![CarlsonGeis-300x211]()
OGDEN – The Most Rev. George K. Fitzsimons, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina from 1984 to 2004, died Sunday, July 28, 2013, at his home in Ogden. He was born Sept. 4, 1928, in Kansas City, Mo., to George Kinzie and Margaret Mary (Donovan) Fitzsimons.
Survivors include his sister, Margaret Muckenthaler and husband Francis J., of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; brother-in-law, Allan Molgaard and wife Mary Ellen, of Las Vegas; and nieces and nephews, Peggy Jordan, Richard Muckenthaler, Karen Muckenthaler, Cathy Wilcox, Christopher Molgaard, Anne Kisslinger, Ann Foley and Maggie Mordi.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Jane Molgaard, formerly of Torrance, Calif., and Helen Jaeger, formerly of Galena, Ill.
Bishop Fitzsimons attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Rockhurst High School and College, all in Kansas City, Mo., before entering Conception Seminary College, Conception, Mo. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 18, 1961, by Cardinal John Cody, then bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Mo.
Before entering the seminary, Bishop Fitzsimons was employed at City National Bank from 1948 to 1950, then served as a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954, during which time he was a pilot. He was a real estate salesman after his service in the Navy, prior to entering the seminary in 1956.
Bishop Fitzsimons was associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. James Parish, Liberty, Mo., and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Kansas City, Mo. On March 10, 1970, he was appointed chancellor of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. He then was appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph on Aug. 14, 1974.
On May 27, 1975, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. His episcopal ordination took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on July 3, 1975. While serving as auxiliary bishop, he also was appointed pastor of Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, Mo., on June 21, 1978.
Bishop Fitzsimons was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Salina on March 25, 1984, and was installed on May 29, 1984, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina by Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Salina until his retirement on Oct. 21, 2004. Upon retirement, he relocated to Ogden, where he continued to minister generously to the people of God.
Previous other assignments for Bishop Fitzsimons included chaplain for the Catholic students at Kansas City Junior College; chaplain for Catholic students at William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo.; teacher at St. Pius X High School, Loretto Academy and Lillis High School, all in Kansas City; chaplain at Avila College, Kansas City; chaplain to the Serra Club; diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for approximately 10 years; director of the Papal Volunteers and Extension Volunteers; and assistant master of ceremonies and spiritual director of the Southern Curia of the Legion of Mary.
A wake will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina, with Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger officiating.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, celebrated by Bishop Weisenburger, visiting bishops, priests of the Diocese of Salina and visiting clergy. Interment will take place in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Salina following the Mass.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Cleo F. Brown, 92, of Salina, died Monday, July 29, 2013. She was born April 2, 1921, in Garfield County, Okla., to Harold E. and Beulah (Brown) Neill. In her spare time, she loved to ride motorcycles and was a member of the Retreads.
Preceded in death: brothers, Virgil and Leo Neill, and a sister, Helen Hedrick.
Survivors: daughter, Opal (Fred) Anderson; brother, Glen (Carolyn) Neill; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, with visitation from noon until service time, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Burial: Bennington Cemetery in Bennington after the service.
Memorials: to the family.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Andrea S. McMurray, 29, of Salina, died Friday July 26, 2013. She was born May 21, 1984, in Batesville, Ark., the daughter of John Loseman Jr. and Claire (Weeks) Taylor. She was a registered nurse.
Survivors include a daughter, Madelynn McMurray, of Salina; father, John Loseman Jr., of Batesville; mother, Claire Taylor and stepfather Mike Taylor, of Salina; three sisters, Heather Kelpine, of Oklahoma City, Judy Loseman, of Batesville, and Tiffanie Goodson, of Oklahoma City.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday July 31, at the Higher Praise Church, Salina.
There will be no visitation, as cremation was chosen.
Memorials may be made to the church.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
John H. Coleman, 85, of South Hutchinson, passed away July 27, 2013. He was born in Topeka, KS, July 16, 1928, to Dewey and Freda Wilhelmina (Snook) Coleman. John married Loretta (Bell) Coleman in 1953. John served as a medic in the US Army for six years. After his military career, John worked as an electrician until he retired. In his spare time he loved to hunt and fish.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his daughter; Sylvia Diane and Thomas Edward Owen of Hutchinson, KS; sister, Wilma Stilley of Washington, NC; niece: Carol Michael of Strasburg, VA; nephew: Raymond Stilley of Winston-Salem, NC and several great-nieces and newphews
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 30, from 4 to 8 pm, at Ryan Mortuary. Graveside services will be Wednesday, July 31, at 10 am at the Walnut Grove Cemetery, Culver, KS. Memorials may be made to ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Angela Victoria Peterson, 97, of Salina, died Friday, July 26, 2013. She was born March 6, 1916, in Assaria, the daughter of Anton and the Lillie (Olson) Thompson. She was a secretary for Salina USD 305 and worked at Lowell grade school and South High. She married Vincent Ivan Peterson on Nov. 9, 1941. He preceded her in death in 2010. She was also preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
Angela was an active and faithful member of Salina Bible Church, where she served in AWANA, Sunday school, Missionary Helpers and many other areas. She had the gift of hospitality, so everyone always found an open door to their home with good meals and warm fellowship, especially family and friends. Her family was her pride and joy, and many great memories were created with wonderful family vacations in Minnesota, Amana, Ill., and Hawaii, and many other locations. All of her family loved her deeply.
She is survived by a daughter, Judy Nevin and husband, John, Hutchinson; a son, Steve Peterson and wife, Chris, of Rockford, Ill.; grandchildren, Julie Nevin, of Olathe, Jennifer Heck, (Jason), of Las Vegas, Lindsey Fitzjerrells (Matthew), of Geneva, Ill., Ashley Williams (Cory), of Rockford, and Courtney Werthman (Steve), Rockford; six special greatgrandchildren, Madyson, Ashlynn, Aubreigh, and Breckin Heck, Noah Fitzjerrells and Reese Williams; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at the Salina Bible Church. Burial will be in the Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. today, July 29, at the Ryan Mortuary, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.. Memorials are suggested to the Salina Bible Church or Hospice House of Reno County.