Stephen Piatt McEuen, 71, of Mansfield, died Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at his home.

Steve was the husband of Susan Laib. He was born on April 26, 1948, in Santa Fe, N.M., the third son of Richard and Gilberta (Piatt) McEuen.

Steve was an emeritus professor at Mansfield University, having taught trombone/low brass in the Music Dept. for 36 years. Over the years, he enjoyed performing with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, Williamsport Symphony, occasional tenor tuba performances with the Binghamton Symphony, and of course, the Almost World Famous Wellsboro Town Band and Spare Parts Dixieland Band. Steve was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Elmira, N.Y. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Vietnam Era.

Steve is survived by his wife, Susan Laib; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Matt and Jill McEuen of St. Louis, Mo., Brian McEuen, also of St.Louis, Mo., Davey McEuen of Mansfield; and a brother, Mike McEuen, of Albuquerque, N.M. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard “Dick” McEuen.

Christoper Robin Haughee, 68, passed away suddenly in Lakeland, Florida on Sunday, November 10.   Born on October 9, 1951, in LaPorte, Indiana, Chris lived most of his life in Tallahassee and Lakeland, Florida.  He received his Bachelors and Juris Doctor degrees from Florida State University where he was a member of the Marching Chiefs and of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity; and where he met his wife, Nancy.  Professionally, Chris served on staff for The Florida Legislature, then as an attorney in Tallahassee, Tampa, and Bartow, Florida.

Throughout his life, Chris served Kappa Kappa Psi, dedicating his time and talent to the advancement of the fraternity’s mission and members: earning the fraternity’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Music Medal, in 2003.  Included in his time in Kappa Kappa Psi leadership, Chris served as the SED Governor (1989-2005), a member of the Board of Trustees (2009-2013), numerous committee assignments, a regular as National Parliamentarian, as well as serving as a colony advisor and chapter discipline investigator.

In 2005, he followed his passion for student leadership development, serving as Assistant Director of Greek Life for the University of Michigan.  He retired back to Lakeland in 2011, developing a network of friendship and competition with fellow tennis and golf enthusiasts.

Chris is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nancy, and her family; a sister, Linda Jones (Buddy), and four brothers, Jon Haughee (Mary), Tim Haughee (Fran), Mike Haughee (Margo) and Bill Haughee; nine nieces and nephews, and nine grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Babette, and sister-in-law, Genevieve.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, December 7, at the Cleveland Heights Golf Club, 2900 Buckingham Avenue, Lakeland.

Chris felt deeply about the work of several service and charitable organizations.  In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to be made in Chris’ honor to any of the following:  Kappa Kappa Psi, The Carter Center, The American Cancer Society, The American Civil Liberties Union, and The Human Rights Campaign.

Thomas Marvin Stidham, 78, conducted his final coda October 1 at Bridge Haven in Lawrence. He was born December 31, 1940, in Sylva, North Carolina, the son of Joe and Lois Stidham. Tom grew up with brother Charles (DeeDee) and sister Sally Clair (Earl). He attended school in Lake Placid, Florida where grade cards often remarked that “Tommy ate a good lunch”. After graduating from Lake Placid High School, Tom attended the University of Florida where he received a BFA in 1962 and a M.Ed in 1965. He returned to Lake Placid High School in 1962 where he began his band directing career and married the “preacher’s daughter”, Linda Spillman on June 14, 1963. They recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

Tom was Director of Bands at Paxon Senior High School in Jacksonville, FL , Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA and Baylor University in Waco, TX. He arrived at the University of Kansas in 1975 to assist his friend, Robert E. Foster, in administering the KU Band and Midwestern Music Camp programs. Tom was involved in every aspect of the KU Band program until his retirement in 2012. For many years, he organized the KU Band Day and was also the longtime director of the men’s basketball band. Trombone was his instrument and he played many professional gigs but was also in demand as a guest conductor and clinician.

Tom believed in f-words – faith, family and food. He was a committed Christian and lived his faith everyday with everyone he met. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and served many years as the Director of Music.

One could not spend much time with Tom, without seeing how proud he was of his family. He bragged about them shamelessly! He worked into nearly any conversation that his wife Linda, was a dedicated and talented teacher; first born Mark had a wonderful natural musical talent; Tom shared a passion for football with Coach son Scott and if you darkened the doors of St. Luke’s hospital in KC, you could be sure that he would have his favorite nurse, daughter Marci, drop by your room.

When he arrived at KU, the KU Band instantly became part of his extended family. He maintained an open door policy and it was rare not to find a student, staff member or faculty member sitting in a chair by his desk, gaining his undivided attention. He always had time to listen and had a strong desire to solve other people’s problems. It was not unusual to hear him say to both male and female band students, “You look like I need a hug”! His sense of humor framed everything that he did and he was one of those rare folks that enjoyed laughing even when he was the brunt of the joke. Storytelling was his forte and he practiced it often to the delight of his audience.

Tom loved to cook and delighted in having a houseful of people to feed. He was accomplished with a grill and smoker and was proud to be a certified KCBS barbecue judge. Holidays will not be the same without a turkey and/or ham smoked by Tom. His home-made ice cream was unrivaled and favorites such as chocolate pecan, cinnamon, tutti fruitti, and peppermint were enjoyed after many a meal in his home.

