MELVERN, Kan. – Debra Ann Rice was born Nov. 3, 1952, in Topeka, Kan., the daughter of George and Ethel (Harvey) Boyer. She departed this life June 17, 2022, at her home in Melvern, Kan., at the age of 69 years, seven months and 14 days.

Deb grew up in Topeka and moved to Melvern during her ninth-grade year. She graduated from Melvern High School in 1971.

Following graduation, Deb worked at the State Office Building and Victory Life Insurance for a few years. During this time, she was united in marriage to Steve Rice, her high school sweetheart, on April 7, 1972, in Melvern. To this union, two children were born, Stephanie and Scott. Deb and Steve had just celebrated their 50th anniversary together.

In 1974, Deb and Steve built the first of two homes together. The second house was built in rural Melvern in 1993.

In January 1988, Deb went to work for the newly opened branch of the Lyndon State Bank in Melvern. She worked as the Branch Manager until her retirement in December of 2006. For many years, Deb was an active participant of the Melvern community.

BURLNGAME, Kan. – Derrick Lee Mercer, 52, of Burlingame, Kan., died Friday, June 17, 2022, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. He was born Sept. 7, 1969, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Richard Mercer and Debra (Mundy) Mercer.

He was a lifelong member of the Burlingame community, and graduated with the Burlingame High School class of 1988.

Derrick was a roofer for Vincent’s Roofing, Topeka, early in his working life. For the last 20 years he has worked for D.J. Enterprises, installing spectator seating as a field contractor at high schools and colleges. He loved his job and loved the road.

BURLNGAME, Kan. – Ronald D. Bickford, 79, died Thursday, June 16, 2022, at his home at Burlingame, Kan. He was born Nov. 21, 1942, in Elmo, Kan., the son of Clyde Elmer Bickford and Helen Ruby (Fager) Bickford.

Ron was a lifelong resident of Burlingame, and graduated from Burlingame High School with the class of 1961.

On June 13, 1967, Ron was united in marriage to Elora Marie Smith in Fairview, Kan. They shared more than 51 years of loving marriage prior to Elora’s passing in 2018.

Ron worked as an engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation, focusing on bridge design, from 1968 to 1998. He also worked for Goodyear prior to that. He owned Po’ Boy Sporting Goods.

MELVERN, Kan. – Debra Ann Rice, 69, passed away Friday, June 17, 2022, at her home north of Melvern, Kan.

Memorial services and a full obituary will be announced next week for a July 9 service by Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. See www.feltnerfuneralhome.com.

VASSAR, Kan. – Jason Christopher Parker passed away at age 43, Sunday, June 12, 2022, in his home at Vassar, Kan.

Jason was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Cindy Parker; children, Sydney Parker, Emporia, Kan., and Jaeden Parker; parents, John and Lavon Parker; brother, Scott (Carla) Fisher; sisters, Robyn Parker, Jessica (Isaac) Clark, and Jana (Brandon) Comer; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Jason was born to John and Lavon on April 21, 1979, in Hays, Kan. When the family moved to Lyndon, Kan., in the mid-90s, Jason met his wife, Cindy, and they married in 1997. By 2004, Jason and Cindy had welcomed two children into their family.

During much of the time they shared, they made a life full of happy memories that included attending numerous choir and band concerts, football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball games, mental math competitions, scholar’s bowl meets, forensics tournaments, and school and community plays. When they weren’t doing things to support their children, you could find them at concerts of their favorite bands, on road trips to visit family, quietly sitting and listening to their favorite music or watching their favorite movies, and watching their children grow into wonderful adults ready to make the world theirs. With their youngest having graduated in May and planning to attend KU in the fall, Jason and Cindy had begun planning for their next 25 years together.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Floyd E. “Eddie” Trout, 83, Overbrook, Kan., passed away June 8, 2022, at Midland Care Hospice House. He was born Sept. 2, 1938, on the family farm in Douglas County by Twin Mound, the son of Floyd E. Trout Sr. and Mary Alice (Shurmur) Trout.

