Peter Silva (Posted 11/14/19)
Peter Anthony Silva died Tuesday, October 22, 2019, after a long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Peter, 76, was a native son of Manhattan, Kansas who would become a noted American photojournalist whose work was recognized by his peers for its sensitivity and scope.
He was born on May 7, 1943 to Pedro and Erlinda Silva, and lived in a loving home with his older brother Robert and, later, younger sister Catherine. As a young man, he served as an altar boy at Seven Dolors Catholic Church and rose to the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts. He graduated from Monsignor Luckey High School in 1961, and went on to study architecture at Kansas State University. In March, 1967, he was called up by the U.S. Navy Reserves to active duty, serving in Iceland and at sea aboard the USS Vesole. He was honorably discharged from active duty in October, 1968 with the naval rating of Petty Officer Third Class. He would go on to serve several more years in the Reserves. Upon returning home, he joined the photography staff at The Manhattan Mercury, putting the self-taught skills he had learned as a teenager to work.
In 1973, he became a staff photographer at The Palm Beach Post in Florida, a newspaper known nationally for its excellent photo department and staffed with several award-winning photographers. Peter excelled there, also, winning Southern Photographer of the Year in 1974, a prize granted by the Southern Short Course, one of the oldest photojournalism institutions in the nation, for producing a year of excellence in news photography. He also met his lifetime companion and wife of some 47 years at the Post, writer Hilary Hylton Silva. Their first assignment together was to produce a Sunday length feature story on the weekend recreational activities of a motorcycle gang who had complained to the newspaper that they were being wrongly portrayed in the news as a gang, while their checking account clearly labelled them as the “Stormtroopers Motorcycle Club.” It was a running joke between Peter and Hilary that they had been introduced to each other by Stormtrooper President Charlie “Fat Rat” Haley.
Peter and Hilary went on to work at The Corpus Christi Caller-Times in Texas where Peter would win one of journalism’s most prestigious prizes, The Robert F. Kennedy Award given for outstanding coverage of the disadvantaged. The award recognized his work on a series of stories dubbed “The Outsiders” which focused on the dismal state of health care among the poor in South Texas. He was given a bust of the late Robert F. Kennedy marked with a plaque honoring his work by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy at a ceremony at the Hickory Hill, the Washington-area home of Kennedy’s widow, Ethel. Peter went on to became photo editor at The Austin American-Statesman in 1977. During his newspaper career he also won numerous other awards from the National Press Photographers Association, the Associated Press Managing Editors competition, and the Texas Headliners Club.
After leaving the Austin paper, Peter pursued a freelance career and was a founding contributor to Zuma Press, a leading global photo agency created and headed by Scott McKiernan, and dedicated to showcasing the world’s best photojournalism. Peter’s 50 plus year archive is filled with photographs of the famous and the infamous, the poor and downtrodden, headline makers and celebrities, sports giants in victory and athletes dealing with defeat. It includes photo essays of the joys and challenges of daily life, Mexican pilgrimages, Florida sawgrass hunters, South Texas farmworker marches, cadets at West Point, political campaigns of all stripes, NASA space shots, and celebrations and disasters all portrayed with an eye on the human condition. From their base in Austin, Peter and Hilary travelled widely, and he amassed a large photo archive of historic Mexican archaeological and historical sites. Peter covered Texas and national politics and breaking news with a passion and, despite his gentle personality, was known for his tough, get-the-shot approach in photo “scrums.” But his eye also captured the near and dear, pictures of tomatoes and peppers in his garden, bees landing on a cactus flower, a breeze wafting a curtain in old beach cabin, and an unknown quantity of cat and dog pictures of his beloved companions.
Peter was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012 and kept it at bay until very recently, thanks to the excellent care he received from the Veterans Administration hospitals in Austin and Temple, Texas. He participated in several drug studies that not only helped him, but also, he hoped would help others in the fight against cancer. He died very shortly after being admitted to hospice care at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center in Temple, Texas. News of his passing prompted those who had known him, from nurses and doctors, journalists and neighbors, friends and family to note what a gentle and good man he was.
