Arthur Kirchhoff
Arthur George Kirchoff, 85, died April 20, at Parkview Haven Nursing Home, Deshler, Neb. He was born May 21, 1913, at rural Hardy to John and Anna Heitmann Kirchhoff. He married Lily Bohling Jan. 22, 1937, at Byron. He farmed near Byron and drove the Byron school bus 24 years. He was a member of Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Deshler. He was a member of the Cornhusker Chapter of the National Studebaker Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and brothers, Martin, Edgar and an infant.
Survivors include two sons, Rodney, Hebron, and David, Hardy; three daughters, Mrs. Vernon Gebers (Jolene), Chester; Mrs. Raymond Kuhlman (Judy), Chester; and Mrs. Lee Hoops (Carol), Chester; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawrence, Superior; and a sister Mrs. Orval Bokenkamp (Betty), Deshler.
The funeral was Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Deshler, with Pastor Jerome Nikunen officiating. Interment was in Chester Cemetery. Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, was in charge of arrangements.

Kresta Sims Beck
Kresta Mary Beck, the daughter of Thomas and Anna Hansen Lauritzen, was born Jan. 14, 1910, near Hardy, the second oldest of six children. She became a second mom to the three younger children.
She married Clare Sims and they farmed north of Courtland for the first few years of their marriage. She and "Hap", as he was known, worked a few years in the Belleville Greenhouse with Hap's brother, Floyd Sims. Later they moved to St. Joseph, Mo., and on the Kansas City area. July 9, 1976, Hap died. Later Kresta married Larry Beck, he died in 1989.
During WWII she worked at the Sunflower Ammunition Plant. She also was employed as a retail clerk.
She died April 19, at the Raymore Health Center in Raymore, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, two brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Paul Aspegren (Martha), San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Services were held Saturday at Tibbetts-Fischer Chapel in Belleville, with Randy Paugh officiating. Burial was in Rosemound Cemetery, rural Hardy.

Elmer Britten
Elmer James Britten, 83, the son of Frank and Frances (Wenzinger) Britten, was born Aug. 19, 1915, on a farm near Guide Rock. He died April 20, at his home in Superior.
He attended St. Stephen's School and graduated from the Lawrence High School. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Superior, for 30 years. In October, 1942, he was inducted into the Air Force. On Sept. 7, 1948, he married Agnes Kimminau at St. Stephens Catholic Church. He farmed and worked for Herman Brothers truck line. He was a member of the Lawrence School Board, Lawrence Co-op, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lola; one son, Frank; sisters: infant Rita Britten, Loretta Ostdiek, Margaret Kimminau and Martha Lemke.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes, Superior; two sons, Richard, Gothenburg and Dan, Roeland Park, Kan.; four grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Paul Hipsher (Mary), Longmont, Colo.; and Clara McCaffrey, Overland Park.
Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Superior, with Father Dennis Hunt officiating. Rosary services were Friday.
Interment with military rites by the Superior American Legion and V.F.W. was in the St. Stephens Cemetery, Lawrence.
Megrue-Price Funeral home of Superior, was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Hill
Leonard C. Hill, 87, the son of Clyde and Anna (Hurst) Hill was born June 24, 1911, on a farm northeast of Edgar. He died Thursday at the Mother Hull Nursing Home, Kearney.
He completed the eighth grade at Lakeside rural school where his father and daughter also attended. He married Maurine Boswell, Dec. 11, 1934, at Papillion.
They began their married life at the same farm home where Leonard was born and grew up. In 1943 they moved to a farm southeast of Clay Center where they farmed until 1947. In 1947 Leonard and Maurine moved to Fairfield, where Leonard was manager of the Chicago Lumber Company and John Deere Implement dealership. Maurine assisted as the bookkeeper and clerk.
In 1956 they transferred to the Edgar Lumber Company where Leonard was the manager and Maurine was the bookkeeper and clerk. Leonard retired in January of 1977. They continued to live in the Edgar area until September of 1996 when they moved to Kearney, to be near their granddaughter, Rhonda Artrup.
He was a member of the Evangelical Church near Clay Center, Church of the Plains in Edgar, Lakeside and Illinois rural school districts and the Fairfield school district boards. He was also a member of the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Cecil; sister, Bernice Vaughn and a grandson.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Joyce Artrup, El Cajon, Calif.; two granddaughters, two great-grandsons; and two step-great grandsons.
Services were Monday at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Edgar. Pastor Ellen Campbell officiated.
Burial was in the Edgar Cemetery.

