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Matthew Dale Mortimer 1956 - 2016
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Matthew Dale Mortimer 1956 - 2016

Matthew Dale Mortimer, 59, died May 19, 2016 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He was born Sept. 25, 1956 at Orange County, Calif, the son of Bill and Theresa (Stoecklein) Mortimer. He married Kathy Lane May 4, 1983 at Great Bend. He was a self-employed musician and truck driver.
Mr. Mortimer was a United States Navy veteran.
Survivors include his wife of the home, his father of Great Bend; two sons, James Mortimer and his wife Amy of Beaverdam, Ohio, and Jon Morrison of Great Bend; two daughters, Britni Zecha and her husband Mike of Topeka, and Crysti Mortimer of Wichita; five sisters, Annette Britton of Great Bend, Paulette Granger and her husband Lester of Burdett, Audrey Fry and her husband Randy of Great Bend, Bonnie Strobel and her husband Jerry of Seward, and Billie Lohr and her husband Travis of Great Bend; two brothers, Mike Mortimer and his wife Teresa of Stafford, and Andrew Mortimer of Minneola; thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, and one sister, Charlotte Cranston.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 23, at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Ted Stoecklein officiating. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Seward. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Matthew Mortimer Funeral Expense Fund, in care of the 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 20, 2016.

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