ALL OBITUARIES ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY AND WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR SEVEN DAYS.
Larry Bliss Posted 4/15/14
Larry Lee Bliss passed away Saturday night, April 12, as the result of an accident on his farm in rural Geary County. He died doing one of the things he loved best, cutting firewood up in the woods.
Larry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Belva, and three children: Laurel Richardson and husband Dwight (of Hartland, ME and South Asia), Lowell Bliss and wife Robynn (of Manhattan, KS), and Bryan Bliss and wife Colleen (of Manhattan, KS.) His beloved grandchildren are Abe Richardson, Luke Richardson, Seth Richardson, Jennifer Bliss, Connor Bliss, Brooke Bliss, Adelaide Bliss, Faith Bliss, and Bronwynn Bliss. He is also survived by two sisters and one brother: Carol Eadie, Coralee Spoelman and husband Dave, and Paul Bliss and wife Lois, plus various nieces and nephews.
Larry was born at home in Ravenna, Michigan on December 29, 1936, the son of Trueman and Doris Bliss. He graduated from Coopersville High School, from where he married his high school sweetheart, Belva. He then graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan with a B.S. in Foundry Management, embarking on a career that eventually brought him to Junction City in 1974 to help manage North Central Foundries. Other places of local employment before full retirement included Park Place Apartments and True Value Hardware in Manhattan, and Junction City.
Larry attended Faith Evangelical Free Church in Manhattan, and Highland Baptist in Junction City. During his life, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, making improvements on his farm, raising small herds of cattle, building things for his grandchildren, traveling in his RV, and cutting firewood.
Funeral plans include cremation with an eventual spreading of the ashes up in the woods that he loved so well. A memorial service will be held at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 1921 Barnes Road, Manhattan, Kansas, at 7 PM, on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.
Memorial gifts, as a way to honor Larry’s caregiving for his wife, can be made to TNA—The Facial Pain Association (donation memorial page at www.fpa-support.org; or send checks to 408 W. University Ave., Ste 602, Gainesville, FL, 32601-3248). Contributions may also be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Ruth Bridgewater Posted 4/17/14
Ruth Ann Bridgewater, 82, of Wamego, Kansas, formerly of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Ruth was born June 10, 1931 in Chapman, Kansas, the daughter of Lorraine and Edith (Matthews) Kelly. She grew up and attended schools in Chapman, before moving to Manhattan, Kansas, where she graduated from Lucky High School. Ruth married Erv Bussart Sr. They later divorced.
On October 29, 1973, Ruth was united in marriage to Lawrence “Larry” Bridgewater in Miami, Oklahoma. He survives of the home. Ruth worked for Jostens’ Yearbook in Topeka for several years before retiring. Larry and Ruth lived in Topeka for over 40 years before moving to Wamego in 2011. Ruth loved to read and enjoyed traveling when she was able. She also loved flowers and playing with her dog Molly. Most importantly to Ruth was the time spent with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Ruth was a member of the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.
Additional survivors include her daughter: Kathy Bracken and husband Louis of Wamego; her stepson: David Bridgewater and wife Ellen of Wichita, KS; her sister: Mary Chambers of Topeka; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Bussart and her brother, Larry Kelly.
Ruth’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2014 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Wamego. A visitation will be held prior at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to PRN Home Health and Hospice or to Community Health Ministry and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Online condolences may be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com
Eva Fan Posted 4/14/14
Eva Fan, age 78, of Manhattan, Kansas, died April 12, 2014 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.
She was born on August 23, 1935, in Hong Kong, the daughter of W.F. and Y.C. (Cheuk) Cheong.
Eva came to the United States from Hong Kong in 1954 where she attended college at the University of Chattanooga for two years. In 1956 she moved to Manhattan where she continued her education at Kansas State University earning her Bachelors in Dietetics and her Masters in Institutional Management, both through the College of Home Economics in 1958.
On June 2, 1958, in Manhattan, Kansas, she was united in marriage to Liang-tseng Fan. Together they made their home in Manhattan where Eva was a wonderful homemaker, loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Liang-tseng, of the home. Also surviving is one son: Tso Yee Fan and his wife Deborah Haley of Belmont, MA, one daughter: Judith Fan and her husband Robert Reay of Mountain View, CA and four grandchildren. Additional family members include her siblings: Ada Tom of San Francisco, CA; Ella Cheong of Hong Kong; Parkson Cheong of London; and Dora Ip of Orange County, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her sister Amy Cheong.
Per her wishes she will be cremated and there will be no public services.
On-line condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website located at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorials have been established in her memory for: the American Cancer Society, the Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics in the College of Human Ecology at KSU, and the Friends of McCain at KSU. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Grace Graham Posted 4/15/14
Grace V. Graham, age 75, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Monday morning, April 14, 2014, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. She loved Manhattan and enjoyed the ten years that she lived at Homestead Assisted Living and most recently at Via Christi Village, both in Manhattan.
