Roberta(Eckdall) Berg
Roberta D. (Eckdall) Berg, 76, Salina, Kansas, passed away at the Salina Regional Health Center, on Sunday, January 10, 2021.
Roberta Drausine Eckdall was born in Greeley, Colorado February 4, 1944, the daughter of Dr. Funston J. and Clara Regina (Maurycy) Eckdall.
She was a graduate of Emporia High School and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago majoring in textile design and weaving and married Raymond Berg in Chicago, Illinois in 1964; they later divorced. She returned to Emporia to complete her education in art at Emporia State University.
She was a Graphic Arts Instructor at Salina Area Technical College, from the time of her graduation from ESU until her retirement. On weekends she also taught a graphic art class at Emporia State University for several years. She was a member of the Emporia State University Alumni Association, and was recognized as a nominee for Teacher of The Year by her peers in the vocational education association. She was active in the art community of Salina including being a member of the Bluestem Art Gallery as well as participating in many art exhibitions. With the assistance of her sister Cathy she exhibited and sold many floral pastels at an annual exhibit on Fire Island, NY. She was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church, Salina and was an avid duplicate bridge player.
In her younger years she was known for her eccentric taste in attire as well as her technical expertise in many facets of art. Her love of flowers, especially irises, became a focal point of her pastels and watercolors.
She is survived by her son; Robert Raymond Berg, Salina, Kansas; grandchildren, Ian Berg, Robert Berg, Jr. and Jewel Berg Turnbull, and four great-grandchildren; as well as her sisters; Susan Eckdall Cinfio, Sparks, NV, Cathy Eckdall, Brooklyn, NY, Jan Eckdall Grantham, Broomfield, CO, and Karen Eckdall Damon, Sparks, NV.
Cremation is planned. Due to present health concerns a memorial service will be held at a later date in Emporia.
A memorial has been established with the Eckdall Health Care Scholarship Fund at the Emporia State University Foundation. Contributions may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801
Condolences may be sent to the family online through the funeral home website; www.robertsblue.com
Salina, Ks. Salina Journal on January 19, 2021
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Nan Purviance-Berger
Nan Purviance-Berger of Bend, Oregon died Thursday, April 22 at home with her husband and son at her side. Nan was born in Emporia February 24, 1944 to Ralph Purviance and Mildred Paulson. She graduated from Emporia High School in 1962 and Emporia State in 1966.
Nan taught several years in Topeka and then in New Jersey before marrying in 1972 and moving to Milford, PA. They also lived for 15 years in South Carolina before moving to Oregon in 2010. Nan volunteered at many charitable organizations, but most often at equine-assisted therapeutic facilities. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; a son, David (Karla) and triplet grandchildren, Ella, Mary, and Reilly of Seattle. Nan is also survived by a brother, Charlie of San Diego; a sister, Gloria of Pomeroy, Washington and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A private service is planned later this year in Milford, Pennsylvania.
Emporia, KS Gazette May 4, 2021
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Sandra (Sparks) Llouise MvNeil Clifton
Sandra Louise Sparks McNeil Clifton died on September 19, 2021, in Tulsa, OK. Sandra was born February 10, 1944, in Topeka to Merle Edwin Sparks and Florence L. Bacon Sparks Stithem. Sandra grew up in Emporia, graduating from Emporia State University with a BSE in English, Spanish and French. She continued her education and achieved a Masters of Divinity Degree and a Doctor of Ministry Degree, both from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK.
Sandra was a gifted writer; she wrote scripts for television shows such as “Maude,” a children’s animation project for Sir Lew Grade of the UK, and various articles for publications. She was a ghostwriter, edited children’s stories, and became an author of several books of her own. She was multi-talented and was a motivational speaker, film and TV actress, and voice-over actress. She was also a lecturer at the seminary level and other venues on religious cults and New Age teaching.
Sandra is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Terry; sisters, Ms. Diana Sparks Roberts of Farmington, MN and Mrs. Carolyn Sparks Holliday of Haymarket, VA; stepsister, Ms. Diana Stithem of Kingman, AZ and stepbrother, Mr. Mike Stithem of Lawrence, KS.
In recent years Sandra, along with her husband, wrote for Guidepost Publications. Her writings were featured in several of their devotional books, including “All God’s Creatures” printed in 2020, 2021, and will be in the upcoming 2022 and 2023 editions, which Sandra finished shortly before passing.
The family will gather in August of 2022 to celebrate her life.
Emporia, KS Gazette Oct. 6, 2021
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Mary Beth (Traylor) Bookwalter
Passed April 29. 2022
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K B Thomas
Passed July 22, 2022
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Imogene (Rathke) Corkins
Passed July 27. 2022
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Anita (Fitch) Larcade
Passed August 18. 2022
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RICHARD JAMES
Dr. Richard Francis James, 78, passed August 18 at Glenwood.. He was born August 2, 1944, to Dr. Carl and Frances James in Eureka, Kansas. He had an idyllic childhood building race cars and hunting on the James farm and in Western Kansas. He was president of his 1962 high school senior class, and he presided over class reunions through 2017. He enrolled at Emporia State University and was president of the Sig Taus.
