LYNDON, Kan. – Donald Herbert Garrett Sr., 80, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. He was born Oct. 2, 1941, in Bagnell, Mo., the son of Gerald and Icel (Platter) Garrett.

Don had lived in Kansas City, Kan., for many years, and had moved to rural Lyndon, Kan., in 1994.

He served for 27 years for the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and retired as a master sergeant. He then served several years as the Lyndon chief of police. He was a past president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4, was a member of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, the Lyndon Lions Club, the Masonic Euclid Lodge No. 101, Lyndon, and served on the board of Rural Water District No. 6. He has been a member of the StoneyPoint Christian Church, Kansas City, and attended the Lyndon United Methodist Church, Lyndon.

LENEXA, Kan. – Eileen Olive Reimer, 86, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Overland Park, Kan. She was born July 11, 1935, at the family farm home near Quenemo, Kan., the daughter of Gordon and Maude Vinton Gray.

Eileen attended Quenemo High School, where she graduated with the class of 1954. She went on to attend the Stewart Beauty Academy of Cosmetology, completing her professional certification in 1958.

On Sept. 4, 1955, Eileen was forever joined in marriage to the love of her life, Lester Reimer, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, Emporia, Kan. Eileen and Lester were faithful members of Messiah Lutheran Church throughout their lives.

Eileen was a beautician for 59 years, and the owner and operator of Eileen’s Beauty Shop for more than 50 years. Eileen and Lester moved to Lenexa, Kan., in 2017 to be nearer to their daughter.

EUDORA, Kan. – Janet Marie Riggin, age 46, of Eudora, Kan., passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022, at her home. She was born Feb. 8, 1976, in Emporia, Kan., the daughter of Jode M. Riggin and Rosene L. (Stewart) Riggin.

Janet grew up in the Harveyville, Kan., area and graduated from Mission Valley High School with the class of 1994. She then graduated from Flint Hills Technical College, Emporia, with a degree in Graphic Arts.

Janet was a manager for Universal Engraving, Lenexa, Kan., working there since 2004. She loved her job and how she was able to utilize her artistic abilities within her profession.

She was a member of the Barn Hunting Association, and loved taking her dog, Blue, on many barn hunts, winning awards often. She also had served as a volunteer firefighter and first responder for Baldwin City, Kan.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – The beautiful sunrise the morning of May 10, 2022, carried the spirit of Walter Lee Bigham Sr. into his heavenly home. Walter was born May 16, 1931, in Dallas, Texas, to Ruby (Sells) and Jack Roy Bigham, and was welcomed home by an older brother, Gilbert Bigham.

Walter married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Alice Swallow, on May 18, 1952. The following years blessed them with four children, Sharon (Bob) Shows, Deb (Dennis) Smith, John Bigham, and Walt (Kathy) Bigham Jr. Life continued and grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren filled their lives.

He loved the outdoors and would often be seen with a hunting rifle or fishing pole in his truck. Those were high spots of retirement for him since he could share those times with his family and friends.

MELVERN, Kan. – Janat Coleen Rice, 89, passed away Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Sunset Manor, Waverly, Kan. She was born Jan. 22, 1933, near Melvern, Kan., the daughter of Lloyd and Mary (Burns) Fanning.

Coleen grew up around Melvern and had lived on the farm northwest of Melvern since 1955. She had been at Sunset Manor in Waverly since 2020.

Coleen graduated from Melvern High School. She worked at Hilltop Nursing Home as a nurse’s aide before attending nursing school for LPN training. She then worked at St. Francis Hospital for a couple of years. She then returned to Hilltop as an LPN for many years until her retirement.

She was a member of the Melvern United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school and Bible school, a member of the United Methodist Women, helping with Penny Suppers and bazaars. She had been involved in HDU and was the 4-H food superintendent.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Bob D. Bodenheimer, 86, of Topeka, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Midland Hospice House. Bob was born the son of Orley Pitts and Katie Blanche (Ingram) Bodenheimer, on Dec. 30, 1935, in Osage City, Kan.

