Gartman, Thomas Lee      h/Lois A (?) Porter, Patricia (?) Strausburg, Genie(Doubenmier)

Death: 2017,  05/29               Age: 75                 Lot:   1083 F

Thomas Lee Gartman

Thomas Lee Gartman, 75, of Hutchinson, died Monday, May 29, 2017, at Via Christi on St. Francis Campus, Wichita. His death followed a brave and determined struggle to survive and continue to be with his wife, Lois.

Tom was born in Austin, TX, on October 30, 1941, the firstborn child of Thomas B. and Mattie Lee Gartman. Tom’s father was a heavy industry carpenter in the oil refining industry. He worked long and hard in a very dangerous environment. Young Tom described his parents as the best people in the world; a loving, diligent father who loved sweet Mattie Lee and his four children.

The family lived and worked in Corpus Christi, TX, during Tom’s elementary and high school years. Tom worked while attending high school and college, leaving school to join the United States Air Force. Tom specialized in radio and communications, serving in Viet Nam, Formosa, Norway, and various bases in the United States during his 13 years of service.

Tom was a 38-year proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Throughout his life, Tom quoted the steps of AA and credited the organization with the success of his entire life after he gained sobriety with the help of their members.

Tom’s first marriage was to Genie . He and Genie were married for 22 years until her death. His second marriage was to Patricia Strausburg of Hutchinson. Pat was a widow with a large family and had worked in the aircraft industry and then later became a registered nurse. Pat was a skilled quilter with quilting friends from all over the world. They were happily married for five years until her death in July 2014. In January 2016, Tom met Lois Porter and it was “meant to be” from the start. They married on October 1, 2016. Throughout the eight months of their marriage, Tom and Lois were constantly together, enjoying family and home. During these months, Tom suffered many days of illness and struggle, but was constant in his love and enjoyment of marriage. Tom’s death was a triumph over suffering, as his life was a loving and caring gift for the people he loved. Lois survives.

A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with Pastor Wayne Pittman presiding. Friends may sign the memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

McConnelee,  Rev. Charles William ‘Bill’             h/Carladel ‘Carla’ (Mershon)

Burial Date:  2020, 08/08        Age: 81         Lot: 1205 G

Pastor Bill McConnelee, 81, died July 30, 2020, at Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born January 11, 1939, in Minden, NE, to Rev Fredrick John(1900-1977)and Anna (McKee) McConnelee(1904-1985)

Bill graduated from Franklin High School in Portland, OR, and Sterling College, in 1961. He graduated from the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA, in 1965. Bill served as a Presbyterian pastor for 54 years, serving in the states of Washington, Texas, Arkansas, and Iowa. He also served in Sterling, and in Western Kansas, including Dodge City and Jetmore. Bill retired after serving the Lyons Presbyterian Church. As a young child, Bill enjoyed being in 4-H and raising hogs. After retirement, he enjoyed reading and traveling.

On August 9, 1962, Bill married Carla Mershon, in Hutchinson. They shared 48 years of marriage, prior to her death on October 4, 2010.

Bill is survived by: children, Carl McConnelee (Cindy) of Bedford, VA, Cathy Pohlman (Aaron) of Hutchinson, Cynthia McConnelee Smith (Scott) of Seattle, WA; seven grandchildren; and a brother, Daryl McConnelee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, also a baby brother Donald John 1933-1933.(#143586598)

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Sherman Street, Hutchinson, with Pastor John Chastain officiating. Burial will follow in the Sterling Community Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501

Amend, Larry Dean

Married Erick Richards/dh/Raemona Y. Howard

Death: 2019,  04/01              Age: 69          Lot: 895 A

As of 8/10/2020 Larry’s cremains were not buried here.

