Recent Obituaries

John J. O'Mara, Sr.

Mar 21, 2025

John Joseph O'Mara, Sr., age 80, passed away on March 21, 2025, in Chanute, Kansas.

John was born on October 20, 1944, around Colony, Kansas, to Thomas "Tom" and Anna (Haffey) O'Mara.

On July 3, 1965, John married Catherine "Kay" (Ulery). They lived in Leroy, Kansas for a few years before moving to Iola. John was always a truck driver,...

Alice Walker

Mar 20, 2025

Alice A. Walker - After living a full and adventurous life of ninety-six years, Alice Walker of rural Blue Mound passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Alice Amy Frazier was born in Kingston, NY, on September 3, 1928, to Olen and Eleanor (Griffes) Frazier. She first began her lifelong learning in New York City, where her leadership and feisty...

Sam Rife

Mar 18, 2025

On March 18, 2025 the Lord called Sam to saddle up and help gather His Heavenly herd. Melvin "Sam" Rife was born January 7, 1934, in Shaw, Kansas to Preston "PK" and Julia (Rush) Rife.

Sam led an eventful life enjoying many activities, like playing football, rodeoing, singing at amateur shows with his sister, water skiing, playing ice hockey on...

Robert D. Chriestenson

Mar 18, 2025

Robert Dean Chriestenson, age 66, of Neosho Falls, Kansas, passed away March 18, 2025, at his residence. Robert was born March 30, 1958, in Iola, Kansas, to Charley Chriestenson and Juanita (Bushman) Chriestenson.

Robert attended school in Neosho Falls and later in Yates Center. Robert spent most of his years working oilfields around Neosho Falls. He also owned The Last...

Alice Cass

Mar 17, 2025

Alice Faye Cass (Prater), age 73, of Welda, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas.

She was born on April 24, 1951, at Garnett, Kansas, the daughter of Earl E. and Laura M. (Parker) Cass. Alice attended school in Garnett and graduated with the Class of 1969. After high school she was...

Raymond Shannon

Mar 15, 2025

Raymond G. Shannon, age 93, passed away at Medicalodges of Iola on March 15, 2025.

Raymond was born on July 15, 1931, the eldest of four children born to Gail and Mabel (Torkelson) Shannon in Hiawatha, Kansas. He graduated high school from Atchison County Community High School with the class of 1947.

On July 23, 1950, Raymond married Wanda Dockweiler....

John Chandler

Mar 14, 2025

John Henry Chandler, 83, passed away on March 14, 2025, at the Homestead Assisted Living in Eudora, Kansas. He was born on July 17, 1941, in Garnett, Kansas, to Bradford and Maxine Stutesman Chandler. The oldest of four children, John grew up on a farm northwest of Garnett, where he developed a strong work ethic and a love for the...

Scott Welch

Mar 12, 2025

Scott Robert Welch, of Moran, Kansas, died March 12, 2025, in a farming accident east of Moran. He was 44 years old. The son of Robert and Cheryl (Thompson) Welch, he was born July 20, 1980, in Iola, Kansas.

Scott was the hardest-working man we knew, building a life of abundance and love. As a little boy, he was...

Mark A. Carroll

Mar 11, 2025

Mark Allen Carroll, age 67, of Pratt, Kansas, passed away March 11, 2025, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas. Mark was born February 8, 1958, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to William Carroll and Margaret "Peg" (Diskin) Beech.

Mark graduated in 1976 from Iola High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, along with his best friend Joe Hicks, and...

Larry Stevenson

Mar 11, 2025

Larry Lyman Stevenson, age 81, of Allen County, Kansas, passed away on March 11, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Larry was born on January 10, 1944, in Iola, Kansas to Karol Stevenson and Olga Jacobson.

For many years, Larry worked as an experienced meat cutter. He ran his own meat processing business, specializing in wild game, such as boar and deer.

Larry was...

Jo Ann Butler

Mar 8, 2025

Jo Ann Butler, age 78, of Iola, Kansas, passed away peacefully at her home on March 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Jo Ann was born August 3, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Phil and Emma (Dowell) Butler.

Jo Ann attended school in Iola and Iola Junior College. At 18 years-of-age she started working at Jones Jewelry and...

Thomas Mersman

Mar 8, 2025

Tom Mersman, age 77, of Paola, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at home surrounded by his family. Tom was born February 17, 1948 in Garnett, Kansas to Ralph and Florence (Wolken) Mersman. Tom graduated from Garnett High with the Class of 1966. On September 7, 1968 Tom was united to the love of his life, Lynette Newman....

Becky Cleaver

Mar 6, 2025

Becky Arlene (Catron) Cleaver, age 76, passed away at Medicalodges of Iola on March 6, 2025.

Becky was born on July 13, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Albun and Lora Catron.

On Valentine's Day in 1966, Becky married the love of her life, Harlan Cleaver. They had three children and made their home in Iola, Kansas. She was very...

Sandy Peine

Mar 5, 2025

Sandy S. Peine, age 66, of Princeton, Kansas, passed away peacefully at Baldwin Healthcare and Rehab on March 5, 2025. Sandy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose warmth and vibrant spirit touched the lives of all who knew her.

Sandra Sue Potter was born on October 7, 1958, in Garnett, Kansas, to Albert and Beverly (Ashburn) Potter....

Larry Hermreck

Mar 3, 2025

Larry Hermreck, age 71, of Garnett, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at St. Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas.

He was born on January 27, 1954, at Garnett, Kansas, a son in a set of twins born to Conrad B. and Ann M. (Wolken) Hermreck, being the first set born at Anderson County Hospital. Larry attended...

Delores Luedke

Feb 27, 2025

Delores Luedke, née Lay, was born to Clarence and Flossie (Cox) Lay in rural Colony, KS on October 17, 1930. She lived a rich, full life. She always said that she never thought that she would live as long as she did, but we are sure glad that she blessed us for all these years. Delores died in Atwood, KS...

Richard Rommelfanger

Feb 26, 2025

Richard Leon Rommelfanger, age 91, of Greeley, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Residential Living Center in Garnett.

Richard Leon Rommelfanger was born on March 21, 1933 to Nicholas Godfred and Mary Christina (Westerman) Rommelfanger in Greeley, Kansas. Richie attended grade school at St. John's Catholic School and graduated from Greeley High School with the Class of 1951....

Kenneth "Kenny" Smail

Feb 21, 2025

Kenneth "Kenny" Dee Smail, age 72, of Piqua, Kansas, passed away on February 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones.

Kenny was born on March 5, 1952, in Dallas, Texas to Wayne and Vivian (Porter) Smail. He attended high school in Iola, Kansas, and graduated with the class of 1971. During his time at IHS, Kenny excelled...

Koda Cole

Feb 21, 2025

Koda LeeAnn Cole, age 16, passed away on February 21, 2025.

Koda was born on August 27, 2008, in Iola, Kansas. She resided in Iola and was a Junior at Iola High School.

Koda was known for her beautiful hair, contagious goofiness, and her big heart. She loved animals and babies. She loved to draw, cook, and bake, although her...

Larry Utley

Feb 21, 2025

Larry Raymond Utley, 81, of Iola, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 21st, in his home.

Larry was born on December 7, 1943, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Marvin F. Utley and Florence H. (Lange) Utley. He attended school in Minnesota before moving to La Harpe, Kansas, where he completed his education. A lifelong auto body repair technician and small business owner,...