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Opal Jean Gaines died January 25, 2008 at the Lifecare Center of Andover, Kansas at the age of 98 years.  She was a retired bookkeeper.

She was born August 28, 1909, in Piedmont, Kansas to David and Mable (Courtney) Moore.  Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, Keith in 2003. 

Her funeral service was held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at the Old Mission Mortuary Chapel, Wichita, Kansas.  Private family entombment followed at the Mission Chapel Mausoleum. 

The family suggests memorial contributions to be sent to the American Legion and Auxiliary, Thomas Hopkins Post #4 at 816 N. Water, Wichita, Kansas  67203.

Old Mission Mortuary, Wichita, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Flint Hills Express, January 30, 2008)

Debra Ann (Royse) Burke, 57, of Gahanna, Ohio, died February 4, 2008 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital, Columbus, Ohio following an eight-year battle with cancer.

Mrs. Burke was born February 25, 1951 in Indendence, Kansas to Darrell and Bessie (Osborn) Royse.  She grew up and attended school in Elk Falls, Kansas and graduated from high school in Moline, Kansas.  She also attended Independence Junior College.  She worked at Ft. Riley for the federal government and met her husband, Tom, at Fort Riley.

Survivors include her husband of 17 years, William T. "Tom" Burke; her mother, Bessie Royse of Howard, Kansas; and two sisters, Darlene Bradley of Howard, Kansas and Claudia Ortega of Independence, Kansas. 

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230.  Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Rock Hill Cemetery, Flushing, OH.  Memorials are to a charity of the donor's choice. 

Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences.

(Taken from the Winfield Daily Courier, February 5, 2008)

Maybe you could use this as a yearly project to provide dolls to the Christmas Angel Tree project in Howard.  Hospitals and children's homes would also be a great avenue for your handiwork. 

How nice for you to have rescued these dolls!!!  They look great!  Your crocheting skills are very good--you have alot of artistic skills.  Keep up the good work! 

Frank,

We were neighbors of Fritz and Helen for many years, and I do recall him going by our house to work when I was young.  I just couldn't remember where he worked, and obviously his stepdaughter didn't remember that stretch of employment, either. Memories long past...................

Karen I.

How about Randy Light who had the house fire today?  Does he have somewhere to stay in this cold, cold weather?  I hope the community is reaching out to him.

Faye Leona Vestal, 94, formerly of Longton, died Saturday, January 26, 2008, at her daughter's home in Decatur, Texas.  She was born January 10, 1914, in Elk City, Kansas, the daughter of James and Minnie (Davidson) Phelps.

On March 18, 1931, Faye married Chester Vestal in Independence, Kansas.  They were married for 72 years until his death in 2003.  Faye was a homemaker.  She loved to work in her garden and can the prduce she had grown.  Her hobbies included quilting and crochet work.  Faye was a member of the Longton Holiness Church of Longton, Kansas.

Survivors include:  one daughter, Carol and husband Bob Wiseman of Decatur, Texas; two sisters, Winifred Zollars of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Helen Gourley of Sedalia, Missouri; three grandchildren, Deborah Clark, Carolyn Etheridge, and Melanie Wild; four great grandchildrn, Braxton Clark and Eleanor, Luke, and Lille Wild.  She was preceded in death by three brothers.

A chapel service will be held Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home with Phllip Phelps officiating. Visitation wll be from 9:00 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be at the Longton Cemetery, Longton, Kansas.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Independence Bible School and can be mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, 420 S. 20th Sreet, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.  Services entrusted to Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Frederick "Fritz" Wegand, age 95, of Wichita, Kansas and formerly of Howard, Kansas, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the Homestead Health Center in Wichita.  Fritz was bon in Grenola, Kansas on October 10, 1912, the son of Roy and Ethel (Van Buskirk) Wegand.

On October 29, 1939, Fritz was united in marriage to Helen McKirahan Basey in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and became dad to Helen's daughter, JoAnne.  Helen preceded him in death on February 7, 1989.

Fritz became known as the "Fix-It Man" as he had a natural aptitude for mechanic work.  He owned and operated his own repair shop in Howard until 1942.  He then went to work for Boeing, retiring in 1977.  While working for Boeing, they lived in Howard, Wichita, and Seattle, Washington. 

He was a member of the Epworth Methodist Church in Wichita.  He was also a 60-year-member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served over 13 years as the secretary of the Lodge.

Fritz is survived by his daughter, JoAnne Neal and her husband Terry of Wichita, Kansas; one brother, Hal Dean Wegand of Idaho; one sister, Estella Knickerbocker of Bastrop, Texas; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother in infancy, one brother Robert, one sister Gladys Lewis, and one grandson Michael Edwards on May 14, 1997.

Funeral services wll be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Howard with Pastor Sandy Des Plas officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  Burial will be at Grace Lawn Cemetery.  Contributions are suggested to the Epworth United Methodist Church 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 the family at www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Welcome Bill Hawkins,

This man is full of information about Elk County and its inhabitants.  For him to say he does genealogy "from time to time" is a total understatement.  He has done such extensive family research and has compiled genealogy reports for all or most of his family branches, I believe.  The depth of his efforts just amazes me.

Besides the fact that he grew up as a "Moline Hornet" and I as a "Howard Pirate",  I am proud to call him my cousin. 

Looking forward to hearing more from you, Bill! 

Lee Lewis Hoyt, 100, of Longton, died Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at Inverness Village, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He was born November 2, 1907 in Middleton, Calfornia, the son of Harry L. and Anna (Simpson) Hoyt.

After the death of his parents in 1909, Lee moved to Attica, Kansas where he was raised by his grandparents.  Lee graduated from Attica High School and attended Suthwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.

Lee and Inez Louise McMahon were united in marriage on November 30, 1933.  They farmed near Attica until moving to Dexter, Kansas in 1941.  In 1948, they moved to Longton and farmed near there until retiring to Orlando, Florida in 1973.  They returned to Longton in 1989 to be near family and lived there until Octoer 2006 when they moved to Inverness Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Lee loved to read.  When his eyesight got poor, he enjoyed listening to audio books.  His true loves were working on the farm, and most of all, his grandchild and great grandchildren.

Lee is survived by his wife of 74 years.  Others survivors include: one son,  Jack and wife Velva of Longton, Kansas;  one grandson, Dr Brad Hoyt and wife Leslie and thre great grandchildren, Blaine, Lauren, and Hunter Hoyt of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Hoyt.

Graveside service will be Monday, January 28, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Longton Cemetery, Longton, Kansas, with Pastor Robin Haines of the Flnt Hlls Assembly of God Church officiating.  Visitation wll be Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at Countryside Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Longton Senior Center and can be mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, 420 S. 20th Street, Fredonia, Kansas  66736.  Services entrusted to Zimmerman Funeral Home, Howard, Kansas.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)