Ruth Robinson
Ruth Goldie Robinson, 87, Longview, Wash., died April 14, at the Hospice Care Center.
She was born Jan. 25, 1912, in Hardy, to John and Nellie (Lawson) Traub. She lived most of her adult life in Southern California.
She and Robert Robinson were married Dec. 20, 1930, in Mankato. After his death on May 5, 1977, she moved to Longview to be near family.
Survivors include two brothers, Robert Traub, Longview, and Glen Traub, Brookings, Ore.; and three sisters, Frances Petty, Clearlake, Wash., Bette Nichols, Sun City West, Ariz., and Gladys Noblitt, Vancouver, Wash. 
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucy Shill and Thelma Lowe; and six brothers, John, Herman, Eugene, twins Keith and Kennith and Loy "Pete" Traub.
Mrs. Robinson was a sister-in-law of Harry Robinson, Superior.

Lorraine Sykes
Lorraine Sykes, 74 daughter of Henry and Dora Schultz Wall, was born Oct. 17, 1924, on a farm in Republic County. She died Friday at Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital in Superior.
She attended school in rural Nuckolls County until she moved with her family to San Bernadino, Calif., during her junior high years. She returned to Nebraska and attended Ruskin Public School where she graduated in 1942.
She married Clarence (Bud) Sykes on June 19, 1942, in Belleville. They made their home in Ruskin. A Ruskin school lunch cook more than 30 years, she was a 4-H Leader for many years, a charter member of the Round-About-Ruskin Extension Club and active in the Nora Methodist Women's Quilting Group. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Donald Wall.
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Clarence, Ruskin; and two daughters, Mrs. Jack Prentiss (Judie), Fairmont; and Mrs. Art Hickman (Georgia), Superior; two grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren and 13 step-great-grandchildren.
Services were Wednesday from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior with Pastor Bill Waterman officiating.
Interment was in the Spring Creek Cemetery, Ruskin.

Obituaries Published Nov. 11, 1999 

Gary Allen
Gary L. Allen, 56, Gering, died Nov. 1, at his home. A memorial service was held Nov. 4, at Central Church of Christ in Gering with the Pastor Victor McPeak officiating. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory in Scottsbluff. 
He was born Oct. 22, 1943, to Walter C. Allen and Darlene L. (Peterson) Allen Gebers in Neligh. The family moved to Gering in July of 1949, and later to Scottsbluff where he attended schools. Gary boxed in the Golden Gloves at the Terrytown Arena, he also won numerous medals in swimming for the Scottsbluff Swimming Team. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, with a Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal with overseas Bars, and the Rifle Sharp Shooter Medal.
He married Sharon Batt in 1970, and to this union two children were born. He worked at the Gering, Scottsbluff, and Bayard Great Western Sugar Factories, Gary was injured in the Bayard factory explosion. He moved to Loveland, Colo., in 1985. He married Patricia Berreth on July 11, 1994, at the Evangelical Convenant Church in Loveland, Colo. He worked at Eastman Kodak at Windsor, Colo., for eight years, and Larimer County courthouse at Ft. Collins, Colo., until ill health forced him to retire. He and his wife moved from Loveland to Gering in October.
He is survived by his wife of Gering; daughter, Stacy Strodtman, son, Jeff Allen; granddaughter; mother and step-father, Darlene and Fred Gebers, Loveland, Colo; brothers, Douglas of Loveland, Ronald of Grand Junction, Larry of Palisade, Colo., and Randy of Gering; step-sister, Cindy Spencer, Morrill; and aunt, Marjorie Robertson.
He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents, Arthur and Josephine Allen, Neligh, and Oscar Peterson and Leona Gomer, Neligh.

