Alfred “Bud” C. Schoenfeldt Jr.
1930-2017

Wathena, Kansas Alfred C. Schoenfeldt Jr., 86, of Wathena, Kansas Passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Wathena Nursing & Rehab Center.
Bud was born on June 2, 1930 in West Point, Nebraska to Alfred Chris & Crystal (Beck) Schoenfeldt Sr.
He was a carpenter & a cabinet maker. Bud drove the school bus for Wathena Schools for 22 years, in which he was very proud of.
Bud married Charlene (Heinen) Winchester on May 21, 1981. She survives of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Art & Jimmie Schoenfeldt, & a sister, Evelyn Stifner.
Additional survivors, daughters, Debbie Halberg & Diane Schoenfeldt Son, Dennis Schoenfeldt 11 grandchildren & 2 great-grandchildren Step-sons, Michael, Randy & Scott Winchester Step-daughter, Rhonda Morris Brother, Alvie (Marie) Schoenfeldt Nieces & nephews
Funeral Service: 1 P.M. Saturday, April 8, 2017 At the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas Visitation: 1 hour prior to service at 12noon at the funeral home, where friends may call after 3 P.M. Friday. Bud’s wishes are to be cremated after services, with inurnment at a later date. Memorials: American Diabetes Association or the Wathena EMS. www.harmanrohde.com

Julia M. “Bitsy” Griffith
1927-2017

Julia M. “Bitsy” Griffith, 89, Atchison, Kansas died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at her home.
Funeral services will be Monday, April 10, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Monday from 10:00 A.M. until time of services at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict Parish and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Bitsy was born June 5, 1927 in Atchison, Kansas the daughter of James and Myrtle Martin Griffith. She attended St. Joseph and St. Benedict Elementary Schools, graduating from Mt. Saint Scholastica Academy. She then attended Highland Community Junior College.
Bitsy was employed with Electra Company in Atchison and then became employed with Holly’s Nursing Home as a social service representative. Following the closing of Holly’s Nursing Home she joined Grace Hollingsworth in the opening of Medicalodge Nursing Home in their social service department and continued with Medicalodge until her retirement in 1982.
She was a member of St. Benedict Parish of Atchison. In her free time of retirement, Bitsy became an avid reader to occupy her time. She formed a relationship with many Benedictine College students who frequently visited in her home.
She is survived by nieces and nephews including Rosemary Gary, Atchison, KS; Kellie King-Baltezor, Lawrence, KS; Barbara Yumang, Wichita, KS; Jim Gary, Leavenworth, KS; and Joe Gary, Leavenworth, KS; and many cousins and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Jane Gary, Jimmie Mae Morphis, Mary JoAnn McCray, two brothers, Bud Griffith and Jack Griffith.

Gary L. Holthaus
1945-2017

ONAGA – Gary L. Holthaus, 72, of Onaga, died Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Onaga Health and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born January 11, 1945 at Seneca, the son of Adolph and Esther Stuke Holthaus. He graduated from Baileyville High School in 1963.
After high school Gary worked at The Creamery in Sabetha until he married. He then worked at Goodyear in Topeka for about ten years, farmed south of Havensville, and since 1982 has owned and operated Northeast Transit trucking company.
He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga and had served as the Parish Council President for several years. He served on the Onaga City Council from 1997 to 1999, and was the city Mayor from 1999 to 2013.
Gary married Beryl Ann Haverkamp on October 2, 1965 at Baileyville. She died August 22, 2013.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Kevin Holthaus, who died in 1981.
Survivors include two daughters, Julie Falk (Rodney), Maple Hill and Dana Brock (Rocky), Kearney, MO; two sons, Brad Holthaus (Lori), Topeka and Matt Holthaus (Heather), Maple Hill; four brothers, Bob Holthaus, Seneca, Jim Holthaus, Topeka, Keith Holthaus, Holton, and Steve Holthaus, Seneca; a sister, Bev Holthaus, Wamego, fifteen grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 8th at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Inurnment will be later in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery at Seneca. Gary will lie in state until 4:00 p.m. Friday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga. He will lie in state after 5:00 p.m. at the church where visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary prayed at 7:00. Memorials are suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church or Great Lakes Hospice, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 312, Onaga, 66521.

James (Jim) M. Trout, D.D.S.
1934-2017

James (Jim) M. Trout , D.D.S., passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 5, 2017. He was born in Beatrice, Nebraska on May 31, 1934 to Harry and Maida (Shallcross) Trout. He grew up primarily in St. Joseph and graduated from Central High School before attending University of Kansas. Dr. Trout graduated from UMKC Dental School in 1959.
Jim married Judy Nelson of Kansas City on November 30, 1957. After dental school graduation, he served at Sheppard Air Force in Wichita Falls, TX for two years prior to moving to St. Joseph and opening a dental practice in town where he worked until retirement in 2004.
Jim was first a family man. He taught his children and many in the Boy Scout programs to be productive and helpful to their families and communities. He set the example for them by participating in their activities whether it was sports, scouting or studying. He set standards by the example he taught and lived.
Jim served the Pony Express Council of the Boy Scouts of America by serving as a Cub Scout leader and a troop leader as well as a member of the Council Board of Pony Express Council. He also received the Silver Beaver Award and was Chieftan of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. For many years, a contingent of local Scouts went to England and several contingents of British Scouts visits the United States and Camp Geiger. Jim worked with the local and British Scouts for a number of trips and led several contingencies to England. After a number of trips back and forth ‘Across the Pond’ with Boy Scout groups, Jim was the first and only American to be awarded the Derbyshire Star by the Derbyshire (England) County Scout Council in recognition of an outstanding contribution to scouting in England.
The local dental community had been in need of dental hygentists in the area for a number of years. After retirement, Jim approached Hillyard Technical School about creating a fine quality school which has been in operation for 10 years and graduates 10 students annually.
Jim served First Presbyterian Church as an Elder and on numerous committees. His big contribution was the raising of funds for a new church organ and the changes to the chancel area which took nearly 20 years.
A man who took great joy in life, Jim loved music, especially classical. He enjoyed tennis whether playing it or watching it. Following KU basketball was also a favorite past time especially when they were on a winning streak.
While working as a respected dentist in the local area, Jim was active in local and state dental societies and was inducted into the International College of Dentistry in 1985 due to his quality work as a dentist and his contribution to the dental communities. He was chosen as Dentist of the Year by the Missouri Dental Association.
Preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Maida Trout of St. Joseph; and sister, Marjorie Williams of Atlanta, GA.
He leaves behind his wife of nearly 59 years, Judy, of St. Joseph; a son, Dr. Andy Trout of St. Joseph; daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and John McNulty of McMinnville, TN. Jim also leaves four grandchildren, John and Joe Trout of St. Joseph, Erin McNulty of Lombard, IL and Emily McNulty of Kansas City, MO.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, First Presbyterian Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Garlan Patrick Pinson
1940-2017

