Obits for Butler County, Kansas Genealogy Trails

BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

OBITUARIES

PERKINS, NELLIE ELIZABETH "BETH"

Obit: RITES FRIDAY FOR PERKINS

Nellie Elizabeth "Beth" Perkins, 46, Route 2, died Tuesday, April 5, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita. Her service will be at 10;30 a.m. Friday at the Dunsford Funeral Home. Rev. Doyle S. Whitsel of the First Church of God will officiate and burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery. She was born July 11, 1936 in Canton to Frank and Wilda Brown Griffith. She married Alvin Gerald Perkins Oct. 13, 1967 in Norman, Okla.

He survives. She was a Beech Aircraft employee for 10 years. Other survivors include sons, Steve Perkins of Wichita; Richard and Jay Lewis both of Augusta; daughters, Arletta Wilson, Rox Ann Meeks, Beverly Perkins, Cindy Lawson, all of Augusta and Debbie Rogers of Alamagordo, N.M., Idena "Deanie" Bird'of Wichita; her mother, Wilda Christopher of Augusta, brothers, Lester Christopher of Rose Hill, Curtis Griffith of Augusta and Earl Griffith of Wichita: sister, Helen Litchman of Salina and 15 grandchildren. (Augusta Daily Gazette, submitted by Arletta Wilson)

BUCHANAN, CARRIE R.

Mrs. Carrie R. Buchanan, aged 56 years, a resident of the Chelsea Community for the past 38 years died here late this morning following an illness of the past six years. Her condition had been serious since June. She was removed to the Allen Memorial Hospital on August 15.

Mrs. Buchanan was born near Wortenburg, Germany, on December 1, 1878. She came to this country when she was three years old, locating in Wabunsee County, where she lived until she came to this county to maker her home. She was married on March 3, 1909 to Irving Buchanan, north of El Dorado. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Fred Lyons of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Mrs. Leo Propp of Russell.

Funeral arrangements will be announced through the Byrd Funeral Home. (El Dorado Times, October 19, 1935, Saturday)

Funeral services for Mrs. Carrie R. Buchanan, a resident of the Chelsea Community who died here Saturday following a long illness will be held at the Byrd Funeral home tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. J. W. Abel, pastor of the Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be made in the Chelsea Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Monday, Oct. 21, 1935)

BENSON, KENNETH V.

Kenneth V. Benson, 68, Route 3, El Dorado, died here Saturday morning after a four month illness.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Kirby Funeral Home chapel with Robert Evans, of the El Dorado First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Chelsea Cemetery.

Mr. Benson was born at Chelsea on Oct. 2, 1890, was graduated from El Dorado High School in 1909 and later attended Wichita Business College.

He lived in New York for 25 years and was a foreman at a bakery in Brooklyn, N. Y. He retired in 1955 and returned to El Dorado where he had been a resident since.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include two nieces, Mrs. Stanley Young, 715 West Central, and Mrs. Bob George, Miami, Fla.

The casket will not be opened at the service but friends may call at the funeral home until 9:30 a.m. (El Dorado Times, Monday, July 6, 1959)

Funeral Rites Held for Kenneth Benson

Services for Kenneth VanDever Benson, 68, Route 3, El Dorado, who died here Saturday, were held this morning in the chapel of the Kirby Funeral Home. Robert Evans of the El Dorado First Presbyterian Church officiated.

Organ music was played by Mrs. H. W. Bullerdiek.

Pallbearers were Hoyt Smith, Page Benson, Mickey Wiley, Stanley Young, George Benson and Willard Covert. Burial was in Chelsea Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, July 7, 1959)

SIMON, SYLVESTER B.

Services for Sylvester B. Simon, 33, Rosalia farmer who was killed by a lightning bolt early Saturday morning in a field near his home, were held this morning in Sacred Heart Church at Colwich.

Rev. Fr. John Moeder, pastor officiated. Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Colwich, with Beinhard Simon, Louis Simon, Mathias Simon, Marcus Simon and Jerome Simon as pallbearers.

The Kirby Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (El Dorado Times, July 7, 1959)

CARTER, SYLVESTER

The death of Sylvester Carter, Saturday, takes from this community another old resident and long time citizen. Mr. Carter had spent the greater part of his life here and was well known and respected by all who knew him. While he had been in failing health for several months, and his recovery was unexpected, his death was keenly felt by his numerous friends and neighbors. (El Dorado Times, Tuesday, June 15, 1943)

BENSON, W. F.

ILLNESS IS FATAL TO W. F. BENSON

Well Known Butler County Pioneer Dies Here Early This Afternoon

W. F. Benson, aged 82 years, former state bank commissioner and state senator, died at 2 o'clock this afternoon following an illness of several weeks. He was taken to the Allen Memorial Hospital yesterday noon when his condition became more serious.

Mr. Benson who was a pioneer resident of Butler County, was one of the best known men in this section of the state. In addition to serving in state offices, he also was city manager, city commissioner and filled other offices of trust in recent years. He also was a farmer and stockman and followed this vocation in late life. Mr. Benson was identified with the banking affairs of this area for many years, too. Mr. Benson was a stalwart in the Democratic Party and for many years was chairman of the Butler County Democratic Central Committee.