He was predeceased by his parents, Pedro and Erlinda, and his nephew Chris. Survivors include his wife Hilary; his older brother Robert L. Silva and his wife Teresa of Pico Rivera, California; his younger sister Catherine Silva, M.D. of Leavenworth, Kansas and her husband Chris Haller, M.D.; and nieces and nephews, including Robert’s children, Steven, Melynn, Aubree, R.J., Matthew and Ethan, and Catherine’s three children, Linda, Tom and Joe.
A celebration of his life will be held at 6 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. A Vigil Service will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 23 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, and, following the service, he will be buried with veteran’s honors at Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan amid several generations of Silvas, Guillens, and Garibays, his large, extended family.
Throughout his life Peter was an animal-lover devoted to his cats and dogs. In lieu of flowers, the family would urge anyone wishing to mark his passing to remember him by donating to a no-kill shelter in their community, including the Riley County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1202, Manhattan KS 66505. (Donations also can made online at rchsks.org, or left at the funeral home at the celebration of life, and noted “In memory of Peter A. Silva.”) One more way to honor his memory would be to pause and look around, observe and take note of the world the way he did, with compassion, humor, and a keen eye for the world’s wonders, large and small, near home or faraway, and to focus on the common threads of humanity that bind us.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com
Joe Vera (Posted 11/14/19)
Joe Vera, age 89, of Manhattan, died Tuesday November 12, 2019 at the Via Christi Village in Manhattan.
He was born on February 19, 1930 in Manhattan, the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Silva) Vera.
On January 12, 1946 in San Francisco Del Rincon, Guanajuato, Mexico, he was united in marriage to Maria Gamino. She preceded Joe in death on March 25, 2000.
Joe worked at Griffith Lumber Company for many years. Joe left the lumber business to help Maria where they owned and operated the La Casa De Los Vera Mexican Restaurant in Manhattan from 1972 to 1991.
He and Maria lived in Manhattan until 1997, he then lived in Topeka for a period of time before returning to Manhattan.
Joe was a member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan. He loved and supported the Kansas State Wildcats athletic program. Joe enjoyed watching baseball especially the KC Royals and Atlanta Braves. He also enjoyed all western movies, most especially those that included John Wayne.
In addition to his wife, he was also preceded in death by his children, Joseph Robert Vera, Sandra Vera, and two infant children; one grandson, Teddy; his siblings, Ted Vera, Marcellina Zarazua, Josephine Vera, Lucia Jackson, Ernestina Arnett, Frances Myers, and Rachel Nehl.
Joe is survived by his children: Olga Madigan, Gerri Jennings, Tom Vera, Raul Vera, Gerard Vera, and Rodney Vera; his 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Beatrice Ayon, Virginia Perbeck, Frank Vera, and Anna Marie Yates.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday November 19, 2019 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
A Vigil Service will follow the visitation on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday November 20, 2019 at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, with Father Kerry Ninemire as the Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Joe may be made to the Seven Dolors Catholic Church or to the Via Christi Village. 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
Janice Lee (Posted 11/14/19)
Janice Lee, 90, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at Wroten House in Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan. Janice (May Janice West) was born December 15, 1928 in Deerfield, Kansas to Frank and Nell (Barnes) West.
She remembered the dust bowl days of western Kansas. At a young age the family moved to Garden City. She went to college at Wichita University and completed a degree in Music Education. She taught school in Sterling, Kansas and eventually met her parents upstairs renter, Alan Lee. They were married in 1951 and had four children, Steve (Nancy Raleigh), Manhattan, Don (Rose Ann), Nashville, TN, Janna Petry (John), Satellite Beach, FL and Ken, Breckenridge, CO. There are eight grandchildren.
As a wife and partner in Lee Construction, the family built the state streets subdivision. While completing this they started building apartments. Janice leased apartments for the company while teaching piano and raising four kids.
In the Early 70s Janice served on the board of the local Manhattan Arts Council. She traveled all through Kansas helping set up local arts councils as a founding member and first president of the Association of Community Arts Agencies of Kansas (ACAAK). These helped bring all kinds of art to smaller communities in Kansas. Janice also was a member of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee for several years.
The First United Methodist church gave a framework to the family—Church, Sunday school, Choralaires, bell choir, choir, MYF, Acolytes kept Janice busy. She also was a member of PEO IW Chapter and the Little Apple Pilot Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband Alan Lee and three brothers; Madison, Ken and Howard West. In addition to her children and grandchildren she is survived by her brother Duane (Orvileta) of Garden City.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday November 19, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church, 612 Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, with Rev. Melanie Nord officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
The family will receive friends on Monday November 18, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shepherd’s Crossing. 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
Forrest Johnson (Posted 11/12/19)
Paul Hiegert (Posted 11/12/19)
Paul Anthony Hiegert, 88, of Paxico, Kansas, passed away Friday, November 8, 2019 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka. Paul was born November 18, 1930 in St. Marys, Kansas, the son of Anthony Paul and Annie (Hutley) Hiegert.
He attended grade school in Newbury, and graduated from Paxico High School in 1948.
Following school, he served in the U.S. Navy. After returning home from his military service,
Paul started work at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Topeka, where he worked for 30 years.
Following his career at Goodyear, he worked for the City of Paxico Maintenance Department for
over 30 years. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus, the American Legion
Hiegert-Woody Post of Paxico, and the United Rubber Workers Union. He also served as the
Paxico Fire Chief for many years. He enjoyed gardening and mowing, and was always fixing,
repairing or maintaining things.
Paul married Martina Edna Deiter on June, 4, 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Newbury,
KS. She survives of the home. He is also survived by their nine children and spouses: Douglas
Hiegert (Annette), Paxico, KS, Keith Hiegert (Jody), Keene, KS, Gloria Hiegert, Topeka, KS,
Mary Jane Hiegert, Topeka, KS, Audry Glotzbach (Joe), Maple Hill, KS, Dean Hiegert (Kim),
Topeka, KS, Brenda Gosch (Terry), Jefferson City, MO, Wayne Hiegert, Topeka, KS, Brian
Hiegert (Emily), Wichita, KS; a brother, Kenneth Hiegert, Council Grove, KS, a sister in-law,
Carmen Hiegert, Paxico, KS; 29 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by two brothers, Henry and Eugene Hiegert and a sister, Dorothy Deiter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the Sacred
Heart Catholic Church of Newbury. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A Rosary will
be held Friday at 7:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until 9:00 p.m. at the church. Mr. Hiegert
will lie in-state at the church beginning at 3:00 pm Friday. Memorials are suggested to the
Sacred Heart Church, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box
48, 66547. Online condolences may be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com
Tanner Dee Miller (Posted 11/12/19)
Tanner Dee Miller, 27, passed away peacefully at his home on the early morning of November 8, 2019 surrounded by his family and friends after beating cancer for the past four years.
Tanner was born August 12, 1992 in Dodge City Kansas, the son of Dr. Gary R. Miller and Judy Beedles Miller. He attended Dodge City Public Schools and graduated from Dodge City High School in 2011. He later moved to Manhattan and attended Kansas State University, majoring in Business and Finance.
Tanner said the worst day of his life was on September 22, 2015 when he was diagnosed with Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC), a rare form of kidney cancer. On October 31st the MD Anderson Team removed one kidney and Tanner started on the cycle of many test drugs, and clinical trials along with various chemo treatments. Tanner spent numerous days at MD Anderson with his amazing cancer team. While many would have allowed this diagnosis to define them, Tanner did the complete opposite. He embraced life, built meaningful friendships, and, most importantly decided to live life on his terms. His time spent with the MD Anderson team will go on to benefit further research and treatment for those with RMC.
Tanner had the gift of being a natural entrepreneur. In middle school, he started his own lawn mowing business. He also had an eye for taking old items and restoring them and has blessed many with creations he designed.
Building friendships and valuing people was one of Tanner’s strengths. Tanner took the time to ask meaningful questions and could quickly convert strangers into friends and friends into family. Tanner’s greatest gift was his energy and ability to turn the dullest situation into a party. When you were around Tanner, you never quite knew what would happen but you always new it would end with laughter and great memories. Tanner’s witty personality and spontaneous energy will be remembered for life.
He is survived by his parents, Dr. Gary R. Miller and Judy Beedles Miller; sister, Halee Miller; niece, Sydnee Wilson; Aunt Janet and Uncle Dave Weaver, Uncle Dennis and Aunt Annie Miller, and Uncle Jay Berry; cousins Megan Nagel, Rusten Weaver, Michael Miller, Michelle Roberts, Jason and Justin Berry, Erin Sneller and Amber Summers.