He was raised during the Great Depression and his family came from limited means. As a young boy, Bob learned the value of hard work during tough times. He graduated from Osage City High School. He then attended the College of Emporia, and received a master’s degree in mathematics from Kansas State University.

He married Mary Ann Burroughs, March 6, 1955, in Emporia, Kan. Together, they shared almost 60 years of marriage. Mary passed away Dec. 20, 2014.

Bob’s teaching career started at Garnett High School in 1957. The family moved to Topeka in 1964, and started teaching for USD 501, including at Landon Middle School, Jardine Middle School, Highland Park High School, and retiring from Shawnee Heights High School in 2004.

WILLIAMSBURG, Kan. – Sanford “Sandy” Shaw, 70, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2022, at his home near Williamsburg, Kan. He was born Feb. 5, 1952, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Duane “Slim” Shaw and Florence Borror.

Sandy had lived in rural Quenemo, Kan., for many years before moving to rural Williamsburg, where he had lived since 2014.

Sandy graduated from Quenemo High School in 1970. He was a maintenance technician at the AGC Glass Factory, Spring Hill, Kan., until he retired after 25 years.

BURLINGAME, Kan. – John Raymond Quaney, 81, passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. He was born May 3, 1941, in Topeka, the son of Eugene and Anna (Heise) Quaney.

He had spent his youth in the Topeka area.

John met his first wife, Marilyn McGeeney, at a CYO event in Topeka. They were married Nov. 27, 1965, in Emmett, Kan. To this union two daughters were born, Christi and Susan. Marilyn passed away on July 26, 1977. Years later, John was blessed to meet Raylene Smith during a Singles in Agriculture event, and they married Feb. 17, 1996.

John graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1959. After graduating, he farmed and raised cattle in the Burlingame, Kan., community until his last days. He enjoyed farming with his son-in-law and grandsons in his later years. John enjoyed his grandkids and finding great ways to get into trouble with them on any occasion. He shared his love of the land and cattle with them all. Faith, family, farming and friends best describe his world.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Harry Michael “Mike” Prim, 65, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2022, at his home south of Overbrook, Kan. He was born Feb. 28, 1957, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Harry and Ruby (York) Prim.

Mike had lived all of his life around the Overbrook community.

Mike was born to be a farmer and cattleman, and that is what he did throughout his life. He had worked for the Overbrook Livestock Commission for more than 40 years.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Raymond E. Bockus, 81, passed away Friday, April 22, 2022, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. Ray was born Aug. 7, 1940, to Ernest W. and Violet R. Bockus.

He came to Kansas in search of employment at the Tuttle Creek Reservoir construction site, eventually arriving in Osage City, where he met his future bride, Earlene Griffin. They were married Sept. 29, 1957. To this union, three children were born, Raylene Loschke (Frank), Brian Bockus (Denise), and Bradley Bockus (Colleen).

Ray was a carpenter, having built and repaired many homes in and around Osage City. Later, Ray and Earlene started Bockus Real Estate. He loved his family, his work, his pets, playing his guitar, drinking his coffee, mowing his yard, and an occasional neighborhood prank on Halloween.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Carl W. “Bill” Sheall, 88, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wichita, Kan. Carl William Sheall was born Dec. 30, 1933, in Coffeyville, Kan., the son of Ivan Reeves and Hazel A. (Harris) Sheall.

He graduated from Burlingame High School, Burlingame, Kan., in 1951. He served in the United States Marines during the Korean War.

He was joined in marriage to Kay Irene Whittington, August 4, 1956, in Admire, Kan.

Bill worked as an auto body mechanic, and retired from USD 501 maintenance.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Reba Jean Olson, 90, of Osage City, Kan., passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at Osage Nursing Center. She was born Dec. 18, 1931, on the family farm near Rapp, the daughter of Constantine T. and Mary Viola Bauman Lindbloom.

Reba attended Rapp School before entering Osage City High School. She graduated with the class of 1950.

