OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Ronny Uel Cheatham, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Jan. 13, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. The son of Uel and Iola Cheatham, Ronny was born April 12, 1942, in Clinton, Mo.

He was raised in Olathe, Kan., where he fell in love with his beloved, Dianne Hale, whom he married April 11, 1965. This union was blessed with four sons.

Ronny was deep seeded in his faith and love for God and family. Ronny was a professional in the auto industry for more than 40 years. He loved boating, fishing, gardening, and spending time with family. He shared stories about his adventures with family and friends, and was notorious for his quick and quirky sense of humor.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Donna Lee Totman, 87, passed away Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born May 7, 1934, in Arcadia, Kan., the daughter of Ralph and Bessie Brown Bean.

Donna grew up in Arcadia, and she had lived in Osage City, Kan., since 1954.

Donna had worked for Hallmark Cards as a quality inspector for more than 20 years. She also worked at Park Pharmacy, sold Stanley Products, and did babysitting for many kids in Osage City. She had been a member of the Flint Hills Baptist Church, Osage City, where she was involved in the ladies missionary group and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Larry D. McCormick, 73, of Carbondale, Kan., passed away Tuesday Jan. 18, 2022, at Plaza West Care Center, Topeka, Kan. He was born Feb. 21, 1948, in La Crosse, Kan., the son of Charles W. and Louise Erb McCormick.

Larry grew up in Rush Center, Kan. and attended La Crosse High School, graduating with the class of 1966. He would further his education by attending Hutchinson Junior College and Emporia State Teachers College, earning a Bachelor’s of Education in 1970.

Larry married the love of his life, Donna Mitchell, on Jan. 25, 1970. For the first year of their marriage, they lived in Olathe, Kan., while Larry taught at Shawnee Mission North West and Donna taught at Spring Hill.

They moved to Overbrook, Kan., for two years, before making their home in Carbondale, in 1973.

BURLINGTON, Kan. – Hunter J. Ayers, 29, of Burlington, Kan., passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, at his home. Hunter Joe Ayers was born April 17, 1992, in Emporia, Kan., the son of Robert Joe and Kathy Sue (Kolbaba) Ayers.

He graduated from Osage City High School, Osage City, Kan., in 2011.

Hunter cared deeply about his family and friends. He loved spending time with them, especially his grandma, Juanita. He enjoyed cooking, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Hunter loved dogs and the companionship they provided. He was a direct support professional for COF Training Services, Burlington, caring for individuals in need. Hunter was so many things. He was an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend. Most of all, he was a kind soul that meant the world to those that loved him.

OLIVET, Kan. – John Harsch, 51, passed away on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, near Olivet, Kan. He was born on Jan. 12, 1971, Topeka, Kan., the son of Pat and Rita (Marshall) Harsch.

John had lived most of his life in the Olivet community.

John graduated from Marais des Cygnes Valley High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University. He was president of Sustainable Environmental Consultants, a company focused on innovative sustainability solutions for food companies and the agricultural supply system. He was a founding board member and director of the Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation. He also owned and operated a ranch near Olivet.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Katherine Fay McGuire, 70, of Osage City, Kan., died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at Stormont-Vail, Topeka, Kan. She was born March 24, 1951, in Osage County, Kan., the daughter of Arlie Hallowell and Dorothy (Masters) Hallowell.

She was a lifelong Osage County resident, graduating from Burlingame High School, Burlingame, Kan.

Katherine worked for many years at IBP as a processor. After retiring from her job and the death of her stepfather, Robert Anderson, she became her mother’s constant companion. Katherine was a highly opinionated, never afraid to tell you how it is, lady.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Roger Seth Gurtler, 86, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Jan. 17, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. Roger was born Oct. 1, 1935, in Maple Hill, Kan., to Seth Loren Gurtler and Fannie Lillian (Winsor) Gurtler.

He grew up with sisters, Carol Kurtz (Don), of Burlingame, Kan., and Sharon Holland (Virgil), Seattle, Wash.; and brother Wendell “Pete” Gurtler (Shirley), Sheldon, Iowa.

As a teen, he loved spending his time helping with haying and dairy cows on the farm. He loved rebuilding anything mechanical, especially tractors and old Chevrolets. He graduated in 1953 from Dickinson County High School. After high school, he joined the US Army and he completed boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was proud to serve his country; he received the Good Conduct and Sharpshooter (Rifle) awards. He received training as an auto repairman and this sparked his passion for his career.

OTTAWA, Kan. – Wayne L. Knight, 75, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Advent Health, Shawnee Mission, Kan. He was born April 3, 1946, in Bradford, Kan., the son of Bill and Anna May (Newton) Knight.

Wayne attended No. 10 School on Buttermilk Lane, southwest of Harveyville, Kan. He graduated from Harveyville High School in 1964.

