Service Time:  10:30 A.M.
Day and Date:  Saturday, April 4, 2009
Location:  Pohlman~Varner~Peeler Mortuary - Russell
Viewing and Guest Book Registration: Noon to 6 PM on Friday, April 3, 2009 at the mortuary.
Family Greeting Visitors: None

Burial:  Russell City Cemetery
Memorial:  None

Earlene Horyna, 75, of Russell, died on April 2, 2009 at the St. John’s Nursing Center of Victoria, Kansas.  She was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas on January 7, 1934, the daughter of Alfred and Minnie (Moody) Criscoe.

Earlene grew up in the Heber Springs area most of her childhood.  At age 14 her mother was taken ill with cancer, so she quit school in order to take care of her mother and help run the family home.  Her mother lost her battle with cancer and after her mother’s death she moved Larned, Kansas, at the age of 16, so she could be closer to one of her sisters.  Later, she was married to James L. Philbern and from this union they were blessed with two sons’ Frank and David and four daughters, Connie, Karen, Rita, and Norma.  They were married for only 16 years, but even though they went there separate ways they were both very proud of their six children.  Later she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Donald Horyna on December 30, 1988 in Great Bend, Kansas.  Earlene enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her family.  She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, music, traveling and her pets.  She liked collecting small ceramic animals and she was always on the lookout for other items she could add to her collection.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Surviving family include sons Frank Philbern of Olmitz, Kansas and David Philbern of Norton, KS; daughters Connie Meitner of Olmitz, KS, Karen McNee of McLouth, KS, Rita Tague of Edwardsville, KS and Norma Herdman of Inman, KS; eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parent, three sisters Verve, Veola and Nova and an infant brother.

A celebration of Earlene’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Friday, April 3, 2009 at the mortuary.  Memorials may be given to Southwind Hospice.  Memorials, condolences and cards may be sent to the mortuary.  Condolences may be sent via email by going to www.pvpmortuary.com.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral arrangements.