January 16, 2004
The ADVOCATE
Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties
Volume 8, No. 5
Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown

Page 5, Column 1:

“Anne Armstrong
1915-2003
Funeral services for Anne Armstrong, 88, were December 27, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. at Douglas
Mortuary, El Segundo, CA.  Interment was beside her husband in Inglewood Park Cemetery. 
Mrs. Armstrong died December 20, at Pasadena, CA.
Anne Armstrong was born Minerva Anna Elliss on October 22, 1915, to John Elam and Maude
Eleanor (Richhart) Elliss on a farm in Anderson County, KS.  High school commencement
speaker and member of the National Honor Society, she participated in athletics, debate, drama,
and music.  After the early death of her mother when Anne was 18, she assisted her father during
his service in the Kansas state legislature.
Anne attended teacher’s college and was in charge of a one-room rural schoolhouse before
turning to employment in a local bank.  She met her future husband, John David Armstrong, while
buying shoe polish in a drug store.  They were married during the Great Depression in a simple
civil ceremony on March 27, 1937, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1987.  John
served as Anderson County Treasurer in the 1930’s.  Anne and John Armstrong moved with his
work in civil and electrical engineering from Kansas to Texas, California (Torrance), back to
Missouri, and finally to El Segundo, where they bought a home on Mariposa Avenue in 1951.  In
a characteristic gesture of hospitality, Anne painted the front door red.  During the 1960’s their
house was home and support center for more than a dozen Laotian young people seeking new
lives in the United States.
Anne’s work included homemaking, employment in offices, department stores, and in a technical
capacity at TRW.  She is best known for many and lifelong contributions to young people in the
Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls, Job’s Daughters, and alongside her husband, Boy Scouts, Little
League, Babe Ruth, and the American Field Service.  She served as PTA president and was
instrumental in establishing El Segundo’s Recreation Park.  The County of Los Angeles
recognized her with its Senior Citizen Outstanding Contribution Award.  Anne created and
developed Camp Eucalyptus in the late 1950’s while Director of the El Segundo Council of Girl
Scouts.  She advocated teaching outdoor skills to girls and young women using Camp Eucalyptus
as training ground for weeklong backpack trips in the Sierras and joint kayak adventures on the
Colorado River with an Explorer Scout Post.  With Scout groups and with her family, she hiked
most of the John Muir Trail, and climbed the 14,495-foot Mount Whitney at least four times.  She
was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Episcopal church and was past Worthy Matron of Fuchsia
Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.  She engaged life with a ready and irreverent sense of humor
and loved a good time.  Beneath that she kept a courageous dignity that saw her through hardship
and illness and accompanied her to the end of her days.
Mrs. Armstrong is survived by her children, John David Armstrong and Judy Mondy Armstrong,
Altadena, CA, Jody Aliesan (Jo Anne Armstrong), Seattle, WA; and by her grandchildren,
Brecken Armstrong Kelsey and Matt Kelsey, who live in the family home in El Segundo.  Other
survivors include her nephew, Norman Elliss, Westphalia, KS; and her nieces, Darline Spillman,
Kincaid, KS, and Colene Elliss, Iola, KS.
Douglas Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.”

“June R. Kile Sink
1922-2004
Funeral services for June R. Kile Sink, 81, Ottawa, KS, were Monday, January 12, 2004, at 2:00
p.m. at Dengel and Son Mortuary with Pastor Dan Oglesby officiating.  Interment was in
Highland Cemetery, Ottawa.  Mrs. Sink died Thursday, January 8, at Ransom Memorial Hospital.
June R. Kile Sink was born March 19, 1922, at Rantoul, KS, the daughter of Frank and Mabel
(Freemen) Kirkland.  She graduated from Ottawa High School with the Class of 1940 and had
lived in Ottawa since 1945.
On August 15, 1938, June and Robert K. Kile were married in Harrisonville, MO.  They later
divorced.  He preceded her in death on July 19, 2001.  On October 18, 1982, June and Claude
John Sink at Miami, OK, were married.  He preceded her in death January 13, 1990.
Among Mrs. Sink’s survivors is her brother, Dean Kirkland, Princeton, KS.”