On May 29, 1950, Reba married the love of her life, George Leland Olson, in her parents’ home. Reba and Leland made their home in Osage City, and went into business together. They first owned and operated Olson-Long Garage and later Ole’s Garage, where Reba kept all of the books. The two worked side by side for four decades before retiring in 1992.

Reba was a lifelong member of the Stotler Evangelical Covenant Church, and continued to attend after the church moved to Osage City and became Community Covenant Church. Her other community endeavors included many years as a member of the Red Hatters and Club 15.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Joseph Ronald Gardner, 91, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. He was born July 7, 1930, in Strawn, Kan., the son of Joe and Myrtle (Farmer) Gardner.

Joe grew up in the Strawn area. He graduated from Olivet High School, Olivet, Kan., in 1948.

Joe served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954, serving on the USS Curtiss during the hydrogen bomb tests at Eniwetok Atoll. After the service, he settled in Osage City in 1955 and started work at Benner-Williams Furniture and Appliance, and was there for 28 years. He then became a securities and insurance agent until his retirement at age 84. He was a longtime member of the Osage City United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the Masonic Lodge. He was active with Gideons International for many years.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Ronny Uel Cheatham, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Jan. 13, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. The son of Uel and Iola Cheatham, Ronny was born April 12, 1942, in Clinton, Mo.

He was raised in Olathe, Kan., where he fell in love with his beloved, Dianne Hale, whom he married April 11, 1965. This union was blessed with four sons.

Ronny was deep seeded in his faith and love for God and family. Ronny was a professional in the auto industry for more than 40 years. He loved boating, fishing, gardening, and spending time with family. He shared stories about his adventures with family and friends, and was notorious for his quick and quirky sense of humor.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Norma Ann Pock, 91, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital. Norma was born Feb. 17, 1931,and raised in Olivet, Kan., the daughter of Charlie A. and Jennie L. Moore Pock.

She attended Olivet High School and graduated with the class of 1949.

She married Raymond Johnson, and they moved to Topeka, where she worked as a clerk for Southwestern Bell. Norma and Raymond would later divorce. In the early 1960s she moved back to Olivet to be near her family. While back in Olivet, she met Orville Tyson. They married in 1963 and moved to Waverly. Norma and Orville were later divorced.

LYNDON, Kan. – One of the last of “The Greatest Generation”, Raymond Clyde Goldsmith, 95, passed away April 19, 2022. He was born Sept. 21, 1926, to parents Ora Clyde Goldsmith and Laura Burkdoll Goldsmith on a farm east of Lyndon, Kan., land first homesteaded by Goldsmiths in 1879.

Raymond grew up with brothers Gerald, Curtis, and Rodell. Farming was part of his DNA, something he always loved and found fulfillment in. He was a star athlete for the Lyndon Tigers football team, undefeated in both the falls of 1943 and 1944. His senior year at Lyndon High School was interrupted when he entered the US Army and was deployed to Okinawa and then Korea.

At the end of his service, he met Ann Bowen in Temple, Texas, beginning a 73-year romance. They were married March 19, 1949, in Belfalls, Texas, then took up running a farm together back in Raymond’s old stomping grounds between Lyndon and Quenemo.

Raymond became a soft spoken, humble giant in Osage County, earning a well-deserved reputation as one who never gave up through the toughest of times in farming.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Marjean Jo Parker, 90, of Carbondale, Kan., passed away Thursday April 14, 2022, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. She was born Nov. 2, 1931, in Carbondale, the daughter of William Waetzig and Wilda (Cain) Waetzig.

Marjean was a lifelong Carbondale resident, graduating from Carbondale High School with the class of 1949.

On Aug. 13, 1950, Marjean was united in marriage to Robert Parker, in Topeka, Kan. They shared 71 years of loving marriage.

Marjean was a lifelong homemaker, but she held several side jobs throughout her life. She babysat for many kids, ironed clothing, sold Avon, was a longtime librarian for the Carbondale Library, and was a tax preparer for several years.