Mr. Benson was born on August 12, 1859, in North Dorset, Vt. He was graduated from the Rome, N. Y., Academy in 1876. He came to Butler County, settling at Chelsea at the age of 19 years. He had resided in this county since.

Mr. Benson is survived by his widow, a son, Judge George J. Benson of El Dorado; and two daughters, Mrs. Ralph Wiley of El Dorado and Miss Florence Benson of Omaha, Neb.

A more complete obituary will be published tomorrow. (El Dorado Times, January 22, 1942)

BENSON RITES WILL BE HELD HERE SUNDAY

Services for Well Known Pioneer to be Followed by Interment at Chelsea

An Active Life

Took Part in Mary Activities During his 63 Years Residence in County

Funeral services for William F. Benson, aged 82 years, state and community leader for many years, who died here yesterday afternoon, following an illness of several weeks will be held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Byrd Funeral Home. Interment will be made in the Chelsea Cemetery.

Mr. Benson was one of the best known men in this section of the state, where he had resided most of his life. Of delightful personality thoroughly qualified and earnest and patriotic in all his dealings, Mr. Benson's ability was quickly recognized and he was among the group of men who directed the destines of this area for more than a third of a century. He was identified with many worthwhile movements. It was during his administration as city manager that Lake El Dorado, providing the town's permanent water supply, was built. It was Mr. Benson who introduced the bill in the Kansas Legislature while state senator providing for a courthouse, fixing the site in El Dorado and approving the required bond issue. Other accomplishments of Mr. Benson also have fixed his status as among the most valuable residents of El Dorado.

Born in Vermont

Mr. Benson was born at North Dorset, Vt., on August 12, 1859. He was educated in the public schools and in the Rome, N. Y., Academy from which he was graduated in 1876. The family moved from Vermont to New York when he was a child and at the age of 17 years Mr. Benson took charge of the retail division of his father's hardware store. Two years later, the family moved to Kansas, locating at Chelsea, the original countyseat. From 1880 to 1892 Mr. Benson engaged in farming. He also served as school director and school clerk at Chelsea, and helped organize the present Benson school District, No. 162, which was named for him. He also was Chelsea Township clerk, treasurer and trustee and took part in other activities in the community. (El Dorado Times, Friday, January 23, 1942)

WARNER, ELROY

Elroy Warner of Douglass, Dies; Services Tuesday

Elroy Warner, 64, Douglass, died Sunday morning at Wesley hospital, Wichita, following a long illness. He was a retired farmer and stockman.

Mr. Warner was born near Douglass on Feb. 15, 1889 and lived in that community and in the Wichita all his life.

He is survived by his wife, Flo, Wichita; two daughters, Mrs. Elnora Bolen and Miss Donna Warner both of Wichita, two sisters, Miss Ina Warner Tucumcari, N. M. and Mrs. Carrie Forsythe, Eudora, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at the Hilyard Funeral Home, Douglass at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Robert Gartman, Douglass, will officiate. Burial will be in the Douglass Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Monday, May 18, 1953)

WYMAN, ARCHIE

Archie Wyman Dies of Gunshot Wound

Archie Clarence Wyman, 77, a resident of El Dorado, since 1887, died yesterday at his home, 826 Walnut. Dr. James M. Shields, county coroner said death was caused by a self inflicted gunshot wound. The shot was fired from a 22 caliber rifle.

He was born at Sedan, March 4, 1876 and came to El Dorado in 1887 where he had lived since. He was married to Winifred D. Kimberlin at Wichita, Dec. 2, 1896. She survives.

Other survivors include three sons, Curtis, Eureka; and Raymond and Archie, Jr., both of Wichita; four daughters, Mrs. Florence Barr, 521 South High, Mrs. Muriel Brooks and Mrs. Janet Morris, both of Detroit; and Mrs. Letha Crumrine, Powell, Wyo.; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Byrd Funeral Home. Burial will be in Belle Vista Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, May 19, 1953, Tuesday)

WYNN, A. F. (AL)

A. F. (Al) Wynn Dies in Arkansas

A F. (Al) Winn, 72, for many years traffic manager for the Skelly Oil Company in its refining division died yesterday at his home in Rogers, Ark.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Stine-McClure funeral home in Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Winn who had been stationed at the Skelly offices in Kansas City for about twenty years, retired from active duty a year and a half ago and had since been living at his home in Rogers. His health had been failing for several years. Mrs. Winn survives.

"Al" Winn was a likable and popular figure in El Dorado, where he lived for a number of years in the early period of the Skelly company. He was considered a highly valuable personage in the Skelly's original official setup and was a hard worker in the interests of his company.

He found time to engage in many of the community's activities, and owned warm friends on every hand. He was an original member of the Kiwanis club here and a leading spirit in numerous of the town's public enterprises. When the Skelly offices were moved away from this town in the early 1930s, Mr. Winn was transferred to the company's branch at Kansas City. He remained there in an important official capacity until his retirement.

It is likely that an El Dorado delegation will be present at the funeral in Kansas City, Thursday. (El Dorado Times, May 19, 1953, Tuesday)