Mary Gariglietti

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Mary Eunice Gariglietti passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 at her home in Leawood, KS.

Born January 11, 1944 in Durham, NC, she grew up in Jacksonville, FL before living in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Pittsburg, KS where she settled in 1976 and married John C. Gariglietti.

In addition to being an amazing mom and wife, Eunice worked as a flight attendant, Youth Director at First United Methodist Church in Pittsburg and a real estate agent. She wrote descriptive long letters, made friends wherever she went and was a gourmet cook. She loved to entertain, so dinners and parties at her house were events not to be missed. She loved animals of all kinds, had a green thumb, loved to read, play tennis and was active all her life. She appreciated the arts and especially music and was a longtime supporter of the music department at Pittsburg State University.

Eunice is survived by her son, John B. Gariglietti of Leawood, KS, daughters Gianna Gariglietti, Betsy Glenn, and grandson Clay Haney, all of Overland Park. She is survived by brother Clay Andrews, sisters Betsy Andrews and Julia Baker, of Jacksonville, FL, as well as multiple nieces, nephews, and friends across the globe.

She is preceded in death by her mother Sara Spruill Andrews and her husband, the Hon. John C. Gariglietti.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018 at McCray Music Hall, Pittsburg State University, on East Lindburg St., with Rev. Gary Schrag officiating. Music will be provided by Susan Marchant, Katherine Park, Stella Hastings, Susan Laushman and Jason Haney. The family is suggesting memorials be made to the Pittsburg State University Solo & Chamber Music Series. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762.

Jean Weiris

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Jean Louise Weiris, 73 of Frontenac, Kansas passed away Friday, March 23, 2018.

A graveside service will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Edgmand Cemetery in Columbus, Kansas. 

A memorial has been established to the Scammon Presbyterian Children’s Church Camp Fund. Condolences may be left at our website www.bathnaylor.com. 

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

Charles Groner

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Charles Warren Groner, of Frontenac KS, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at Oakview Estates in Frontenac.

Charles was born February 22, 1927 to Charles (Bud) and Vera (Mudd) Groner in St. Paul, Kansas.

He attended St. Paul School district and spent most of his life in the Pittsburg and Girard area. Charles worked as a bulldozer operator most of his life and retired from Beachner construction. He enjoyed operating the bulldozer and working on the job site.

Charles was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Girard, Kansas.
He served in our U.S. Army and was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Charles is survived by his 2 sons, Steve (Marlane) Groner of Pittsburg, KS, David (Anna) Groner of Arcadia, KS, 4 daughters; Cathy (Jay) Reed of Riverton, KS, Sheila (Owen) Joyner of Bonita Springs, FL, Linda (Troy) Shankel of Nevada, MO, Patti (Brad) Day of Salem, OR, 8 grandchildren; Chris Haile, Rachel Clayborne, Jason Haile, Brian Perrin, Angela Karlinger, Tim Edwards, Tyler Edwards, Margo Edwards and 8 great-grandchildren.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, brother; Joe Groner, 4 sisters; Virginia Payne, Ruth Read, Lou Piotrowski, Mary Ann Groner and 1 grandson; Doug Perrin.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am. Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac, KS with Father Thomas Stroot as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Fort Scott National Cemetery in Fort Scott, KS. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Services by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg.

Virginia Norris

(From Bath-Naylor Funeral Home)

Virginia Norris, 83, of Columbus, died Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Medialodges of Columbus.
Born March 1, 1935 in rural Columbus, Virginia was the daughter of Paul and Nellie (Duncan) Brassart. She attended Cherokee County Community High School with the class of 1953. She then attended one year at Kansas State Teachers College.

Virginia and James F. (Buck) Norris, the love of her life, were united in marriage February 5, 1955 in the First United Methodist Church in Columbus.

Ginger worked for one year at the Ebert Jewelry Store in Columbus and two years at the ASC office. She then worked thirty-nine and a half years in the business office of USD 493. She served part of the time as district treasurer.

Ginger was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Cherokee County Retired School Personnel. She enjoyed cooking for her family and traveling with Buck. Other favorite past times included watching Gone with the Wind and listening to George Strait.

Ginger was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, a son Mike and sisters Fran Walden and Marge Henley.

Ginger is survived by sons Dale Norris of Columbus and Lt. Col. (Ret.) J. Paul Norris (wife Brenda) of Augusta. Granddaughters Jennifer Fields (husband Matt) and Cassandra Norris, grandsons Nigel Norris (wife Codee) and Macgyver Norris, great grandson Reezen Fields, several nieces’ nephews, cousins and a lifelong friend Annie Stephens of Oswego also survive.

Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday March 24 in Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus.

Private burial will take place at Park Cemetery in Columbus.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the First United Church in Columbus in care of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 611 S. East Ave., Columbus, Ks. 66725.
Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com

Birdie Uber

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Roberta “Birdie” Elaine (Penrod) Uber, 73, of Weir, Kansas, passed away peacefully at 8:58 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born November 26, 1944 in West Weir, Kansas, the daughter of George and Marie (Jacquinet) Penrod. She attended Weir schools.

On January 28, 1967, she married Ronald E. Uber in Arcadia, Kansas. He survives at the family home.