Eddie was a lifelong resident of rural Overbrook, Kan., attending Twin Mound Elementary School and Overbrook High School.

Eddie proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years, and then eight years in the Army Reserves. After his military service, Eddie began working at Sears Department Store, in Topeka, Kan., eventually becoming a mechanic in the auto service department from 1958 to his retirement in 2003.

On Oct. 30, 1962, Eddie was united in marriage to Kay Kistner, at Topeka. They celebrated 59 years of loving marriage together.

Eddie was a family man. He loved his wife and kids, and of course he loved to spoil his grandkids. Some of his favorite times were going fishing with the grandsons and his son to the pond, creek or lake on Sundays. He enjoyed raising cattle on his farm and gardening and keeping his yard neat and full of beautiful flowers, so he had flowers for his wife, Kay. Eddie loved to spend time with family, but his great granddaughters always could win his heart. They were always happy to see their “Papa.”

MELVERN, Kan. – Kathleen Lavon Miller, 70, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. She was born Oct. 4, 1951, in Ottawa, Kan., the daughter of Myron and Wanda (Rice) Miller.

Kathy grew up in Melvern, Kan., and had lived southeast of Lyndon, Kan., for a time, and had been in Melvern for the last 10 years.

Kathy graduated from Melvern Rural High School, and then Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State). She worked as a tax specialist for several companies, which eventually became Westar Energy, from 1973 until her retirement in 2011. Kathy was a strong, independent woman who loved the country and her horses.

LYNDON, Kan. – Dollie Faye Brecheisen, 87, of Lyndon, Kan., passed away March 12, 2022, at Vintage Park Assisted Living, Osage City, Kan. She was born April 16, 1934, in Osage City, the daughter of Robert and Grace Burns.

Dollie attended Osage City public schools. She was a wonderful, supportive farm wife and mother. Dollie lived on the family farm east of Lyndon the majority of her life. Dollie spent her days raising her three children, cooking wonderful meals, helping on the farm any way she could, and was active in the women’s groups at the Vassar United Methodist Church, Vassar, Kan., where she was a member.

Dollie and her husband enjoyed playing the card game pitch with their friends. Dollie did beautiful embroidery work. She enjoyed watching old TV westerns and listening to country music, especially Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. She enjoyed riding along in the Kubota around the farm and visiting with neighbors.

QUENEMO, Kan. – Florence Lenora Lewis, 94, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. She was born April 17, 1928, on the family farm near Westphalia, Kan., the daughter of Noah and Florence (Abbott) Borror.

Florence grew up in rural Anderson County, and graduated from Westphalia High School in 1946. She had lived most of her life in Quenemo, Kan., and had been in Ottawa, Kan., for the last few years.

Florence worked as a seamstress for 20 years for the H.D. Lee Company, Ottawa; afterward, she was a bus driver for the Marais des Cygnes Valley schools and worked with ECKAN Head Start. She was a member of the Quenemo United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and delivered for Meals on Wheels.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Helen Trout, 76, of Osage City, Kan. passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Midland Hospice Care, Topeka, Kan. She was born Oct. 1, 1945, at Oakley, Kan., the daughter of Leo and Rosie Dechant Schoenberger. Helen was raised in Oakley and later moved to Osage County, Kan., in 1976.

After coming to the Osage County area, Helen worked at a sewing factory, in Burlingame, Kan. She later worked as a cook at Marilyn’s Restaurant, Osage City, for several years, and later at a Burlingame restaurant.

Helen married Bill Trout, April 13, 2010. During their early years together they attended Twin Lakes Christian Fellowship Church, Osage City.

SHAWNEE, Kan. – Susan Leigh (Lombard) Rosetta was born Jan. 24,1946, in Garnett, Kan., to Jack and Rosalie (Ferguson) Lombard. After an extended illness, she died peacefully May 16, 2022, at Brookdale Rose Hill Care Facility, Shawnee, Kan.

