Jane Ellen Cowin, 59, of Spring Hill, Kan., passed away Aug. 27, 2010, the result of a truck accident on Highway 169. Funeral services were Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010, at Bruce Funeral Home, 712 S. Webster, Spring Hill, KS 66083, 913-592-2244. Burial followed at Spring Hill Cemetery. Visitation was Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, at the funeral home.
Euphemia Inez Nottingham, 85, died Aug. 24, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Max, grandson, Robert Jason, and sister, Myrle Wilson. She is survived by Kathy Jo (Lee) Knapp of Yuma, Ariz., Robert (Joyce) Nottingham of Lenexa, Kan., Scott (Cynthia) Nottingham of Walpole, Mass., grandchildren, Leslie, Justin (Emily), Catherine, and Nathan Nottingham, her brother, Joe (Sallie) Morris of Butte, Mont. and nephews and nieces. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Olathe, Kan. Visitation with the family will be from 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to Cottey College Scholarship Fund, Nevada, Mo. or to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Olathe. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.PenwellGabelOlathe.com.
Joyce Louise Teufler, 80, of Olathe, Kan., passed away Aug. 26, 2010, at her home. Cremation. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, Kan., 913- 856-7111. Condolences may be sent to www.brucefuneralhome.com.
Gregory John Wirt, 60, died Aug. 26, 2010, at his home in Olathe, Kan., after a long illness. Greg was born Sept. 1, 1949, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Raymond John and Ethel Mae Wirt. He grew up on the family's farm near Hurley, S.D. He married Gloria Marie Hansen of Hurley, on Oct. 17, 1970. Greg served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1975 and was a Machinist Mate First Class on the fast attack submarine the U.S.S. Sunfish from 1971 to 1975. After his discharge from the Navy, Greg worked as a total energy plant operator for Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. In 1982, he received his degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University. The same year, the Wirts moved to Olathe. Greg worked for Black & Veatch in Overland Park for several years and then for Burns & McDonnell as an associate mechanical engineer. He retired in May, 2010, after 22 years of employment with Burns & McDonnell.
Greg loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles and often went riding with his son, John. Some of his favorite vacations were the ones that he and his wife, Gloria, took on the motorcycle to places like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. He also enjoyed riding in the Black Hills and attending the Sturgis Rally in his home state of South Dakota. Greg had an eye for seeing how things could be improved or repaired. Once Greg fixed something, it stayed fixed for good! He liked to share his knowledge of engineering and was a mentor to many young engineers.
Brett Jason Allenbrand, 27, formerly of Olathe, Kan., passed away Aug. 20, 2010. Brett was born Jan. 2, 1983, in Edmonds, Wash. He attended Olathe schools K-10th grade. After moving to Orlando, Fla., he received his diploma from Winter Park High School in 2002. After high school he attended the Fleet Program and became an electrician by trade. He worked as a residential and commercial electrician, which sometimes had him traveling throughout the south on jobs. He was part of a hurricane relief team sent to restore power to devastated areas.
Brett was an athlete who excelled in sports. Growing up he played Babe Ruth baseball, and was a member of the Olathe Spirit Soccer team 82-83, ODP Soccer Team and goalie for Olathe East High School. Vacations revolved around tournament play including the USA Cup. Brett was an avid fisherman, a passion that lasted all his life. Florida is a fisherman's dream; he enjoyed kayaking the back waters and lakes of Florida, and loved the ocean and beaches. Brett was a gentle soul with a big heart. We will miss his sense of humor, his laugh, and the way his smile would light up his face. We will forever love, and miss him.
Donna J. Corwin, 62, of Gardner, Kan., passed away Aug. 25, 2010, at Baldwin Health Care and Rehab, Baldwin City, Kan. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church, 138 E. Shawnee, Gardner. Burial will follow at Gardner Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, 913-856- 7111. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be sent to www.brucefuneralhome.com.
Donna was born Sept. 7, 1947, in Laddonia, Mo., to Glenn Raymond and Ruby Belle (Hopkins) Hatfield. She graduated from Mexico Missouri High School in 1965. Donna married G. Thomas Corwin on Oct. 25, 1969, in Mexico, Mo. They lived in Godfrey, Ill. and moved to Gardner in 1975. She was a secretary for the First Presbyterian Church of Gardner for 15 years. She was a Deacon, a choir member, and served in the Stephen's ministry. Donna loved her children and grandchildren dearly and enjoyed being their mother and grandma.
Andrew Kellow Hurd, 16, of Gardner, Kan., passed away Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 in Gardner. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, at New Life Community Church, 17935 S. Moonlight Road, Gardner. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Andrew Hurd GEHS Soccer Scholarship Fund or to the Fellowship Bible Church Youth Mission Trip Fund. Condolences online at www.brucefuneralhome.com.
Willis Kenyon, 83, of Olathe, Kan., passed away on Aug. 25, 2010, at Garden Terrace of Overland Park, Kan. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, Kan., 913-768-6777. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Spring Hill, Kan. The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers to Crossroads Hospice, Kansas City, Mo., or Garden Terrace, 7541 Switzer Road, Overland Park, KS 66214, (913) 631-2273, Activity Department.
Mr. Kenyon was born on Sept. 13, 1926, in WaKeeney, Kan. He taught school in western Kansas for two years. He was a retired Chief in the U.S. Navy and proud to have served his country. He was an embalmer and mortician. He spent much of his life helping others and serving God. The love of his life was his wife, Doris Virginia Kenyon, who preceded him in death. He loved and spent much time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed whittling and country music. A favorite place to travel was Mountain View, Ark., where he would whittle on the town square and win awards in the local contests. He was a talented craftsman and enjoyed working with wood. He attended and was active in the Olathe Christian Church up to three years ago when he was stricken with Alzheimer's disease. He was cared for by the wonderful staff at Garden Terrace in Overland Park. We are very grateful for the care and love he received at this facility.
Euphemia Inez Nottingham, 85, passed away Aug. 24, 2010. Memorial services are pending. Arrangements, Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Olathe Chapel, 913-768-6777.
Alan "Mike" Michael Privette, 57, passed away on Aug. 16, 2010, in Kansas City, Kan. He was born May 14, 1953, to Hugh H. Privette and Frances M. Dodson in Kansas City, Mo. He had two children, Michael and Michelle. Services were Friday, Aug. 27, at Center of Grace, 520 S. Harrison, Olathe. Services by Marts 816-561-8181. Memorial fund for Privette children may be mailed to 557 E. Park, Olathe, KS 66061.