Tom held professional memberships in ABA, KBA, TBS, KKPsi, CBDNA, NBA and The Friday Night Club.

Tom is survived by his soul mate Linda, sons Mark (Mary Cello) and Scott (Stacy) and daughter Marci (Dave) and grandchildren, Landry, Nolan, Nash, Chloe, Kennedy, Abigale and Caroline.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorial gifts be made to the Tom Stidham KU Band Scholarship fund sent in care of: KU Endowment, 1891 Constant Ave., Lawrence, KS 66047 and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

The family would like to express immense gratitude to the staff at Bridge Haven and Avalon Hospice for the professional and loving care that Tom received during his months there. He went there as “the new guy” and left as family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Southern Baptist Church, 4300 W 6th, on October 12, 2019. A Visitation will be held from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. and service at 2:00 p.m.

Ernest John Medina, 45 of Roswell, NM went to be with our Lord on Thursday, September 19, 2019 from natural causes. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 1413 S. Union Ave. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Ernest was born in Roswell, NM to Ramona M. Medina and Alfred J. Medina on January 18, 1974. Ernest was preceded in death by his sister Brenda L. Contreras; father Alfred J. Medina; mother Ramona M. Medina; grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.

Ernest served the music world as a well-known and respected band director in Roswell, NM, having taught at all levels from Kindergarten through High School. He was also a vibrant member of the music community in Roswell, serving various churches and organizations as a musician and musical coordinator. Many students taught by Ernest have ventured into the field of Music Education, and some are even Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi just as he was.

Those left to cherish his memory are his godparents/uncle and aunt Mike and Christina Garcia; uncle Manual and his wife Lola from La Mesa, CA; niece/goddaughter Vanessa Contreras; nephew Steve Contreras both of Roswell; godson Logon Stewart of C.D.A; aunts Margaret Maez of Alamogordo, NM Elaine Young of Albuquerque, NM, and Lena Connell of Roswell, NM; cousins Susie Connell and Doris of Roswell, NM, Debbie Connell of Alamogordo, NM, and Randy Connell of McAllen, TX and aunt Bessie Aragon of McAllen, TX. Also surviving him numerous godchildren, cousins and friends.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Mark Anthony Salas, Steve (Jr) Contreras, Santiago Herrera, Amanda Ware, Sara Coleman and Vanessa Contreras. Honorary pallbearers are Steve Contreras Sr., TJ Coleman, Doug McGraw, Noah Cook, Susie Connell and Lena Rene Vallejas.

At 44 years of age, Charise passed away unexpectedly at home on August 27^th.  Born in Melrose and raised in her earliest years in Billerica Ma. and then Branchburg New Jersey she was the loving daughter of William and Diane Howard of Franklin Ma. She graduated from Somerville New Jersey High School in 1993.. She excelled in school and was the Captain of the HS Color Guard, president of the Thespian Society, President of the school Key Club and was a High School Peer Leader. While she was in college, she was a member of the Field of View Color Guard Troop and placed sixth in a world wide competition. She earned her BS degree in English Education from West Chester University, PA and earned a Master of Arts degree in Medieval Literature from Kutztown University, PA. She taught at the Pen Argyl High School and the Nazareth Middle School, both in PA.  She directed two high school musicals at Pen Argyl.  She also taught middle school English in Newton and Beverly Ma.  She was the beloved mother of McKenna and Ivy Heater of Franklin and dear sister of Kimberly Woodruff and her husband Michael of Lawrenceville NJ. Adored aunt of Mia and Zachary Woodruff.  She is also survived by her aunts, uncles and several extended family members.

DONATIONS: Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society c/o St. Mary’s Church, One Church Square, Franklin, MA 02038.

On Saturday, August 24, 2019, Robert “Bob” Cooke Kimbrough IV, loving husband and father, brother and son passed away at the age of 48 while surrounded by family and friends.

Bob was born October 30, 1970 in Houston, TX to Robert Kimbrough III and Susan (Brackney) Kimbrough. He married Jody Parks on November 2, 2007.

Bob is a 1989 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, KS and attended Kansas State University where he was a tuba player for the K-State Band and majored in education. After starting a career in teaching high school mathematics, Bob did what many did and moved into the IT career field in the late 90’s. He worked as a consultant for AMC Theaters until the time of death.

Bob was an avid tri-athlete and competitive cyclist. He continued practicing yoga and remained as active as possible throughout his illness, even with a broken rib. He served on the board of Ride2Boulevardia, a charity cycling event to raise money for local organizations supporting cancer patients and their families. He advocated for Braden’s Hope and Ride 2 Boulevardia for Cancer.

Bob knew no strangers. He had an infectious smile, a quirky sense of humor, and brightened the lives of everyone he met. Bob will be remembered for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his loving hugs.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Robert III. He is survived by: his wife Jody Parks, mother Susan (Brackney) Kimbrough, step-mother Susan Kimbrough, sister Susie (Kimbrough) Gilson, and half-brothers Bradley Kimbrough and John Kimbrough, children Abigail Kimbrough, Benjamin Kimbrough, Devan Ferneau, Payten Ferneau, and Royce Ferneau, and feline children Margaret and Sammy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at Penwell Gabel’s Olathe Chapel. The family will receive guests immediately following the Celebration until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Braden’s Hope or Cancer Action, two organizations Bob advocated for.