Susan graduated from Humboldt High School in 1964 and from Clark’s School of Business, Topeka, Kan., in 1965.

She married James Emil Rosetta, April 8, 1967. They made their home in Topeka, where Susan began her working career at the State Office Building. Susan enjoyed a long career and later retired as the director of transportation at USD 437. During her time with the school district, Susan was involved with the Kansas State Pupil Association. She loved attending bus rodeos and won many awards while competing. She also held several positions on the board such as secretary, treasurer and president. Susan trained many bus drivers while working for USD 437.

Susan was a hard worker and would do anything for her family. Her children and grandchildren were her world. Susan spent many years working at Ken Berry baseball-softball complex, where she was head of the concession stand. Susan and her husband loved watching their children play ball and working at the complex.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Shirley Ann Danielson, 86, of Topeka, Kan. passed away peacefully May 28, 2022, at home. She was born June 8, 1935, in Mayetta, Kan., the daughter of David Stewart and Juanita (Anderson) Stewart.

She grew up in Mayetta, and graduated from Mayetta High School with the class of 1953.

On February 14, 1965, Shirley was united in marriage to Svenbjorn B. Danielson, in Topeka.  They shared more than 50 years of marriage.

Shirley worked as an insurance adjuster at Hussey & Hussey for many years. Later in life she worked as an assistant at Carbondale State Bank. She loved to cook for her family and always had homemade cookies on hand. She collected porcelain dolls, crocheted, and made ceramics and wedding cakes. She gifted many family members and friends with her talented creations.

She was an active member of Overbrook Bible Church, Overbrook, Kan. She loved to sing and worship, and often played the guitar for church services.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Marilyn V. Gast, 79, of Overbrook, Kan., passed away May 25, 2022, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born July 1, 1942, in Harveyville, Kan., the daughter of Norman and Melva (Lewis) Foster.

She graduated from Waverly High School, Waverly, Kan., in 1960.

She was united in marriage to Ronald E. (Ron) Gast, June 10, 1961, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Waverly. They shared more than 52 years of marriage before the passing of her husband, Ron, on June 16, 2013.

Ron and Marilyn moved to the Scranton, Kan., community in 1963. Marilyn was a cook at Santa Fe Trail USD 434 for 25 years before retiring in 2004.

Marilyn was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Scranton, where she served on the Altar Society.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Loren M. Bowman Sr., 89, St. Charles, Mo., on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Esther Bowman; brothers, Myron and Milton Bowman; and sisters, Thelda Bowman Gately and Esterline Bowman Sellin.

He is survived by his children, Loren (Anna) Bowman Jr., Laurel (Helen Varga) Bowman, Lyndell (Denessa) Bowman, and Lalita (David) Creighton; grandchildren, Katie (Kevin) Ruegge and Kirk Bowman; three step-grandchildren, Nic Dohrman, April (Nick) Alberts, and Amos Cox; and eight step great-grandchildren.

Loren was born Aug. 30, 1932, in Burlington, Kan., and graduated from Carbondale Rural High School, Carbondale, Kan.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Jesse W. Jones, 46, Topeka, Kan., passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at his home in Topeka. Jesse was born Nov. 3, 1975, in Topeka.

Jesse married Tricia Mayfield, Aug. 9, 2008, in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include four sons, Jordan Mayfield, Jonathan Stewart, Tyson Mayfield, and Isaiah Jones, all of Topeka; a daughter, Chloe (Koby Sr.) Posey, Topeka, and a grandson, Koby Posey Jr.; sister-in-law, Angela (Jerry) Jenkins, Carbondale, Kan.; brother-in-law, Brian (Jodie) Mayfield, Topeka; grandfather-in-law, Reverend Max Manning; father and mother-in-law, Russell and Cheryl Mayfield, Carbondale; 16 nieces and nephews; six great nieces and nephews; and too many friends to count.

Jesse was a member of the Carbondale Cornerstone Church. He was a handyman, able to fix many things. He was always eager to help others. He will be dearly missed.

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.