Obituaries

Teena Whitemore (Posted 3/31/23)

Teena Deniece (Hinman) Whitmore, age 39, of Manhattan, died March 26, 2023, at her residence.

She was born March 27, 1983, in Fort Riley, the daughter of Paul Raymond “Panama” Hinman and Diana Mae (Moreels) Halpin.

Teena graduated from Manhattan High School. Of all the jobs that Teena had the one she loved the most was working with the plants at Kaw Valley Greenhouses.

Survivors include her three children: Cody Garrison “Toby” Whitmore, Jason Raymond “Towe” Lucas and Wyatt Timothy “Tommie” Lucas all of Manhattan; her parents: Paul “Panama” Hinman and his wife Janice of Manhattan, Kansas, and Diana Halpin of Mesquite, Nevada; two brothers: Charles and Quentin Penland both of Kansas City, Missouri; and she was looking forward to becoming a grandmother in August.

Cremation is planned with a celebration of Teena’s life to be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Teena Whitmore Memorial Fund to benefit her children. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Dalmas Coates (Posted 3/31/23)

Dalmas Kennan Coates, 75, of Wamego, Kansas, died Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the University of Kansas St. Francis Campus in Topeka. He was a resident of the community since 1984.

Dal was born April 28, 1947, in Hammond, Louisiana, the son of Kevlin and Jessie (Hampton) Coates. He attended local grade school and graduated from High School in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He then served in the United States Navy during VietNam. He was a Boatswains Mate on a Swift Boat, patrolling the rivers.

Dal worked as a heavy equipment operator and also Safety Supervisor at Jeffrey Energy Center until his retirement. He was a member of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, Son’s of the American Legion, and the VFW. He was also a member of the Wamego Country Club and several shooting clubs.

Dal loved to play golf, fish, trap shoot, and make trips to the casino, and especially enjoyed time with his family and grandchildren. He was a motorcycle enthusiast. Patriotism was very important to Dal and he was thrilled to be a part of one of the Wamego Honor Flights.

Dal married Mary Barbara Bogart on February 20, 1970. Their love and lives were entwined for almost 53 years before Barb preceded him in death on January 23, 2023.

Dal is survived by his children; Kennan Coates (Katie), Wamego, Brad Efurd, Blaine, Stacey Schmidt, Sedgwick; his grandchildren, Lance Bean, Taylor Ireton, Garrett Schmidt, and Kevlynn Coates, plus four great-grandchildren; his siblings, Robert Coates, New Orleans, LA, Cecil Coates, Albany, LA, Kay Cagle (Jerry), Hot Springs, AR, Ronald Coates (Judy), Pumpkin Center, LA PeeWee Coates (Patsy), Baytown, TX, Doug Coates (Gwen), Hammond, LA, Faye Bodi, Hammond, LA, Cindy Pecoraro (Larry), Pumpkin Center, LA, Lynn Adams (Ricky), Pumpkin Center, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Dal was preceded in death by his parents, and his grandson, Bryce Reed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Military honors will be performed at the funeral home by the United States Navy and the American Legion. Inurnment will be held in Fairview Cemetery in rural Dickinson County at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas Honor Flights – Wamego High School, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.

William “Bill” Schroeder (Posted 3/30/23)

William “Bill” H. Schroeder, age 73, of Junction City, formerly of Manhattan, died December 22, 2022, in Junction City.

Bill was born on April 10, 1949, in Wamego, Kansas, the son of Henry and Inez (Singer) Schroeder. His family moved to Manhattan when he was 8 years old. Bill graduated from Manhattan High School with the class of 1967.

A Celebration gathering for Mr. Schroeder will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday April 7, 2023 at the Midwest Dream Car Collection, 3007 Anderson Avenue in Manhattan.

The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with the service arrangements.

Olivia Collins (Posted 3/28/23)

Olivia P. Collins died Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the age of 76 in her home of Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan, Kansas.