Mrs. Uber was a homemaker, caregiver to many, and full-time mom. Her true passion was her children and she was fiercely protective all of her loved ones and especially her children……

Membership was held in St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, the Red Hat Society, Weir American Legion Post #272 Auxiliary, and she was a Foster Parent for many years receiving Foster Parent of year in Kansas.

Survivors include, her husband, Ronald E. Uber of the home; four sons, Albert (Eddie) Edward Taylor, Robert (Fish) Wayne Taylor and his wife, Tammie, Dane Ronald Uber and his wife Sahra, and Stephen (Beaver) Lloyd Uber and his wife, Mindi all of Weir. Two of her beloved sisters, Judy Penrod Dietz and her husband, Gerald of Weir and Antionette “Inky” Penrod Peternell of Franklin; 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and her best friend’s, Phyllis Dixon of Pittsburg and life time friend Charlie O’Malley of Weir.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Teresa Marie Harris, a granddaughter, Melissa Sue Mooney-Uber whom she cared for over 29 years, four brothers, Francis “Fritzy”, Billy, Johnny, and her twin brother Robert “Ivory” Penrod, two sisters, Margaret Joyce “Peggy” Penrod Hubbard and Florence Marie Penrod Leone.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday (March 17) at the Brenner Mortuary with Fr. Jeremy Huser & her Son Dane Uber officiating. Burial will follow in the Hosey Hill Cemetery. A parish rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Brenner Mortuary, where the family will receive friends following until 8:00 p.m. Friends may call after 10:00 a.m. Friday to sign the register. There will be a “Potluck” dinner (Celebration of Life) located at the Weir Civic Center at 3pm and we ask that everyone bring a covered dish. The family suggests memorials be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. 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.

Red Sturgeon

(From Friskel Funeral Home)

James Dana (Red) Sturgeon, 91, of Girard, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2018.

He was born April 9, 1926, in Girard to James Dana and Lillian Lucille (Hughes) Sturgeon.

On May 23, 1948, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Salyer in Girard.

He worked as a welder on construction for 39 years traveling the United States working on pipelines, refineries, and power houses.

He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union #441, First Christian Church of Girard, Masons, & the Girard American Legion. 

He served as a ball turret gunner on B24 bombers during WWII.

Survivors include his two daughters, Cheryl Sue Correll and husband Bill of Girard, Sharon Willauer and husband Fran of Naples, FL; 4 Grandchildren, Aaron Coester and wife Melissa of Girard, Sibyl Willauer of Frontenac, Brigette Willauer and husband Nick Mizell of Florida, and Renee Pugliese and husband Frank of Florida; 8 Great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert Sturgeon, wife, and son, James D. Sturgeon III.

Memorial Services will be 11:00am Saturday March 17, 2018 at Friskel Funeral Chapel in Frontenac with Pastor Rick Prideaux officiating. Condolences may be left atwww.friskelfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be left to the Girard American Legion; these may be left or mailed to the funeral home. 

Services by the Friskel Funeral Home 230 E. McKay Frontenac, KS 66763. 

Josephine Spigarelli

(From Friskel Funeral Home)

Josephine Marie Spigarelli 96, of Frontenac, KS died 5:35pm Sunday March 11, 2018 at her home following a short illness. 

Josephine was born November 12, 1921 in Capaldo, KS the daughter of Sam and Marie (Porti) Caruso. She went to elementary school in Capaldo and later attended and graduated from Pittsburg High School. Following graduation Josephine worked for the Macaroni Factory in Pittsburg, KS; the County Clerk’s Office in Girard, KS; the war department in Washington D.C. during WWII; Parsons Ammunition Plant; Hull and Dillon Meat Packing Plant; Pittsburg Radio Supply and finally a bookkeeper for Oehme Brothers Construction. 

On May 24, 1947 Josephine married John Spigarelli at St. Alice Church in Capaldo, KS; he preceded her in death on September 8, 2012. Josephine was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church; a member of the Altar Society; American Legion Auxillary; AARP; she enjoyed cooking and growing flowers. In addition Josephine and Johnny’s favorite past time was dancing at local dance halls.
Survivors include her daughter Jeanne Cohorst Topeka, KS; grandchildren Jeff Spigarelli and wife Terri of Frontenac, KS, Gina Spigarelli-Hug and husband Mark Hug of California, John Cohorst Colorado; Mia Payne and husband Jim of Topeka, KS and Drew Cohorst of Colorado; great-grandchildren Emily, Jace, Gianna, Henry, J.T. and Becca; daughter-in-law Katherine Spigarelli of Farlington, KS; close family member Barb Spigarelli of Pittsburg, KS and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son Mike Spigarelli, brother Joe Caruso, sisters Annetta, Helen and Elena and a loving dog Concetta. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Friday March 16, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac, KS with Fr. Thomas Stroot as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Frontenac City Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm Thursday March 15, 2018 at the Friskel Funeral Home in Frontenac, KS; family will receive friends following the rosary. Friends may call the funeral home after 12:00pm Thursday. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to Mike Spigarelli Scholarship Fund and/or Sacred Heart Altar Society. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Friskel Funeral Home 230 E. McKay Frontenac, KS 66763. Condolences may be left at www.friskelfuneralhome.com. 

Arrangements and services are with Friskel Funeral Home of Frontenac, KS.