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Jacob Patrick Meeks 2001 - 2023
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Jacob Patrick Meeks

Jacob Patrick Meeks, 21, passed away on May 5, 2023, in Great Bend, Kan. He was born on Aug. 13, 2001, to Michael Meeks and Elizabeth “Elle” Slater. 

A current resident of Manhattan, Kan., Jacob was an active military member in the United States Army Reserves, joining on Aug. 16, 2018, and achieving the rank of E4 SPC on April 29, 2021. Jacob was a mechanic in the 129th Transportation Company, under the 821st Transportation Battalion, at Fort Riley. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Achievement Medal. 

He loved his two Great Danes: Tank and Tequila and spending time with friends and family. He will be remembered for being able to fix or repair anything and always making himself available to lend a hand. He never knew a stranger and never turned down an opportunity to help a person in need. He was a respectful young man that gave everything of himself. A natural jokester, Jacob loved his family whole-heartedly and loved his friends like family, bringing a smile to everyone he met.

Survivors include his mother, Elle (Kevin) Randa of Great Bend, Kan.; his father, Michael Meeks of Corpus Christi, Texas; three brothers, Britt Davidson, twin Jonas Meeks, and Gabriel Schwager, all of Great Bend, Kan.; and three sisters, Damaris Meeks, Meah Randa, and Madison Bittner; and special niece Hadley Behnke, all of Great Bend; special aunt, Jodie Koenigs of Cheyenne, Wyo. and grandmother, Cathy Bland of Cheyenne, Wyo. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter and Ruth Slater and Larry Meeks.

Memorial services will take place at 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Paden presiding, and military honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard. Memorials have been designated to the Jacob Meeks Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net


Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS.  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 9, 2023

David Charles ‘Animal’ Kozel 1957 - 2025
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David Charles ‘Animal’ Kozel

CHASE — David Charles ‘Animal’ Kozel, 68, of Chase, Kan., passed away Feb. 16, 2025, at his home. He was born Jan. 15, 1957, in Salina, Kan., the son of Charles Edward and Doris Lea (VanZandt) Kozel. David has resided in Chase for the past 30 years, formerly of Rogers, Ark., and Lyons, Kan. He graduated from Lyons High School, with the class of 1975. 

David drove truck for Jack Engelland, Lyons, Kan., Bar H Trucking, Marion, Kan., Branson Truck Line, Lyons, Kan., and for Lloyd Burnside. He enjoyed restoring antique cars, and attending car shows and cruises, and most of all spending time with his family. On April 27, 1975, David was united in marriage with Wanda “Jeanie” Burnside in Lyons. 

David is survived by his wife, Jeanie of Chase; mother, Doris Kozel of Ellsworth, Kan.; three children, Jeremy Kozel and wife Becky of Lyons, Kan., Marsha Belk and husband Jimmy of Chase, Kan., and Sam Kozel of Yukon, Okla.; brother, Larry Kozel of Arkansas; and three grandchildren, Austin Kozel, Walon Belk, and Carter Kozel. David is preceded in death by his father, Charles Kozel; brother, Ron Kozel; and granddaughter, Avery Belk.  

There will be a car cruise in April to celebrate David’s life. Memorials may be given to Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.


Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Homes

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS  67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 20, 2025