Obituaries

Robert "Bob" O'Neill

Robert "Bob" O'Neill

Jun 5, 2019

Robert “Bob” Preston O’Neill, age 98 of Randolph, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, surrounded by his family.

He was born on December 27, 1920 on the family farm in rural Geary County, Kansas, the son of Robert Emmett and Sarah Charlotte (Crider) O’Neill.  He graduated from St. George High School in 1939.

On...

Lamar E. "LEW" Whitson, III

Lamar E. "LEW" Whitson, III

May 31, 2019

Lamar E. "LEW" Whitson, III, age 48, of Blue Rapids, Kansas, passed away in a car accident on Friday, May 31, 2019.

LEW was born to Lamar Jr. and Joyce Whitson on Jan. 16, 1971, in Chanute, Kansas.

He graduated from Altoona-Midway High School in 1989. During his youth, LEW enjoyed playing football, basketball and baseball, as well as the...

Mark  Ruthstrom

Mark Ruthstrom

May 29, 2019

Mark Edward Ruthstrom, age 73 of Manhattan and formerly of Clay Center, died Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.

He was born on October 14, 1945 in Manhattan to Leroy and Evelyn (Rosell) Ruthstrom and grew up in the Walsburg area. He had many great memories of his life on the farm. He attended grade...

Wesley  Heilman

Wesley Heilman

May 24, 2019

Wesley Lawrence Heilman, age 94, formerly of Green and Miltonvale, Kansas, walked through the doorway we call death on Friday, May 24, 2019 in Circleville, Ohio.

Wesley was born on October 14, 1924 at the family farmhouse in Green.  He was the eldest child of David M. and Clara M. (Rieker) Heilman.  He began helping with farm chores at an early...

Dixie  Richter

Dixie Richter

May 24, 2019

Dixie Marie Richter, age 74 of Barnes, passed away Friday, May 24, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House.

She was born on October 18, 1944 in Seneca, the daughter of E.L. and Florence Faye (Murdock) Gross. On December 22, 1962 in Marysville, she was married to Arlen Milton Richter.  He survives of the home.

Dixie worked in the house while her...

Irene  Klocke

Irene Klocke

May 24, 2019

Irene Florence Klocke, age 91 of Clay Center, passed away Friday, May 24, 2019 at Medicalodge of Clay Center.

She was born on October 1, 1927 in Green, the daughter of Henry Ernest and Dessie (Clark) Wachsnicht.  She graduated from Green High School.

On October 14, 1947 in Green, she was married to Lawrence Edward Klocke.  He preceded her in death in...

George  Weisner

George Weisner

May 21, 2019

George Kenneth Weisner, age 91 of Manhattan, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House.

He was born on January 6, 1928 in Wakefield, the son of George Francis and Mabel (Peak) Weisner. On August 12, 1950, he was married to Eula Jean Arents at her parents home.  She survives of the home.

In his early years, he...

Arlyn R. Peterson

Arlyn R. Peterson

May 19, 2019

Arlyn R. Peterson, age 85, of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at Community Memorial Health Care in Marysville.

Arlyn was born March 26, 1934, at Waterville, to Roy “Eddie” and Esther M. (Lohse) Peterson. 

He graduated from Waterville High School in 1951. 

On October 15, 1961, he married Charlotte J. Toburen at the Waterville United Methodist...

Frances  Siemens

Frances Siemens

May 16, 2019

Frances Elaine Siemens of Scranton, KS, went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ, May 16, 2019. She was 74.

Frances was born February 13, 1945, as Frances Elaine Clark to Mack Clark Sr and Esther A. Clark. The youngest of 10 children, Frances was not exempt from the hard work of growing up on a farm. She was out...

Virginia Lee Gnagy

Virginia Lee Gnagy

May 6, 2019

Virginia Lee Gnagy, age 92, of Topeka, formerly of Waterville, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019, at Midland Care Hospice in Topeka.

Virginia was born on September 18, 1926, at Frankfort, to Edward R. and Esther B. (Bartram) Mosher. 

Her mother passed away when she was three years old and was raised by Harry and Clara Hogue of...

