McPHERSON COUNTY, KANSAS
OBITS
Threescore years ago, in the city of Chicago, sixty-two men, courageous, farsighted, forward-looking, rightly discerning the signs of the time, met and organized the Evangelical Mission Covenant Church of America. Fifty years later, at the golden jubilee in Chicago, 1935, fifty-three of these heroic charter members had already joined the church triumphant, and nine only were numbered among the living. Today, when we are about to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Mission Covenant, words come to us that the last of the charter members the Rev. Svante Lundeen, has passed away at McPherson, Kansas.
The Rev. Svante Lundeen was born in the parish of Gärdserum, Småland, Sweden, February 14, 1858. In 1877 he experienced the grace of regeneration and in 1880 he arrived in the United States, and located in Ottumwa, Iowa. He attended the Ansgar College, Knoxville, Illinois, 1880-1882 with professor J. G. Princell as teacher, and was ordained at Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1884.
At the time, when the clarion call was sounded, 1885, for the organization meeting in Chicago. Rev. Svante Lundeen was serving the Mission church at McPherson, Kansas. Relative to this meeting Lundeen wrote in the Covenant Weekly for February 19, 1935: "As I was then pastor of a Free church in McPherson, I was admitted as a delegate from this church. I had company with C. R. Carlson, a prominent churchman and Mission Friend from Lindsborg. It was my first visit to the big city, and we received a warm welcome from the pastors and their churches.
"The first matter taken up for discussion at the meeting was the creed. Should we dare to to start a new organization without an elaborate man-made creed? Some of the older pastors, especially from the Mission Synod, hesitated to start with the Bible as their only creed. When the name 'Covenant' was suggested for the new organization, some one expressed the fear that by that name we might be mixed up with the Scot Covenanters, and a suggestion was made that the organization be called Mission Union. But when the final vote was taken the majority decided that the new organization should function under the name of the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant of America. The vote on the Bible constituting our only creed was unanimous."
At the annual meeting of 1935, an afternoon was set apart for a memorial service, at which service the charter members of the Mission Covenant spoke. In reference to Svante Lundeen, the Covenant Weekly had the following to say: "An old man, small in stature, came forward and surprised the great assembly by speaking in English about his impressions from the meeting fifty years ago. He related some of his experiences from these epoch-making days and the discussions preceding the final vote, and of the joy that gripped the delegates when the union formula had been found and the Mission Covenant organized. A state of evening calm and peace reposes upon Svante Lundeen and everything he says."
The Rev. Svante Lundeen has labored almost exclusively in the Kansas conference and served the following churches: McPherson, 1884, 1885; Brantford, 1885-1889, and 1897-1902; Bucklin, Missouri, 1889-1891; Lindsborg, 1891-1893; Burdick Enterprise, 1893-1897, and 1902-1905.
Since 1905, Svante Lundeen has made his home at McPherson, Kansas, filling vacancies as they occurred in : Kansas City, Missouri, Ceresco, Nebraska, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Seattle, Washington, and Lindsborg, McPherson, Randolph and Salina, all in Kansas.
We started to write this biographical sketch as a tribute to the last charter member of the Mission Covenant, without realizing that it was to be in a certain sense his obituary, too. The last of the giants of 1885 are gone and with them an old era. A new era is about to begin. Where are the men ready and prepared for the new day?
The Rev. Wm. L. Hultman, of McPherson, has given us the following information in regard to Rev. Svante Lundeen's last days. Rev. Svante Lundeen has been failing physically and mentally these last years. He has suffered much. His memory was very much impaired. Once in a while he would wake up in the night and preach a genuine Swedish sermon. Previously to Monday, June the fourth, he was able to be up and walk around, with great difficulty. But at the fourth of June, he had to be taken to the local hospital and remained in a coma to the end.
The Rev. Svante Lundeen passed away peacefully a little before noon, June 9, 1945. His Lord summoned him for higher service above. All who had the privilege of knowing pastor Lundeen as shepherd and friend speak of him in the highest terms.
Rev. Svante Lundeen is survived by his wife in the second marriage, a trained nurse, who has indeed, been a very good nurse to her husband, and five children in the first marriage. (Friday, June 22, 1945, "Makers of Covenant History" by John Peterson - submitted by Sandy DeLauretis)
McPHERSON - Janet L. Shanley, 65, died July 25, 2005, at Friendship Manor, Pratt.
She was born Aug. 29, 1939, at McPherson, the daughter of Fred A. and Bernice M. Buehre Wells. A resident of Pratt
since March 2005, formerly of McPherson, she was a registered nurse, working at Memorial Hospital and The Cedars
Nursing Home.
