Last Updated 10/10/21
Walter “Butch” Adams
Walter Leroy Adams, 64, was born Oct. 24, 1947, in Lyons, KS. He passed away suddenly at his residence in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 2, 2012. He was the son of Walter O. and Helen M. (Belong) Adams.
Walter graduated in 1965 from Lyons High School, Lyons, KS. He attended Kansas State University, Sterling College and Oklahoma State University. He had an extensive career as a hydraulic engineer, and then later as a salesman.
Walter married Melva J. Smith on Jan. 29, 1969. Together, they had a daughter, Jennifer Marie Adams. Then, Walter married Linda L. Powers on Sept. 24, 1986. They were married for 23 years until she passed away in 2009.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Adams (2009), mother, Helen Adams (1966), father, Walter Adams (2003), grandparents, Roy Belong (1962), Ruth Belong (1995), Walter M. Adams, (1977), and Willie Adams (1994).
Walter is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Marie (Adams) Knudsen and her husband, David of Phoenix, AZ; step-son, Jon Powers and his wife, Sarah of Wooster, OH; grandchildren, Andrew Sanburn of Phoenix, AZ; Jacob Knudsen of Phoenix, AZ, Stella Powers of Wooster, OH, Marek Powers of Wooster, OH; brothers, Gary Adams of Seminole, Eric Adams of Gilletter, WY; step- mother, Eula Sanders of Ft. Worth, TX; step-sister, Renna Hanlon of Paris, TX; step-brother, Mickey McBride of San Antonio, TX; aunts, Carol Forrest of Seminole, JoAnn Mathis of Bedford, TX, Clovis Quijada of Dessert Valley, AZ; uncles, Bill Belong of Poway, CA, Carl Adams of Chase, KS; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Seminole on Oct. 15, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.
Paul and Carol (Ford) Bingle
We were married in June of 1970 after our graduation.
We got teaching jobs in Kansas, and this PA guy and ND girl have lived there for 51 years. The first 27 years we lived in St. Paul, KS, and this is our 24th year in Sterling.
Carol was an elementary teacher and librarian for 20 years, when health issues forced quitting her beloved profession. Paul was in teaching and administration for 38 years, the last 4 at Sterling College.
We have one son, Daniel. He and Kim also live in Sterling. The joys of our lives are grandkids Breanna (11th grade), Danika (7th grade), and Knox (5th grade). We are blessed to have them live nearby.
We’ve been active in the KS Association of School personnel and in our church.
One of the most rewarding (and exhausting!) activities from which we recently retired was organizing a community Thanksgiving Dinner. Each year 500-700 people were served - what a joyous time it was in our lives!
Last year Carol had shoulder surgery and needed to stay at the Manor for recuperation. Our picture was taken there - it was our 50th anniversary and during the pandemic - but was a joyous time with our grandkids looking in the windows!!
We’re grateful to our God for bringing us back to Sterling, where we first met at SC!
A month ago we moved from our home in Sterling to one of the Sterling Village (Manor) cottages.
Myra J. (Morlan) Bolton
Official obituary could not be found.
Myra Jane Bolton passed away on November 10, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio at the age of 41. She was born November 27, 1947 in Mishawaka, Indiana, to Clarence D. and Ruth Haspels Morlan.
Myra married James G. Bolton on August 23, 1969. They had two daughters, Kimberly Ruth, in 1977, and Rebekah Christine, in 1981.
A note in the College’s files tells that Myra was the first woman high school driver’s education teacher in the Kansas.
Donald and Lennette (Lundberg) Bonnell
In the fall of 1970, after graduation from Sterling, Don attended Wichita University for one semester before transferring to Norwood, Mass. where he worked on obtaining aviation certificates for airport management. Due to the Arab oil embargo, jobs in that area dried up. Then job
opportunities became available in insurance where he worked for 34 years. Twenty-six of those were with the Hartford Insurance Group in Kansas City where he worked in the Bond Depts. He retired from the Hartford as the Regional Fidelity Manager for the Kansas City and Denver office.
Lennette attended the University of Iowa after graduation where she completed her Masters in Social Work. She then moved to Kansas City, Kansas to work in child welfare for the Ks.
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. After 13 years working in foster care, she became a school social worker for Kansas City, Ks. school district for 10 years and then another 10 years for the Olathe School.
Don and Lennette were married August 7, 1982, living in the Kansas City area. They enjoy retirement now in various activities. Don spends many days working at maintaining their church building and grounds. In addition, he enjoys his woodworking shop where he makes small, elaborate antique wooden cars. So far, he is up to 32 different models of cars. Lennette also serves in the church in various positions while enjoying her sewing room, quilting, and making handbags.
Kathleen (Mustard) Bonney
(former student)
During my junior year at Sterling College, I spend the 1st semester in an aboard program at a small college in Copenhagen Demark, studying political science, and traveling throughout Europe. While there I met my first husband and father of my 3 children. My husband and I spent a year in London where he got his Master’s degree and I worked in a dress shop. My only “claim to fame” was getting to meet the Queen Mother of England at a tea party’ I did a much-practiced curtsy when she leaned over, kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear, “Darling, you look like an angel.”
My husband and I owned and worked in a restaurant in Hemet California, while raising our 3 kids;
Aric, Manda, and Geoffrey. After getting divorced, I went back to school to become a registered nurse; later getting a BSN. I worked the next 20 years in the Emergency Department at Hemet Hospital; during that time, I did a 2-year traveling assignment in Alabama and North Carolina, with my 3 teenagers in tow.
In 1994 I married the love of my life and soulmate, Glenn Bonney; a country western singer, actor, agent and all-around great guy. Unfortunately, he died 2 years later form cancer, but not before we had the time of our lives.
In 2002, I went to North Carolina to be near my daughter while she was pregnant with twin boys already having a 2-yera-old daughter. I stayed with her and her family for almost a year helping out.
IN 2003 I was accepted into the Peace Corps and spent 2 years in Malawi Africa working in community health: teaching, writing grants for wells and shelters, and making a lot of new friends.
What an experience; probably one of the best things I’ve ever done.
When I came back from the PC I moved to Dunn, NC, close to my daughter and her family. I now have 5 grandkids, 3 in NC and 2 in CA. Every year I go back to CA to see my 2 boys and their families.
I worked at Harnett Health, here in Dunn, again in the ED and as a nursing supervisor, until I retired in 2014. I now spend my time volunteering, gardening, in books clubs, socializing with my friends and family, and doing lots of traveling. I feel very fortunate and blessed to be where I am in my life, still healthy and most definitely happy.
Donald “Don” Caywood
Donald Kent Caywood, 70, of Sterling, passed away on December 7, 2017, at his home. He was born July 4, 1947, in Sterling, the son of Kenneth and Wilma Engbrecht Caywood. He graduated from Sterling High School with the class of 1965 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Sterling College in 1970.
Donald was a lifelong Sterling resident. Donald worked for the Sterling Power Plant for 21 years and the Kansas State Fair for 6 years. He was a member of Grace Bible Church, Hutchinson. He served in the Kansas Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972.
On August 22, 1969, Donald was united in marriage to Barbara Philips in Fort Morgan, Colorado.
She survives of the home. Other survivors include his two sons, Scott and Brandi Caywood of Hutchinson, KS and Brad and Janell Caywood of Manhattan, KS; three brothers, Larry and Carol Caywood of Phoenix, AZ., Michael, and Joy Caywood and Steve and Janet Caywood both of Sterling; sister, Judy and Rick Nelson of Rose Hill, KS.; seven grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Ronnie Caywood.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at Grace Bible Church, Hutchinson with Pastor Bart Horton, and Pastor Blake Gillen officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 7:00 P.M., Monday, December 11, 2017, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Memorials can be made to Grace Bible Church, Hutchinson in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.
Barbara (Harms) Craig
Barbara Lynn Craig, 67, of Enterprise, passed away at the Geary Community Hospital in Junction City, on Tuesday, March 10, 2015.
Barbara was born Jan. 15, 1948, at Halstead. Her parents were Harry and Barbara Jane Phillips Harms. She attended grade school in Potwin; attended high school in Remington and graduated from high school in 1966 at Hoisington. She attended Sterling College and graduated in 1970.
She was married to Jack L. Craig, Sr. on June 7, 1970, in Hoisington. In 1970, they moved to Kansas City, Kan.; 1973 they moved to Chapman, Neb.; and then in 1978 they moved to Enterprise.
She was a housewife and mother, and she also had worked as a clerk at Froelich Grocery in
Enterprise, as a seamstress at the alteration shop in Abilene and as a billing clerk for Bailey's Truck Line in Abilene. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Methodist Ladies Circle, both in Abilene, and she enjoyed doing genealogy research.
She is survived by her husband Jack L. Craig, Sr. of their home in Enterprise; two sons: Jack L. (J.L.) Craig., Jr. of Solomon and Scott P. Craig of Seattle, Wash.; one daughter, Susan L. Frieze and husband, Dr. Todd, of Chapman; two granddaughters, Emma and Elyssa Frieze; three sisters, Donna, Linda and husband Don, Karen and husband Mike; two brothers, Lloyd, Rod and wife Stephanie; and two nieces, Lauren and Sophia Harms. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Barbara Jane, and one brother-in-law, Joe.
Ken Davidson
Following graduation from Sterling I was employed as a Social Worker in Reno County working with families and individuals with various financial and medical needs. This position transitioned into the supervision of staff and management of these programs. As a Program Administrator I was able to participate in and complete the Certified Public Manager program for the State of Kansas. I retired from state government, having completed about 44 years of service.
The year after graduation Jane Milligan ’71 and I were married the summer after she graduated from Sterling. We have lived in Hutchinson since that time. She completed her degree in education and started teaching in the Hutchinson school system after our wedding. She taught for several years prior to starting our family and then stopped to be a stay-at-home mom. She later went back to work for the system and eventually retired from the district.
We were blessed to have one daughter, Tricia. She chose to attend Sterling where she got her degree. Following that she went to Wichita State University to become a physician assistant. She works with physicians in the pulmonology department at the Hutchinson Clinic. She married Daniel Gilligan, an attorney who was working in the district attorney’s office. He is currently the Magistrate Judge in Reno County.
Tricia and Daniel have added a new joy to our lives by providing us with two adorable grandsons.
Zachary is now 6 and attending first grade. Ian is a rambunctious 3-year-old. We have been able to provide childcare for the boys two days a week. That has been a great experience, but it really keeps us hopping trying to stay up with them. One is definitely easier to care for than two.
Having never gotten my farm roots out of my system, I have continued to spend time and energy maintaining a portion of our family farm. In addition, Jane and I have enjoyed traveling and I have been working on ways to improve my skills in photography. The highlight of this year has been being able to celebrate our 50th anniversary in July!
Michael Debartolo
(former student)
DeBartolo Michael J., 63, of Palisades Park, NJ, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2010.
Beloved husband of Virginia "Ginna" (nee Martini) DeBartolo. Loving father of Melissa DeBartolo, Esq. and Police Officer Michael DeBartolo and his fiancée Melissa Brown. Cherished son of the late Concetta DeBartolo. Devoted brother of Theresa Kramer, Frank, and Elizabeth DeBartolo. Adored son-in-law of Virginia Martini. Dear bother-in-law of Marie and Vito Giannini, Diane and Frank Martini, and Marilyn and Al Stevens. Survived by many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and his grand-dog Toby.
Mr. DeBartolo worked for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission in Newark for 15 years. He was a member of the Palisades Park Fire Dept., Recreation Committee, and a former member of the Board of Education. Michael was past president of the Palisades Park Little League and
Administrator to Little League Dist. 6.
Funeral Tuesday at 8:45AM from the Hunt Stellato Funeral Home, 1601 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ. Funeral Mass 9:45AM St. Michael's R.C. Church. Interment Madonna Cemetery. Friends will be received Sunday 7-9 PM, Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM.
Jim and Lynn (Ecklund) DeVries
After graduating in 1970, Jim and Lynn began their teaching careers at Sunshine Bible Academy near Miller, SD (1970-1975). By 1990 they had taught another ten years in Christian Schools in the Boise, Idaho, area. The other five years between 1975 and 1990 were spent on family ranches in western South Dakota and Nebraska. Sons Mark, John, Peter, and Timothy were born in the years 1972- 1978.
Along with a few other colleagues and many dedicated parents they worked to establish Valley Christian High School in Boise between 1990 and 1994. Then they returned to Kansas where Jim began teaching at Central Christian High School in Hutchinson and Lynn, shortly later, began teaching composition classes at Sterling College.
Lynn’s teaching and advising at SC also included leading teams of students and staff for short-term English instruction for South Korean students. Initially the Korean students came to the Sterling campus; but later, after the IMF disruptions to the Korean economy, Sterling sent short-term
mission teams to Pusan during the January term or summer breaks. These teaching trips encouraged Lynn to complete a degree in ESL and, subsequently, to accept a position in the Department of Language Education at Handong Global University in 2001.
Two other schools share the beautiful new campus overlooking the “”East Sea” north of Pohang.
Handong International School was founded primarily to serve Korean missionary families serving in
“isolated fields,” but its mission has expanded to serve other elementary and secondary students.
Handong International Law School works to prepare its graduates to pass bar exams in the USA.
Lynn was involved with all three schools in various capacities during the 2001-2006 years. Jim taught initially at HIS but later taught classes for both HGU and HILS.
In 2006 they returned, again, to Kansas where Jim taught eight more years at Central Christian Schools. Lynn later accepted a position at Wichita Collegiate School where she taught until 2018.
Jim’s last three years of teaching in Kansas were at Classical School of Wichita and Faith Academy of Wichita.
Since their 2018 “retirement” move to New Meadows, Idaho, they have enjoyed a variety of “new”
activities, but they have also been blessed to reconnect with ‘old” friends. A prime example was watching “Mrs. G.,” Gail Garwick, referee volleyball matches in which their granddaughters were players.
Photo at wedding of granddaughter Lauren, daughter of John (95) and Nicole, July 2021.
Elizabeth Fallon
Elizabeth Grace Fallon was born on November 12, 1948, and passed away on May 8, 2020, in Greeley, CO, and is under the care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.
David Foster
As most of you know, Winnie (Weeneja Enyeart ’68) and I married in 1969. Therefore we celebrated our 52nd anniversary this past June.
