Carey Funeral Home

Vaughn Leland Thompson, 86, Topeka, Kansas, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 22, 2020. He was born June 14, 1933 at Woodlawn, Kansas in Nemaha County, the son of Arthur and Lois (McClain) Thompson. He loved spending time with his family and would help where he could. He loved his Country and served as a member of the United States Army in active duty from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean War. He farmed his small farm and worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation for 35 years. He was a member of the Auburn Presbyterian Church where he had served as a session member. He married the love of his life, Marjorie Genene Thomas on July 10, 1960. She survives of the...

Greg A. Punches, 70, Burlingame, Kansas, died Friday, April 10, 2020 at his home. He was born September 15, 1949 at Kansas City, MO, the son of Kenneth Wesley and Anna Mae (McMurdo) Punches. Before retiring to his long-term residence in Burlingame, Greg worked 42 years for the BNSF Railway in Topeka as a welder and business-class carman. Additionally, he served in the Army Reserves during Vietnam. Greg was extremely talented. He could build and create anything that he set his mind to. He was very generous and always willing to help anyone with anything. He is survived by his son, Craig (Carrie) and their children, Megan, Marion and Harrison Punches of San Antonio, TX; a son, David...

Phyllis Faye Peters-Silver, 89, Topeka, Kansas, formerly of the Lyndon and Burlingame communities, passed away Friday, March 27, 2020. She was born September 10, 1930 at Burlingame, the daughter of Malcolm L. and Faye Taylor Workman. She graduated from Harveyville High School. Phyllis started as a Bank Teller for the First State Bank. She then stayed home to raise her two children from 1957 to 1968. Later, she was a Loan Officer for First National Bank and Fairlawn Plaza Bank in Topeka. She married Fred Peters on April 29, 1949. He preceded her in death on December 15, 1988. She later married Virgil Silver on February 25, 1995. He preceded her in death on June 11, 2017. She was...

John E. Fry, 82, Topeka, formerly of Burlingame, died Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at his home, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born November 10, 1937, at Burlingame, the son of George W. and Hazel Howe Fry. He grew up at Burlingame, graduating with the Class of 1955. He spent two years in the U.S. Army. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 42 years, retiring in 1999. After retiring, he worked hauling grain, mowing the Burlingame Cemetery, and drove cars for Ed Bozarth. He also did mechanic work for many people. He was a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 79, Burlingame, and the American Legion Post No. 198 at Osage City. He was married to Charlene Smith on December...

Fred H. Widau, 98, Overbrook, Kansas, formerly of Burlingame, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2020 at the Brookside nursing facility in Overbrook, Kansas. Born April 1, 1921 at a farm home near Carbondale, KS, he was the son of Charles Henry and Mary Frances Carls Widau. He later graduated from Carbondale High School in 1939. Fred married Georgia Ruth Montgomery, November 4, 1945, at the Montgomery family farm home near Burlingame, KS. Soon after his marriage he started work as a farmhand for the Columbian Hog & Cattle Powder Co. at their farm in Salem, Nebraska. Four years later he was promoted and assigned as manager of the Columbian Stock Farm near Grandview, MO. In 1966 he...

Leland "Lee" Fred Herzog, 78, Auburn, Kansas, passed away Friday, March 20 2020 at his home, surrounded by his family and kept comfortable by Midland Hospice Care. He was born June 5, 1941 at Osage City, KS, the son of Fred "Ducky" and Lova Ruth (Evans) Herzog. He attended and graduated from Osage City High School in 1959. Leland worked as a Union Journeyman Plumber-Pipefitter his entire life, and worked 17 years at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Plant in Topeka. He was a very proud member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 441 and USW Union Local 307. He thought a lot of his fellow Union brothers and sisters. Lee was a member of the Auburn Presbyterian Church in Auburn, KS...

Aletta M. Burgess, 84, formerly of Burlingame, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 24, 2020 at Brookside Manor, Overbrook, Kansas. Aletta was born July 22, 1935 in rural Dover, KS, the daughter of Eli L. and Nadine E. (Campbell) Akers. Aletta's education began in a one room country school, she traveled by horseback to and from school. She graduated from Harveyville High School in 1953. Aletta was employed at Central National Bank in Topeka after graduating from high school. She worked as a waitress at Dunn's Cafe when the family moved to Burlingame. Later she worked at Santa Fe Trail Nursing Center for several years before working and retiring from KNI as supervisor of the sewing...

Charles S. "Pete" Peterson, 86, formerly of Burlingame, Kansas passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020. Charles was cremated. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 17, 2020 at the Burlingame Federated Church, Burlingame, Kansas. Inurnment will follow in Burlingame Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice and sent in care of Carey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 196, Burlingame, KS 66413.

Dale H. Stout, 86, Topeka, Kansas passed away Thursday, January 9, 2020. He was born December 16, 1933 at Burlingame, Kansas, the son of Henson Rozelle and Marjorie Lucille Workman Stout. He graduated from Burlingame High School in 1951. Dale was a member of the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. Dale worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 16 years and later for the First State Bank of Burlingame, where he retired as a Executive Vice President, after 25 years of service. He was a member of the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, Burlingame School Board and the Burlingame Historical Society. Dale married Carol L. McEwen on May 23, 1954 at Burlingame. They have celebrated 65 years of...

