Obituaries2

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 20, 2004

Homer B. Atwell

Homer B. Atwell, 83, of Topeka, passed away at a Topeka care home on Sunday morning, Dec. 19, 2004.

He was born June 24, 1921, in Topeka, the son of Harry B. Atwell Sr. and Lucille Umpleby Atwell. He spent most of his life in the Potwin and Kenwood areas of Topeka. As a young man, Homer and his brothers carried the Topeka paper in the Potwin area for many years prior to World War II. He graduated from Topeka High in 1940.

Mr. Atwell served in the National Guard, 114th Calvary, joining in 1940, serving for two years before entering the Army. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Normandy, northern France and Germany during the war.

Mr. Atwell worked for the state of Kansas, first in the income tax division and then in the Kansas Department of Transportation fiscal finance department before retiring in 1986.

He was a member of Kansas Avenue United Methodist Church, Golden Rule Lodge No. 90 A.F.& A.M., Trinity Shrine No. 7, Helena Chapter No. 210 OES, Capital Post No. 1 of the American Legion and Washburn Walkers.

On Oct. 2, 1977, he was united in marriage to Betty Schafer in Topeka. Homer and Betty traveled extensively following his retirement, taking numerous trips in the United States and abroad.

Homer is survived by his wife, Betty, Topeka; three stepsons, Fred W. Schafer and Dale E. Schafer, both of Topeka, and Larry D. Schafer, Commerce City, Colo.; a brother, Charles Atwell, Diamond Springs, Calif.; eight step-grandchildren ; six stepgreat-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Homer was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Helen, and twin brother, Harry.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Davidson Funeral Home. Masonic service interment will be in Rochester Cemetery. He will lie in state from 8 a.m. to 9p.m. on Wednesday, and the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas Avenue United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.

Rita N. Daniel

Rita N. Daniel, 73, of Topeka, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, at Midland Hospice House.

She was born Oct. 5, 1931, in Albany, Mo., the daughter of J. Howard and Lorena F. Barnes.

Mrs. Daniel was retired from Capitol Federal Savings and was a member of Covenant Baptist Church.

She married Guy B. Daniel on June 25, 1994. He survives, of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Cindy M. Scott, Bonner Springs, and Julie E. Ramsour, Newton; a sister, M. Jaunice Sawyer, Oklahoma City; three brothers, Russell K. Barnes, Savannah, Mo., Edward H. Barnes, Overland Park, and Gary H. Barnes, Prairie Village; and four children, Tyler Scott and Rachel Scott, both of Bonner Springs, and Sarah Ramsour and Amy Paige Ramsour, both of Newton.

Mrs. Daniel will lie in state one half hour before service time on Wednesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. that day at the funeral home with burial to follow in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1312 S.W. Arrowhead, Topeka, 66614 or to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, 66608.

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

John V. Friedstrom

John V. Friedstrom, 82, of Topeka, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, at his home.

He was born Nov. 9, 1922, in Moline, Ill., the son of the the Rev. C.R.E. and Esther Anderson Friedstrom. His mother died when he was young, and was raised by his father and stepmother, Edna Friedstorm. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1940 and later attended Augusta College in Rock Island, Ill., and The University of Kansas.

Mr. Friedstrom worked for Santa Fe Railroad from 1942 until retiring on April 28, 1980. He also was the organist and choir director at Trinity Lutheran Church for many years.

He served in the U.S. Army from January 1943 until December 1945.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Capital Post No. 1 American Legion, Philip Billard Post No. 1650 VFW and was a founding board member of Topeka Festival Singers.

He married Elna L. Hanson on June 5, 1949, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Topeka. She died June 28, 1998.

Survivors include a son, Richard K. Friedstrom; a daughter, Joan Barker; and three grandchildren, Emily J. Friedstrom, Amanda K. Barker and Kyle A. Barker, all of Topeka.

Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church. Private inurnment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to First Lutheran Church, 1234 S.W. Fairlawn, Topeka, 66604 or to Topeka Symphony, 2100 S.E. 29th, Topeka, 66605 or to Helen Hocker Theatre in care of Topeka Parks and Recreation Foundation, Gage Park, Topeka, 66606.

Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.penwellgabel.com.

Ernest Monthey

Ernest Monthey, 88, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, at Stormont-Vail Hospital.