HARTLEY, MERLENE (GILLIAM)
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Merlene Hartley, 73, of Carthage
passed away at 2:10 a.m. Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Carthage Health and Rehab. Merlene was born May 7, 1937 in
Meritt, MO. She was the daughter of Homer A. Gilliam and Hazel E. Hawkins. Merlene was a long time resident of
Carthage. She was the owner of Merlene’s Beauty Salon in Carthage. Merlene graduated from Webb City High School
in 1955. She enjoyed arts and crafts, especially floral design.
Merlene married John David Hartley in Webb City on April 24, 1959. He survives.
Other survivors include one daughter; Terri Drenick and her husband John of Pittsburg, KS, three brothers; Marvin
Gilliam and wife Violet of Monett, Carl Gilliam and wife Sue of Webb City and Howard Gilliam and wife Nancy of
Webb City, one grandson, Shane Drenick and one granddaughter, Haley Drenick.
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Park Cemetery in Carthage. Visitation will
be 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Ulmer Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army in care of
the Ulmer Funeral Home. (Morning Sun, February 15, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
STREVELL, SHIRLEY
JEAN (SHERMAN)
PRAIRIE VILLAGE — Shirley Jean Sherman Strevell,
82, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2011, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Shirley was born
May 16, 1928, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Eugene and Ruth Jones Sherman.
Shirley graduated from KSTC, now Pittsburg State University with a BSED in 1953. She began her teaching career
in 1951 in Chanute, Kan. In 1976, she continued in the tradition of her grandfather, F.A. Jones and her mother
by entering the field of real estate sales in the Kansas City area. She enjoyed a successful 33-year career.
She married Edward Strevell in 1953. He passed away in 1997. Her hobbies included bridge, gardening, genealogy,
and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include her son Scott Strevell and wife Valerie and their children, Alex and Laura of Shawnee Mission,
Kan.; her daughter Lynn Weinfurter and her hubsand Karl and their son Brock of Overland Park, Kan.; brother Jim
Sherman and wife Donna of Overland Park, Kan.; and brother Jon Sherman and wife Treva of Pittsburg, Kan.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission
Road, Prairie Village, Kan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association or the Village
Presbyterian Church. (Morning Sun, February 15, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
CAREY, CAROL LYNNE
(NEPTUNE)
ELKHART — Carol Lynne Neptune-Carey, age 56, of
Elkhart, Kansas, died Sunday, February 13, 2011, at her home in Elkhart, Kansas. She was born September 1, 1954,
in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Calvin Doyle and Mabel Louise (Allison) Neptune.
Carol graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1972, from Pittsburg State University in 1976 with a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Biology; and, in 1982, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. On December 20, 1975, she
married Dr. John Carey in Pittsburg, Kansas, at the United Methodist Church. Carol supported her husband’s military
career as an Army wife for over 20 years in 12 different locations. She enjoyed working as a nursery nurse during
her career. Carol also went above and beyond the call, being a mother and wife, by providing sole support of the
family during John’s time in medical school and residency. In August 2003, Carol and her husband moved to Elkhart.
She loved volunteering and was the Red Cross volunteer of the year in 2000 at Ft. Riley, Kansas, and in 2001 at
Ft. Irwin, California. Carol was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
Survivors include her husband, John, of the home; son, Adam Carey and wife Susan of Elkhart, Kansas; two daughters,
Allison Carey of Chicago, Illinois; Mallory Carey of Elkhart, Kansas; one brother, Dr. Calvin Neptune III of Aurora,
Colorado; first cousin, Janice Allison of Pittsburg, Kansas and her uncle, Eugene Neptune of Pittsburg, Kansas.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Jeffrey David Neptune.
Memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Christ Lutheran Church in Elkhart,
Kansas, with Pastor Christopher M. Fincher officiating. Friends may sign the register book Tuesday, February 15,
2011 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorials may be given to the Morton County
Hospital Auxiliary in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. (Morning Sun, February 15, 2011,
submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
ELLIS, HOMER A.
OPOLIS — Homer A. Ellis, 81, of Opolis, KS, passed
away at 6:55 a.m. Sunday, February 13, 2011 at his home.
He was born May 26, 1929 at Pittsburg, to Arthur G. and Etta L. (Butler) Ellis. He grew up and lived in the Pittsburg
and Opolis area most of his life.
On May 22, 1948, he was united in marriage to Mary L. Oehme in Pittsburg.
