McFARLAND, Kan. – Teresa Mary Carroll, 81, of McFarland, Kan., formerly of Burlingame, Kan., died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at her home. She had moved to McFarland two years ago to be close to her family. Teresa was born Jan. 28, 1940, in Morrison, Mo., the daughter of Edward and Louise Gerard Lackman. She attended local schools.

Teresa married James Alfred Carroll on Feb. 5, 1966, in New Haven, Mo. After 55 years of marriage, he survives at their home.

Prior to her marriage, Teresa worked sewing tents at a tent factory in Missouri. After her marriage to James, she became a homemaker. She loved to cook, sew, and do crafts, but her passion was her church and her family. She cherished the time she could spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Elmo “Moe” Hyatte Payne, 70, of Osage City, Kan., passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. Moe was born Oct. 7, 1951, in Griffin, Ga.

He loved golf, “git togethers”, shooting pool, playing darts, poker and was quite a jokester.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Donita, of the home; son, Chris (Michelle) Payne, of Alpharetta, Ga.; daughter, Katelyn Payne, Burton, Kan.; sister, Ann (Andy) Norman, McDonough, Ga.; and three granddaughters, Morgan, Natasha and Loralye.

BURLINGAME, Kan. – Leonard Allen “Doc” Colvin, 69, of Burlingame, Kan., died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, Topeka, Kan. He was born March 11, 1952, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Lester Colvin and Violet (Rhodes) Colvin.

Leonard grew up in the McClouth, Kan., area.

On Sept. 25, 1999, Leonard was united in marriage to Stacy Wellborn, at their home in Carbondale, Kan.

Leonard served his country in the United States Marines Corps from 1971, serving as a microwave equipment operator until his discharge in 1976. During this time he earned a National Defense Service Medal. Afterward, he worked at Atchison Casting and Krupp Machining until 2001. In his retirement, he did his own work as a machinist, owning and operating Doc’s Machining and Fabrication, in Burlingame.

SCRANTON, Kan. – Leo N. Arb, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early hours of Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at his home in Scranton, Kan. He was born July 12, 1936, in Belleville, Kan., the son of Clarence and Lena Childers Arb.

Leo entered the United States Navy on March 17, 1955. He proudly served four years, including time onboard the U.S.S. Denebola, a Victory Ship first commissioned in June 1944, and serving on the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin. On March 12, 1959, after being recommended for reenlistment, Leo received his honorable discharge and returned to civilian life.

He worked as an auto mechanic, perfecting his craft over the next several years while working at numerous dealerships and auto shops throughout the area.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Ruffin Blake McDaniel died at the age of 57 on Nov. 13, 2021, after a courageous fight against cancer. Throughout it all he never lost hope or his humor. He passed at his home in Topeka, Kan., surrounded by loved ones. He was born July 8, 1964, to James and Shirley McDaniel; and engaged to Shelley Jensen in November 2018.

He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1983, and attended the University of Kansas before graduating from Washburn University. Ruffin lived life to the fullest, spending his time with family and friends, cheering on the Jayhawks and Royals, photographing nature, and chasing any big storm he could find.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Theodora “Teddy” Annette Flowers, 67, of Carbondale, Kan., passed away Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. She was born Dec. 18, 1953, in Topeka, Kan., the daughter of R.T. and Eldora Marion Reece Flowers.

Teddy was a huge fan of the outdoors, whether gardening, working, or wildlife, you could always find her outside enjoying herself, as she was the ultimate hippie, she loved music, football, and her fur babies, Pepe, Teddy, Scooter, Maggie, Bubba and Shadow. Teddy was lucky enough to travel the world, she would always love to learn new things, and was happy to teach others.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Robert Lee “Butch” Carlson Jr., 70, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, of a broken heart at his home surrounded by family and friends. Robert was born Aug. 13, 1951, in Osage City, Kan., the son of Robert Lee and Wilma (Hasty) Carlson Sr.

One of the biggest questions of Butch’s life was where he got the nickname “Butch”. The answer to this trivia question is that his mom, Wilma, saw a cartoon of a little boy wearing overalls (just like Butch) that reminded her of Butch’s mannerisms and personality.

Butch graduated from Osage City High School in 1969.

He was joined in marriage to Julie Hafenstein, Dec. 11, 1976, in Osage City. To this union, two children were born, Shawn and Conrad.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Georgeina M. Shafer, 87, passed away Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at the University of Kansas Health Services St. Francis Campus, Topeka, Kan. She was born Jan. 15, 1934.

A private family inurnment service will be held at a later date at Osage City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Osage County Community Foundation and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Home, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523.

READING, Kan. – Carl Thomas Briggs, 84, passed away on Oct. 22, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born July 10, 1937, to Walter and Geneva (Buchtel) Briggs.

The family lived in Quenemo, Kan., until 1950, when they moved to a farm near Reading, Kan. Carl attended Reading schools and majored in business at Emporia State. He began farming when he was very young and took on major farm responsibilities during his college years. Farming and raising cattle gave him a life’s work that he loved. His crops had clean, straight rows and his cattle were well fed with a dry place to lie down. Carl’s respect for the environment was reflected in his work on the Upper Marais des Cygnes Watershed District, where he was a founding board member, and the Lyon County Soil Conservation District, where he served as chairman for several years.

In 1980, he met and fell in love with Janice Anderson, and they were married six months later. He restored an old farmhouse with a great deal of skill, love, and patience to make the warm and happy home where they lived and raised their family. Sam was born in 1981 and Sarah in 1984.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Robert Edward Atchison Jr., 65, of Topeka, Kan., died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at his home. He was born Nov. 26, 1955, in Topeka, the son of Robert Edward Atchison Sr. and Shirley (Masters) Atchison.

