MELVERN, Kan. – Jeffery Lynn Brunner, 55, passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at his home near Melvern, Kan. He was born Sept. 13, 1967, in Midwest City, Okla., the son of Bobby and Dot (Schultze) Brunner.
Jeff had grown up in Oklahoma and had lived near Melvern for the last several years.
Jeff attended the Community Church of God, Melvern. He loved sharing his love for Southern Gospel music by singing at church.
MELVERN, Kan. – Dorothy Lee “Dot” Brunner, 86, passed away on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at her home near Melvern, Kan. She was born Nov. 6, 1936, in Denver, Colo., the daughter of Richard and Evelyn (Sumner) Schultze.
Dot had grown up in Melvern and graduated from Melvern High School in 1954. She had lived in Midwest City, Okla., for many years before moving back to Melvern.
Dot had been a housewife and military wife. She was a member of the Midwest City Church of God and the Melvern Church of God.
OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Marsha Anne Gomez, 79, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Jan. 13, 2023, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. Marsha was born Feb. 25, 1943, in Fairmont, Minn., to parents Charles and Mildred (Hames) Best.
Marsha spent her childhood in Minnesota, graduating from Richfield High School.
She was united in marriage to Michael Gomez, Dec. 17, 1967.
Marsha worked as a statistician for General Mills until having children; she then stepped back from working life to focus on her family. When the children became older, she began driving the Headstart bus and later instructed math courses at Dodge City Community College, Dodge City, Kan., where they lived. Marsha and Michael later relocated to Osage City to be near their children.
VASSAR, Kan. – Ruben Marvin Bauck, 91, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at his home near Vassar, Kan. He was born Jan. 19, 1931, the son of Richard and Elsa (Peimann) Bauck, on the family farm that was homesteaded by the Henry Peimann family in 1902.
Ruben lived on the family farm all of his life. He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, serving as an aircraft and engine mechanic and instructor. After the service, he farmed from 1956 to 1966, then worked as a builder with Swallow Construction, Pomona, Kan., from 1966 to 1980, and then worked as park maintenance supervisor at Pomona State Park from 1980 until his retirement in 1996. In his retirement, he was a part-time farmer and woodworker. Ruben was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar, where he was baptized Feb. 1, 1931, and confirmed in August 1945.
On June 13, 1954, Ruben was united in marriage to Hedy Marion Romeyk, in Islip, New York. To this union four children were born, Debra, Donald, James and Laurie.
TOPEKA, Kan. – John Fremont Pickett, 88, passed away on Wednesday, Jan, 11, 2023, at his home in Topeka, Kan., after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born Jan. 24, 1934, near Emporia, Kan., the son of William Allen and Sophia (Pantle) Pickett.
John had lived in the Burlingame, Kan., community for more than 50 years and had lived in Topeka for the last year.
John served as a signalman in the United States Army from 1957 to 1958. He worked for the US Postal Service in the Material Distribution Center, in Topeka, as a supervisor and manager and then as an inventory specialist until his retirement in 1992. Throughout this time, he also farmed and ranched.
He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Vassar, was involved in establishing the Burlingame Saddle Club, and loved helping at the rodeo each year. During retirement, he also volunteered at the Burlingame Schuyler Museum.
LYNDON, Kan. – Linda Sue Droegemeier, 59, of Lyndon, Kan., passed away Jan. 9, 2023, at her home. She was born Aug. 21, 1963, in Emporia, Kan., the daughter of Jimmy Leroy Droegemeier and Janet Sue (Carlson) Droegemeier.
After attending high school in Olathe, Kan., she graduated from University of Missouri-Kansas City with a bachelor’s degree. Linda was an electrical engineer at Puritan Bennett, and worked for a time at KanBuild, Osage City, Kans.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and going to concerts.
LYNDON, Kan. – Matthew Scott Sweetman, 54, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at his home in Lyndon, Kan. He was born Feb. 21, 1968, in Moline, Ill., the son of Arlo and Carol (Calhoun) Sweetman Sr.
Matthew had grown up in Cordova, Ill., had lived in Topeka, Kan., for six years and in Lyndon, Kan., for the last two years. Matthew worked as a welder and in assembly for Ernest-Spencer Metals Inc., Topeka.
On April 4, 2008, Matthew was married to Gladys Annette Ditto, in Rock Island, Ill.
LITTLETON, Colo. – Eugenia Hepworth Berger died peacefully at her Littleton, Colo., home on Jan. 1, 2023, at the age of 97. She passed away surrounded by her loving daughter, son-in-law and long time caregiver and friend. Eugenia was born Jan. 30, 1925, in Lawrence, Kan., and grew up in Burlingame, Kan., one of four Hepworth sisters.
She graduated from Burlingame High School, and acquired her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas. She held two master’s degrees and a PhD from the University of Denver. Besides raising a family, she had a career as a full professor and chair of the at Metropolitan State College Department of Education, Denver, Colo. Eugenia authored the textbook, Parents as Partners in Education, that is still in use today, with revised editions added over the years.
Having been raised on a Kansas farm, Eugenia loved horses, music, hiking and the outdoors. She never avoided hard work, except on Mother’s Day.
OVERBROOK, Kan. – Linda Y. Hummel, Overbrook, Kan., died on Jan. 3, 2023, at her home. She was 67 and died from ALS. She was born May 28, 1955, in Phillipsburg, Kan., the daughter of Bill Taylor and Delores (Wheeler) Taylor.
Linda graduated from Jewell High School with the class of 1973.
