Deaths (Week of May 23, 2007)

Ella Becker

 

Ella Becker, 93, former owner of Lighthouse Christian Book and Gift Store, died May 13 in Hillsboro.

The service was held May 17 at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro with pastor Dave Plett officiating. Burial was at Schartner Cemetery in Marion, S.D.

She was born May 14, 1913, to Abraham and Helena (Unruh) Unruh in Dolton, S.D. On April 2, 1934, she was married to Sam Becker, who died in 1989.

She is survived by three daughters, Darlene and Robert Franz of Hillsboro, Elvira and Richard Nickel of Rapid City, S.D., and Colleen and Wayne Regehr of Granby, Colo.; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial has been established with Prison Fellowship in care of Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro.

 

John Beltz

 

John Gordon Beltz, 60, businessman, died May 17 at Robert J. Dole V.A. in Wichita.

The service was May 21 at Trinity Mennonite Church in Hillsboro with pastor Clint Seibel officiating. Burial was in Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 11, 1946, to Clifford A. and Jo Hanna (Richert) Beltz in Goessel.

He is survived by his mother of Hillsboro and a sister, Rita Jo Johnson of Bakersfield, Calif.

A memorial has been established with the American Diabetes Association in care of Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro.

 

Margaret Bezdek

 

Margaret Helen (Pientka) Bezdek, 78, died May 15 at Legacy Park Care Center in Peabody.

The rosary was recited May 19 at St. Patrick?s Church of Florence, led by Joyce Richmond. Requiem Mass followed, led by Father Hien Nguyen with Jackie Palic as lector. Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence.

She was born March 7, 1929, to Edmond S. and Agnes B. (Hensley) Pientka in rural Tampa. On June 21, 1948, she was married to Valerian ?Jerry? Bezdek, who died in 1994.

She is survived by a son, Marvin and Becky of Ponca City, Okla.; four daughters, Marilyn and Les Lalouette of Florence, Barbara Lewis of Valley Center, Janet and Craig Smith of Ozawkie and Beverly of Littleton, Colo.; two sisters, Lorraine Leppke of Leadville, Colo., and Joyce Richmond of Marion; a brother, Roy Pientka of Hesston; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorials have been established with Legacy Park Care Center and Trinity Hospice of Wichita in care of Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

 

Margaret Dyck

 

Margaret Dyck, 101, died May 16 at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in Buhler.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at Buhler Mortuary. The service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 24, at Buhler Mennonite Brethren Church. Burial is in Buhler Cemetery.

She was born Feb. 20, 1906, to John and Maria Adrian Dyck in Corn, Okla. She attended Tabor College.

She is survived by nine nieces and nephews.

A memorial has been established with Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community.

 

Irene Novak

 

V. Irene (Medley) Novak, 93, died April 23 at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.

The service was April 27 at Holy Redeemer Church in Tampa. Burial was at the St. John Nepomucene Cemetery in Pilsen.

She was born Nov. 17, 1913, to William H. and Ida Bell (Kaen) Medley in Carlton. On April 16, 1941, she was married to Alvin J. Novak, who died in 1996.

She is survived by a daughter, Judy and Gene Stika of rural Lincolnville; two sons, Kenneth and Kelly, both of rural Tampa; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial has been established with Holy Family Parish in care of Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

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