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Ardis Nadine Moore, 90, of Hutchinson, Kansas  and formerly of Longton, Kansas, died Friday, March 7, 2008 at Hospice House in Hutchinson.  She was born January 3, 1918 in Elk City, Kansas, the daughter of William Herman Cox Sr. and Ethel Belle Dickerman.  She graduated from Elk City High School and Independence Junior College.  Ardis taught rural school for a few years after college.

On June 15, 1940, Ardis was united in marriage to Everett L. Moore.  They were married for 49 years until his death on September 3, 1999.  Ardis was a homemaker and active community volunteer.  She was a member of the Longton United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Longton Outlook Club, Women's Bible Study, Friendly Fourteen Club, Bridge Club, and Longton Senior Center. 

Ardis is survived by one son, Kim and his wife Cindy of Hutchinson, Kansas; three grandchildren, Carrie Moore Grieme of Ashland, Illinois, Michael Moore of Omaha, Nebraska, and Amanda Moore Keller of Wichita, Kansas; one brother, Bill Cox of Redlands, California; one sister-in-law, Lola Mae Cox of Belle Plaine, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Everett, an infant daughter Kathy Ann, and one brother, Warren Cox.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Longton United Methodist Church with Rev. Pat Ault-Duell officiating.  Interment wll follow at the Longton Cemetery.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Longton United Methodist Church or the Longton Senior Center and can be mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS  66736.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com   Arrangements are being handled by Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas. 

(take from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

I've been out of town and couldn't check the obituaries, so when I get all unpacked. I'll put Ardis's obituary on the Forum even though the services have already been held.  I'm sure some of her friends would like to read about her life.  What a sweet lady!

I was able to view the entire video (through alot of tears).  Thanks so much, Teresa, for this moving tribute to Bryant Mackey and his family.  Rodney and I made the trip to Howard that day to help with the American Legion's contribution to the services and were so honored to see the uplifting support that our hometown gave to this soldier and family that few of us knew personally. Thank you Elk County!  This was truly an honorable show of respect for one who gave his life for our freedom. 

Ruth "Arlene" McCollum, age 79, of Fall River, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 3, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.  Arlene was born on October 24, 1928 in rural Elk County, Kansas, the daughter of Harry and Alva (Perry) Knapp. 

Arlene was a graduate of Severy High School with the class of 1947.  On February 18, 1951, Arlene was united in marriage to John McCollum at the Elk County Courthouse in Howard, Kansas. Arlene worked side by side with John on their dairy farm near Fall River, Kansas.  Together they were part of the founding members of the Mid-America Dairy Farmers, which is now known as Dairy Farmers of America.  Arlene loved to attend the Dairy Meetings every year in Springfield, Missouri.  At home she loved to collect recipes and cook big meals for her family.

Survivors include four sons, Randy McCollum, Ronnie McCollum, Frank McCollum, and Donnie McCollum, all of Fall River, Kanss; two daughters, Jill McCollum of Lewis, Kansas and Karen Van Winkle of Corning, Kansas; one sister, Naomi Lacy of Wichita, Kansas; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Knapp of El Dorado, Kansas and Betty Phillips of West Richland, Washington; eight granddaughters, Amanda, Allie Theresia, Kodie, Aadrian, Brenda, Karrie, and Crystal.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband John on August 5, 2002, her parents, and two brothers, Melvin and Darrell.

Funeral services wil be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday,  March 8, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Severy, Kansas.  Vistation will be held at the church Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until service time.  Interment will be at the Twin Grove Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association and may be sent to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, Kansas  66736.  Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.  Onlne condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

We used Mrs. Stewart's Bluing.  I think I remember it being in an opaque blue bottle.  After my mother died and we were clearing out her house, I found a bottle of the bluing and brought it home with me just as a memory. It still sits in the cupboard in my laundry room.  I just checked and the bottle is clear with the blue liquid showing through.  I think the original bottles were blue, though. 

Elizabeth Olive Nigh, 93, formerly of rural Howard, Kansas, died Friday, February 29, 2008 at her son's home in Winfield, Kansas.  She was born May 22, 1914 in Biloxi, Mississippi, the daughter of Willis and Ruth E. (Brand) Hendrix.

On November 23, 1932, Elizabeth was united in marriage to Millard Nigh.  They were married for 67 years until his death on September 6, 2000.  Elizabeth worked at home helping raise the cattle, pigs, and geese.  She loved to work in her garden, cook and sew.  Taking care of her home and family was her main joy.

Elizabeth is survived by one son, Tom Nigh of Winfield, Kansas; one daughter, Donna Sutter of Wichita, Kansas; 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Millard.

Graveside services will be held Friday, March 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas with Chaplain Norman Reeves of Hospice Care of Kansas officiating.  Visitation wil be from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the cemetery pavilion. 

Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hospice Care of Kansas and can be mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, Kansas  66736.  Services entrusted to Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.

Joy D. Fuqua, 91, of Piedmont, Kansas, died Friday, February 29, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.  She was born June 18, 1916 in Higgins, Texas, the daughter of Dee and Rose (Rermer) Giggy.

On May 1, 1938, Joy was united in marriage to John Fuqua.  They were married for 67 years until his death on October 23, 2005.  Joy was a homemaker but did work awhile outside of the home.  She worked a few years for Boeing and Learjet out of Wichita, Kansas, working in the Tool Crib.  She also worked 10 years forthe A.S.C.S. in Howard, Kansas.

Joy is survived by two sons, Conlon Fuqua of Piedmont, Kansas and Nathan Fuqua of Douglass, Kansas; one sister, Jewel McCaslin of Howard, Kansas; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and one sister, Roberta Taylor.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the Fuqua Ranch, 1/2 mile soth of Rock Road on Road 10, Piedmont, Kansas in Elk County with the Pastor Robin Haines officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Flint Hills Assembly of God Church in Howard, Kansas prior to the service.

Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Piedmont Community Center and can be mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.  Services entrusted to Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Naomi Joyce (Bennett) Spencer, 78, of Hallsville, Missouri, died February 27, 2008 at Boone Hospital Center, Columbia, Missouri.  Mrs. Spencer was born August 1, 1929 in Moline, Kansas to Albert W. and Myrtle (Anderson) Bennett.  She graduated from Howard High School in 1948 and worked for Southwestern Bell in Howard, Kansas. 

Naomi married Ray Dean Spencer on July 21, 1951.  The couple moved to Columbia, Missour in 1956.  She worked for State Farm for several years; then for GTE, retiring in 1990 after 18 years of service.

Naomi was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church and Ladies Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.  She enjoyed sewing and leatherwork, playing Bingo, and going to the boat.  She liked to trapshoot and had won several trophies.  Most of all, she was a devoted mother.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William A. Bennett, and a sister, Neva Jean Gray.

Survivors include her husband, Ray Spencer of Hallsville, Missouri; a son, Ray Dean Spencer Jr and his wfe Barbara of Hallsville, Missouri; a daughter Sandra Claycamp and husband Kevin of Hallsville, Missouri; a sister, Marjorie Morris of Winfield, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Alisca, Melanie, Michael, Eric, Jessica, Clint, and Emily; and two great-grandchildren, Sabrina and Olivia. 

Services were held at 6 p.m. Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Liberty Baptist Church, Columbia, Missouri with the Rev. Bruce Caldwell officiating.  Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1 2008 in the Grace Lawn Cemetery, Howard, Kansas.  Arrangements were by Parker Funeral Service and Crematory, 22 N. 10th St., Columbia, Missouri 65205.

Memorials are to the Liberty Baptist Church, 7461 N. Brown Station Road, Columbia, Missouri 65202 or the Howard Senior Center, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Winfield Daily Courier, February 28, 2008)

Charles A. Ritz, age 94, of Howard, Kansas, passed away Monday, February 25, 2008, at the Catholic Care Ceter in BelAire, Kansas.  Charles was born on July 23, 1913 in Blaine County,  Oklahoma, the son of Benjamin and Rose (Cook) Ritz.

Mr. Ritz was a graduate of Okeene High School in Okeene, Oklahoma.  During World War II, Mr. Ritz served his country in the United States Army receiving th Purple Heart and the Silver Star.  On June 6, 1946, Charles Ritz was united in marriage to Rita Mae Luetkemeyer in Enid, Oklahoma.

During his working years, Charles owned and operated the Howard Ice Plant before becoming the Administrator at the Howard Twilight Manor. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Moline, Kansas.  He was also a member of the Howard Lions Club, Howard City Council, and American Legion Carter Rader Post 149.  He was also an active Boy Scout leader, an assistant to Santa Claus, and an avid fisherman.

Mr. Ritz is survived by one son, Doug Ritz of Fredonia, Kansas; two daughters, Wyvonne Bryan of Valley Center, Kansas and Virginia Shirk of Yukon, Oklahoma; two brothers, Gene Ritz of Guthrie, Oklahoma and John Ritz of Yukon, Oklahoma; one sister, Gloria O'Connor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Rita on March 19, 1993;  his parents;  four brothers, Benjamin, Manuel,  Chet, and Louis; and two sisters, Nancy Wilder and Juanita Townsend.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Molne, Kansas.  Rosary will be recited at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the church.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia, Kansas.  Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to either the St. Mary's Building Fund or Catholic Care Center and may be sent to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, Kansas  66736.  Arrangements are under the direction of Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.  Online condolences may be sent to www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

I hope this is just a "bug" for Bingo and he will soon be up and going strong again soon.  Prayers work for animal friends, too!