OBITUARIES

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 25, 2004 by Capital-Journal

Macil H. Dugan

Macil H. Dugan, 88, Topeka, formerly of Burlingame, died Tuesday Jan. 20, 2004, at her son's home in Topeka.

She was born June 9, 1915, at Diboll, Texas, the daughter of Able Dennis and Frankie Newberry Hales. She grew up in east Texas and lived in the Burlingame community from 1955 until 1982.

Mrs. Dugan was a statistician for the state of Kansas from 1953 until her retirement in 1978, after 25 years of service.

She married Joseph Dugan on May 11, 1938. He died Feb. 20, 1978. A son, Dennis Dugan, preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 2001.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Dugan, Topeka, and Joseph Dugan, Louisville, Texas; and several grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Private graveside services were Friday in Burlingame Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, 66606. Carey Funeral Home in Burlingame was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jean Hayes

Betty Jean Hayes, 47, Topeka, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, in Topeka.

She was born Nov. 7, 1956, in Topeka, the daughter of the late Jesse Hollis and the late Louise Hayes. She lived in Topeka most of her life.

She was a licensed practical nurse for Independent Staffing Service and Home Health Care Service. She had completed three years of college.

Surviving are a son, Anthony Starks, Topeka; a special niece, Lakea Hayes, Topeka; a brother, Max Hayes, Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Mary Hayes, Detroit, and Jeanette Hayes, Topeka; and two grandchildren.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel. Miss Hayes will lie in state after 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Miss Hayes will be cremated.

Mary Catherine Hefner

Mary Catherine Hefner, 82, Topeka, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

She was born in Topeka to Jacob and Elizabeth Burghart Konrade and was a lifelong Topeka resident.

Mary was a homemaker and raised six children. She was an avid oil painter, a member of St. Joseph's Church, the Altar Society and the Northeast Kansas Chapter of Germans from Russia.

She married George John Hefner on July 4, 1941, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Topeka. He preceded her in death on Feb.19, 1985. She also was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Steve Hefner, in 1995; a grandson, Michael Hefner, in 1967; as well as three brothers; and one sister.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Blean, Topeka, and Mary Kay Humerickhouse, Broken Arrow, Okla.; three sons, George John Hefner Jr. and Geno Hefner, both of Topeka, and Robert Hefner, Meriden; 17 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Mary also is survived by three sisters, Katy Martin and Millie Stork, both of Topeka, and Dolores Cobelens, Bellevue, Neb.; and two brothers, Will Konrade and Woody Konrade, both in Topeka.

Mrs. Hefner will lie in state from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where a parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Midland Hospice House and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 S.W. Urish Road, Topeka, 66614. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Helen Marie Hocker

Helen Marie Hocker, 88, Topeka, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, in Topeka.

She was born Aug. 19, 1915, in Cass County, Mo., near Archie, the daughter of Jesse Benjamin and Anna Shipley Hocker. She attended rural Oak Grove School and junior and high school at the Training School in Warrensburg, Mo. She completed her bachelor of science degree in education at Central Missouri State University in 1937. She received a master of arts degree in 1943 from Northern Colorado University at Greeley and continued her graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, the University of Oslo, Norway, and the University of Southern California.

She began her educational career at Knob Noster High School in Knob Noster, Mo. She later taught at Holton High School and in Topeka Public Schools before joining the faculty at Washburn University. She received a Fulbright grant to teach in the Netherlands in 1951.

Ms. Hocker retired in 1981 as chairperson and professor emerita of the department of health, physical education and recreation at Washburn University in Topeka. She had remained active in retirement with many organizations until her health wouldn't permit it.

She had lived in the Brewster Place Retirement Community since August 2000.

In more than 45 years of professional experience, Ms. Hocker gained national prominence in the fields of education and health. She served Topeka community organizations in leadership roles for numerous years, including the YMCA, Topeka Recreation Commission, Topeka Welfare Planning Council and the Topeka Intercultural Council. In 1982, the Helen Hocker Performing Arts Center in Topeka was dedicated in recognition of her many contributions over the years. In 1997, she was honored by Central Missouri State University as a Distinguished Alumna.