OBITUARIES
Charles Thomas Dorr
Jun 13, 2025
Charles Thomas “Tom” Dorr, 92, passed away, Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
Charles Thomas Dorr was born November 21, 1932, in Peterton, Kansas, the son of Walter Charles and Mary Alice (Croucher) Dorr. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1950. He served in the United States Army.
Tom was joined in marriage to Katherine...
Andrew T. Watkins
Jun 8, 2025
Andrew T. Watkins, 71, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at his home in Topeka, surrounded by the family he held dear.
He was born November 4, 1953, in Wichita, Kansas the son of Lloyd Augustus and Elizabeth Alaine French Watkins. Andrew attended Valley High School in Gilcrest, Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1971.
Andrew joined the United States Army on...
Thomas "Tom" Lee Tush
Jun 3, 2025
On June 3, 2025, Thomas Tush, surrounded by family in his home, answered the Lord’s call to join him in his Heavenly Kingdom. Tom was born December 25th, 1950, to Tucker and Dorothy (Benjamin) Tush. Tom was a precocious youngster who enjoyed reading books, being outdoors, and playing with his numerous cousins. Tom’s time was often taken up with hunting,...
Mary Ann Lane
Jun 3, 2025
On June 2, 2025, Mary Ann Lane passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer. She was 51 days from her 95th birthday.
Mary Ann was born on July 23, 1930, the daughter of John S. and Mathilda (Wendling) Brown, at her parents' farm outside Olpe, KS. She was a homemaker for 22...
Hartsel L. Storrer
May 28, 2025
Hartsel Lavern Norton Storrer was born on March 22, 1920 on a farm near Hartford, Kansas. Her parents, Archie and Joanna Norton, were in the process of building a house at the time. Hartsel's mother told the carpenter that he needed to get the house built as soon as possible as she was expecting her second child in March. Well,...
Shirley Mae Smulling
May 27, 2025
Shirley Mae Smulling, 93, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Peterson’s Assisted Living in Osage City, Kansas
She was born October 19, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Kenneth and Edith Cinita Humphrey Anderson. Shirley attended Miller High School where she graduated with the Class of 1948. She later attended Colorado Women’s College, graduating on June 1, 1950.
Shirley...
Roy Eugene Hoobler
May 25, 2025
Roy Eugene Hoobler, 93, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Life Care Nursing Center in Burlington.
He was born on October 28, 1931, Northwest of Madison, the son of Roy Elmer and Ina Pearl (McMurray) Hoobler. He attended Madison High School and graduated with the Class of 1949.
Roy was joined in marriage to Elwilda B. How “Willie” on December 9,...
Gerald Dean Cox
May 25, 2025
Gerald D. Cox, 68, of Madison, KS passed away May 25, 2025.
He was born March 31, 1957, in Emporia, KS, the son of Walter G. Cox and Patricia Bullock Cox. Gerry graduated from Reading High School, where he excelled at several sports, including football, baseball, and track & field. He worked for several years at Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant. Gerry...
Helen Charlotte Wallace
May 21, 2025
Helen Charlotte Wallace, 96, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Homestead of Emporia.
She was born November 13, 1928, in Burlingame, Kansas the daughter of Carl and Goldie Seaman Luft. Helen attended Kingsdown High School and graduated with the Class of 1946.
Helen was joined in marriage to Bill Wallace on August 8, 1947, in Hutchinson, Kansas. They began their lives...
Bertha V. Williams
May 16, 2025
Bertha Volland Williams of LeRoy, Kansas passed away peacefully in Topeka, Kansas at Plaza West Healthcare & Rehab Center Friday, May 16, 2025 at the age of 95. Bertha resided in LeRoy, Kansas for most of her life and then at Aldersgate Independent/ Assisted Living. On December 21, 1946 Bertha married Doyle Williams. Their union produced two children, Gayla and...
Gayle Margaret Gomez
May 16, 2025
Gayle Margaret Gomez, 75 of Emporia, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025 at Stormont-Vail Health in Topeka.