Page 5, Column 2:

“Ola J. Barnhart
1919-2004
Funeral services for Ola J. Barnhart, 84, Harris, KS, were Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at 10:00
a.m. at Old German Baptist Brethren Church, Westphalia, KS.  Interment was in Bethel
Cemetery, Westphalia.  Mrs. Barnhart died Saturday, January 10, at her home.
Ola J. Barnhart was born September 29, 1919, in Anderson County, KS, the daughter of John I.
and Cora L. (Fisher) Brubaker.  She was a lifetime resident of Anderson County except for nine
years when she lived in Ohio.  She was a member of Old German Baptist Brethren Church,
Westphalia.
Ola and Roy Barnhart were married January 29, 1944, in Anderson County.
Mrs. Barnhart was preceded in death by her parents, John and Cora Brubaker; her grandson,
Justin William Barnhart, on January 22, 1981; her brothers, Charles Brubaker and Elmer
Brubaker; and her sisters, Emma Eichman and Mary Filbrun.
Ola is survived by her husband, Roy, of the home; her sons, Richard Barnhart and his wife, Linda,
Camden, OH, and Daniel Barnhart and his wife, Judy, Westphalia, KS; her daughters, Carol
Brubaker and her husband, Dean, West Alexandria, OH, Erma Hirt and her husband, David,
Westphalia, KS, Ellen Metzger and her husband, Mark, Camden, OH, Linda Barnhart, Pleasant
Hill, OH, and Janet Kellerman and her husband, Terry, Harris, KS: her sister, Ruth Eichman,
Garnett; 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends on Monday, January 12, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Elm Creek
Building, Harris, KS.
Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.”

“William L. ‘Butch’ Rusk
1951-2004
Memorial services for William L. ‘Butch’ Rusk, 52, Welda, KS, were Wednesday, January 14,
2004, at 1:30 p.m. at Church of the Nazarene, Garnett, with Rev. Phil Rhoades officiating.  Mr.
Rusk died Saturday, January 10, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS.
William L. Rusk was born May 1, 1951, at Kansas City, KS, the son of William Gene and Bonnie
J. (Hawes) Rusk.  William lived in Kansas City for 36 years, than moved to Fayetteville, AR,
where he lived until moving to Welda three years ago.  He was a produce director.  William
served in the United States Army.  He was a member of the Ben Herr Masonic Lodge #322. and
Emerson Park Christian Church in Kansas City, KS.  He was a past member of the Abdallah
Shrine in Kansas City and transferred his membership to the Mirza Temple in Pittsburg, KS.  He
was also a member of the Kansas Peace Officers Association.
William and Keri L. McCall were married April 30, 1983, at Mound City, MO.
Mr. Rusk was preceded in death by his father, William Gene Rusk, in 1994; his maternal
grandfather, Lloyd Hawes; and his paternal grandparents, Bill and Marie Rusk.
William is survived by his wife, Keri, of the home; his son, William L. Rusk II, Butler, MO; his
mother, Bonnie J. Rusk, Welda; his grandmother, Dorothy Hawes, Welda; his brother, Larry
Rusk, Gravious Mills, MO; and his sisters, Lois Ann Rusk, Welda, and Susie Fuqua, Gravious
Mills, MO.
The family suggests memorial contributions in his memory to help defray final expenses.
Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.”

Page 5, Column 3:

“Cecilia Falke
1921-2004
Mass of Christian Burial for Cecilia Falke, 82, Westphalia, KS, was Wednesday, January 14,
2004, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Westphalia, with Father Michael Hawken
officiating.  Interment was in St. Teresa Cemetery.  Mrs. Falke died Sunday, January 11, at St.
Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO.
Cecilia Falke was born February 10, 1921, at Olpe, KS, the daughter of John and Theresa
(Hagaman) Redeker.  She attended school in Olpe and graduated from St. Joseph’s High
School.  She was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and St. Teresa Altar Society,
Westphalia.
Cecilia and Frank J. Falke were married June 28, 1938, at Olpe.  Cecilia was a homemaker and
mother of eight children.
Music was provided by Jean Antram, organist, and Ursuline Sisters, vocalists.
Casketbearers were David Lammers-Meirs, Edward Falke, Eric Falke, Frank Lloyd Falke,
Benjamn Walsh, and Jacob Falke.
Mrs. Falke was preceded in death by her parents, John and Theresa Redeker; her brothers,
Joseph, John, Leo, Leonard, and Aloysious Redeker; and her sister, Veronica Redeker.
Cecilia is survived by her husband, Frank, of the home; her sons, Frank Falke, DeSoto, KS, Phillip
Falke, Odessa, MO, Carl Falke, Dallas, TX, John Falke, Denver, CO, and Paul Falke, Westphalia,
KS: her daughters, Sister Jane Falke, Paola, KS, Jeanne Kobler, Bonner Springs, KS, and Rose
Mary Walsh, Olathe, KS; her brothers, Louis Redeker and Jerry Redeker, both of Olpe, KS; her
sisters, Mary Straight, Tucson, AZ, and Ann Dieker, Olpe, KS: 21 grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren.
A Wake service with Rosary was held Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the church with family
visitation afterwards.
Memorials may be made to St. Teresa Parish, or Ursuline Sisters, or the American Heart
Association.
Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.”


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