Olivia was born on October 23, 1946, in Weatherford, Texas to Georgie Layne Potter and Wilson Potter, who preceded Olivia in death in 2007 and 1997, as did the love of her life, Tony Jurich, in 2010.

Olivia graduated with honors from University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and was awarded her master’s degree in human development and the family from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Ph.D. in family life education from Kansas State University.

Her journalism degree was always important to Olivia. It was her first career and helped her express herself, connecting Olivia with the arts and nonprofit organizations whose causes she supported throughout her life. As her love for adolescents and young adults grew, she pursued advanced degrees where her true essence of teacher and mentor shone through, landing her in places and spaces she enriched with her open heart, critical mind, and remarkable ability to form meaningful connections.

Following her doctoral studies, Olivia remained at K-State serving in 4-H Youth Programs, UFM Community Learning Center, School of Family Studies and Human Services, College of Human Ecology Dean’s Office, and retiring from the Staley School of Leadership in 2010, where she served as assistant professor and director of the nonprofit leadership focus, a program she co-founded.

Olivia was recognized throughout her career for outstanding contributions to education and developing youth, and for her community leadership. She was named Leader of the Year from Kansas Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in 1995 and recognized also by the National Council on Family Relations. Olivia received the university’s “Putting Students First” Award and was celebrated by her Staley School students and colleagues with the Rost Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award and the Susan M. Scott Community Leadership Award. In 2014, Olivia received the Wildcat Pride Award for her advocacy of alumni relations from the K-State Alumni Association.

Olivia had an authentic way of accepting – and applauding – everyone for their unique gifts and talents. She paired this genuine and complete acceptance with an ability to raise expectations and challenge those she connected with to give and do their very best, making her the wisest and gentlest of mentors. When she retired, she so missed talking with students – although so many would keep in touch long after graduation, with notes, texts, and over coffee on visits back to town – that she would talk with everyone else, including former neighbors and colleagues, her favorite servers and bartenders, friends from long ago or just met – always happy to offer friendly advice and gentle nudges to any in need. Olivia was also quick to celebrate others, sending cards, gifts, plants and flowers to congratulate, console, or encourage. She would generously host a party, send drinks to someone’s table or pick up the tab for their meal – just because and with delight; “Isn’t this fun!”

Olivia was an only child and spoke fondly of her “four-square upbringing,” running away only once – hiding in the bushes, struggling with who she wanted to be. Not so long ago she laughed that she was still in the bushes figuring out who she is. We know Olivia as an intelligent, caring woman who built family throughout her life. She was an extraordinary partner to Tony Jurich, married for 23 years, and loving member of the Jurich clan, including those she is survived by: bother-in-law Peter Jurich; brother-in-law Steve Jurich and his wife Madeline and their children Matt, Maggie, and Jake, who has welcomed Olivia’s kitty companion Bella into his home; and niece and nephew Fran and Peter Babrow.

There are many organizations to which memorial contributions may be made that would pay tribute to Olivia, including funds she herself initiated: Amy Button Renz Nonprofit Leadership Fund, Tony Jurich Community Commitment and Leadership Award, and Tony Jurich Marriage and Family Therapy Excellence Fund; and those she supported including the Meadowlark Good Samaritan Fund and Girls on the Run all in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Contributing to any cause or organization you care about would honor Olivia’s philanthropic spirit and legacy of advancing the work of nonprofits to make lives better. Overtipping your bartender or server, as Olivia would often do, would also pay her tribute.

Olivia recently shared a poem by Mary Oliver that touched her heart, reminding her of Tony:

I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in
singing, especially when singing is not necessarily
prescribed.

This is also how Olivia lived her life. Her light lives on in so many.

Honoring Olivia’s expressed wishes, there is no funeral service. Rather, we will celebrate her life, as she celebrated her friends and loved ones – with coffee and connection, a raised glass, music and dancing – on Sunday, April 2, 4:00 – 8:00 PM, and the K-State Alumni Center, 1720 Anderson Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas. All are invited.

