Obituaries

Joy Ann Lefmann Scheunemann, age 90, of Olathe, Kansas, formerly of Spring Hill, Kansas, passed away on January 8, 2023, in Olathe, Kansas. Joy was born in Lawrence, Kansas to Phillip and Mabel Lefmann on October 30, 1932.

Rita Marie Corbit, 79, Gardner, Kansas passed away Sunday, Januar y 1, 2023 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. Sunday, Januar y 8, 2023 with Rosar y to follow at 6:00 p.m. at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas (913) 856-7111. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Januar y 9, 2023 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 555 W. Main, Gardner, Kansas. Burial at St. Columbia Cemetery, Gardner, Kansas. Condolences may be made to www.brucefuneralhome. com Rita was born in rural Johnson County at Claire, Kansas on July 6, 1943 to Juan Velasquez and Jessie (Ayala) Velasquez. She grew up in the Gardner area and graduated from Gardner High School in 1961. While in high school, Rita was a cheerleader, baton twirler, majorette and member of the band. She worked as a deputy for JOCO Sheriff ’s office and later as an administrative assistant for the City of Olathe. Rita was a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Church. She enjoyed monthly gatherings with her classmates and friends. Rita especially loved spending time with her family and loved one and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Marlin Artie Chanay, 85, Edgerton, Kansas passed away peacefully at his home, Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m.-12 noon, Wednesday, January 4, 2023 with a Celebration of Life to follow at 12:00 p.m. to be held at Bruce Funeral Home,106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas (913) 856-7111. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wellsville Historical Society or the Gardner Historical Museum. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Marlin was born May 7, 1937 in Wellsville, Kansas to Artie W. and Helen Clarissa (King) Chanay. He grew up in Wellsville, graduating from Wellsville High School in 1955. Marlin owned a truck line for 18 years, worked for Central Fiber, sold insurance and was a real estate salesman for Santa Fe Realty in 1988. He married Betty S. Losher in Edgerton, Kansas on January 6, 1989. Marlin was loved and respected by his family. He always had a story to tell and was a collector of everything. Marlin was an avid KU fan. He was a member of the Gardner Rotary Club, Gardner Edgerton Chamber, Wellsville Historical Society and JOCO Fair Board. Marlin will be missed by his family and anyone fortunate to call him a friend.

Donald “Don” Green of Spring Hill, KS, passed away at Olathe Medical Center on December 27, 2022. A visitation will be held at Bruce Funeral Home in Spring Hill on Monday, January 2, from 4-7 p.m. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, at LifeSpring Church in Spring Hill. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, KS 66083 (913) 592-2244. Don was born in Kansas City, MO, on March 7, 1942. He spent several years of his childhood in California before moving to Spring Hill with his family at the start of high school. In Don’s own words, the best thing that ever happened to him came shortly after when he was 14 and met fellow high schooler Mary Hiatt. He fell for her immediately, and with a little help from Elvis crooning “Love Me Tender,” she fell right back. The pair married on August 14, 1959, and set up their home in Spring Hill. They soon welcomed the first of their three children, Lesia. Sharon came next and was followed by Larry (who sadly passed away as an infant). Don once described their early time as parents as “staggering, fun and scary all rolled into one.” He wondered if two people as young as he and Mary could really handle all of this responsibility, and the answer was a resounding yes. Don worked hard to provide for his family, putting in shifts on the battery production line at Delco while also subbing as a rural letter carrier at the Spring Hill Post Office. He eventually started as a full-time letter carrier in 1973 and enjoyed delivering mail to the Spring Hill residents on Route 2 all the way

Sheila Margaret Kelly, 79, Gardner, Kansas passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at Silvercrest at College View. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. both held at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas (913) 856-7111. Burial in Gardner Cemetery, Gardner, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson County Library Foundation Box 2933, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Sheila was born in Rutland, England on July 6, 1943, to Ronald and Dorothy (Ward) Asquith. She grew up in England and graduated from high school. Afterward, she attended a trade school and learned clerical skills. Sheila married Roger Kelly on December 26, 1964, in Banbury, England. They began their life together in the United States. She was a devoted homemaker raising her family. Sheila and Roger moved from Olathe to Gardner in 2001 and were members of the Open Table Community Church, Wellsville, Kansas. Sheila was an avid reader who had a passion for solving word searches and playing bingo. She enjoyed people and traveling with Roger in their RV. They often brought their cat, Mika with them on trips. She cherished the times they traveled back to England to visit her family.

