December 22, 2004 The ADVOCATE’s Free Press & Community News Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 8, No. 100 Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 5, Column 1: “Merrill ‘Allen’ Ball 1934-2004 Funeral services for Merrill “Allen” Ball, 70, Welda, were Saturday, December 18, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at Mont Ida Church of the Brethren with Rev. Kenneth Davidson and Vernon Yoder officiating. Mr. Ball died Tuesday, December 14, at Golden Heights Living Center, Garnett. Merrill “Allen” Ball was born February 6, 1934, in Republic County, KS, the son of Ralph Elvin and Hannah (Gauby) Ball. He belonged to Tom Creek Hustlers 4-H Club. During high school, Allen served as president of the FFA Chapter from 1952-1953. He also earned the FFA State Farmer Degree. He graduated third in his class from Garnett High School in 1953. He served in the Kansas National Guard from 1954 to 1962. While serving, he was in the first class to attend the Kansas National Guard Officer Candidate School before reaching the rank of First Lieutenant. Allen was a member of Mont Ida Church of the Brethren. He enjoyed fishing and playing Chinese checkers. Allen and Nancy Belle Strain were married May 23, 1954, at Garnett. She preceded him in death on February 13, 2000. Mr. Ball was also preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Ball and Hannah Ball; his brothers, Lawrence Ball and Elvin Ball; and his sister, Laveda Cornett. Allen is survived by his sons, Jack Ball and his wife, Diane, and Robert Ball, all of Welda; his daughters, Jo Hannah Lankard and her husband, Kenneth, of Garnett; Gwen Stalcup and her husband, Bill, of Wellington, Lela Beam of McPherson; his son-in-law, Neal Beam, also of McPherson, and Lisa Ball of Welda; his 12 grandchildren, Tami Bunnel, Kurt Lankard, Jeremy, Jaclyn, and Justin Ball, Sara, Billy, and Matthew Stalcup, Kati and Kelsi Bean, and David and Allie Ball; his sister-in-law, Betty Strain of Garnett; two nephews, Terry Cornett of Albany, GA, and Daryl Strain of Ottawa; and his niece, Leann Woleslagel of Hutchinson. Musical selections included “How Great Thou Art”, “Daddy’s Hands”, and “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Casketbearers were Kurt Lankard, Jeremy Ball, Justin Ball, Billy Stalcup, Matthew Stalcup, David Ball, and Glenn Yoder. The family greeted friends on Friday, December 17, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Midland Hospice or the Mont Ida Church of the Brethren. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Page 5, Column 2: “Thelma Farenna Walters 1909-2004 Funeral services for Thelma Farenna (Lamb) Walters, 95, Garnett, were Thursday, December 16, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at First Christian Church with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating. Interment was in Lone Elm Cemetery, Lone Elm. Mrs. Walters died Monday, December 13, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO. Thelma Farenna Walters was born November 1, 1909, in Anderson County at Delphas. Thelma and Luther McKinley Walters were married January 1, 1927, at Garnett. To this union, five children were born, Betty Margaret, Charles David, Fostina Madelene, Thomas A., and Larry Wayne. Thelma was a devoted stay-at-home mom, working hard to take care of her family. Later on, she worked in downtown Garnett’s famous Coker’s Five and Dime for more than 15 years and at the same time, she lived at Farris-Feuerborn Funeral Home for 17 years. She helped with the funerals and answered the phone at nights, while working at Coker’s during the day. Thelma had been a long time member of the First Christian Church. While a member, she helped with the coupons, The Willing Workers, Communion preparation, Pastoring Committee, Evening Council, and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and funeral dinners. She also taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Opportunity Class. On May 5, 2002, Thelma was presented with the Star of the Crown certificate. Some of her hobbies included sewing, quilting, and cooking. She enjoyed the television shows “The Price Is Right” and “Jeopardy.” She played a mean game of Aggravation, as well as dominoes. Mrs. Walters was preceded in death by her husband, Luther; her father, Eli; her mother, Margaret; a step-father, Simeon David Swisher; her daughter, Fostina in 1934; and her son, Charles in 1995. Thelma is survived by her sons, Thomas Walters and his wife, Alice, of Pensacola, FL, and Larry Walters and his wife, Betty, of Lawrence; her daughter, Betty Smith of Garnett; her sister, Melba Brown of Greencastle, IN; 13 grandchildren, ?? great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Music was provided by Jeanine Zentner, organist, and Bill Craig, soloist. Musical selections included “Amazing Grace” and “Old Rugged Cross”. Casketbearers were Dan Chamberlain, Bob Moews, Randy Smith, Clark Valentine, Mike Walters, and Mike Wheeler. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Page 5, Column 3: “Lucille I. Bell 1938-2004 Memorial services for Lucille I. Bell, 66, Herington, were Saturday, December 18, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Community Church of Richmond. Mrs. Bell died Friday, December 10, at her home of natural causes. Lucille I. Bell was born July 30, 1938, at Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Willie L. and Edith E. (Goff) Coiner. She was a homemaker and a nurse at the Garnett Care Center for many years. She lived in Richmond for 34 years before moving to Herington two years ago. She was a member of Delphian Chapter #309, Order of the Eastern Star, in Garnett. Lucille was an artist and writer. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and loved animals. She was a good mother and best friend. Lucille and Arthur O. Bell were married September 29, 1956, at Olathe. He preceded her in death on October 12, 2004. Mrs. Bell was also preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Edith Coiner; and her brother, Charles (Pete) Coiner. Lucille is survived by her daughters, Reney Turner of Richmond, Mickey Stroda of Herington, Julie Couch of Pomona, and Kristi Rhodes of Ramona; her brothers, Leonard (Bud) Coiner of Clovis, NM, Willie (Butch) Coiner of Kansas City, KS, and James Coiner of Rochester, IN; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family requests memorials to the United Methodist Community Church of Richmond. Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home and Crematory, Herington Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.” Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon