Thomas Franklyn Creech, son of Paul Mark Creech and Lucile Naomi (Harman) Creech, was born near Licking MO on July 4, 1931. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Anne Creech; his father and mother; a brother, Wright Harman Creech; and two sisters, Grace Eva Falkenrath and Mary Lee Weber. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Yvonne Creech of the home in Salina, KS; a son, Thomas Franklyn Creech Jr. and wife Donna of West Plains, MO; two daughters, Sherry Lynn Hamilton and husband David of Salina, KS and Susan Beth White of Hutchinson, KS; one sister, Nora Naomi Watson and husband Wilber of O’Fallon, MO; three brothers, Paul Mark Creech Jr. and wife Carmen of Sequim, WA, Lewis Laine Creech and wife Bonnie of Longview, TX and Danny Lynn Creech and wife Brenda of Rolla, MO; seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom and Yvonne were married in Kansas City, MO on December 2 1951. While doing his military duty with the US Army and US Army Reserves and attaining rank of Sergeant First Class (Acting First Sergeant) they moved to Kansas City, KS where he worked for the Kansas City Terminal Rail Yard for a short time. While attending Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS and earning his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering he worked as an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering at the University. In 1965 they moved to Salina, KS where he was involved in establishing Shilling Institute (aka Kansas Technical Institute, aka Kansas College of Technology) which is now known as Kansas State University-Salina. They moved to Licking, MO in 1975, returning a year later to Salina in 1976, where he was appointed president of the college. In 1985 he returned to the class room to do what he loved best, teaching. After retiring in 1996 with rank of Full Professor-Emeritus status, they moved to Lindsborg, KS and later moved back to Salina where they established their retirement home.
Tom’s deep faith in God and Christ made him a spiritual pillar and his home was a safe haven for all of his beloved friends and loved ones. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Ryan Mortuary, Salina. The family will receive friends the hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.
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Carl Ivan Nichols, 89, of Salina, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. He was born March 11, 1926, near Mentor to Carl and Alma (Swanson) Nichols. He was a farmer and rancher.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army with the 42nd Rainbow Division in France and Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart. On Aug. 29, 1948, he married Lois J. Pfeifer at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salina.
Carl was a member of Mentor United Methodist Church, Lindsborg Masonic Lodge, Consistory, Isis Shrine, lifetime member of the Purple Heart Chapter and attended a number of Rainbow Division reunions. He also went on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gordon and James; sister, Rosalie Sylvester; and grandson, Brock Nichols.
Survivors include his wife, Lois J.; sons, Mike Nichols and wife Diana, Scott Nichols and wife Diana, all of Assaria, and Joe Nichols and wife Dianne, of Canyon, Texas; brother, Douglas Nichols and wife Cindy, of Palco; grandchildren, Bart Nichols and wife Krystal, Ryan Nichols, Emmy Lou Wilkey and husband Trevor; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, with family receiving friends from 6-8, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.
Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. at Mentor United Methodist Church, Mentor.
The family suggests memorials to Mentor United Methodist Church, Tammy Walker Cancer Center or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements.
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Lois M. Wheeler, 72 of Russell, Kansas passed away Monday, November 17, 2015 at the Great Bend Regional Hospital in Great Bend, Kansas.
Lois was a Beautician for over 50 years and was owner and operator of Lois’ Beauty Shop in Russell.
Surviving family include her husband of 45 years, Dean Wheeler of the home; brother, Gilbert Meyeres (Frances) of Downs, Kansas; brother-in-law, Robert Wheeler of Portis, Kansas; and sister-in-law, Beverly Roskilly (Jamie) of Salina, Kansas.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. Private burial of ashes will follow at a later date. Visitation will be from 9 AM to service time, Saturday at the church. A Memorial has been established with Russell Council of Catholic Women. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.