Obituaries

May 16, 2025

Private services will take place at a later date.

May 14, 2025

Brandon’s life began on September 20, 1985, in Salina. He was the son of Stephen and Tamie (Swarts) Klenda. Brandon worked throughout the area as a handyman. He enjoyed fishing, demolition derby cars and his dog “Buddy.” Brandon is survived by his mother Tamie Klenda of Lincolnville; siblings Stephanie (Chris) Byer of Hays, and Russell Klenda of Wamego; nieces and...

May 13, 2025

My life began in a four-room home on a farm in Butler County, Kansas, about five miles southwest of the town of Burns. It was the 16th of June 1928. I was the first child of George and Alice (Waggy) Wilber. My mother used to say she didn’t remember much at all about her younger years. she said, “I guess...

May 12, 2025

Lee’s life began May 17, 1967 in Newton. He was the son of Ronald and Mary Lou (Slaughter) Shipman. He attended grade school and junior high in Florence and was in the Class of 1985 at Marion. He had been employed by Raytheon (Beechcraft) and had worked for KDOT. He was united in marriage to Amy Hansen on September 15,...

May 11, 2025

Archie Eugene (Gene) Simpson was born November 8, 1947, in Columbus Kansas to Carl and Betty (Jarrett) Simpson. He is survived by his Wife Rhonda (McCormack) Simpson of the home. Sons Mike (Barb) Simpson - Mayetta and Heath Simpson - Topeka. Stepsons David (Wendy) Jones - Herington, Brett (Eka) Jones - Puyallup Washington, Martin (Jenny) Jones - San Antonio Texas,...

May 10, 2025

Matthew H Classen was born on February 12, 1933 in Charleston AR to Frank and Laurine (Gromlich) Classen and he passed away at age 92 on May 10, 2025 at Cox Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Due to health reasons, Matt was not able to attend college as planned after high school. He secured a job as a messenger at The First...

May 10, 2025

Private services will be held at a later date

May 10, 2025

Jeff’s life began on March 1, 1954, in El Dorado. He was the son of Artie O. and Leona B. (Morrow) Wilson. Jeff worked at Terra Mara for several years and was a track athlete in the Special Olympics. He had a paper route in El Dorado and spent countless hours watching his chickens and enjoying his favorite foods. Few...

May 10, 2025

Shiryl Jeanette Pauley, a beloved 82-year-old resident of Woodbine, Kansas, peacefully passed away on May 10, 2025, at Chapman Valley Manor. Shiryl's journey began on August 27, 1942, in Junction City, born to Paul and Helen (Diekmann) Timm. She cherished her roots deeply, graduating from Woodbine High School in 1960 and later marrying Byron Pauley on February 16, 1963, at...

May 10, 2025

Gary Lee Welty, 76, of Florence, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2025.

Born on April 25, 1949, in Wichita, Kansas, Gary was the beloved son of Shirley Ann Longhofer and Clinton Welty. His life was marked by his honorable service in the United States Navy and his dedication to VFW Post 6957 in Haysville, Kansas, where he...

May 9, 2025

May 5, 2025

Wanda’s life began on July 2, 1931, in Newton, Kansas. She was the daughter of Charles and Lela (Titus) Murphy. Wanda was a 1948 graduate of Sedgwick High School. She was united in marriage to Billy Joe Graham on September 25, 1949, in Sedgwick. Wanda worked throughout her life including being a school bus driver and running the “Our Place”...

May 4, 2025

Norman Lee Smalley, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 4, 2025, at the age of 95.Norman was born on September 23, 1929, to Eugene and Abigail (Powell) Smalley. He was raised alongside his brothers, Jack and Bob Smalley, in a home that valued hard work, integrity, and...

May 1, 2025

Maureen was born on March 17, 1956, in Abilene. She is the daughter of Betty L. (McKee) Phillips. Maureen earned her Licensed Practical Nurse license on November 28, 1977. She worked at several area nursing homes including Herington and Enterprise. Maureen genuinely enjoyed caring for the elderly and always had a way of developing a special connection with them. Her...

May 1, 2025

Willard J. Wiebe, age 90, of Whitewater, KS, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025. He was born to John H. and Martha A. (Claassen) Wiebe on March 12, 1935. The youngest of five siblings—Helen, Eldon, Howard, and Agnes—he grew up on the family farm, where he developed a deep love for agriculture. From an early age, he enjoyed time on...

Apr 28, 2025

Lisa Faith (Vinduska) Wittrig, 79, retired inspector for Beechcraft, died on April 28, 2025. A graveside service will be held on Saturday June 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Grant Township Cemetery.  Lisa was born on August 31, 1945 in Marion, Kansas to Vida Mae (Soyez)Vinduska and Sylvester Edmund Vinduska. She was quick witted, exceedingly kind and generous to a...

Apr 15, 2025

Linda’s life began on July 6, 1975, in Newton, KS. She was the daughter of Clinton and Kathleen (Brown) Schmidt. Linda attended Potwin and Whitewater elementary school and graduated from Frederic Remington High School in 1993. She continued her education at Butler County Community College, and Wichita State University. Later, Linda earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Cleveland Chiropractic...

Apr 13, 2025

Carol Penner Claassen was welcomed into the world on June 29, 1933, by her parents Daniel and Marie (Boese) Penner and older brothers Don and Joe. Carol spent her childhood on farms in both the Burrton and Halstead communities. Their home near Halstead was bordered by a busy set of railroad tracks. Carol often spoke of “ghost trains” running without...

Apr 12, 2025

Ruth’s life began in rural Shady Brook outside of Herington on August 10, 1934. She was the daughter of Robert Carl and Selma Magdline (Peters) Schlesener. Ruth attended school at Shady Brook school. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Shady Brook and was a homemaker. Ruth was united in marriage to Nola (John) Ezra Bond, Jr....

Apr 4, 2025

Allen’s life began on Friday, May 30, 1941in Glenville, North Carolina. He was the son of Mildred Fisher. He was raised by his grandparents, Sam R., and Edith (Pruett) Fisher. Allen attended school in Glenville and graduated from Glenville High School in 1958. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country from 1959-1963....