She belonged to St. Joseph Catholic Church, McPherson.
Survivors include: two sons, David, Pratt, and Michael, Monterey, Calif.; a daughter, Lisa Elliott, Lynn, Mass.;
a sister, Karen Fendt, McPherson; and four grandchildren.
Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, McPherson. Graveside service will be at
10:30 a.m. Thursday in McPherson Cemetery, with Father Paul Oborny presiding. Visitation will be from 3 to 7:30
p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the family present from 6 p.m. until the end of the Rosary.
Memorials may be sent to American Heart Association in care of the funeral home.
Personal Condolence may be sent to the family via www.stockhamfamily.com.
(Hutchinson News ~ July 26, 2005)
McPHERSON - Audrey M. Shook, 88, died Dec. 31, 2005, at Alterra Sterling House,
McPherson.
She was born April 8, 1917, in Neodesha, the daughter of Morris and Ella Souders Little. She graduated from North
High School, Wichita. A resident of McPherson, moving from Wichita, she was a homemaker.
On June 1, 1937, she married Lester Wayne Shook in Los Angeles. He died Dec. 21, 2005.
Survivors include: two sons, Roger, Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Bill, McPherson; a daughter, Barbara Campus, North
Hollywood, Calif.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Van Syoc.
Family graveside service will be in McPherson Cemetery, with Chaplain Reta Joy Campbell presiding. Visitation will
be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home Chapel,
McPherson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Odyssey Health Care in memory of Audrey and Lester, in care of the
funeral home.
(Hutchinson News ~ January 2, 2006)
McPHERSON - Lester W. Shook, 87, died Dec. 21, 2005, at Alterra Sterling House,
McPherson.
He was born March 8, 1918, in Cement, Okla., the son of Edward and Cora Sprowls Shook. He was a graduate of North
High School, Wichita. A resident of McPherson, he was the owner and operator of Shook Tool and Die. He also had
worked as vice president of manufacturing for Continental Aluminum Manufacturing, McPherson.
He was a former member of Elk's Lodge No. 502, McPherson.
On June 1, 1937, he married Audrey M. Little in Los Angeles. She survives.
Other survivors include: two sons, Roger Shook, Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Bill Shook, McPherson; a daughter, Barbara
Campus, North Hollywood, Calif.; a sister, Juanita Bornholdt, Grants Pass, Ore.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A private family graveside service will be in McPherson Cemetery at a later date with Chaplain Reta Joy Campbell
presiding. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation.
Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson, is in charge of arrangements.
(Hutchinson News ~ December 23, 2005)
McPHERSON - Ruth M. Nickerson Sims, 84, died Dec. 20, 2005, at The Cedars, McPherson.
She was born Nov. 6, 1921, in Omaha, Neb., the daughter of Kenneth Richards and Edith Bingham Nickerson. She was
a 1938 graduate of Southwest High School, Kansas City, Mo., attended the University of Missouri and UMKC, graduating
in 1942 with a sociology degree. A resident of McPherson since 2001, formerly a longtime resident of Excelsior
Springs, Mo., she was a homemaker.
She belonged to First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Mary Martha Circle, all in McPherson.
Survivors include: two sons, Kenneth, McPherson, and David, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; a sister, Laura Buzan, Sunrise
Beach, Mo.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, McPherson, with the Rev. Michael Marion
presiding. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stockham Family
Funeral Home, McPherson. Interment will be in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the church, in care of the funeral home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. Personal
condolences may be sent to the family via www.stockhamfamily.com.
(Hutchinson News ~ December 22, 2005)
Dixie May Spence, 22, died Jan. 17, 2005, as a result of an automobile accident
in Hutchinson.
She was born April 30, 1982, at Hutchinson, the daughter of Lee and Debbie Skinner Spence. She graduated from Hutchinson
High School in 2000. She was a senior at Kansas State University, majoring in textile and apparel marketing, and
was to graduate in May 2005. She was a sales representative at the American Eagle Clothing store at Manhattan.
She belonged to Trinity United Methodist Church, was an 11-year member of Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club of Reno County
and was a Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority member at K-State University.
Survivors include: her parents, Hutchinson; two brothers, Dustin and Alex, both of the home; grandfather, Dwight
Spence, McPherson; her fiance, Matt Lewis, Manhattan; and several uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces and cousins.
She was preceded in death by grandparents, Lucile Spence and Merle and Isabel Skinner.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, with the Rev. Nick Warner presiding.
