MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS OBITS BROTHERS, JACK M. Jack M. Brothers, 87 of rural Cherryvale, died at 12:30 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011, at his home. He had been in declining health. He was born February 29, 1924, in rural Cherryvale, to Ernest and Onadell (Appleby) Brothers. As a young boy, he grew up and attended schools in the rural Liberty and Cherryvale areas and was a graduate of Cherryvale High School. On May 5, 1951, he and Ladonna Fern Likins were married. following marriage the couple farmed and raised dairy cattle. He retired from dairying but continued to farm. He also worked at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant at various times throughout the years. The couple lived in their current home throughout their 60 years of marriage. He was a member of the Mound Valley United Methodist church and a charter member of Cherryvale High School Future Farmers of America. He enjoyed plants, gardening, poultry and small animals. He especially enjoyed having barnyard pet sales and the friends that he knew through those associations. Survivors include: His faithful wife, Ladonna Brothers of the home, Four sons - Carl Brothers, Centralia, Ks; Kenneth Brothers of rural Dennis, KS; Paul Brothers, rural Cherryvale, KS; Don Brothers rural Cherryvale, KS; Two Granddaughters - Madison and Lyndsey Brothers. He was proceeded in death by three brothers and three sisters. Mr. Brothers' wishes were for his body to be donated for medical research. Memorial survices will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2011, at the Mound Valley United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Mound Valley United Methodist Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. (Submitted by Freda Webb) SHEPARD, ARCHIE LEON Archie Leon Shepard, 87, of Dennis, Kansas, died Sunday, May 8, 2011. He was born February 23, 1924 in Cherryvale, Kansas, to the late Newton Harrison Shepard and Emma Alice Mae Adams Shepard. Archie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jean, his parents, Newton and Emma, and one son Timothy Shepard. Survivors include five sons, Archie Michael Shepard of Hidaway, Texas; Mark Shepard of Missouri City, Texas; Walt Shepard of Colleyville, Texas; Matt Shepard of Sugarland, Texas; David Shepard of Independence, Kansas; three daughters, Betty Whittenbert of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; Mary Alexis Sheappard of Rogers, Arkansas and Donna Frazier of Thayer, Kansas; 21 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren. Graveside services for Archie will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dennis, Kansas. (Submitted by Freda Webb) SHEPARD, ROBERT U. Robert U. Shepard, age 91 of Cherryvale, Kansas died Sunday, January 23, 2011 at the Cherryvale Nursing Center in Cherryvale, Kansas. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Fairview Cemetery in Cherryvale, Kansas with Father Jerry Adinolfi officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Ft. Riley honor guard. Visitation hours will be held Friday, January 28, 2011 at Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. The family has suggested memorials, in lieu of flowers, to the American Heart Association or Harry Hynes Hospice and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas. Robert U. Shepard was born March 6, 1919 in Bentonville, Arkansas to Newton and Emma (Adams) Shepard. Robert graduated from Morehead High School in Morehead, Kansas in 1937. Shortly after high school, Robert joined the United States Army on February 14, 1942. During his enlistment, Robert served overseas in New Guinea, the Southern Phillipines and Papua New Guinea. He was honorably discharged on October 29, 1945 after receiving athe Asiatic Pacific Service medal, Philipine Liberation Ribbon and one Bronze Star. He was a life member of V.F.W., Post 1186 and AARP. After proudly serving his nation and returning home after World War II, Robert married Virginia Wilson on April 8, 1949 in Bentonville, Arkansas and the couple made their home in Cherryale, Kansas for their entire married life. Robert worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation as a highway maintenance engineer for 17 years. Survivors include his wife Virginia of the home, one daughter Joyce Akins of El Dorado, Kansas and one son Robert L. Shepard and his wife Babs of Coffeyville, Kansas. Two brothers Arch Shepard of Dennis, Kansas and Joe Shepard of Cherryvale, Kansas. Also survived by four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Robert was preceeded in death by his parents, one sister and three brothers. (Submitted by Freda Webb) MILLER, MILDRED LORENA Mildred Lorena Miller, 96, of Olathe, KS, passed away March 27, 2011 at her home in Olathe. Memorial Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Cherryvale United Methodist Church, 3rd and Labette, Cerryvale, KS. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Cherryale. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Cherryvale United Church. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, KS. 013-856-7111 and Potts Chapel of Cherryvale, , 620-336-2761. Mildred was born September 2, 1914 in Labette County to Don and Maude (Coyner) McConnell. She earned a Teacher's Certificate and taught in a one room rural schoolhouse. Mildred married Charles E. Miller on May 8, 1938 in Cherryvale. They lived in Cherryvale, she moved to Olathe 15 years ago to be with her family. She was a member of the Cherryvale United Methodist Church in Cherryvale and the UMW, athe Cherry Chums Home Demonistration Unit, the Montgomery County Extension Council, the Civic Club, the Textile Club, and a 4-H Leader. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching birds. Mildred was a talented seamstress and she enjoyed quilting and crocheting. She loved spending time with her family and traveled a lot with her sisters, She will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles in 1970, twin sons, Paul Emmett and Joe Elmer Miller and siblings Pauline Wagner, Lucille Welch, Edith Smith, Floyd "Tommy" McConnell and Lloyd McConnell, and great granddaughter Laura Miller. Mildred is survived by her daughters Ruth Rusmisel of Olathe and Jean Sleeth and husband Allan of Mulberry, KS; son John Miller and wife Cathy of Newman, GA; sisters donna williams of Parsons, KS, Olive McKenzie of Independence, Ks. and Nadine Gardipe of Eaton CO; brother Dale McConnell of Anaheim, CA; five grandchildren; two step grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.(Submitted by Freda Webb) KELLY, THELMA I. (CLARK) Thelma I. (Clark) Kelly, age 94 of Coffeyville, Kansas formerly of Cherryvale, Kansas, died Saturday, December 4, 2010 at the Windsor Place. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas with the Reverend Susan Brown of the Cherryvale United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Cherryvale, Kansas. Visitation hours will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, Decmeber 10, 2010 at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas. The family has suggested memorials to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas. Thelma was born August 28, 1916 to Arthur and Ada (Dwyer) Clark in Cherryvale, Kansas. Her father passed away in 1918 and she was raised by her mother and stepfather P.O. Boyd. She graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1934. She married John Dennis Kelly on August 4, 1935 in Columbus, Kansas. He preceded her in death in 1982. Thelma worked at the Miller Garment Factory, Reliance Manufacturing Company and H. D. Lee company in Cherryvale. In 1956 she went to Coffeyville Junior College to take business classes. In 1957 she began working at the Social and Rehabilitation Services in Independence, Kansa as a secretary, retiring in 1978. She was a charger member of McKinley School PTA and charter member of Beta Sigma Phi Chapters in Cherryvale. She was a member of the Square Dance Club and Bowling team. She was a member of the First United Methodist church in Cherryvale, Kansas where she served on several committees through the years. she moved to Coffeyville, Kansas to be near her daughter in 1987. She loved camping and traveling. She traveled to many states and Canada. She is survived by one daughter Beverly (James) Lawson of Coffeyville. She has three grandchildren, Julie (Jim) Tosh of Ponca City, OK; Tony (Debby) Lawson of Coffeyville; and Kelly Alban (Brett Radcliff) of Independence. she has six great grandchildren; Douglas Tosh and Amanda Tosh of Ponca Cty, OK; Antonia (Sam) Wilson of Coffeyville; Gabrielle Lawson of Coffeyville; John Alban of Topeka, Kansas; and Matthew (Danielle) Alban of Coffeyville. She has three great great grandchildren. She has one brother Leon (Janette) Boyd of Scottsdale, Arizona. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Maxine Duggar of Little Rock, Arkansas. (submitted by Freda Webb) ADAMS, HOMER FREDERICK Homer Frederick Adams, 81, formeerly of coffeyville died Nov 8, 2008 in Frontenac. Friends can call from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Home in coffeyville, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Coffeyville. Mr. Adams was born June 12, 1927 near Sharon, in rural Barber County, the son of Ralph C. and Arvilla Byers Adams. While he was still in grade school, athe family moved to a farm northeast of Coffeyville. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1945 and served in World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was a machinist mate aboard a landing transport ship and was honorably discharged after the war ended. Mr. Adams was a 1946 graduate of Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville and also earned an associate of science degree. During the late 1940s, Mr. Adams was a heavy equipment operator during the consturction of U.S. Highway 169, which crossed the family farm. He married Mariella "Mari" Beal on May 17, 1950 in Coffeyville. they made their home there. In 1951 Mr. Adams went to work at the Coffeyville Fire Department. He served 26 years, retiring as a captain. He received several commendations, including an American Red Cross Life Saving Award for helping rescue two children from a burning home. Mr. Adams also was co-owner of Foy Refrigeration and later owned Adams Heating and Air of Coffeyville. He was a 50 year member of the Coffeyville American Legion Post and was a past member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Association of Firefighters and the Nation Rifle Association. Survivors include a daughter Lisa Adams, of Wichita; two sons, Bruce Adams of Pittsburg; and Blake Adams of Bettendorf, Iowa; five brothers, Hazen Adams, of Yorktown, Va., Bill Adams of rural Liberty, Melvin Adams of Keifer, Okla., Don Adams of Independence, and Dean Adams, of Newport News, VA; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home. (Submitted by Freda Webb) BERND, FRANCIS "TATE" Francis "Tate" Bernd, 83, of Cherryvale died Friday, December 4, 2009 at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday December 11, at the funeral home, with Chuck Bernd officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Cherryvale. Mr. Bernd was born Feb 14, 1920 in Cherryvale, the son of charles John and Anna (Burt) Bernd. He attended Cherryvale Schools. He married Catherine Molidor on April 23, 1940 in Cherryvale and they later divorced. He married Gladys I. Krone on Feb 23, 1957 in Roswell, N.M. and she died in May 1999. Mr. Bernd entered the U.S. Navy on April 29, 1944, served in the Pacific theater and was stationed on the S.S. Ewing Young, an armored guard for Liberty ships. He was honorably discharged because of injures July 13, 1945. Mr. Bernd was a driller, ironworker and boilermaker, and he owned an operated a scrapyard in Cherryvale. He was a member of VFW Post 1654 and American Legion Post 170, both in Chanute and was a member of Disabled American Veterans. He attended the Methodist Church in Cherryvale. Survivors include two sons, Larry Bernd of Liberty and Charles Bernd of Dummer, N. H.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. (Submitted by Freda Webb) BANZET, MELVIN Melvin M. Banzet, 83 of coffeyville, died Friday, 24 October 2008 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Cremation has taken place and memorial service will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association, and they may be left with David W, Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. Mr. Banzet was born August 2, 1925 in Craig County, Okla., to Charles and Zelma (Miller) Banzet. He attended Grand Mound School. On August 10, 1946 he married Helen Cawley at Altamont. Following their marriage they made theire home in Parsons before moving to Coffeyville. Mr. Banzet was a truck driver for Pepsi Cola and Page Milk company before going to work for the City of Coffeyville and retiring in 1989. Following his retirement he drove for SEK-CAP for 15 years. Mr. Banzet was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Odd Fellows Lodge. Survivors include his wife, of the home; a son, Terry L. Banzet, Forsyth, Mo.; a sister Zelma Banzet, Clinton, Mo.; a granddaughter and three great grandsons. (Submitted by Freda Webb) CRITCHFIELD, EARL JEAN Earl Jean Critchfield, 79 of Coffeyville, died Saturday 25 October 2008 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Services will be at 10 a.m. , Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel with burial in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church or the Shriners Hospitals for Children. They may be left with the funeral home. Mr. Critchfield was born Dec 2, 1928 in Florence, Kan., to Justus and Mary (Griffith) Critchfield. He served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1948 - 1952 aboard aircraft carriers in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean areas. On March 23, 1950 he married Delores "Dee" Tuttle in Cherryvale. They lived in Bakersfield, Calif., Salina, Wichita, Independence and Cherryvale, before moving to Coffeyville in 1958. She survives. Mr. Critchfield was a self-employed carpenter with Critchfield Construction. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge, Fort Scott Consistory, Mirza Shrine, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Southeast Kansas Hillbillies. Other survivors include a son, Larry Critchfield, Winslow, Ark.; two daughters, Mary Fogel, Richardson, Texas, and Cathy Boston, Blue Springs, Mo.