Deaths & Funerals

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 8, 2005 by Capital-Journal

Lula Leona Covert

Lula Leona Covert, loving wife of Dean F. Covert, mother, grandma and great-great grandma, 82, of Topeka, died Monday noon, March 7, 2005, at Topeka Presbyterian Manor.

She was born Oct. 27, 1921, at Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Clifford James and Charlotta McFarren Mobely. She moved to Topeka as a child.

She was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church and the auxiliary to Capitol Post No. 1, of the American Legion. She volunteered at Door Step Inc. for many years.

Mrs. Covert was married to Dean Freeland Covert on April 10, 1939, at Lawrence. He preceded her in death on Oct. 1, 1994.

Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Vernie D. and Ruth M. Covert and Jerry B. and Teresa A. Covert, all of Topeka; a sister, Betty J. Boydston, Topeka; a brother, Wilbur F. Mobely, Licking, Mo.; three grandchildren, Vernie D. Covert Jr. and Darla J. Whitehead, both of Topeka, and Jerry J. Covert, Lincoln, Neb.; and five great-grandchildren, Darchelle M. Whitehead, Kacy A. Covert, Kyle D. Covert, Dylan D. Whitehead, and Karissa Covert.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Parker- Price Chapel, 245 N.W. Independence. Mrs. Covert will lie in state after 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, 66606-2800.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.penwellgabel.com.

Eli Franklin Fisher Jr.

Eli Franklin Fisher Jr., 75, of Topeka, passed away Friday, March 4, 2005.

Survivors include his wife, Eve; a son, Bruce; three daughters, Janet, Karen, and Tammy; a step-son, Stephen; and a brother, Earl.

Mr. Fisher was cremated. No services are planned.

Davidson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Elton Wayne Flentie

CENTRALIA --- Elton Wayne Flentie, 70, of Centralia, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2005, at his home.

Elton was born Aug. 17, 1934, the son of George Flentie and Virgie Hogle Flentie at Seneca.

He was united in marriage on March 15, 1956, to Darleen Watts at the Lowman Memorial Methodist Church in Topeka.

He is survived by his wife, Darleen, of the home in Centralia; a son, Keith Flentie and his wife, Carol, also of Centralia; a daughter, Debra Downing, and her husband, Ray, Ozawkie; one sister, Ruby Flory-Weixelman, Wichita; four grandchildren, Mark and Kristina Downing, and Dustin and Shayla Flentie.

A family visitation was Monday evening at the Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home, Centralia. The funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today at the United Methodist Church in Centralia.

Memorials to the Seneca Branch of Midland Hospice Center and may be sent in care of Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home, 801 4th St., Centralia, Kan. 66415.

Eileen M. Fredrickson

Eileen M. Fredrickson, 54, died Sunday, March 6, 2005 at St. Francis Medical Center in Topeka.

She was born Aug. 19, 1950, in Concordia. She had been a resident of Topeka since 1994. She and her husband managed local motels.

Survivors include her husband, Steven Fredrickson, Topeka; a daughter, Lisa McCary, Topeka; a grandchild, Travis McCary, Topeka; three brothers; and three sisters.

Services are at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia. An Altar Society rosary will be at 5 p.m. today at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, followed by a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The family will hold a memorial service at 4 p.m. Saturday at Otterbein United Methodist Church, 2915 S.W. 8th Ave., Topeka, 66606.

Memorials may be made to the Travis McCary Education Fund in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W. 6th St. P.O. Box 606, Concordia, 66901.

Joe M. Gomez Sr.

Joe M. Gomez Sr., 85, of Topeka, died Saturday, March 5, 2005, at his home.

Mr. Gomez was employed by the Gas Service Co. for many years. He was a dispatcher at the time of his retirement.

Joe was born March 26, 1919, in Topeka, the son of Leandro and Nicholasa Montes Gomez. Mr. Gomez served with the 6th Infantry Division, Company D in the U.S. Army from May 1941 to November 1945.

Mr. Gomez was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church; Capitol Post No. 1, American Legion; Nate Morales Council No. 11777, Knights of Columbus; and was a former member of the American GI Forum.

Joe married Sara Rodriguez on May 21, 1949, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on May 13, 1987. A daughter, Yolanda Gomez, died Jan. 22, 2002. He also was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Ramona Champney, Anthony Gomez, and Michael "Little Rock" Jackson; five brothers, John Rodriguez, Manual Gomez Sr., Eulojio Gomez, Inricky Gomez and Joaquin Munoz, and a sister, Ramona Cortez.

Survivors include two sons, Joe M. Gomez Jr., and Christopher Gomez, both of Topeka; three daughters, Veronica "Ronnie" Padilla, Sylvia Champney and Rebecca Gomez-Jackson, all of Topeka.

Also, two brothers, Emilio Munoz and Anastacio Munoz, of Topeka; and three sisters, Rachel