SCRANTON, Kan. – Laura Elaine Badger, 76, formerly of Scranton, Kan., departed this life on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at the Healthcare Resort, Topeka, Kan. She was born March 11, 1944, in Topeka, the daughter of Walter and Eleanor (Phelon) Smith.

Elaine, as she was known to all, had worked as a registered nurse in hospitals across Kansas. She was a member of the Stormont-Vail Retired Nurses Association, Sunflower Lions Club, Stull United Methodist Church, and a volunteer and on the board of directors of the Schuyler Museum, Burlingame, Kan.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Jennifer Anessia Simons, 50, of Osage City, Kan., went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 29, 2021. She was born Sept. 19, 1970, in Wellington, Kan.

She graduated from Belle Plaine High School, Belle Plaine, Kan., then attended Friends University and Newman University.

She attended New Spring Church, Wichita, Kan. Jennifer was a faithful follower of Jesus;

CARBONDALE, Kan. – June (Earl) Branson, 95, of Carbondale, Kan., passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021, at the Brookside Manor, Overbrook, Kan. She was born June 1, 1925, in Fall River, Kan., the daughter of Edgar D. and Zella (Johnson) Earl.

On Jan. 5, 1944, June was united in marriage to Frank Dale Branson. They shared more than 71 years of marriage before Frank passed away Oct. 17, 2015. To this union, three sons were born, Jack Dean, Frank James and Richard Allen.

June was a devoted wife and mother and spent most of her early life taking care of her family. In her later years she worked at Skip’s Thriftway, Carbondale, for many years, and she would also help with odd job home repairs with her husband Frank.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Dorothy Evelyn Tucker, 92, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan. She was born on April 1, 1929, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., the daughter of William and Lela (Reed) Davis.

Dorothy grew up in Tennessee, where she graduated from high school in 1947. She had lived in Osage City for more than 50 years. Dorothy had worked at Osage Manor as a housekeeper for 21 years. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Osage City.

LYNDON, Kan. – Steven Brian Mounkes, 68, passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka, Kan. He was born on Feb. 14, 1953, in San Diego, Calif., the son of Eldon and Donnalee (Gilman) Mounkes.

Steve grew up near Olivet, Kan., and attended Olivet schools for his first seven years. He had lived most of his life in or near Lyndon, Kan., and graduated from Lyndon High School in 1971.

Steve had worked most of his life as a heavy equipment operator in construction. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 101, and Bikers Against Child Abuse.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Lillian Rose “Billie” Heilman, 92, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at Peterson Assisted Living, Osage City, Kan. She was born March 6, 1929, in Lyndon, Kan., the daughter of Maurice and Lillian (Rose) Hobbs.

Lillian grew up in Lyndon and graduated from Lyndon High School in 1947. She had lived in Lyndon and Melvern, Kan., for most of her life and lived in Osage City for the last several years.

Lillian worked at Jostens, Topeka, Kan., as a purchasing agent until her retirement. She was a member of the Melvern United Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

BURLINGAME, Kan. – Larry Dean Lesperance, 58, of Burlingame, Kan., passed away April 22, 2021, at his home. He was born June 9, 1962, in Concordia, Kan., the son of Darrell Roger Lesperance and Catherine Ann (Carroll) Thompson.

He grew up and attended schools in Concordia, graduating from Concordia High School in 1980. After high school, Larry worked for the Eldorado Motor Company, McPherson, Kan. He began a life-long career in construction engineering at Mid-Continent Engineers, Salina, Kan., and later for PEC Engineering, Topeka, Kan. He currently worked for Benesch Engineering, Topeka, as a certified inspector for road construction.

EMPORIA, Kan. – Sharon Kay Hutchcroft, 73, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Emporia, Kan. She was born Jan. 14, 1948, in Emporia, the daughter of Lorne and Audrey (Speaks) Pearson.

Sharon had lived in Reading, Kan., and Emporia for many years. She graduated from Neosho Rapids High School, and attended Flint Hills Technical School, where she received her LPN license. She worked at Newman Hospital, in Emporia, for more than 34 years. She enjoyed shopping at antique stores and flea markets. Most important to her was her family and grandkids, Colton and Josye.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Marla Tucker-Lavin, 58, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at her home in Topeka, Kan. She was born on Sept. 8, 1962, in Lyndon, Kan., the daughter of Marlin and Irene (Ogle) Tucker.

