February 1, 2006 The ADVOCATE Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 10, No. 8 Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 5, Column 1: "Ralph E. Dickerson 1913-2006 Graveside services and interment for Ralph E. 'Penny' Dickerson, 92, Colony, were Thursday, January 26, 2006, at Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, KS with Pastor Steve Bubna officiating. Mr. Dickerson died Tuesday, January 24, at Allen County Hospital, Iola. Ralph E. Dickerson was born July 28, 1913, in rural Colony, the son of Charles Lewis and Alvena (Steelman) Dickerson. He attended Star School southwest of Colony. Ralph and Lillie Jane Gilliland were married January 25, 1933, at Iola. This union was blessed with two children. She preceded him in death on January 8, 2001. Ralph was a farmer and worked as an oil field pumper for Boyer Oil at Iola, retiring in 1976. The couple moved to town in 1986. He loved to go fishing and travel, having visited 48 of the states. Mr. Dickerson was also preceded in death by his daughter, Dolores Crabtree on March 13, 2005; his parents, Charles and Alvena Dickerson; his brothers, Ray Dickerson, who was a twin and died at birth, Maynard Dickerson, and Glen Dickerson; one grandson and one great-grandson. Ralph is survived by his son, Gene Dickerson and wife JoAnn of Colony; his son-in-law, Richard Crabtree of Colony; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Casketbearers were Gary Crabtree, Tom Crabtree, Mark Dickerson, Wade Dickerson, Paul Stephens, Max Vanatta, Casey Callaway, Steve Callaway, Chad Denton, Tanner Dickerson, Tyler Dickerson, Joey Rowan, and Dustin Vanatta. The family suggests memorial to the Colony Community Church. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements." "Charles A. Hardesty 1922-2006 Funeral services for Charles A. Hardesty, 83, Garnett, are pending and will be announced later by Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel. Mr. Hardesty died Monday morning, January 30, 2006, at Olathe Medical Center." Page 5, Column 2: "Hershyl H. Ballard 1920-2006 Funeral services for Hershyl H. Ballard, 86, Iola, were Saturday, January 28, 2006, at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel in Colony with Rev. Steve McVey officiating. Interment was in Colony Cemetery. Mr. Ballard died Thursday, January 26, at Allen County Hospital. Hershyl H. Ballard was born January 5, 1920, in Anderson County, the son of Roy J. and Myrtle (Teter) Ballard. He lived in the Anderson County area most of his life. He farmed in the Westphalia area from 1961 until moving to Colony in 1971. Hershyl worked at Morrison Grain Elevator from 1976 until retiring in 1993. Following retirement, they moved to Homewood in 1994, living there until moving to Iola in 2005. Hershyl was a member of the Garnett VFW. He received the Purple Heart during World War II and served in the European Theatre with the United States Army, seeing action in France, England, and Germany. Hershyl and Norma Jean Ashlock were married July 29, 1950, at Harrisonville, AR. She preceded him in death on January 19, 2006. Mr. Ballard was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sandra Lou Ballard; his parents, Roy and Myrtle Ballard; and his sister, Mildred Hulcy. Hershyl is survived by his 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; his daughters, Lucinda Witt and her husband Kevin of Iola, and Karla Wallace and her husband Gene of Colony; his sister, Gayla Corley of Westphalia; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Music was provided by Megan Dickinson, vocalist, who sang 'In My Life'. Casketbearers were Terry Ballard, Tom Ballard, Roy Ballard, Kevin Witt, Gene Wallace, and Tom Johnson. The family suggests memorials to Allen County Home Health/Allen County Hospice. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements." "Harold Marion Martin 1922-2006 Funeral services for Harold Marion Martin, 83, Welda, are Wednesday, February 1, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at Welda United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Nelson officiating. Interment is in Welda Cemetery. Mr. Martin died Friday, January 27, at Golden Heights Living Center. A complete obituary will appear in the next Advocate. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements." Page 5, Column 3: "Caroline 'Carrie' Highberger 1920-2006 Funeral Mass for Caroline 'Carrie' Highberger, 85, Garnett, was Saturday, January 28, 2006, at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father Don Highberger officiating. Interment was in Holy Angels Cemetery. Mrs. Highberger died Tuesday, January 24, at her home. Caroline Highberger was born July 29, 1920, at Westphalia, the daughter of J.W. and Anna (Troll) Dover, where she grew up and graduated from Westphalia High School. During World War II, she was 'Rosy the Riveter', working at North American Aviation in Kansas City as a B-25 belly machine gun tester. Caroline married her high school sweetheart Kenneth Highberger on February 19, 1944, at Westphalia, just before he was shipped off for military duty in the Pacific. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Garden City, Wichita, Miami, OK, Knob Noster, MO, and Lenexa. They moved to Garnett in 1982. He preceded her in death on July 31, 2000. She was an athletic and active mother and grandmother. Caroline was a member of Holy Angels Church and Altar Society, and volunteered at Holy Angels School. She enjoyed golf, quilting, gardening, and reading. Mrs. Highberger was also preceded in death by her parents, J.W. and Ann Dover; and her brothers, Jim Dover, Joe Dover, and Edward Dover. Caroline is survived by her sons, Ken Highberger and his wife Bobbi of Rye, CO, Father Don Highberger of Denver, CO, Gary Highberger and his wife, Dixie of Broken Arrow, OK, and Steve Highberger and his wife Dena of Overland Park; her brother, Lawrence Dover of Kansas City, KS; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Music was provided by Mary Milner, organist, and Scott Schulte, vocalist. Musical selections included 'On Eagle's Wings', 'Be Not Afraid', 'Hail Mary, Gentle Woman', and 'Amazing Grace'. Casketbearers were Mike Highberger, Jack Highberger, Nick Highberger, Maggie Highberger, Jason Highberger, Sean Highberger, Edward Highberger, and Nathaniel Highberger. The family suggests memorials to Holy Angels School. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements." "Jeneveve A. Fagg 1918-2006 Graveside services and interment for Jeneveve A. Fagg, 88, Emporia, were Monday, January 30, 2006, at Garnett Cemetery. Mrs. Fagg died Friday, January 27, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia. A complete obituary will appear in the next Advocate." Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon