5/5/2011

James Earl Alexander

HILL CITY -- James Earl Alexander, 67, a longtime Hill City area resident, died Tuesday, April 26, 2011. He was born April 1, 1944, in Bogue to Earl and Anita (Griffey) Alexander. He was an insurance claims adjuster.

Preceded in death by: his parents and one sister, Louise J. Scott. Survivors: two daughters, Alaina Alexander, of Newport, R.I., and Alona Lona, of Kansas City, Mo.; three brothers, Leslie Alexander and Ross Alexander, both of Denver, and Michael Alexander, of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Carol Alexander, of Kansas City, Mo.; and a grandchild. Visitation: none. Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City. Burial: private.

Darrell L. Baird

Darrell L. Baird, 89, of Salina, passed away Monday, May 2, 2011, at his home in Salina. He was born Oct. 18, 1921, in Hunter.

He was a self-employed retired barber for 35 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George A. and Edna M. Baird; brothers, Harold Baird, Lyle Baird and Chad Baird; and a sister, Arlene Williams.

Survivors include three sons, Rodney Baird, of Bishbee Ariz., Ronald Baird, of McPherson, and Jeffrey Baird, of Solomon; a daughter, Becky Roe, of McPherson; longtime companion, Carolina Fair, of Salina; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, Salina, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 at the chapel, followed by burial in Hunter Cemetery, Hunter, at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to the VFW Post No. 1432, 1408 W Crawford, Salina 67401, or in care of Roselawn. Roselawn Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.rose lawnsalina.com.

Letha Barrett

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. -- Letha (Martin) Barrett, 93, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. She was born Dec. 17, 1917, the daughter of Joseph and Stella Martin. She grew up around the Gaylord area. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters. Survived by: two daughters, Donita Carrier and Madonna Reichling, both of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Bernadine Duntz, of Smith Center; and three brothers, Eldon Martin, of Smith Center, Bernard Martin, of Wichita, and Kenneth Martin, of Boise, Idaho. Graveside service: 11 a.m., Saturday at Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center. All Faiths Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.

Elizabeth A. Chapman

BELOIT -- Elizabeth A. Chapman, 94, of Beloit, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011. Survivors are her children, Janyce Chapman, of the home, Donna Kappels, of Creston, Neb., Cheryl Herbert, of Overland Park, Gregory Chapman, of Newton, and Timothy Chapman, of Beloit; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at McDonald Funeral Home, Beloit. Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice or the Mitchell County Home Health Department.

Ruth Mae Clegg

MANHATTAN -- Ruth Mae (Binggeli) Clegg, 92, of Manhattan, formerly of Mankato, died April 27, 2011. She was born Jan. 29, 1919, near Colton, S.D., to John and Pauline Binggeli.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ron; five brothers; and three sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Donna King, of Manhattan; and a host of other family members and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7 at the Christian Church. Mankato Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato. The family suggests memorials to Salina Rescue Mission or to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Condolences may be sent to www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Christopher R. Diedrick

TESCOTT -- Christopher R. Diedrick, 39, of Tescott, died Monday, May 2, 2011. Chris, the son of Richard and Irene (Schmidt) Diedrick, was born March 31, 1972, in Topeka. Chris was a graduate of Tescott High School and he then attended Highland Community College and Fort Hays State University. He was a farmer and a stockman. Chris was a member of Tescott United Methodist Church and the Trojan Booster Club.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Irene Diedrick.

Survivors include his father, Dick Diedrick, of Tescott; two sisters, Mary Beth Hardy, of Littleton, Colo., and Shari Bergosh, of Douglass; nieces and nephews, Amber and Sean Hardy, Brayden Ash, Cassidy Peters and Logan and Zach Bergosh; great-niece, Bella Hardy; a special friend, Nicki Harris; and a special cousin, Stacey Bruton.

Friends may sign the register book from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. The family will not be present. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Tescott High School gymnasium. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to be made to the Chris Diedrick Memorial Fund, which will be designated at a later date. Visit www.wilsonfamilyfu neralhome.com.

Donald E. Drake

REDLANDS, Calif. -- Donald E. Drake, 87, of Redlands, Calif., passed away Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Roger Fischer

GARDEN CITY -- Roger Fischer, 57, of Garden City, died Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, is handling arrangements.

