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PLEASE NOTE:
"Paid obituaries" appearing in the print version of The Recorder will be edited to "free obituary" style (including limitation of survivors to those related to the deceased by blood or by marriage and paring of details of the life of the deceased) for placement on this Web page.

OBITUARIES

Updated 3/8/10

Harrison

Franklin “Butch” Neal Harrison (Numqui), 67, Mayetta, died March 6, 2010, at a Topeka hospital from complications of diabetes. He was born Feb. 12, 1943, on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation west of Mayetta, the son of Charles (Sr.) and Minnie Nozhackum Harrison. Mr. Harrison was a welder for the Potawatomi Road and Bridge Dept. He had also worked as a welder in Seattle, Wash., and Irving, Texas. He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. He married Geraldine Ruth Green in June 1961 at Mayetta. They divorced. Survivors include four daughters, Jeannine Johnson, Nashville, Ind., Priscilla Wooley, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Patricia Harrison and Jessica Jenkins, both of Lighthouse, Texas; two sisters, Cornelia Donahue and Lavera Bell, both of Mayetta; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Drum services will be held March 8 at the Danceground building west of Mayetta. Burial will be held March 9 in the old Danceground Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

Mansell
Carolyn Sue “Susie” Mansell, Arma, formerly of Holton, died Feb. 3, 2010, at a Joplin, Mo., hospital following a long illness. She was born March 16, 1944, in Holton, the daughter of Delbert and Jesse Tharp Mansell. She grew up in Holton and lived here until the mid-1970s, when she moved to Pittsburg and later to Arma. Survivors include three sisters, Thelma Harshaw, Holton, Betty Miller, Jamesport, Mo., and Peggy Lou Davidson, Kansas City, Mo.,; 20 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Richard Tate Jr.; a sister, Hazel Hatfield; and three brothers, Leroy Mansell, Donald Mansell and Jimmy Mansell. Memorial services were held Feb. 10 at All Save Church in Mulberry, with Pastor Billy Wells officiating. Memorial contributions may be sent to Midwest Transplant Network, 1900 W. 47th Place, Suite 400, Westwood, KS 66205. Online condolences may be sent to www.bathnaylor.com

Peterson
Connie Jo Peterson, 52, Soldier, died March 7, 2010, at her home. She was born March 15, 1957, in Topeka, the daughter of James Edward and Twila Pauline Clifton Taylor. She graduated from Holton High School in 1975 and was a lifelong member of the Jackson County community. Mrs. Peterson was manager and later co-owner of Title Abstract in Holton for more than 16 years. She had worked for Jackson County Title and Abstract and as a dispatcher for the Holton Police Department. She was currently serving as President of the Bucks Grove Cemetery Association. She married Bryant Peterson on June 21, 1975, at Bucks Grove. He survives. Other survivors include her mother, Twila Taylor, Holton; two sons, Zach Peterson, Topeka, and Caleb Peterson, of the home; a daughter, Jessica Peterson, Manhattan; two brothers, Dan Taylor and wife Donnie, Hoyt, and Steve Taylor and wife Shelley, Auburn; a brother-in-law, Bill Hoppes; and a grandson, Carson Peterson. She was preceded in death by her father, James Taylor, in 2007; and a sister, Cheryl Hoppes, in 2004. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 11 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will be held in Bucks Grove Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 10 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Connie Peterson Memorial Fund, to be designated at a later date and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be sent to www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

3/3/10

Dunigan

Lorena M. Dunigan, 78, Holton, died Feb. 28, 2010, at Holton Community Hospital. She was born Jan. 25, 1932, in Wamego, the daughter of Loren and Caroline Eby Thompson. She had lived the last seven years in Holton and previously in Topeka. Mrs. Dunigan was owner and operator of Lavender and Lace beauty shop in Topeka. She was a past member of Manhattan Country Club and former member of Christ The King Church in Topeka. She married C. Eugene Dunigan on May 10, 1970. He died April 11, 1991. She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy Thompson and Tommy Thompson; and a sister, Anna Marie Williams. Survivors include two daughters, Debra Jacobs and Judy Burgess, both of Holton; a brother, Ed Thompson, Lawrence; a grandson, Jacob Little; a granddaughter-in-law, Darci Little; and two great granddaughters, Katelyn and Kiley Little. Private memorial services were held at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Inurnment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be sent to www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