During interterm in June, 1970, I received notification that I would be drafted before I graduated in spring of 1970. This led me to look for a National Guard enlistment. Fortunately a recruiter at Sterling College had just returned from Korea and he was able to get me into the air national guard in the early spring of 1970. During this time Winnie was teaching elementary classes in Chase near Sterling.
I graduated in the spring and got a job at KSIR, Kansas State Industrial Reformatory in Hutchinson. I went in active duty in October and Winnie had been teaching in Halstead. We moved to Colorado in the spring of 1972 and both got our master degrees in August of 1973.
I went to work at Lookout Mountain School in 1972 and Winnie at Aurora Public Schools in 1973.
Lookout Mountain School was a school for delinquents and I was fortunate to run a treatment program and also became a parole officer, retiring in 1999. Winnie retired in 2001.
We had three children: Jonathan born in February 1977; Jillian born October 1979 and Andrew born March 1986.
I went back to work in 1999 at Denver Children’s Home and finally retired in October 2009.
As a family, we got to travel to Europe two times and have my Australian cousin and wife visit.
We were active in our church till Covid made things difficult. Since spring we have been happy to see and be with our church friends
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.
Robert “Bobby” Foster
Robert “Bobby” Doyle Foster, 61, died September 24, 2008, at his home in Larned. He was born March 9, 1947, at Great Bend, Kansas the son of Doyle Copper and Maxine Brannan Foster. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County and he was a Juvenile Corrections Officer at the Larned Juvenile Correctional Facility, Larned.
He was a huge KSU fan, loved golfing, enjoyed working on the farm and loved his family very dearly. The high light of his life were his grandchildren Malachi Foster and Phoebe Davis. This year was one of the best years of his life. During this year, Pheobe turned 2, Malachi turned 1, there is another grandchild on the way and for once things went well at harvest. His mother was one of his closest friends and his little dog Max was his constant companion.
Survivors include: his mother, Maxine, Larned; a son, David Robert Foster, and his wife Lynette; a daughter, Jami Foster Davis, and her husband Travis, all of Denver, Colorado; a sister, Kathleen Marie Foster, Hutchinson; three grandchildren, Phoebe Marie Davis, Malachi David Foster; and a future baby Davis. He was preceded in death by his father Doyle C. Foster.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church, Larned, with Rev. Bill Fritzgerrel presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to the Robert Doyle Foster Memorial Scholarship fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550.
Thomas Frazier
Thomas Frazier of Rochester, NY, passed away on March 29, 2008. Survived by his wife, Barbara Frazier; 2 sons, Patrick (Shawna) Frazier and David (Suanna) Frazier; 1 daughter, Chantel Frazier;
his mother, Alberta Williams; 1 sister, Stean (Freddie) White; 3 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; other relatives and friends.
Calling hours Friday, April 4, 2008, at 7-9 PM at Metropolitan Funeral Chapels, Inc., 109 West Ave.
Funeral Services Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 11 AM at Greater Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, 60 Grand Ave., Pastor Jimmy C. Hickson, Officiating. Interment at the convenience of the family.
Karl Graves
Official obituary could not be found.
Burial: Good Luck Cemetery in Lanoka Harbor, Ocean County, New Jersey.
Bill Grey
Bill Grey ’70 – Quarterback on Southern Division Champs KCAC
Began my career at Seminole High School, Florida in 1970 teaching and coaching. Was named Pinellas County Track Coach of the Year in 1972 and 1973.
From 1979 – 1983 served as Assistant Principal at St. Petersburg Northeast High School.
Was appointed principal at St. Petersburg High School in 1983 where the first public school International Baccalaureate program was established in Florida.
Was appointed Pinellas County Director of Operations in Pinellas County in 1993.
In 2004 was named Associate Commissioner for Compliance, Administrative Operations, and Legal Affairs of the Florida High School Activities Association in Gainesville, Florida.
In 2009 assumed the position of Director of Emergency Management at St. Petersburg College to present.
Florence “Flos” (Bellina) Griswold
Florence Bellina Griswold, Woman of Great Faith and Exceptional Love. Born in PA 1947, she lived in MA, where she loved the sea, but more so, her great many friends.
Graduating Sterling College in Kansas, she married Larry in NJ, 1974. Two sons, she loved her family with an abundance of compassion. Mother to many, her love encompassed friends, children, fatherless and widowed. Son's friends called her 'Mom'.
Taught reading and sped, in NJ, Maynard over 10 years, ESL in Hudson. Florence's legacy is her great faith in Jesus, which expressed itself in great love. Active at The Bridge church, and others.
Champion of downtrodden, she helped orphans in Africa, Haiti, and all she knew. Her monument is these lives.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Surrounded by her family, she passed into eternity in Boston on Monday August 22, 2011. Survived by her husband Larry, sons Phillip and Jeremiah, his wife Heather, siblings Dolores, Paul, Richard, and Robert.
A public memorial service will be held at on Saturday August 27, from 1-4pm at The Bridge Metrowest 7 Strathmore Road, Natick, MA 01760. Flowers accepted. Donations may be made for Haiti at newmissions.org, or Ovarian Cancer Research (ocrf.org). Memories of Flos may be shared at [email protected]. "So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Wow - will this be your remembrance when the Lord calls you home? Well done, Flos Bellina!
Marvin L. Groote
Marvin Groote (1970) has had many differing careers, ranging from police officer to farmer to minster to executive to CEO of a not-for-profit.
As a police officer I concentrated on working with children in the school system and on traffic enforcement, although other types of investigation were included in the portfolio.
When my father became seriously ill, I returned to Iowa to run the family farm. During the eleven years there I was a major player in pork production as well as raising seed stock for corn production.
I was constantly looking for ways to improve the bottom line and experimented to a great extent.
In the fall of 1983, I felt the call to ministry and entered the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. I graduated with an M.Div. in 1987 and was ordained a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) later in the year. I served in installed positions in Tribune and Leoti, Kansas (yoked call), as well as in Lyons, Kansas. The remainder of my career as a minster was spent in Interim Ministry and in Executive Service. Interim calls were in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas. Executive calls were in Utah, Texas, and Louisiana. And later, I served as the CEO of Drug Prevention Recourse Service in Texas.
My first wife, Susan (see biography in this class), joined with me in 1968. We had two sons, Anthony and Timothy. Together they have produced 8 granddaughters. Susan passed from this life to the eternal in April, 1996.
I have since remarried to Adele Kim West Groote. Adele and I have experienced a great deal of relocation as I have served in varying locations and in varying types of ministry. We are currently retired and living in rural Hollister, Missouri. We spend as much time as possible on Table Rock Lake and enjoy our opportunities volunteering.
Susan Kay (Bartel) Groote
Following graduation in 1970, Susan, along with husband Marvin, relocated to Lakewood, Colorado.
While there, Susan was employed as an Activities Director in nursing homes. Her patients thoroughly enjoyed her personality, her energy, her imagination, and her creativity.
In 1972, Susan and Marvin relocated to Grundy County, Iowa, where Marvin managed the family farm. While there, Susan was a stay-at-home mother. She also developed as a seamstress, specializing in leather work and also in creating bridals gowns and bridesmaids gowns. She particularly enjoyed working with special needs women.