Friends may sign the book from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be in McPherson
City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Reno County 4-H Scholarship Fund, in care of the mortuary, 1219 North
Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
(Hutchinson News ~ January 19, 2005)
McPHERSON -- Helen Irene Spencer, 88, McPherson, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005.
Mrs. Spencer was born Helen Irene Hildinger on Oct 27, 1917, in Windom. She worked for the telephone company in
Conway, McPherson and Salina.
Survivors include her husband, Harold A., of the home.
A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Monitor Church of the Brethren, rural McPherson, or McPherson County Food Bank, in care
of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson 67460-4207.
There will be no visitation.
(Salina Journal ~ December 2, 2005)
McPHERSON - John C. Stafford, 82, died Oct. 2, 2005, at The Cedars, McPherson.
He was born June 1, 1923, in Blackwell, Okla., the son of Jeff C. and Alice M. Gates Stafford. A McPherson resident
since 1938, he was retired from CertainTeed Corporation, where he was a grinder, and also worked for USD 418 as
a school crossing guard.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
On June 14, 1973, he married Hazel M. Dix Carpenter in McPherson. She survives.
Other survivors include: a stepdaughter, Joan Carpenter, Wichita; a brother, Sam J. Stafford, Springdale, Ark.;
and a sister, Betty Bennett, Valley Center.
Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in McPherson Cemetery, with the Rev. Les Cantrell presiding.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family present from 6 to
8 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to Central Homecare and Hospice, in care of the funeral home.
Personal condolences may be left for the family at www.stock hamfamily.com.
(Hutchinson News ~ October 3, 2005)
McPHERSON - Stagg, Bev, 87, died Sept. 12, 2005. Service 10:30 a.m. Saturday,
Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home.
Survivors: wife, Marjorie; son, David of Warrensburg, MO.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 9/15/2005.
HUTCHINSON --- Mildred Daphne Weller Steele, 101, died Friday, April 2, 2004,
at her residence.
She was born Jan. 26, 1903, at Gypsum, the daughter of Clarence Alexander and Lillie Mae Jay Weller. She was a
1922 graduate of Kipp High School. She received her teaching degree from Kansas Wesleyan College in Salina.
She had been a resident of Hutchinson for 55 years, formerly living in McPherson. She was a homemaker all her life.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Hutchinson and the Order of the Eastern Star in McPherson.
She married Julius E. Steele in August 1926 at Solomon. He died Nov. 27, 1978.
Survivors include one son, Julius, McPherson; two daughters, Kay Paulson, Hutchinson, and Lynn Nichols, Topeka;
a brother, Keith Weller, Kipp; seven grandchildren, Rebecca Morgan, Renee Frazier, Loren R. Paulson, Lon E. Paulson,
Lyle S. Paulson, Julius Vance Nichols and Jay Nichols; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Patty Lundquist; and a great-great-grandson, Brydon Keane.
Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. today at McPherson City Cemetery in McPherson with the Pastor Tim Soule presiding.
Johnson and Son Funeral Home and Crematory in Hutchinson is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church and sent in care of the funeral home. Personal
condolences may be left for the family at www.funeralchoice.com.
(Topeka Capital-Journal ~ April 5, 2004)
McPHERSON -- Stephen Caswell Stewart, 16, McPherson, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006.
Mr. Stewart was born Aug. 10, 1989, at Pendleton, Ore. He was a sophomore at McPherson High School.
Survivors include his father, David C. Stewart, of McPherson; his mother and stepfather, Shari L. and Kenneth Cline,
of McPherson; two sisters, Ashley A. Stewart of Canton and Katelyn M. Stewart of McPherson; his grandparents, Margaret
Stewart of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and Stephen and Elaine Crane of Fulton, Mo.; and his great-grandmothers,
June Swensen of Bountiful, Utah, and Alice Crane of Provo, Utah.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, McPherson. Burial will be
in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to McPherson High School Scholarship Fund Class of 2008, in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral
Home, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson 67460.
Visitation will be from noon to service time Friday at the church.
(Salina Journal ~ January 4, 2006)
MCPHERSON - Swanson, J. Rodney, 81, died Tuesday, March 16, 2004. Visitati on
with family 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; memorial service 11 a.m. Friday, McPherson Cemetery.
Survivors: wife, Phyllis; sons, Rodger and Scott both of McPherson, Philip of San Antonio, TX; brother, Carl of
McPherson.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 3/18/2004.
McPHERSON - H. Helen Sweely, 83, died Oct. 25, 2005, at Infinia, McPherson.
She was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Eureka, the daughter of Willar Hosea and Velma A. Mullinax Lingafelter. She attended
McPherson grade school and graduated from McPherson High School in 1939. A resident of McPherson since 1986, moving
from Aberdeen, Md., she was a homemaker.
She belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2715 Ladies Auxiliary and the American Legion Post No. 24
Ladies Auxiliary.
On Aug. 3, 1946, she married Joe W. Sweely in Wichita. He died July 14, 2003.
Survivors include: a daughter, Anita Toney, Wrightstown, Wis.; a brother, Keith Lingafelter, Wichita; a sister,
Joan Bizzle, Denison, Texas; and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Michael D. Sweely; and two brothers, Dean and Dick Lingafelter.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Glidden-Ediger Chapel, McPherson, with Pastor Terry Post presiding. Visitation
will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be
in McPherson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the VFW Post No. 2715 Ladies Auxiliary, in care of the funeral home.
(Hutchinson News ~ October 26, 2005)
McPHERSON - Thomason, Donald D. "Don," 71, died Jan. 15, 2004. Service
10 a.m. Monday, McPherson Cemetery; memorial service 11 a.m. Monday, St. Peters United Church of Christ, Inman.
Survivors: wife, Verla; daughters, Limba McCormick, Wendy Welch; son, Ladell; 2 brothers; 3 sisters; 10 grandchildren.
Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 1/17/2004.
McPHERSON - Mildred L. Thye, 91, died July 14, 2005, at Memorial Hospital, McPherson.
She was born July 31, 1913, at Elmo, the daughter of Jacob F. and Jessie Anna Melchert Dahlinger. She graduated
from McPherson High School in 1930, and McPherson College in 1934. A resident of McPherson since 1925, moving from
Elmo, she was a piano teacher and homemaker.
She belonged to First Baptist Church, and the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, both McPherson.
On June 9, 1935, she married George R. Thye at McPherson. He survives.
Other survivors include: a son, Max W., Kansas City, Mo.; a daughter, Barbara A. Thyr, McPherson; six grandchildren;
eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a son, G. Douglas Thye; two brothers, Fred E. and Arnold E. Dahlinger; and two sisters,
Esther Eslinger and Benita Case.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, McPherson, with Pastor Les Cantrell presiding. Visitation
will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel, McPherson. Burial
will be in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home.
(Hutchinson News ~ July 15, 2005)
McPHERSON - Tobin, Marcella M., 87, died Jan. 15, 2004. Service 3 p.m. Saturday,
McPherson Cemetery.
Survivors: sisters, Blanche Culver, Leona Baker, Louise Greene, Irene Stafford; many nieces and nephews. Glidden-Ediger
Funeral Home.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 1/16/2004.
MOUNDRIDGE - Fae E. Unruh, 64, died July 11, 2005, at Memorial Home, Moundridge.
She was born Aug. 17, 1940, at McPherson, the daughter of Claude A. and Ann H. Pester Jones. A resident of Moundridge
for 37 years, formerly of McPherson, she was a convenience store manager.
She belonged to New Hope Baptist Church, rural Hutchinson.
On Aug. 17, 1956, she married Norman F. Unruh at Miami, Okla. He survives.
Other survivors include: two daughters, Lynda McAbee, Broken Arrow, Okla. and Crys Rush, Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren;
and a great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Claudia Stempert.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at New Hope Baptist Church, rural Hutchison, with Pastor Harold E. Nelson presiding.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Moundridge Funeral Home.
Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in McPherson County Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to Central Care Cancer Center, 730 Medical Center Drive, Newton, KS, in care of the funeral
home.
(Hutchinson News ~ July 13, 2005)
McPHERSON - Wachtman, Pauline R., 91, died June 15, 2005. Service 10 a.m. Monday,
McPherson Cemetery.
Survivors: daughter, Susan Anderson of Danneborg, NE; sons, Philip of Stephenville, TX, Larry of Loveland, CO;
6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchild ren. Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 6/23/2005.
McPHERSON - Florence M. Wagner, 92, died Dec. 17, 2005, at Cedars Health Care
Center, McPherson.
She was born Aug. 9, 1913, in rural Hunter, the daughter of Samuel Albert and Mildred Lemmons Williams. She graduated
from Covert High School. A resident of McPherson since 1950, she was a homemaker and worked as a secretary for
Cedars Health Care Center, McPherson.
She belonged to Church of the Brethren, where she was a deacon, Camplighters and Sunchaser's Camping Club and was
charter member of the McPherson County Historical Society.
On June 16, 1931, she married Orval Calvin Wagner.