He and his wife owned and operated Ellis Flowers and Nursery for 30 years.
Membership was held in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellis of the home; two daughters, Vicky Henderson of Arcadia, KS and Kelley McGeorge
of Weir, KS; a son, Jeff Ellis of Opolis, KS; a brother, Jerry Ellis of Charleston, Illinois; two granddaughters,
Kristy Sailors of Paola, KS and Terri Gintner of Harrisonville, MO; two grandsons, Nathan and Jarod Watson of Weir,
KS; and a great-granddaughter, Carlie Pichler of Lawrence, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Barbara Jane Ellis and a brother, Ira Robert Ellis.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday (February 17) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with
Fr. Thomas Stroot as celebrant. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Brenner Mortuary. The family
will receive friends following the rosary until 7:30 p.m. The family suggests memorials to the Our Lady of Lady
Lourdes Memorial Fund or Hospice Compassus.
These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary,
114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
(Morning Sun, February 15, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
BREWER, RICHARD
DAVID
Great Falls, Mont. — Airman Richard David Brewer,
21, of Great Falls, Mont., a physical therapy technician at the Malmstrom Air Force Base and U.S. Air Force veteran,
died at his home on February 4, 2011.
Richard was born September 6, 1989 in Hoisington, Kansas. He joined the family of David and Kimberly (Holly) Brewer
and Tiffany on March 22, 1996. He graduated from Southeast High School in 2008. While at Southeast, he was a running
back on the football team, state qualifier in golf and also was on the track team.
He was a member of the Countryside Men’s League; enjoyed playing softball, jet skiing, X-Box 360, hunting, sports
in general, and was an avid Oklahoma University Sooner Fan.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed his basic training from December 9, 2008 to February 9, 2009, graduating
as Honor Flight. He attended Physical Medicine Apprentice School (Tech school) at Sheppard AFB in Texas from October
21, 2009 to February 24, 2010, holding the Green Rope position. He also worked as Air Force Recruiter’s Assistant
for 10 days at his hometown. On March 24, 2010, he was assigned to 341st Medical Operations SQ, 341st MW Malmstrom
AFB as a Physical Therapy Technician.
In addition to working as a physical therapy technician, he worked as a primary supply custodian, infection control
monitor, alternate equipment custodian, and was an MDG security team member.
He married his wife Cortney in October 2010 at Great Falls.
Richard was a member of the 341st Medical Group Booster Club, Security Detail for “Harvest Howl,” Retiree Appreciation
weekend and Health Fair volunteer, MT State Soccer Championships volunteer, and Relay for Life volunteer.
Richard is survived by his wife, Cortney Brewer of Great Falls; his parents, David and Kimberly Brewer of Pittsburg,
KS; and his sister, Tiffany Tyrell of Pittsburg, KS; niece, Caityn Brewer; paternal grandparents, Melvin and Rosemary
Brewer of Pittsburg; maternal grandparents, Dale and Jean Holly of Caney, KS; three half-brothers, Brian Spears,
Travis Sims, and Christopher Sims; a half sister, Tammy Spears; several other nieces and nephews, and his biological
mother, Evelyn Wohlford.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday (February 15) at the Brenner Mortuary with Reverend Murray Balk officiating.
Burial will be in West Union Cemetery, west of Pittsburg. The United States Air Force will provide military graveside
rites. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Tuesday to sign the register. The family requests that memorials be given
to the Richard Brewer Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th St.,
Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under
the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS. (The Morning Sun, February 13, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens
Spencer)
UMPHENOUR-EVANS,
DOROTHY LEE (BROUS)
Miami, Okla. — Dorothy Lee (Brous) Umphenour-Evans
was born October 28, 1917, in Pittsburg, KS. She went to be with her maker on February 16, 2011. She married Ernest
Eugene Umphenour in 1937 in Lamar, Mo. He preceded her in death on August 1, 1980, in Pittsburg, KS.
