January 9, 2004
The ADVOCATE
Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties
Volume 8, No. 3
Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown

Page 5, Column 1:

“Kenneth John Hermreck
1931-2004
Funeral services for Kenneth (Kenny) John Hermreck, 72, Garnett, were Thursday, January 8,
2004, at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating.  Interment was
in Garnett Cemetery.  Military graveside services were conducted by Garnett VFW Post #6397
and American Legion Fuller-Thompson Post #48.  Mr. Hermreck died Monday, January 5, at his
home following a long battle with emphysema.
Kenneth John Hermreck was born July 30, 1931, at Garnett, the son of Peter Joseph and Cecelia
(Kenkel) Hermreck.  He was raised in Garnett and attended schools in the surrounding area.  He
worked several jobs while growing up.  When he was 17 years old, he worked for the local
telephone company’s ground crew setting telephone poles.
At the age of 20, Kenny began serving his country in the United States Army.  He served during
the Korean Conflict from October 1950, to 1953, where he was stationed in Iceland.
Kenneth and Norma Dee Grimm were married July 22, 1954, in Cheyenne, WY.  To this union
were born six children.
In Kenny’s early married years, he worked the pipeline, and operated a service station and
mechanic shop.  They moved to Welda in 1960 where together they operated the Hilltop Tavern
until 1962.  He then moved his family to Garnett when he began driving a semi-truck
crosscountry.  Before retiring on July 22, 1990, he worked for Reno Construction for 21 years,
then for United Construction Company for seven years as a low boy operator and parts chaser.
Kenny had several hobbies, one of which was gardening.  He always made sure he planted not
only enough for his family, but for everyone else’s.  He enjoyed working on cars and spending
quiet hours fishing.  However, his main focus was his family.  He was a wonderful husband and
provider for his family.  He was the head of the household and felt it was up to him to take care of
everyone.  He was most happy when there was a house full of family and friends.
Kenneth was a life member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion for 21 years, and of
Teamsters Union Local #541.
Mr. Hermreck was preceded in death by his daughter, Lorie Ann Hermreck, on November 2,
1993; his parents, Peter and Cecelia Hermreck; his brothers, Gerald Hermreck, Paul Hermreck,
and Charles Ray Hermreck; and his sisters, Vera Benus and Doris Browning.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 49 years, Norma, of the home; his sons, Joe Hermreck and his
wife, Shirley, Lancaster, KS, and Gary Hermreck, St. Louis, MO; his daughters, Sue Zentner and
her husband, Mike, Garnett, Peggy Miller and her fiancé, Donnie Anderson, Colony, KS, and
Debbie Welsh and her husband, Lester, Garnett; his sisters, Ruth Madrid, Montebello, CA,
Darlene Seaton, Ottawa, KS, and Edna Mae Thoutt, Brighton, CO; Kenny is also survived by 22
special grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Music was provided by Jeanine Zentner, organist.  Musical selections included ‘One More
Day’, ‘Grandpa’, ‘Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain’, and ‘Daddy’s Hands’.
Casketbearers were Brad Hermreck, Brian Hermreck, Kenny Lee Hermreck, Matt Hermreck,
Brandon Thummel, Dalen Welsh, and Dusty Welsh.
Honorary casketbearers were Bob Bennett, Jim Browning, Stan Hermreck, Don Lankard, Roy
Marmon, and Albert Potter.
The family received friends on Wednesday, December 8, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.”

Page 5, Column 2:

“Merlin R. Kirkland
1922-2004
Funeral services for Merlin R. Kirkland, 81, rural Edna, KS, were Thursday, December 8, 2004,
at 10:00 a.m. at Bath Funeral Home, Altamont, KS, with Rev. Dean Knewtson officiating. 
Interment was in Lake Creek Cemetery.  Military honors were given by the Fort Riley Funeral
Detail.  Mr. Kirkland died Sunday morning, January 4, 2004, at St. John’s Medical Center,
Tulsa, OK.
Merlin R. Kirkland was born February 6, 1922, to Thomas Franklin and Emma Lee (Houston)
Kirkland on the home place in rural Edna, KS.  After his schooling, he went to work for Freuhof
Trailers in Wichita, KS, to help raise his brothers and sisters.  He also worked in a shipyard in
California.  Merlin returned to Kansas and entered the Army Air Corps during World War II from
1942 to 1945, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant.  After the war, he returned home to farm
with his brothers.  He taught his grandchildren to drive tractors.  He was a self-employed
carpenter and farmer, and enjoyed woodworking and carpentry.  Merlin attended Zion Hill
Church, and was a member of Farm Bureau.
Merlin and Beulah Shelton were married on February 1, 1942, at Kansas City, KS.  She survives
of the home.
Mr. Kirkland was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Franklin and Emma Lee Kirkland; his
brothers, Lloyd, Ora, Renzo, Eldon, Freddie, and Edward; and his sister, Ruby.
Merlin is also survived by his sons, Gary Kirkland, Garnett, and Jim Kirkland, Edna, KS; his
daughters, Marla Yarbrough and her husband, Richard, Bartlett, KS, and Lanetta Oxford,
Parsons, KS; eight grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The family received friends on Wednesday, December 7, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Edna First Responders and may be left in care of the
funeral home at P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.
Bath Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.”

Page 5, Column 3:

“Helen E. Strunk Marple
1914-2004
Funeral services for Helen E. Strunk Marple, 89, Iola, KS, were Wednesday, December 7, 2004,
at 10:30 a.m. at Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Memorial Chapel, Iola, with Pastor Connie Cox
officiating.  Interment was in Moran Cemetery, Moran, KS.  Mrs. Marple died Sunday, January 4,
at Windsor Place, Iola.
Helen E. Strunk Marple was born November 23, 1914, at Humboldt, KS, the daughter of Austin
and Nora (Rhoades) Sloan.  She grew up in the Moran, KS, area. 
Helen and Oris ‘Bally’ Strunk were married April 8, 1933.  They made their home on a farm
southwest of Moran.  She worked at the 54 Café in Gas, KS, and later in the bakery at IGA in
Iola.  The couple sold their farm in 1972 and moved to Gas.  He died in 1980.
On June 5, 1981, Helen married Elmer W. Jones.  He died in 1986.  On August 23, 1992, she
married Roy Marple.  He died in 1997.
Helen was a member of the Open Circle Club.
Mrs. Marple was also preceded in death by three step-children, five brothers; three sisters; and her
son-in-law, Howard Jones.
Helen is survived by her sons, Jack Strunk, Goddard, KS, Joe Strunk, Nampa, ID, David Strunk,
Valley Center, KS, and Glen Strunk, Iola, KS: her daughters, Delores DeMeritt, Moran, KS, and
Peggy Moody, Colony, KS; nine step-children; her brother, Gene Sloan, Humboldt, KS; her
sisters, Pearl Meyers, Independence, MO, and Tracy Rawlins, Moran, KS; 12 grandchildren, 25
great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren.
The family received friends on Tuesday, January 6, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.”

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