John Ayres

John C. Ayres, age 64, retired Boeing Material Handler, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.

John Calvin Ayres was born on Aug. 26, 1946, in Wichita, Kan. He was the only child born to Dick Calvin “Kelly” Ayres and Geraldine Marie (Gerlach) Ayres. He was united in marriage to Connie Lee Hoskinson on Dec. 3, 1967, in Cheney, Kan. John earned a bachelors degree in education. He taught at Altoona for two years, and Elwood for one year. He worked at Cessna for a few years. He retired from Boeing after working 17 years as a material handler. He was a member of Unity Lodge #273 of Clearwater, Midian Shrine, Scottish Rite. He enjoyed bowling and also spent six years working at Lake Afton’s Boys Ranch. 

Memorial services were held at 11 a.m, on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, at Webb-Shinkle Mortuary. Memorials may be made to Clearwater Unity Lodge #273 A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 304, Clearwater, KS 67026.

John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Connie; sons, Michael (Rebecca) of Haysville, Kan., Brian (Sarah) Ayres of Salina; grandchildren, Kristen Ayres, Kylie Ayres, and Holly Rodman.

Webb-Shinkle Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Nelda Croft

Nelda Jean (Peterson) Croft 76, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully Aug. 28, 2010, after battling a long illness.

Nelda was born Oct. 1, 1933, in Clearwater to Willard and Katherine Peterson. She grew up in Clearwater graduating from Clearwater High School.

After high school graduation, she moved to Wichita and worked downtown as a teller at 4th National Bank. On Oct 1, 1955, she married Myron J. Croft at Clearwater Christian Church.

Myron and Nelda were married for almost 55 years. After the birth of her children, Nelda became a wonderful homemaker and devoted parent. She was an excellent cook, housekeeper and seamstress. She later attended Wichita State University graduating in 1980.

Golfing at Rolling Hills was a favorite hobby. She was a volunteer for many years at the Assistance League of Wichita. As a committed Christian, Nelda also volunteered at Westlink Christian Church where she and Myron attended for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Willard and Katherine Peterson; sisters Phyllis Cheatum, Lucille Seamster, Elva Arlene Peterson and half-sister Mary Moore; brothers Marcene Peterson, Raymond Peterson and half-brothers Harold Peterson and Alvin Peterson.

Survivors include husband Myron Croft, son Mark (Theresa) Croft, and daughter Janet Johnson, all of Wichita; sisters Faye (Gib) Dressor of Casper, Wyo., and Velma (Don) Overeem of Wichita; brother Claude (Carolyn) Peterson of San Jacinto, Calif.; and grandchildren Noah and Sophie Croft, William Hill and Erica Johnson.

Viewing was on Tuesday, Aug. 31. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 1, both at Resthaven Mortuary.

Memorials have been established with Westlink Christian Church, 2001 N. Maize Rd., Wichita, KS 67212; Assistance League of Wichita, 2611 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67211; and Union Rescue Mission, 2800 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219. Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenmortuary-cemetery.com.

Dakota Hamill-Stevens

Dakota Ryan Hamill-Stevens, 7 months, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, in Phoenix, Ariz.  Dakota was born Jan. 22, 2010 in Wichita.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, Clearwater. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Clair Memorial Gardens, Pell City, Ala. Memorials may be made to the Dakota Ryan Hamill Memorial Fund, c/o Home Bank & Trust Company, 741 N. 4th, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Survivors include parents, Leon and Kylee Stevens; grandparents, Alex and Lisa Hamill, Annelle Stevens and Rick Youngeagle; great-grandparents Jack and Sharon Bonner, Brad and Heather Stinson, Walt and Nancy Porter, Halson Ray Hamill, Tommy and Sandra Stevens, and Connie Coon.

Webb-Shinkle Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Christina Herrman

Christina E. (Faber) Herrman, age 90, of Schulte, passed away Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.

Christina Elnora (Faber) Herrman was born on Jan. 9, 1920 in Maize, Kan. She was one of nine children born to her parents, John and Rosa (Vedder) Faber. On April 11, 1945, she was united in marriage to Benedict F. Herrman at St. Mark’s. They lived in Colwich from 1945 to 1978, then they moved to Schulte. She was a homemaker and cleaned houses for professional business people. She sang in St. Peter’s Church Choir for many years. She was a member of St. Peter’s Quilter’s Guild and St. Peter’s Altar Society. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and cooking.

A Rosary was held at 7 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010 and a funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 both at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Schulte. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Colwich, Kan. Memorials may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, 11000 SW Blvd, Wichita, KS 67215.

Christina was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; daughter, Geneva McCosh; brothers, Matt, Elmer and Clarence Faber; sisters, Bertha Bebe, Josephine Seiter; son-in-law, Paul Winterscheidt; grandchildren, Tony and Andrew Winterscheidt, Cherie Michelle Enfield. Survivors: daughters, Loretta (Ron) Ketzner of Wichita, and Martina “Tina” (Bob) Shaffer of Ellsworth; sisters, Barbara Newman and Helen Geyer, both of Wichita; brother, Ralph Faber of Goddard; grandchildren, Brian, Christopher, Amy, Eric, Glenn, Jacob, Deanna, Kevin, Julie, Denice, Greg, Krissy,  Kevin, Steven, Daniel, Paul, Bradley; and 35 great-grandchildren.

Webb-Shinkle Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Leota Keeler

Leota M. (Cook) “Dodo” Keeler, age 86, homemaker, of passed away Friday, Aug. 27, 2010.

Leota Marguerite “Dodo” (Cook) Keeler was born on Oct. 31, 1923, in Seymour, Mo. She was the third of eight children born to her parents, Samuel Henry Cook and Pansy Bell Rushing Cook. Leona was united in marriage to Homer Leon Keeler on Aug. 14, 1943, in Marshfield, Mo. Homer preceded her in death on Jan. 1, 2007.

Graveside services were held at 1 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 at Clearwater Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice of Wichita, 439 McLean Blvd, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67203.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer; parents, Sam and Pansy (Rushing) Cook; brothers, Otis and Donald Cook; sisters, May Cook, Leona Wells, Norma Findley; Survivors: sons, Jerry (Pam), Russell (Nancy), Keith, all of Wichita, Larry (Sandi) of Clearwater; sisters, Birthilee Miller and Lena Smith, both of Wichita; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Webb-Shinkle Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

A. Eldon Nelson

A. Eldon Nelson, age 85 and 364 days, retired farmer and stockman, of Clearwater, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010.

Adrian Eldon Nelson was born Aug. 29, 1924 in Rural Viola, Kan. He was one of three children born to his parents, Augie Elton Nelson and Bertha Grace Williams. Eldon was united in marriage to Valeta F. Harman on November 11, 1946 in Clearwater, Kansas.

Services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 at 2 p.m., at Webb-Shinkle Mortuary Chapel, Clearwater. Interment was in Clearwater Cemetery. Memorials: First Christian Church, 524 Wood, Clearwater, KS 67026 or Promises Kept Hospice, 319 N. Dowell St., Wichita, KS 67206.

He was preceded in death by parents, Augie and Bertha Nelson; sister, Mary L. Bowlin. Survivors: wife of 63 years, Valeta; daughter, Anita (Don) McMillan of Clearwater; brother, Melvin Nelson of Mulvane; grandchildren, Matt McMillan, Garrett (Jill) McMillan; great-grandchildren, Emily, Whitney, and Dakota McMillan.

Webb-Shinkle Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.