Robert was a near lifelong Topeka resident, living a few years as an adult in Burlingame, Kan. He graduated from Topeka High School with the class of 1974.

Robert worked early in his life for Joe Conroy Construction as a laborer and then for Smitline Excavating on a uniloader. He was still working currently as a care companion for Grace Home Care.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Dorothy A. (Knoll) Beckmon, 96, of Overbrook, Kan., formerly of Carbondale, Kan., passed on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at Brookside Healthcare and Rehab, Overbrook. She was born Nov. 5, 1924, in Rose, Kan., the daughter of Jacob Elmer and Dora Jane Knoll.

She lived in the Carbondale community from 1976 until 2019, when she moved to Overbrook.

On Oct. 10, 1945, Dorothy was united in marriage to Melvin Beckmon, in Tulsa, Okla. They had six children, David, Donald, Phillip, Douglas, Joan, and Deborah. She also has 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 23 great-great grandchildren.

ABILENE, Kan. – Don A. Vieta, 87, of Abilene, Kan., passed Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, at Village Manor, Abilene. He was born April 10, 1934, in Fostoria, Kan., the son of Angelo Vieta and Laura (Perry) Vieta.

He grew up in Burlingame, Kan., and graduated from Burlingame High School in 1952. He then graduated from Topeka Business School.

He served his country in the United States Air Force. He was an accountant on Fort Riley Army Base for his entire profession career as an accounting department supervisor.

On May 1, 1953, Don was united in marriage to Pauline Young, in Osage City, Kan.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – David E. Anderson, 80, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. He was born Aug. 18, 1941, in Osage City, the son of Thomas and Verda Lafferty Anderson.

David had lived most of his life in Osage City but had lived for a few years in Topeka, Kan., also.

David had farmed, was owner-operator of Anderson Plumbing & Heating and A&G Underground, worked at Kan-Build, and owned Dog Town Antiques. He served in the US Army Reserves for nearly 10 years. He was a member of the Stotler Covenant Church, where he was an officer, and a member of Auburn Christian Church, where he was an elder. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Osage City, and the Osage City Jaycees, worked for the rural water district, and was a square dancer.

TOPEKA, Kan. – unexpectedly passed away Oct. 20, 2021, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan., after a short bout with cancer. He was born Jan. 2, 1938, in a farm house near Milo, Kan., in Lincoln County, the son of Charles and Jean Duncan Brown.

Stanley graduated from Mulvane High School, Mulvane, Kan., and later Emporia State University.

Stanley married Carol Ann Olson, in 1960. Stan and Carol raised three children, Bruce, Brenda (Nichols), and Barry. There are many memories of car trips that included stopping by roadside attractions and opportunities to learn Kansas history.

Stan became a high school social studies teacher and coach at several small schools around Kansas, including Northern Heights, Chase, Clifton, Lebo and Hartford. He coached football and impacted the lives of many young people.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Bessie Grace Dobler, 93, passed away Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, at the Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. Bessie Grace Neilson was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Osage City, the daughter of Claude and Bessie (Vaughn) Neilson.

She graduated from Williamsburg High School, Williamsburg, Kan., in 1946. She worked in Kansas City and moved to Arizona, where she met Lloyd Dobler. They were joined in marriage April 15, 1952, in Prescott, Ariz. They moved backed to Kansas in 1969, and she helped operate Dobler Surveying.

Grace was an artist and attended the KC Art Institute in the late 1940s; in 1982, she earned a degree in fine arts from Emporia State University.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Wilma J. Kramer, 86, of Carbondale, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at Brookside Manor, Overbrook, Kan. Wilma was born Feb. 6, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., the daughter of Andrew and Thelma (Snethen) O’Brien.

Wilma grew up in Overbrook, attending school there.

She married Edward Kramer, Oct. 24, 1952, in Topeka. He preceded her in death June 18, 2018. Wilma and Ed enjoyed square dancing all over the state and were members of the Friendship Squares. She was active with the United Methodist Women with the Overbrook United Methodist Church. Wilma and Ed enjoyed traveling, and spending time with their grandchildren.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Minerva Baker, 95, of Overbrook, Kan., passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Minerva was born July 9, 1926, in Marquette, Kan., the daughter of Mabel (Ditzler) and Richard Cadwell.

She graduated from Marquette High School as valedictorian in 1943, and then graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in home economics in 1947.

On June 2, 1950, Minerva married Wayne L Baker, in Manhattan, Kansas. They raised four children: Anita Kay, Randal, Barbara, and Laurel.

Minerva cherished her adoring husband, Wayne L, of 51 years. Their love for one another was their greatest gift to their children. It provided stability and demonstrated a loving, committed relationship. She was devoted to her children, children’s spouses, (Baker’s dozen) grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended families. She was indeed “the hostess with the mostest” and generously gave of herself through her wonderful cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, and gracious hospitality.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Larry L. Schwartz, 81, of Overbrook, Kan., passed away Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, surrounded by family at the Brookside Retirement Community Ruble Ranch, Overbrook. He was born March 19, 1940, in Lawrence, Kan., the son of Glenn and Alberta (Miller) Schwartz.

He graduated from Overbrook High School with the class of 1958. After high school, Larry attended Washburn University, Topeka, Kan.

He was united in marriage to Mary Suzanne Albright, July 7, 1961, in Topeka. They shared more than 60 years of marriage.

Larry attended school to become a master plumber. He worked for Smiles Plumbing, Topeka, as an apprentice, and later worked for Young and Lockhart, Topeka, as a plumber, before retiring in 2000.