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lee Critchfield, Van Nuys, Calif., and Douglas Critchfield, Coffeyville,; and a sister Doris Quintero, San Diego, Calif. (Submitted by Freda Webb) CROCKER, CARROLL C. Carroll C. Crocker, 93, of rural Caney, passed away Tuesday morning (May 6, 2008) at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, OK. He was born September 4, 1914 at Caney to Edward and Grace (Sullivan) Crocker. He grew up in the Caney area and attended school at Copan, OK. On August 23, 1939 he married Maxine Lambillotte at Caney. Following their marriage they made their home in Caney, Ardmore, OK and Bartlesville, OK while Mr. Crocker was employed with Arco Pipeline Company. Following his retirement in 1978 they returned to the Caney area to make their home. Mr. Crocker was a member of the First Christian Church in Caney, a 60 year member of Caney Masonic Lodge #324 AF & AM, and a longtime member of Odd Fellows Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Maxine of the home; one son, Max Jerry Crocker of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter, Carolyn Kay Baker of Caney; two brothers, Jack Crocker of Fontana, CA, and J.D. Crocker of Bartlesville, OK; one step sister, Genevieve Jackson of Bartlesville, OK; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Mickey Crocker and two sisters, Jane Withers and Louise Crocker. Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008 in the First Christian Church in Caney with Pastor Brad Sanders officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney with Masonic Rites conducted by the Caney Masonic Lodge. The family suggests memorials to A.W.O.L. (Animals with our love) in Independence or Coffeyville Friends of Animals, Inc.; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements. (May 2008, submitted by Kristy Fox) KILLION, MAXINE BLEVINS (DECKARD) Maxine Blevins (Deckard) Killion, 82 of Bartlesville, died Wednesday October 22, 2008, at the Jane Phillips Memorial Hospital. Maxine was born northeast of Dewey, February 14, 1926 to Ruby and Ralph Blevins who later lived in the Copan area. She attended Blue Mound and Scudder schools continuing her education in the Dewey school system. She spent a number of years working in the Washington County Clerk's Office and was a member of the Carselaw Foursquare Church of Vinita, OK. She is survived by one son, Gary A. Deckard of Bartlesville, three grandchildren, Rick A. Deckard of Bartlesville, Gary Shon Deckard of Ramona and Shannon Berry and husband Dennis of Bartlesville. Six great grandchildren, Tyler and wife Lacie of North Carolina, Kelsey Dawn Deckard and Nicholas Deckard, both of Bartlesville, Doyle and Denice Berry of Bartlesville, Spencer Deckard of Ramona and one Great-granddaughter Oliviah of North Carolina. One stepson James Deckard of Pawhuska and One stepson, Carl Killion of Coffeyville, Ks. And three brothers, Ralph Leon Blevins and wife Grace of Coffeyville, Ks., George Kenneth Blevins and wife Rachael of Bartlesville and Carl James Blevins and wife Valerie of Ramona and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents, Ruby and Ralph Blevins; three brothers, Harold R., Alfred Truman and Albert Leroy. One sister, Ruth Irene Stephens. Grandparents Bailey and Della Toney and John and Eunice Blevins and husbands Virgil Deckard and Dean Killion and stepsons Steve Killion, Junior Deckard and Arlen (Scrapy) Deckard. Maxine requested no flowers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Washington Nutritional Project, 301 E Angus, Dewey, Oklahoma 74029 or Elder Care 1223 Swan Dr., Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006. She wrote, "I've only gone home to await all of your arrivals which will come soon. Stay close to God he'll never leave you. It seems so at times, but, be silent and wait, you'll see. He is very much alive and well. (October 2008, submitted by Kristy Fox) BENNETT, SYNTHIA Mrs. L. Bennett Passes On Mrs. Synthia Bennett, aged 42, passed away Monday at her home, 1601 North Eighth, after a several months’ illness. Synthia Southern was born on April 29,1898, at Claremore, Okla., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Southern. She came to Kansas with her parents in 1901 and settled in Havana. On August 29, 1915 she was married to Leo Bennett in Elk City, and in February 1917, they moved to Independence. Mrs. Bennett was a member of the Church of the Nazarene of this city. She is survived by the husband, four sons, Leo Jack, Henry Dean, Marvin Francis, and Teddy Roger, and three daughters, Mrs. Bessie Murphy of rural Independence, Della Maxine and Cora Janice, and one grandson, Gary Lewis Murphy. All of the children are of the home address except Mrs. Murphy. Funeral services were held this morning at 10 o’clock at the Nazarene church, Rev. B.F. Lehman officiating. Interment was in Mount Hope cemetery under the direction of the Amos & Ridrick Funeral home. (South Kansas Tribune, May 8, 1940, submitted by Judy Mayfield) back to index Copyright © 2011 to Kansas Genealogy Trails' Montgomery County host & all Contributors All rights reserved