June Blancho

(From Brenner Mortuary)

June Marie (Pritchard) Blancho passed away at her home in Pittsburg, Kansas on August 11, 2020 at the age of 91.

She was born on January 6, 1929 in Leavenworth, Kansas to Melvin Pritchard and Margaret Marie (Minton) Pritchard.

June graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1947, after which she worked at the Hallmark plant in Leavenworth until her marriage to Robert Blancho on April 23, 1949. They were married for 35 years and shared six children.

A skilled seamstress, June studied fashion design at Pittsburg State University. She sewed bridal gowns and custom clothing, fashioned costumes for the theatre departments at Colgan High School and Springfield Little Theatre, and worked as a seamstress for Ramsay’s Department Store in Pittsburg. 

June is preceded in death by her parents; foster parents Velma and Jim Hackney who helped raise her; her ex-husband Robert Blancho; her brother Melvin Pritchard; half-siblings Gary, Judy and Jane Little; her granddaughter Bethany Blancho; and her daughter-in-law Linda Blancho.

A beloved mother and grandmother, June is survived by her six children, Steven Mark Blancho (wife Diana), Robert Christopher Blancho (wife Mariann), James Timothy Blancho, Michael Gregory Blancho (wife Teri), Suzanne Davison (husband Bruce), and Michelle Blancho (partner Mary Jane Baldinger), as well as 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

The prayer of the Rosary, led by Father P.J. Voegeli, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14 at Brenner Mortuary in Pittsburg, Kansas, immediately followed by visitation, where the family will receive friends until 8:00 p.m.

Graveside services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 at Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg with Fr. P.J. Voegeli as celebrant. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery. Those who were touched by June’s life are invited to watch the live stream of June’s service. The link to virtually attend can be found under her obituary on our website www.brennermortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or sent to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 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.

Norma Matzenbacher

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Norma June Matzenbacher succumbed pneumonia on August 10, 2020. She was 85 years old.

She entered the workforce after graduating from PHS High School. Norma worked as an Operator for Bell Telephone, a Secretary at the University of Missouri, Columbia, spent several years as a Type Setter, and finally retired as a Secretary at Pittsburg State while raising her two sons.

Norma married and later divorced Donald L. Matzenbacher who preceded her in death. She loved her family, her cats, Wheel of Fortune and her Kansas City Chiefs. 

She was an only child and is survived by her sons Scott and Marty, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg, with Elmeda Matzenbacher conducting the service. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the SEK Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 East 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.

Robert Andrew

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Robert W. Andrew, 91, of Girard, died at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, August 6, 2020 at his residence in Girard.

Robert was born July 6, 1929 in McCune, Kansas, the son of Donald V. and Julia Florence (Doyle) Andrew. 

Robert attended Fredonia Schools before moving to the Girard area and graduating from Girard High School. 

Robert married Patricia Ann Mahanes on July 11, 1950 at St. Michael’s Church in Girard. Patricia survives of the home. 

After working for Harmon Brothers, Girard, he worked for the Agricultural Division of Allis Chalmers for 35 years. 

Robert was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Girard and the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Patricia, are his daughters, Rebecca Reetz, and her husband, Monte, of Girard and Lori Hall, and her husband, Marc, of Girard; his grandchildren, Robert A. Hall and Amanda L. Hall. 

Robert was preceded in death by a son, Daniel W. Andrew, on July 25, 1951. 

Memorial graveside services will be at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the Girard Cemetery with Fr. Floyd McKinney as Celebrant. Burial will follow the services.

 

Services are under the direction of the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. 

Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com

Kathryn Stultz

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Kathryn Florine Stultz 80, of Weir, KS died 9:10am Wednesday August 4, 2020 at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, KS following an illness. 

Florine was born August 18, 1939 in Weir, KS the daughter of Florn Paul and Dorothy M. (Cordrey) Meyer. She was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Columbus High School.

On April 23, 1962 Florine married Kenny Stultz in Miami, OK. He preceded her in death on August 20, 2008. Florine worked as a beautician, truck driver, bar tender and most recently at Anthony Stevens Floral in Pittsburg, KS. Florine was of the Catholic Faith; loved riding her ATV, tractor pulls and spending time with family and friends. 

Survivors include her children Ken Stultz and wife Nancy of Weir, KS and Leslie Harrison of Weir, KS; sister Dotty Davi of Pittsburg, KS; grandchildren Caleb Stultz, Amber Kincaid, Jordan Underwood and Melissa Wiseman and numerous great-grandchildren. 

Florine was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother Hinky Meyer. 

Graveside Services will be 10:30am Tuesday August 11, 2020 at the St. Anthony Cemetery in Weir, KS with Pastor Aaron Williams officiating. Family will receive friends from 6-7:00pm Monday August 10, 2020 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Friends may call after 2:00pm Monday. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. 

