If you have any obituaries published before 1923 that you would like to contribute to the page, please send them to me and I will add them. Obituaries published after 1922 will be abstracted to avoid copyright violations.
Lee Franklin Cairns, 70, Solomon, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006; born Jan. 19, 1936, in Abilene, the son of Jay and Minnie (Meade) Cairns; survivors include his former wife and best friend, Judy Cairns of the home; five daughters, Cynthia Keel of Appleton, Wis., Linda Tiamuli of Mount Home, Idaho, Ruthie Garrett and Kimberly Davis, both of Salina, and Sharon Frase of Solomon; two stepsons, Donald Lee Colten of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Kenneth Colten of Tustin, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Donna Johnson of Salina and Tammy Vollmar of Austin, Texas; one brother, Jay C. Cairns of Abilene; 25 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; preceded in death by three brothers, Bob Cairns, Marvin Cairns and Jim Cairns; and three sisters, Roberta Nelson, Shirley Picking and Darlene Underwood; burial in Prairie Dale Cemetery.
(abstract Abilene Reflector Chronicle)
Lucille Irene Cairns, 83, Abilene, died Saturday, July 29, 2006; born Jan. 13, 1923, in Enterprise, the daughter of Emil Olaf and Ella (Gardner) Forslund; married Robert Cairns in June 26, 1949; they divorced in 1963; survivors include three daughters, Judith Bartlett of Salina, Barbara Andres of New Cambria and Diana Stout of Abilene; one son, Steven Cairns of Abilene; one sister, Grace Smith of New Cambria; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; preceded in death by one son, Michael; one brother; and five sisters; burial in Abilene Cemetery.
(abstract Abilene Reflector Chronicle)
William Verle "Billy" Cairns, 55, McPherson, died Sunday, April 16, 2006; born Aug. 16, 1950, in Abilene, the son of Marvin and Laura (Allen) Cairns; married Linda Jacobs on Sept. 19, 1969; survivors include four daughters, Melinda Cairns, Billie Gunter and Jennifer Lansaw, all of McPherson, and Christina Miller of Canton; his mother, Laura Carignan of Abilene; three sisters, Susie Schmutz of Wichita, Mary Cairns of Abilene and Cathy Krisher of Lincoln; two brothers, Dean Cairns and David Cairns, both of Abilene; and five grandchildren; burial in Prairiedale Cemetery.
(abstract Abilene Reflector Chronicle)
The Rev. Ernest M. Caldwell, rector of St. John's Episcopal church, died at Halstead Hospital on Sunday, May 7, 1961, after suffering a heart attack three weeks ago. Born in Nova Scotia, he attended Kings' College in Halifax. He was ordained a priest in the Episcopal church in 1934, and served churches in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Sandusky, MI and Trenton, MI, Great Bend, KS and had been at Abilene since September, 1959. Survivors include his wife, Miriam of the home; one son, Peter of Emporia; one daughter Barbara (Mrs. Delbert) Johnson of Emporia; one brother, Avery Caldwell of Ontario; two sisters, Mrs. Mildren Llorens and Mrs. Arthur Akins, both of Falmouth, NC; and one grandson, Jeffrey. Services will be will be Wednesday at St. John's Episcopal church, Abilene, with burial in the Abilene Cemetery.
(abstract Abilene Reflector Chronicle)
Died, the six-months old son of
Mr. and Mrs. Mac Campbell. The
funeral was held from the residence at
3 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. W. D.
Christian conducting the services.
(Abilene Reflector 2-16-1888)
John Burton Carouthers, 58, formerly of Chapman, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2001, at San Antonio, Texas; born Dec. 24, 1942, in Los Angeles, the son of Andrew Burton and Bertha D. Mace Carouthers; survivors include his wife, Mari Hernandez, at home; a son, Michael Vesciano, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and a grandchild; burial in Indian Hill Cemetery in Chapman.
(abstract Topeka Capital Journal)
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Died, in Abilene, Kansas, June 7th, 1885, Mrs.
Ella Hinman Carpenter, in her 34th year.
