Jeri Ann Sparks, 55, of Salina, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, after a brief stay at Kenwood View Nursing Home. Her family and friends wish her a beautiful life in the great beyond.
After graduating from Brown Mackie College in 1988, Jeri worked as a staff accountant and payroll clerk for Brown Welding Supply of Salina. When the company was purchased by Airgas USA, LLC, she worked for the hydrogen division as a primary dispatch contact. Most recently, she was the branch coordinator and roving branch assistant for Airgas.
A native of Minneola, Jeri was the third child and first daughter born to Carl and Lorene Sparks. She grew up on the family farm south of Minneola and attended Minneola Public Schools.
Her work and recreational travels took her across the country and fed her quest for adventure. She loved being by the water and was able to return to Carmel, Calif., one of her favorite vacation sites, last fall.
She organized a trip to Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta this past October and achieved her goal of gathering her three siblings and their spouses for a vacation that created cherished memories.
Friends and family frequently speak of her engaging personality — dramatic, yet introverted; tenacious, yet giving. But she hated mosquitoes.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her two brothers, David Sparks, of Lawrence, and Alan (Alison) Sparks, of Englewood, Colo.; her sister, Nancy (Craig) Groth, of Satanta; twin cousins, Michelle (Doug) Simpson, of Moore, Okla., and Richelle Naiman, of Oklahoma City. Additional survivors who meant the world to her were her four nieces and her life partner, Mike Gibbs, of Salina.
Her memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina. An additional service will be held in Minneola at a later date. She has been cremated, and her ashes will be scattered at a private location on the family farm south of Minneola.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Jeri’s memorial choices: Tammy Walker Cancer Center or Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund, and may be left in care of the mortuary.
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HUTCHINSON — George J. Zakostelsky, 90, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in Hutchinson. George was born May 21, 1925, on a farm near Cuba, Kan., to Stanley and Marie (Kalivoda) Zakostelsky.
George left the farm during the Korean War to serve four years in the U.S. Air Force, spending part of that time in Japan and Korea. Upon his discharge, he was employed by Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, and was a federal civil service employee at McCord Air Base, Tacoma, Wash. He returned to Kansas, where he was employed with the Department of Human Resources in Salina for 27 years, retiring in 1987.
In 1978, he married Lucille Bates. She preceded him in death.
In 2013, he married Juanita Relph, who survives. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Cheri (Brian) Bergmeier, Willie Relph and Tom (Betty) Relph; six stepgrandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; four nieces and nephews, Louise Ann (Jerry) Terrill, Raymond Bednar, Steve (Peggy) Zukowske and Barbara (Duane) Hill; and three cousins, Irene Hubbard, James Kalivoda and Franklin (Maurene) Rytych.
He also was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be announced at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Mennonite Friendship Communities, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Salina VFW Post 1432.
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Margaret S. Emmot
(September 4, 1915 – March 10, 2016)
Cremation has taken place and funeral arrangements are pending.
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Maurine J. Johnson, 96, of Lindsborg, passed away March 11, 2016 at Bethany Home, Lindsborg.
She was born in December 22, 1919, daughter of Wilbert and Grace Lough Anderson in Burdick, KS.
She taught at Southeast of Saline for many years.
Maurine married LaVern Johnson, November 11, 1945 in Burdick.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, LaVern, and brother, Forrest Anderson
Survivors include her son, Dr. Bruce (Val) Johnson, Salina; daughter, Janet (Douglas) Butler, Wilmove, Kentucky, six grandchildren: Rebecca (Scott) Murphy, Rachel (David) Edmondson, Mark (Krissie) Butler, and Matthew Butler, Aaron (Jamie) Johnson, Bethany (Michael) Theis, and seven great-grandchildren: Shawn, Michael, and Sarah Grace Murphy, Madison Theis, Gabrielle and Bailey Theis, and Eli Arthur Johnson.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 14, from 4-7pm with family present from 5-7pm at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg.
Private family burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg, with a Memorial Service following at 2pm Tuesday, March 15, at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Lindsborg.
Memorials may be designated to the Evangelical Covenant Church, Bethany Home, or Lindsborg Community Hospital in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.