Justin Shaw
Justin Philip Shaw, 21, son of Richard and Sherry (Vap) Shaw, was born June 25, 1978, at Hastings. He died Saturday, Nov. 6, in Nuckolls County.
Judd, as he was known to his family and friends, grew up in the Clay County area, attending schools at Sandy Creek and graduating with the class of 1997. He furthered his education by attending North Central Technical Community College, Beloit, majoring in agriculture production. After leaving Beloit, Judd moved to Clay Center where he had been a member of the Clay Center Volunteer Fire Department. He then lived in Deweese for a short while before moving to Glenvil. He was employed by the R Lazy K.
He enjoyed hunting and playing league softball. He was a member of the Church of the Plains of Edgar and the Glenvil Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his parents; two sisters, (Jennifer) Mrs. Travis Bailey, and Kristin Shaw, all of rural Fairfield; grandparents, Jean and Bob Swanson, Edgar, Jim and Hattie Shreve, Hastings, and Dennis Vap, Glenvil,
Services were Tuesday at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel, Edgar. The Rev. Rick Cepris officiated. Burial was in the Edgar Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home, Edgar was in charge of arrangements.

John McNabb
John Elzy (Jack) McNabb, 69, of Walsenburg, Colo., died Oct. 22.
He was preceded in death by two sons, John Jr. and Jim McNabb; and his father, John McNabb.
Survivors include his wife, Nadine; his mother, Ruby McNabb, Superior; sisters, Pauline Zoberst, Donnis Meltzer and Rose Asbury; brothers, Larry, and Bill McNabb; sons, Joe Hill, and Jesse Hill and two grandchildren.
Services were at Sacred Heart Church in Gardner, Colo.
Fr. Rich Wehrmeyer officiated.
Interment was in Turkey Creek Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Boies-Ortega Funeral Home, Walsenburg, Colo.

Terri Nichols
Terri Ann Nichols, 36, the daughter of Richard and Le Ila (Bronson) Nichols was born Dec. 12, 1962, at Red Cloud. She died Oct. 23, in Lexington.
She lived in Riverton, until 1963 when her family moved to Grand island, where she began her formal education. The family moved to Red Cloud in 1973. She graduated from Red Cloud High School with the class of 1981 and earned a degree at the Spencer School of Business.
She married Raymond Norton, Aug. 19, 1982, at Hillsboro, Kan. This marriage ended in divorce in 1986.
Terri was a great asset in the care of her father and her grandmother. Terri made the many weekly trips to Hastings with her grandmother and enjoyed the time spent with her aunts and uncles as well.
She lived most of her life in the Red Cloud area, but moved to Farnam, Neb., in 1998 and from July 1999 until the time of her death, was a resident of Lexington.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Survivors include her mother, Le lla Nichols, Red Cloud, two children, Jody and Riley Nichols, both of Red Cloud; and a brother, Randy Nichols.
Services were Monday at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel, Red Cloud. The Rev. Mike Lehr officiated. Burial was in the Red Cloud Cemetery.

