Obits for Butler County, Kansas Genealogy Trails

BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

OBITUARIES

ABBOTT, HAROLD LEONARD

Harold Leonard Abbott, 84, of Westminister, Colo., died Wednesday morning April 6, 1988 at his home in Colorado. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Belle Vista Cemetery. Burial will follow the services. Masonic rites will be conducted by Patmos Masonic Lodge No. 97 AF & AM.

He was born July 26, 1903 at El Dorado, the son of Edward Wright and Ivy L. (Hauger) Abbott. He was a retired geophysist for City Service Oil Co. He was a member of the Episcopal Church in Bartlesville, Okla. He was also a member of the Masonic Loge at Bartlesville, Cities Service Retirees Club, and was a charter member of DeMolay of El Dorado.

His wife, Alice, died in 1986.

Survivors include one daughter Jeri Ward, of Westminister, Colo.; two sisters, Marie Horton of El Dorado and Lucille Johnston of Austin, Texas. Two grandchildren also survive.

Memorial has been established with Hospice Metro of Denver and the American Heart Association. Carlson Funeral Home where friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday until the service is in charge of arrangements. (El Dorado Times, April 7, 1988)

Services for Harold L. Abbott, 84, of Westminister, Colo., were held Saturday afternoon at Carlson's Colonial Chapel. Burial followed at Belle Vista Cemetery. He died Wednesday, April 6, 1988.

Father Leonard Evans, pastor of the Trinity Episcopal Church officiated at the services. Casket bearers were Clyde Benton, Ralph Roberts, Guy Eutsler, Sol Bloom, Orville Andrews and Marvin Burtin.

Masonic rites were given by Patmos Lodge No. 97, AF & AM. The oration was given by C. Verne Myers. (El Dorado Times, April 14, 1988)

ABRAHAMS, THEODORE

Theodore Abrahams, 76, of Whitewater, retired Abrahams Trucking Co. owner and operator died Monday September 12, 1988. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Federated Church in Whitewater.

Survivors include his wife, Matilda; son, Gerald of Whitewater; brothers, Edward of Newton; John of Guymon, Okla.; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial has been established with Federated Church and Wheatstate Manor Nursing Home. Lamb-Nutter Mortuary of Whitewater is in charge of the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, September 13, 1988)

Funeral services were held September 14, 1988 at the Federated Church in Whitewater for Theodore Abrahams. Burial was at the Whitewater Cemetery in Whitewater. He died September 12, 1988.

The Rev. Dick Weaver officiated the serves. Mary Hartwick was the organist and Mildred Zuercher was the pianist. A quartet of Frank Isaac, James Thiessen, Elwood Zuercher and Wilbur Roth, performed.

Casket bearers were Steve Bowers, Richard Wyss, Jr., Jeff Wyss, Alan Wyss, Barry Abrahams and Sherwin Ammeter.

A memorial has been established in his name at the Federated Church and Wheat State Manor both in Whitewater. Lamb-Nutter Mortuary and Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. (El Dorado Times, September 19, 1988)

ADAMSON, WILLIE (BILL) VERNON

Funeral services for Willie (Bill) Vernon Adamson, 79, were held Wednesday afternoon at Potwin Chrisitan Church. Interment followed at McGill Cemetery. He passed away Monday, April 11, 1988.

The Reverend Rick McNary officiated. Joyce Muse, organist and Jessie Winters, pianist, accompanied vocalist LaVonne Baker in selected songs. Casket bearers were Keith Sommers, Johnny Sommers, Paul Carter, Greg Lambert, Ben Harvey and Cliff Kasper.
Masonic services were held by Towanda Lodge No. 30. C. Verne Myers served as orator. (El Dorado Times, April 16, 1988)

AMMERMAN, RALPH S.

Ralph S. Ammerman, 56, McPherson, died Thursday. He was owner and operator of the Ammerman Trailer Court. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Ball and Son Funeral Home, McPherson.

Survivors include his widow, Geneise; a son, Allen M. of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Joe Parsons, McPherson; three brothers, John, El Dorado, Charles Jr., Littleton, Colo., and Paul, Hemet, Calif., and a sister, Mrs. Virginia Embers, McPherson. (El Dorado Times)

ANDRUS, ROY J.

Roy J. Andrus 65 a retired oil field pumper and resident of the El Dorado area since 1920 died Thursday at Four Seasons Nursing center.

Funeral arrangements will be announced through the Kirby Funeral Home.

