Deaths and funerals

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 24, 2002 by Capital-Journal

Rodney Bruce

ATCHISON --- Funeral services for Rodney M. "Hoss" Bruce, 43, Dallas, formerly of Atchison, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Becker- Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison. Mr. Bruce died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, at his work place in Dallas.

Mr. Bruce worked for the former Hagmans Vending Co. in Atchison from 1980 to 1983. He worked for Woolgreen Pipe Line Co. from 1983 to 1988 and most recently was working as a mechanic for Don Tidwell's Collision Shop in Dallas. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

He was born Aug. 26, 1958, in Atchison, the son of Henry Dale and Ruby Wynkoop Bruce. He graduated from DeKalb High School in 1976.

Mr. Bruce was a member of the Rushville Christian Church, Rushville, Mo.

He married Gloria Pena on Dec. 8, 2000, in Dallas. She survives, of the home.

Survivors also include a son, Logan Dale Bruce, of the home; two stepsons, Eric Hiem and Matthew Hiem, both of the home; his mother, Ruby Bruce, Rushville; two brothers, Rick Bruce and Randy Bruce, Rushville; and five sisters, Sherry West, Brenda Moran and Jennifer Morton, all of Rushville, Shelly Wolf, DeKalb, and Cinda Elias, Atchison.

Burial will be in Sugar Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Rodney Bruce Memorial Fund, sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, 800 Kansas Ave., Atchison, Kan., 66002.

Fred Klover

MARYSVILLE --- Fred C. Klover, 92, rural Marysville, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, at a Lincoln, Neb., care center.

Mr. Klover farmed in Marshall County near the Kansas and Nebraska state line.

He was born Feb. 11, 1910, in Felde, Ostfriesland, Germany, the son of Cassen C. and Trienke Wachtendorf Klover. He came to the United States on Aug. 23, 1910, and spent his childhood in the rural area between Wymore, Neb., and the Kansas and Nebraska state line.

Mr. Klover was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, south of Wymore, where he was a charter member of the brotherhood of the church, sang in the men's choir and served on the church council. He served on the board of education for Sunrise School District No. 114 in Marshall County.

He married Lorina Johanna Herman on May 10, 1936, at her parents' home in Norton County. She died on Oct. 19, 1999.

Survivors include a son, the Rev. F. Delman Klover, Lincoln, Neb.; a daughter, Darlene Mills, The Colony, Texas; a brother, Clarence Klover, Wymore; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, south of Wymore. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mr. Klover will lie in state from 12:30 to 6 p.m. today and from 12:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home, Wymore, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the church.

Edward McCracken

EMPORIA --- Edward McCracken, 82, Emporia, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, at an Emporia nursing home.

Mr. McCracken worked as a union carpenter in the Emporia, Topeka and Wichita areas from 1950 to the late 1960s. He farmed and ranched in Shawnee and Coffey counties until he retired in the late 1980s.

He was born Oct. 6, 1919, in Osage City, the son of Earl and Cora Ellen Boothby McCracken. He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1937. He had lived in Lebo from 1988 to 2001, when he moved to Emporia.

He married Dorothy June Heider on May 17, 1946, in Emporia. She died on Oct., 24, 2001.

Survivors include a sister, Margaret Johnson, Santa Paula, Calif.; and two brothers, Floyd McCracken, Emporia, and John McCracken, Saticoy, Calif.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Osage City Cemetery. Mr. McCracken will lie in state from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, Lebo.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Emporia Friends of the Zoo.

Billy McGehee Sr.

BEATTIE --- Billy L. "Bud" McGehee Sr., 72, Beattie, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, at his home.

Mr. McGehee was an over-the-road truck driver. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, during which he earned the Purple Heart.

He was born Oct. 19, 1929, in Seneca, the son of Fred and Mattie Laird McGehee. He attended Seneca Public Schools. He moved to Beattie in 1973.

Mr. McGehee was a member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion, both in Beattie.

He married Sylvia Morrison Tryon on Sept. 5, 1958, in Seneca. She died on Dec. 14, 1997. He also was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Samantha and Rhonda Wright.

Survivors include four sons, Clarence Tryon, Centralia, Terrance Tryon, Pawnee City, Neb., Billy McGehee Jr., Beattie, and Fred McGehee, Topeka; four daughters, Sylvia Shockey, Seneca, Debra Germer, Ralston, Neb., Shirley Christie, Goff, and Peggy Bottom, Beattie; a brother, Frank McGehee, Seneca; a sister, Bernice "Pat" Ziegler, Overland Park; 22 grandchildren; and 15 great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, Beattie. Burial will be in Beattie Union Cemetery. Friends may visit from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville, where the family will greet friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.