Trudi Long
Trudi B. Long, 79, the daughter of Rich and Blanche (Savely) Workman, was born Aug. 8, 1920, at Republican City. She died Friday at Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital, Superior.
She attended school in Republican City. On Sept. 6, 1942, she married John R. Long at Yuma, Ariz.
She enjoyed all types of art and was involved with her own work which she did in various mediums. She also read and cherished the opportunities to go dancing with her husband.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and six brothers.
Survivors include her husband of Superior; two daughters, Jewell Rene Myer, Boise, Idaho, and Terresa June Long, Baltimore, Md.; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Superior, Neb. Pastor Mark Diehl officiated. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Esther Tiegs
Esther Warren Tiegs, 83, Nampa, Idaho, died early Saturday in a rest home in Nampa. She was an Olive Hill resident and was raised in Jewell County. She graduated from Superior High School in 1932.
She was the daughter of Lowell and Ruby Warren. Her funeral was in Caldwell, Idaho, Wednesday. Survivors include a daughter, Diane Brakefield, Caldwell, Idaho.

Wiley Mitchell
Wiley Bruce Mitchell, 60, the son of the late Wiley E. and Adeline A. (Runge) Mitchell, was born at Thayer County Hospital, Hebron, May 16, 1939. He died Oct. 28, at the Veterans Medical Center, Grand Island.
On May 22, 1957, he graduated from Hebron Public Schools. He served in the U.S. Army from March of 1962 to March of 1964, as a construction machine operator stationed in Thailand. During his service he received a good conduct medal and was awarded for his rifle marksmanship.
On Aug. 14, 1966, he married Yvonne Schultz at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Ruskin. The couple resided in Shickley for the next 14 years. During this time he was employed by Lichti Brothers in Shickley. In 1977 he went into business for himself.
After the dissolution of his marriage in 1985, he moved to Edgar, where he resided until his death. Until his hospitalization in September, he operated Mitchell Crane Service and farmed the family property at Hebron.
He was preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his mother of Hebron; his daughter, Mrs. Steven Bryan (Lori Bryant-Gammon) Cincinnati, Ohio; his son, Tyler Mtichell, Superior; one grandson, one brother, Larry Mitchell, Hebron, and one sister, Sandra Hausler, Columbus, Neb.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Grace Lutheran Church, Hebron, with Pastor Bruce Berggren officiating.
Cremation was held following the service. Private family inurnment services were held Wednesday at the Chester Cemetery, Chester, Neb. Military rites were conducted at the grave by Thayer County VFW Goldstar Post and American Legion Saxton Post of Hebron.
Price Funeral Home of Hebron was in charge of arrangements.

Marvin Thayer
Marvin Dale Thayer, 63, the son of Henry and Helen (Hanson) Thayer, was born April 25, 1936 on a farm near Newman Grove, Neb. He died Saturday at his home in Nelson.
He attended and graduated from Ruskin High School with the Class of 1956.
On Sept. 4, 1966, he married Elaine Thornberry. He drove a truck for Nelson-Nora Co-op for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Kimma Thayer, Hastings and Mrs. Rod Wilkerson (Lisa), Ayr; two grandsons; a granddaughter; three brothers, twin brother, Mervin, Ruskin, Ben, Dannebrog, and Jim, Lexington; and a sister, Mrs. LaVern Bohling (Janice), Byron.
Services were held Wednesday from the Nelson Community United Church of Christ, with Rev. Dr. Ralph Sturdy officiating.
Interment was in the Nelson Cemetery.
Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, was in charge of arrangements.

Obituaries Published Feb. 3, 2000

Velma Hansen
Velma Madeline Hansen, 85, died Jan. 24, 2000, at Rush County Memorial Hospital, La Crosse.
She was born Feb. 13, 1914, in Jewell County to Earl J. and Christine (Elniff) Stauffer. After high school, Velma graduated from Asbury Hospital School of Nursing, Salina, in 1937. She worked at Baker Hospital as Doctor Baker's nurse and later at Rush County Memorial Hospital until retiring in 1974.
She married Clifford Hansen at Randall on March 29, 1941. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Alexander and La Crosse, United Methodist Women Club, and the Golden Keys Advisory Board, La Crosse. 
Survivors include two sons: Jon, Garden City; and Earl, Papillon, Neb.; three brothers, Melvin Stauffer, Creston, Iowa; Edward Stauffer, Newton; and Gaylord Stauffer, Kansas City, Mo.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, Loreen and Donald, and a sister, Emma Roberts.
Services were at United Methodist Church, La Crosse, with the Rev. Marilyn Christmore presiding. Burial was in Wallace Cemetery, Jewell, with the Rev. Vernon Snider presiding.

