Gerald V. Ludwig, age 82, died on Wednesday August 28, 2019 at Stormont Vail Health, Topeka, Kansas.

He was born on October 5, 1936 in Newtonville, Indiana the son of Pligy & Cecilia (Patmore) Ludwig. He was a secondary math teacher for many years.

Jerry was united in marriage to Phyllis S. Merta on August 31, 1956 in Rockport, Indiana.

Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter: Lisa Hull and son-in-law: Doug of Alma, Kansas; 4 grandchildren: Kate Tyler and her husband Mike and their sons: Huckleberry and Jarvis of Manhattan, New York; Holly Wight and her husband Kent Domas and their sons: Julien & Hugh of Houston, Texas; Emmett Hull and his wife Jenny of Kansas City, Kansas and Nell Hull of Kansas City, Missouri.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Donor’s Choice and left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Michial Blanton, age 72, died on Friday August 30, 2019 at the Via Christi Village, Manhattan, Kansas.

He was born on April 25, 1947 in Junction City, Kansas the son of Samuel L. and Elaine (Blythe) Blanton. Mike graduated from Wabaunsee County High School. He was a Tool and Dye maker for many years until his retirement.

Mike enjoyed his family, walking the farm and target shooting. He also liked eating peppermint ice cream, pizza and drinking Mountain Dew.

Survivors include his children: Patti Allen and her husband Paul of Huntsville, AL; Son: Sean Blanton and his wife: Dawn of Derby, Kansas and daughter: Kristina Blanton of Wamego, Kansas. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren: Abby and Joe Allen and Rachel Blanton.

Private Services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.

Beulah R. McPhail, 102, Manhattan died Saturday, August 31st, at the Stonybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan.

She was born on November 14, 1916, in Council Grove, KS. She was a daughter of the late Fred and Alta (Brockelman) Borkert. Her marriage to Lloyd Glenn McPhail, June 22, 1935, at Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. They owned and operated their farm in the Kahola District near Dunlap.

When her husbands’ health failed, they sold their farm and moved to Hiawatha, KS where they owned and operated a grocery market for 11 years. She was employed with the school district for 6 years. In 1963 they moved to Phoenix, AZ where she was employed at the Grand Canyon College, Ryan-Evans Drug Store, and Revco Drug Store.

After the death of her husband on Oct. 7, 1971, she and her daughter moved back to Kansas, locating in Manhattan. Here she was employed at the Wal-Mart Discount Store as a department manager in the Health and Beauty Aids, retiring in 1982. After retirement she took up bowling, traveling and volunteer work thru the Riley Co. Senior Center. She attended the Westview Community Church and their bible studies.

Her only daughter, Corliss Ann McPhail, passed away on Sept. 16, 1979. Survivors include her nieces and nephews. Beulah was also preceded in death by her 2 sisters, Berniece Fulton & Bernitta Williams and brothers; 3: Floyd, Herman & Ollie.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, September 5th at the Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation Chapel in Manhattan. A private burial will be at the Dunlap Cemetery next to her husband and daughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the donors choice.

John Anthony Stimac, 69, of Herington, Kansas, died on Friday, August 30, 2019 at his home.  John was born on July 27, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Steve and Evelyn (Birdsong) Stimac. He graduated from St. Peter’s grade school in 1964 in Kansas, City, KS. He was a 1968 graduate of Bishop Ward High school, and a 1970 graduate of Donnelly College.  John joined the Rock Island Railroad in June of 1968, which brought him to Herington, Kansas in 1973.  He served as an engineer for the Rock Island Railroad from 1973 to 1980.  On August 10, 1974, he was united in marriage to Rosalie Kay Reising at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas.  John joined the Postal Service in 1985 at the Herington Post Office.  In 1991, he was appointed Postmaster for the White City Post Office, where he served until his retirement in 2015.  John was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Herington, where he participated in Knights of Columbus, served as treasurer for eight years, and sang in the church choir.  He also served on the Herington Tree Board, Herington Library Board, and was a member of the Herington Jaycees.  John served as a USD 487 Board of Education member from 1991-2004.  John loved to spend time with his family and friends, and had a great sense of humor.  He was a kind and caring person and a loving husband and father.

John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Rosalie; two daughters, Melissa Brunner (husband Nolan) of Lost Springs and Sarah Fenske (husband Jared) of Hillsboro; one son, Joseph of St. Paul, MN (partner Cameron Fure); two sisters, JoEllen Estenson of Rollins, MT (husband Pat), and Veronica Warson of Louisburg (husband Phil); one brother, Larry Stimac of Plano, TX (wife JoAnne); six grandchildren – Leah and Noah Brunner, and Makenna, Kolton, Wesley, and Beau Fenske; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother James Stimac, and granddaughter, Brooke Fenske.

A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Herington, KS, with Father Peter O’Donnell officiating. Interment will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.  The family will receive friends prior to the funeral mass from 10:00-10:45 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the St. John’s Catholic Church Renovation Fund, 712 North Broadway, Herington, KS, 67449.