Watkins, Lynda Kay(Milligan)Thornhill

wife of Charles Thornhill/divorced wife of Laurence E’Larry’Watkins

Death Date: 2020, 07/09       Wichita, Sedgwick County, KS

Burial Date:  2021,  07/26        Age:  76             Lot: 863 A  Crems

Death Date: 2020,  07/09

Lynda Kay Milligan Watkins, 76, died peacefully at her home in Wichita, surrounded by her family, on July 9, 2020. Lynda was born to S.W. “Pat” Milligan and Fern R. (Cunningham) Milligan in 1943 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where her father was a foreman on the Manhattan Project. She was the second of four children. She grew up in Belleville and Augusta, Kansas, where she studied piano (already accompanying her school choir in the eighth grade) and played clarinet in the marching band. She attended Sterling College, where she met and married Laurence Watkins, and earned a degree in Christian education in 1964. After her graduation, Lynda and Larry lived in Louisville, Kentucky, where she worked for the state’s department of rehabilitation, then Richmond, Virginia, where she completed a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation from Virginia Commonwealth University within days of giving birth to their first child, Alisa. The family later settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where their son, Andrew, was born. Over the next two decades in Fredericksburg, Lynda served in a variety of roles as a professional musician. She was the music director for the Fredericksburg Theatre Company for fifteen years, directed children’s music and the handbell choir at The Presbyterian Church, where she was also a member, and was the organist for Temple Beth Sholom for more than ten years. She served as accompanist for the Fredericksburg Singers and a number of other college, high school, and community productions and was the guest organist for several area churches. For her brother’s wedding, she surprised him by learning and playing the famous Toccata from Charles-Marie Widor Symphony for Organ No. 5. She also maintained a private piano teaching practice. Following her divorce and her son’s high school graduation, Lynda moved to Wichita, Kansas, where her mother lived, and earned a master’s degree in church music from Friends University. She served as organist for First United Methodist Church, Dellrose United Methodist Church, and Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, and accompanied several productions at Northeast Magnet High School. She also sang with the Wichita Symphony Chorus. She worked for a number of years at Galichia Medical Group. In 2009, Lynda married Charles Thornhill, a retired associate professor. Lynda and Charles were members of Calvary United Methodist Church, where they were faithful members of their Sunday school class and served as greeters. Lynda loved a good cup of Earl Grey tea and a good book. She also loved cats, chocolate, and crosswords. She gave great hugs and was a warm, patient, and supportive friend, sister, and mother. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Lynda is survived by her husband, Charles Thornhill; her daughter, Alisa Watkins; her son-in-law, Tony Burch; her grandchildren, Bronwen and Ethan; and her son, Andrew Watkins, all of Wichita; her siblings, Dr. Ralph Milligan (Rosanne) of Austell, Georgia; Dr. Donald Milligan (Linda) of Mission, Kansas; and Jane (Milligan) Davidson (Ken) of Hutchinson, Kansas; as well as six nieces and nephews. A private family service and interment will be held at Sterling Cemetery in Sterling, Kansas.

Amend, Lola Mae(Martin)              Wife of Robert Dwain Amend

Burial Date: 2020,  06/25              Age: 93             Lot:  402 1/2  A B

(402 A, Space B)

Lola Mae Amend, 93, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away June 21, 2020 at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. She was born January 11, 1927 in Welda, Kansas, the daughter of Wilson and Christianna Brubaker Martin. Lola graduated from Welda High School, Welda, Kansas, with the class of 1946. She resided in Sterling for most of her life, having lived in Leadville, Colorado for seven years. Lola was a homemaker. She was a member of the Alden Baptist Church, Alden, Kansas, and Red Hat Society, Lyons. She enjoyed playing tennis, sewing, reading, fishing and river rafting. Lola was a sweet lady with kind loving eyes. On September 7, 1951, Lola was united in marriage with Robert Dwain Amend in New Mexico. He preceded her in death on March 29, 1999. She is also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold, Frank, Dale, Edgar, and George Martin; and sister, Edna Kratzer. Lola is survived by her five children, step-son, Donald Amend of Larned, KS, step-daughter, Marlene Buck and husband Herschel of Georgetown, TX, son, Mickel Amend and wife Jolene of Marysville, WA, son, Danny Amend of Arlington, KS, and daughter, Linda Shook and husband Earl of Hutchinson, KS; brother, Kenneth Martin of Lawrence, KS; sisters, Ella Thacker and husband Richard of Lecompton, KS, Velma Pretzer of Garnett, KS, Elsie Menefee of Wichita, KS, Marietta Martin of Wichita, KS, and Sarah Hartpence of Keller, TX; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with Pastor Michael Gray officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home, with family present from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Reno County or a Charity of your choice in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Clayton, David Ray                                  h/Kenda A(Kirchoff)