Graves
Kennedy Lee Graves, 87, Topeka, died March 1, 2010, at his home. He was born May 28, 1922, in Pomona, the son of Percy and Edna Graffham Graves. He graduated from Pomona High School in 1939. Mr. Graves was inducted into the Army Infantry at Leavenworth in 1942, taking his training in Oregon and serving in World War II from October 1942 to January 1947 in the 361st Regiment of the 91st Division. He was discharged as a staff sergeant from Custer, Mich., after being injured in service and receiving two Purple Hearts. He attended Clark Business School after his military service and worked for Lundgren Construction Company as an estimator for 17 years before retiring. He was a member of the Kaw Valley Ham Club, the Highland Park Optimist Club, a life member of Capitol Post 1 of the American Legion, Philip Billard VFW Post 1650 and the Disabled American Veterans. He married Kathleen L. Macklin on Feb. 2, 1952, in Lawrence. She survives. Other survivors include three children, Gary Graves and wife Jody, Holton, and Janet Manning and husband Marvin and Clifford Graves, all of Topeka; four grandchildren, Robert Graves and wife Angie, Carl Junction, Mo., Sara Dickson, Topeka, Amy Faunce and husband Ben, Emporia, and Tyler Graves, Topeka; four great-grandchildren, Natalie and Lorelai Dickson and Alyssa and Emily Graves; and a brother, George Graves, Ottawa. He was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Collins. Funeral services will held at 11 a.m. March 4 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel in Topeka. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time on March 4. Memorial contributions may be made to Heart Of America Hospice, 3715 S.W. 29th St., Suite 20, Topeka, KS 66614. Online condolences may be sent to www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com

McPherson
Sherry McPherson, 65, Topeka, died March 1, 2010, at a Topeka hospice. She was born July 2, 1944, in Topeka, the daughter of Aden W. and Margie L. Dubois Gardner. She graduated from Topeka High School. Ms. McPherson worked as a medical aide at Presbyterian Manor. She married Duane McPherson on June 3, 1962. They divorced. Survivors include three children, Janette Miller, Lawrence, Devin McPherson and wife Lisa, Topeka, and Aden McPherson, Holton; seven grandchildren, Nichole Miller, Christopher McPherson, Nicholas Miller, Kaitlyn McPherson, Alexis Miller, Olivia Warren and Teegan McPherson; a great-granddaughter, Lilly Call; and her stepfather, Daniel Hortenstine, Carbondale. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. March 2 at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, 820 S.W. Auburn Road, Topeka. Sherry will lie in state on March 1 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka, where family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be sent to LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center, 1183 S.W. Buchanan, Topeka, KS 66604. Online condolences may be sent to www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com

Moore
Jennifer Renee Moore, 33, Houston, Texas, died Feb. 25, 2010. She was born Oct. 22, 1976, in Wichita, the daughter of Marion and Charlotte Moore. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry and Jetta Moore. Survivors include her parents, Marion and Charlotte Moore, Houston, Texas; two sisters, Kristine Moore and husband Daniel and Melissa Williams and husband Chad, all of Houston, Texas; a nephew, Clayton Williams, Houston, Texas; and aunts and uncles, Nancy Schirmer and husband Gerald, Las Vegas, Nev., Jarry Moore and wife Charlotte, Tempe, Ariz., Sam Moore and wife deAnne, Shawnee Mission, Bryce Moore, Prairie Village, and Becky Moore, Topeka. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m . to 8 p.m. March 1 at Klein Funeral Home-Champion Forest, Klein, Texas. Funeral liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. March 2 at Christ The Good Shepherd in Spring, Texas. Interment will follow at Klein Memorial Park FM 2920. Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Klein, TX 77379 is in charge of arrangements.

3/1/10

Edman

Andrew “Gump” Edman, 82, Onaga, died Feb. 24, 2010, at an Onaga hospital. He was born March 25, 1927, at Neuchatel, the son of Tom and Ruth Summerville Edman. Mr. Edman was a U.S. Army veteran, serving with the combat engineers for two years at Fort Belvoir, Va. He spent most of his working life helping the Graf family on their farm. Survivors include a brother, Bill Edman, Lawrence; and five sisters, Florence Ascherman, Blue Rapids, Peggy Eisenbarth, Seneca, Gladys Edman, Topeka, Opal Noland, Hoyt, and Valerie Brown, Wichita. Graveside services were held Feb. 27 in Neuchatel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Onaga Senior Center, sent in care of Tessendorf-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 300, Onaga, KS 66521. Online condolences may be sent to chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

