Jack Dennis Francis
February 19, 2009
Jack Dennis Francis, age 72 of Overland Park, Kansas passed away February 17, 2009.
Jack was born June 19, 1936 in Hutchinson, Kansas to William and Opal (Sharps) Francis. Jack graduated from the University of Kansas in 1959 and remained an avid basketball-football fan. He retired from General Motors/EDS in 1996 after 37 years.
Jack played softball for 50 years and was a team member of senior softball in Kansas City and Albuquerque and played in the Senior Olympics in Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. Jack was a member of the Archaeological Society of New Mexico, Kansas City Archaeological Society, Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society, also a member and past president of Albuquerque Archaeological Society. He volunteered with the Santa Fe National Forest Site Steward program and the National Park Service leading, with Anne, a project recording all rock art in Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque receiving the 1998 Group Heritage Preservation Award and the Archaeological Achievement Award in 2002 from the Archaeological Society of New Mexico.
Jack ran two marathons and hiked the Grand Canyon four times including rim-to-rim-to-rim. He traveled to all 50 states and 27 foreign countries. He owned and restored a 1941 Chevrolet business coupe and participated in car shows with the West Side Cruisers of Rio Rancho.
Jack was preceded in death by his father and by his step-son Greg Beucher. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Anne of the home, his mother Opal and step-father Gene Risley of Kingman, Kansas, by his children: Mike (Lisa), Alan (Tammy), John (Stephanie), Jodi, Todd Beucher (Lynn Ubben); three sisters: Carol (John) Battitori, Mary (Mike) McDonald, Susan (Stan) Moore; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Visitation and Memorial Service
Memorial Service will be held Saturday February 28, 2009, at 5 p.m. at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, with a visitation starting at 4:30 p.m. and continuing after the service.
Julia Rose Horbelt
February 18, 2009
Julia Rose Horbelt, beautiful baby daughter of Chris and Annè Horbelt of Overland Park, Kansas was stillborn the evening of February 17, 2009 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Merriam, Kansas.
Besides her heartbroken parents, Julia leaves her adoring grandparents Dr. Doug and Pat Horbelt of Wichita, Kansas and Dave and Jeanette Kreimer of Blue Springs, Missouri; Great Grandparents: Grace Lillian Kreimer, Parkville, Missouri, Ellen Butschek, Halletsville, Texas, Katherine Horbelt, Pasadena, Texas; aunts and uncles: Rob Horbelt, Luke and Kara Kreimer, Josh Kreimer and Sarah Kreimer. She also leaves a huge circle of extended relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Julia’s name to Alexandra’s House. P.O. Box 10034 Kansas City, Missouri 64111; Botanica, The Wichita Garden Children’s Garden, 701 Amidon Wichita, Kansas 67201 or Make-a-Wish Foundation, 906 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 21 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Overland Park followed by Mass of the Angels . Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.
Jack K. Calkins
February 18, 2009
Jack K. Calkins, 82 of Prairie Village, Kansas passed away February 17, 2009.
Jack was born Oct. 18, 1926 in Lebanon, Missouri, to Kail and Rosa Calkins. He served in the U. S. Navy and was united in marriage on August 25, 1956 to Dora Lea Morgan. Jack worked many years for General Motors before he retired.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and one brother. He is survived by his loving wife Dora Lea Calkins, and his daughter Marilyn Calkins. He is also survived by his beloved dogs, Freckles and Mollie, and by many nieces and nephews.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Armour Heights Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.
Visitation and Funeral Serv ice
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2009, at Armour Heights Baptist Church, 7900 Jarboe, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Liberal City Cemetery, Liberal, Missouri.
Larry E. Neelly
February 17, 2009
Larry E. Neelly, 75, passed away suddenly February 16, 2009.
Larry was born on a farm near Macksville, Kansas on August 11, 1933. He grew up in Haviland, Kansas where he graduated from Haviland High in 1951. He attended Dodge City Junior College, and received his BS from Fort Hays State. He received his MA and Specialist Degrees from Emporia State. He was a Korean War Veteran. He taught school in Cullison, Kansas, Hutchinson, Kansas and was a teacher and administrator in the Shawnee Mission School District for a total of 36 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, AJ and Helen (Carter) Neelly and his brother, Earl. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Tonya (Henry). They were married on December 27, 1958, in Pratt, Kansas. Other survivors include a daughter Marla (Brent) Wulf, The Woodlands, Texas and a son Stephen (Diane) Neelly, Lincoln, Nebraska, grandchildren: Cortney, Sarah and Cale Neelly, and Whitney Wulf; brothers: Alan Neelly, Hutchinson, Kansas, and Gene Neelly, Pratt, Kansas, his half brother Charles Neelly, Mullinville, Kansas, and extended family and friends.
