Milton Rhuems

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Milton L. Rhuems, 93, of Pittsburg, passed away at 1:33 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Medical Lodge of Frontenac. 

He was born January 22, 1924, to Howard M. and Ruth D. (Pryer) Rhuems, at Pittsburg, KS. Milton married Elizabeth Phelps in 1941, they later divorced. He then married Maurine Rees in 1953 and she preceded him in death in 1971. 

He was united in marriage to Alene R. Ahrens on October 28, 1972. She preceded him in death on November 2, 2013. Mr. Rhuems operated Pittsburg Plumbing for over 60 years. Membership was held in the Faith Lutheran Church of Pittsburg. Survivors include two daughters, Sue Hansen (Cliff) of Pittsburg, KS, and Sherry Gimlin (Rick) of Wichita, KS; two sons, Milton Rhuems (Pauline) of Waller, TX, and Richard Rhuems of Mindenmines, MO; two brothers, Robert Rhuems of Pittsburg, KS, and Warren Rhuems of Frontenac, KS, two sisters, Ruth Hendrickson of Pittsburg, KS, and Marilyn Buchanan of Tomball, TX; 13 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Donna Norris, four brothers, Orville Rhuems, Dwain Rhuems, Russell “Dick” Rhuems and Jim Rhuems.

A graveside service for Mr. Rhuems will be 10:00 a.m. Monday (May 22) at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery with Pastor Aaron Schumann officiating. Memorials may be given to the Faith Lutheran Church and/or Avalon Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 4th Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

Wava Adair

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Wava V. Adair, 83, of Pittsburg, KS formerly of Versailles, MO, died May 11, 2017 at the home of her son in Pittsburg, KS.

She was born April 14, 1934 in Silver City, Iowa the daughter of Cliff and Susie Sargent Stewart. She had lived in Pittsburg for the past four weeks, moving from Versailles, MO where she had lived for 20 years. She had also lived in Iowa and Colorado.

She married Robert S. Adair on April 12, 1958 in Silver City, Iowa and he preceded her in death on July 13, 2013. 

Mrs. Adair worked as a bookkeeper for the Colorado National Bank in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Survivors include one son Duane Adair and his wife Melinda of Pittsburg, two daughters Pam Bechler and her husband Junior of George, Iowa and Audrey Strickland of Versailles, MO, one granddaughter Andrea, five grandsons Adam, Tony, Casey, Evan and Cody.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother Duane Stewart and one granddaughter Amy Northrop.

Graveside services and inurnment will be 2 pm Friday at the Mt. Nebo Cemetery in rural Versailles, Missouri. 

Arrangements are by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home & Crematory, 522 S. Broadway in Pittsburg, KS. Condolences may be left for the family at our web site www.bathnaylor.com. 

Richard Lea

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Richard Eugene Lea, July 1, 1945- May 12, 2017.

Richard was born July 1, 1945 in Pittsburg, KS to Ralph and Lucille Lea. He joined the Air Force when he was 17 where he worked on the planes in during the Vietnam War. 

Richard worked in construction, the oil fields in Texas, as a truck driver, but was best known working for the school system as a custodian. He worked at Heath School system in Paducah, Kentucky for several years and for Pittsburg Middle School in Pittsburg, Kansas before retiring. 

Richard married the love of his life Carolyn Walters May 23, 1969 they got to enjoy 35 years before Carolyn passed away in October 2004. Although they did not have any children they mentored several as their own. 

Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and driving the back roads and visiting friends with his nephew Allen Stevens. 

Richard was an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Survivors include; his sister Debbie Williams and husband Claude Williams, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and of the home his beloved fur baby Cocoa. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Lucille Lea, his sisters; Mary Catherine Stevens and husband David Lloyd Stevens, Wanda Redd and husband Elmer Redd, Thelma Barton and husband Eugene Barton, and Carol “Pinky” Briggs.

Arrangements by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home & Crematory, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences for the family may be left at our web site www.bathnaylor.com.

Emma Mecum

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Emma Jean Mecum, 91, of Columbus passed peacefully from this life Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Medicalodge in Columbus.

She was born in Colchester, IL October 20, 1925.

She married Bill Mecum August 6, 1955. He preceded her in death April 12. 1979.

She was also preceded in death by one grandson, Tim French.

She is survived by one daughter, Barbara French of Nashville, TN and two sons, Knut (and wife Barbara) of Columbus and Pat Mecum of Sedalia, MO.

Four grandchildren, Andrea French of Nashville, TN, Shannon French, Stephanie Combs (and husband Carl) of Riverton and Shirley Best (and husband Sam) of Columbus.

Five great grandsons, Michael Gadrim of Nashville, TN, Drake Brassart of Pittsburg, Sam Smith of Columbus, Mason Best of Columbus and Jeret Best of Columbus.

A come and go memorial service will be held Sunday, May 21st from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Columbus Masonic Lodge (633 Garfield).

Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.

Robert Mays

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Robert Lee Mays, 78, of Frontenac, passed away at 5:28 p.m., Monday, May 15, 2017, at the Via Christi Hospital. 

He was born May 19, 1938, at Burgess, MO, the son of Earl and Tena (Corvi) Mays. He graduated from Mulberry High School in 1956 and from Fort Scott Junior College in 1961. Mr. Mays served in the United States Army from 1962 until he was honorably discharged in 1964. 

On December 29, 1962, he was united in marriage to Glenda K. Sanderson at Mulberry, KS. She preceded him in death on April 26, 2013, after 50 years of marriage. Mr. Mays was an interviewer for Pittsburg Job Service until his retirement in 1996. Membership was held in the First Christian Church of Pittsburg and the Benjamin Fuller American Legion Post No. 64 of Pittsburg. 

Mr. Mays is survived by his special cat, Sparkle, one sister, Rose Beam of Colorado Springs, CO, a special friend, Mary Reinhart of Frontenac, who helped provide for his care, three nieces and nephews, and eight great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents. 

A graveside service for Mr. Mays is set for 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg, with Reverend Pat Nixon conducting the service. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00 a.m., until 11:00 a.m., at the Brenner Mortuary on Thursday. The family suggests memorials to the First Christian Church and/or SEK Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

Chris Hammonds

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Chris Anne Hammonds passed away Monday, May 8th at her home.

She was born in Pittsburg to Darrel E & Marcia M (Maloan) Hammonds June 27th, 1956. She was a 1975 Pittsburg High School graduate & attended Pittsburg State University. 

Survivors include: 2 sisters Angie Hammonds of Pittsburg & Paula Scott & her spouse Joe of Olathe; Andrea (Scott) Keele, neice of Kansas City, MO & Bradley Scott, nephew of Overland Park, several great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and grandparents which included Marguerite Maloan. The body will be cremated. 

A memorial service will be Sunday, May 21st at 2pm at Knights of Columbus Towers. 

Cremation arrangements are by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.

Lee Walstrom

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Lee Laverne Walstrom, 79 of Girard, KS died May 9, 2017 at his home.

He was born August 6, 1937 in Admire, KS the son of Rudolph and Reva (Robertson) Walstrom.

Lee served in the U.S. Army from July 1960 to July 1966.

On March 27, 1964 he was united in marriage to Barbara “Carolyn” Huse in Johnson City, KS; she survives of the home.

He worked for M&M Motors as a mechanic for 29 years retiring in 1999.

Lee was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, he also was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling.

Additional survivors include a brother Robert E. and his wife Rose Walstrom, a brother and sister-in-law Ernie and Jodie Huse, five nephews Paul Eric, John Damon & Thomas Storm Huse, Kenneth and Bryan and a niece Brenda.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 11 am, Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg with Rev. Kyle Rogers and C.L. Armstrong officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 at the National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 am Friday until service time at 11am. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to the Pittnaz Church and/or the Harry Hines Memorial Hospice; these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. Services by Bath-Naylor Funeral Home Pittsburg, KS