OBITUARIES
Marvin Ronald Wright
Aug 12, 2025
Marvin “Ron” Wright, 79, of Emporia, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Ron was born on June 30, 1946, in Emporia, Kansas, Ron was the son of Marvin and Verdene (Wiley) Wright. He attended Emporia State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration.
On July 21, 1968, Ron...
Joseph Eugene Quaney
Aug 8, 2025
Joseph Eugene Quaney of Burlingame, KS died on August 8, 2025 at his home in Burlingame, KS surrounded by his family. He was 92.Joe was born on March 3, 1933 in rural KS to Eugene J. and Anna (Heise) Quaney. He married Henrietta Heiman on February 11, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, KS.He graduated from Washburn...
Rosalyn Lane
Aug 4, 2025
Rosalyn Lane, 55, of Emporia, Kansas, passed away at her home on Monday, August 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on September 19, 1969, in Herington, Kansas, Rosalyn was the cherished daughter of Jim and Rita (Corcoran) Hay. She graduated from Pratt High School in 1988 and went on to earn an associate degree from Pratt Community College. Rosalyn...
John Ralph Wheeler
Aug 2, 2025
John Ralph Wheeler, 68, of Emporia, Kansas, passed away on the morning of Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, surrounded by love.
Born on July 22, 1957, in Emporia, John was the beloved son of Ralph and Evora Rees Wheeler. He grew up in a home built on hard work, honesty, and a deep appreciation for...
Bobby Gene Schmidt
Aug 1, 2025
Bobby G. “Bob” Schmidt, 80, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025, after a month-long struggle from a fall. Bob died during palliative care at Stormont-Vail Hospital.
Bob was born May 11, 1945, in Newton, Kansas, the son of Ted Reimer and Agnes (Hiebert) Schmidt.
He was joined in marriage to Myrna L. Sheegog on December 21, 1968, in Pratt, Kansas. They...
Tracy Lynn Cathcard Lang
Jul 30, 2025
Tracy Lynn Cathcard Lang, 69, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
She was born, March 24th, 1956, in Ottawa, Kansas to Orville and Lila (Minskimons) Beaty. She grew up in Ottawa and attended Ottawa Schools.
Tracy was married to Harry Cathcard, to this union two...
Joseph Robert Merlenbach
Jul 22, 2025
Joseph Robert Merlenbach, 77, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Stormont-Vail in Topeka.
He was born July 30, 1947 in Taylorville, Illinois, the son of William Frank Merlenbach and Minnie Mae Taylor. Joe’s family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he attended High School and graduated with the Class of 1965.
On November 8, 1965, he entered the United States Army...
Duane Lawrence White
Jul 22, 2025
Duane Lawrence White, 71, of Waverly, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
He was born July 21, 1954, in Emporia, Kansas the son of Willis Warren and Mary Joan Rudolph White. He attended Melvern High School and graduated with the Class of 1973.
Duane attended Colby Community College before taking a job on a Ranch...
Marcia D. Cornelius
Jul 18, 2025
Marcia Dean Cornelius, 90, passed away Friday, July 18, 2025 at Presbyterian Manor in Emporia. She was born on August 13, 1934, in Emporia, Kansas, the beloved daughter of Vernie and Neva Hunt Longhofer. Raised in a close-knit and faith-filled family, Marcia lived a life rooted in love, humility, and quiet strength — touching the lives of all who knew...
Janice M. Smerchek
Jul 15, 2025
Janice M. Smerchek, 68, of Osage City, Kansas, passed away, July 15, 2025, at Life Care Center in Burlington, Kansas
She was born November 25, 1956, In Emporia, Kansas the daughter of Samuel D. Rhoads, Jr. and Kathleen “June” Knight Rhoads. Samuel and Kathleen divorced. Kathleen later married George E. Newton. Together, they raised a blended family.
Janice attended schools at Burlingame...
Carol Campbell
Jul 11, 2025
Carol Campbell, age 83, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, July 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on November 2, 1941, in Atchison, Kansas, the daughter of Troy Sr. and Beatrice (Andrews) Routon.
On March 20, 2004, Carol was united in marriage to Richard Campbell in Miami, Oklahoma.
A devoted homemaker, Carol dedicated her life to caring...
Betty Joan Hughs
Jul 7, 2025
Betty Joan Hughs, 73, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2025, at University of Kansas-St. Francis Campus.
Betty Joan Clough was born June 3, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas and was the daughter of Rev. Jack Ferguson and Beatrice Mae (Womack) Clough. She graduated from High School in Gallatin, Missouri. Betty was an aspiring artist who loved God and her family with all...
Candy Kay Smith
Jul 5, 2025
Candy Kay Smith, 60, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025 at her home in Lebo.
She was bon April 25, 1965 in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Ray Dean and Beverly K. Price Rowell. As a child she lived in Buckner, Missouri prior to her family moving to Pea Ridge, Arkansas during her teenage years. In January of 1982 her...
Raymond J. Martin
Jul 5, 2025
Raymond, J. Martin, 72, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Midland Hospice Care in Topeka, while surrounded by those most dear.
He was born August 10, 1952 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Howard and Marjorie Whittington Martin. Raymond grew up attending Madison Schools and graduated from Madison High School with the Class of 1970.
He married the love of his...
Dona Carpenter
Jul 3, 2025
Dona Carpenter, 76, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, surrounded by her family.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, 107 W. Sixth, Lebo, Kansas.
Dona was born on December 19, 1948, in Emporia, Kansas, to Elmer and Ruth Mueller. She graduated from Hartford High...
Ethel "Ruth" Romine
Jun 20, 2025
Ethel “Ruth” Romine, 90, of Osage City, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on November 25, 1934, at home on the family farm in Osage County, Kansas, Ruth was the daughter of Fred and Ethel Roakey Fillmore. From a young age, she embodied kindness, resilience, and a steadfast devotion to her family and...
Marvin Dale Hollis
Jun 19, 2025
Marvin Dale Hollis, 87, of Hamilton Kansas passed away at the Eureka Nursing Center on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Services will be held at 11:30 A.M., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the VanArsdale Funeral Home, 202 W. Main, Madison KS. He will be laid to rest at 2:00 P.M. Friday afternoon in Janesville Cemetery, Hamilton, KS.
Marvin Hollis was born April...
LaRita Kay Peterson
Jun 19, 2025
LaRita Kay (Atchison) Peterson passed away on June 19, 2025, in Hays, Kansas at the age of 83. She was born on March 10, 1942 in Arvonia, Kansas
She graduated from Lebo High School with the class of 1959.
Rita was united in marriage to Robert Peterson on August 25, 1961. They had one daughter, Roxanne.
Rita held various office jobs as a...
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...
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