Irma Jean Hibbs

Irma Jean Hibbs, 87, of Salina, formerly of Rexford, died Wednesday, May 4, 2011.

Pauls Funeral Home, Selden, is handling arrangements.

Paul B. Kelly

SYLVAN GROVE -- Paul B. Kelly, 86, of Sylvan Grove, died Wednesday, May 4, 2011.

Rodrick & Minear Funeral Home, Lucas, is handling arrangements.

Ruby Rose Lamer

Ruby Rose Lamer, 86, of Salina, died Wednesday, May 4, 2011. She was born Dec. 7, 1924, in Beeler, the daughter of Floyd and Margery (Eibert) Temple. She was an exceptional homemaker and a woman with a deep faith in God. She was a member of Emmanuel Christian Center and a dedicated volunteer for the church, nursing homes, Salina Rescue Mission and the hospital.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 56 years, Dale E. Lamer; four brothers, Harry, Lawrence, Robert and Lee.

Survivors include four sons, Steve and wife Linda, of Salina, Matthew, of Fort Collins, Colo., Mark and wife Brenda, of Salina, and John, of Salina; three daughters, Marjorie White and husband Ron, of Topeka, Debra Roux and husband Rob, of Dunlap, Tenn., and Della Lamar, of Biddeford, Maine; five brothers, Francis, Delbert, Vernon, Raymond and Ted; one sister, Florence Caldwell; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with family greeting visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Christian Center, Salina, with burial in Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials are to Hospice of Salina or Salina Rescue Mission.

Gary Gene Menard

HANOVER -- Gary Gene Menard, 70, of Hanover, died Friday, April 29, 2011. He was born March 26, 1941, in Clyde, the son of John J. and Regina (Marcotte) Menard. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Jill Menard; a son, Bryan Menard, of Greenville, Texas; three stepchildren, Tammy Schaeffer, of Bremen, Lynette Horne, of Overbrook, Rob Rettig, of Overland Park; two brothers; three grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; and 11 stepgreat-grandchildren. Service was Wednesday, May 4. Burial was in Hanover City Cemetery. Memorial contributions will be designated later and can be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary.

Mildred V. Morgan

OSBORNE -- Mildred V. Morgan, 89, of Osborne, died Saturday, April 30, 2011. She was born April 22, 1922, in Bates County, Mo. She was a homemaker. Preceded in death by: her husband, Jack Morgan. Survivors: a daughter, Patricia Avants, Waxahachie, Texas; two brothers, Wilbert and Kenneth Adams, both of Nevada; three sisters, Lorene Spillman, of Nevada, Mo., Dorothy Steuck, of Rich Hill, Mo., and Darlene Burgess, of Hamilton, Mo.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. today at Clark-Gashaw Mortuary. Service: 2 p.m. Friday at the Christian Church, Osborne. Burial: Osborne Cemetery. Memorials: Carnegie Library, of Osborne.

Donna Sue Revell

CONCORDIA -- Donna Sue Revell, 57, of Concordia, died Monday, May 2, 2011. She was born Nov. 2, 1953, in Concordia to Orville E. and Dorothy (Graham) Revell. She worked as a CNA at Mount Joseph. Preceded in death: her father; two brothers, Dale and John; and her grandparents. Survivors: a son, Buster and wife Terra Revell, of Concordia; a grandson, Drake Revell; his mother, Dorothy Revell; four sisters; and a sister-in-law. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nutter Mortuary Chapel, with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Graveside service: 2 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Memorials: Dialysis Unit at Cloud County Health Center. Condolences: nuttermortuary@yahoo.com.

Charolene Rupe

WICHITA -- Charolene Rupe, of Wichita, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2011. She was born Charolene Hauptli on May 25, 1923, in Manhattan. In 1924, she and her family moved to a farm between Kipp and Salina in Saline County. She lived most of her life in Salina and, in recent months, moved to Wichita to be close to her son, Alan Rupe.

She was a homemaker, Kansas Wesleyan University alumni and a retired member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and the Kansas Teachers Association. She taught school in Downs, Minneapolis and the Salina School District for 21 years until her retirement.