She was born on July 23, 1938, in Graham County in western Kansas, the daughter of Cecil and Bernice (James) O’Dell.
Grace had been a Manhattan resident for the past 40 years where she was a wonderful and loving mom and homemaker. Beginning in 1998 she went to work for the R.S.V.P. Reading Program for elementary age children in the Manhattan community. The children enjoyed being read to and affectionately called her “Grandma Cracker.”
Grace was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church where she was active in numerous groups, committees and activities. She was also a member of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries. Outside of her church she volunteered at the local hospital operating the beverage cart and was honored when she was recognized for working the most volunteer hours. Grace also was honored at the annual Mayors Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting by being recognized with the “Random Act of Kindness” award. She also enjoyed working crossword puzzles, playing Bingo and reading. An avid K-State fan she especially enjoyed Kansas State Football. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, attending their events and activities including family barbeques, any family gathering, and entertaining friends for dinner. She always welcomed everyone.
She is survived by her son: Grant Graham and his wife Shelley, Lawrence, KS; two daughters: Gai Nightingale and her husband Jeff, San Jose, CA; and Gina Leon of Manhattan, KS. Also surviving are two sisters: Arlene Johnson Oleari and Mildred Jamison, both of Redding, CA; and a brother: James O’Dell of Brighton, CO. Six grandchildren: Mikah and Isaac Leon, Nichole and Alexandra Graham and Kailey and Chasen Nightingale also survive.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents and by one brother:Richard “Dick” O’Dell .
A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2014, at the First Baptist Church, 2121 Blue Hills Road in Manhattan. Pastor Rick Neubauer and Rev. Scott Murphy will be officiating. In honor of her love for Kansas State the family requests that you wear something purple in her memory to the service.
On-line condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website located at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the Good Shepherd Hospice House. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Betty Haug Posted 4/19/14
Betty (Elizabeth) Josephine (Spangler) Haug, age 82, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Saturday morning, April 19, 2014 at her home.
Betty was born on May 8, 1931 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from St. Nicholas Tolentine Grade School and St. Xavier’s Academy in Chicago. She attended two years of college at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchinson, Kansas. Later, in 1968 she completed her Bachelor Degree in Education from Emporia State Teacher’s College in Emporia, Kansas.
Betty began her teaching career in 1951 at Sacred Heart Grade School in Baileyville, Kansas. She also taught at Seneca Kansas Public Grade School and St. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School, both in Seneca, before moving to Cottonwoods Falls, Kansas in 1963. She taught kindergarten in Cottonwood Falls for 30 years. In 1993, she retired from teaching after a total of 37 years in education.
She was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Strong City, Kansas, before they relocated to Manhattan in 2000. She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan.
Betty dedicated much of her time after retirement to volunteer work at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, also as a teacher’s aide at the catholic school, and the Right-to-Life Center. She and Gilbert dedicated one hour on Saturday evenings at the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel in Manhattan. Betty loved her family dearly and was a huge fan of her Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed traveling on cruises, seeing Europe and Hawaii, and loved taking trips to Branson, Missouri.
Betty leaves behind her husband, Gilbert, married 60 years on January 2, 2014; her sons, Mike Haug (Ann), of Salina, Kansas and Dr. Steven Haug (Margaret), of Manhattan; her daughter, Ann Haug McElvain, of Overland Park, Kansas. Also her five grandsons: Michael Haug, Salina, Kansas, Joe, Tom, John, and Jim Haug, all of Manhattan; her granddaughter, Kelli Haug Rinehart (Eric) and her great-granddaughter, Charlotte Marie Rinehart, all of Topeka. Betty is also survived by her brother Tom Spangler, of Chicago, Illinois and her sister, Sister Pat Spangler, of Adrian, Michigan
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Anna (Rezac) Spangler; three brothers, Bob, Bill and Jim, and one sister Marianne Judith.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:00 until 7:30 Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. A Christian Wake Service will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday April 24, 2014 at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2900 Kimball Avenue, in Manhattan, with Father Don Zimmerman as Celebrant. Private interment will be held at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley.
The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Betty to the Manhattan Catholic
Schools. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online contributions may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Richard Morris Posted 4/15/14
Richard D. Morris, age 77, of Olathe, Ks died April 14, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on November 21st, 1936 in Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salina, Kansas.
On November 20, 1957 in Salina, Kansas he was united in marriage to his wife Thea. She preceded him in death on June 22, 2002.
Richard enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War. After serving in the army, he started his career with Southwestern Bell and retired after 35 years of service.
