Martha Elizabeth (Betty) Muncy

Martha Elizabeth (Betty) Muncy, 97, died January 27, 2017, in Wichita, where she had resided with a daughter for the last six months. 

She was born November 5, 1919, to Jess and Juliet Denious, in Dodge City. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jess Jr. A war bride, she was married at El Reno, OK, in 1943, to Howard Muncy, until their divorce in 1969. She attended Dodge City schools, Lindenwood College, St. Charles, MO, and the University of Kansas, graduating in 1941 with degrees in English and languages. Very active in the Dodge City community she loved and supported, she received numerous honors and awards. 

Her memberships included: the First Presbyterian Church of Dodge City, Soroptimists, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Assn. Of University Women, Philomath Study Club, Dodge City Chamber of Commerce and Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, P.E.O., and the Republican Party. Gov. Robert Bennett appointed her to serve on the Kansas Calvary; Senator Bob Dole named her to the selection committee for the Air Force Academy. She was a staunch supporter of the arts, through the Dodge City Area Arts Council, was named Kansas Arts Patron of the Year by the Kansas Arts Commission. She was instrumental in raising funds for the extensive restoration of the Santa Fe Depot for the Dodge City Repertory Theatre. She purchased and donated a pocket park in downtown Dodge City, naming it Eisenhower Park. An avid supporter of her alma mater, she funded some of the Dole Lecture Series at KU, as well as establishing scholarships for journalism students there and at Dodge City Community College. She was publisher of the Dodge City Daily Globe from 1973 to her retirement and sale of the newspaper in 1988. Her father acquired the Globe-Republican in 1910, changed it to a daily and served as its publisher until his death in 1953, when his son took the helm until his death in 1969. Juliet was named publisher until her daughter took the position. 

She is survived by three children: Martha Juliet Muncy, Wichita; Suzanne Muncy (Gerald) Kerr, Wichita; and Howard E. Muncy Jr. (Diane), Dodge City; six grandchildren: Graham (Amanda) Gilbert, Camarillo, CA; Lauren Elizabeth (Carlton) Collins, Wichita; Douglas (Dawn) Muncy, Enid, OK; Bryan (Ginny) Muncy, Hugoton; Kent Muncy, Dodge City; Melanie (Nick) Rhorer, Derby; 8 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday January 31, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Kevin Salzman presiding. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery. Book signing will be Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. 

She asked that memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Dodge City Repertory Theatre both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.