January 25, 2006
  The ADVOCATE
  Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties
  Volume 10, No. 6
  Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown
  
  Page 5, Column 1:
  
  "Helen Benjamin
  1916-2006
  Memorial services for Helen Benjamin, 89, Garnett, are today, Wednesday, January 25,
  2006, at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating.  Miss
  Benjamin died Thursday, January 19, at Guest Home Estates in Garnett.
  Helen Benjamin was born May 22, 1916, in rural Garnett, the daughter of Ralph and Julia
  (Miller) Benjamin.  She was one of thirteen children in her family.  She graduated from
  Garnett High School in 1934.  Following high school she attended Kansas State
  Teacher's College in Emporia and Pittsburg.  She taught school for nine years.  She then
  worked as a clerk in local stores.
  She was a member of First Christian Church of Garnett.  Her hobbies included playing
  cards.  Helen was a wonderful cook and always enjoyed being able to spend time with
  her family.
  Miss Benjamin was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Julia Benjamin; her
  seven brothers, Dite, Homer, Ivan, Ollie, Otto, Gene, and Howard; and her five sisters,
  Ida, Ethel, Emiline, Mabel, and Dorothy.
  Helen is survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of other friends and family.
  Music was provided by Jeanine Zentner.  Congregational hymns were 'Amazing Grace'
  and 'How Great Thou Art'.
  The family suggests memorials to First Christian Church.
  Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements."
  
  Page 5, Column 2:
  
  "Norma Jean Ballard
  1930-2006
  Funeral services for Norma Jean Ballard, 75, Iola, were Monday, January 23, 2006, at
  Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel in Colony with Rev. Lloyd Houk officiating. 
  Interment was in Colony Cemetery.  Mrs. Ballard died Thursday, January 19, at her
  home.
  Norma Jean Ballard was born November 4, 1930, at Garnett, the daughter of Charlie and
  Cleo (Houdashelt) Ashlock.  She grew up in Garnett where she attended schools and
  lived in Anderson County most of her life.  She lived in Colony from 1971-1994, moving
  to Homewood, KS, where she lived until 2005 when she and her husband moved to Iola.
  She was a former member of Harris EHU.  Norma loved to read, do crafts, and to garden. 
  She was a member of the Colony Christian Church.  She drove the school bus in Colony
  and worked in the dietary department at Allen County Hospital.  She also served on the
  Colony City Council.
  Norma and Hershyl Ballard were married July 29, 1950, in Harrisonville, AR.  He
  survives of their home.
  Mrs. Ballard was preceded in death by her son, Charles Russell Boyd; and her parents,
  Charlie and Cleo Ashlock.
  Norma is also survived by her sons, Terry Ballard and his wife Judy of Ottawa, Tom
  Ballard and his wife Marilyn, and Roy Ballard and his wife Debbie, all of Madison; her
  daughters, Lucinda Witt and her husband Kevin of Iola, and Karla Wallace and her
  husband Gene of Colony; her sister, Peggy Mitchell of Aberdeen, WA; 16 grandchildren
  and 14 great-grandchildren.
  Music was provided by Megan Dickinson, vocalist.  Musical selections included 'One
  Day At A Time' and 'Invitation Medley'.
  Casketbearers were Travis Ballard, Clint Ballard, Justin Witt, Shane Ballard, Tony
  Johnson, Ross Johnson, and Ashton Wallace.
  The family suggests memorials to Allen County Home Health or Allen County Hospice.
  Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements."
  
  Page 5, Column 3:
  
  "Fred W. 'Butch' Ahring, Jr.
  1946-2006
  Funeral services for Fred W. 'Butch' Ahring, Jr., 59, Garnett, were Monday, January 23,
  2006, at Garnett Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Phil Rhoades officiating.  Interment
  was in Garnett Cemetery.  Mr. Ahring died Tuesday evening, January 17, at Anderson
  County Hospital.
  Fred W. Ahring, Jr. was born March 2, 1946, in Anderson County, the son of Fred W.
  Ahring, Sr. and Marjorie (Bartlett) Ahring.  Fred graduated from Garnett High School
  with the Class of 1964.  Fred was a member of the Church of the Nazarene.  He worked
  in Topeka for the state highway lighting department in the early 1970's and was currently
  employed at Fashions, Inc. at Ottawa.
  Fred and Pam Monroe were married February 16, 1969.  This union was blessed with
  two children.  She survives of their home.
  Mr. Ahring was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracy Ahring on October 12, 1988;
  and his brother, Bob Ahring on November 8, 2004.
  Fred is also survived by his son and his wife, Travis and Tracey Ahring of Garnett; his
  grandchildren, Trey and Tatum Ahring; his parents, Fred and Marjorie Ahring of Garnett;
  his brother, Rick Ahring of Parker; his sisters, Bonnie Messenger of Wellsville and
  Janice Beeman and her husband Dick of Santee, CA.
  Music was provided by Rhonda Rhoades, organist, and Dan Michael, vocalist.  Musical
  selections included 'I Can Only Imagine' and 'In The Garden'.
  Casketbearers were Jim Beech, Frank Graham, Keith Hirt, Bob Langley, Paul Marx, Don
  Nungesser, Kerry Ryman, and Ronnie Pedrow.
  The family suggests memorials to Garnett Church of the Nazarene.
  Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements."
  
  Transcribed for 
  Anderson County
  Kansas
  USGENWEB
  By:  Lulu B. Nixon