Charolene's hobbies include Kansas history, family genealogy and spoiling her grandkids.

She was married to Lloyd Rupe for 57 years, he died Sept. 12, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her children, Dennis Dee in 1946, and Denise Rupe in 2006.

She is survived by her son, Alan (Rhonda) Rupe, of Wichita; and her grandchildren, Christopher (Abbey) Rupe, Patrick (Kylie) Rupe, Laura Rupe, Leigh (Chris) Hendrix, and Lindsey (Jesse) Atwell; and four great-grandchildren, Keizer and Wyatt Hendrix and Katelyn and Colin Rupe.

Charolene requested no visitation and a private interment at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Ryan Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Keith Ryan

HOLYROOD -- Keith Ryan, 81, of Holyrood, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011.

Hall Funeral Home, Lincoln, is handling arrangements.

Clyde H. Tubach

Clyde Homer Tubach, 72, of Salina, passed away Monday, May 2, 2011. He was born April 30, 1938, in Fort Scott to August Anton Tubachand and Nola Dale (Burroughs) Tubach.

Mr. Tubach was a retired security supervisor for Koch Industries, of Wichita. He was a 1957 graduate of Glasco High School, Glasco. After high school, he went on to serve in the United States Air Force, as well as the United States Marine Corp. He was a member of the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his wife, BettyLou; son, Scott; and brother, Lemoine. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Teresa Barham and husband Wayne, of Salina, and Nola Schettler and husband David, of Omaha, Neb.; three sisters, Freda Saiger and husband Howard, of Topeka, Elaine Dunlap, of Topeka, and Cora O'Rourke and husband Joe, of Iola; and one brother, Raymond Tubach, of Larned. He leaves in his passing eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. today, at Faith Free Will Baptist Church, Salina, followed by a military burial service in Glasco Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Faith Free Will Baptist Church, 611 Willis Ave., Salina. Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements.

Betty Jeanette Watters

Betty Jeanette "Jean" Watters, 76, of Salina, passed away peacefully in her residence with her family by her side on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. Jean is the daughter of Thomas A. and Amelia Schenk. She attended girls Catholic high school in Hays and graduated with honors in 1952, then attended Marymount College in Salina, graduating in 1956. It was when she was in nurses training at St. John's Hospital in Salina that she met the love of her life, Ronald "Ron" Watters. They were married June 8, 1957, and were married for 48 action-packed years. They chose to raise their children in a small town with strong moral values, which they found in Colby. She raised her children until they were in school and then chose to follow her second passion, nursing. She rose through the ranks at St. Thomas Hospital to director of nursing. She was devoted and loyal to her work and helped establish a new hospital -- Citizens Medical Center, where she started and developed the Outpatient Services Department. CMC now has a very successful outpatient program, which has helped the hospital and Colby prosper. Her dedication and diligence earned her one of Kansas' most prestigious awards in nursing: the "Heart of Healthcare" award in 1998.

"Nanny" had what can be described as having an amazing grace. She held herself to high standards and expected the same for her children and grandchildren. She influenced many to obtain their highest goals. She was given a second chance at life 10 years ago and spent it wisely: educating her grandkids and traveling the world. Jean never missed an opportunity to host bridge or bunco, which displayed her quiet, competitive nature and her ability to host a party where everyone felt at home. Dad always joked that mom had a black belt in shopping, and she always had everyone dressed for success.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ron; parents, T.A. "Doc" and Amelia Schenk; and her sister, Patricia Bowles.

She is survived by her children, Paula Watters, of Taos, N.M., Kevin and Christi Watters, of Salina, Laura and Dan Barnett, of Dallas, and Aaron and Jayne Watters, of Arkansas City; 10 grandchildren, Courtney Triska, Christopher Jones, Sydney, Ashton and Carson Watters, Amelia, "Mia" Barnett and Colby, Calley, Colton and Cassey Watters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Vigil services will be at 6:30 p.m. this evening at the mortuary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 6, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Brookville. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Brookville. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, www.csjkansas.org/.

"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor and best of all, chocolate cake. I know you're dancing with Grandpi and the Angels. I love you, and I will miss you." -- Colby Watters

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