June 10, 2005 The ADVOCATE’s Free Press & Community News Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 9, No. 46 Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 5, Column 1: “Mildred ‘Mil’ Bierly 1914-2005 Mass of Christian Burial for Mildred ‘Mil’ Bierly, 90, Westphalia, was Monday, June 6, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Westphalia with Father Michael Hawken officiating. Interment was in St. Teresa Cemetery. Mrs Bierly died Friday, June 3, at Allen County Hospital, Iola. Mildred Bierly was born November 6, 1914, at Westphalia, the daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Kramer) Schlick. She was a graduate of Westphalia High School with the Class of 1934. Mil was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She loved to crochet, to garden, to cook, and loved flowers. Mildred and Carl Bierly were married March 3, 1936, at Garnett. This union was blessed with two daughters, Carol and Jean. He preceded her in death on October 19, 1990. A hardworking farm woman, Mil Bierly lived for over 70 years in the same home on the farm she and her husband Carl owned together, raising their daughters and working the land. For the last decade, Jean helped Mil live alone on the farm—something that was important to both Mil and her family. She lived on her own in her own home until a little more than a week before her death. Mil was a constant and vital part of the farm—cooking for workers and helping in the fields in early life, tending sheep and taking pride in her array of flowers in later life. A common sight for anyone driving by the house was Mil bent over in the garden or riding her mower around the yard. She was always the first to invite you to stay for supper, ask you what your hurry was when you tried to leave, and walk you to your car urging you take home canned goods or something from her garden. Although she was known to help a stranger in need (often with the best stories about it later), it was her family she held most dear. She would have given her life for any of them and would often take their burdens on her own strong shoulders, offering love through hugs and mashed potatoes, ‘gum’ and afghans. Mrs. Bierly was also preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Margaret Schlick, and seven brothers and sisters. Mildred is survived by her daughters, Carol Watt and her husband, James, of Overland Park, and Jean Wood and her husband, Chuck, of Westphalia; her grandchildren, Christian Watt of Shawnee, Angel Watt of Kansas City, MO, Lori Wood Habiger and her husband, Todd, of Overland Park, and Karen Wood of Shawnee; her great-grandchildren, Paige Habiger and Connor Habiger; and her brother-in-law, Lawrence Highberger of Westphalia. Casketbearers were Mildred’s family, Carol, Jean, Karen, Lori, Chuck, and Todd. Honorary casketbearers were David Brown, George and Louise Flood, Judy Highberger, Ann Ratliff Huerter, Kristie Lankard, Cathy Schulte, Terry Smith, Jim and Ruthie Studebaker, and Christian Watt. Memorials may be made to Westphalia First Responders. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Page 5, Column 2: “George Edward ‘Ed’ Lilly 1917-2005 Funeral services for George Edward ‘Ed’ Lilly, 88, Ottawa, were Monday, June 6, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at Dengel and Son Mortuary in Ottawa with Rev. Joel Fredrickson officiating. Interment was in Highland Cemetery with military services provided by Warren Black Post #60, American Legion of Ottawa. Mr. Lilly died Friday, June 3, at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe. George Edward Lilly was born February 15, 1917, at Sylvia, KS, the son of Edward Francis and Viola Janett (Daugherty) Lilly. He was a near life-long Ottawa resident, living there since 1926. Ed was a Master Plumber, working 10 years for Durbin Plumbing in Ottawa, nine years for Norris Brothers Plumbing Company in Lawrence, and 10 years as Plumbing Supervisor at Osawatomie State Hospital, retiring March 1, 1982. Following his retirement, he worked on staff at First Baptist Church in Ottawa for 10 years as maintenance mechanic. Mr. Lilly served in the United States Air Force during World War II, from October of 1942 to February of 1948. He was a member of First Baptist Church and Warren Black Post #60, American Legion. Ed and Doris Illene Hamby were married July 15, 1939, at Mound City. They celebrated their 65th anniversary. Mr. Lily was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Viola Lilly; his brothers, Charles Lilly, Lawrence Lilly, Vaughn Lilly, and William Lilly; and his sisters, Frances Lucas and Maxine Bond. Ed is survived by his wife, Doris, of the home; his daughter and husband, Susan and Paul ‘Pete’ Schuster of Larned; his sister, Wilma Jean Burgoon of Ottawa; his grandchildren, Miranda Wilhelm of Shawnee, Chuck Schuster of Burlington, Amy Harris of Emporia, and Emily Schuster of Larned; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church or Village West, both of Ottawa. Dengel and Son Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.” “Doris E. Vance 1924-2005 Funeral services for Doris E. Vance, 80, Garnett, are Friday, June 10, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel with Elder Bill Horner officiating. Interment is in Bethel Cemetery, Westphalia. Mrs. Vance died Monday, June 6, at Anderson County Hospital. A complete obituary will appear in the next Advocate.” Page 5, Column 3: “Esther Ambler 1909-2005 Graveside services for Esther Ambler, 95, were Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasantview Cemetery in Glenloch. Mrs. Ambler died Monday, June 6, at Anderson County Hospital Long Term Care. Esther Inez Ambler was born July 14, 1901, at Sargent, NE, the daughter of Owen William and Ella May (DeBusk) Davis. She grew up on a farm and attended school to the ninth grade when she became ill and never returned to school. When she was about 16 years old, the family moved to Newton, and later to Halstead. Esther met True Ambler at a church function in 1944 and they were married. They moved to Harris to live on a farm in 1944. He preceded her in death on November 25, 1976. Esther worked as a housekeeper and child care provider in many homes. She was an active member in the Harris Methodist Church. She belonged to the Methodist Ladies Auxiliary and the E.H.U. She loved to crochet and sew, and do ceramics and other crafts. Ms. Ambler was the last of the six children in her family and was also preceded in death by her parents, William and Ella Davis; her sisters, Iva Marie Apperson, Lucy Lunena Hayden, Tessie Pauletta Apperson, and Ressie May Grove; and her brother, Charles Willard Davis. Esther is survived by her nieces, Winnie Horn of Clovis, CA, and Shirley Smith of Hill City; her nephews, Darold Hayden and Bob Hayden of Garnett, and Dwight Hayden of Loveland, CO; and her niece by marriage, Sylva Apperson. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon