OLATHE, Kan. – Tara Susanne Azwell, 78, of Olathe, Kan., passed away July 20, 2021 at Olathe Hospice House. Tara was born June 10, 1943, in Kansas City, Kan., to Errol and Lillian (Hymer) Shideler.

Tara grew up in Kansas City, and was a graduate of Wyandotte High School in 1961. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State, having later obtained additional degrees from Kansas University, Emporia State University and Kansas State University, where she earned her Doctor of Philosophy, May 12, 1989. Early childhood education was her specialty, along with reading instruction.

Tara began as an elementary classroom teacher, having taught in Kansas City, Topeka, and Osage City for a number of years.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Noble “Nobie” B. Noble, 66, recently of Atwood, Kan., and formerly of Osage City, Kan., departed this life Friday, July 23, 2021, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo. He was born May 7, 1955, in Emporia, Kan., the son of Charles Berton and Rose Kathryn (Getsinger) Noble.

Nobie grew up in Osage City and graduated from Osage City High School in 1973.

After high school, Nobie did the smartest thing in his life, and left Osage City to go find the love of his life. That journey took him to Lyndon, Kan., of course, where only the sweetest angels are found! And there he found his angel. He married the love of his life, Robyn Pierce, on July 31, 1976, in Lyndon, Kan.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Alan Dean Burkdoll, 60, of Topeka, Kan., formerly of Melvern, Kan., departed this life Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, Kan. He was born July 1, 1961, in Topeka, the son of Dean Lee and Patricia Ann (Rose) Burkdoll.

Alan grew up in the Melvern and Lyndon, Kan., area, and graduated from Marais des Cygnes Valley High School in 1979. He has lived in Topeka since 1996.

On Sept. 14, 1990, Alan was united in marriage to Dana L. Markley, in Osage City, Kan. They later divorced. To this union they shared two daughters, Andrea Lea and Brooke Ann.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Janice Arlene White, 74, of Osage City, Kan., died Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Osage Nursing Center. She was lovingly surrounded by family and friends in the days prior to her passing. She was born Feb. 21, 1947, in Emporia, Kan, the daughter and youngest of three of Francis Krueger and Mary (Atchison) Krueger Bartee.

She graduated from Emporia High School in 1966, and attended Emporia State University. She was a devoted follower of the Catholic faith and was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Osage City, where she used her singing ability in the church choir and for Mass cantering. She was also a member of the Altar Society.

Janice ran a successful daycare from her home in Osage City for many years.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Steven Gray, 29, of Carbondale, Kan., died Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at his home. He was born March 15, 1992, in Paragould, Ark., the son of Charles Gray and Kathy (Urban) Adams.

Steven moved at the age of three with his family to Carbondale, and has lived there ever since. He was a class of 2012 graduate of the Kansas School for the Deaf, Olathe, Kan.

Steven was a warehouse and shipping loader in his professional life. For the past three years he was proud to be working at the Home Depot Distribution Center, Topeka, Kan.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Ina Pearl (Manning) Peterson, 82, of Osage City, Kan., departed this life on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Peterson Assisted Living Facility, Osage City, Kan. She was born Nov. 4, 1938, in Olivet, Kan., the daughter of John Paul and Laura Edith (Kilgore) Manning.

Ina graduated from Lyndon High School, Lyndon, Kan., in 1956.

On Sept. 15, 1956, Ina was united in marriage to Charles S. “Pete” Peterson, in Lyndon. They shared more than 63 years of marriage before Pete passed away on Jan. 11, 2020.

Ina spent most of her life as a devoted and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed quilting and painting, and was known for her superb cooking. Most of all, she loved spending time with her friends and family.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Paul Allen Lines, 86, beloved husband and father, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at his home in Topeka, Kan. He was born on Sept. 24, 1934, in Malad, Idaho, the son of Paul Wesley and Ora “Louise” Estenson Lines.

Paul grew up as a child living in Idaho during WWII. He delivered newspapers to help support his family, and picked potatoes, along with his classmates, to support the war effort.

As a young man he met and married Gay Stillwagon in 1953, they later divorced. On Dec. 30, 1961, Paul married Verna Page, in Alliance, Neb., and together they raised seven children, moving to Carbondale, Kan., in 1968.

One of the most important things to Paul was providing for and raising his family. Paul worked as a manager at Katz Drug Store and Woolworth’s as a young man, and then worked for the Topeka Capital Journal for 23 years in display advertising, eventually becoming credit manager until his retirement in 1991.

LYNDON, Kan. – Brenda Lou (Swanson) Groff, 80, of Lyndon, Kan., departed this life Monday, July 12, 2021, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born Jan. 19, 1941, in Lyndon, the daughter of Harry Ray and Thelma Gertrude (Allison) Swanson.

Brenda graduated from Lyndon High School in 1959.