Marla grew up in Lyndon, where she graduated from Lyndon High School in 1980. She had lived in Topeka for the last 25 years.

Marla received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1984, and she was the director of human resources for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

WICHITA, Kan. – Alan Duane Young passed away Dec. 7, 2020, at the age of 69. He was born March 26, 1951, in Topeka, Kan., to Owen “Duane” and Veva (Tompkins) Young.

Alan married his high school sweetheart Linda in 1972.They became owners of Melvern Grain Inc. that same year. They lived in Melvern, Kan., and raised two daughters there until they sold the business in 1979. Alan remained in the agriculture field the rest of his life.In 1980, he joined the merchandising team of C-G-F Grain Company Inc., Topeka, Kan. That summer he moved his family to Topeka.

BURLINGAME, Kan. – James Douglas Garner, 57, of Burlingame, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Midland Hospice, Topeka, Kan. James was born Sept. 18, 1963, in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of Max and Joyce (Gerke) Garner.

James married Sandy Cureton, July 16, 1996, in Casper, Wyo.

James worked in the oil fields in Wyoming for Wyoming Pipe and Tool. He enjoyed fishing, firearms, watching TV, and working in the garage.

LYNDON, Kan. – Wayne Alan Dunn, 83, of Lyndon, Kan., was injured in a car accident on April 6, 2021. While still in ICU at Stormont Vail, with family at his side, he succumbed to his injuries on April 17, 2021. Wayne was born Nov. 29, 1937, the son of Sam and Neva Marie (Gibson) Dunn.

Wayne graduated from Burlingame High School, Burlingame, Kan., in 1956, and lived most of his life there until he moved to Lyndon 10 years ago.

Wayne served in the United States Army from June 13, 1956, until he was honorably discharged June 8, 1959. He earned the rank of SP4, and was a construction machine operator.

BURLINGAME, Kan. – Carol Louise Shepherd, 80, Burlingame, Kan., passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Stormont-Vail Medical Center, Topeka, Kan. She was born July 12, 1940, in Overbrook, Kan., the daughter of Millard “Mid” Bond and Bernice (Trendel) Bond.

Carol grew up in Overbrook, and graduated from Overbrook High School with the class of 1958. Shortly after that time she moved to the Burlingame area and has lived there since.

On Sept. 6, 1963, Carol was united in marriage to Donald John Shepherd, at Overbrook Methodist Church. They shared 38 years together until Don’s death in 2002. She was proud to be a farmer’s wife.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – With profound sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Donna Jo (Ormsby) Parker Miller, to all whose lives she touched, on April 16, 2021. She left this world peacefully at her son’s residence in Lascassas, Tenn., after four years of complications following brain surgery. She was 75 years old.

Donna lived through many adventures in her life. The most incredible being the oldest of nine children. She had a variety of jobs during her life, including being a waitress at Dean’s Drive-In in Osage City, Kan., a supervisor at the Burlingame Sewing Factory, a waitress at Peggy Sue’s restaurant, a deconner at Wolf Creek Nuclear Station, and a campsite host at campgrounds in numerous states. She loved cooking, bowling, camping, reading, playing cards, traveling, and crafting, and was highly skilled with a sewing machine and a crochet hook. She was known for her love of sunflowers, owls and lady bugs. Most importantly, she loved her family.

WICHITA, Kan. – Kathryn Elaine (Rose) Wischropp, 82, of Wichita, Kan., passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Park West Plaza Retirement Community, Wichita. Kathryn was born July 30, 1938, the daughter of Orville and Willene (Wiggins) Rose, on a farm near Quenemo, Kan.

Kathryn spent her early life in the Lyndon and Vassar, Kan., communities. She graduated from Vassar Grade School, Lyndon High School, Butler County Community College, and Kansas State University. She was in the second nursing class to graduate from Butler County Community College and worked at hospitals in El Dorado and Manhattan, Kan.