Burial Date: 2020,  06/08           Age: 61          Lot: 1102 C  Crems

David Ray Clayton

April 5, 1959 ~ May 31, 2020 (age 61)

David R. Clayton, 61, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away May 31, 2020 at his home in Sterling. He was born on April 5, 1959 in Lyons, Kansas, the son of Raymond and Josephine Keesling Clayton. David has resided in Sterling for the past 35 years, formerly of Chase, Kansas. He was a farmer. David enjoyed telling dirty jokes, riding motorcycles, and spending time with his grandchildren. On October 18, 1981, David was united in marriage with Kenda Kirchoff in Laverne, Oklahoma. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his four children, Barbie Booker of Chase, Kansas, Cagney Morgan and husband James of Hutchinson, Jordan Clayton and wife Stacy of Towanda, Kansas, Chelsea Clayton of Sterling; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Wesley; three sisters, Zoan, Wanda, and Rhonda; and a grandson, Kole Clayton. A private family graveside service will be held at the Sterling Community Cemetery, with Pastor Michael Gray officiating. Memorials may be made to the David R. Clayton Memorial Fund in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Schulz, Jr.,  Malcolm Ephinstone ‘Salty’                        2nd h/Jessie Amanda (Cain) and Harriett Levina (Brooks)Ermey

Burial: 1990,  09/10            Age: 61               Lot: 035 B

Korean War

Green, Franklin ‘Frank’ M                h/Margaret  ‘Maggie’ Katherine(Carter)Klabau

Burial Date: 1894       Age:  61             Lot:   044 D

Frank M. Green was born in 1833 in Louisiana. He had two sons and one daughter with Margaret Katherine ‘Maggie’ Carter between 1868 and 1879. He died in 1894 at the age of 61, and was buried in Sterling, Kansas.

Tippin, Terry O’Brian           h/Veronica (?), dh of Barbara Ann Brown Mahoney

son of Charles and Elizabeth Ellen(Spencer) Tippin

Died: 1970, 06/25          Age: 54           Lot: 004 C

Born Oilton,  Creek, Oklahoma  Oct. 22, 1915

Died of a heart attack in Quito, Ecuador   25 June 1970

Was an oil driller for Parker Drilling, Oklahoma

Connery,   Infant Daughter           d/William Thomas and Susannah Ann (Selfridge)                  Burial Date:  1883            Age: 0               Lot: 113 L

Gregg, Sarah E(Stewart)                  wife of John Henry ‘James’

Burial Date: 1888,  12/08              Age:  46               Lot: 153 K

Hodge, Jennetta(Dicks)                        w/Shelton Hodge

Burial Date:  1890,  05/11          Age: 72      Lot: 157 O

Jennetta (Dicks) Hodge is the mother of Dr. Charles Hodge, Civil War Veteran.

Her husband, Shelton, is buried in Buckskin Cemetery, Cataract, Owen County, Indiana.

Baker, Littleton Porter                       h/ Mary Ballanger(Austin)

Burial: 1910,  05/19               Age: 69          Lot: 173 B

Littleton Porter Baker was born on August 14, 1847, in Missouri, his father, Ellis, was 28 and his mother, Nancy, was 25. He had one son, Harvey Baker, from one relationship. He then married Mary Ballanger Austin and they had two children together. He died on May 17, 1910, in Sterling, Kansas, at the age of 62, and was buried there.

Van Patten, Mary Adelaide (Foote)              1st w/ Dr. Mydert Van Patten

Buried:  1885, Feb. 3               Age:39                 Lot: 197 G

Daughter of David Foote and Ester Lamb Foote

Mary Adelaide Foote Van Patten

Seaward, Haskell Ellsworth         s/Jacob and Lucinda Seaward

Burial Date: 1895,  01/15        Age: 7                 Lot: 071 K