He is survived by his children Jeff Morris (and wife Val), Lance Morris, Cindy Petty (and husband Paul), and Susan Murrill (and husband David), and 10 grandchildren.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. Monday April 21, 2014 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday April 21, 2014 at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan with Father Joseph S. Popelka as Celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery on Elbow Creek in Manhattan.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Richard to the Hospice and Home Health Services of Olathe Medical Center or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Philip Sester Posted 4/16/14
Philip Lawrence ‘Larry’ Sester, 74, of rural Wamego, Kansas, died Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka. He was a life-long resident of the area.
Larry was born March 31, 1940, in Wamego, Kansas, the son of Sylvester and Mildred Immenschuh Sester. He attended local schools and graduated in 1958 from Wamego High School. Larry then served for three years in the United States Army stationed in Korea.
Larry worked for Steel & Pipe Company in Manhattan for many years. He started as a laborer and then worked 15 years in Quality Control. He retired in 2002. Larry also helped his parents work the family farm and enjoyed being a hobby farmer. He kept busy doing yard work and enjoyed watching wildlife. He often took his lunch to the park to watch the squirrels and fowl. Larry was a member of the Black Jack American Legion.
Larry is survived by his sister, Betty Tessendorf (Clifford), Belvue; and his brother Jimmy Sester (Barbara), Wamego; his niece, Jody Hupe, Wamego; and his nephews, Rex Tessendorf (Lisa), Topeka and Bob Smith (Tara), St. George; and seven great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece, Rebecca Sester.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Campanella-Evans Mortuary. Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Sester will lie-in-state, on Monday, beginning at 3:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a rosary prayer service at 7:00 p.m. They suggest memorial contributions to the Kansas Wildlife Federation or the American Legion, and those may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.
Harold Steege Posted 4/18/14
Harold Gene Steege, 58, of Alma, Kansas, died Thursday, April 17, 2014, in rural Wabaunsee County as a result of a construction accident. He was a life-long resident of the area.
Harold was born April 9, 1956, in Wamego, Kansas, the son of Arnold and Doris Mossman Steege. He attended local Alma schools.
Harold worked on the family farm south east of Alma until 2001, then began working for Alma Coop, Alta Vista Farmer’s Coop and then for Hafenstine Construction, as a truck driver. He always seemed to be working or caring for his goats, but enjoyed fishing when time allowed. Harold was always teasing the people around him and enjoyed being with friends and family. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church.
Harold married Tamzen Kendrick Davies on November 6, 1993, in rural Wabaunsee County. She survives at their home.
He is also survived by his brother, Henry Steege, Granado, Texas; step-sons, William Davies, Miltonvale, Colt Davies, Wamego; his grandchildren, Keana, Dallas, Dominic, Daniel and Derrick; his mother-in-law, Ann Kipp, Miltonvale; and aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Herb Steege.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2014, at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. Reverend Bob Grimm will be officiating. Inurnment will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. They suggest memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association or St. John Lutheran Church, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home in Alma. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.
T. Leroy Stewart Posted 4/19/14
T. Leroy Stewart, 81, of Wamego, KS, died Friday, April 18, 2014 at the Wamego City Hospital.
He was born January 4 1933, in Wamego, the son of Leonard and Marion Teeter Stewart. He attended Wamego Schools and Kansas State University.
Leroy was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving as a medical assistant.
In his younger years he worked on the family farm and later for Standard Oil, Wamego School District and Larson’s. Then he ended his work career with the City of Wamego as the City Clerk, retiring after many years of service until his retirement in 1999. During his tenure at the City, he signed bonds for Jeffery Energy Center and the Wamego City Hospital. He was proud to say he was a native of Wamego!
Leroy was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wamego, Wamego Lions Club, and Masonic Lodge #75. He was the financial secretary for many years and also held several district and state offices while in the Lions Club. He was also very active in the Wamego Senior Citizens, Meals on Wheels, Wamego Community Health Ministry, the Lions Eye Bank, and made 14 trips transporting children and their families to Shriner’s Children Hospitals.
While Leroy was working for the Wamego School District he met the love of his life and married Betty Jean Weber on February 14, 1959 at Fowler, KS. She preceded him in death August 16, 2006. He and Betty loved traveling. Leroy didn’t know a stranger and always was asking people he met where they hailed from and then of course trying to make a connection of some sort.
Leroy was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother John (Jack), and as sister Cleona Weixelman.
Survivors include two daughters, Kellie O’Shea (Steve), Blaine; Tracie Ballmer (Roger), La Vista NE; and son Shawn Stewart (Christi) Topeka; a sister: Francis Bishop (Guy), Topeka; two brothers, Lou Stewart of Topeka and Carl Stewart of Point Verde, FL; nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and numerous loved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 23rd at the United Methodist Church in Wamego. Burial will follow at the Wamego Cemetery. Leroy will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 22nd where a visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wamego Methodist Church, or Wamego Lions Club, or Vintage Park at Wamego, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 48, Wamego, 66547. Condolences may be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.
