Dorothy Benskin

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Dorothy May Benskin 90, of Pittsburg, KS died 8:54am Monday May 7, 2018 at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, KS following an illness. 

Dorothy was born June 10, 1927 in Ft. Scott, KS the daughter of Orton E. and Maggie Jane (Clark) White. She spent her early years in Kansas City going to area schools. She has lived in the Pittsburg community since 1952. 

On July 31, 1943 Dorothy married Franklin “Gene” Benskin in Ft. Scott, KS; he preceded her in death on December 17, 2016. Dorothy worked mostly as a homemaker; she also owned and operated Corner Antiques in Pittsburg, KS. She was a member of the Crawford County Genealogical Society and served as Past President. Dorothy was also known for her love of working in her flower garden, loved her family and most of all her grandchildren. 

Survivors include children Carol J. Beckman and husband Charles of Chandler, OK and Linda F. Hughes of Pittsburg, KS; sister-in-law Bonnie Pendergraft and husband Jerry of Springfield, MO; daughter-in-law Kathy Benskin of Pittsburg, KS; grandchildren Brenda Beckman, Charlie Beckman, Carolyn McCarty, Ronda Hughes, Jeff Hughes, Karla Hughes, Brian Benskin, Angel Benskin, Tosha Gilliam and Sheryl Miller; 23 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; caretakers Amanda Martinez and Lorie Clark. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sons Franklin Eugene Benskin Jr., Steven Dale Benskin and Mark Allen Benskin, grandson Jason Benskin, son-in-law Ronald D. Hughes and daughter-in-law Betty Jean Benskin. 

Funeral services will be 1:00pm Saturday May 12, 2018 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS with Pastor Daryl Gaddy officiating. Burial will follow at the Crocker Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS. Family will receive friends from 12-1:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Informal visitation will be from 12-5:00pm Friday May 11, 2018 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. 

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.

Sam Strathe

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Samuel “Sam” Stentor Strathe, 90, lifelong Parsons resident, died at 10:45 a.m., Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Woodridge Estates.

He was born April 3, 1928, in Parsons, to Stentor Samuel Strathe and Nora Mae (Murphy) Strathe. He attended Parsons Schools and was stationed in Italy while serving in the United States Army.

Sam was employed at the Broderick Manufacturing Company over 30 years as a material cutter. In earlier years he worked at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center. In retirement he loved woodworking and gardening. He was particularly known for the tomatoes that he grew and sold. He enjoyed attending the sports activities of his grandchildren.

On September 8, 1951 he and Karyl Sue Dickerson were married in Topeka. She preceded him in death on January 30, 2018.

Surviving are four daughters, Sharen Vallier (Stan) of Erie, Sandy Meyer (Randy) of Franklin, TN, Sharla Hopper (Mark) and Sherry Dunlay (Terry) of Parsons; 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren; The grandchildren are Dustin Wimp (companion Misty Almond), Stephanie Wimp, Sindy Daniels (Curtis), Cris Casas (Ezra), Jenny Kramer (Joe), Hayden Vallier (Erin), Sarah Craighead (Brian), Kelly Lincicome (Doug), Lindsey Ferguson (Christopher), Sami Pontious (Barney), Matthew Hopper (Amber), Andrew Hopper (Brooke), Shannon Dunlay, Bridget Dunlay and Riley Dunlay and two brothers, Jim Strathe (Ruth) of Wichita and Fred Strathe (Neola) of Parsons. An infant daughter, Penny Ann, preceded him in death.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, with Angie Knight as celebrant. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home. The Brown-Bishop Post # 704 will provide honors at the conclusion of the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Educational Foundation. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

David Hudson

(From Brenner Mortuary)

George “David” Hudson, 59, of Pittsburg, went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:35 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Via Christi Hospital.

He was born December 20, 1958 at Pittsburg, the son of George E. and Ruby L. (Filby) Hudson. He attended local schools and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1976.

On July 10, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cherri D. Willis at Timmons Chapel. She survives at the family home.

Mr. Hudson worked for the Morning Sun as a pressman for 26 years. He then went to work for USD #250 in the Technology Department for ten years, before retiring due to ill health.

Membership was held in the Trinity Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Cherri Hudson of the home; one son, Adam David Soloman Hudson of the home; two sisters, Janice Fleske and her husband, John of Pittsburg and Karen Thomas and her husband, Matt of Weir, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Joyce Brooks and Katherine Wilkins.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (May 16) at Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor Jordan Hodges officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Brenner Mortuary, where friends may call after 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Trinity Baptist Church. 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.

Shirley Peterson

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Shirley J. Peterson, 76, of Weir, Kansas, passed away at 1:19 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at her home.

She was born December 9, 1941 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Herbert and Jessie Elizabeth (Frederich) Mielke.

Shirley graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1959. After High School she married John E. Peterson. They later divorced.

Shirley worked for Pittsburg State University as a department secretary, retiring after 36 years of service.