She is survived by son Kenneth Eugene Umphenour and his wife, Eva and daughter Suzanne Pryor. She is also survived
by two grandsons, Robert Eugene Pryor and James Lee Pryor and his wife, Janice, all of rural Afton, OK. She also
had four great-grandchildren, Emilie, Katlyn, Tyler and Taylor Pryor. She has one surviving sister, Opal Jackson
of Merced, CA. and many nieces and nephews and countless friends. She married A. Lex Evans on July 18, 1986 in
Las Vegas, NV. He preceded her in death on May 27, 1998 in Pittsburg, KS. She was also preceded in death by her
parents, two sisters, one brother and a son-in-law, Robert Joseph Pryor. Dorothy taught fifth grade for fifteen
years and second grade for one year at Eugene Field in Pittsburg, KS. She received a master of science and 30 additional
hours of credit from PSU. In her younger years she enjoyed reading, being on Grand Lake and vacationing in California
and Las Vegas, NV. She had many activities but her favorite times were spent enjoying time with her loving family.
She touched many lives and she will be greatly missed. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February the 19th,
2011 at the Adcock Funeral Home chapel in Fairland, OK., with Rev William Pearce officiating. A visitation will
be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, February the 18th, 2011 at the Adcock Funeral Home. Burial will be at Highland
Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS. Services are under the direction of Roland Adcock, Adcock Funeral Home, Fairland,
Okla. (The Morning Sun, February 17, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
CLOTHIER, WILLIAM
CLYDE
PITTSBURG — William Clyde Clothier, 94, of Pittsburg,
passed away at 2:56 a.m. Sunday, February 13, 2011at Via Christi Hospital.
He was born March 4, 1916 in rural Pittsburg to William Fredrick and Florence Ella (Wagner) Clothier. He attended
Pittsburg schools and graduated from Pittsburg High School.
On April 3, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, where he served in the European Theatre.
He served in the 109th Antiaircraft Artillery Group and was honorably discharged on November 8, 1945.
On December 2, 1945, he was united in marriage to Freda Nadine Daggett in Pittsburg. She survives at the family
home.
Mr. Clothier worked for Bell Telephone Company, where he was an installer, repairman, and retired as a frame man.
Membership was held in the Pittsburg American Legion Post No. 64 and Bell Telephone Pioneers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Linda Robbins and her husband, Jerry of Aurora, CO and
Becky Beecham and her husband , Stan of Pittsburg; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Robbins, Brian Robbins, Joshua Beecham,
Angela Althoff, and Phillip Beecham; and 4 great-grandchildren, Samantha Robbins, Brett Beecham, Isabelle Robbins
and Sophia Beecham. He is also survived by a nephew, Roy Koopman, whom was raised in the home, and also other nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday (Feb. 18) at the Brenner Mortuary with Rev. Kevin Arensman officiating. Burial
will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery, where the Military Honors will be presented by the Kansas National Guard
Military Funeral Honors program. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Brenner
Mortuary. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Thursday at the Brenner Mortuary. The family requests that memorials be
given to the First Christian Church or Via Christi Cancer Center. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner
Mortuary, 114 East 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS. (The Morning Sun, February 16, 2011,
submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
WILDERMAN, JAMES
L.
PITTSBURG — James L. Wilderman, 58 of Pittsburg,
died Saturday, February 12, 2011 at his home following an illness.
He was born March 15, 1952 in Pittsburg, the son of Lawrence and Beulah (Moley) Wilderman. He attended area schools
and graduated from the Pittsburg High School.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on March 17, 1969 and was honorably discharged on March 25, 1970.
On October 13, 1978, he was united in marriage to Cheri Hines in Miami, OK, they later divorced.
James was a truck driver for Harvest Brand for many years, he later was self-employed as a flooring installer.
James loved fishing, camping, airplanes and flying, visiting his children and grandchildren in Oregon and Arizona,
the UFC and horses.
He was very important to many people and was a devoted Father and Grandfather.
Survivors include a son Sam (Valerie) Main of Arizona, two daughters: Mona Davis and Mindy Wilderman, both of Oregon;
six brothers: Danny Wilderman of Pittsburg, Lawrence Wilderman of Hawaii, Steve Wilderman of Mulberry, Michael
Wilderman of Pittsburg, Kevin Wilderman and David Wilderman both of Pittsburg; one sister Karen Jent of Pittsburg;
four grandchildren Cody Davis, Madysen Wilderman, Bryce Main and Lexi Main.He was preceded in death by his parents,
and a sister Lori Wilderman.
Memorial services will be 7 pm, Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home with Rev. Daryl Gaddy
officiating. Family will receive friends following the services. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
The family will be at the home of Danny and Kim Wilderman 1505 N. Michigan in Pittsburg. Services and arrangements
are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762. (The Morning Sun,
February 16, 2011, submitted by Jody Edens Spencer)