Rose
Timothy A. Rose, 60, Topeka, died Feb. 27, 2010, at a Topeka nursing home. He was born Sept. 15, 1949, in Holton, the son of Franklin H. and Caroline A. Gallelli Rose Sr. He graduated from Hoyt High School in 1968. He lived in Hoyt most of his life, spending his later years in Topeka. Mr. Rose worked for Goodyear Tire Stores and Rose Muffler in Manhattan. He was a member of Brookwood Covenant Church in Topeka. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 17 AF&AM, the Arab Shrine Temple and American Legion Capital Post 1. He umpired ASA fast pitch softball and volunteered for the YMCA Downtown Branch in Topeka. Survivors include a daughter, Tamra Smith and husband Darrel, Berryton; two brothers, Frank Rose Jr., Independence, Mo., and James Rose, Manhattan; four sisters; Caroline Keyser, Maple Hill, Kathleen Rose, Poplarville, Miss., Susan Moultan, Wentzville, Mo., and Margaret “Marge” Frederick, Topeka; and two grandsons, Brandon and Conner Meeks, Berryton. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. March 5 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in Hoyt Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 4 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or the American Heart Association, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be sent to www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

Schmit
Lucy E. “Ann” Schmit, 73, Wetmore, formerly of Holton, died Feb. 27, 2010, at a Topeka hospital. She was born June 17, 1936, in Council Grove, the daughter of Iven Bruce and Mary Adda Pollock Crozier. She graduated from Denison High School. Ms. Schmit was a truck driver with partner Curtis Goodman. She had been attending Wetmore Bible Church. She married William Francis Schmit on June 23, 1958, in Fort Smith, Va. He preceded her in death on April 23, 1985. She is survived by a son, Terry Schmit, Topeka; a daughter, Cheryl Garber and husband Roger, Topeka; two grandchildren, Christina Anderson and Candace Schmit; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. March 2 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 1 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lucy Schmit Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be sent to www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

Spalding
Peggy Ann Durham Spalding, 68, Holton, died Feb. 24, 2010, after a battle with cancer. She was born July 2, 1941, at Emmett, the daughter of Irda O. “Pete” and Elsie Mae Malloy Durham. Mrs. Spalding was an Avon representative and worked at the Dollar General store in Holton. She attended First Baptist Church in Holton. She was a member of the Auxiliary to Holton American Legion Post 44, Women of the Moose, Chapter 1091 in Topeka, and T.O.P.S. She married Arthur William “Bud” Spalding Jr. on Aug. 9, 1958, in Topeka. He survives. Other survivors include two sons, Ron Spalding and wife Karen, Kansas City, Mo., and Brian Spalding and wife Amanda, Holton; two daughters, Kim Hauser and husband Kerry, Topeka, and Terri Phillips and husband Mark, Alexandria, Va.; a brother, Gene Durham, Corning; a sister, Smoky Hamlin, Topeka; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Durham, Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Chuck Durham; and a sister, Faye Sisson. Funeral services were held March 1 at First Baptist Church. Burial followed in Holton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Holton Community Hospital Hospice, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be sent to chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

Stedman
Kelly Stedman, 74, La Junta, Colo., died Feb. 21, 2010, at his home. He was born Oct. 22, 1935, in Summerfield, the son of Warren and Alice White Stedman. Mr. Stedman served in the U.S. Army in Germany from October 1954 through 1956. He was a barber for 40 years in Fullerton, Calif. He married Marcella White on Jan. 16, 1957, in Wetmore. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Kim Overy and husband Brian, Woodstock, Ga.; two sons, Jeff Stedman and wife Janelle, La Junta, Colo., and Cory Stedman, Pomona, Calif.; two sisters, Marian Pfrang, Goff, and Vernika Azure, Lisbon, N.D.; five brothers, Jerry Stedman, Brooklyn Park, Minn., K. Stedman, Montclair, Calif., Guy Stedman, McHenry, Ill., Pearl Stedman, Goff, and Harry Stedman, Sacramento, Calif.; five grandsons, Bryce, Brock and Bret Overy and A.J. and Patrick Stedman; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Marcheta Arndt, Jimmie Stedman, D. Stedman and R.J. Stedman. Memorial services were held Feb. 25 at Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta, Colo., with Pastor Paul Simon of the Upper Room Fellowship officiating. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home and Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Associated Charities, 517 Colorado Ave., La Junta, CO 81050, directly or though the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.peacockfh.com