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We just returned from walking the path at Jackson Park.  There were children on the playground, adults walking, a nursing home patient on a bench with a family member, and other older adults on benches just watching the children play.  Nadine and Marlin Baumgartel were busily mowing the park.  What a nice addition to the city of Howard!  Thanks to everyone who have been involved with carrying out this project!

Janet L. Menke, 67, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away September 22, 2009 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita, Kansas.  Janet was born September 6, 1942 in Winfield, Kansas to Ralph R. and Pearl Elvina (Rundie) Duncan.  She was raised and educated in Winfield, graduating from Winfield High School in 1960.  In 1964, Janet moved to Phoenix, Arizona.

She married George Francis Menke on April 10, 1965 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They made their home in Phoenix, Arizona, and in 1971 they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving to Winfield in 1976.  

Janet was a vice-president and commercial loan officer of CornerBank in Winfield, Kansas, retiring in 2004.  She served on the Winfield Zoning Appeals Board for a number of years as well as being involved in many civic activities through her Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority affiliation.  She was a member of the First Christian Church in Winfield.  She loved gardening, scrapbooking, and especially enjoyed her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, George Menke, of the home; her daughter, Debra L. Burdette and husband, Dwight, of Grenola, Kansas;  her son, Shawn A. Menke and wife, Jennifer of Florissant, Missouri; her grandchildren, Megan Burdette of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Morgan Burdette of El Dorado, Kansas, Mattie Burdette of Grenola, Kansas, and Tyler and Emma Menke of Florissant, Missouri; a sister, Eileen Cummings  and her husband, Joe of Winfield, Kansas; a number of nieces and nephews and other close relatives and friends; and her beloved dog, Miss Daisy.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Larry R. Duncan.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2009 at Miles Funeral Service.  Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at the funeral home.  A memorial has been established for the Kansas Cancer Center and for Island Park.  Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service, 4001 E. 9th Avenue, Winfield, KS 67156.

Online condolences may be made at www.milesfuneralservice.com.

(taken from the Winfield Daily Courier website)

We arrived in Howard tonight for a few days and will stay busy visiting, mowing, ballgaming, and kind of relaxing.  Saturday morning we'll be up bright and early for the Veteran's Memorial dedication and look forward to all the Elk River Festival  activities.  It's always good to be "back home". 

I just finished "America's Got Talent" last week and started the new season of "Survivor".  I'm also looking forward to "Amazing Race" next week.  The new medical show on NBC that might take the place of ER looks like fun, too.  Oh, I also started taping "Army Wives".  College football takes high precedence at our house this time of year, followed by college basketball. 

Perfect......................

I think you're thinking about Ira Thomas, Wilma, but that wouldn't be the original B in "O & B".  I have no ideas.................could it have been Baughman?

Tommy C. Connell, 83, a resident of Fall River, Kansas, formerly of Wichita, Kansas, died early Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Fredonia Regional Hospital, Fredonia, Kansas.  He was born July 24, 1926 in Fall River, Kansas, the son of Johnnie and Elizabeth (Proehl) Connell.

From 1944 to 1946, Tommy served in the United States Navy as a radioman 3rd class.  He was employed as a school teacher in Fall River, Eureka, and USD 259 in Wichita schools for many years.  He also coached girls basketball and officiated basketball with his brother, Clayton.

On February 14, 2009 in Wichita, Kansas, he married Becky (Gardner) Ogden. She survives at their home.  He was a member of the Greenwood Masonic Lodge, the Elks Lodge, and the Fall River United Methodist Church.  

Survivors in addition to his wife, Becky, include one stepson, Dallas Ogden of New Albany, Kansas; one stepdaughter, Shawna Ogden of Wichita, Kansasa; one brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Virginia Connell of Eureka, Kansas; nephews and niece, Billie, Johnnie, and Andi; four stepgrandchildren, Matthew Sumner, Talon Kariker, Kelton Gile, and Lola Ogden; and a cousin, Billy Stewart of Severy, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Clayton Connell; and a nephew, Jackie Connell.

Funeral sevices will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Timmons Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas with Mike Myers officiating.  Burial will be in the Fredonia City Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at Timmons Funeral Home on Monday, September 21, 2009  from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Tommy's name with the Shiners Hospitals for Children and may be sent to the funeral home.  Words of condolence for the family may be left at www.timmonsfuneralhome.com.

Timmons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 168, Fredonia, KS 66736 is in charge of the arrangements.

(taken from the Timmons Funeral Home website)

I think they are very young and small in number.  Hopefully things will get brighter as the season progresses.  Good Luck, Patriots!

I took the liberty of changing an item in Wayne Murphy's obituary as printed in the Winfield Daily Courier.  My sister-in-law went to school with him, and he actually graduated from Moline High School in 1963 where he attended after the Elk Falls High School closed.

KRI

Cleetis "Wayne" Murphy, 65, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away September 17, 2009 at William Newton Hospital in Winfield.  He was born August 16, 1944 in Moline, Kansas to Harold and Elva (Larkin) Murphy.  He was raised in Elk Falls, Kansas and graduated from Moline High School in 1963.  

Cleetis attended vocational technical college for auto body mechanics.  He worked for General Electric as a jet engine mechanice for over 40 years before retiring.  During his employment, he ws active in the GE Employee Association.  Cleetis enjoyed camping, and especially loved showing cars and trucks and attending car shows.  

Survivors includ his son, Mike Murphy and wife, Stephanie, and his granddaugher, Celia Murphy, all of Collinsville, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2009 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kansas.  Private interment will take place at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.  Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Memorials are to th American Cancer Society.  Contrbutions may be made through the Miles Funeral Home, 4001 E. 9th, Winfield, KS  67156.

(taken from the Winfield Daily Courier website).