May 14, 2003
The ADVOCATE
Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties
Volume 7, No. 39
Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown

Page 5, Column 2:

“William A. Cooksey
1907-2003
Funeral services for William A. Cooksey, 96, Garnett, were Saturday, May 10, 2003, at 2:00 p.m.
at First United Methodist Church, Garnett, with Rev. Gale E. Mack officiating.  Interment with
Scott Rite Services by Chapter of Rose Croix, Fort Scott Scottish Rite Masons was in Highland
Cemetery, Iola, KS.  He had been a member since October 22, 1947.  Mr. Cooksey died
Wednesday, May 7, at Golden Heights Living Center, Garnett.
William A. Cooksey was born March 8, 1907, at Colony, KS, the son of Fred A. and Georgia
(Lahar) Cooksey.  He graduated from LeRoy High School in 1925, then received a degree in
Pharmacy from the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1927.  He was a member of the Pi Kappa
Alpha fraternity.
He began his pharmacy career working alongside his father in LeRoy.  He moved to Iola, KS,
where he owned and operated Cooksey’s Drug Store for thirty-five years.  After selling his
business, he worked all over the state of Kansas as a substitute pharmacist.  He was a member of
the Kansas Pharmacy Association.
Bill was a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Iola, and was a member of the United
Methodist Church in Garnett.  He was a member of Masonic Lodge for more than seventy-five
years, with a Kansas York Rite membership.  He served as the Masonic Father of the Rainbow
Girls in Iola.  Bill was a talented musician on the clarinet and saxophone and played in the Mirza
Marching Shrine Band, where he remains a seventy-five year member of the Scottish Rite of Free
Masonry.  He also was a member of the Rotary Club, Pioneer Club, and Elks Club.
Bill and Mildred G. Smirl were married on June 5, 1933, at Liberty, MO.  They resided in Iola,
where they reared three children.  Mildred died June 16, 1977.  Bill then married Viola E.
‘Graycie’ Franklin on November 28, 1981, at Garnett, where they continued to live.
Mr. Cooksey was also preceded in death by his parents, Fred A. and Georgia Cooksey.
Bill is survived by his wife, Graycie, Garnett; his sons, Bob Cooksey and his wife, Mary Lee, and
Dick Cooksey and his wife, Maxine, all of Dallas, TX; his daughter, Linda Ward and her husband,
Oren, Shell Knob, MO; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Music was provided by Rev. Dennis Matthews, organist, and Bill Craig, soloist.  Musical
selections included ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘Amazing Grace’.
Casketbearers were Kevin Cooksey, Melissa Cooksey, Steve Cooksey, Mark Hines, Wendi Hines,
and Derek Ward.
Honorary casketbearers were Cliff Jones and Alva Riffey.
The family received friends on Friday, May 9, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Burned Children in Dallas,
which may be left in care of the funeral home.
Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.”

Page 5, Column 3:

“Alma Jean (Raddatz) Lineback
1922-2003
Funeral services for Alma Jean (Raddatz) Lineback, 80, Kansas City, MO, were Saturday, at
10:00 a.m. at McGilley Antioch Chapel, Kansas City, with Brother Harold Petsch officiating. 
Interment at 2:00 p.m. at the Garnett Cemetery.  Mrs. Lineback died Sunday, May 4, at St.
Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO.
Alma Jean (Raddatz) Lineback was born December 5, 1922, at Harris, KS, the daughter of
Claude M. and Stella E. Whiteford.  Jean was an information supervisor at Southwestern Bell
Telephone Company for more than thirty years, retiring in 1987.
Jean and Robert A. Raddatz were married on May 9, 1943.  He died in February 1982.  She then
married Howard Lineback on October 29, 1985.  He died in February 2003.
Jean was a loving and caring person, not only to her family, but to all whose lives she touched. 
Jean’s favorite pastimes were traveling, quilting, and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Lineback was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert A. Raddatz and Howard Lineback;
her parents, Claude and Stella Whiteford; her sister, Dorothy Brown, and her step-son, Robert R.
Raddatz.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Joann Philbrick, Kansas City, MO; her son, John E. Raddatz,
Overland Park, KS; her step-sons, Doug J. Lineback, Hutchinson, KS, Don R. Lineback, Orlando,
FL; her step-daughter, Debi J. Clausen, Florissant, CO; her granddaughter, Kim Betlach, Olathe,
KS: her grandsons, Rusty Philbrick, Liberty, MO, and Ian Raddatz, Overland Park, KS; and one
great-grandson, Naoh Betlach.
Music was provided by Naomi McGhee, organist.
Casketbearers were Clyde Brown, Robert Betlach, Rusty Philbrick, Michael Betlach, Austin
Barker, and John Raddatz.
The family received friends on Friday, May 9, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
McGilley Antioch Chapel, Kansas City, MO, was in charge of arrangements.”
 

Transcribed for 
Anderson County
Kansas
USGENWEB
By:  Lulu B. Nixon