In 1984, Susan and Marvin entered the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. They both graduated with M.Div. degrees in 1987 and were ordained as Ministers of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Susan served congregations in Tribune, Leoti, Chase, and Wichita (all in Kansas), as well as serving as a Chaplain to the nursing home in Sterling, Kansas. She worked at all levels of government (presbytery, synod, and general assembly) in the PCUSA. She was a mentor to many candidates for ministry.
While serving as the Head of Staff at the Westside Presbyterian Church of Wichita, Kansas, Susan contracted breast cancer. Susan passed form this life to the eternal in April of 1996. She is fondly remembered by her two sons, Anthony and Timothy. And, although her granddaughters never met her, they have all heard stories of her wonderful life.
Partial Obituary: Susan K. Bartel Groote, 47, Branson, Mo., died Sunday evening, April 28, 1996, in St. John’s Regional Health Center, Springfield.
Born to Lucas and Dorothy Stucky Bartel in Newton, Kan., she graduated from high school in Hesston, Kan., in 1966, then attended Sterling College, Kansas, where she graduated in 1970. In the 1980’s she continued her higher education at Dubuque University Theological Seminary where she completed her studies in 1987.
Susan did not live in Branson a long time and she was bravely battling the cancer she had had for two years when she arrived, but during the eight months she was in Branson, Susan touched many lives through her teaching, her ministry, her faith and her unfailing good spirits. She will be missed greatly by the many friends she made in Branson and by the host of other friends and admirers she leaves throughout the Midwest.
Ferne (Cox) Hadley
Ferne M. Hadley, 87, died April 16, 2007, at Deseret Health Care, Hutchinson.
She was born Aug. 18, 1919, in South Hutchinson, the daughter of Joseph Albert and Hattie A. Ireton Cox. In 1937, she graduated from Hutchinson High School and in 1939, she graduated from Hutchinson Community College. A lifetime resident of the Hutchinson area, she was a teacher at South Hutchinson Elementary School, serving 38 years and retiring in 1978.
She belonged to First Christian Church, Hutchinson.
On April 27, 1941, she married Gilbert L. "Gibby" Hadley in Lyons. He died July 19, 1992.
Survivors include: two sons, Michael, Leonardville, and Jerry and wife, Norma, Hutchinson; a sister- in-law, Bonita Goss, Wichita; three grandchildren, Todd, Jason, and Heather Hadley; and two great- grandchildren, Jordan, and Sutter.
Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson, with the Rev. John Warring presiding. Visitation is from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be sent to Odyssey Health Care, in care of the mortuary.
Robert “Bob” Hall
Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Robert W. Hall, 67, of Belleville, Ill., born October 16, 1948, in Sterling, Kan., died Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.
Mr. Hall served three tours of duty in Vietnam with the 20th Special Operations Squadron, "Green Hornets", during his Air Force career and received a purple heart as well as numerous other medals of honor. He later retired from civil service at Scott Air Force Base. Robert was a master of all "fix- it" projects. He was a generous and giving man, and above all, a loving husband and father. Robert was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church, Belleville, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles M. and Opal O., nee Ault, Hall.
Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Vicki L., nee Worley, Hall, whom he married on April 20, 1985;
four children, Robert (Winter) Hall of Belleville, Ill., Jonathan (Chalis) Hall of Fairview Heights, Ill., Katy Hall of Belleville, Ill., and Shay Hall Rowan of Austin, Texas; a brother, Charles (Robin) Hall of Florida; and a sister, Trudy Lawson of Nevada.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Toddhall Retreat and Conference Center, 320 Todd Center Dr., Columbia, Ill. 62236. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Gwenyth Ellen (Adair) Haspels
(former student)
I was born and grew up til 12 years in Sudan of missionary parents. I went to boarding school in Egypt where I met John Haspels. We went to Sterling College (I for two years) and after I finished nursing school at Wesley in Wichita, Kansas we were married. When John finished at Fuller Seminary we went as volunteers to Ethiopia with our 3 months old baby Desta. In the years following as missionaries of the Presbyterian Church we added Charles, John and Heather to our family. Our last assignment was to the Suri people of Southwest Ethiopia and we served them for 20 years, retiring in June of 2015. We now live in Halstead, Kansas and have two granddaughters who attend(ed) Sterling College as did all four of our children. We have been able to return to Ethiopia many times since retiring to help the church develop. It’s been a grand life!!
Iolene (Morrison) Hildebrand
Iolene Morrison Hildebrand was born to George M. and Jessie (Kirkwood) Morrison on a farm west of Dodge City, Kansas on July 15, 1929. She died December 4, 2013, at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, KS.
Iolene's first ten years were spent with her family, which included an older sister, Alma Lee, living in rural Dodge City.
These were the years of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. They eked out a living until her 5th grade year when they moved to Wichita for a few months and then to rural Stafford where her mother taught school and her father farmed.
When she was in the ninth grade, a young man who had gone to country school joined her class.
Bob was an important part of her high school years. After graduating from Stafford in 1947, Iolene went on to Kansas State University and graduated with a BS in Home Economics and Extension.
After working a short while in Stevens County (Hugoton, KS) as a Home Economics Extension Agent, Iolene and Bob's relationship was rekindled. Her high school sweetheart had just returned from having served in the Korean conflict. Robert Russell Hildebrand and Iolene Morrison were married November 27, 1953, at her parents' home in Stafford.
They began farming and lived in the Bedford area near Stafford before moving to Bob's childhood home just north of Stafford in 1960. Their sons Don, Mike, & Alan and a daughter, Shari,
completed their family.
While the children were young, Iolene was a homemaker and assisted Bob in the varied ways that farm wives do. When their youngest entered grade school, Iolene also went to school, receiving an elementary education degree from Sterling College. In the fall of 1971, she began teaching
kindergarten in Sylvia, KS.
In February of 1972, Bob died at the age of 42. Iolene received a great deal of support from her church, community, and extended family as she began the journey of raising her children without Bob. That fall she acquired the local kindergarten teaching position and taught for the next 20 years in the Stafford School District.
Iolene was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and had a personal relationship with Christ. She enjoyed participating in a variety of ministry opportunities including sponsoring BYF with Bob. She was a charter member of Modern Homemakers EHU which continues to meet more than 50 years later. PEO, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Music Club were other interests Iolene pursued.
In her retirement years Iolene traveled occasionally with her children's families as well as on bus tours which took her to Alaska, New York, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. to name a few. She also loved to read and periodically took history courses offered for seniors at area community colleges.
A recent highlight for Iolene was being selected with her family as the 2012 K-State Family of the Year. They were honored at a banquet and recognized on the field at the football game. Fifteen of her family members are graduates of KSU and were actively involved in campus life.33333
Phyllis (Ghormley) Hill
After teaching first grade for two years in Kansas, I wanted to learn more about the teaching of reading, so I went to the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Co, and received my MA in remedial reading in 1974. Then I got a job as a teacher of reading in Fairbanks, AK where I worked at North Pole Elementary School, grades 1-6.
I met by husband, David Hill, at church in Fairbanks. In 1984 I quit public school teaching, married David and became Mom to his four year old girl, Brooke. He worked at Fairbanks Lumber Co. until it closed in 1988.