Larry loved his family, sports, friends, RV’ing, students and staffs, playing cards, painting houses, K-State, and the Lord.
Memorials are suggested to the Countryside Christian Church or Arthritis Foundation of Greater Kansas City through the Amos Family Funeral Home.
Visitation and Memorial Service
Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2009 at The Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Countryside Christian Church.
Reese Listrom Pollard
February 16, 2009
Reese Listrom Pollard passed away February 15, 2009.
Reese was born November 24, 1927 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri to Joseph R. and Christine (Linstrom) Pollard, grew up in Parkville, Missouri and graduated from Parkville High School.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in education. He continued with his education and earned both his B. S. and Doctorate in Education degrees from KU and his Masters in Education from Pittsburg State University. Reese taught math and sciences in Winchester, Kansas, where he also coached football, baseball and basketball. He went to Moran High School in Moran, Kansas where he also coached football, basketball and track. At Campus High School in Haysville, Kansas, he helped set up the chemistry and physics departments for the new school and coached football and track. In 1961, he became head football coach and taught math at Shawnee Mission North High School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. His career advanced, and he was appointed Vice Principal at Shawnee Mission North, and later became the Athletic and Personnel Director for the Shawnee Mission School District. He concluded his career in education as an Associate Superintendent of the district.
After retiring from education in 1984, he embarked on a new career as a financial planner and investment advisor. He continued with this second career until December of 2008.
Reese was a member of Village Presbyterian Church for 37 years, serving in a number of capacities. He was also a member of the Abdallah Shrine Temple and it’s Joker Unit, taking part in their fundraising, publicity and social activities. Reese was a passionate Jayhawk fan, and for decades seldom missed a KU football or basketball home game.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Audrey, and his three daughters, Chris Heider, her husband Mark, and their three children Matt, Stephani and Sarah; Teri Orr, her husband Jim, and their two daughters, Jean and Elizabeth; and Jean Jennings and her husband Ron and two sons Matt and Daron. He also leaves his cousin Gladys Owens of Parkville and his extended family.
Memorial contributions can be made to either Village Presbyterian Church, KU School of Education, or the KU Athletics Department.
Visitation and Memorial Service
Memorial Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday February 18 at Village Presbyterian Church. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m Tuesday February 17 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Michael Duggins
February 15, 2009
Michael Duggins, 57, of Overland Park, passed away Friday, February 13, 2009.
Michael was born March 9, 1951 to William and Mary Duggins in Wichita, Kansas. Michael graduated from Shawnee Mission South in 1969. After high school Michael went to work in the kitchen of the Marriott hotel and retired in 2004. Michael was active in the Special Olympics and enjoyed competing in bowling and golf.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary; and a sister, Susan Channell. He is survived by three sisters, Mary Welker, and husband Ron, Shawnee, Kansas; Patricia Patterson and husband Chris, Downers Grove, Illinois; and Nancy Ruder and husband Bud Penner, Kansas City, Kansas, five nephews and six nieces also survive him.
Memorial Visitation
A memorial visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Special Olympics.
Christine D. Richardson
February 14, 2009
Christine D. Richardson, 85, of Shawnee, went to be with her Lord, Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Christine was born February 18, 1923 to Jesse and Cecil Dopson in Strong, Arkansas. On January 25, 1946 she married James A. Richardson, they recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. Christine enjoyed crafts and gardening.
She is survived by her loving husband James, two sons Ed, Darlene Richardson, Easley, South Carolina; Randy, Connie Richardson, Olathe, Kansas; three sisters, Hazel Kennedy, and; Kathryn Thompson, both of Eldorado, Arkansas; Jo Ann Crowder, New Haven, Mississippi, a brother, Ronald Dopson, Crossett, Arkansas, six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Christine was preceded in death by her two sisters, Earline and Maudine.
Visitation and Funeral Services
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Monday, February 16, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, at Shawnee Mission Baptist Temple. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Shawnee Mission Baptist Temple.
Hugh F. Hipsher
February 13, 2009
Hugh F. Hipsher, 89, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away February 13, 2009.
Hugh was born May 18, 1919 in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma to Warren and Nellie Fuller Hipsher. He grew up in Cleo Springs and then attended business school in Indianapolis. Hugh enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1941 and served his country during WWII. He was united in marriage to Joyce Anderson in 1958. Hugh worked for many years for the Sturgis Chair Company, a job that he enjoyed very much. He also enjoyed traveling and did so extensively.
Hugh was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister June Evans. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Joyce Hipsher, by his daughters, Jan Hipsher and Joy Barker. He is also survived by his brother W.L. Hipsher of Tulsa, Oklahoma and by his eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
The Hipsher family wishes to express their great appreciation to the staff of Trinity Nursing Home and Shawnee Mission Medical Center for their generous and loving care.