She was born February 20, 1950, in Lakin, Kansas, the daughter of Elmer and Margaret (Whittaker) Wilken. Gayle grew up in Lakin where she attended Lakin High School, graduating with the Class of 1968.
Gayle married Richard "Dick" Hamlin, Sr. in November of 1969 and...
Jerald Dale Crowell
May 9, 2025
Jerald Dale Crowell
“Spanky”
January 7, 1943 - May 9, 2025
Jerald was born on January 7th, 1943 during “the biggest snowstorm to ever hit Litchfield, Nebraska” to Evelyn M. Sickels and Roy E. Crowell. He & his older brother Donald were only 11 months apart. Roy, Evelyn, Donald, & Jerald moved to Emporia, Kansas when Jerald was only two weeks old. Six...
Annette Ratzlaff
May 9, 2025
Annette Ratzlaff, 83. passed away Friday, May 9, 2025 at her home in Hartford.
She was born on March 3, 1942 at Poppylot Farm, Methwold Downham, Great Britain, the daughter of Herburt and Doris Palmer Mothersole.
Annette moved to Hartford, Kansas in 1961 and began a new chapter in her book of life. On July 28, 1972 she was joined in marriage...
Ralph Edward Jones
May 3, 2025
With hearts full of love and sorrow, we share that Ralph Edward Jones passed away on May 3, 2025, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, Kansas, peacefully surrounded by loved ones. After a gradual decline in health over the past year, his body grew weary and in its quiet surrender, he found rest.
Born March 22, 1942, to Duane and Thelma...
Richard Jay Winsky, III
May 2, 2025
Richard J. Winsky, III, passed away Friday, May 2, 2025 at his home in Americus.
Richard Jay Winsky, III was born October 16, 1950 in Newton, Kansas, the son of Richard and Delois (Warnke) Winsky, II. He graduated high school from Newton High School.
He was joined in marriage to Nancy Thompson on January 24, 1984, in Emporia. Together, they welcomed five...
Joyce Elaine Beardsley
May 2, 2025
Joyce E. Beardsley, 88, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Presbyterian Manor in Emporia.
Joyce Elaine Watts was born on May 18, 1936, in Emporia, Kansas, to Daniel and Neva (Clementson) Watts.
Joyce earned her bachelor’s degree from Emporia State Teachers College and later pursued a Master’s in Secondary Education at Texas Western. She also attended the University of Georgia.
On...
Reta Ruth Hampton
May 1, 2025
Reta R. Hampton, age 91, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Flinthills Care and Rehab Center in Emporia.
Reta Ruth Ambrose was born on December 15, 1933, to Norman and Nellie Mae (Brizendine) Ambrose. She was the third of seven children.
She joined William B. Hampton Jr. in marriage on August 1, 1952. To this union they were blessed with two...
Daryl Clayton Knight
Apr 30, 2025
Surrounded by loved ones, Daryl C. Knight, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in rural Lebo on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Daryl Clayton Knight, the son of Walter F. “Rip” and Mary Evelyn (Baker) Knight, was born November 1, 1930, at his parents’ home in the rural Key West community near Lebo. Daryl entered the world several weeks prematurely and...
Ruby L. Stewart
Apr 26, 2025
Ruby Lucille Stuck Stewart of El Dorado KS, formerly of Hamilton Ks. was promoted to Heaven April 26, 2025, at Homestead of El Dorado, she was 87.
Ruby was born the daughter of Earl & Alice Gulick Stuck on May 2, 1937, on her parent’s farm near Aline OK. Ruby started her education at Lone Star country school until it closed....
Janet Sue Colstrom
Apr 24, 2025
Janet S. Colstrom, 84, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025, at KU Health System- St. Francis in Topeka.
Janet Sue Graham was born March 27, 1941, near Scranton, Kansas, the second daughter of Edward and Davenna (Harris) Graham. She grew up on a farm in “Possum Hollow”. If you asked where she was from, she would say, “Possum Holler”.
She worked very...
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