On June 24, 1959, Brenda was united in marriage to Ronald R. Groff, in Ottawa, Kan. They shared more than 62 years of marriage. To this union they shared a daughter, Rhonda.

Brenda worked for many years as a receptionist for Dr. Hill’s chiropractor practice in Lyndon. Brenda also had  served as an Osage County commissioner.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Dr. Loren Dale Tompkins, 82, formerly of Vassar, Kan., died Monday, July 12, 2021, at his home in Topeka, Kan. Dr. Tompkins, known as Dale to his friends in Osage County and his family, was born Aug. 30, 1938, in Salina, Kan. He moved as a child to Kansas City, Kan., with his parents Jesse Benton and Martha Belle (Lake) Tompkins, and older brother and sister.

He met Rebecca “Becky” Lane during their time at Wyandotte High School, in Kansas City. They married July 11, 1958, in Miami, Okla., and moved to Lawrence, where Dale was pursuing his bachelor of education degree at the University of Kansas; he earned that first degree in 1963. He, Becky, and their first daughter moved to Topeka, where he began teaching at Northern Hills Junior High in the Seaman school district, known as Loren or L.D. He earned a master’s of education degree from KU in 1967.

In 1971, the family, Dale, Becky, and two daughters, started building a house in Pomona Heights, at Vassar. They contracted with Louie Hull for the building. As an avid woodworker, Dale economized by doing much of the finish work with Becky. The family moved into the house in early January 1972. In 1976, Dale left Seaman as vice principal at Northern Hills Junior High to become principal at Lyndon High School.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Ruth Ann (Nichols) Towne, 87, of Carbondale, Kan., departed this life on Friday, July 9, 2021, at Midland Hospice, Topeka, Kan. She was born July 23, 1933, on the family homestead at 636 SE 117th St., Carbondale, the daughter of Louis George and Cora Linia (Peterson) Nichols.

She attended Elliott Grade School, and graduated from Carbondale High School in 1951.

On Dec. 21, 1951, Ruth was united in marriage to Harry Robert Towne Jr., in Carbondale. From this union they had a daughter Nancy. They later divorced.

Ruth was a member of the VFW Post 1660 and Kooties, in Topeka. She was the president of the Carbondale Senior Citizens Fellowship Group for many years. Ruth was on the Carbondale City Council for five years and was mayor of Carbondale for eight years.

LOVELAND, Colo. – Billy F. Morris, 63, passed away May 31,^, 2021, in Loveland, Colo. He was born Oct. 12, 1957, in Albuquerque, N.M., to James C. Morris and Doris L. Morris (Moseley).

He attended Highland High School, where he played football. Upon graduation, Billy joined the IBEW as an apprentice. After 43 years as an active member, he retired at the age of 62 from the 8th District. Some of his many jobs included UNM Children’s hospital, New Mile High Stadium, Denver Airport, and multiple water treatment plants in the Denver area.

OVERBROOK, Kan. – Edward “Ed” Lee Pate, 81, of Overbrook, Kan., departed this life Saturday, July 4, 2021. He was born Dec. 4, 1939, the son of Claude R. and Susie Adelle (Wilson) Pate.

He graduated in 1957 from Protection High School, Protection, Kan. After high school, Ed attended Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, Kan.

On Jan. 5, 1961, Ed joined the United States Air Force, where he served his country for more than 24 years, retiring on April 24, 1985, at Forbes Field Air Base, Topeka, Kan. He was an aeromedical specialist, and earned the rank of chief master sergeant (E-9).

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Wagar “Carey” Grant Carey III, 76, of Osage City, Kan. and St. Helens, Ore., was unexpectedly taken from us June 24, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 15, 1945, in Portland, Ore., the son of Wagar Grant Carey II and Agnus (Klingsporn).

Carey grew up in Portland, and graduated in 1963 from Benson Poly Tech High School, Portland. After high school, Carey served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He attended Portland Community College, earning his associate degree.

Carey spent most of his life working for Union 76 and Conoco-Phillips Oil Co., as a millwright maintenance engineer in Portland for more than 40 years, retiring in 2017.

LYNDON, Kan. – Linda Lee Robinson, 74, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2021, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, Kan.

Linda was cremated and a memorial service will be announced and planned for late July or August. Feltner Funeral Home, Lyndon, is assisting with arrangements. See feltnerfuneralhome.com.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Emma Pauline (Masters) Dorr, 99, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021, at her home in Osage City, Kan. She was born Jan. 9, 1922, in Burlingame, Kan, the daughter of William and Jennie (Burns) Masters.

She had lived in Osage City since 1980. She had been a homemaker and had worked at Hallmark Cards, Osage City.

On December 23, 1941, Emma was united in marriage to Earl Dorr Jr., in Council Grove, Kan. To this union three children were born, Lyle, George and Gail.