The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with service arrangements. www.ymlfuneralhome.com

Dorene Taylor (Posted 3/26/23)

Dorene J. Taylor, 98, Westmoreland, KS, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2023, at Stoneybrook Memory Care of Manhattan.

Dorene was born March 17, 1925 on her family farm in the Flush, KS area, the daughter of Henry A. and Johanna F. (Nutman) Dekat. She attended Flush grade school and high school, and then graduated from nursing school. On January 5, 1945 she was united in marriage to Crawford W. Taylor. He preceded her in death on December 31, 2007.

She worked at Dechairo Hospital in Westmoreland for almost 40 years as the administrator, bookkeeper, head nurse and surgical assistant. Dorene was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Flush and served as a board member of the Westy Community Care Home for many years.

She enjoyed quilting and had a passion for gardening. Being with her children, and sharing time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was her favorite time. Celebrating her birthdays became a time she loved to host a Mexican feast for the family, and Christmas with the kids was her favorite time.

Dorene was one of 9 children. 6 brothers: Art, Don, Cleo, Gilbert, Bernard, and Carl, and 2 sisters: Loretta Straub and Isabell Gareis. All have preceded her in death. She is survived by her children: Bernard Taylor (Carla) , Houston, MO, Buz Taylor (Linda), Frankfort, KS, Beth Brunkow, Louisville, KS, and Brenda Platt (Riley), Manhattan, KS; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and a sister in-law Rita Snapp of Westmoreland.

A Rosary will be recited at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego on Thursday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. followed by a visitation with family greeting friends until 8:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday, March 31st at 10:30 a.m., with burial following in Westmoreland Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.

Richard Fernandez (Posted 3/26/23)

Richard (Rick) Pineda Fernandez, age 64, of Manhattan, died March 17, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Village in Manhattan.

He was born April 7, 1958, in San Antonio, TX, the son of Fernando and Petra (Pineda Priestley).

Rick worked for the Santa Fe Railroad prior to becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor. He ran a private clinic and a childcare business in Wichita, Kansas for many years. Rick also worked for Jostens later in life.

Rick will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor and generous nature. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed antiquing, and cooking for friends. Rick learned gardening skills from his mother, and love of the guitar and music from his father.

Richard was preceded in death by Gina Bloomfield, mother to his son. Richard was later married to Elizabeth Hilton and had 2 daughters. They later divorced.

Rick is survived by a loving family including his three children: Sean Richards and his wife Ana of Oklahoma, Kali Malia Fernandez-Spencer and her husband Derek of Texas, Katie Fernandez of Colorado; and eight grandchildren: Camryn, Aiden, Trinity, Emerson, Leia-Rae, Preslee, Memphis and Jupiter; and his sister: Lydia French and her family of Milford, Kansas and his step-father Richard Priestley of Tecumseh, Kansas.

Cremation is planned with private family services.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com

Memorial contributions may be made to Katie’s Way. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Jean Bigbee Hill (Posted 3/26/23)

Jean Leslie Bigbee Hill, age 76, of Manhattan, died March 19, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.

She was born June 6, 1946, in Manhattan, the daughter of Howard L. and Virginia L. (Skinner) Bigbee.

Jean graduated from Manhattan High School in 1964, attended Kansas State University, and graduated from Patricia Stevens Finishing School in Wichita.

She and her parents operated Tuttle’s Antique Market in Manhattan from 1989 to 2001. In 2001, she went to work as a real estate agent for ERA Real Estate and was the managing partner for many years prior to her retirement.

Jean was a life member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, was the co-founder of Second Helping at First Congregational in 2000, was the first female member of Sertoma in Kansas and also was the first female to serve as the District Chair for Sertoma, was a member of the Manhattan/Riley County Preservation Alliance, and was a huge K-State sports fan.

Survivors include her mother Virginia Bigbee of Manhattan; her sister Judy Ahrens and her husband Jim of Manhattan; and a large extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Friday, March 31st, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Jean’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, April 1st, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 700 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with Reverend Caela Simmons Wood officiating. Private inurnment will be in Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery east of Manhattan.