Mark Talbot Eaton

This obituary was excerpted from the Springfield, Mo., News-Leader. His wife was expecting their first child at the time of his death.

Mark Talbot Eaton Mark Talbot Eaton, age 54, of Springfield, Mo., passed away on March 15, 2009 in his home. He was born November 7, 1954, to Frank and Mary Eaton. Mark grew up in Manhattan, Kansas, and graduated from Kansas State University in 1976 with a degree in Journalism. He later moved to Springfield, Mo. and formed Eaton and Associates Advertising and Marketing Firm, where he created numerous media productions including "Young America Outdoors", "For Your Life", The Branson Experience, the "Adoption Series" and various other projects and promotions for his clients. He attended Fellowship Bible Church in Rogersville and served on numerous boards and most recently served on the Family For Children advisory board and the board of the Ozarks Literacy Council.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Frank Raymond Eaton III; his mother, Mary Ann Burgwin Eaton; his father, Frank Raymond Eaton, Jr.; Donna Burgwin, his aunt, and his father-in-law, Lou Schaefer. He is survived by his devoted wife, Julie Eaton of Springfield, Mo.; his sister, Lyanne Riley and husband Neil of Columbia, Mo.; brother-in-law, Paul Harkins and his wife, Lori; brother-in-law, Tom Schaefer and his wife, Linda; mother-in-law, Arlene Schaefer, all from Branson, Missouri; nephews, Ben and Brett Riley; and nieces, Peri and Sydni Harkins and Raquel Hurley; aunts, Ruthelene Scherer and Ro Jean Howenstine; uncle, William H. Burgwin; and several other aunts, uncles, cousins, family members and friends.

Laura Lignitz Musil

She died Sunday (November 9th, 2008) at her Houston home from a seizure as the result of a lengthy illness. Burial will be in Washington, Kansas. 

Condolences can be sent to her mother, Ruth Lignitz at 2222 Browning Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502.

Sally Washburn

Died June 17, 2008 after a battle with cancer. Active on the Mentor at MHS, a nurse, a mother of two sons, she lived a varied and active life. Many recall her sense of humor. Obituary information is here, and her son Drew has more at his blog. He calls her "the most caring and selfless person I know."

Cindy Dillman

"Cindy married and had four sons. She taught 6th grade in Soda Springs Idaho and played in the High School pep band in that community. She was well loved and respected in Soda Springs. She was a devoted supporter of the band. Shortly after retiring from teaching (20 years) she died of a blood clot that moved to her lungs." (From Sue Mickelsen Rasmussen)

"My brother struggled after high school. He was mentally ill, and later developed a cancerous tumor below his left eye. He had five operations where they shaved his head, cut his skin from ear to ear, pulled down his face to cut below his eye, then stapled his skin back together. He died in my father's arms from a pulmonary embolism on October 16, 1994, while checking out of the KU Med Center after the last operation. I guess the doctors missed something.

"My brother gave his body to science. Some med student practiced with him, and after a couple years his cremated remains came by mail to my parents in a plastic bag. I made a series of ceramic jars. One with people holding hands in a circle I sent to Alice Delehanty Hagan. Steve's ashes were put in a ceramic jar I made and that was placed in a bag my sister had sewn and that was placed in a wooden box I made with my younger brother. The ashes were buried at Sunset Cemetery between the zoo and the high school, two places Steve enjoyed being at.

"Throughout his life Steve was cheerful, patient and accepting. He never complained or did anything to harm another soul. He was generous and was always willing to help others given the opportunity. The concept of justice is inconsistent with the circumstances of his existence. What expression of compassion I have for those less able - and much more, I owe to him. Someone said that how we care for the disadvantaged is the measure of civilization. If you remember Peter Seller's last movie Being There you may understand how Steve would have made a great president" -- Greg Fallon (used by permission)