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

Bobby Sims

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Robert D. “Bobby” Sims, 54, of Parsons and former Labette County Sheriff, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 3, 2020 at rural Erie.

He was born on May 21, 1966 at Sedan, Kansas to Rosalee (Fraker) Sims. He grew up at Parsons and attended Parsons schools graduating from Parsons schools in 1984.

Bobby worked at Wal-Mart for several years at Parsons, Joplin, and Fort Smith before returning to Parsons working at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. He then started his lifelong passion of pursuing a career in law enforcement. 

He attended and graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson. Bobby spent his entire law enforcement career working for the Labette County Sheriff’s Office serving as a corrections officer, K-9 unit officer, detective, undersheriff, and retired from service serving as Labette County Sheriff. He earned many awards and decorations throughout his law enforcement career.

He enjoyed traveling, going to concerts, fishing, boating, being on the water, computers, technology, and most of all being a father and grandfather.

Bobby was passionate about his career as a law enforcement officer. He thoroughly enjoyed helping people and solving problems throughout his career.

His survivors include his children, Cody Sims, and (Parys) of Parsons, Angela Weidert, and her husband, Seth of Parsons, Christopher Padgett, and his wife Sara of Towanda, and Matthew Padgett of Towanda; his significant other of 36 years, Cozette Myers of Parsons; his grandchildren, Zoey Sims, Tristan Weidert, Jentry Weidert, Avery Padgett, Emory Padgett, and Lalanya Padgett; his brother, Jeff Anderson of Yates Center; and his sister, Misty Sims of Parsons. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosalee Wiatrak.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, August 13, 2020 at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home with Troy Mackey officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening. Memorials are suggested to assist the family with expenses and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

Bill Sullivan

(From Carson-Wall Funeral Home)

Bill Sullivan, 73, of Girard, died at 8:14 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2020 in the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas, City, Kansas. 

He was born April 11, 1947 in Kansas City, Kansas, a son of Robert and Catherine (Pyle) Sullivan.

Bill grew up and lived in various cities and countries before graduating from Bishop-Ward High School in Kansas City. He received his Business Administration degree from St. Mary’s College in Kansas City. 

Bill served in the US Air Force and was stationed in Vietnam during the conflict. He worked as an assistant director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars headquarters. 

Bill enjoyed his family and playing golf and he was a member of the George C. Brown Post No. 26, American Legion of Girard, and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

Bill married Laura Hawkins on March 18, 2001 in Girard and she survives of the home. 

Additional survivors are his daughter, Laura Jagels of Girard; his sons, Christopher Kmiec, and his wife, Ashley, of Pittsburg and Donald Kmiec of Girard; seven grandchildren; a brother, Robert Sullivan of Shawnee, Kansas; a sister, Cathy Nees, and her husband, Bill, of Lenexa, Kansas. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Chrissa Lutz, and a son, John Sullivan. 

Friends may call at their convenience at the family home at 416 W Wilson Street in Girard.

Services for William Sullivan will be (time to be determined) Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the Veterans Park at 211 E Forest Street in Girard with Military Honors given by the George C. Brown Post No. 26, American Legion of Girard. 

Memorials are suggested to the PSU Veterans Memorial and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W. St. John, Box 258 Girard, Kansas 66743 

Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com

Sherry Clark

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Sherry Marlane Clark, 70, passed away Monday, August 3, 2020 at her home. 

Sherry was born June 8th, 1950, to Ted and Fontaine Carver.

On October 11th, 1970 she married her high school sweetheart, A. Quinn Clark who has preceded her in death.

 

Sherry was a member of the Lawton Baptist Church, C.C.L.I.A., Sheridan's Homemakers Unit and a lifetime 4-H supporter. 

Sherry's life involved being beside her husband and supporting him on their farm by driving grain trucks, tractors, and doing whatever it took to get the next crop in. 

After retirement, she still continued to feed the farmers as they pulled onto her ground with a delicious meal that always included her famous No-bake cookies. A few years ago, Sherry rekindled her amazing talent and love for painting. She enjoyed teaching and painting with her granddaughters, and baking cookies and pies with her grandsons. Other hobbies were gardening, traveling with her husband and family, and taking photos both professionally and for fun. Some of her favorite photos included her dog Zip. 

Survivors: 2 daughters: Ronda Herrenbruck (Chip) of Baxter Springs; Ragena Duling (Bill) of rural Columbus; 5 Grandchildren: Kenny Herrenbruck, Peyton Herrenbruck, Emma Duling, Madison Duling and Morgan Duling; a Brother: Larry Carver(Josephine) of rural Galena; Sister: Tammie Eckhardt(Shane), of rural Galena. 

Sherry was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a sister, Linda Dellene Fentan(Wellen). 

Visitation will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday, August 7th, 2020 at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, August 8th, 2020, at the Messer Cemetery. Friends are requested to meet at the cemetery for the service. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Weir Baptist Church Camp, these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. 

Services are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg.