John Lee Espy, 84, Topeka, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Stormont-Vail Hospital.He was born Feb. 7, 1922 in Cordele, Georgia, the son of Alto and Iona Peterman Espy. He graduated from Cordele High School, Georgia Tech University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, he earned a DBA at Harvard Business School.Although he served in the U.S. Navy during World...

Lorene Bell Pate, 86, Topeka, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2006.She is survived by her daughter; Delores Thompson; granddaughter, Debra Douglas, both of Topeka and several great grandchildren.Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2006, at the Topeka Cemetery Patio.Newcomer Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.A special message for the family can...

Kendall L. Hubbard, 66, of Tecumseh, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2006. He was born on November 19, 1939 in Hugo, OK, the son of Roy U. and R. Odell Maddox Hubbard. He had resided in the Tecumseh community for the past 26 years. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard. Kendall was a member of the Professional Rodeo...

Frances V. Berry, 86, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday 22, 2006 at her home. She was born on July 4, 1919 in Bartlesville, OK. She was raised in Topeka and returned 25 years ago. She was a member of Highland Heights Christian Church and the Sunshine Club at Mission Towers. She married Don C. Berry on July 16, 1938...

Marilyn Joy Clark Gilliland of Topeka died on April 17th 2006 at her home. She was born on a farm south of Barnes, KS, on January 22, 1937, the youngest daughter of Ernest and Nancy Bolejack Clark. Marilyn graduated from Barnes High School in 1954. She received two degrees from Kansas State: a B.S. in 1958 and a Masters degree...

Marjorie L. Jackson, 87, Topeka, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2006 at Plaza West Regional Health Center, Topeka, KS.Marjorie was born August 23, 1918 in Frontenac, KS, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Coillot) Dittmann. She graduated from Frentenac High School. Marjorie had formerly lived in Coffeyville, KS, Austin, TX, Akron, OH, and Cumberland, MD, before returning to Topeka...

John Dewey Brannan, 43, Melvern, died Saturday, April 15, 2006 at his home.He was born June 15, 1962 in St. Louis, MO, the son of George J., Sr. and Edna M. Henderson Brannan. He was raised in St. Louis County and later lived in Waverly, Emporia, and Melvern.He completed heating and air conditioning school then became disabled.Survivors include his wife,...

Ryan L. Cox, 22, Auburn, passed away, Monday, April 17, 2006 in Auburn. He was born October 19, 1983, in Topeka, to Tim Cox and Sally Wilson.Ryan graduated from Washburn Rural High School and attended Allen County Community College. Ryan had enlisted in the Army, and was preparing to leave April 26. He loved moto-cross, playing his guitar, but most...

John Robert Hillrichs, 54, Topeka, died Friday, April 14, 2006 in Topeka. He was born April 6, 1952 in Topeka, and graduated from Topeka High School. He had lived in Topeka all his life.John was a self-employed painter all of his adult life.He was a member of Topeka Sunflower Lions Club, Topeka Bible church, and AA.Cremation is planned. A memorial...

André L. Douglas-Brooks, 26, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006 in Topeka. André was born on March 3, 1980 in Topeka, the son of the late Peter Brooks Jr., and Sarah Lou Douglas. André grew up in Topeka where he attended Robinson Middle School and Topeka High School. André is survived by his mother, Sarah Lou Douglas; step parents: Mark...

No public service will be held

Donald D."Don" Smith, 85, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2006 in Topeka. He was born June 30, 1920 in Eskridge, the son of Arthur and Alta Blankenship-Smith. He grew up in Eskridge, where he attended country schools, and Eskridge High School. Don entered the army in 1942, and as a Sergeant, was assigned to a tank division in the European...

Fredrick F. Gleissner, 82, passed away Monday, April 3, 2006 in Topeka. He was born March 5, 1924 in Olmitz, the son of Frank and Josephine Haberman-Gleissner. He grew up in Olmitz, graduated from Otis High School in Otis, and attended Fort Hays State College before serving in both the Merchant Marines and the Army. Fredrick married his wife Loretta...

James Brooks, Jr., 42, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2006 in Topeka. He was born May 1, 1963 in Topeka, the son of Thomas James and Janelle Brooks. He grew up in Topeka, and graduated from Topeka High School, and later attended Grambling University in Louisiana. James was very active in sports and loved basketball and wrestling. James spent 8...

Ralph H. "Swede" Dahlstrom, 78, passed away Monday, March 27, 2006 in Topeka. He was born November 12, 1927 in Topeka, the son of Harry and Gerda Meline-Dahlstrom. He grew up in Highland Park, where he attended both elementary and high school. Ralph married Barbara Jean Murphy on April 16, 1949 in Topeka, where the couple has made their home....

Elaine Ann March, 53, Topeka, Kansas, formerly of New Orleans, died Sunday, March 26, 2006 at Midland Hospice House, Topeka.She was born April 14, 1952 in New Orleans, the daughter of Peter William, Sr. and Alveria Margaret Foy Domingo. She lived in New Orleans until 1963, when she moved with her family to San Francisco, graduating from W. Wilson High...

Onita Mary (Warbritton) Upshaw, 93, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2006 at Stormont-Vail Hospital. She was born December 30, 1912 in Greeley, KS the daughter of Charles and Nellie Baum. She was married to Claude Warbritton in 1931. He preceded her in death in 1967. Onita graduated from Chicago School of Nursing in 1959. She worked at Ransom...

Gary Dean Hovey, 61, Auburn, died Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at his home.He was born June 15, 1944 in Montrose, Colorado, the son of James Bruce and Wilda Marie Moore Hovey. He lived most of his life in the Auburn area.He was preceded in death by his father and his twin sister, Gayle Marie Hovey in 1975.Survivors include his mother,...

Clyde "C.A." Padgett Sr., 75, Topeka, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at his residence. He was born in Topeka on September 14, 1930, the son of Emmett Francis and Dovie Wiseman-Padgett. Clyde grew up in Topeka, and graduated from Hayden High School. After graduation he joined the Marine Corp in 1952. During his service time, he married Neva M....

Edith Elnor Higgins, 80, died Saturday, March 18, 2006, at McCrite Care Center, Topeka.She was born Aug. 17, 1925 in Hamburg, IA, the daughter of Floyd and Martha Means Tooley and graduated from Hastings, Nebraska High School in 1943. She lived in Gardner for 25 years before coming to Topeka in 2003.Mrs. Higgins worked for the Kansas Association for the...