In 1988, we had a daughter, Alaina, and also moved to Anchorage, AK, where David worked at Spenard Builders Supply selling lumber products to rural Alaska. In 1994, David became manager of S.B.S. store in Barrow, AK, on the Arctic Ocean. Living in the arctic was great fun, but we moved back to Anchorage in 2016.
I did some homeschooling of our two daughters, tutoring of other homeschooled children, and teaching English as a second language through a local Baptist Church.
When David retired in 2018 he said, “You have lived with me and my family for 30 years in Alaska, now I’ll go live with you and your family for the next 30 years in Nebraska.” So, Blair, here we are. I was in Nebraska and got to be with my dad when he passed at 100 years old. We stay in close
contact with my four siblings and daughter Alaina, who also lives in Nebraska and keeps three of my seven grandchildren.
Steven L. Hughbanks
(former student)
Steven Lynn Hughbanks, age 71, of Denton, TX, died July 17, 2019 in Denton. He was born to Hanley and Lennie (Andersen) Hughbanks on January 13, 1948 in Pratt, KS. He married Jeri Dee Kough, the love of his life, on June 6, 1971 in Page City, KS. He was a national sales representative for Acme Laredo Boot Co.
Survivors include: his daughter, Rachel Hughbanks of Denton, TX, and his brother, Ron Hughbanks (Linda) of Omaha, NE. Also his nephew, David and (Clara) Hughbanks of Plymouth, MN; and brothers-in law and sisters-in law: Ron and Sonja Kough of Winona, KS, Mike and Sheryl Kough of Russell Springs, Ks, Roger and Connie Kough of Colby, Ks, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeri in 2008, and his parents, Hanley and Lennie Hughbanks.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2019 at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, with Pastor Bob Kelly officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakley Cemetery. There will be no Visitation.
Memorials to the Humane Society may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.
Linda (Leikam) Hunt
Linda Kay Hunt, 63, died Friday, June 15, 2012. She was born Sept. 5, 1948, in Pittsburg, Kan., the daughter of John and Zola Henderson Leikam.
She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1966, Hutchinson Community College in 1968, and Sterling College in 1970, with her degree in secondary education. Linda was a member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church and the American Quilters Society. She taught English at Fairfield High School, was a clerk typist at Hutch Title and Abstract Office, a cashier for Davenport Auction and a clerk- salesperson for Cottonwood Quilts for the last 14 years.
On Dec. 27, 1977, she married Myron B. Hunt at St. Teresa's Catholic Church. He survives, along with her mother, Zola A. Leikam, both of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by her father.
Parish Rosary will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 21, 2012, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., both at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, with Father Nicholas Voelker officiating. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Dillon Living Center, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence or remembrance for Linda's family.
Philip Jackowski
Official obituary could not be found. College mail was recently returned and marked as deceased.
Sheryl (Tedford) Jaeger
Wow, it is time to share what has happened in my life the last 50 years!! Soon after graduation in 1970 Tim and I were married on June 1. We spent the next 2 summers helping with the farm work at Leoti, Kansas and lived in a small trailer house that we would move to Sterling for the next 2 years as Tim completed his degree in 1972. We then determined to move to the farm at Leoti and had a ready built house put on 5 acres west of Leoti and lived there for over 40 years as Tim farmed and we raised our 5 children there. Titus, Luke, Matthew, Sarah, and James were our children the Lord blessed us with to enjoy and of course they all spent time helping us on the farm.
We were active in the work and ministry of the church and were for many years youth leaders. I helped with various mission trips and three that stand out were ones to Russia, Germany and Belize.
It is a thrill to see lives changed as the Lord becomes the Lord of their life.
I spent most of my time as a wife and mom but did enjoys some years as a substitute teacher also.
We welcomed many friends and family to our farmhouse to experience a taste of farm life.
Tim retired a few years ago from active farming and we now live in northeast Wichita and are thankful for our sons and a nephew to do the farming for us with Tim still helping when he can.
Our greatest joy now is that we are grandparents of 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. We are thankful we can spend time with them and explore and have some fun adventures with them. It is a challenge to get to Germany where Sarah lives and spend time with the 3 grandchildren there, but are looking forward to seeing them soon since the pandemic stopped us from seeing them last year.
We are thankful for our years at Sterling College and the friends we have continued to have through all these years. You all are welcome to come see us in Wichita.
John B Jarrott Jr
After graduating from Sterling College I had a number of jobs mostly relating to the area of sales. I worked in retail sales in a shoe store in Hutchinson. I was in sales from 1970-1972 with
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company followed by being the manager of a collection bureau for Bankers Investment Company for about a year before going to work as a
pharmaceutical sales representative with Lederle Laboratories. I was in that business until retirement in 2005. Lately I have been quite busy substitute teaching in several districts.
My wife Barbara and I have been married for over 54 years and we have 2 children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. I have lived in the Hutchinson area my entire life.
By far the most important thing that has happened with Barbara and I occurred in 1975 when we both surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and went from darkness to light. Our lives have the purpose that God gives us to commune with him and serve Him in faithfulness. There is no higher calling.
Isaiah 26:3
Thomas “Tom” Jeschke
(former student)
Details of Disappearance
Jeschke was last seen in Portland, Oregon on January 13, 1969. He has never been heard from again.
His vehicle was found abandoned at northeast 8th and Burnside after his disappearance. Few details are available in his case.
Investigating Agency
Portland Police Bureau 503-823-0797
Ruth (Smith) Joseph
Ruth E. Joseph 57, of Indianapolis was ushered into the presence of Her Lord on July 5, 2006. Born in Evansville, Indiana, Nov. 24, 1948, Ruth graduated from Central Heights High School in
Richmond, Kansas in 1966, followed by a BA in Elementary Ed. and Library Science from Sterling College in Sterling, KS in 1970, and a MSE in Special Reading from CMSU, Warrensburg, MO.
Ruth was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and attended Grace Community Church in Noblesville, IN. Ruth taught school for 22 years, worked in the motel industry for 17 years and worked for CTB McGraw-Hill and H&R Block in Indianapolis. |
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Albert R. Smith and Margaret E. Smith, and her sister, Ferne Esonge Smith. She is survived by her brother, Rev. James R. Smith (Deborah) and family, Joshua, Jared and Esther, and her aunt, Clara Belle Smith.
Memorial services will be held at Grace Community Church, Noblesville, Indiana on Sat., July 8th at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, MO with grave-side services at 10 a.m. on Tues., July 11, 2006.
Larry Keil
Following graduation I returned to Grove City, PA and worked in the family business until accepting apposition with Nationwide Insurance as a Property and Casualty Underwriter in their Pennsylvania Regional Office. While at Nationwide I met my future wife Terri Lee Bartoe who also worked at Nationwide as a computer department supervisor. We were married for 26 years until her passing in 1998 after fighting cancer for 6 years.
In 1976 I was recruited by MetLife Insurance when they opened their Property and Casualty division to train their life insurance agency force on the principles of property and casualty underwriting.
During the next couple of years I traveled throughout the Midwest fulfilling this assignment. I was then promoted to the position of Manager of Employee Development for Midwest Region working out of their Dayton, Ohio office.