In June of 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force. He was promoted to sergeant and named munitions and maintenance man of the month. His tour included Vietnam, Korea, and Japan where he built and loaded bombs. After his discharge, he completed his bachelor's degree. He was then hired by the newly opened Shawnee Mission NW High School in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1974, Kansas named him Outstanding Young Educator.
After earning his master's degree, he resigned his position at Shawnee Mission but continued to attend reunions of the original faculty. He then began his doctoral program at Northern Illinois University where he met Marcia when she joined the program in 1976. He received the Lyle Maxwell Award while at Northern. After marrying Marcia, he accepted a tenure-track position at UW-Whitewater. He received the college and university service awards for his prairie reconstruction efforts. He and Marcia received the Vocational Instructional Materials Award at a national convention after they authored Microcomputer Applications in Business. He also received the Freedom's Foundation Leavey Award for his two-day Mini Business World experience where business people, teachers, and students would work together to create a business. The Wisconsin Business Education Association recognized him as their Outstanding Postsecondary Educator in 2002.
Finally, Rich helped bring the Programs of Excellence Award to UW-Whitewater three times! He sang in First English Lutheran Church choir and played baritone in Fort Atkinson's Community Band for 25 years. He played golf and made wine with many friends. He and Marcia traveled extensively. He participated in two Badger Honor Flights. He is the original owner of a 1964 corvette, which was driven in the Whitewater Fourth of July parade from 1979-2019. He continued to hunt, oversee his Kansas farmland while being dad to Griffin (Katie) and Logan and grandad to Canon and Reed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and six Brittany spaniels. He is also survived by his sister and many nieces, nephews, and former students. Marcia and sons would like to thank the staff at Glenwood, Agrace Hospice, Dee Simon, fellow golfers and Pastor Wendt, who faithfully visited. Please send any contributions to the Dr. Richard F. James Marketing Education Scholarship, UW-Foundation, 810 W. Main Street, Whitewater.
The family will greet friends of Richard's on Saturday, August 27, at 10 AM at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. A service will follow at 11 AM. A luncheon will follow the service at Willow Brook golf club.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard James, please visit Tribute Store
Published by Nitardy Funeral Homes - Whitewater WI. on Aug. 18, 2022.
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Charles Triggs
Charles “Charle” Edward Triggs, Jr, 78, returned Home to Our Lord on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Charle was born to Myrtle Minnie (Gunkel) and Charles “Charley'' Triggs, Sr. on November 1, 1944 on the family farm in Lyon County, KS. While still a young boy the family moved from the farm to Emporia where they welcomed another son, Raymond LeRoy. Charle graduated from Emporia High School, 1962. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1967 and Master of Science in Education in 1973 both from the Kansas State Teachers College (today it is known as Emporia State University). While attending school he worked at North Reebles.
Charle was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.
One day at work while unloading a watermelon truck he first saw Sharon Charmaine Gould (who also worked at North Reebles) of Hutchinson who would later become his wife. Charle went out of his way to talk with Sharon, even getting in trouble for sacking groceries instead of performing his job as assistant produce manager.
Their first official date was November 1st, yes his birthday - he always said Sharon was his birthday present. They were engaged by Thanksgiving and married a little over a year later on June 12, 1965. While dating, Sharon and Charle would often travel to Hutchinson to visit her family and they drove through Newton. They picked Newton as their future home town because it was in between their families. After Charle graduated, he called the Newton School District and asked them for a job. Luckily for all of us, they said yes.
Charle proudly taught various subjects at Newton High School for 50 years. Most will remember him teaching History and Government, but he also taught English in his early career. Those not in Charle’s Social Studies classes may have had him in Driver’s Education - that he taught for 51 years. Additionally, Charle held many positions within USD 373 including filming NHS football games, security at the side door of basketball games, Student Council Sponsor, and softball coach. Outside of NHS he taught at Hutchinson Junior College, filmed football games for Bethel College, and umpired.
Outside of his passion of working with Newton USD 373, Charle was a devoted husband and father. He loved and was devoted to his family by attending most events. Additionally, Charle was a member of First United Methodist Church serving on several committees and an usher the first Sunday of the month for as long as he was able. Charle was an active member of the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) and served as a delegate for many years to their convention, and was associated with the Harvey County Republican Party. Charle was also on the Kansas State Driver’s Education Board. Charle enjoyed riding with the Newton Police Department.
Charle’s lasting legacy continues with his loving wife of 58 years Sharon, daughter Nicole Triggs of Houston, TX; son Trey Triggs, grandsons Justin and Perry (Téa) all of Wichita; and Daughter Molly (Randy) Sharrock, granddaughters Arwin and Alexis all of Katy, TX. Charle has great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many others he considered family members. He also considered his pets to be important members of his family, cats: Sugar Pie, Sunni, Pee Wee & beloved dog Mazy Tweed.- whom his neighbors remember him taking on many walks.