On Sunday afternoon last our community was startled by a rumor of
the sudden death of Mrs. G. W. Carpenter, which proved to be a sad and
shocking truth. Mrs. Carpenter was in
her usual health, had been out riding the
previous evening, performed her daily
round of household duties on that morning, nor had any complaint from her
been heard by the family. Her husband
left her in the morning engaged in
household work, well, as he supposed,
and in good spirits. She retired to her
room about noon to take a bath, at
which time her little boy was in the
habit of taking a nap. He came as
usual for his sleep, but her sisters tried
to persuade him from going in, but he
persisted, whereupon they went to the
door to listen, and not hearing any sound
supposed that she was through with
her bath and had layed down to sleep,
so they then persuaded the little fellow
to go in another room. When Mr. Carpenter returned home, about 2 o'clock,
he went to the room for a handkerchief
and found her lying on the bed apparently asleep, not having taken her bath,
but in soothing the little one on its
awakening he observed her strange appearance and discoloration about the
neck. Drs. King and Garcelon were
called at once but all efforts to restore
her to consciousness were vain. It is
supposed that on entering the room she
was suddenly attacked with heart disease, and lying down upon the bed,
became unconscious and quietly breathed
her life away, without a struggle or
shadow of pain. Mrs. Carpenter was
a woman of rare excellence, gentle, re
fined, genial and winning. Her realm
was home, and there she will be most
deeply mourned and missed. Her devotion as wife and mother was the
crown of her adorning, and in all the
relations of life as daughter, sister,
friend and neighbor, she was loving,
true and kind. In her immediate family there are left to mourn an
irreparable loss, seven little children, her husband, mother and two sisters, who in
an unusual degree have the sympathy
of all.
The funeral services of Mrs. G. W.
Carpenter will take place at the family
residence Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mrs. S. E. Wheeler, of South
Bloomfield, N. Y. will arrive to-day to attend
the funeral of her daughter, Mrs. Carpenter.
A sad visit for her. (Abilene Reflector, 6-11-1885)
Max A. Chase, 63, died Monday, Sept. 27, 2004, in Abilene; born Feb. 9, 1941, at Abilene, the son of
Lowell O. and Alice E. (Dickinson) Chase; married Linda S. Everett April 25,
1964, at Platte City, Mo; preceded in death by one sister, Linda May Craig Jan.
26, 1971 and his father, Lowell O. Chase May 25, 1991; survivors include his wife Linda Chase of the home; one
daughter, Carrie Ann Sprouse and husband Will of Enterprise;
one son, Kyle Chase of Abilene; his mother, Alice Chase of
Abilene; one brother, Kenneth M. Chase of Talmage; and three
grandchildren; burial in the Prairiedale Cemetery at
Talmage.
(abstract Clay Center Dispatch)
Herbert W. Christian, 82, of Abilene died Jan. 9, 2003; was born on Oct. 8, 1920, in California, Mo., the son of Leonard and Ollie (Ballance) Christian; married Roxie Bernice Gary, and they made their home in Abilene; she preceded him in death on June 4, 1998; also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters; survivors include one brother, Kenneth O. Christian of St. Paul, Minn., nieces, nephews and other relatives; burial
at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.
(abstract Junction City Daily Union)
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Frank D. Collins, 86, lifelong resident of Herington, died May 25, 2004; born April 19, 1918, at Herington, the son of Charles E. and Elsie D. (Halleck) Collins; married Donna R. Fall, on Jan. 13, 1951, at Herington, and she survives of Herington; also is survived by two (2) daughters, Nancy Cox and husband Mike of Harmony, Minn. and Janet Smith and husband Bill of Salina; and a grandson John Cox of Harmony, Minn.; preceded in death by an infant daughter Linda Jolene Collins; a brother, Robert Collins; a sister Irene Payne and his parents; burial at the Sunset Hill Cemetery.
(abstract Junction City Daily Union)
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While Tom Collins, a well-known
old-timer of the city, was returning
about noon from a farm which he has
been working north of the city he
dropped dead, it is supposed from a
stroke of heart disease, when opposite
the farm of R. Southworth, near
the college.
The body was first seen by A. S.
Sherwood, who passing thought the
man was asleep, the team having
stopped by the roadside and the dead
man being sprawled naturally across
the seat. Death must have come to
him instantly for there was not the
least indication of suffering or struggle.
Mr. Sherwood came to the city about 2
o'clock and notified Coroner Keller by
whose orders the body was taken to
Mr. C's former home in East Fourth
street. The coroner and county
attorney decided that no inquest was
necessary.
Mr. Collins has lived here since the
cattle days and was known to
nearly everybody. His wife and several
children survive him.
~~~
The funeral services over the remains of Tom Collins were held at the
house on E. 4th street this afternoon;
the interment being in the Abilene cemetery. The Golden Belt lodge of Odd
Fellows conducted the ceremony. (Abilene Reflector, Aug. 8, 1889)
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A son of Sylvester Collins, 6 years of
age, died Thursday morning of the
scarlet fever. It is a severe loss to the
parents, brother and sisters.
(Abilene Reflector 1-5-1888)
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The sad news of the death of
James Conner, brother of Mrs. T. H.