Marshall Stapleton
Marshall Stapleton, 85, Jewell, died Jan. 20, 2000, at Jewell County Hospital Long Term Care.
He was born on a farm near Jewell Nov. 12, 1914. He attended a country grade school in Jewell and graduated from Jewell High School in 1931. After graduation he moved to the east coast where he married and had four children. He was a dairy farmer and did various contracting jobs until the mid 1950s. He then worked for a trucking company until his retirement, moving back to Jewell in 1982.
He was a member of the Jewell Christian Church, former member of the Elks and the Eagles in Superior, Neb., and the Moose Lodge in Concordia. 
Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Herbert, Phoenix, Ariz., and Ralph, Jewell.
Survivors include three sons, Howard, New Castle, Colo.; Robert, White Plains, N.Y.; and Eugene, Arlington, Texas; a daughter, Candace Tierney, Bethesda, Md.; a sister, Isabel Handley, Payette, Idaho; his companion, Mary Handley; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Jan. 22 at the Christian Church, Jewell, with the Rev. Dan Daniels officiating. Burial was in Wallace Cemetery. Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell, was in charge of arrangements. 

Obituaries Published April 6, 2000

Sidney Britten
Word was received here of the death of Sidney Britten, 99, at his home in Troutdale, Ore., on March 21. He was a brother-in-law of the late Beulah Strnad and Merle Roland, Superior. He was an uncle of Jan Simpkins, Superior and Linda Hoshaw, Wichita.

James Watts
James Watts, 83, the son of Charley E. and Grace F. (Horton) Watts, was born April 16, 1916, on a farm in Nuckolls County. He died Sunday at the Fillmore County Hospital, Geneva.
Raised in the Nuckolls County area, he attended Antioch rural school. On June 2, 1941, he married Inez McCauley at Pawnee City. They returned to the family farm and made farming their life's work.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding horses. He had been active with the school boards both in Nelson and Pleasant View, a member of the Nuckolls County Fair Board, the Nuckolls County election board and a 4-H leader.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert, who died the same day; and a grandchild.
Survivors include his wife, rural Edgar; sons, Jimmy and Carl Watts, rural Fairfield; a daughter, Charleen Mailand, Seward; brothers, Donald, Fairfield and Gordon Watts, Edgar; a sister, Lydia Harnett and Ruth Woodhead, both of Edgar; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services were Wednesday at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel, Edgar. Pastors Harold Fox and Leslie Harms officiated. Burial was in the Edgar Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home of Edgar, was in charge of arrangements.

Kermit Erickson
Kermit L. Erickson, 80, the son of Luther E. and Esther (Thorson) Erickson was born Dec. 2, 1919, at Edgar. He died March 29, at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville.
He attended the Edgar Country School. He was a sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. Kerm was stationed in Alaska and Germany where he was involved with the Battle of the Bulge. Kerm received the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground combat. He married Joan Booker. She died in 1964. He married Eleanor Walker in 1969. 
Most of his adult life was in Simi Valley, Calif., where he owned a dry wall construction company. He retired to Hardy with his wife in 1979.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan; and two sisters, Justine Erickson and Nadine Wiedenfeller.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Erickson, Hardy; a daughter, Carol Browder, North Hollywood, Calif.; step-daughters, Kay Morton, Oxnard, Calif.; Mrs. Ken Daniels (Alana), and Mrs. Thomas Smith (Cindy), both of Simi Valley, Calif.; a brother, Vincent, Erickson, Hastings; and a sister, Arlyne Gunn, Superior; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services were Friday at the Williams Funeral Home Chapel, Superior. The Rev. Harold Backus officiated. Private family interment will take place at a later date.

