OVERBROOK, Kan. – Monica Z. Prim, 91, Overbrook, Kan., passed away Feb. 17, 2023, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. She was born July 11, 1931, in Nebraska City, Neb., the daughter of Carl and Theresa Helen (Ramold) Zeiner.

Monica grew up in Nebraska, graduating from high school there. She then graduated from Nebraska State Teacher College, Peru, Neb., and taught elementary school in Nebraska, Topeka, Kan., and Overbrook. Later she was a PTF clerk at the Overbrook Post Office.

Monica’s interests were in all forms of home-ec, in which she loved baking, cooking, keeping house, knitting, sewing, and especially quilting. She played the organ for almost 50 years for funerals, weddings and masses at St. Francis of Assisi at LaPeer, where she was a member of the Altar Society. Monica was a charter member of the Santa Fe Quilters Guild, and also a member of Overbrook American Legion Auxiliary. Monica enjoyed her life and was involved in many community activities. She often said she really liked living in the country but wasn’t a “farmer.”

BURLINGAME, Kan. – Willis Elgin DeWitt, 85, died February 24, 2023. He was born June 16, 1937.

Willis grew up in rural Harveyville, Kan., and lived his adult life in Burlingame, Kan. He was the youngest son of Ivan DeWitt and Anna (Elgin) DeWitt.

Willis married Peggy Kivitter in 1957; they later divorced. To this union they had two boys, Willis Elvin DeWitt, Pittsburgh, Kan., and Wayne Eric DeWitt.

On Sept. 3, 1965, he married Betty Morey Hawker. To this union came a stepdaughter, Wendy Hinckm, White Cloud, Kan., and two daughters, JoEtta Wheeler, Virginia Beach, Va., and DeAnna Bean (Grady), Osage City, Kan.

POMONA, Kan. – Dustyn James Green, 31, passed away Feb. 27, 2023, in Scranton, Kan. He was born Feb. 23, 1992, in Lawrence, Kan., the son of Jim and Tammy (Ferrell) Green.

Dustyn graduated from Ottawa High School in 2010, studied psychology at Ottawa University, and was working on a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the American Intercontinental University. He had worked jobs in landscape and construction, but he loved the work in architecture and computers. He was currently working at JM Smuckers, Topeka, Kan., and had started his own online business, Remote Life-Outdoors. He had been a member of the Mt. Pleasant Community Church, Lyndon, Kan., and the First Southern Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kan.

LYNDON, Kan. – Marilyn Jean (Pierce) Walquist, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, was reunited with her late husband when she passed into Heaven on March 2, 2023. Marilyn was just 75 years old. Marilyn was born to Lorenzo and Pauline (Tonetti) Pierce, Dec. 14, 1947, in Topeka, Kan.

After graduating from Lyndon High School, Lyndon, Kan., Marilyn attended Emporia State University.

Her life centered around her family. On Aug. 28, 1966, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Walquist.

The couple raised three daughters, Amy, Carrie and Megan, and always welcomed extras to their home. The family traveled many, many miles showing livestock and attending school activities for the girls. Avid K-State fans, the Walquist family enjoyed season tickets to football, including the pregame tailgates with friends, and occasional halftime breaks with other K-Staters. Truly, Marilyn did not know a stranger and the football games were no different. Marilyn was one of the biggest, and sometimes loudest, sports fan.

Helping others was not only Marilyn’s passion but her profession. She partnered with Wayne in Wayne’s Clothing, helped pick out last minute Christmas gifts at Beatty’s Western Wear, and spent many years greeting patients at Cotton O’Neil Clinic in Carbondale. Her compassion and care for others was recognized in 2003 when she was awarded the Manuel E. and Anne B Pustiz Award from Stormont Vail HealthCare.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Dennis Allen May, 54, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at his home in Carbondale, Kan. He was born May 13, 1968, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Bruce and Cynthia (Harris) May. He was raised by his mom, Cindy and Jerry Booth.

Dennis had lived in Scranton, Kan., and Carbondale all of his life.

Dennis graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in 1986, and had worked as a carpenter for many years.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Patricia Ann Smith, 79, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. Patricia was born Nov. 27, 1943, in Harvey, Ill., the daughter of Thomas and Winifred (Austin) Parsons.

She grew up in Blue Island, Ill., and graduated from St. Benedict Grade School, and from St. Francis Academy, Joliet, Ill.

She was a former nun in the order of the Sisters of St. Mary.

Patricia married the late Grant Smith in 1966, in Chicago, Ill. They later divorced.

Patricia worked as a dietary and nurse’s aide in the Topeka area for many years.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Marylou Pat Fallon, 86, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Hutchinson, Kan. She was born Jan. 29, 1937, to Forrest and Mildred Bowlby, in Wichita, Kan.

Marylou grew up in the Mulvane United Methodist Church, Mulvane, Kan., graduated from Mulvane High School, and attended Kansas State University.

She married Stan Fallon in 1961, and had two children, Patrick and Kristi. The marriage ended in 1986.

Marylou worked for the Osage County Chronicle and Mulvane News, and retired from Boeing in 1999.

In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She worked at the Mulvane Senior Center, delivered Meals on Wheels, organized and managed the Old Settlers Day Program annually, and worked on the Mulvane High School Annual Alumni Banquet, always maintaining contact with her class from 1955.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Dora Ellen Arb, 84, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at her home in Topeka, Kan. She was born Oct. 12, 1938, in Lyndon, Kan., the daughter of Samuel and Ina (Haslett) Manning.

Dora grew up in Lyndon and had lived there until 2008, when she moved to Osage City, Kan. She lived in Topeka for the last three years.

Dora graduated from Lyndon High School in 1956. She had been an in-home caretaker for many years and a fulltime homemaker. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Osage City, and had been a part of the Osage County Senior Center.

On July 19, 1957, Dora was united in marriage to Lester Arb, in Lebo, Kan.

VASSAR, Kan. – Linda Sharon Ward, 66, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, at her home on Lake Pomona, near Vassar, Kan. She was born Jan. 12, 1957, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of Ralph and Carolyn (Morris) Ward.

Linda had lived in California for many years until moving to Vassar five years ago. She worked as a money handler for CostCo for many years. She was skilled as a shadow dancer and a drummer.

Linda was united in marriage to Steve Wheeler, May 21, 2006, in San Diego, Calif.

ADMIRE, Kan. – On Feb. 21, 2023, John Thomas walked into the open arms of Jesus with his final earthly breath and a brief smile as I believe he heard “Welcome home my good and faithful servant!”

William John Thomas was born Nov. 30, 1951, to William M. Thomas and Agnes P. Thomas, in Emporia, Kan.

John was the youngest of five siblings. He loved growing up on a farm by the creek. He graduated from Northern Heights High School pursued a degree in auto mechanics due to his love of all things automotive. He was drafted to the Army in 1972, and it was at this time he began his relationship with Jesus. He served six years with the 725th Maintenance Battalion 25th Infantry Division. His active duty was served at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. Later in life he joined the American Legion, and served as post commander at American Legion Post 389, Allen, Kan.

He declared his love for Thelma via airmail letter written on Feb. 21,1973. They were married July 4, 1976. They spent most of their life together at the home they built north of Admire, Kan. They were blessed with four children and 13 grandchildren.