Malott, at Ludlow, Kentucky, was received this morning. He passed away
a little after sunrise, having been ill
but a short time (Abilene Reflector, July 17, 1889) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapman--The infant children of J. P. Scherer
and W. D. Connor were both buried
during the last week. The sympathy
of the community is extended to the
bereaved families. (Abilene Reflector, 2-12-1885)
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Eleanor M. Conroy, 80, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001, at Topeka; born Jan. 9, 1921, in Herington, to Henry and Lena Young Vahsholtz; married Kenneth Conroy on Oct. 17, 1955, at Emporia. He survives, as well as a son, David Conroy, Topeka; a daughter, Linda Shaffer, Topeka; a sister, Hattie Rathke, Americus; and three brothers, Henry Vahsholtz, Americus, and Milton Vahsholtz and Alfred Vahsholtz, both of Emporia; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.
(abstract Topeka Capital Journal)
Josiah Cook, a brave and true soldier
of 1812, died at the poor house Aug. 7, and
was buried in the potters field at the cemetery Saturday afternoon. Perhaps the pearly gates
opened as wide for him and the joy
among the angels were as great as if he
had been a king and received a king's
burial. Yet he went to his grave unhonored, unwept and unsung. This
man whose services had been recognized
eas honorable and faithful, whose
body was furrowed with leaden scars,
whose deeds, though not carved in brass
or marble, had won for him the title of
"a good and obedient soldier," and
whose conduct had caused him long
years ago to be placed upon the government roll as a pensioner, is forced by
his inhuman children into the county
poor house and there left to die with
no relation or acquaintance to wipe the
death damp from his brow.
Since the above was put in type Post
No. 63, G. A. R., took the matter in
hand and late last Tuesday afternoon
the remains of the old soldier were
taken up and re-interred in the soldiers
burying ground, thus giving honor and
respect due to a brave soldier of 1812.
At the grave a detachment fired a salute over the remains, and Rev. Mr.
Welsher, of the Baptist church, made a
most touching and eloquent address.
The deceased was 98 years of age.
(Abilene Reflector, 8-13-1885)
The infant child of Mr. and Mrs.
Chas Cooper, which was born to them
last Sunday, died yesterday from hemorrhage of the lungs. Mr. and Mrs.
Cooper have the sympathy of all. A
strictly private funeral was held from
the residence today.
(Abilene Reflector 3-29-1888)
Cornelius Coopmans died this morning at 9 o'clock at his home in the
South part of town. He was aged
about 70 years and has for three years
been bed-ridden. He has been a resident of Abilene for more than a decade
but ill health has prevented his mingling with the life of the city. The
funeral will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon at 5 o'clock, sermon
by Rev.T. F.Stauffer.
~~~
The funeral of Cornelius
Coopmans
was held yesterday. Interment
in the Abilene cemetery. (Abilene Reflector, Aug. 8, 1889)
Alice Mae Correll, 93, Abilene, died Thursday, March 29, 2001, at McPherson; born Aug. 21, 1907, near Enterprise, the daughter of J.W. and Nellie Topliff McCosh; married Frank Correll on Aug. 25, 1927; he died Sept. 14, 1977; also was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Kristin Burkholder; survived by three daughters Doris Moore, Waterloo, Iowa, Nadene Lauer, Abilene, and Marilyn Helmer, Tescott; a son, Dale Correll, Abilene; a sister, Letha Correll, Abilene; two brothers, Harold Dean McCosh, Wichita; and Leroy McCosh, Abilene; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; burial in Buckeye Cemetery. (abstract Topeka Capital Journal)
Died, at her home in Willowdale
township on Monday, Jan. 21st, Mrs.
Jane Coup.
The deceased moved to this county
from Pennsylvania eleven years ago
and was one of Willowdale's most
respected residents, a true wife and
mother and a hard-working, God-fearing woman. The funeral services
were held Wednesday. The bereaved
family have the sympathy of a large
circle of friends who knew and valued
the departed for her worth and kind-hearted
friendliness.