Mr. Andrus was born at Lahoma, Okla., on Oct. 14, 1904. He moved to Thomas, Okla. About 1907 and to Midian in 1920. He attended schools in Oklahoma and at Midian and attended Kansas State college at Manhattan for one year.

Mr. Andrus worked as a pumper for the Cities Service Oil Company from 1926 until 1966, when he retired. He was married to Mildred C. Sparks in 1928. He later was married to Avis E. Taylor on Feb. 10, 1966. She preceded him in death on Jan. 17, 1967.
Mr. Andrus was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Daugherty Men's Fraternity, and of Local 5-241, Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers union.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Mildred Thomas of El Dorado, Mrs. Ramona Michal, and Mrs. Sandra Navarre of Wichita; a son, Glenn Andrus, with the United States Marine corps at San Diego, Calif., a stepson, Carl Taylor; two sisters, Mrs. Iris Lovern, and Mrs. Maud Cummings of Chickasaw, Ala., and a brother Fred Andrus.

There are 18 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

A brother also preceded Mr. Andrus in death. (El Dorado Times, November 25, 1969)

ANKROM, BLINK

Blink Ankrom, 67, died today at the Mid America Nursing Home.

Mr. Ankrom was a retried self-employed trucker who had lived in El Dorado for eight years. He had come here from Fall City, Neb.
He was born Nov. 21, 1906 in Richardson county, Neb. And married Arline Simpson Jan. 24, 1934 in Troy, Kan.

Survivors include his widow, Arline; two daughters, Mrs. Kay Lukens of Potwin and Mrs. Beverly Lang, El Dorado; two sons, James L. Ankrom of Emporia, and Larry J. Ankrom of El Dorado; three sisters, Mrs. Howard Timmerman of Stella, Neb., Mrs. ray Mott of Fall City, Neb., and Mrs. Robert Carlson, Valley, Neb.; seven brothers, Roy of Garden City; Barney of Kansas City, Kan.; Delbert of Long Beach, Calif., Leonard Jr. of Long Beach, Calif.; Gary of Des Moines, Iowa; Dale of Lincoln, Neb.; Donald of Fall City, Neb.; and 12 grandchildren.

Services will be held Tuesday, May 28 at 2 p.m. in the Kirby Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Sunset Lawns Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his name with the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made to Mrs. Kenneth Fisher or to the Kirby Funeral Home who is in charge of arrangements. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, May 25, 1974, page 8)

ARNOLD, HOLMES

Funeral services were held today at St. Petersburg, Fla., for Holmes Arnold, 67. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Manley Arnold, of El Dorado, who preceded him in death. Survivors include the widow, Ruth; one son, Dick, Chicago, and two grandchildren. (El Dorado Times)

ARNOLD, RAY

Funeral services for Ray Arnold of Granby, Mo., a former resident of El Dorado, were held in Granby on Wednesday.

He was employed by Falkner Dairy of El Dorado before moving to the Cassoday community. He later moved to Granby.

Survivors include his widow, Irene of the home, two daughters, Mrs. Paul (Juanita) Swartz of Granby, and Mrs. George (Harriet) Swift of Cottonwood Falls; and one son, Jim Arnold of Emporia. (El Dorado Times, April 11, 1979)

ASHCRAFT, PEGGY (MRS. JAMES L.)

Mrs. James L. Ashcraft, 50, of Newton, Iowa, died Thursday at University hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. She had been ill for four months.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Episcopal church in Newton, with burial in the Newton Cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home has charge.

Mrs. Ashcraft was the former Peggy Rae Fite, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Fite of El Dorado. She was born March 9, 1924 in El Dorado. She graduated from El Dorado High school, the local junior college and Missouri university at Columbia. She married James Ashcraft in El Dorado.

She is survived by her husband and two sons, James Jr., St. Anger, Iowa, and David, Van Meter, Iowa.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Steven's Episcopal church in Newton. (El Dorado Times)

AUSTIN, LILLIAN (MRS. GEORGE)

Lillian (Mrs. George Austin, 85, of Wichita, died Tuesday. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Wichita Park Cemetery.
Survivors are four sisters, Mrs. Marie Howland of Langdon, Mrs. Betsy Van Ausdell of Salem, Ore., and Mrs. Floy Sapp and Mrs. Rose Perkins, both of Douglass.

Culbertson Mortuary, Wichita is in charge of arrangements. (El Dorado Times, August 19, 1974)

AUSTIN, RUTH JEANNETTE

Miss Ruth Jeannette Austin, 81, died Thursday afternoon in Knutson Manor Nursing home. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kirby Funeral Home chapel. Private Interment services will be held at Belle Vista Cemetery.