Garlan Patrick Pinson 77, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017 in a Savannah, MO health care center. He was born January 9, 1940 in Carrollton, MO, son of the late Vernelle and Court Pinson. He graduated from Easton High School and worked at St. Joseph Light and Power as a Supervisor in the Control Room retiring after 40 years of service. He enjoyed gardening, mushroom hunting, fishing, and hunting. He was an avid bowler with the Light and Power bowling League, and was a Catholic. Garlan was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, George, Curtis and Gilbert Pinson. Survivors include, daughter, Lori Spiegel, Saint Joseph, MO, granddaughter, Rabeca Spiegel, great granddaughter, Millie Strick, brother, Arnold (Diane) Pinson, San Luis Obispo, CA, sisters, Sharon (Russ) Jobes, St. Joseph, MO, Cheryl “Susie” (Chris) Gassman, Wichita, KS, and Ida Enges of Sierra Vista, AZ.
A Graveside inurnment service will be conducted at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, at a later date in May. Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Troy Allen Franks
1954-2017

Troy Allen Franks, 63, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday April 5, 2017 at Mosaic Life Center. Troy was born on January 11, 1954 in Wichita, Kansas to James and Melverine Franks. He attended Savannah High School where he graduated in 1972. He married his wife, Denise Franks (Martin) of 36 years, on July 4, 1981. Troy began working construction right out of high school. He first worked for Dewey construction company, before getting on with Walters Construction where he continued to work for nearly 30 years, leaving the company as superintendent. He helped build many of the buildings around the St. Joseph metro area. Troy loved many things. He loved hunting and fishing and enjoying the peace that nature evoked. He was very contemplative on matters, and anyone you meet that knew Troy probably has a coin he gave them for a birthday or Christmas in their pocket or in a drawer somewhere. He was extremely kind and thoughtful. He loved garage sales (to his wife’s dismay) and his family. He loved God and searched for peace in the scripture. He was a member of Grace Evangelical Church for the past 28 years, and enjoyed participating in the Easter Passion program, where he played the part of a Roman Soldier. Troy was preceded in death by his father. Survivors include: wife Denise; his daughter Annie Kidd and her husband Ted of St. Louis, Missouri; son Jeremiah Franks and his wife Cate of Dallas, Texas; daughter Sierra Franks and her wife Erinn of Wenatchee, Washington; son Dakota Franks of St. Joseph; his mother, Melverine Franks of St. Joseph; two brothers James and John Franks of St. Joseph; and also, a sister Tammy Franks of St. Joseph. He was a proud grandpa/papa to seven grandchildren, McKenzie, McKayla, Issac, Alliyah, Isabella, Kara and Dempsey and one great grandchild, Nyla. Also surviving are aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many, friends. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Wednesday, with a Celebration of life to begin at 7:00 PM Wednesday, at the Grace Evangelical Church. Dr. Darrell Jones officiating. Arrangements by the Rupp Funeral home.

Phyllis C. Peterson
1937-2017

Wathena, Kansas – Phyllis C. Peterson, 79, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017.
Phyllis was born on October 27, 1937 in Stratford, Iowa to Garrett O. & Nettie V. (Carlstedt) Johnson.
She was a member of the Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary & the VFW Auxiliary all of Wathena.
Phyllis worked as a sales clerk for the Millers & Nelson’s Pharmacy & the Wathena Times.
Phyllis married Verne W. Peterson on May 20, 1956 at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford, Iowa. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Shirley Vinchettle & Marcell Bergman & 3 brothers, Orland, Orvil & Marvin Johnson.
Survivors: a twin brother, Phillip (Julia) Johnson, Stratford, Iowa;
Sons, Kevin (Michelle) Peterson, Sparks, Nevada;
Lance A. Peterson, Livermore, California;
Daughter, Dorene (Darrell) Gray, Wathena, Kansas;
Grandchildren, Shaun Hansen, Justin & Brent Peterson, Toby, Kagin & Rachel Simpson, Kamin & Conner Peterson & 8 great-grandchildren;
Nieces & nephews;
Best friend Phyllis Mc Crory.
Phyllis wishes were to be cremated with inurnment at the Stratford Cemetery, Stratford, Iowa at a later date.
Memorials: Doniphan County Meals on Wheels, sent in the c/o of the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home P.O. Box 426 Wathena, KS, 66090