(Abilene Reflector, Jan. 24, 1888)
Louise Kleopfer Covert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Kleopfer, was born September 10, 1868, at Virginia, Illinois and died March 19, 1938; on September 27, 1888, she was united in marriage with Mr. James Covert, who preceded her in death in 1914, as well as two sisters and two brothers; she is survived by two children, Clinton of the home and Mrs. A. P. (Nellie) Sherman of Buffalo, Oklahoma, three sisters, Mrs. Walter Hatfield, Mrs. Annie Alexander, and Mrs. I. S. Kauffman, all of Hope, one brother, Mr. Henry Kleopfer of Ramona, seven nephews and five nieces of the immediate family survive her. Burial Pigrim's Home cemetery, north of Hope. (abstract, Hope Dispatch 3/24/1938)
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Ava L. Cox, 95, died Oct. 1, 2003, at Chapman; born Feb. 26, 1908, to John Calvin and Myrtle Elizabeth Like Britt; Sept. 13, 1932, she married Fred Reiff; he died June 29, 1966; Feb. 27, 1970, she married Joseph Henry Cox; he died Feb. 13, 1986; survived by one son, Max Wendell of Woodbine; three stepsons, Dan Cox of Assaria, Joe Cox of Abilene and Gary Cox of Abilene; 12 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Bernice Frazier of Montrose, Colo.; preceded in death by two brothers, Elvin and Lowell Dean Britt; two sisters, Mildred Cooley and Zella Tomlinson; and one grandson, Brandon Anthony Solmonski; burial in New Basel Cemetery. (abstract Junction City Daily Union)
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Funeral services for Carl Cramer, 56, longtime resident of Manchester, will be held at the Manchester Methodist
Church on Sunday, Oct. 28, 1951 . He was a retired hardware merchant. His wife, Daisy, and a brother, Ralph, of Glasco,
survive. Burial in Keystone Cemetery. (unknown paper, Sunday, Oct. 28, 1951)
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Daisy B. Cramer, 81, Minneapolis, formerly of Manchester, died Thursday January 13, 1977, in Minneapolis. She was born March 24, 1895
near Baxter Springs and grew up in Garnett. She and her late husband, Carl, were farmers and operated
the Cramer Hardware Store in Manchester for many years. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. The funeral
will be Saturday at the Danner Funeral home, Abilene, with burial in the Keystone Cemetery. (abstract, unnamed paper clipping)
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Wm. J. Croft, aged about 28 years,
died at his father's residence, on
Broadway, this morning at 12:30, of
consumption. The funeral services
will be held Saturday afternoon at two
o'clock, at the M. E. church. Mr.
Croft was a most exemplary young
man. The family have the sympathy
of their many friends. (Abilene Reflector 3-1-1888)
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Died, at her late residence in Newbern township, on Monday, June 23,
Mrs. Barbara Curts, wife of Samuel
Curts, aged 49 years, 7 months and 9
days. Rev. Smith, of Westerville,
Ohio, and Rev. H. McCurdy conducted
the funeral services. She was laid to
rest in the Abilene cemetery Tuesday
afternoon. She left a husband and five
surviving children. Their many friends
deeply sympathize with them in this
their hour of affliction. (Abilene Reflector 6-26-1884)
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From Friday's Dally. ASLEEP IN THE LORD.
Rev. John Curts, One of Abilene's
Oldest and Most Respected Citizens
Taken A Faithful Worker in the
Lord's Service.
As has been well known, the Rev.
John Curts, one of the most respected
ministers and citizens of the city, has
been for some time quite feeble. It
was not, however,
supposed that he
was in a dangerous condition and the
news of his death came with suddenness this morning when the fact was
known upon the street.
He began losing health about two
years ago and has been failing in
strength ever since. The immediate
cause of his death was heart trouble
brought on by kidney disease and
dropsy. Yesterday be did not complain of feeling unusually ill; he ate a
hearty supper and took a nap afterwards. When he awoke he complained
of feeling tired and expressed a desire
to go to bed. His wife assisted him to
the bedroom where he sat down upon
the edge of the bed and fell over insensible. It was then about 10 o'clock.
Doctors were called at once and they
decided that he had died immediately
at the time be became unconscious.
Mr. Curts was 64 years of age. He
leaves to mourn his decease a wife and nine children, all of the latter being
grown to womanhood and manhood.
His life, since he became of age, has
been spent in the ministry of the
United Brethren and Methodist
Episcopal churches. From the active
service of the latter he retired several
years ago on account of advancing
years. Since 1870 he has made his
home in this city where he has considerable property. He has from time to
time, until his feebleness became too
great, filled the pulpits of the city
churches and every church goer is
familiar with his earnest and convincing manner of presenting
God to his hearers. The church meeting,
the prayer meeting, and the Sunday
school, have all known his constant
presence, and his life has been a constant following in the footsteps of the
Saviour whose servant he was.
During the day many sympathizing
friends have called at the home on
East Fourth street to offer their condolence and their aid to the bereaved
ones.
The time of the funeral services have
not yet been decided upon, as the relatives are waiting to hear from the absent children, but burial will be in the Abilene cemetery.
(Abilene Reflector, Dec. 27, 1888)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Esther A. Czarnowsky, 92, Herington, died Friday, April 28, 2006; born May 20, 1913, near the Shady Brook community, north of Herington, the daughter of Albert C. and Ida A. (Will) Kandt; married Lawrence W. Czarnowsky on June 15, 1936, in Clay Center; he preceded her in death on Feb. 25, 2002; survivors include one daughter, Dorothy Timm; two sons, Donald Czarnowsky of Sun City, Ariz., and Glen Czarnowsky of Lincolnville; three sisters, Eleanor DeVries and Viola Czarnowsky, both of Herington, and Agnes Tannahill of Wichita; five granddaughters; and eight great-grandchildren; preceded in death by one brother, Arthur Kandt; and two sisters, Irene Cox and Olga Burke; burial in Sunset Hill Cemetery.
(abstract Abilene Reflector Chronicle)
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