Joseph R. Riden, Jr.
December 18, 2011
Joseph R. Riden, Jr. 89, of Prairie Village, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2011, at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Joseph was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and earned an Eagle Scout Badge with palms and graduated from Mercersburg Academy. He received a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry from the Pennsylvania State University where he was a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon, chemistry honorary; Gamma Sigma Delta, agricultural honorary; Alpha Chi Sigma, Chemistry fraternity and Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity. He served as a Lt. JG in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater with the Amphibious Corps.
After returning from the Navy, Joseph married Sarah Jane Schmidt on November 30, 1946. She preceded him in death after 62 years of marriage on August 16, 2008. His professional career started with a four year A.E.C. Research Associateship at Johns Hopkins University. This was followed by two years at Chemagro Corporation and 25 years with Gulf Oil Corporation as Research Specialist, then Manager, Chemical Research and retiring as Manager, Biochemicals. He was awarded 6 U.S. patents, some 60 attendant foreign patents and has 16 publications.
Joseph is survived by his children, Ellen Perry, Susan McFarlane, Martha Gunn, Daniel Riden, Rebecca Freshnock, and 13 grandchildren.
Services
Interment will be in Antioch Pioneer Cemetery with a private family gathering.
Lawrence “Larry” LeRoy
December 17, 2011
Lawrence E. “Larry” LeRoy, 90, of Mission, Kansas, passed away peacefully in his home December 17, 2011.
Larry was born on the 4th of July in 1921 in Scammon, Kansas, to Joseph and Helena (Swain) LeRoy. He graduated from Arma High School in 1937 and served the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945. Upon discharge Larry graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in Finance and Business Administration. Larry worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line until he retired in 1977. He received his Law degree from UMKC in 1983 and then practiced as a CPA and a Tax Attorney until retirement in 2000.
Larry is survived by his wife of 63 years Margaret (Coomes) LeRoy, by his five children, Mick (Helen) LeRoy, Jim LeRoy, Mary (Jim) Woodruff, Patty Korkowski, Kevin (Julie) LeRoy; 12 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Cindy LeRoy and son-in-law Jerry Korkowski. Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be held 9 am, Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Mission, Kansas. Mass will follow at 10 am with burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church or St. Luke’s Hospice.
Charles J. Van Hee
December 16, 2011
Charles (Charlie) J. Van Hee, 91, passed peacefully Friday, December 16, 2011.
Charlie was born December 6, 1920, to Gustav Van Hee and Mary Maes Van Hee. Charlie and Bernice farmed at their Nieman location where it has been said Charlie had the “best produce in town.” At one time he operated ten huge greenhouses. Charlie was active in the local Belgium community and a member of Knights of Columbus #2332 as a 3rd degree Knight for over 50 years. He and Bernice spent nearly 70 years together 24/7 talking, laughing, and loving. Let the love story continue in heaven.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; his recently deceased (June 9, 2011) wife Bernice Lust Van Hee; his only brother William (Willie) J. Van Hee; and a half-sister Irene (Dobbels) Virad.
Charlie is survived by his four daughers, Darlene (Bob) Zukel, Doris (Jim) Peckron, Mary Lee (Steve) Dillbeck, and Christine (David) Ferguson; seven grandchildren: Travis (Megan) Thayer, Brian (Jennifer) Dillbeck, Peter Zukel, Paul Dillbeck, Lynne (Robert) Cobin, Lee Ann Dillbeck, Elizabeth (Cooper) Smith; and eight great-grandchildren; Liam, Grace, and Maggie Thayer, Sierra, Chloe, and Genevieve Dillbeck, Alexandria Cobin and Lucy Smith.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A Rosary will also be recited at 6 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kansas. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.
Memorial Contributions
The familyt suggests memorial contributions to:
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
12800 W. 75th Street
Shawnee, Kansas 66216
or
Alzheimer’s Association – Heart of America Chapter
Margaret Stephenson
December 15, 2011
Margaret Stephenson, 91, of Shawnee, KS, passed away, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at her home. Margaret was born in Kansas City, KS and was a lifelong area resident. She was a telephone operator for Humana Hospital in Overland Park. After retirement, she served as a volunteer at the hospital. She married Jack Stephenson October 12, 1941. He preceded her in death in 1995.
She is survived by her daughters, Lynn Dolinar, of Louisburg, KS, Jill Eggleston, of Leawood, KS, Sally Lahasky, of Overland Park, KS and Kelly Stephenson, of Shawnee, KS and five grandchildren, Hannah, Libby, Alex, Sarah, and Jessica.
Visitation and Funeral Services
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:30 – 8 p.m., Sunday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. The family suggests contributions to the Salvation Army.
James E. Brown
December 15, 2011
James E. Brown, a longtime educator in the Shawnee Mission School District who influenced thousands of young people over the course of his career, passed away at his Overland Park home on December 13, 2011. The loving father of four children and grandfather of two died at age 87.
Jim taught English at Shawnee Mission high schools for 27 years, where he was well known for his innovative techniques and his ability to connect with students of varying skill levels. He was honored as the Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1976 during his tenure at Shawnee Mission West.
Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in English at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He served his country as a fighter pilot in World War II, flying P47s and making 85 missions in Italy, France, and Germany. He earned five air medals and was very proud of his service with the 524 Fighter Squadron 27th Fighter Group.