Survivors include a son, Tom Peterson and his wife Donna of Columbus, KS; a daughter, Linda Wilson and her husband Kevin of Arma, KS; a brother, Michael Mielke and his wife Faye of Ft. Scott, KS; a sister, Connie Baker of Pittsburg, KS; three grandchildren, Lauren Johnson and her husband Chris, Whitney Marrs and her husband, Marcus, and Emily Wilson. She is also survived by her loving cat Sindy.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday (May 18) at the Garden of Memories with Reverend Jim Sukraw officiating. The family suggests memorials be given to Harry Hynes Hospice and/or SEK Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.

Trudy Jenkins

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

The ever joyful Trudy Ellen Rataczak Jenkins, 69, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born March 3, 1949 to Donald and Myra Louise (Baker) Rataczak in Joplin, Missouri. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1967 and went on to receive a degree from Missouri Southern State College.

She was a dedicated educator, teaching hundreds of students in her more than 35 years with USD 499, Galena, KS. She also worked to support women’s education as a 50 year member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter AB, Galena, Kansas, and she taught us all how to be a genuine friend, to be positive in all circumstances, and to be a servant to others.

She was a faithful member of First Christian Church, Galena, Kansas, where she taught Sunday school and led the choir and worship services alongside her mother and aunt for years.

Trudy loved listening to music, writing and sending cards to others, studying the Bible, sharing her beautiful singing voice, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers. Her infectious smile, giving nature, sense of humor and ability to make others laugh endeared her to all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Myra Louise (Baker) Rataczak and aunt and uncle Arnold and Mary Lucile (Baker) Rataczak.

She is survived and will be missed by her son Steven Craig Jenkins (Mia) of Omaha, Nebraska, cousins Doug (Sue) Rataczak of Branson, Missouri and Clint Rataczak of Maplewood, New Jersey, Bob Jenkins and family, her beloved dog McGee, and a host of extended family and friends.

Though Trudy loved flowers, the family kindly requests that you express your sympathy through a memorial contribution to First Christian Church of Galena, Kansas or Cottey College of Nevada, Missouri, two organizations that were near and dear to Trudy.

A memorial service (or celebration of life) will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at First Christian Church, Galena, Kansas. Arrangements are with Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS

Bill Walker

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Bill "Dixie" Walker, 76, of Pittsburg, passed away at 10:43 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Via Christi Hospital emergency room.

He was born May 25, 1941 in Joplin, Missouri the son of Blain E. and Gertrude (Benzen) Walker. He attended Pittsburg Public Schools and graduated from PHS in 1959.

On August 8, 1965, he was united in marriage to Terry A. Forslund at the Methodist Church in Chanute, Kansas. She survives at the family home. They proudly celebrated their 50th anniversary a few years ago.

Mr. Walker served in the United States Air Force from 1960-1964, afterwards attending PSU for a year.

He worked for Merchants Delivery, later transferring to Bottenfields Beauty Supply, and then became self-employed as a painter for Walker and Son Painting.

Membership was held in the First United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, Terry, he is survived by a son, Patrick Walker and his wife Bridget of Pittsburg; two grandchildren, Alaina Paisley and Gage Palmer Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Blaine Walker, Robert “Bob” Walker, and Gene L. Walker.

A celebration of life is set for 2:00 p.m., Friday (May 11) at the Brenner Mortuary with Pastor Mark Lehman officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Brenner Mortuary. Friends may call at the funeral home 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday to sign the register book. In lieu of flowers, donations to the SEK Humane Society would be appreciated. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

John Friley

(From Brenner Mortuary)

John Richard Friley, 73, of Plano, Texas, passed away on May 6, 2018 at the Arbor Hills Memory Care of Texas.

He was born December 22, 1944 at Texarkana, Arkansas to Paul Brougher and Elma Jean (Moore) Friley.

John spent his early childhood in Texarkana. In 1953, the family moved to Pittsburg, Kansas where he attended Pittsburg public schools. John enjoyed playing baseball and football, played trumpet in the band and was an active member of MYF.

The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1961, where John attended and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School, where he excelled in math and science. After which, John enrolled in the College of Engineering, Kansas State University, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in May 1967. John received a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship to pursue a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State, which he completed in May 1969. His Graduated Fellowship was extended to pursue a PHD and he enrolled in Purdue University in Indiana in September 1968.

In early 1969, John enlisted in the US Army. He was stationed for duty at Deseret Test Center, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. He was honorably discharged from the Army, resumed his studies at Purdue, and received his PHD in Mechanical Engineering in the Spring of 1975.

Following graduation, John accepted a job in research at Battelle Laboratory in Richland, Washington. He retired from Battelle in December 2002. He remained in Richland until early 2017, when in declining health, he moved to Plano, Texas to be near his brother, Chuck.

John is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Mary Friley; a niece, Stephanie Friley Trahan; a nephew, Paul B. Friley, II.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday at the Highland Park Cemetery with Rev. Mark Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.