Deaths and funerals

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 8, 2004 by Capital-Journal

Helen L. Blackman

Helen L. Blackman, 81, Topeka, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, at a Topeka retirement community.

She was born April 2, 1923, in Mansfield, Ohio, the daughter of Charles and Lois Armstrong Dakin.

Mrs. Blackman was a dedicated wife and mother. She had been employed at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

She was a member of Brookwood Covenant Church and The University of Kansas Alumni Association. And she was actively involved in volunteer work.

She married Donald J. Blackman on March 1, 1946, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. He died March 18, 1996.

Survivors include two daughters, Mary Jo Gaston, Columbia, Mo., and Ann Hyde, Chandler, Ariz.; two sons, Donald Blackman Jr. and David Blackman, both of Topeka; five grandchildren; three great- grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Dakin, Athens, Ohio, and Richard Dakin, Grand Rapids, Mich.; and a sister, Mary Pattison, Alaska, Mich.

Mrs. Blackman was cremated. A memorial service will be Dec. 30 at Brookwood Covenant Church, 3601 S.W. 33rd. The time of the services will be announced later. Inurnment in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brookwood Covenant Church.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.penwellgabel.com.

Charlene R. Canady

Charlene R. Canady, 68, Topeka, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta.

She was born Dec. 7, 1935, in Iola.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 610 S.E. Lime St., in Topeka.

Other information is pending and will be announced later.

Dorothy M. Griffith

Dorothy M. Griffith, 83, Topeka died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at a Topeka nursing home.

She was born Feb. 5, 1921, at Bronson, the daughter of Joseph E. Nichols and Pluma Turner Nichols. She grew up in Bronson, graduating from Bronson High School in 1939. She graduated from Bethany School of Nursing in Kansas City. She served in the Army as a registered nurse, stationed in England, France and Germany during World War II. Upon returning from the Army, she worked at Fort Scott Hospital before moving to Topeka.

She married Henry M. Griffith on June 20, 1946, at Bronson. She worked as an industrial nurse at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for 25 years from 1957 until her retirement in 1983.

Mrs. Griffith was a member of Seabrook United Church of Christ in Topeka.

She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Allen Griffith, who died in infancy; and a daughter, Mary Gemma, who died in 1999.

She is survived by her husband, Henry M. Griffith, Topeka; a son, Glen E. Griffith, and his wife, Marilyn Kay Griffith, Topeka; a sister, Bernice Gibbs, Springfield, Ill.; a son-in-law, Tom Peabody, Berkeley, Calif.; a granddaughter, Teresa Glidewell; two stepgrandchildren, Troy Riner and Letha Wells; and five great- stepgrandchildren.

Mrs. Griffith was cremated. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Seabrook United Church of Christ. Her cremains will be inurned at Uniontown Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seabrook United Church of Christ, Heart of America Hospice, Brewster Place Christmas Fund or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Mark William Hicks

Mark William Hicks, 44, Topeka, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at his home.

He was born Sept. 15, 1960, in Topeka, the son of Van L. and Donna J. Long Hicks.

Survivors include two daughters, Heather T. Calhoon, Berryton, and Ashley V. Hutchison, Topeka; his mother, Donna J. Hicks, Topeka; and two brothers, Keith Hicks, Kansas City, Kan., and Steve Hicks, Topeka.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Newcomer Family Funeral Home. Cremation will follow the services. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Mr. Hicks will lie in state and the family will receive friends from noon until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be given to the family at www.newcomerfamily.com.

Gregory Okerman

Gregory Okerman, 93, Topeka, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Midland Hospice House.

He was born May 16, 1911, in Topeka, the son of Christ and Tekla Okerman. He served in the Army during World War II and was a prisoner of war in Austria.

Mr. Okerman worked for Beatrice Creamery before retiring.

He had been a member of West Side Baptist Church.

Survivors include a niece, Mrs. Nancy Jo Vaughn, Topeka; two nephews, Charles Peck and Robert Peck, both of Topeka; and five great- nieces and nephews.

A committal service will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Topeka Cemetery Garden Chapel. Military honors conducted by a Fort Riley Army Detail will follow. Burial will be in Topeka Cemetery. Mr. Okerman will lie in state after 2 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 N.W. Independence.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, 66604.

Online condolences may be sent to www.penwellgabel.com.

Cheryl Lee Peterson

Cheryl Lee Peterson, 42, Topeka, died of heart failure, Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at a local care facility.