January 4-6, 2006 The ADVOCATE Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 10, No. 1 Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 5, Column 1: "Earl Poss 1916-2005 Mass of Christian Burial for Earl Poss, 89, Garnett were Saturday, December 31, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Angles Catholic Church with Father Brian Klingele officiating. Interment was in Holy Angels Cemetery. Mr. Poss died Tuesday morning, December 27, at his home following a short illness. Earl Poss was born on July 8, 1916, in rural Greeley, the oldest son of John and Ann (Feuerborn) Poss. He was a lifelong resident of Anderson County and lived much of his life on the family farm on which he was born. The Poss farm was named a Century Farm by the Kansas Farm Bureau a number of years back. He worked the farm and raised livestock with his father, as well as his sons. He was a graduate of Greeley High School and worked for his father and other local farmers prior to World War II. He served his country in the Army Air Corps from 1940 to 1945, stationed at bases in Texas as an aviation maintenance professional. Honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 as Master Sergeant, he returned to Kansas to farm. Earl and Roberta Phyllis Legan from San Antonio, TX, were married on June 23, 1945, in Waco, TX. They moved to the family farm where they lived until 1995, when they retired to Garnett. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2005 with family and friends. They were proud parents of six children, Linda of Dallas, TX, Michael (Randy) of LaCygne, James (Kathy) of Lane, Stephen of Greeley, Janice (Marlys) of Cedar Grove WI, and Eileen (Kenny) of Garnett. He and Roberta were always very proud of their children's accomplishments and were always available to assist them in time of need. He worked very hard on the farm but always enjoyed the hard work. For relaxation, he enjoyed bingo, card games, and dominos, whether for money or not, with his family. He loved the outdoors, raising dairy and beef cattle, and took pride in the livestock his children raised as 4-H projects. His greatest passion was that a task be done right no matter how menial it might be. He continued doing his own lawn and flowers with Roberta until his death. Earl was active in the National Farmers Organization in the 1960's and served on the board of the Greeley Coop. Earl will be remembered as a talented farmer, a helpful neighbor, a trusted friend, and a very honest man. Earl was a devoted Catholic with membership at St. John the Baptist church in Greeley, serving in a number of capacities at the church. After retirement, he and Roberta were active members of Holy Angels Catholic Church. Mr. Poss was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ann Poss; his brother, Mark A. Poss; his daughter-in-law, Jayne (Brown) Poss; and his sisters, Margaret Ohmes and her husband Ted, and Gertrude Halloran and her husband John. Earl is survived by his wife; his six children; his 12 grandchildren; his two great- granddaughters; his brothers, Elmer Poss and his wife, Ursula, of Homer, LA, and Don Poss and his wife, Nadine, of Richmond; his sisters-in-law, Rosie Poss of Leawood, and Evelyn Babe Armstrong of Alamogordo, NM; and many nieces and nephews. Music was provided by Mary Milner, organist, and Scott Schulte, soloist. Musical selections included 'Amazing Grace', 'On Eagle's Wings', 'On this Day', 'How Great Thou Art'. Casketbearers were Earl's grandsons, Richard Poss, Bryan Poss, Christopher Poss, Ian Osler, Arlo Osler, and Blake Thompson. The family requests donations to Holy Angels Catholic Church or to the Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter in Ottawa. Mr. Poss will be missed by his many relatives and friends but is now at peace with God. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements." Page 5, Column 2: "Alta Ann Riblett 1916-2005 Funeral services for Alta Ann Riblett, 89, longtime resident of Greeley, were Saturday, December 31, 2005, at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating. Interment was in Garnett Cemetery. Mrs. Riblett died Thursday, December 29, at Golden Heights Living Center. Alta Ann Riblett was born April 20, 1916, at Centerville, the daughter of Thomas Bert and Mable Ann (Holloman) McCarty. She attended Keokuk country school, first through eighth grades. She was needed to help run the family farm and did not attend high school. At the age of 13, she was baptized into the First Christian Church at Parker. On July 22, 1934, Alta was united in marriage to Lawrence Wayne Riblett by the Presbyterian minister in Greeley. This union was blessed with three children. Alta took care of the children while Wayne was in the European Theatre in World War II. Wayne was a boilermaker and diesel mechanic for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad and worked in the roundhouses at Coffeyville and Osawatomie. As a result of his work, they lived in Dearing, Coffeyville, and Greeley. Alta enjoyed quilting and needlework. He projects included making 27 quilts for all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were both members of the Blackjack VFW in Coffeyville and the VFW in Greeley. After her marriage, she was busy being a homemaker and a mother to three children. Mrs. Riblett was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, on July 25, 1995; her parents, Thomas and Mable McCarty; her brothers, Harmie McCarty, Thomas McCarty, Jr., and Alfred McCarty; her sisters, Phoebe McCarty Barnett and Opal McCarty Davey; and her grandson, Tim Riblett. Alta is survived by her daughter, Thelma Kratzberg and her husband, Jerry, of Fort Smith, AR; her sons, Oscar Riblett of Wichita and Loren Riblett and his wife, Rosella, of Salina; her sisters, Eva Spencer of Greeley, Nadine Boydston of LaCygne, and Betty Bilderback of Garnett; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and three step-great- grandchildren. Music was provided by Jeanine Zentner, organist, and Scott Schulte, soloist. Musical selections included 'Just As I Am', 'One Day At A Time', and 'When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder'. Casketbearers were Loren Riblett, Jr., Carl Riblett, Leroy Kratzberg, Mike Riblett, Donnie Kratzberg, and A.J. Kratzberg. The family suggests memorials to Golden Heights Living Center. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements." Page 5, Column 3: "Sidney S. Higginbottom 1923-2005 Funeral services for Sidney S. Higginbottom, 82, Parker, were Tuesday, January 3, 2006, at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating. Interment was in Garnett Cemetery with military graveside honors provided by V.F.W. Post #6397 and American Legion Post #48, both of Garnett. Mr. Higginbottom died Saturday, December 31, 2005, at Golden Heights Living Center. Sidney S. Higginbottom was born July 4, 1923, in Anderson County, the son of Wesley and Minnie (Davis) Higginbottom. He served in World War II as a Corporal in the Marines. He participated in action against the enemy while serving aboard ship. He was a hard working farmer, loved livestock, and rode his ATV to look over his land, some days ending up riding all day long. Sidney and Norma Lee Fields were married November 6, 1948, at Iola. She survives of the home. Mr. Higginbottom was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Minnie Higginbottom; his brother, Virgil Higginbottom; and his sisters, Fern Horn and Velma Millington. Sid is also survived by his stepdaughter, Donie Fields of Westphalia. Music was provided by Jeanine Zentner, organist, and Scott Schulte, soloist. Musical selections included 'My Way' and 'On The Wings Of A Snow White Dove'. Casketbearers were Jr. Gainer, Chuck Peterson, Brad Bell, Ronnie Sommers, Matt Cahill, and Allan Peterson. Memorial contributions may be made to Garnett V.F.W. Post #6397. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements." "Ralph Stever 1914-2006 Funeral services for Ralph Stever, 91, Colony, are Saturday, January 7, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel in Colony. Interment is in Colony Cemetery. Mr. Stever died Monday, January 2, at his home. The family will greet friends from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Saturday prior to the funeral. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements." "Ronn Heise Funeral services for Ronn Heise, 44, Russell, formerly of Ottawa are pending and will be announced later. Heise was the former owner of Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home in Ottawa. He died Monday, January 2, after a battle with cancer. Heise operated the Pohlmann-Heise Funeral Home in Russell at the time of his death." Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon