Obituaries

Doris Jean Vervynck, 90, of Gardner, KS, passed away April 6, 2023 at Santa Marta Nursing Home. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm April 13, 2023 at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S.

Marie Eileen Middleton, 75, Wellsville, Kansas passed away Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, Kansas 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wayside Waifs or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in the name of Marie Middleton. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Marie was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 7, 1947 to Frank Louis and Ruth Eileen (Brown) Yelton. She grew up in Chicago where she graduated from high school. Marie moved to Edgerton in the 1960’s and then Olathe and Gardner. She later moved to Colorado and then Wellsville. Marie married Paul Victor Middleton in Kansas City, Missouri on October 1, 1978. She worked at JOCO Correctional Facility as a head cook and supervisor. Marie enjoyed creating jewelry and crafts. She loved to make candy and give it to family and friends. Marie had a passion for canning the vegetables from her garden. Marie was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Denise. She is survived by her husband Paul Victor Middleton of the home; sons: Robert Alexander (Stacey) Scobey, Overland Park, Kansas, Joseph Michael (Danedri) Herbert, Gardner, Kansas and Paul Jacob (Danelle) Herbert, Overland Park, Kansas; soninlaw Rick Frahler, Littleton, Colorado; step daughter Susan (Stan) Bennett; Sisters: Paulene, Julie and Patty; grandchildren: Alex, Ashleigh, Daniel, Savannah, Kaitlin and Nate and three great grandchildren.

Rondel “Joe” Joplin, 79, Gardner, Kansas passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Villa St. Francis, Olathe, Kansas.

James “Pops” Eugene Richards, 90, Spring Hill, Kansas passed away at his home on Friday, March 10, 2023. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2023 at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center Street, Gardner, Kansas (913) 856-7111. Burial will be at Wellsville Cemetery, Wellsville, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City, MO. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com James was born in Scottsville, Kansas on December 20, 1932 to Fred James and Florence Hazel (Alsop) Richards. He grew up in Scottsville KS and graduated from Beloit High School in 1950. James was a United States Navy Veteran, serving from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. He married Dorothy Jane Lauderback in Beloit, Kansas on August 31, 1957. James was an Air Traffic Controller for 18 years in Los Angeles,CA and Kansas City. James was the owner/operator of Snap on Tools, Wellsville, Kansas. He worked 10 years for USDA in Kansas City, MO. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, Beloit, Kansas, American Legion Post #19, Gardner, Kansas and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Kansas City, Missouri. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. James liked traveling, camping and boating at lakes. He was very good at painting duck decoys. James will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Lorita (Rita) June Pyle 86, Gardner KS, passed away Monday, March 6, 2023 at Wellsville Health & Rehab, Wellsville, KS. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date with Inurnment in Reading Cemetery, Reading, KS. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Rita was born in Reading, KS., August 13, 1936. She was born to Preston T and Roberta J. Sells. Rita grew up and graduated from Reading High School in 1954. After high school, Rita worked at Southwestern Bell in Emporia, KS, until she married David L. Pyle, also from Reading, in 1956. Together they had 3 children, Kevin, Kirk and Kim. Rita and Dave lived in several areas but settled in Gardner, KS in 1973. Rita loved cooking and worked in the food industry most of her adult life. She worked in food service at USD 231 for fifteen years and also worked as a manager in the Myron Green Cafeteria at North Supply.

Nadine C. Larrick, 98, of Wellsville, Kansas passed away March 4, 2023 at the Wellsville Retirement Community. Visitation will be held 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church, 138 E. Shawnee, Gardner, KS with the funeral service following at 11:30 a.m. Burial follows at Edgerton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Youth Group. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com.

Alene Jean (Leecy) Anderson passed away on Feb. 3, 2023 at Sunrise Senior Living of Overland Park. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas (913)856-7111. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, 138 E. Shawnee St, Gardner, Kansas, followed by a graveside service at Gardner Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Gardner, KS. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Alene was born on Feb. 13, 1925 at Wellsville, Kansas, oldest daughter of John C. Leecy and Mildred E. (Langdon) Leecy. Alene’s childhood was spent in the Wellsville, KS area and she graduated from Wellsville Rural High with the Class of 1943. Following graduation, Alene started working at North America Aviation in Kansas City, KS where she was a “Rosie the Riveter” assembling B-25 Mitchells operating her rivet gun for the WWII effort. While working in Kansas City, KS she shared a room with another young lady who had a cousin serving overseas in the US Navy. A US Mail romance was started. After the war ended, Alene flew to Corpus Christi, TX where on Nov. 23, 1945 she married this young sailer, Kenneth H. Anderson. Alene and Ken were married for more than 62 years till his passing in December 2007. Alene and Ken in 1946 were transferred from Corpus Christi NAS to Olathe NAS and Alene has resided in the Gardner area since. Born and raised of this union were four children who all survive her: Kenneth Lynn (Sue) of Olathe, James William (Donna) of Newton and the twins, Alan Dean (Mary) of Fort Mill, SC and Nancy Jean Brooks (Carl) of Olathe. Throughout her children’s childhood Alene was involved in many school and First Presbyterian Church activities and served as an Elder and Deacon for her church. Alene was a room mother, PTA member, Bible school teacher, Sunday school teacher and attended many school and church events. T

Kevin G. Hollingshead, 54, Gardner, Kansas passed away at Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, Kansas on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Cremation with inurnment will be at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to Olathe Hospice House. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Kevin was born on Sept. 9, 1968 in Kansas City, Missouri to Darrell G. and Solene Kay (Hanna) Hollingshead. He graduated from Olathe South High School in 1987. Kevin was a self- employed plumber. He was an artist who loved the out-doors and landscaping.

Gene Linder passed away on 1/17/2023. Born 4/11/1931, Gene lived life to the fullest for all his 91 years.

Mason D. Ormsby was born in Kansas City, MO., on April 7, 1940, the son of I.M. Ormsby and Edna L. Ormsby. He died on January 8, 2023 at Center Point Care Center, Lenexa, KS. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023 in the Chapel at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208. Mason will be cremated and there will be a private burial at the Gardner Cemetery, at a future date. Donations may be made to Village Presbyterian Church, K U Endowment, Lakeview Village Foundation or Kansas City Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Mason’s early years were spent in Gardner, Ks; he graduated from Gardner High School in 1958, where he enjoyed playing sports, was Student Council President and an Eagle Scout. Following high school, he went to and graduated from the University of Kansas (School of Pharmacy) in 1963. He met Diana (his wife) when they both were students at K.U. While at K.U., he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and served as president of the chapter. He practiced pharmacy for a short time and then went on to spend the rest of his career with Eli Lilly & Company and retired in 1999. His career with Lilly involved many corporate transfers throughout the country and contributed to Mason and Diana’s appreciation to travel.