Minnie Shaffer
Minnie D. Shaffer, 101, daughter of Phillip and Sarah (Marshall) Harrington was born March 7, 1899 at DuBois, Neb. She died March 28 at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud.
She was one of nine children.
In 1906, at the age of seven, Minnie's family moved south of Guide Rock, where she attended rural schools. At an early age she and her sisters sang for church and social gatherings.
She married Joe Shaffer on June 15, 1916, at her parents' home. The minister was her father's brother. In 1935 Minnie and Joe became members of the Christian Church at Hillsboro, Ore.
During their 64 years of marriage they worked at many interesting professions together. They started their married life on a farm south of Guide Rock. Later they picked hops, strawberries and beans in Oregon; they had a bakery in Guide Rock; they were cooks at the state hospital in Kearney; they cooked for a fraternity house in Lincoln; operated a cream and egg buying station in Guide Rock. One time they ran a herd of wild horses from the Nebraska Sand Hills to Guide Rock.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Joe, Feb. 22, 1981; eight siblings and a great-grandchild.
Survivors are her son, Opal Shaffer, Curtis; one daughter, Neva Hunter, Guide Rock four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Services were Friday at Simonson-Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Red Cloud with the Rev. Mike Lehr officiating. Burial was in the Guide Rock Cemetery.

Robert Watts
Robert "Bob" Edgar Watts, 86, or rural Deweese died Sunday at the Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital in Superior.
He was born Feb. 26, 1914, near Edgar, to Charles and Grace (Horton) Watts. He attended Antioch Rural School near Deweese and graduated from the eighth grade. After his schooling he started farming with his father. He later drove a semi-truck for Kniss Sutton Truck Line of Hastings for five years.
He married Velda Roush on April 23, 1938, at her parents home near Fairfield. They lived and farmed along the Little Blue River for 62 years. He raised cattle and hogs and had a small shop where he did mechanical work for his family and friends.
He was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church and was associated with Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Masons both of Nelson.
Preceded in death by his parents; he is survived by his wife, of Deweese; daughters, Mrs. Fred Jester (Marlys), Fairfield, and Mrs. Larry Herman (Jenelle), Oak; two sisters, Ruth Woodhead and Lydia Harnett, both of Edgar; brothers Gordon, Edgar, and Donald, Fairfield; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A brother, James, died the same day.
Services were Wednesday at the Fairfield Community Presbyterian Church with the Rev. John Green officiating.
Burial was in the Fairfield Cemetery. McLaughlin Funeral Home, Clay Center, was in charge of arrangements.

Lawrence Driggs
Lawrence D. Driggs, 64, of Bentonville, Ark., died Thursday at Gravette Medical Center Hospital in Gravette, Ark. He was born July 6, 1935, in Superior, to Rufus and Emma (Cook) Driggs.
He was a member of God's Light House of Bentonville. He worked as a meat cutter and had served in the U. S. Marine Corps.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine Hendricks.
Survivors include his wife, Florence Kohl Driggs, whom he married Dec. 31, 1960; a son, Gregory Driggs of Oklahoma; a daughter, Ralynn Yingling, Bentonville; a brother, Raymond Driggs, Bentonville; four sisters, Gilbreta Creel, Monte Ne, Ark., Viola Nelson and Leriane McKenny, both of Haskel, Texas; and Madoline Platt, Superior; and six grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday at God's Light House of Bentonville with the Rev. Leroy Norton officiating.
Burial was in the Coffelt Cemetery, Vaughn, Ark.