Mrs. Austin was born June 1, 1892 in Butler county. She has lived in this area all of her life. She was the librarian for the El Dorado library from 1929 to 1940 when failing eyesight forced in early retirement. Miss Austin was a member of the First United Presbyterian church, the Book Lovers Club, the W. M. B. Sr., and was very active in the Story League for many years.

Survivors include three nieces, Mrs. J. H. Beatty, Shawnee Mission; Mrs. Gretchen Scott, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Robert F. Hamilton, one nephew, Robert Austin, El Paso, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and two sisters.
The casket will not be open at the services. Kirby Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. (El Dorado Times, February 22, 1974)

DELAUGHDER, DAVID LEE

Services for Marine Pvt. David Lee DeLaughder, 18, who died April 20 from wounds suffered in Vietnam, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Leon, Kan., Christian Church.

Military rites will be at graveside.

He was born at Liberal, Kan., and moved to this area in 1964 from Russell, Kan. He attended high school at Leon.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee DeLaughder, rural Augusta; a brother, Rickie, and three sisters, Mrs. Julie Ann Wolf, Jannie Kay and Candice Leann all at home and grandparents Harold DeLaughder, Burrton, Kan, and Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Snyder, Hoisington, Kan.

Dunsford Funeral Home, Augusta, has charge. (The Wichita Eagle, Wednesday, April 26, 1967)

DOTY, BELLE

Funeral services for Mrs. Belle Doty, 93, Benton, a resident of Butler County for 60 years were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday January 2, at the Benton Christian Church.

Mrs. Doty died suddenly at her home Wednesday, December 29, 1965. She was born March 8, 1872 at Winterset, Iowa and was married to J. r. Doty October 17, 1890 at Macksburg, Iowa. He preceded her in death in February 1957 also at the age of 93.

Mrs. Doty resided in Iowa and Oklahoma prior to coming to Butler County. She was an active member of the Benton Christian Church and taught a Sunday School class until she reached the age of 90.

Surviving are a son James L. Doty, El Dorado; a granddaughter, Mary Belle Doty, El Dorado; two sisters, Mrs. Harriet Jessup, Diagonal, Iowa and Mrs. Edna Swanson, Dunellen, N. J.; a brother, Archie Mekenson, Pawnee City, Nebraska. A daughter, Jessie Maud, preceded her in death in 1911 and a son, Waldo E. died in 1936.

The Rev. Everett Thompson, pastor at the Benton Christian Church officiated at the services.

Casket bearers were: Leland Wait, Virgil Pitcher, Wilbur Widick, Herbert Shough, Lloyd Edson and Virgil McCune.

Burial was made in the Benton Cemetery under direction of the Dietz-Pittman Funeral Home of El Dorado. (El Dorado Times, January 6, 1966)

DOUGLASS, ROBERT C. (BOB)

Robert C. (Bob) Douglass, 51, El Dorado Junior College football coach for 15 years, died suddenly early Sunday at his home 335 North Arthur.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. John's Church with the Rev. Michael Blackledge, pastor officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Lawns Cemetery.

Mr. Douglass served as football coach at the Junior College from 1948 through 1962.

He came to El Dorado as coach and also as teacher of industrial arts at El Dorado High School. He continued teaching after discontinuing coaching, and retained a deep interest in athletics.

Bob Douglass's death occasioned a shock of disbelief to scores of his friends in this community. Quiet by disposition and terse in speech. He was nevertheless a popular man in this town - one held in the highest regards for his integrity.

He was a cherished figure in El Dorado's educational and amateur athletic life - and his untimely death at age 51 constitutes a bitter blow.

He was born at Dennison, Kan., Oct. 2, 1914, and was married to Dorothy A. Basgall at Hays on Aug. 10, 1944. He came to El Dorado in 1948 from Manhattan.

Mr. Douglass was graduated from Walton high school and Kansas State University. He served in World War II as a gunner in the Air Corps. He held membership in the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the El Dorado Teachers Association, the Kansas Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the Elks Lodge and the American Legion.

Surviving are his widow; two daughters, Valeria and Debbi, both of the home; two sons, Bill of the home and a student at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Bob, Jr. of the home and a student at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, his mothers, Mrs. Gertrude Douglass, Walton; two brothers, Andrew Douglass, Newton and McClymonds Douglass of Marietta, Ga.