Tanner was preceded in death by his grandparents, Floyd and Pauline Beedles, Conrad and Eva Miller, and Aunt Jeanette Berry.
Services will be Friday, November 15, 2:00PM at University Christian Church, 2800 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS 66503. Following the service a continued Celebration of Life will be held at the Blue Hills Room, 2315 Tuttle Creek Blvd., in Blue Hills Shopping Center by RC McGraws, for a time to renew old friendships and share stories about Tanner.
Memorial contributions are suggested to RMC Research at MDAnderson (MDA). 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
Mary Ellen Guest (Posted 11/12/19)
Mary Ellen Guest, 88, of Manhattan, passed away Tuesday, November 5th, she was an LPN at the Lafene Student Health Center and Meadow Lark Retirement Village.
Mary was born in Topeka, on June 2, 1931, the daughter of the late Lenora Ruth (Post) and Ralph Edwin Wing. She was the widow of Loys William Guest on Dec. 22, 1950, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Topeka. She graduated from the Central High School St. Joseph, MO in 1949 and attended and graduated from Manhattan Technical College with an LPN. Mary Ellen was a member of Grace Baptist Church Manhattan, the Christian Women Fellowship and the Kansas Republican Women.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter, Kristin Lee, wife of Clinton Barry, of Mountain Home, AR; two sons David Wayne and his wife Dana Guest, of Lake St. Louis, MO; Paul Loys Guest and his wife Charlotte, of Manhattan, KS; 4 grandchildren and their families Richard, Lori, Ben and Luke Barry; Anna and Mena Guest; Eva and Tony Lovasco; Ruth Ann Guest. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Dale E. and Marion K. Wing,
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, November 12th at the Grace Baptist Church, 2901 Dickens Ave. in Manhattan, with Pastor Paul Barkey officiating. A luncheon will be served following the service.
Family request donations to Grace Baptist Church, 2901 Dickens Ave., Manhattan, 66502
Donald Lee Renner (Posted 11/12/19)
Donald Lee Renner, age 85 of Manhattan, passed through Heaven’s gates on November 3, 2019 at the Leonardville Nursing Home.Thomas Charles Roberts (Posted 11/12/19)
Thomas Charles Roberts, 93, died November 8, 2019 at Ascension Via Christi Village in Manhattan, Kansas.
Tom was born September 22, 1926 in Burrton (Harvey County), Kansas – the son of Ernest and Mildred (Miller) Roberts Abston.
He attended grade school in Halstead, Kansas graduating from Halstead High School in 1944. Upon graduation, as a 17-year-old, Tom joined the Army Air Corps. He left for Leavenworth, Kansas in February 1945 to be inducted into the military service. Tom was sent to Sheppard Field, Texas where he passed all his tests to become a pilot. However, World War II ended, and he was honorably discharged in November 1945. In September 1946, he enrolled in Agriculture and Applied Science classes at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, graduating January 1950.
Tom was united in marriage to Dixie Werner in Newton, Kansas on January 1, 1947 and lovingly married for over 72 years. Together, Tom and Dixie traveled, were avid K-State fans, active grandparents, and taught ballroom dancing lessons in Manhattan for 30 years. They organized and managed Club Manhattan LTD, a dance club, for 20 years.
After Tom graduated from K-State, he briefly taught a Veteran’s On-the-Farm Training Program at Buhler, Kansas. In the fall 1950 he moved to Lebanon, Kansas to teach vocational agriculture at Lebanon High School. From 1953 to 1956, he taught vocational agriculture at Lyndon High School in Lyndon, Kansas.
In May 1956, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Kansas Crop Improvement Association and moved his family to Manhattan, Kansas. In 1961 the family moved to Scott City, Kansas when Tom accepted a position as General Manager for Frontier Hybrids Inc.
Tom was appointed Executive Director, Wheat Quality Council in 1966 and devoted his professional life to fostering wheat quality. For over 27 years he served the winter wheat industry admirably and provided an important communications bridge between the milling and baking industry and hard-red winter wheat improvement programs. Tom was often called the “wheat man” and proudly owned and displayed the “WHEAT” state license plate on his vehicle as he drove from county to county judging and promoting quality. In 1974, he served as co-chairman on the Governor’s Wheat Centennial committee and directed a year-long education and celebration of wheat brought to Kansas by Russian Immigrants.
