care Center. She was born Feb. 28, 1918, to Charles Ellis and Cora Amelia Simmons Maggard on a farm that her father homesteaded in Washington county in the eastern part of Colorado near Denova, which consisted of a post office and a country grocery store...

Glen Earl Westerhold, 76, of the Metz and Rich Hill area, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, at Mercy Health Center, Fort Scott, Kan. Glen Earl was born Oct. 4, 1927, in Vernon County, Mo., the son of Frederick Everett and Eula Mae (Reed) Westerhold. He was a World War II Army veteran. Glen was united in marriage to Peggy Tough on Feb. 11, 1950, in Nevada, Mo. Glen was co-owner and operator of Tough Oil Co. for over 40 years, retiring in 2000. He was also a farmer...

James William Yarick, 81, Grandview, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, at Research Belton Hospital, Belton, Mo. He was born July 31, 1922, to Frank Wilhelm and Sarah Mariah Earnest Yarick in Horton, Mo. James grew up in rural Horton and graduated from Rich Hill High School where he played football and basketball. ...

Obie A. Smith, 72, Nevada, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at Research Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. He was born Aug. 9, 1931, in rural Pine Creek, Mo., to Sigle Auston and Carrie Newton Smith. He married June Gillespie on June 12, 1959, in Kansas City, Mo., and she survives of the home...

Thomas Leon Smith, 82, Butler, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at home. Thomas was born on June 10, 1921, near Cedar Springs, Mo., to Thomas C. and Mamie Ellen Hart Smith. Thomas graduated from Walker High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While in the Army he worked in hospitals caring for the sick and wounded...

Lucille Nelander, 90, St. Joseph, Mo., formerly of Walker, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Saxton-Riverside Care Center in St. Joseph. She was born Oct. 3, 1913, in Dederick, Mo., to Charles Hargrove and Bertha Hawkins Hargrove. She married Jerry Nelander on April 17, 1938, in Vernon County, Mo. He preceded her in death on Sept. 17, 1985...

Mary Lorraine Cole, 76, Butler, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. She was born June 6, 1927, to Joel Edward and Rose Della DeVol Burger in Kansas City, Mo. Mary grew up in Kansas City where she graduated form Central High School. ...

Ray Garland Smith, 81, Nevada, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 2, at Ferry Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Green Mound Cemetery, Harwood, Mo. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home...