Deaths (Oct. 6, 2010)

? fernetta mae bitner, 84,

a homemaker, formerly of Wichita, died Sept. 27.

Services were Sept. 30 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion. Burial was at Marion Cemetery.

She was born Feb. 24, 1926, to Albert and Mable (Christensen) Matz near Canada. On March 5, 1944, she was married to Austin K. Bitner, who predeceased her.

Survivors include sons Dan and Karen Bitner of Wichita and Tony and wife Debbie Bitner of Carrollton, Texas; daughter Virginia Druse of Lawrence (formerly of Newton); brother Delbert and Suzy Matz of Aurora, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorial may be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the church in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm St., Marion, KS 66861.

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? Howard S. Christiansen, 80,

retired farmer and stockman, of rural Canton, died Oct. 4 at The Cedars in McPherson.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at Canton Township Cemetery. No visitation is scheduled.

He was born July 18, 1930, to Sam and Lillie (Garrett) Christiansen.

Survivors include nephews Ryan Christiansen of Gypsum and Ray Christiansen of Ellsworth and sister-in-law Amy Christiansen.

Memorials may be made to the Roxbury United Parish and sent in care of Olson?s Mortuary, 139 N. Main, Canton, KS 67428.

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? Rose ann hatcher, 69,

died Oct. 1 at Legacy Park in Peabody.

Services were Oct. 4 at Zeiner Funeral Home. Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence.

She was born June 7, 1941, to Chester and Dorothy (Graham) Hatcher in Marion County,

Survivors include her brother-in-law Bob Hein of Hillsboro; nephew Mike Hein of Fort Worth, Texas, and nieces Diana Thomsen of Hartford and Brenda Moss of Hillsboro.

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? Irma l. heiser, 92,

homemaker and dietary aide, died Sept. 28 at Via Christi-St. Joseph in Wichita.

Services were Oct. 2, at Strassburg Baptist Church near Marion. Burial was at Lewis Cemetery, Ramona.

She was born Aug. 23, 1918 to John M. and Hattie (Propp) Vogel in Marion. On May 10, 1946, she was married to Harry E. Heiser, who predeceased her.

Survivors include children Larry and Kim Heiser of Hillsboro and Mary Lou (Jarvis) Seaman of Valley Center and six grandchildren.

Memorial may be made to Strassburg Baptist Church and sent in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm St., Marion, KS 66861.

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? Afton Hett, daughter of Derek and Jolene Hett of McPherson, was stillborn Sept. 27 at Newton Medical Center.

A private family service was planned for later, following cremation.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a brother, Sebestian, of the home; grandparents Dennis and Jeanne Hett, Shirley Esau and Verlyn Esau, all of McPherson; and great-grandparents Jim and Eulalia Flaming of Hillsboro, Don and Judy Esau of Henderson, Neb., Della Farrell of Canton and Delores Hett of Canton.

Condolences may be sent to the family via stockhamfamily.com.

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? Nettie jane hiebert, 83,

a house cleaner, died Oct. 2 in Hillsboro.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at First Mennonite Church, 102 S. Ash St., Hillsboro, with pastor Marvin Zehr officiating. Burial will be at Haven of Rest Ceme?tery, rural Hillsboro.

She was born July 14, 1928, to David and Elizabeth (Unruh) Jantz in Pawnee Rock. On Dec. 19, 1950, she was married to Pete B. Hiebert, who predeceased her in 1991.

Survivors include sons Thomas and Alda Hiebert of Goessel; brother Arthur Jantz of Hillsboro and one grandson.

Memorials may be made to Parkside Homes and sent in care of Jost Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington St., Hillsboro, KS 67063. Condolences may be sent to the family via: jost@jostfuneralhome.com.

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? william ?billy? oliver kochase, 17,

a senior at Hutchinson High School, died Oct. 3 at Wesley Medi?cal Center in Wichita.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, with pastor Dennis Finch officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

He was born Nov. 21, 1992. His foster parents are Sam Hockman and Annie Upton, who survive.

Other survivors include siblings Michael, Matthew, John, Justin, Bobby, Ashley, Stevie, Sam, R.J. and Devon in the Canton-Galva area; foster siblings Josh, Travis and Tina; foster nephew Brandon; foster grandparents Raymong and Joyce Holl and social worker Jennifer Selby. The last names of his siblings were not released.

Memorials may be made to the W. O. ?Billy? Kochase Memorial Fund and sent in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

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? Olinda meier, 92,

cafe owner in Durham, died Sept. 27 at the St. Luke Living Center in Marion.

The service was at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro with pastor Brett Huebner officiating. Burial was at the Lehigh Township Cemetery near Lehigh.

She was born Oct. 19, 1917, to David Winter and Mary (Schneider) Winter at Lehigh. On Sept. 5, 1937, she was married to Melvin Meier, who predeceased her in 1993,

She is survived by two sons, Owen and wife Della Lee of Canton and Lloyd and wife Linda of Marion; two sisters, Pearl Besecker and Ruth Ann Dick, both of McPherson; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to the family via jost@jostfuneralhome. Memorial funds have been established with Zion Lutheran Church and St. Luke Living Center.

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