Even after his retirement, Tom continued to organize the Kansas State Fair Wheat Show. One author wrote: “One of the unsung heroes of the wheat industry, Tom puts on the best wheat show, probably in the world, each year! He has a special flair for young people and for doing young things. He enjoys watching the children pound on the bags of wheat. Tom always said, every Kansas child should get to feel a solid sample of wheat before he or she departs for the outside world!”
Aside from his professional career, Tom was a Lions Club member for over 50 years. He served as president, Kansas Lions Sight Foundation, was District Governor, and an avid pin trader. He organized the first Kansas Lions Highway Trash Pick Up Program. Tom spent hundreds of hours building and supervising the construction and development of the Hurst Majors Children’s Zoo at Sunset Park in Manhattan and with Lions Club members help, completed the project in 12 years. He was a part time courier for the K-State Athletic Department and an avid sports fan of K-State athletics, holding season football tickets for 52 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School Class, helped with youth groups, and served as an usher for 25 years.
He is survived by his wife Dixie and two sons: Tom (Karen), Brad (Janette) all residing in Manhattan, Kansas. Tom has four grandsons Greg (Mari), Pinsaguel, France; Chad, Palm Harbor, Florida; Brett (Laurel), New Orleans, Louisiana; Spencer (Courtney), Shawnee, Kansas. Four great grandchildren: Ayden, Emma, Rowen, and Jack.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather Orville Abston, two sisters Genevieve (Roberts) Olin and Wilma Jean (Abston) Tousignant and brother Maurice Roberts. He is survived by his brothers; Ralph Abston of Howe, Indiana; and Larry Abston (Patricia), Loveland, Colorado. Sisters Joan (Roberts) Brenneman-Miller (Gene), Hesston, Kansas, Tressa (Abston) Suffield (Claney) Amarillo, Texas, and brother-in-law Wolf Mey, plus many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 13th, at the First United Methodist Church, 612 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with Reverend Melanie Nord officiating. Interment will follow at Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 12th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. The family will also greet friends from 9:30 to 10:15 A.M. Wednesday at the church prior to the service in the connecting link.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ascension Via Christi Village, Kansas Wheat Commission Research Fund, and Kansas Lions Sight Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Nila Haefner (Posted 11/8/19)
Nila Elaine Haefner, 81, of Wheaton, Kansas, died Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Onaga Community Hospital. She was a life-long member of the community.
Nila was born on September 28, 1938, on the family farm north east of Wheaton, the daughter of Henry and Hilda Abitz Kufahl. She attended elementary school at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Duluth and graduated from Wheaton Rural High School in 1956. She then attended a Business and Secretarial School in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nila was first and foremost a homemaker and loved caring for her family. Her love for children was an integral part of her life, and she provided day-care in her home. Nila and Ernie were foster parents for many years. Nila also worked for two years for Farm Bureau Insurance Company as a secretary, she also worked in the printing material department at the ALCO corporate office in Abilene.
Nila loved quilting and sewing. She won many awards for her quilts at the Pottawatomie County Fair. She enjoyed gardening, canning and reading. Nila was an enthusiastic K-State sports fan. She and her family attended many KSU Football games, and also traveled to a number of bowl games. Nila and Ernie loved taking their grandchildren to watch Wildcat Women’s Basketball games. Nila was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church. She served in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and was the Sunday School Superintendent for many years. She also served as the church organist and played for many weddings and funerals. Nila was a member of the Sunflower Club.
Nila married Ernest Otto Haefner on June 2, 1957 at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton. He survives.
Nila is also survived by her children; Curtis Haefner (Lori), Onaga, Kari Kufahl (Randy), Wheaton, and Kevin Haefner (Lisa) DeSoto; her siblings, Orlene Krohn, Blaine, Ardell Kufahl (Arlene), Wheaton, Delbert Kufahl, Onaga, and Don Kufahl (Margie), Hoyt; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren. Nila was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Reverend Terry DeGiovanni will be officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Luke Lutheran North Cemetery. Nila will lie-in-state, on Monday, at the church, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to St. Luke Lutheran Church, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Kufahl Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.
