Harris K. Clark, born September 13, 1925 in rural eastern Geary County, Kansas, died December 19, 2015 in Salina, Kansas at 90 years of age.
Vigil services will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2015 at the Ryan Mortuary, Salina, Kansas where friends may call. A Mass will be said at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at St. Mary’s Queen of the Universe Catholic Church. Burial will be at 1:30 pm Tuesday in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas. Memorials to an organization of your choice in Harris’s name are suggested.
Harris was an avid aviator, and his fascination with airplanes began at an early age; he started pasting pictures of airplanes into a scrapbook as a three year old. He earned his pilots wings in the United States Navy, was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association and longtime member of the Quiet Birdmen. He enjoyed going to airports and speaking with pilots of all ages. He had friends in many fixed based operations throughout the area and was delighted when one of his grandsons became a pilot.
He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1943 and entered the U.S. Navy in that same year, retiring from the Navy Reserves as a Naval Aviator-Commander in 1969 after 24 years of service. He was a 1951 graduate of Kansas State University with a B.S. in Milling Administration. He began his career at General Mills in Wichita, Kansas and moved back to the homestead to help his father raise stock cattle when his father broke his leg. In the 1950s, his older children remember him coming home for lunch from his job selling grain elevators for Ehrsam in Enterprise, Kansas and bringing silver dollars and candy when he returned from business trips. He later owned an Allis-Chalmers farm equipment dealership in Abilene, Kansas before landing his dream job selling airplanes for United Beechcraft in Wichita, Kansas from where he retired in 1990. His younger children remember his arrival home on Friday afternoons with a bag of laundry and a five pound bag of candy!
He married Margene Farrell on December 26, 1946 and together they had eight children. He is survived by his wife of 69 years and his children: H. Kendall (Dana) Clark, Wichita, Kansas, Theresa Jo (Maure) Weigel, Brookville, Kansas, Ann M. Clark, Denver, Colorado, Tim (Lorna) Clark, Alta Vista, Kansas, Kathy (Jerry) Finan, Salina, Kansas, Shawna (Gene) Millentree, Kansas City, Missouri, Julie M. Clark (David Bosley), Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were a son, Richard Patrick Clark (1973), his parents (Charles Harris Clark and Edith Mabel Clark (Brabb)) a sister, Lorraine Clark and a granddaughter, Genna Millentree.
His sense of humor and charm were a great source of amusement and fun for both his family and friends. He told great stories, preferring to add embellishment when necessary. He was loved. His sparkling blue eyes and smile will be missed.
Harris was born on land homesteaded in 1864 in the house his grandfather built, and in which one of his sons currently lives. The Clark’s were in the business of raising cattle. Harris’s chores as a youngster included feeding hogs and chickens, gathering eggs, bringing in the milk cows from the pasture and wood for the stoves in the house. Only after completing these chores could he listen to the program “Captain Midnight” on the radio. He went to a one-room school house through the eighth grade and finished his education in Junction City and Manhattan, Kansas. In retirement, Harris maintained the acreage and strove to retain the original grasses that were common in the Flint Hills. In 2007, Harris and Margene Clark were granted the Kansas Bankers Association Award for Soil Conservation for their pasture management efforts.
Harris was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary’s Queen of the Universe Catholic Church.
Godspeed, Harris Clark! May you have blue skies and tailwinds forever.
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Larry D. Milleson, 67, of Salina, died Sunday Dec. 13, 2015. He was born April 11, 1948, in Salina, the son of Elmer and Edith (Ashton) Milleson. Larry worked as a furniture mover for several van lines.
He enjoyed fishing, gardening and being outdoors.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; two sons, James and Dale; one daughter, Dianna Craney; two brothers, Glen and Ron; four sisters, Carol Vogan, Joan Neill, Gloria Doerges and Debbie Ingram; and several grandchildren.
The family has chosen cremation, and no services are planned at this time.
Ryan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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Mike DeVore, 63, of Russell, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2015.
There will be a private memorial service.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements.
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James D. O’Rorke, 62, of Salina, passed away Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015. He was born Aug. 14, 1953, at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.
James graduated from Salina South High School in 1972 and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1975, retiring in 1994. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, James L. O’Rorke; mother-in-law, Ruth Traylor; father-in-law, Lyle Traylor; and brother-in-law, Scott Traylor.
Survivors include his wife, Shelly; son, Lyle O’Rorke (Melanie); daughter, Rebecca O’Rorke; granddaughters, Krissy O’Rorke and Autumn Hair; grandson, Stetson O’Rorke; mother, Delores O’Rorke; brother, Rick O’Rorke (Bonita); sister, Janet Shephard; brothers-in-law, Steve Traylor (MaryAnn) and Shad Traylor.
Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Celebration of life and family visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Boomer’s Bar and Grill, 116 S. Broadway, Salina.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the grandchildren’s education fund, and may be left at or sent in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.
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Patricia Jean Dayen, 78, of Salina, passed away Sunday, December 13, 2015. She was born August 22, 1937 in Oakland, CA.
She worked as a clerk for the San Bernardino County Hospital before retiring in 1999.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Amy (Ash) Graham, her husband, Theodore Dayen and her son, Robert Dayen.