Survivors include: a son, Irvin LeRoy, Norman, Okla.; a daughter, Velva Marie Butler, Grundy Center, Iowa; a brother,
Harley Williams, Fort Collins, Colo.; three sisters, Myra Miller and Ruth Winkelman, both of McDonald, and Louise
Haning, Pueblo, Colo.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orval.
Graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the McPherson Cemetery Mausoleum Building, with the Rev. Chris
Whitacre presiding. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Glidden-Ediger Chapel, McPherson, with the family
present from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to Church of the Brethren, Cedars Health Care Center or Hospice Care of Kansas, all in care
of the funeral home.
(Hutchinson News ~ December 19, 2005)
MCPHERSON - Mary Virginia Wagner, 86, died May 21, 2005, at Hutchinson Hospital.
She was born July 14, 1918, at Florence, the daughter of Boniface David and Dollie Marie Louis Van Buren. She attended
Florence Public Schools and graduated from Florence High School. A resident of McPherson since 1946, moving from
Florence, she was a homemaker, worked for Sterling Drug Inc., as a chemistry lab assistant, retiring in 1985.
She belonged to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Altar Society, and Legion of Mary Auxiliary, all at
McPherson.
On May 30, 1938, she married Francis Devere "Butch" Wagner in Marion County. He died Nov. 24, 1961. On
June 5, 1965, she married Albert H. Groke Sr., at McPherson. He died Dec. 16, 1988.
Survivors include: three sons, J. David, Dodge City, Kenneth L., Charlotte, N.C., and Michael D., McPherson; three
stepsons, Theodore Groke, Tabernacle, N.J., Herbert Groke, Saint Augustine, Fla., and Albert Groke Jr., McPherson;
seven stepdaughters, Betty Jo Lamb, St. Louis, Mary Lou Waitzman, Chicago, Margaret Parker, Naples, Texas, Jane
Van Bunnen, Denton, Texas, Elena Guthals, Manhattan, Kathleen Denney, Keller, Texas, and Joyce Groke, McPherson;
a brother, Frederick Van Buren, Redmond, Wash; three sisters, Marguerite Blatchford, Abilene Elizabeth Varner,
San Bruno, Calif., and Patricia Starkel, El Dorado; 26 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Philip K. Wagner; a stepson, Francis D. Wager Jr.; an infant brother, George
Leo Van Buren; and a great-grandson.
Rosary will be at 7:15 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m.
Tuesday at the church, with Fathers Paul Oborny and Doug Campbell presiding. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m.
Monday at the church, with the family present from 6 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, McPherson.
(Hutchinson News ~ May 23, 2005)
Young, Pauline J., 70, retired Boeing secretary, died November 27, 2005. Visitation
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Affinity Mortuary; graveside service 11 a.m. Thursday, McPherson Cemetery.
Survivors: husband, Roy Young, Jr. of Wichita; sons, Richard Young, Roy Young III both of Wichita; 2 grandchildren.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 11/29/2005.
MCPHERSON - Kenneth Roy Zimmerman, 72, died Oct. 24, 2005, at McPherson.
He was born Feb. 14, 1933, in Lebanon, Pa., the son of Leroy and Ruth Immel Zimmerman. A resident of McPherson
since 1971, he was a project engineer at Certainteed Corp., McPherson, and retired from the U.S. Air Force.
He belonged to First United Methodist Church, McPherson. He served in the U.S. Marines at Korea, and the U.S. Air
Force during the Vietnam War.
On Feb. 23, 1958, he married Kay C. Neuenschwander. She survives.
Other survivors include: two sons, Kurtis R., McPherson and Kevin R., Colorado Springs; two daughters, Karla J.
Cheesman, McPherson, and Linda K. Kenworthy, St. John; two brothers, Edward, Salina, and Paul, Harrisburg, Pa.;
a sister, Mary Ann Dullebawn, Lebanon, Pa.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a grandson.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, McPherson, with the Rev. Mike Marion presiding.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel,
McPherson. Burial will be in McPherson Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association,
all in care of the funeral home.
(Hutchinson News ~ October 26, 2005)
RATHBURN, IZELLA
Hutchinson Man’s Body Is Found
McPherson, Kas. (AP) – Izella Rathburn, 76 year old Hutchinson resident was found dead in a pond 13 miles south of here Sunday.
He was last reported seen Jan. 1.
Coyote hunters found the frozen body in the water. Coroner A.M. Lohrem’s termed the death accidental. (The Salina Journal, January 8, 1951, Submitted by Lisa Smalley)
Erick Rask, 82 years old, died suddenly at his son's home in McPherson last Monday.
Old age was the cause. (Topeka Weekly Capital, February 22, 1894, page 10)
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