Mildred Ruth Lindholm (Posted 11/8/19)
Mildred Ruth (Socolofsky) Lindholm of Manhattan, Kansas passed away on November 4, 2019.
Mildred was born in Marion, Kansas March 17, 1924, to Abraham and Mary (Reneau) Socolofsky. She graduated from Manhattan High School in 1942. She then graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Home Economics in 1946.
On June 8, 1947, she married the love of her life, John C. Lindholm, at the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, Kansas. They honeymooned in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado thus starting a lifelong love of travel. They lived and worked in Egypt and the Fiji Islands, and traveled all over the world visiting countries on all the continents except Antarctica. Highlights include the Holy Land, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, cruising the Panama Canal and visiting their ancestral lands of Russia, Germany, and Sweden. In their extensive travels around the United States, they visited people and places in all 50 states. Together they had four children.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, belonged to the United Methodist Women, the UMW Current Issues Group, Peacemakers Sunday School Class and served on various other committees. She was active in the KSU Social Club and P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Mildred is survived by her husband of more than 72 years, John; three daughters, Martha (Michael) Milleson of Leavenworth, Kansas; Susan (John) Harrington of Leavenworth, Kansas; Barbara (Randall) Angell of Bothell, Washington; her son John (Debra) Lindholm, of Houston, Texas; 4 grandchildren, Adam (Thao) Harrington of Glastonbury, Connecticut; John Michael (Erin) Ludwig of Wichita, Kansas; Valerye Milleson of Fairfax, Virginia; Caryn (David) Smith of Shawnee, Kansas and 7 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Homer Socolofsky and Marion Socolofsky, and her sister, Dorothy Graham.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Community Room at Meadowlark Hills on November 16 at 10:30 AM. A visitation and reception will follow. Interment will be at a later date at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, Fort Riley.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Mildred and John Lindholm Scholarship Fund at KSU or the First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.
Gene Jerabek (Posted 11/7/19)
Gene Roush Jerabek, age 101, of Manhattan, Kansas died October 27, 2019, at Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan. Born December 10, 1917, in Winfield, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Samuel Irvin and Pauline May (Benfer) Roush. Gene graduated from high school in 1935 in Mifflinburg, PA, and earned her Nursing Certificate at Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
A World War II veteran, Gene joined the US Army Nurse Corps in September 1941, serving in North Africa and Italy, returning home in September 1945. Gene was awarded battle stars for the Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno campaigns. During the war she met another lieutenant, George Jerabek. They married June 1, 1944, in Naples, Italy, and as mandated by Army regulations, were accompanied by a driver on their honeymoon.
Following the war, Gene and George moved to Lockport, IL where they raised five children. After the children were all in school, Gene returned to nursing. Gene and George later retired to Kingman, AZ where George died in 1986.
Gene was very devoted to God and her family, enjoyed reading, and prayed diligently. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a strong supporter of many charitable and Christian causes. She was a dear friend to many, and an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman until moving closer to her children in 2013.
She leaves behind one sister, June Brown of State College, PA; three children: Polly (Ted) Hagerty of Briarcliff, TX, David (Karen) Jerabek of Manhattan, KS, and Joel (Jo Ellen) Jerabek of Crystal Lake, IL; a daughter-in-law, Amanda Jerabek of Marietta, GA; seven grandchildren: Katie (Michael) Johnson, Sally (Chock) Hefner, Sarah (Garrett) Lunsford, Alex Jerabek, Jeff Jerabek, Anton Jerabek and Stefan Jerabek; five great-grandchildren: Jackson Jerabek, Cal, Sophie, and Maggie Hefner, and Sam Johnson; two nieces and countless friends.
Preceding Gene in death were her husband George, son Jan, daughter Judy, brother Jay Roush, and an infant sister. Gene’s funeral will be Veterans Day, November 11, at 1:00 pm at First Lutheran Church in Manhattan, with Reverend Liz Kocher officiating. Inurnment will be with her husband in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.
Condolences may be sent to the family c/o David Jerabek, 2827 Illinois Lane, Manhattan, KS 66502, or online through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made directly to Lutheran Bible Translators, First Lutheran Church in Manhattan, or a charity of your choice, or may be left in care of
Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
James Todd (Posted 11/7/19)
James “Jimmie” Thomas Todd, age 85, of Manhattan, Kansas passed away Friday evening, November
1, 2019, at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas.