In 1986 I joined Chesapeake Corp. in their Wisconsin Tissue division located in Appleton,
Wisconsin as Director of Training and Employment. I remained with Wisconsin Tissue until 1999 when Chesapeake Corp. sold off the Wisconsin Tissue division to Georgia Pacific. To remain with Georgia Pacific I would have had to more which I was unwilling to do. Therefore, I joined J.J.
Keller Inc. (a Regulatory and Compliance Publishing Co.) which is located here in Appleton as their Human Resources Manager. I retired from Keller 8 years ago after holding the position of Editor of their Human Recourses publications for the last 3 years of my employment there.
Terri Lee and I have two children, Craig and Melissa, who both live close by here in Appleton. I have 5 grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 22.
Today I keep busy participating in trivia context, playing golf, taking yearly trips to the Caribbean to escape the long Wisconsin winters and delivering flowers to shut-in people. I feel God blessed me by leading me to Sterling College where I received a quality education and was surrounded by people of outstanding character. September of 1966 to May of 1970 were wonderful years that will always hold a special place in my heart.
Fred Ketchum
In 1970-71, I taught social studies at St. Ann’s Grade School in Prairie Village, Kansas. I coached the seventh grade basketball team to the championship of the Archdiocese of Kansas City. The
following year I was drafted into the U.S. Army. I was trained as a medic and stationed at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. I coached at the youth center in Newburgh, N.Y. In 1974 I taught social studies at Payson Grade School in Payson, Illinois. I taught there for 17 ½ years.
While there I received my MC Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Western Illinois University.
I coached several youth sports teams in Quincy, Illinois, amassing a total of 1054 games, with championships in basketball (21), baseball (26) and football (7). I was the Youth Sports coordinator at the Quincy, Illinois YMCA. I managed the Spectrum Health Club, managed PM registration at the World Freefall Convention for 15 years, managed the Golf Attic (driving ranges, putting green and a virtual reality computer that could put you in one of seven golf courses worldwide) and I managed the Maine Street Tap nightclub. I worked at Vatterott College as their admissions coordinator for seven years.
I was married for 20 years (1971-1991) and I have four children, Michelle, Jennifer, Aaron and Tina.
I have had several health issues in my life. I have had lymphoma three times and a-fib once. I survived all of this. Someday I would like to address the student body at Sterling College regarding my closeness to God during all of these health issues. There is nothing like a major health issue whereby you get to learn of God’s tremendous love for you. The only problem I would have, would be keeping my discussion brief. I have lots to tell. I visited a church and they got me up front to testify. My testimony lasted forty-five minutes.
I am now retired and my claim to fame is being a huge animal rights advocate. My favorite dogs were Skippyand Roscoe and my current best friend is Tiberius (I was a history major). I am also the grand guardian and defender of 25 feral cats. I feed and water them every day. I am an advocate of the capture/neuter/release program. I belong to the Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, Alley Cats, Save Them All, St. Jude’s, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Food for the Poor.
My favorite kitty was Blue Eyes, who was run over. She is currently at the taxidermist in Slater, Missouri. I Love my kitties! I am known as a fierce competitor and determined person. I know I have God at my side forever.
Joel “Joe” Kimery
Joel "Joe" Cleve Kimery age 74 passed away at 7:15 a.m. Monday April 22, 2019, at home with his wife, Verita at his side after a long and valiant battle with cancer.
Funeral Services honoring his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Schilling Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Morgan officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow at
Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019, at the funeral home.
Joe was born June 9, 1944, in Mattoon IL, the son of Harold L. and Adeline Bell (Maxedon) Kimery. He married Verita "Vee" Marie Froula December 26, 1982, in Mattoon IL.
He is survived by his devoted partner and wife, Vee, one son, Jacob "Jake" Charles Kimery and wife Cristen and his adored grandchildren Scarlett Jo and Jack Charles, brother Stephen L. Kimery of Sycamore IL, sisters Paula Jean Kimery of Mattoon IL and Rebecca (Kimery) Coduto (Angelo) of Sanford , FL, special cousin Bonnie Lane (Bill) of Neoga , IL Nieces and Nephews: Derek Storm, Joel Storm, Scott Kimery, Stephen Bushur, Heather (Bushur) Lindamood, Brian Coduto, and Megan Coduto. Joel was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Adeline and sister Linda Lee Kimery Storm and cousins Lorraine Kimery Ciardini and Lorice Kimery and nephew John Kimery.
Joe was an Army Veteran, teacher, and Entrepreneur. He was devoted to both his businesses and his family but found his greatest pleasure in spending time playing with his Grandchildren. Before his mother’s recent passing, Joe cherished the time he spent with his mom, particularly watching Jeopardy together.
Joe felt blessed to have been raised in a loving Christian home. There was always plenty of activity with the five siblings, 3 cousins and always several additional friends at their home on Champaign Avenue.
Joe attended Mattoon High School where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and football. He won many accolades including Basketball ALL BIG 12 and was voted Best Athlete at Mattoon HS 1961- 2 He graduated in the Class of '62 and went on to play Baseball, Soccer and Basketball at Greenville college. There he won numerous awards including being the first sophomore to win MVP of the
annual Thanksgiving Tourney. While at Greenville College his Basketball team traveled to compete in Nevada and Arizona. On this trip Joe caught his first look at Las Vegas and he was so infatuated by the city that he was determined to return there…… and he did many, many times. He was a great promoter of Las Vegas and introduced many friends and family members to its bright lights. He eventually moved there with Vee and son Jake. They lived there for almost 4 years.
Joe served proudly in the US Army during the Vietnam Era 1966-68, stationed in Germany, as a Military Policeman. He traveled extensively and fell in love with Germany and Austria. Joe operated the gym on Base and played on traveling Basketball, Softball and Football teams. Later in life Joe returned many times to Germany and Austria. "The Sound of Music" became one of his favorite movies. It's music, he said, "Makes me feel Happy". After his Honorable Discharge from the Army, Joe returned to the States and graduated from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. He went on to coach and teach Physical Education, Health, Driver Education and English in District 300
(Dundee/Carpentersville, IL). He served as Athletic Director at the Junior High and coached at the High School and Middle School level. He earned his master’s degree in Education Administration with a Supervisory Endorsement from Northern Illinois University. Joe met Vee in 1973 while teaching at Perry Middle School.
Joe earned his Real Estate license to supplement his teaching job. He sold Real Estate in Northern Illinois and eventually resigned from teaching to join his sister Linda in condominium sales in Chicago on the Lakefront.
Eventually the entrepreneur in Joe led him back to Mattoon where in 1980 he opened and operated
"Broadway Joe's Sports Pub" at 1412 Broadway. He would follow this venture with 11 more establishments, including Club Illini, The Last Resort liquor store, Joe's Windy City Sports Bar (Las Vegas), Bonkers Pub & Grub (back to Mattoon!), Kokomo Joe's, Champs, Spanky's, Joe's Sports Bar & Grille, Rookies, Jackpot Joe’s, and Lucky Jacks 3. Joe returned often to Las Vegas where he participated in many Blackjack, Craps and Video Poker Tournaments…. winning and placing in several.