Obituaries Published April 13, 2000

Charles McCarthy
Charles F. McCarthy, 76, Manhattan, died Thursday afternoon at the Mercy Health Center. He was born Nov. 17, 1923, in Waterbury, Conn., the son of Charles F. and Jennie (Schlander) McCarthy. He was a 1941 graduate of Heavenworth High School in Waterbury, Conn.
Following his high school graduation, he served with the United States Air Force during World War II.
Mr. McCarthy's parents both died at a young age. After the war, having no other family, he decided to move to St. Joseph, Mo., where a friend's family was living. He then attended Kansas State University, graduating with a degree in landscape architecture.
While in Kansas State, he met Alice C. Mallam. They married Sept. 20, 1947, in Manhattan. Together they lived in Silverdale, Emporia and Arkansas City, prior to moving to Manhattan in 1952, where he was employed as a manager for Manhattan Cut Stone. In 1955, he went to work as a draftsman and architect for the Wolfenbarger & McCulley architecture firm. He retired in 1985, after 30 years of employment. Following his retirement, he free lanced for several firms, and from 1995 to present was the crossing guard at Northwest Elementary School.
He was a member of Seven dolors Catholic Church, Manhattan and Knights of Columbus, of which he was a past grand knight. Other memberships included the American Institute of Architects, the Construction Specification Institute, the American Legion Post 17, and life member of the KSU Alumni Association. He coached several baseball and softball teams and various youth sports events.
He is survived by his wife, Alice, of the home; four sons, Charles F., Robert, Garry and Larry and a daughter, Mrs. Dale Day (Sue Ann), all of Manhattan; 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary, in infancy and by a son, Steven.
Services were held at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church with Father Lawrence Greenan officiating. Interment with military honors followed in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.

Ellen Gunn
Elizabeth Ellen Gunn, 87, daughter of Joseph and Lillian (Miller) Regensberg, was born Dec. 7, 1912, in Mora County near Guadalupita, N.M. She died Thursday at the Lutheran Care Home in Belleville.
Ellen, as she was known to most, was the oldest of 10 children. She moved with her family as a pre-schooler to Las Vegas, N. M., where she attended Las Vegas Public Schools. She also worked in retail at Montgomery Ward in Las Vegas.
On July 24, 1933, in Las Vegas, she married Preston Gunn. They moved to Jewell County.
While living in Jewell County she served on the Star School District Board, and was a member of the Union Church in Hardy. She wrote 'Down South', a news column, in the Hardy Herald for many years, she continued to write for The Superior Express after the Herald closed.
She was an active member of the White Rock Ladies Aide and Jewell Social Circle. Quilting was both a hobby and a business. Her records showed 137 quilts quilted after 1975. At one time she raised African Violets by the hundreds. She had one room on the south that was nothing but African Violets.
Ellen remained on the family farm until she entered the nursing home in May of 1995.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Preston, on Sept. 21, 1974; two sons, Don and Ed, a grandson; two sisters, Lorraine Lucero and an infant, Alene; brothers, Charles, Robert, Joseph, Hubert and Clifford Regensberg.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Jack Skinner (Sandra), a son, Steve, both of Superior; two daughters-in-law; two sisters, Bertha Wells, Clovis, N.M., and Rosemarie McCurry, Santa Fe, N.M.; 11 grandchildren; and five great-granddaughters.
Services were held Monday from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home Chapel in Superior, with Pastor Jon Albrecht officiating.
Interment was in the Rosemound Cemetery south of Hardy.

Afton Young
Afton Etta Davidson Young, 84, daughter of Harry Russell and Emma (Mapes) Davidson was born Oct. 17, 1915, at Cuba, Kan., and died Monday at Seward, Neb.
She received her education in four country schools in Kansas and Nebraska before graduating from Cuba, High School in 1934. She married Jesse Glenn Young, Nov. 26, 1936. She worked as a telephone operator at Cuba and Hubbell, worked for Cresswell Grocery as a store clerk for several years and was village clerk of Hubbell for 23 years before retiring on Jan. 1, 1992.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Hubbell, the Order of Eastern Star in 1936 and was a member of Ophel Chapter, Belleville.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, a granddaughter a brother, Harold Davidson; three step-sisters, Velda O'Conner, Arleen Abrahms and Uleen Rytych.
She is survived by two sons, Gary, Hebron, and Billy, North Bend; two daughters, Darla Young, Seward and Mrs. Kenneth Naysmith (Nancy), Byron; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one step-sister, Georgia Hamblin, Stromsburg.
Services were Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, Hubbell. The Rev's Eldon and Mary Beth Nicholson officiated.
Interment was in Hubbell Cemetery.
Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville was in charge of arrangments.