Both Mr. Douglass's sons were outstanding football players at El Dorado High Schools and are members of the football teams at their respective universities.

As a young man, he played several seasons of professional football with the Pittsburg Steelers.

The Kirby Funeral Home is in charge.

Recitation of the rosary will be at 7:30 this evening at the Kirby Funeral Home Chapel. (El Dorado Times, February 28, 1966)

HANSON, PERRY R.

Services for former Wichitan, Perry R. Hanson, 69, Green Valley, Ariz., retired oil man will be Tuesday in Tucson. Burial will be at a later date in El Dorado, Kan. He died Saturday.

Born in Oklahoma City, he moved to Green Valley two years ago from Wichita he he had lived since college graduation.
Survivors include: his widow, Louise; a son, Walter; Tubac, Ariz.; a daughter, Mrs. W. E. Crews, Albuquerque, N.M., and a brother, Walter, Oklahoma City. (El Dorado Times, November 1, 1971)

HECKER, EMANUEL J.

Emanuel J. Hecker, 65, Salina, father of Mrs. James Clennan, 533 Post Road, died Sunday at Salina. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina. Burial will be at the Mt. Calvary cemetery, Salina. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is in charge. (El Dorado Times, October 5, 1971)

HOWERTON, RICKY

Services for 12 year old Ricky Lynn Howerton, 718 North Topeka who drowned August 12 while swimming in the Walnut river North of El Dorado were held Sunday Aug. 15 in the Salvation Army Citadel with Brigadier Violet Justvig, assisted by Major A. K. Kiddoo, officiating, Mrs. Richard McKee, organist, accompanied Roland Dean McCluer who sang "In His Hands" and "In the Temple."
The casket bearers were Richard McKee, Dean McCluer, Dean Wilson and Roland Dean McCluer. The honor guard from the Salvation Army Junior Department Sunday School class, were Louis Loyd McCluer, Churck McCluer, Monte Garland, Keith Garland, Eddie Jackson and Ricky Ferran.

Graveside services were held Tuesday Aug. 17 at El Dorado Springs, Mo., with interment at El Dorado Springs. Dietz Colonial Funeral Home had charge of local arrangements.

Ricky was born November 24, 1958, in Nevada, Mo., a son of Edward D. and Naomi (Solomon) Howerton. He had resided in El Dorado for eight years, coming from El Dorado Springs, Mo. Ricky was a grade school student, attended the Salvation Army Citadel and was a member of the Sunday School class of the church.

Surviving are his parents, two brothers, Michael Rae, and Edward Dwayne of the home; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Anna Howerton, El Dorado Springs, Mo.; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Lydia Solomon, 718-1/2 North Topeka. (El Dorado Times, August 19, 1971)

HOYLE, ROLLIN H.

Services for Rollin H. Hoyle, 89, a farmer and stockman will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Dietz Colonial Funeral Home. He died Sunday in a Wichita hospital.

Born near Wichita, he moved to El Dorado in 1939.

Survivors include his widow, Mary, five sons, Everett and Rollin, Wichita, Marion, Yates Center, Kan., Charlie, Kansas City, Mo., and Raymond, Minneapolis, Minn.; two daughters, Mrs. Bertha McAdoo, El Dorado, and Mrs. Mary Tredway, Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Irvin, Andover and a sister Mrs. Effie Detrick, Derby. (El Dorado Times, October 19, 1971)

RECTOR, IRENE IVA

Irene Iva Rector died Jan. 27, 2007, at Golden Living of Lansing. She was 101 years old.

Irene was born in Leon, the daughter of Lula Lynn Cecil and Clark Olin Cecil, on Oct. 7, 1905. On Oct. 7, 1926 she married John Bert Rector in Augusta. He preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 1974.

She was the wife of a rancher farmer spending most of her life in the Rosalia community. For many years she was a leader with the Flint Hills 4-H club and a member of the Rosalia Extension Unit. She was accomplished at needlework, and hand quilting was her means of support for many years.
Irene was an active member of the Rosalia Christian Church in Rosalia.

Survivors include: her daughter in law, Twila Rector of Leavenworth, two grandsons, Dr. David Rector and wife Rebecca of Richland, Wash., and Steven Rector and wife Janice of Wichita; two great grandchildren, Brian Rector of Seattle, Wash., and Lydia Rector of Big Sky, Mont.; and brother, Charles Cecil of Aurora, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Lola McNally and Norma Gerhardt; three brothers, Karl Cecil, Leburn Cecil and Robert Cecil; and her son, Ralph B. Rector of Leavenworth.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 at Kirby Morris Funeral Home, 224 West Ash. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Blankenship Cemetery near Rosalia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rosalia Christian Church or the charity of your choice in care of Kirby Morris Funeral Home. (El Dorado Times, January 31, 2007)

SINKHORN, WILBER F.

After an illness of many weeks Wilber F. Sinkhorn mayor of Leon ex-Union soldier old settler and county truancy officer, died at his home Monday at 10 p.m. from dropsy and consequent complications of the heart and other internal organs.
The sacrament was administered to Mr. Sinkhorn Monday noon. For many years he had been a class leader in the church. Although they did not suspect that the end was so near, the Rev. Mr. Blood and members of Mr. Sinkhorn's class gathered at his home Monday and partook of the Lord's Supper in a room adjoining that where he lay ill. The rites were administered to him in private so as not to cause undue excitement of the patient.

W. F. Sinkhorn and Mary A. Williams, Boyle County, Kentucky were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 20,1864. To this union was born 13 children, Frances A. Davis; Sarah A. Holston; Celia E. N. Mcvay; Vivian A. Cruthird, A. H., J. A. H., and Bertha Sinkhorn, Leon, Kans., and Joseph T., W. W. and A. C. Sinkhorn of Wichita, Kans. The mother of his children and three daughters, Angenettie Kiser, Mrs. Mary E. Miller and Estella M. Sinkhorn, have preceded him to that better land.

W. F. Sinkhorn served his country faithfully for almost four years, entering as a private and receiving a First Lieutenant's commission near the close of the war as a reward for faithful service; an inmate of southern prisons for seven months; he was familiar with all the horrors of those infamous places.

A few years after the close of the war, Mr. Sinkhorn brought his little family to Kansas - in 1878 - and experienced many hardships such as grasshopper year, a real life cyclone that scattered his little home and belongs to the four winds. None of the family were hurt, however, not even the little wee five day old babe that lay in its mother's arms. The partition wall fell over the bed one end resting on a huge dry goods box and made a shelter for the entire family who quickly crawled under to escape the fury of the storm.
In early manhood Mr. Sinkhorn united with the M. E. Church and remained a faithful member, superintending the Sunday school at Tadlock, Bloomington township where he first settled in 73, teaching, exhorting men and women to lead Christian lives. He was an honorary member of the W. C. T. U. a strong woman suffragist, and his influence always was pitted on the side of right.
W. F. Sinkhorn will be sadly missed in the community where he has resided for 15 years.

The faithful mother of his children died in December 1906 and May 20 1908 he married Mrs. Nellie M. Harden. This was a most happy union and the wife is broken hearted over her bereavement. (Walnut Valley Times, Friday, May 24, 1912)

JONES, ARTHUR LEAMON

OIL FIELD EMPLOYEE AT CHASE MEETS DEATH ON HIGHWAY

Arthur L. Jones Evidently Did Not Realize Second Truck Was There and Stepped into It's Path

Stepping in front of a truck which he evidently did not realize was coming, Arthur L. Jones, an employee of the Empire Oil & Gas company, at Chase, met instant death Monday evening about 10:30 o'clock on Number 8 highway near the Barton county line.
Jones had been in Russell in company with Ralph Lyman, formerly of this city. They were enroute back to Chase and stopped their car, six feet from the left side of the road. Three Rosenthal & Beardmore trucks with Trailers and loaded with lumber were traveling toward Russell. In order to avoid hitting the parked car they took the ditch. As the first truck passed the Lyman car Jones stepped out from behind the car into the path of the second truck which could not avoid hitting him. Practically every bone in his body was broken and his skull badly crushed. Death was almost instantaneous.

The body of Jones was brought to the Deines mortuary where it was prepared for burial. O. H. Deines held a coroner's hearing this morning. The driver of the truck which hit Jones was A. J. Chadd, of McPherson. He was not held, but with other witnesses appeared for the hearing. Lyman, who was intoxicated when the accident occurred, was brought to Russell and placed in jail to await the hearing. He is still being held.

Jones was divorced from his wife who is said to be living at Oil Hill, Kan. A sister at El Dorado, a brother at Hutchinson, and his mother at Martinsville, Ill., were notified. Several relatives reached Russell Tuesday and made preparations for funeral services and burial at El Dorado tomorrow.

Jones was 40 years of age and was the father of six children. (Russell Record, 1935, submitted by Kirk Jones)