Joe and Vee were married in 1982 and worked together at the business(es). Jacob was born in 1985 and nothing gave Joe more pleasure than attending Jacob's athletic events. In later years as Joe contemplated retirement, Jake joined his parents in the operation of the business at Rookies. Joe was happy and proud when Jake and Cristen married and gave him two precious grandchildren. In Joe's own words, "Having Scarlett and Jack have inspired me to fight the cancer even harder." Joe lost this battle but put up the fight of a lifetime.
Joe was a natural leader and was blessed with an unassuming charm, wit, and grace. He loved playing and watching sports, particularly his Cubbies and Bears. He was a tough, innovative businessman with a kind heart. He loved his family and his business associates and customers. He always wanted to give people what they wanted and treat them the way he would like to be treated.
He was so loved and will be so missed.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Winograd and Lynn, The SBL Regional Cancer Center Staff (especially Dr. Shakir), Lincolnland Hospice and their visiting nurses.
Memorials in Joel's honor may be made to The SBL Regional Cancer Center, Lincolnland Hospice or Charity of Donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at
www.schillingfuneralhome.net or Schilling Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Imogene F. Libby
Official obituary could not be found.
Deceased 1998.
John P. Libby
Official obituary could not be found.
Deceased July 7, 1994.
Beatrice “Bea” (Murphy) Loeppke
Beatrice was born on May 22, 1915, and passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2009.
Beatrice was a resident of Lakin, Kansas at the time of her passing.
She graduated from Langdon High School. She attended college at Sterling College and Fort Hays State University and obtained a BS degree in education at Sterling College.
She was married to Harlan.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 02, 2009, at the Wesleyan Church in Lakin with Reverend Mark Hamel officiating. Visitation: 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Monday, June 01, 2009, at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin, Kansas. Interment: Lakin Cemetery in Lakin, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Bea Loeppke.
Mary (Dwyer) Loutzenhiser
DATELINE: Lyons, Kansas NAME: Mary C. Loutzenhiser AGE: 82 yrs.
DATE OF DEATH: November 22, 2016
PLACE OF DEATH: Mennonite Manor, So. Hutchinson DATE OF BIRTH: January 9, 1934
PLACE OF BIRTH: Kansas City, Missouri
PARENTS: James Albert and Ruby Francis Lawson Dwyer RESIDENCE: Longtime Lyons resident
OCCUPATION: School Teacher and Homemaker
EDUCATION: graduated Lyons High School and Sterling College DATE OF MARRIAGE: August 19, 1950
PLACE OF MARRIAGE: Kansas City, Missouri SPOUSE: Homer W. Loutzenhiser
SPOUSE DECEASED DATE: November 10, 2005
SURVIVORS: Son, David & Tracy Loutzenhiser, Salem, Oregon; Daughters, Cathy Butts, Lyons, Leslie & C.L. Gable, Roach, Missouri; 12 Grandchildren, 13 Great- Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great- Grandchildren
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: Son, James W. Loutzenhiser, Daughter, Jerri Jay; 2 Sisters, 5 Brothers.
SERVICES: 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 28, 2016, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons OFFICIATING: Rev. Robert Friesen
BURIAL: Lyons Municipal Cemetery Private Family Burial
MEMORIAL: Bell and Star Fund or River Cross Hospice in care of the funeral home.
Peggy (Anderson) McAdoo
With graduation in the picture I had the offer of a teaching job in a small Kansas town or a
fellowship for graduate work at KSU. I chose graduate school with emphasis in Foods & Nutrition Education. After graduation I taught Foods & Nutrition at Washburn University for 4 years and while there met Robert (Stan) McAdoo, a community planner with the Department of Economic Development. We were married and family life became my focus as we raised 3 children.
A brief move to Manhattan put me on the school food service track and when we returned to Topeka I worked for Topeka Public Schools before taking a position with the Department of Education, Child Nutrition & Wellness to administer the newly mandated School Breakfast Program in Kansas. For the next 22 years I worked with School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Summer Food Service Program and retired as Assistant Director administering the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Stan’s work with community planning led him to a position with Kansas State University Extension from which he retired in 2001. We have been part of Trinity Presbyterian Church through our years in Topeka; Stan has served many years as clerk and we have worked in mission, peacemaking and Christian education in a number of roles. We drive a lot of friends to and from the doctor these days. We are indebted to our church family for their support and care.
My parents, Wayne & Helen Anderson, moved to Topeka to be near the grandchildren when they retired from SC. Daddy lived in our home for 8 years after mother’s death and his dedication to SC led me back for numerous homecomings and commencements. Since his death in 2004, I have been less faithful, but still enjoy the chance to get back occasionally and keep up with all the changes in what was my childhood hometown.
We are blessed to have our children and grandchildren (3) within an hour of us and are able to see them occasionally even through this pandemic. We give thanks for the presence many of you still have in our life and look forward to continued contact.
Alberta “Bobbie” (Thompson) McKibben
Alberta 'Bobbie' McKibben, 92, of Hutchinson, died August 30, 2019, at Hester Care Center. She was born June 7, 1927, at the family farmhouse in Nickerson, to Melvin and Leona Mae Thompson.
Alberta graduated from Nickerson High School, Adela Hale Business College, Hutchinson Community College, and Sterling College. She was the valedictorian for her graduating class at Nickerson High School and Sterling College. Alberta also received both her bachelor and master’s degrees. She taught fifth grade for 30 years at Graber Elementary School. Alberta was a member of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), Delta Kappa Gamma, and DAC (Daughters of the American Colonists). She enjoyed gardening and volunteering at the Hutchinson Public Library.
Alberta was a member of First Baptist Church, Hutchinson.
Alberta is survived by children, Kathy Carey and husband Duane, Mark McKibben and wife Beth, Steven McKibben, Marcia McKibben, all of Hutchinson; sister, Melva 'Colleen' Stockstill and husband Fred of Wichita; grandchildren, Aaron Carey, Lindsay Simmons and husband Brett, Sarah Lindsey, Margaret 'Maggie' McKibben, Melissa Klug and husband Billy, Craig McKibben; and great- grandchildren, Elayne, Bridge, Calliway, Cora, and Calvin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister, Doris Thompson; and great-granddaughter, Josie.
Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at Hilltop Cemetery, Raymond, Kansas, with Pastor Tim Adrian officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. The casket will remain closed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dillon Nature Center or Friends of the Hutchinson Public Library, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
Elizabeth (Liz) L. (Kottmann) Miller
I graduated from Sterling College in 1970 with a B.A. Degree in Art with a minor in Education and Psychology. I accepted a teaching opportunity in Scott City, Kansas and taught 3rd-9th grade art for one year. I married Bob, a rancher/farmer in April of 1972 and we began raising our family together.
Over the course of 10 years we had five children: Kristi, Heather, Meredith, Joel and Lindsay.
We belonged to the First Baptist Church in Scott City where we bother served. I enjoyed teaching in the primary department, leading the singing and decorating bulletin boards. I sang in the choir, mall ensembles and performed solos.
We were later blessed to add to our family the spouses of our children. We now have 12 grandchildren, six boys and six girls.
During the course of 50 years I have seen the faithfulness of God in my life. I have experienced the death of my parents and other relatives as well as the death of our grandson shortly after his birth.
One grandchild has hydrocephalus and seizures. Her sister also had seizures and was hospitalized.