Jim was born on July 21, 1924, in Manhattan, Kansas, and grew up in Council Grove, Kansas. He was a member of Unity Church at 103rd Street and Antioch.
Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Jean, whom he married on August 29, 1946. His attentive care allowed her to spend the last year of her life at home.
A writer and avid reader his entire life, he took up acrylic painting after retirement and produced many beautiful pastoral scenes of the Midwest.
Survivors include four children, Cathy Brown, Mills River, North Carolina, Dennis Brown, Lawrence, Kansas, Teresa Brown, Leawood, Kansas, and Gary Brown (and wife Tamara), Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim will also be missed by his brother, Harold Brown (and wife Lorene), Council Grove, Kansas; sister-in-law Donna Helbig, Minneapolis, Minnesota.; two grandchildren, Duncan Brown, Lawrence, Kansas and Sydney Brown, Muncie, Indiana; numerous nieces and nephews and Pam Nolan, a close friend of the family.
Visitation and Funeral Service
Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 19, 2011, at the Unity Church of Overland Park with burial in the Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unity Church of Overland Park, 10300 Antioch, Overland Park, Kansas 66212.
William F. Gates, Sr.
December 14, 2011
William F. Gates, Sr., 92, of Merriam, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at Trinity Nursing and Rehab.
Bill was born November 29, 1919, to the late William and Mary Gates inKansas City, Kansas. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served as the Helmsman for the USS La Porte in the south Pacific during World War II.
After returning from the service he married Frances L. Casida on November 29, 1945. She preceded him in death after 62 years of marriage in June 2008. Bill retired form the Bendix Corporation in 1985 as a model maker after 35 years of service.
He is survived by his two sons, William Gates, Jr. and wife Catherine and David Gates and wife Carol; his daughter Gail Worden; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Visitation and Graveside Service
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Stanley, Kansas
Memorial Contributions
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Care Alternatives, 1420 NW Vivion Road, Suite 105, Kansas City, Missouri 64118 or to The Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.
Richard A. Mollentine, Sr.
December 13, 2011
Richard A. Mollentine, Sr., 82, of Overland Park, Kansas, peacefully departed us on December 13, 2011, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Merriam, Kansas.
Richard was born on June 30, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, to Albert and Dorothy Moellentin.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, and survived by his loving wife Barbara, daughters, Lita Miller (Michael), Bonnie Burns, Laura Wall (Duane); sons, Mark Mollentine (Mary), Richard A Mollentine, Jr., Dan Moellentine (Carol), and Michael Darling (Laura Newby); sister, Gayle (Mike); brother, Lawrence Mollentine; niece, Becky Anne Owens (Ron); nephew, John Holsen (Becky Jane); 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorial Service
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., December 19, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.
Memorial Contributions
Memorial contributions in Richard’s name may be made to Animal Haven.
Beverly Jean Cook
December 13, 2011
Beverly Jean Cook, 85, Merriam, KS passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at Trinity Nursing and Rehab Center, Merriam, KS. Beverly was born in Merriam, KS and raised on a dairy farm during the Depres-sion. She married Edgar (Lee) Cook in 1946. They traveled extensively in the US and twice around the world. Bev lived in Pakistan for five years. Bev had compassion for all and could forgive any transgression. Firmly knowing where she would go when she left this world, she was looking forward to seeing Lee again. She loved her kids and grandkids and will be missed.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Leroy Cook on Dec. 16, 1982. Survivors include her three sons, Timothy Steven and Scott; seven grandchil-dren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral Service
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Thursday, Dec. 15 at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee; burial in the Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens.
Robert Henshaw
December 11, 2011
Bob Henshaw, 83, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away December 11, 2011.
Bob attended school in Lansing and grew up in the Leavenworth area where he met his wife of 60 years Gloria (Huey) Henshaw. Bob served in the US Army during the Korean War. He worked for 40 years as a facilities manager at Inland Cold Storage in Kansas City, Kansas.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; daughter Robin Henshaw; son-in-law Donn Hess; grandson Owen brother John Henshaw; sister Kate Price; brother–in-law Michael Huey and wife Sandy; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was an animal lover, active in his church, and will be deeply missed.
Visitation and Funeral Service
A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee from. The funeral service will be 11 am, Thursday, December 15, 2011, at Hope Lutheran Church, 6308 Quivira Road, Shawnee, Kansas, followed by burial in Leavenworth National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
Memorial Contributions
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Hope Lutheran Church organ fund or to Animal Haven.
Patty Smith
December 11, 2011
Patty L. Smith, 83, passed away December 11, 2011, in Overland Park, Kansas.
Patty was born in Savonburg, Kansas, on May 19, 1928, to Floyd and Mabel Everitt. She took great pride in being a mother to her three children, Carol, Brad & Andy. Through her work as a nanny she also touched the lives of many other children.
Patty is survived by her children, Carol (Allen) Mauslein, Brad (Christie Ott) Smith and Andy Smith; 4 grandchildren Justin Mauslein, Melissa (James) Villegas, Jacob Smith and Kyle Smith; 3 great grandchildren; a brother, Larry (Marie) Everitt and several nieces & nephews.
Services
A memorial in Patty’s honor will be held at a later date.