Charles E Triggs, Jr., Charle, Trigger, Coach, Mr. T, Triggs, Husband, Father, and Daddy impacted a colossal amount of people during his lifetime. His impact is unmeasurable.
Visitation is on July 28, 2023 from 5:00 - 9:
00 PM - family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Celebration of Life Services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Newton at 10:00 AM on July 29, 2023 with internment immediately following at Restlawn Gardens of Memory Cemetery just outside of Newton by Highway 50.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Caring Hands Humane Society, 1400 Southeast 3rd Street, Newton, KS 67114.
We love you and miss you.
Always remember to wear your seatbelt, drive safely and watch your speed.
Published by Petersen Family Funeral Home - Newton on Jul. 24, 2023.
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Harlan Combes
Harlan left this world on January 19, 2024 after a debilitating illness. He is survived by his wife Marsha. According to his wishes he is to be
cremated and and his ashes are to be spread on land they owned in Colorado.
Information provided by Marsha
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kathy Jones Smith
Brenda Kathleen “Kathy” Smith, aged 79, passed away on January 18, 2024. Born on February 22, 1944, in Emporia Kansas, she was the eldest child of Eileen and DeWayne Jones. Kathy grew up in Emporia, where she was active in gymnastics and social clubs, and graduated from Emporia Senior High School, in 1962. She married Robert Smith, and shortly thereafter they moved to Manhattan, Kansas. There Kathy worked as a teller at the First National Bank of Manhattan. Before the year was out, Kathy’s life was drastically changed following a serious car accident which left her paralyzed. Subsequently, the couple moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1966, where Robert began working for the Boeing Airplane Company and Kathy opened a new chapter in her life learning to be a home maker from the confines of a wheelchair.
As a mother, Kathy raised her two sons, Jeremy Smith and Michael Smith who will always cherish their memories of her.
Kathy also made her mark as a citizen, serving as the chairperson of the Architectural Barriers Committee, Kansas Paralysis Chapter, National Paralegal Foundation – an organization which advocated for accessibility and accommodations for the disabled. After her separation and subsequent divorce from Robert in 1986, Kathy continued to demonstrate resilience and dedication to her family and community. Kathy is survived by her children: Jeremy Smith; and Michael Smith and wife Jessy Cruze Smith; grandchildren: Justin Kennedy and wife Kerry Kennedy; Kelsey Smith; and Wyatt Smith; and two great grandchildren, Adeline Etter and Murphy Kennedy; and her sister; Gail Williams and husband Gary Williams. Although Kathy’s life was filled with events the majority of us will not have to endure, it was also filled with many of the experiences we know and cherish as family members. Above all, her life has been a testament to what can be accomplished with perseverance,, regardless of the circumstances you may find yourself in. As we bid her farewell, we do so with gratitude for the time we had with her and the experiences she could share with us.
In accordance with her wishes, Kathy’s remains will be cremated, and a private memorial service will be held to honor her life and legacy.
Facebook posting by Robert Smith
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Sue Dunn Eichstaedt
No information found so if some one can at least point me in the right direction I would appreciate the help.
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Raymond Victor Rodriguez
Raymond Victor Rodriguez of Emporia passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024, at his home. He was 80 years old.
Raymond was born on June 15, 1943, in Emporia, Kansas, to Lorenzo and Sofia Torres Rodriguez. He married Barbara Jean Jones on October 16, 1965, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Emporia. She survives him.
Surviving family members include his wife, Barbara; his brother, Manuel Rodriguez, of Kansas City, Missouri; sons, Mick (Kristal) Rodriguez and Kenneth (Maria) Rodriguez, both of Emporia; grandchildren, Marcus and Ashley Herrera, Erica Rodriguez, Joshua and Nathan Rodriguez, Nico and Natalie Rodriguez, Selena and Ashley Rodriguez, Corey and Meche Maley, Briannea and Brett Charbonneau, Courtney and David Gibson; great-grandchildren, Zayne, Drayden and Eli Rodriguez, Maxton, Myers, and Isla Herrera, Ember Charbonneau, and Thea Rose Maley.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Johnny, Andy, Victor, and Gabriel Rodriguez; and sisters, Esperanza and Monica Rodriguez.
Raymond served in the United States Army. After returning home, he worked for IBP for 28 years. Upon retiring from IBP, he took positions at the Presbyterian Manor and later at Emporia State University in the HVAC division. He was a devout member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus.
The visitation will take place at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday night with the Rosary recited at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Emporia. Memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. You can leave online condolences at www.robertsblue.com.
Emporia, KS Emporia Gazette March 8,2024
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Linda Wagner
Laurence"Larry" Ballard
Philip F. Fleming
Barbara Proulx Wolters
Lester "Andy" Finuf
Mike Loucks
Sobke, Joyce Ann
Marks, Richard
Jones, Thomas (Tom)
Klotz, Jack Roger - Iola
Marie F. Smith Nicholas
James E Ragsdale 
Homer L. Peak
Arthur Dean Hylton
