Deaths and funerals

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 27, 2002 by Capital-Journal

Mildred O. Boggs

GOFF --- Services were Aug. 10 at Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, Calif., for Mildred O. Boggs, 88, Victorville, Calif., formerly of Goff, who died Aug. 7, 2002, at a convalescent hospital in Victorville.

She was born Dec. 22, 1913, in Wyoming. She spent her early life in Goff and graduated from Goff Rural High School in 1931. She lived in Victorville for 10 years.

Survivors include a daughter, Jo Ann B. Cordova, Hesperia, Calif.; a grandson; and a granddaughter.

Burial was in Terrace of Hope Lawn in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif.

Leo Diebolt

EFFINGHAM --- Leo Albert Diebolt, 82, Effingham, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, at an Atchison hospital.

He was born Feb. 7, 1920, in Piqua in Woodson County, to Edward and Julia Ann Burg Diebolt, and lived in Effingham for 80 years. He attended St. Ann's Catholic Grade School in Effingham. He worked for Continental Telephone Co., later Contel, in Nortonville for more than 29 years.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps.

He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Effingham.

He married Margaret Miller on July 4, 1992, in Effingham. She survives. A stepson, Charles Miller, died in July 2001.

Other survivors include three stepsons, Joe Miller, Wichita, John Miller, Yukon, Okla., and Rick Miller, St. Joseph, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Mary Craig, San Antonio, and Ann Hunt, Kansas City, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Effingham. A parish rosary at 7 p.m. Wednesday will be followed by visitation until 8:30 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church in Effingham, 66023. O'Trimble Funeral Home in Effingham is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Houdyshell

BURLINGTON --- Donald Clifton Houdyshell, 79, Burlington, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, at home.

He was born Sept. 30, 1922, in Fredonia, to George W. and Wilmina R. McDaniels Houdyshell. He lived in Parkersburg, W.Va., and Iola. He lived in Chanute for 15 years before he moved to Burlington in 1995.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army until 1963.

He was a member of the Bible Church in Burlington.

He married Virginia E. Flesher on May 1, 1953, in Dundalk, Md. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Joseph W. Houdyshell, Parkersburg, W.Va.; two daughters, Patricia A. Thurlos, Kansas City, Kan., and Valorie L. Lockhart, Burlington; nine grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Chanute. Mr. Houdyshell will lie in state Wednesday at the funeral home, where relatives and friends will meet from 4 to 5 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bible Church in Burlington, 66839.

Bob Norris

JUNCTION CITY --- Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Johnson Funeral Chapel in Junction City for Bob Norris, 84, formerly of Junction City, who died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, at his home in Salina.

He was born Feb. 27, 1918, in Minneapolis, Kan., to William T. and Lelah E. Montague Norris. He graduated from Junction City High School in 1936 and spent most of his life in Junction City. He was employed at Fort Riley for 28 years. He began civil service work in the carpentry shop and was supervisor of construction inspectors for the facilities engineer at Fort Riley before he retired in 1974. He moved to Salina in December 2000.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945.

He was a member of First Christian Church in Junction City.

He married Etta Root on July 15, 1939. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Gary Norris, Salina; and two grandchildren.

Burial will be in Indian Hill Cemetery in Chapman. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1429 St. Mary's Road, Junction City, 66441; or American Lung Association, 4300 S.W. Drury Lane, Topeka, 66604.

John E. Pearson Jr.

PERRY --- Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Perry for John E. Pearson Jr., Dallas, Ga., 82, formerly of Perry, who died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002, at a hospital in Austell, Ga.

He was born Nov. 4, 1919, near Williamstown in Jefferson County, to John E. and Bessie Hunter Pearson. He was a meat packer at the Morrell Packing Plant in Topeka and had worked at Hamm's Quarry near Perry. He worked for the Reuter Organ Co. in Lawrence for 27 years before he retired in 1984. He moved to Georgia in January 1998.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served 44 months in the Aleutian Islands.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Perry, where he had served as an usher and a committee chairman. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

He married Bonnie Silbaugh Oct. 22, 1954. She survives.

Other survivors include a son, Larry Silbaugh, Dallas, Ga.; a granddaughter; and two great-grandsons.