Survivors include her son, Stephen (Linda) of Klamath Falls, OR, her two daughters, Bonnie (Oscar) Labra of AZ. and Kathleen (William) Hardesty of Salina; one brother, Richard Graham (Lynn) of Norstrand, MN. two sisters, Barbara (Lou) Henderson of Lancaster, CA., and Kathy (Bear) Hanson of Santa Rosa, CA., seven grandchildren, David and Angela Gaitan, Stephanie (Gaitan) Baker, Joshua and Jeremy Dayen, Ana and Joseph Alvarez and six great grandchildren, Kaden, Alexus and Neil Baker, Keaton and Ethon and Jaydon Rodriguez.
Memorial services will be 11:00am, Monday, December 21, 2015 at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 834 N. 11th St., Salina.
A private family only inurnment will take held at Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina.
Memorials made be made to the church in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402.
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LOST SPRINGS – Wesley R. Fenske, 97, passed away December 19, 2015, at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born near Lincolnville, on April 13, 1918, the son of Otto and Emilie (Kaiser) Fenske. He proudly fought in the Battle of Normandy, during WWII, with the United States Army. On August 1, 1942, he was united in marriage to Pauline Meyer. He farmed near Lost Springs. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, all of his siblings, and a great-granddaughter, Brooke. He is survived by his children: daughters, Frosty Wise (Bob) of Olathe; Margaret Fenske of Blue Springs, MO; and Mary Sharp (Duane) of Blue Springs, MO; sons, John Fenske (Jan) of Valley Center; and Robert Fenske (Liz) of Mulvane; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 1 – 8 p.m., with the family present from 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincolnville. Interment with Military Rites will be in the Lincolnville Cemetery. A Memorial Fund has been established for the St. John’s Lutheran Church, in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm, Marion, KS, 66861.
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Richard L. Wright, son of Orville and Vernita (Trueblood) Wright was born July 14, 1938 in Beloit, Kansas. He passed away on December 17, 2015 at his home. Dick attended school in Glen Elder, and graduated from Ft. Hays College with a business degree. On June 14, 1958, Dick married Carma June Harrison. To this union was born two sons, Bruce Alan and Bryan Lee. Dick was a member of the United Methodist Church, Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge, Isis Shrine Temple, Beloit Lions Club, Beloit Elks Lodge, and the Moose Lodge. Dick worked at Waconda Motors in Cawker City, First Federal Savings, Home Savings, Prudential Insurance, and the Kansas Financial Services. Dick loved camping, fishing, and hunting. Dick and Carma started camping when their boys were young, and loved to have their friends around. Dick liked sitting around a campfire and telling jokes. After he retired, they started taking their camper to Arizona for the winter. Then when their son, Bryan, moved to California, they spent three winters there. Dick loved his grandchildren, and was really proud of them. He loved going to their school and sports activities. They made several trips to Las Vegas to attend the activities of their two grandchildren who lived there. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dick is survived by his wife Carma; two sons, Bruce and wife Karen of Beloit, and Bryan and wife Connie of Palm Desert, California; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren, with one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Tuesday, December 22 at the Beloit First United Methodist Church followed by burial in Glenwood Cemetery in Glen Elder. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Church, Heart Choices, or the Mitchell County Historical Society.
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DORIS BIGLER, 94 died December 20, 2015 at Medicalodge in Clay Center, KS. She was born on October 24, 1921 in Leonardville, KS, the daughter of Harry and May (Bammes) Wickstrum. Doris was raised in the Broughton community. She attended country schools and graduated from CCCHS in 1940. Doris married Warren Bigler on December 26, 1941. She worked as an aide at Medford Manor and as a clerk at Duckwalls for many years. Warren preceded her in death on March 18, 1968. Doris served as a Boy Scout den mother. She is preceded in death by her parents, son, Junior, sister, Mildred Mailen and a granddaughter, Dani Bigler.
Survivors:
Daughter: Warrene and husband Bruce Blake, Clay Center, KS
Daughter: Dorrene and husband Greg King, Clay Center, KS
Son: Dan Bigler, Clay Center, KS
6 Grandchildren, 13 Great-grandchildren and 16 Great-great-grandchildren
Brother Leland Wickstrum, Simi Valley, CA
Sister Marian Olson, Wichita, KS
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, KS
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 from 3-7 PM. The family will greet friends from 4-6 atNeill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, to the Doris Bigler Memorial Fund c/o the funeral home
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Elaine Forsberg, 91, of Assaria, passed away December 20, 2015.
She was born October 28, 1924, the daughter of Elof and Hulda (Johnson) Peterson in Lindsborg, KS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kurtiss Forsberg, infant son, Lawrence Kent Forsberg, brothers: Merle, Harold, Norris, and Duane Peterson, sisters: Helen Eagles and Florence Miller.
Elaine leaves behind many loved ones including her daughters: Debra Spare (Bernie) of St. John, Ellen Ward (Clint) of Tahlequah, OK, sister, Dorothy Johnson of Salina, and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 22, from 4-7 pm with family present from 5-7pm at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 23, at Assaria Lutheran Church, with burial following at Assaria Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be designated for Assaria Lutheran Church or Bethany Home in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington, PO Box 386, Lindsborg, KS 67456.