Donald H. "Doc" Koci Sr., 85, Auburn, Kansas, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2020 at a Topeka hospital. He was born January 13, 1934 at Auburn, Kansas, the son of Edward and Nellie Ginter Koci. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1952. He was a member of the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Doc was a sheet metal worker at Kansas Sheet Metal and later Young's for 30 plus years before retiring in 1993. He was a devoted family man and never missed a family event. He was a Charter member of the Auburn Lions Club and received The 50 Year Charter Monarch Chevron Award in June of 2015. He enjoyed serving in all official capacities as a member. The Lions Club sponsored the games on...

Patty Ann Whitmore Harr, 81, Burlingame, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 3, 2020. A graveside funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Burlingame Cemetery, Burlingame, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Patty Harr Scholarship Fund and sent in care of Carey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 196, Burlingame, KS 66413.

Merlene K. Simmons, devoted wife, loving mother, and faithful Christian, passed away in the Lord on December 21, 2019 at the age of 77. Merlene was born on March 20, 1942 to Merle L. Sr. and Dorothy (King) Young in Harveyville, KS. Merlene grew up in Harveyville, KS, graduating from Harveyville High School in 1960. Merlene entered into holy matrimony with Larry L. Simmons Sr. on June 18, 1962 at Quivira Heights Church of Christ. She worked at several area retail stores, Orkin Pest Control, KIB and retired as a seamstress at KNI. She volunteered at St Francis and Stormont Vail Hospitals for many years. She was a member of Quivira Heights Church of Christ. Merlene loved ceramics and...

Walter Gerald Martin, 84, Overbrook, Kansas passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Brookside Retirement Community. He was born March 15, 1935 at Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Noah and Dora (O'Brien) Martin. He graduated from Overbrook High School in 1955. Walt was a lifelong resident of Overbrook as well as a longtime business owner. He served his community in several ways over the years. Walt was a member of the volunteer fire department for many years. County fair time, he could be found pulling a float in the parade. Friday nights for over 30 years, one could see Walt "running the chains" at the high school football game or keeping score at the basketball games. One of the...

Charles Earl "Pete" Copp, 88, Auburn, Kansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Sunday, December 8, 2019. Pete was born February 9, 1931, the son of Harry and Lottie Hamby Copp. He married Romona Orndoff on January 24, 1949. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in January of this year. Pete was a plumber and owned Copp Plumbing Company. He later worked for McElroy's, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Auburn Presbyterian Church and was involved in many different capacities there. Pete also worked with Boy Scout Troop 117 for years with his sons. He was an instrumental part of starting the Auburn Community Center and the Auburn Community Library. He was...

Nellie Jean Pippert, 78, Scranton, Kansas passed away Saturday, November 30, 2019. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Cross Road Community Church, Scranton, Kansas. Burial will follow in Sutton Cemetery. Jean will lie in state from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Carey Funeral Home, Burlingame, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cross Road Community Church and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Burlingame, KS 66413.

Robert D. Vandevord, 91, Scranton, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2019. A graveside funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at the Ramskill Memorial Chapel in Burlingame Cemetery, Burlingame, KS. Robert will lie in state from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carey Funeral Home, where the family will greet friends and relatives from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Burlingame Recreation Commission or the Burlingame First Responders and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Burlingame, KS 66413.

Georgina R. "Jeanne" Porter, 61, Wakarusa, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 25, 2019 at her home. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2019 at the Auburn United Methodist Church, Auburn, Kansas. Burial will follow at Auburn Cemetery. Jeanne will lie in state from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Carey Funeral Home, Burlingame, Kansas, where the family will greet friends and relatives from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Burlingame, KS 66413.

Jeannie L. Patton, 67, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2019 at a Topeka hospital. She was born January 27, 1952 at Burlingame, Kansas, the daughter of Kenneth Eugene and Gertrude Rendell Henderson. Jeannie married Patrick J. Patton, February 14, 1974 at Topeka. He preceded her in death on September 11, 1998. She was also preceded in death her parents and a brother, Lanney Jay Henderson. Survivors include a son, Casey R. (Kerri) Patton, West Des Moines, IA; two grandchildren and a sister, Judy (Stuart) Bailey, Tecumseh, KS. Jeannie was known for her sense of humor and laugh. A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Harveyville...

Pauline "Nanny" (Bundy) Morris, 89, Auburn, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2019, surrounded by her family, at a Topeka hospital. She was born June 29, 1930 at Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Wilson "Purdy" and Bertha (Sherretts) Bundy. She attended Liberty Grade School, graduated from Washburn Rural High School and attended business school. She cooked for many years at the Auburn Grade School and Jr. High School after her children were all in school. Our fondest memories will be of 4th. of July suppers at her home, with fried chicken, homemade bread, homemade ice cream for more than 50 years. Making bready bears to leave for Santa, with grandkids, great grandkids and whoever...

Lavern "Vernie" J. Schmidtberger, 86, Topeka, Kansas passed away Monday, October 28, 2019. A graveside funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2019 at Hoyt Cemetery, Hoyt, Kansas. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Carey Funeral Home, Burlingame, Kansas.

Montie Merle Akers, 77, Topeka, Kansas passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Midland Hospice House. Montie was cremated. A celebration of life will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at the Rocking V Ranch Event Center, 7325 SW 93rd. St., Wakarusa, Kansas 66546. Inurnment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Gardens, Topeka, Kansas. The family will greet friends and relatives from 9:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the Event Center. The family asks for you to dress casual / jeans and wear your favorite ball or agriculture hat. Memorial contributions may be made to the Angel Fund Stormont Vail Foundation and sent in care of Carey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 196, Burlingame, KS...