Jimmie was born on April 18, 1934, in Versailles, Kentucky. He was the eldest child of James and
Bessie Todd and was preceded in death by both of his parents.
On September 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Nina Musgrove. They enjoyed 61 years of
marriage together and shared homes in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Kansas.
He is survived by his wife; daughter: Becky Steelsmith(Curt) of Manhattan; grandson: Bradley
Steelsmith(Kali Orrick) of Manhattan; 3 siblings: Roberta Brence(Larry), Roy Todd(Pat), and Deborah
Todd(dear friend Angela Clifford) of Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.
Jimmie enjoyed his work in many different areas beginning at the University of Kentucky as a Vet
Tech. From there, he went into the United States Army where he was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas.
During his time in the Army, he traveled to several different places in the U.S. Once he ended his
service in the military, he followed his calling, working with the church as a Minister and Sunday
School Teacher in Kentucky and Kansas. While continuing his roles within the church, he began his
long career at Kansas State University working for the Division of Facilities. This is where he
discovered his passion for operating heavy equipment and supervising a team of fellow employees. He
retired after 30 years before returning for an additional 10 years.
Jimmie loved Southern Gospel music and spent many hours together with Nina watching videos of
their favorite groups. He enjoyed many hobbies including, collecting belt buckles, knives, coins, and
hats, working on construction equipment, figuring out how things worked, and discovering inventive
ways of fixing things. A great desire in his life was to make everyone he met smile and laugh. Even
until the end, his ornery personality showed as he continued to make those around him smile.
A gathering of friends and family will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 pm at
Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home at 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Yorgensen-MeloanLondeen Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on “Send Condolences” on this page.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice House and Meadowlark
Parkinson’s Program (Manhattan, Kansas) or may be left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
Warren Eldon Blodgett (Posted 11/5/19)
Warren Eldon Blodgett, age 81 of Keats, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit.Mildred Ruth Lindholm (Posted 11/5/19)
Mildred Ruth Lindholm, 95, of Manhattan, KS passed away on Monday, November 4, 2019. Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview & Cremation and are currently pending.
Heidi Hendrickson (Posted 11/5/19)
Heidi Hendrickson (Posted 11/5/19)
Heidi C Hendrickson, 63, of Manhattan, KS, passed away on Monday, November 4, 2019. Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview & Cremation, and are currently pending.
Raymond Dunham (Posted 11/2/19)
Raymond Eugene “Stoney” Dunham, 59, of Louisville, Kansas, died Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at his home. He was a long-time resident of the area.
Ray was born on August 23, 1960, in Manhattan, Kansas, the son of Charles E. and Muriel S. Lloyd Dunham. He attended local schools and later went on to get his HVAC certification.
Ray worked for several companies in HVAC and was a Maintenance Supervisor for many years. Ray enjoyed fishing, camping and riding his motorcycle. He was a pet lover, taking his dogs with him everywhere he went. Most importantly Ray loved his friends and family, spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Ray married Rose E. Bribiesca on February 11, 2000 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Ray is survived by his wife Rose, his children, Nicole Dunham (Alex Lopez), Jay, Oklahoma, Michael Bribiesca, Overland Park, Kansas, Buddy Holloway (Crystal), Wamego, Kansas; his grandchildren Haven, Danica, Connor, Remington, Michael, Elizabeth, Sierra, Christian, Elijah, Ryan and Dominic; his siblings, Patricia Dunham, Kansas, Oklahoma, Gail Fairchild (Ray Gene), Wamego, Kansas, Charles Dunham, Jr., Kansas, Oklahoma and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Sonia and his dog, Paco.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the Family Worship Center. Reverend Pat Green will be the Officiant. Inurnment will follow at Louisville Cemetery. The family will greet friends following the graveside committal at a luncheon held at the church hall. In lieu of flowers they suggest memorial contributions to Campanella Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.
Dorothy Ann Tompkins (Posted 11/1/19)
Dorothy Ann Tompkins, 89, of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Meadowlark Hills Community Room, Manhattan, KS on November 8, 2019, at 10:00 AM. Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation. For full obituary see www.irvinparkview.com
Reva Jane Grater (Posted 11/1/19)
Reva Jane Grater, age 86 of Clay Center, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.