Memorial contributions may be made in Hugh’s memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Memorial Service
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at The Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Earnest Horton Bolin
February 9, 2009
E. Horton Bolin: husband; father, educator and craftsman; passed into the presence of God on Monday evening, the ninth of February, surrounded by family and friends.
He was born on April 21, 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest child of Swedish immigrants Sven and Tekla Bolin. Horton grew up working at the family business, the Niagara Pool at 81st and Troost where he became a skilled swimmer and diver. Joining the Boy Scouts in the thirties, he progressed rapidly and became one of the youngest Eagle Scouts in the nation in 1935. After accompanying his family on a visit to Sweden in 1939, he graduated from Center High School in 1940.
Horton went to Central Missouri State College where he joined Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and then the Naval Reserve after Pearl Harbor. This was where he eventually met and married Jean Waitman of Tina, Missouri in 1944. Their education was interrupted by the war when Horton was activated and sent to State College, Pennsylvania for training, where their first child, David, was born in February of 1945. Horton was soon deployed to the Pacific where he served through the end of the war.
Upon his return, he and Jean went back to C.M.S.C. where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Education. Horton began his teaching career in the small towns of Fertile and Hanlontown in northern Iowa, where he taught drafting and coached basketball while his wife taught English. During this period, he also served as an executive with the Winnebago Council of the Boy Scouts, the whole family spending the summer of 1948 living in a log cabin at Camp Roosevelt where he was the Supervisor.
After the birth of his daughter, Kris Ann, in 1950, Horton began seeking a teaching position in the Kansas City area. He joined the faculty of Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1951, teaching drafting, math and driver’s education. He also found time to design and build a new family home in the growing suburb of Shawnee, moving in early in 1952.
As the Turner School District grew, Horton’s mechanical drawing classes were in increasing demand, also he became involved in community activities as a founding board member of the Wyandotte County Credit Union. He also put his Scouting experience to good use as Scoutmaster of the troop at the First Baptist Church of Shawnee where he was a long-time member.
In the early sixties, Horton and Jean decided to build a new home near Lake Quivira and again he designed, contracted, and did the cabinetry and much of the finish carpentry for the house. Professionally, Horton grew in his field, earning a Masters Degree in Industrial Education and a Specialists Degree in Administration from Pittsburg State University, eventually becoming Vice-Principal of Turner High School and then of Pierson Junior High until his retirement in 1986.
After retirement, the Bolins enjoyed working to improve their home as well as extensive travel around the country, often visiting relatives and old friends. They also took pride in their growing number of great-grandchildren, hosting Christmas Eve gatherings for the family.
Horton and Jean celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1994 and they traveled less often, content to stay home where they studied playing the organ and Horton built woodworking projects. Then, as Jean’s health deteriorated due to cancer, he devoted most of his time to caring for her. Despite his own health problems, Horton cared for his wife, as she grew weaker, a process that finally ended with her passing in 2003. The next year he was persuaded to make a return visit to Sweden accompanied by his daughter Kris and her husband, Michael.
Horton Bolin maintained his independence for the rest of his days, living in the house he had designed and built. In this, a wonderful team of caregivers who became almost as much a family to him as his children assisted him. Their duties grew as Alzheimer’s disease slowly dulled his once-precise mind, and they gathered to be with him in Shawnee Mission Medical Center as pneumonia quietly took him away.
Horton Bolin is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Nancy Bolin of Kansas City, Kansas; daughter and son-in-law, Kris and Michael Stouffer of Overland Park, Kansas; his niece, Kristie Carver Tatum of Charlotte, North Carolina; two grandsons, Ron Bolin of Kansas City, Kansas and Air Force Master Sergeant Gerald Bolin of O’Fallon, Illinois and five great-grandchildren. He will also be deeply missed by his loving caregivers: Marie, Sadie, Cathy and Debbie and all of the relatives and friends he met during his last trip to Sweden.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A visitation will be one hour prior from 10-11 a.m. at the chapel. Burial will follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.
Robert E. Compton
February 8, 2009
Robert E. Compton, 78, Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Kansas City Hospice House after a courageous battle with COPD.
Robert is survived by his wife Margaret of the home and three children Chris (Jill) Compton, Overland Park, Kansas; Mark (Mary Beth) Compton, Kansas City, Missouri; Amy (Jeff) Reich, Woodbridge, California; one sister Marcelline (Fred) Zabel, Atchison, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Tommy, Joey, Ben, Lauren, Nick, Alex, Brook, and Holly, and many nieces and nephews.
Robert was a member of Iron Workers Local #10 and St. Joseph Catholic Church and he was an avid outdoorsman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Kansas City Hospice House.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Rosary recitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.