Freddie Dwayne Kirk, 80, of Edgerton, KS. passed away peacefully in his sleep November 23, 2022. Visitation will be Friday, December 2, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, KS. 66030. Funeral service will Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at New Life Community Church, 17935 S. Moonlight Rd. Gardner, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the COPD Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Fred was born September 21, 1942 to Hubert Fred and Mary Jean (Holtzman) Kirk, in Ottawa, KS. and grew up in the Gardner -Edgerton area. He attended Gardner High School where he played sports and met the love of his life, Nancy Ray, who he later married. They have three children: Kimberly, Scott and Robbie. Fred and Nancy celebrated 60 years of marriage in May, 2022. They have 9 grand-kids and 19 great-grand-kids.

Todd Alexander Dorsey died peacefully in his sleep and at home Nov. 29 at the age of 39.

Judith A. Boline, 81, Olathe, Kansas passed away Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Goshen Home Care, Overland Park, Kansas. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 17, 2022 at New Life Community Church, 17935 S. Moonlight Rd, Gardner, Kansas. Inurnment in Gardner Cemetery, Gardner, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Life Community Church. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Judith was born on August 4, 1941 in Allen, Kansas to Merle D. and Luella Beth (Leavell) Simmons. She grew up in Allen, Kansas and graduated in 1959 from Northern Heights High School where she was a cheerleader. Judith married Leonard Boline on August 30, 1959 in Allen, Kansas. Judith followed her husband’s career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company They lived in Lawrence, Topeka, Carbondale and Wamego. Later they moved to Colby, Kansas where she raised her children, supporting them through their school years and activities. She formed community relationships while working as a pharmacy assistant and at Colby Medical Clinic. Judith and Leonard lived in Gardner 40 years and before moving to the Kansas City area. She was a member of New Life Community Church, Bible Study Fellowship, Women’s Bible Study and PEO. Judith was a storyteller at local libraries and a Youth Friends volunteer. Judith was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Carol Bryson, Lawrence Simmons and Martha Simmons and daughter-inlaw Cindy Boline. She is survived by her husband Leonard; children: Adrian Patrick Bolin, Spring Hill, Kansas, Robin Bruce (Kim) Boline, Olathe, Kansas, Beth Ann (Martin) Cramer, Springfield, Misssouri and Leonard Chad (Stacy) Boline, Spring Hill, Kansas; siblings: Bruce (Thom) Simmons, Susan (Chuck) Partridge and David (Connie) Simmons; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren

E. Carolyn Rankin, 88, of Gardner, passed away November 25, 2022. Funeral services will be held 10:00am Friday, December 2, 2022 at Bruce Funeral Home 106 S. Center Gardner, Kansas. Burial follows at Gardner Cemetery. Visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00pm Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Bruce Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Historical Museum. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Carolyn was born September 24, 1934 to Chester Arthur and Elma Violet (Hermon) Hoffine on a farm northeast of Gardner. She was a life-long Gardner area resident. Carolyn married T. Harold “Bunnee” Rankin on May 14, 1954 in rural Gardner. She was a partner in her husband’s home construction business and helped manage their rental properties for many years. Carolyn was a seamstress and enjoyed painting, she took a number of classes at the Kansas City Art Institute in 1952-53. Carolyn was a member of the Gardner Church of Christ. She loved her family and friends and will be dearly missed. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and brother Harold C. Hoffine. She is survived by her children: Glenda and Robbie Grogan, Gardner, KS, Paula and Marty James, Boonville, MO and Brad and Nancee Rankin, Gardner, KS; eight grandchildren: Landon, Kalena, Adrienne, Caleb, Jordan, Chelsie, Dylan and Isabella; 8 great-grandchildren; and her sister and brother- in-law, Marilyn and Bill Ford of Lee’s Summit, MO.

Debbie Kay Kimmey, 64, Gardner, Kansas passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at her home, after a year long battle of Glioblastoma brain cancer. There will be a celebration of life at Debbie’s home on December 10, 2022, openhouse style, from 1pm4pm. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome. com Debbie was born March 15, 1958 in Red Bluff, California to James Kenneth and Pauline Gertrude (Van Gilder) Irey. She graduated from Del Campo High School, Fair Oaks, California. Debbie attended cosmetology school. She owned and operated Deb’s Hair Design in Olathe for 25 years. Debbie loved what she did and had a large close1knit clientele, that all became lifelong friends of hers. Debbie also loved travel, music, wine and savory food. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her daughter Madison Smith and husband Patrick, Gardner, Kansas; sister Vicki Irey, Piedmont, Oklahoma; brother Russell Skidmore, Grants Pass, Oregon and two grandchildren.