Deaths & funerals

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 23, 2000 by Capital-Journal

Firman Belanger

Firman J. Belanger, 66, Topeka, died Friday, April 21, 2000, at a Topeka hospice house.

Mr. Belanger worked for a moving company in Denver and for Mayflower in Topeka.

He was born June 24, 1933, in West Warick, R.I., the son of Donet and Eva Dion Belanger. He lived in Denver for about 12 years before he moved to Topeka in 1970.

Mr. Belanger was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rhode Island.

He married Ruby Massey on Feb. 24, 1973, in Topeka. She survives.

Other survivors include three sisters, Rose Mlymier, Lucy Noble and Gloria Bowen, all in Rhode Island.

Mr. Belanger was cremated. No services are scheduled.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Firman Belanger Memorial Fund and sent in care of Davidson Funeral Home.

Bonnie Blanton

Bonnie L. Blanton, 71, Topeka, died Friday, April 21, 2000, at a Topeka hospital.

Mrs. Blanton was an office manager for Blanton Electric and later for K.L. Enterprises, and she worked for customer service for Blue Cross and Blue Shield for 10 years.

She was born Oct. 21, 1928, in Perry, the daughter of Bert and Bessie Blevins Sharkey. She attended Topeka High School.

Mrs. Blanton was a member of Northland Christian Church, Parents Without Partners, the auxiliary to Topeka North Post No. 400 of the American Legion and the Rebekah Lodge.

She married Donald E. Blanton. They divorced.

A son, Kirk Blanton, died Feb. 11, 1995.

Survivors include a son, Ronald E. Blanton, Topeka; a daughter, Cheryl Pottorf, Topeka; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Services will be at 11 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. Cremation will follow the services. Inurnment at Mount Hope Cemetery will be at a later date. Mrs. Blanton will lie in state after noon Monday at the funeral home, where visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Inc., 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, 66606-2800.

Ernest Dillman

Ernest J. Dillman, 77, Topeka, died Saturday, April 22, 2000, at a Topeka nursing home.

Mr. Dillman was an engineer for the city of Topeka before he retired. He served in the Army Air Corps in European during World War II. He was decorated with five Bronze Stars, two overseas service bars and a service stripe.

He was born July 20, 1922, in Topeka, the son of Edgar R. and Edna M. Gregg Dillman. He earned a bachelor's degree from Washburn University in 1948.

Survivors include a daughter, Pamela Simvoulakis, Sonora, Calif.; a brother, Marvin F. Dillman, Topeka; and a grandchild.

Mr. Dillman was cremated. No services are scheduled. Brennan- Mathena Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Emma Hedges

Emma Jane Hedges, 87, Topeka, died Saturday, April 22, 2000, at a Topeka nursing home.

She was born July 19, 1912, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence E. and Mary Ethel Taft Smith. She graduated from high school in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and she moved to Topeka from St. Louis in 1954.

Mrs. Hedges was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka.

She married DeVon Hedges in July 1935. He died July 17, 1978. A son, Gary Hedges, died in 1971.

Survivors include a brother, Wendell T. Smith, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; three sisters, Kathryn Hannum and Louise Trueblood, both of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Beverly Griggs, Washington, Iowa; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Hedges will lie in state after noon Monday at Penwell- Gabel Mid-Town Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka, 66604.

Ellen Hilbert

Ellen G. Hilbert, 89, Topeka, died Friday, April 21, 2000, at a Topeka nursing home.

She was born Nov. 6, 1910, in Stull, the daughter of William E. and Mary K. Roberts Rake. She was raised in the Watson community.

Mrs. Hilbert was a charter member of the Richland Flower Club and a member of the Merry Stitchers Quilting Club.

She married Russell G. Hilbert on Aug. 18, 1935, in Watson. He died Aug. 8, 1991.

Survivors include two daughters, Emma Jean Montfoort, Overbrook, and Doris Norsworthy, Broken Arrow, Okla.; a son, Billy Hilbert, Meriden; two brothers, Wayne Rake, Phoenix, and Dale Rake, Chico, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Highland Chapel. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Hilbert will lie in state after 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses' Association, 200 Maine, Suite C, Lawrence, 66044 or to the Stull United Methodist Church, Route 1, Lecompton, 66050.

Kenneth McClelland

Kenneth C. "Kenny" McClelland, 75, Topeka, died Wednesday, April 19, 2000, at a Topeka nursing home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel.

Mr. McClelland worked in maintenance for Santa Fe Railway.

He was born Sept. 1, 1924, in Topeka, the son of Edward McClelland and Dollie Hilliard. He was a lifelong Topeka resident.

Mr. McClelland was a member of the Second Baptist Church.