Obituaries Published April 12, 2001

Ruth Rathbun
Ruth Marie Rathbun, 92, the daughter of William H. and Ida (Somerhalder) Rathbun, was born Jan. 23, 1909, on a farm in Webster County, west Guide Rock. She died Friday at the Brodstone Memorial Nuckolls County Hospital in Superior.
In March , 1913, the family moved to a farm near the Republican River they were buying in Jewell County Kansas. Ruth, her mother and two younger brothers went with a horse and buggy in a procession of hayracks full of their possessions, wagons, horses, cattle and dog to their new home.
She attended Valley View Country School and graduated from Superior High School as the class valedictorian. She had missed the year of 1926-27 with typhoid fever. She taught rural schools in Webster, Nuckolls and Jewell counties. She retired in 1971. For 11 years she worked at the Farmers Union Creamery office in Superior, and Newhouse Porter Insurance in Nelson, In 1981 Ruth and her brother, Waldon, retired to Superior.
When in her 50s, she completed her formal education by attending two years of training at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Ruth was contracted to teach one grade in Lincoln, Neb., but returned home to teach at Valley View School, which was going to be closed because it did not have a teacher with a degree.
She researched and edited the Jacob Somerhalder family history and genealogy. The store of a father and four sons, early Nebraska homesteaders from Switzerland coming to America.
She was a member of Centennial Lutheran Church, Valley View Club, past president of B.P.W , charter member of Superior Retired Teacher's Association, N.S.T.A.; N.E.A., AARP, and N.U. alumni Association.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Paul Rathbun, and two infant siblings.
Survivors include her brother, Waldon Rathbun, a sister, Mrs. Ray Czirr (Rose), all of Superior; and a sister, Naomi Mueller, Nelson.
Services were held Tuesday at the Centennial Lutheran Church in Superior. The Rev. Paul Albrecht officiated. Interment was in the Valley View Cemetery.
Williams Funeral Home of Superior, was in charge of arrangements.

Ralph Hamel
Ralph Edward Hamel, 83, died April 2, at his home in Clinton, Wash. He was born Feb. 28, 1918, on a farm near Nora, to Charley and Bertha Hamel. He had three brothers and three sisters.
In 1940 he joined the United States Army and served with C Battery, 218 Field Artillery of the 41st Division at Fort Lewis, Wash. He was in combat in the jungles of New Guinea and the Philippines for nearly three years and was awarded the Silver Star for "Gallantry in action on Mt. Tambu, New Guinea, on July 27, 1943," while serving as a forward observer with Australian and U.S. Infantry troops. He attained the rank of sergeant and was discharged at Fort Lewis, Wash., on July 17, 1945.
He was a commercial and industrial electrician and a 50-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers before retiring in 1983 in Santa Ana, Calif.
He was married in Bennington, Neb., June 8, 1947, to Bernette (Denny) Hadan, After rearing their family and retiring from work, they enjoyed many years of RV travel all over the U.S. and Canada. In 1999 they moved from Prescott, Ariz., to Clinton, Wash.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years; their daughter, Mrs. Terry Thomas (Karen), Clinton, Wash.; a son, Kent Hamel, Brea, Calif.; one sister, Doris Oleson, Holdrege, and four grandchildren.
A private memorial service will be held with interment at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.