Topeka Capital-Journal, The: Deaths and funerals

Marita H. Boothe

Marita H. Boothe, 66, Topeka, died Thursday, April 1, 2004, at a Topeka care center.

She was born March 31, 1938, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Harold B. and Dr. Helvi H. Holst.

Survivors include a sister, Annikki Elkind, Fort Collins, Colo.

Mrs. Boothe was cremated. No services are planned. Inurnment in Rochester Cemetery will be private. Davidson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Kay Riedel Bachmann Dowd

Mary Katherine "Mary Kay" Riedel Bachmann Dowd, 60, Topeka, died Thursday, April 1, 2004, at a Topeka hospital.

Mary Kay Bachmann Dowd will lie in state from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church. A parish rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church at 11 a.m. Wednesday, followed by burial in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

A full obituary will appear in the Sunday Topeka Capital-Journal. Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Marilyn Louise Hungerford

Marilyn Louise Hungerford, 77, Topeka, died Friday, April 2, 2004, at a Topeka nursing home.

She was born June 6, 1926, at Topeka, the daughter of Gerald and Marjora Puffer.

She was a switchboard operator for a short period of time at Scott Puffer Chevrolet Agency before she married. She was an avid bowler.

Surviving are a son, Jerry Hungerford, Topeka; a sister, Jean Scott, Topeka; and two nieces, Peggy Hatfield, Scranton, and Patti Urton, Hoyt.

Graveside services will be in Mount Hope Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday. There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society. Newcomer Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.funeralchoice.com.

Daryle Jean Renfro

Daryle Jean Renfro, 78, Topeka, died Friday, April 2, 2004.

She was born Nov. 18, 1925, in Topeka, the daughter of Ruth McClure Wilson and William Wilson.

She was a graduate of Topeka High School and Clark Business School. She worked with her husband at Renfro's Shoe Repair Shop, formerly Pelletier's Shoe Repair.

She married Duane L. Renfro on May 18, 1944. He survives. Other survivors are two sons, Duane L. Renfro Jr., and Dennis "Mike" Renfro, both of Silver Lake; four grandchildren; seven great- grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

At the request of the deceased there will be no services.

Contributions may be made to Heart of America Hospice, sent in care of Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, 66608.

Zane F. Riley

Zane F. Riley, 80, Topeka, died Friday, April 2, 2004, at Midland Hospice House.

Services are pending at Davidson Funeral Home.

Interment will be in Penwell-Gable Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka.

Ronald James Scheffler

Ronald James Scheffler, 58, Topeka, died Thursday, April 1, 2004, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, both at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.

Thomas J. Schell

Thomas J. Schell, 74, Topeka, died Thursday, April 1, 2004, at Midland Hospice House.

Mr. Schell was born Jan. 5, 1930, in Topeka, the son of Casper and Petronilla Hertlein Schell. He spent most of his life in Topeka, where he attended Capital Catholic High School. On April 7, 1961, he married Dorothy Bain in Kansas City, Mo. She survives. Mr. Schell was previously married to the late Norma Whitebread.

In 1984, Mr. Schell retired after a 39-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and held the rank of sergeant when he was discharged.

Mr. Schell was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He was one of the founding members of OFRC Club, a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, CWA Local No. 6401, American Motorcycle Association and Blackjack Enduro Association.

Survivors include his wife, Dottie Schell, Topeka; children, Denny Schell, Hoyt, Tommy Schell, Burlingame, Linda Ramey, Robinson, Della Smith, Topeka, and Roland Schell, Burlingame; his brothers, Larry Schell, Navato, Calif., and Jerry Schell and Vincent Schell, both of Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. Schell was cremated. His family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 S.W. Urish Road. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Christ the King Church, with inurnment following at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Church, 5973 S.W. 25th, Topeka, 66614, and Midland Hospice, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, 66606.

Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Lonita C. 'Loni' Spangler

After a wonderful life, Loni died Friday, April 2, 2004, at the age of 71. With the help of Midland Hospice, family, friends and her pets, her passing at home was comfortable.

She is survived by her children, Suki Willison and her partner, Bill Blakely, Jeff Valyer, and Dana Harris and her husband, Alan; grandchildren, Chad Blow and his wife, Amy, Katie Willison, Dakota Harris and Kris St. Luka; and a stepson, Mark Spangler.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday at Newcomer Family Funeral Home, 4020 S.W. 6th Ave. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Memorial Park Cemetery, where Loni will be laid to rest next to her late husband, William Spangler. Following the service, a celebration of her life will be at Suki's, 5906 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Katie Fund at Capital City Bank, P.O. Box 1433, Topeka, 66601.

Online condolences may be left at www.funeralchoice.com.

Josephine Roberta Reedy Wyllie

Topeka native Josephine Roberta Reedy Wyllie, 84, of Fairhope, Ala., died Monday, March 29, 2004.

Mrs. Wyllie was preceded in death by one son, William Roy Wyllie.

Surviving are her husband, Floyd E. Wyllie Sr., Fairhope, Ala.; two sons, Floyd E. Wyllie Jr., Mobile, Ala., and Merton E. Wyllie, Fairhope, Ala.; a daughter, Mary Sue Deaver, Sumter, S.C.; a sister, Peggy Whittle, Kansas City, Mo.; nine grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Wyllie will lie in state after noon Sunday, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m.

Wolfe Funeral Home in Fairhope, Ala., was in charge of Alabama arrangements, and Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of Topeka arrangements.