EuVonne Fincham

EuVonne Fincham

Apr 29, 2019

EuVonne Fincham, age 96, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2019 at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.  

EuVonne was born June 30, 1922 in rural Blue Rapids to Parl and Mae Spunaugle and was one of twins. 

She attended Star and Patterson schools and graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1940.

In May...

William "Bill" Norris

William "Bill" Norris

Apr 28, 2019

William “Bill” Henry Norris, age 76 of Manhattan, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019 at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

He was born on January 18, 1943 in Clay Center, the son of Henry Harvey and Alice Josephine (Peterson) Norris.  He attended Leonardville Schools and graduated from Riley County High School in 1961 where he was an accomplished athlete,...

Jacqueline  Wohler

Jacqueline Wohler

Apr 27, 2019

Jacqueline Rae (Songs) Wohler, age 72 of Westmoreland, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Westy Community Care Home.

She was born on a snowy day on November 28, 1946 in Wamego, the daughter of Chester Raymond and Bernadine Ella (Niedfeldt) Songs. Jackie attended Hinerville District 15, a one room country school thru eighth grade and graduated from Wamego...

Connie S. Reedy

Connie S. Reedy

Apr 26, 2019

Connie S. Reedy, age 69, of Topeka, formerly of Blue Rapids, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2019, at Topeka Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care in Topeka.

Connie was born November 8, 1949, at Marysville, to Clarence E. and Mary J. (Richardson) Reedy. 

She graduated from Valley Heights High School in 1967. 

She married Robert Fuller on December...

John  Hofmann

John Hofmann

Apr 25, 2019

John Howard Hofmann, age 67 of Leonardville, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital.

He was born on September 16, 1951 in Manhattan, the son of Howard John and Esther Sofie (Hasenbank) Hofmann. He was married to Sue Brown on February 4, 1978 and to this union they had three daughters.  They later divorced.

On November 22,...

Kenneth B. King

Kenneth B. King

Apr 13, 2019

Kenneth B. King, age 72, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Stormont Vail Health Regional Health Center in Topeka.  

Kenneth was born November 21, 1946, at Marysville, to John T. and Grace L. (Roepke) King. 

After graduating from Marysville High School in 1964, he worked as agent-operator for the Rock Island Rail Road. In...

Reva (Scheele) Bright

Reva (Scheele) Bright

Mar 30, 2019

Reva Elaine (Scheele) Bright, age 73 of Manhattan, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019 at her residence.

She was born on August 22, 1945 in Hutchinson, the daughter of Otto Henry and Clementine Reva (Hoffer) Scheele.  She graduated from Riley County High School and Brown Mackie Business College.

On December 27, 1964, she was married to Carl Merton Schurle.  They later divorced.

Reva...

William H. Colburn

William H. Colburn

Mar 29, 2019

William H. “Bill” Colburn, age 84, of Marysville, passed away a Cambridge Place Nursing Home in Marysville.

Survivors include his wife Reta “Diane” Colburn of Marysville, a son, Bill (Missie) Colburn of Harvest, Alabama, a daughter, Cora Lee (Rich) Walker of Pueblo, Colorado, five grandchildren, and two sisters Mable and Donna.

Preceding him in death were his daughter...

Marybelle Tregoning

Marybelle Tregoning

Mar 29, 2019

Marybelle Tregoning, age 89, of Barnes, formerly of Waterville, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Linn Community Care Home in Linn.

Marybelle was born on May 10, 1929, at Frankfort to Orie W. and Hazel M. (Myers) Zeek. 

She graduated from Concordia High School in 1948, then she attended cosmetology school in Wichita. 

She married John...

Donald N. Hirt

Donald N. Hirt

Mar 29, 2019

Donald N. Hirt, age 89, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2019, at Community Memorial Health Care in Marysville. Don was born November 16, 1929 in Waterville, to Charles E. and Helga (Lindquist) Hirt, Sr. He graduated from Waterville, High School in 1947. Don married Norma Lee Hawkins on November 18, 1951, at Axtell, she passed away on July 2, 2004.  After...