Two of our other grandchildren have” a genetic disorder that requires life-long medication. One grandchild was in an accident and has a permanent eye injury. I have experienced mental illness and needed hospitalization, counseling and medication. Through all of this God has been faithful and true. A favorite verse of mine is Lamentations 3:23-26 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases’ his mercies never come to an end’ they are new every morning’ great is your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” ESV
My heart agrees with the psalmist who wrote: “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your
righteousness, I God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” Psalm 71:17-19 ESV Thank you Jesus for being my Savior, Redeemer, Comforter, and Friend! My life verse is Philippians 4:6-7 and my testimony in song is “My Redeemer is Faithful and True”, by Steven Curtis Chapman.
Daughter of the King ~ Liz
Donald B. Milligan
After graduating from SC, I spent 4 years in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Then, in looking around for a Family Medicine residency, it turned out that the best programs were back here in the Midwest, so I spent 3 years at KU doing a residency.
After graduating, I went into practice with another Dr. in Olathe for 5 years. After then, one of my professors at KU called and reminded me that I had said I didn't think anyone should try to teach Family Medicine without having practiced for at least 5 years. After much discussion, I wound up back at KU, practicing, teaching and serving on numerous committees and boards (the usual academic activities).
Kathie Lee and I married in 1971 and had 2 children: Heather (now Heather Milligan-Day), who is a project manager for a biotech company in New Haven, CT; and Patrick, who works for UPS in Johnson County, KS. Kathie and I divorced in 1993.
After a year of nearly constant harassment by a friend and colleague, I agreed to meet one of her lifelong friends. She was a better matchmaker than I knew. Linda and I have been married 25 years this summer.
I retired in 2015, but it turns out I was only partially successful. I still do some consulting and teaching for KU and for the Academy of Family Practice.
Since retirement (and before the pandemic), Linda and I have enjoyed traveling. We started with our
"honeymoon" which was a trip with the KC Symphony on a European concert tour, but have managed to cover all 50 states and much of western Europe. We had 2 trips scheduled this year (2020), cancelled because the Europeans have (wisely) decided they don't want any contagious Americans.
I still follow events at SC, but with 3 alumni associations, wind up splitting time and energy. Say hello to all our classmates from me! Hopefully we can be back together, maybe next year!
Regards, Don Milligan
Kathryn “Kathy” (Lee) Milligan
Katherine (Kathy) L. (Lee) Milligan passed away Dec. 4, 2018, in Hamden, CT. Born July 9, 1948, to George & Kitty Lee, she is survived by her daughter, Heather Milligan-Day (Chris) and son, Patrick Milligan (Sara), and by her beloved granddaughter, Cassandra.
A 1970 graduate of Sterling College (Kansas), Kathy was a teacher in Olathe, KS for more than 25 years.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support women's education to the PEO Foundation, donations.peointernational.org.
Betty (Myers) Morgan
Betty Morgan, 82, retired Hutchinson Community College English instructor, died Saturday, May 1, 1999. Service 1:30 pm Wednesday, Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.
Survivors: husband, Nelson; son, Larry of Houston; daughters, Diana O’Sullivan of Hutchinson, Elaine Wilbur of Shawnee; seven grandchildren/ two great-grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Mary Lee (Lichte) Morris
After graduation I married Malcolm Morris who had also attended Sterling for part of his college days. We lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin while he finished school and I taught home economics in the Milwaukee area.
After 3 years we moved to Kansas and lived in both Burr Oak and Claflin before moving to Wichita. While in Wichita we raised our two children (Tanya and Josh). While the kids were small I had my own day care home. When Josh entered kindergarten I began teaching at a private school. I taught preschool and kindergarten while there.
In 1996 Malcolm’s job moved back east. He chose to find a new job and we ended up in Olathe, Kansas. In 2003 he suddenly passed away from a heart attack.
I loved teaching preschool so continued in that career in Olathe. I eventually found my favorite job with Olathe Head Start. This involved teaching preschool to children from low-income families. I held this position for 11 years before retiring in 2015.
I now live in a villa community and really enjoy the neighborhood. We have an outdoor pool and the clubhouse offers a wide variety of game nights. I’m in charge of organizing the canasta group.
I attend The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. I’m in a small group that has met together for 5 years. I attend a singles Sunday school class and enjoy volunteering to work on projects for our partner schools that we support. I also help with entering church attendance.
Other volunteering involves working at the Olathe Medical Center and I hope to be a volunteer with the Olathe School District working on projects but not being directly involved with the students.
I have 5 grandchildren and enjoy spending time with them. After a year of hardly seeing them, I feel like I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
I enjoy traveling and have enjoyed many trips to the Florida beaches. I’ve been to Mexico twice and one of my favorite trips was a cruise to Alaska.
Lorel (Temple) Murray
(former student)
Lorel S. Murray, 65, of Finchford, Iowa, died Thursday, January 30, 2014, at her home.
She was born March 12, 1948, in Sterling, Kansas, daughter of Rev Paul C. and Iris A. (Wolfe) Temple. She married David C. Murray on May 29, 1971, in the Finchford Community Church, rural Janesville.
She graduated from Courtland High School in Kansas and earned her RN degree from the University of Iowa School of Nursing. She was a Registered Nurse with Allen Memorial Hospital and then taught Nursing at Hawkeye Community College for 20 years. She then was employed with Covenant Medical Center as ICU nurse; Alternative Crisis Care Center; Agency Health Care Systems and then Univeta Health Care.
Survived by her husband, David; three daughters, Tammi (Chad) Waller of Traer, Tonya (Rick) Canning of La Habra, CA, and Tara (Eric) Pierce of Readlyn; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Sharon (James) Coughlin of Olathe, KS.
Preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Stephen Temple and a sister, Naomi Freeman.
Services 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Valley Community Church, Waterloo, with burial in Finchford Cemetery, rural Janesville. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Richardson Funeral Service and also for one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.
Francis Ola
Francis W. Ola, 67, of Avella, died at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014, in his home. He was born February 17, 1947, in Avella, a son of the late Frank and Mary Hlavac Ola. Mr. Ola was a 1965 graduate of Avella High School. He was also a graduate of Sterling College in Kansas and California University of Pennsylvania. He was employed as an elementary and secondary teacher for Avella Area School District for 33 years. He was a former assistant varsity football and wrestling coach and also coached little league football in Avella. Mr. Ola was a member of Sons of the American Legion Bert C. Siders Post 643, Avella Sportsmen's Club, where he was vice president, Polar Star Mutual Benefit Society, where he was a former president, Athletics Inc. and SNPJ Lodge 292, all of Avella.
He was a lifelong resident of Avella and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Surviving is a sister, Sharon Ola of Avella; a brother, Warren (Katie) Ola of Williamsville, N.Y.; a niece, Crystal Ola; two nephews, Kevin (Erica) Ola and Stephen Ola and fiancée Sarah; two great- nieces, Aubrey, and Gwyneth Ola; and a great-nephew, Brady.
Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, PA 15312, where services will be held at 11 a.m.
Monday, May 12, with the Rev. Douglas Reinard officiating. Burial will be in West Point Cemetery, Avella. Memorial contributions can be made to Avella Volunteer Fire Department, American Legion Bert C. Siders Post 643 of Avella or Avella Sportsmen's Club.
Robert K. Parker
Official obituary could not be found.
Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, Kansas