Elsie N. Blanka (Mast), 94, of Junction City, KS, passed away on Wednesday August 28th, 2019, at Valley View Senior Life Center. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, October 12th, at the Johnson Funeral Home of Junction City. A reception will follow the service.

Elsie was born on October 12th, 1924 in McPherson, KS to Lee and Lilly Mast (Lindgren). She graduated from McPherson High School, Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia and took masters classes at Kansas State. She taught music in the Junction City schools of Departmental, Washington Elementary and Franklin Elementary. She married her husband, Harley A. Blanka (deceased) on December 23, 1951. Elsie had three daughters: one by marriage and two by birth; Myrna Weis (deceased), Michele Barbian of Chanute, KS and Karen Greiling of Fishers, IN. She is also survived by sons-in-law, James Weis, Olathe, KS, Chris Greiling, Fishers, IN, seven grand and great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Elsie often commented on the full and varied life that she experienced. She was grateful that she had been able to travel widely within the US and Europe, enjoyed the company of family and friends, and was an avid reader. She enjoyed playing cards, and, of course, loved listening to, singing or performing music of many genres.

Elsie was a member and active in the First United Methodist Church, The Junction City Schools Retired Personnel­, PEO, and Delta Kappa Gamma. After retirement, she volunteered for several years at Westwood Elementary School.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be mailed directly to either: The First United Methodist Church, 804 N. Jefferson St., Junction City, KS 66441 (memo line: Blanka Memorial) OR The Junction City Association of Retired School Personnel (JCARSP), P.O. Box 721, Junction City, KS, 66441 (memo line: Harley A. and Elsie Blanka Memorial Scholarship)

 

 

Patricia Kay (Pat) (Land) Kunz, 77, of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2019, in Salina.

Pat was born in Rolla, MO on March 14, 1942, the daughter of the late Luella Cassie (Muller) and Harry Overton Land. She graduated in 1961 from the Reitz High School in Evansville, IN and attended and graduated from the Lockyear’s Business College in downtown Evansville, IN from 1961 – 1964. She served in the U.S. Army as a Spec 5 during the Vietnam War, spending 1yr in Mannheim, Germany. Pat was a Commercial Accountant for the U.S. Army at Ft. Riley, KS. She belonged to the American Legion Post #17; V.F.W. Auxiliary and the Eagles Auxiliary all of Manhattan. She was a friend to all cats.

Pat is survived by a daughter, Mary Land-Sargent and husband Bill, of Salina, grandson, Landon A. Kunz of Seaside, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Luella F. Kunz on Dec. 20, 1975.

It was Pat’s wish for no services at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Humane Society of the United States; 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.

Robert Wilson Jr., 54, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his home in Junction City, KS on August 24th, 2019.

Robert was born on November 7, 1964, in Houston Texas to Robert Wilson Sr. and Ernestine Cebrun.

He is survived by a large and loving family: his father, Robert Wilson Sr.; his loving wife, Danyiel Smith-Wilson; 11 children that include 4 sons and 7 daughters, Rakeyla Miller of California; Precious Compton, Robert Wilson 3rd, Roderick Wilson, Ramashea Wilson and Rashaad Wilson of Texas; Latoya Parker of Arizona; Roniesha Banks and Raynell Wilson of Kansas; Danyiel Cunny of Tennessee; Raye’ Wilson of Missouri; his 4 siblings, 1 brother Reginald Wilson and 3 sisters Trina Wilson, Rhonda Wilson-Porter and Gwen Wilson; one brother in law Don-el Coulson and one sister in law Tyiesha Coulson; 15 grandchildren; and a host of loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ernestine Cebrun.

He grew up in Houston where he graduated from Ross S. Sterling High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Houston.
Robert met the love of his life, Danyiel, in July of 1996. They joined their families into one on December of the same year and created a loving home for 25 blessed years.

He moved his family to Junction City, Kansas in 2011, where he found employment and an extended family at Foot Locker and his church home at the Church of the Living God and became a member of the Eagles.

He worked at Foot Locker until he retired due to an amputation in 2016, and that did not slow him down. Just as soon as he got his prosthetic, he was on the move walking in the park and posting videos.

He was a pillar of the community known for his generosity and kindness and his awesome barbecues with great music, cards, dominoes, family and friendship. Robert loved football, but there was one team he loved above all others. All who knew him, even if it was a casual friend, knew that the Dallas Cowboys was his team.

He was a people person and never met a stranger. Once you were his friend you were part of his family. There were many people he worked with he considered family, but two he considered brothers; Jason Young and Leonard Mickle Jr.

In his retirement he and Danyiel opened a successful store: Barely Nu Discount Store on April 7th, 2017.

He will be missed.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 3, 2019, from 10:00 am. to 11:00 am. at the Johnson Funeral Home of Junction City, 203 N. Washington St.

Funeral services will follow at the same location with officiating by Pastor James E. Johnson of the Church of the Living God.

There will be further funeral services in Houston, TX where he will be laid to rest next to his mother at Paradise Cemetery South in Houston, TX on September 7th, 2019.