Obituaries

Feb 24, 2023

Jeffrey Rich 52 died February 24, 2023 in Wakefield, KS.  He was born on January 19, 1971 in Clay Center, KS, the son of Henry and Wanda (Cowing) Rich.  Jeffrey made his home in Mississippi, Missouri and Kansas.  He worked for Hiland Dairy for several years.  Jeffrey was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors: ...

Feb 24, 2023

Bonnie L. Slingsby 93 died February 24, 2023, in Clay Center, KS.  She was born on January 18, 1930, in Manchester, Kansas the daughter Benjamin and Mabel (Kissling) Oard.  Bonnie grew up on a farm in the Mayfield community near Longford, KS.  She was a graduate of Longford Rural High School.  Bonnie worked as a clerk at ASC Conservation...

Feb 19, 2023

Betty Maxine Spellman, daughter of J. Howard and Anna (Smith) Morley was born on a farm in Clay County, Kansas, October 5, 1927, and died at her home February 19, 2023, at the age of 95.

Betty and her brother Les were raised and attended grade schools in the Oak Hill community and the Oak Hill Presbyterian...

Feb 9, 2023

Wilma Jean Guy was born February 7, 1925, near Longford, Clay County, Kansas. The daughter of Archil V. and Lucille Smith Carter. She died February 9, 2023, in Wichita, Kansas.

She attended Vinzant and Pleasant Prairie rural schools and graduated from Longford Rural High School in 1942. During her senior year and following graduation, she worked as...

Jan 24, 2023

Michael A. O'Leary, Sr., 72 of Leonardville, died Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at his residence.  He was born July 15, 1950 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Thomas and E. Louise (Pinkerton) O'Leary.

Michael grew up in Wichita and graduated from Wichita Heights High School.  He served in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school.  He owned...

Jan 24, 2023

Barbara Ann Mahin, age 91, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 24, 2023. She was born in Chanute, Kansas on September 18, 1931, to Russell B. and Frieda M. (Miller) Townsend. Barbara grew up in Chanute and was a graduate of Chanute High School in 1949. She attended Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University...

Jan 18, 2023

Loretta Miles, 86 died January 18, 2023, in Clay Center, KS.  She was born on January 15, 1937, in Clay County, the daughter of Harold and Doris (Lloyd) Keener.  Loretta was a Class of 1955 graduate of Clay Center High School.  She attended nurses training and worked at a doctor’s office in Chicago for many years. Loretta served as...

Jan 13, 2023

Monica Wernette died January 13, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of generosity, kindness and love. Those who were lucky enough to know her, will always remember the twinkle in her in eye, her ever- present smile, and her love of storytelling. She was truly a citizen of the world and an extraordinary person who will be missed by a...

Jan 9, 2023

Daryl J. Sterba, 69 of Clifton, Kansas, died Monday, January 9, 2023, at the Park Villa Nursing Home in Clyde, Kansas.  He was born on February 1, 1953, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Ludwig and Florence (Musselman) Sterba.

Daryl grew up in Clifton and graduated from Clifton High School in 1971.  He worked for the Clifton...

Jan 9, 2023

Loyd “Kenny” Patterson, 77 of Clay Center, died Monday, January 9, 2023 at his residence.  He was born January 20, 1945 in Clay Center, Kansas, the son of Loyd K. and Juanita (Kretz) Patterson.

Kenny grew up in Clay Center and graduated from CCCHS in 1963.  He served in the Kansas National Guard.  Kenny owned his own...

Jan 6, 2023

Carson Everett Simon, age 18, died January 6, 2023. He was born April 5, 2004, to Patrick and Lindsay (Christian) Simon, in Manhattan, Kansas. Carson was raised in the Wakefield community. He loved hunting, fishing and just being outdoors. Carson loved talking sports with his dad and was an avid Kansas State football fan. He enjoyed cheering them on...

Jan 5, 2023

Richard Dean Graham, age 66, died January 5, 2023, in Enterprise, Kansas. He was born to John Marion Graham and Nancy Jane (Sheely) Asche, on November 13, 1956, in Fort Riley, Kansas. Rick was introduced to the love of his life, Janet Lynn McKellips, by Janets sister the summer of 1991. He moved to Clay Center,...

Jan 4, 2023

Richard Earl Grinage, 88 died January 4, 2023 in Clay Center, KS.  He was born on August 24, 1934 in Salina, the son of Oscar and Iva (Brenner) Grinage.  Richard was raised in Salina and was a graduate of the Class of 1952 from Salina High School.  He received a Bachelor of Education degree from Kansas Wesleyan University.  He...

Dec 30, 2022

Harlin L. Hornbostel, 96, of Clay Center died Friday, December 30, 2022 at the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor.  He was born October 12, 1926 in Palmer, Kansas the son of William and Marie (Pruser) Hornbostel.

He grew up near Palmer and attended the Elliot School, Palmer Grade School and graduated from Linn High School in 1944.  He...

Dec 30, 2022

Morris L. Weyant, Jr., 74 of Clay Center, died on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka, Kansas. He was born May 9, 1948 in Seattle, Washington, the son of Morris L. Weyant, Sr. and LeBertha Weyant. Morris grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he graduated from high school. He spent 35 years in the...

Dec 29, 2022

Finis Oakley (Reed) Shaner, 79, of Green, Kansas died on December 29, 2022 at his residence.  He was born on December 8, 1943 in Buffalo, Kansas.  In 1949, he was adopted by Benjamin and Lula (Taylor) Shaner.

He married Diana Dodds on July 15, 1966.  Finis spent most of his life as an over the road truck...

Dec 26, 2022

John Fajen, 77 died December 26, 2022 in Riley, KS.  He was born on May 28, 1945 in Vining, KS, the son of Walter and Olga (Dierking) Fajen.  John was raised in the Palmer and Clay Center communities.  He was a Class of 1963 graduate of CCCHS.  John earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and his...

Dec 26, 2022

Donna J. Colp, 85 died December 26, 2022, in Manhattan, KS.  She was born on June 14, 1937, in Milford, the daughter of Ervin and Geraldine (Case) Koerner.  Donna was a Class of 1955 graduate of Wakefield High School. She married Leon Colp on July 3, 1963.  He preceded her in death on November 6, 2011.  Donna attended the...

Dec 25, 2022

Patti Jane Hamel Bloomfield, 68, of Clifton KS, passed away on December 25, 2022, after a long battle of cancer. Patti was born on August 21, 1954, to Lloyd and Maxine Hamel in Concordia, KS. Patti graduated from Clyde High School in 1972. In 1969, Patti met Steve Bloomfield. Patti and Steve were married on...

Dec 25, 2022

Lance Willmann, 44, of Topeka, Kansas passed away at his home on December 25, 2022. Lance was born on March 10, 1978, to Gary and Sherrie (Steele) Willmann in Clay Center, Kansas. Lance grew up in Clay Center and graduated from CCCHS in 1996. He went on to study elementary education at the University of Kansas.

He...