In her early years she was in local country bands around Jewell. She and her siblings formed “The Ranchhands.” She also sang in the gospel choir “The Challengers.” She later sang in the Band “Sweet Water.” Linda was also involved with horses her entire life and enjoyed the rodeo.
She attended Colby Community College and later the University of South Dakota, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She also attended Emporia State University for her master’s degree and obtained her teaching certificate.
OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Earlene K. Bockus, 84, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Interim Home Care and Hospice or the First Presbyterian Church, and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523.
QUENEMO, Kan. – Diane Jean Berry, 61, passed away Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born Jan. 27, 1961, in Topeka, the daughter of Daniel and Erma (Redenbaugh) Sipp Sr.
Diane had lived in Pomona, Lawrence and Ottawa, but had lived in Quenemo, Kan., most of her life. She had worked as a certified medical assistant at several nursing homes in Osage and Franklin counties. She was a cancer survivor, having beat back breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
On July 27, 1982, Diane was married to Patrick Berry, in Ottawa, Kan. They later divorced. To this union three children were born, Shannon, James and Kenneth.
OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Funeral services for Dorothy J. Meyer, 88, Osage City, Kan., will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 219 S. Sixth St., Osage City, with the Rev. Michael Turner officiating. Burial will be at the Osage City Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 6, at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel. Dorothy died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, at her home surrounded by her children. Dorothy Jean VanHorn, the fourth child of Irvin and Thelma (Moore) VanHorn, Dayton, Ohio, was born Aug. 19, 1934.
She attended Huffman Elementary, one block from their home, first to eighth grade. She then began her freshman year of high school at Stivers High School. In December 1948, her mother died suddenly. She then moved to Osage City to live with a dear uncle and aunt, William and Julia Vigola.
She continued her education at Osage City High School. She was an active member of the school band, playing the clarinet. She was a cheerleader, and involved in numerous clubs and activities. It was here she met Earl H. Meyer and they married June 13, 1954. She had completed her education just prior to marriage, obtaining a two-year teaching certificate from Emporia Teachers College. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority during her time there.
CARBONDALE, Kan. – Myrtle Frances McCullah, 93, passed away Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at her home in Holton, Kan. She was born May 4, 1929, in Maryville, Mo., the daughter of James and Marjorie (Bailey) Hamilton.
Myrtle had lived in Kansas and Missouri, and had been in Carbondale, Kan., for many years. She had moved to Holton in the last few months.
Myrtle had worked as a school cook and then as an aide in a Topeka nursing home. She was a certified medical assistant at Brookside Nursing Home, Overbrook, Kan., for several years. She was a member of Grace Chapel, Carbondale, and had been a member of the Carbondale VFW.
OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Dolores Nadine Croucher, 91, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. She was born March 11, 1931, in Lindsborg, Kan., the daughter of Ernest and Alice (Balocca) Didier.
Dolores had lived all of her life in the Osage City community. She graduated from Osage City High School in 1949.
On Feb. 27, 1949, Dolores was united in marriage to Glenn Dale Croucher, in Lyndon, Kan. He preceded her in death on Feb. 1, 2014.
Dolores worked in the fabric department at Ben Franklin in Osage City for many years. She was a very talented seamstress and a homemaker. Dolores was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and St. Patrick’s Altar Society, and was a member of the Osage Public Library Board. She belonged to several community ladies’ clubs and volunteered for multiple area organizations.
TOPEKA, Kan. – Mary Jane Thomas, 82, of Topeka, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at McCrite Assisted Living, Topeka. Mary was born Oct. 26, 1940, near Burlingame, Kan.
Mary lived most of her life near Dover, Kan., following her marriage to her beloved Cecil Leonard Thomas in November 1958.
She was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, tending to her flowers and garden, collecting Snoopy memorabilia and was a huge George Strait fan. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting with the Dover Ladies’ Aide group at church and outings with The Dover Dollies. She worked for and retired from Josten’s, Topeka, working in all facets of school yearbook production.
LYNDON, Kan. – Wilma Jeanne Everett, 77, passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at St. Francis Hospital. Topeka, Kan. She was born Dec. 24, 1944, in Laredo, Texas, the daughter of William Harold and Frankie Jeanne (Shelley) Butts.
Pat, as she was known to all, had grown up around Quenemo, Kan. She lived in and near Quenemo most of her life, and had lived in Lyndon, Kan., for the last 14 years.
Pat had worked for H.D. Lee, Ottawa, Kan., Filter Service, Lyndon, was a real estate office manager, and was a homemaker.
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Betty Lou (Phillippe) Knapp, 93, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, in Warrensburg, Mo. She was born March 15, 1929, to Gerald and Edith (Weaver) Phillippe, in Mayes County, Oklahoma.
She lived in Kansas most of her life, attending public schools in Wichita, Kan. She graduated from East High School in 1947.
She married Eddie R. Knapp, August 21, 1948. They were married 58 years until his passing July 9, 2006.
Betty retired from General Motors Corp. July 1, 1987.
OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Mary Lou Jones, 92, of Osage City, Kan., passed away early Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at Emporia Presbyterian Manor, Emporia, Kan. She was born Feb. 25, 1930, in Osage City, the daughter of William and Opal Skidmore Bolyard.
Mary Lou attended Osage City High School and graduated with the class of 1949.
Mary Lou married the love of her life, Robert Edward Jones, on March 19, 1955, in Osage City. Their entire married lives were spent in Osage City, where Mary Lou mastered the art of being a mother, wife and homemaker. As time went on her skills were focused on the grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
When Mary Lou and Bob began to experience short moments of free time, they loved to just take off and go somewhere for the day. They always made a point of returning home a different route just to get a different perspective.