Wayne worked as an industrial electrician with Boise Hilburn Electric and ECKC Electric. He loved riding motorcycles, camping, and at one time he owned his own airplane. He loved being with his family and friends.

VASSAR, Kan. – Susie (Totman) Peimann was born Sept. 17, 1957, in Fort Scott, Kan., and passed from this earthly life Jan. 14, 2022, at her home near Lyndon, Kan.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was young, and attended Countryside Baptist Church.

Many of her working years were as a secretary and with her husband, David, at Peimann Title & Escrow Inc. She loved decorating for each season and planning and hosting family get-togethers, especially July 4th and Christmas. She also enjoyed trips, visiting antique stores, fishing, all things KU, and planning and decorating for church events.

VASSAR, Kan. – Susan Jane McDonald, 64, passed away Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. She was born Sept. 1, 1957, in Independence, Kan., the daughter of Jack Stratton and Catherine Bullock.

Susan grew up in Independence and had lived near Vassar, Kan., with her husband for the last 22 years.

Susan was a wife, mother of three children, six grandkids, three stepchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Susan was a registered nurse, having worked for the Osage County Health Department, and also previously working as a traveling nurse in several states.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Alice Georgie Davis, 97, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at her home. Alice Georgie McCullough was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Portsmouth, Va., to James H. and Cora (Overman) McCullough.

Shortly after her birth, they moved to Norfolk, Va., where she went to school and graduated. After graduation, she worked at Chesapeake Potomac Telephone Company.

She was joined in marriage to Acie W. Davis Sr., June 1945. They moved to Osage City, Kan., in 1948. He passed away in 1975.

Alice was a lifetime member of United Methodist Church. She was a member of gadabouts, American Legion Auxiliary, and UMW. She worked for Hallmark Cards for 13 years in Osage City.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Jane E. Mills, 81, passed away Jan. 8, 2022, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook, Kan. She was born April 22, 1940, in Osage City, Kan., the daughter of Carl Colstrom and Vivian (Daniels) Colstrom.

She was a lifelong Osage City resident, graduating from Osage City High School with the class of 1958.

On Jan. 10, 1959, Jane was united in marriage to Alton Mills, at the Osage City First Presbyterian Church. They celebrated more than 62 years of loving marriage.

Jane and Alton owned and operated the Riverside Supper Club just outside of Osage City from 1964 to 1975. Jane then owned C.J. Gifts and Sportswear, Osage City, for many years. When she closed C.J.’s she began managing the local Dollar General in Osage City until the early 2000s.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Gary Max Hoffsommer, Topeka, Kan., went to be with our Lord and Savior on Jan. 6, 2022.

Gary’s family included his beloved wife, Karen, of 39 years, and daughters Michelle Hollenbeck, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Debra Young (Shane), Overbrook, Kan., and Lori Means (Mike), Berryton, Kan. He will also be missed by stepchildren, Brenda Flanagan (Gary), Topeka, Brad Berckefeldt, Grove, Okla., Heather Thomas, Bartlesville, Okla., and Erick Berckefeldt (Heather), Topeka. In addition, Gary was blessed with 23 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. 

Gary was born Feb. 28, 1938, in Topeka, to Paul K. and Irene V. (Roller) Hoffsommer.

ADMIRE, Kan. – Roy Lee Jenkins, 85, passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at his home near Admire, Kan. Roy Lee was born Jan. 24, 1936 in Reading, Kan., the son of David and Elnora (Wright) Jenkins.

Roy was joined in marriage to Mary Apps on Nov. 22, 1960, in Osage City, Kan. She preceded him in death in 1986. Roy later married Neva Deskins, she also preceded him in death.

He served in the United States Army, and was a long-time farmer around the Admire and Reading area.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Marilynn Ann (Claypole) Benton, 71, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at her home in Osage City, Kansas. She was born on July 11, 1950, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Charles (Red) and RoseMary (Braun) Claypole.

Marilynn grew up in Topeka, Kan., and eventually moved to Scranton, Kan., graduating from high school in 1968.

She was married to Robert Holmes and later divorced. She married Robert Benton, March 20, 1989.

Over the course of her life, Marilynn worked at various places. She managed Collins Carryout and Collins Drive, Topeka. She also worked for Daylight Donuts, Frito Lay, and Pizza Hut. Marilynn and Bob opened Marilynn’s Place, in Osage City, Kan., on June 21, 1991, and later sold the business. She then provided home cleaning and home care for various people in the Osage City area.

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Veronica L. Johnson, 61, passed away Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia, Kan. Veronica Lee Miller was born May 6, 1960, in Neubruecke, Germany, the daughter of Quincy Melvon and Margaret Sue (Hamner) Miller.

She graduated from Mission Valley High School. She received a degree in horticulture from Kaw Area Vocational Technical School, Topeka, Kan.

She was joined in marriage to Miles Hayden Johnson, May 19, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas. To this union, three sons were born, Lyle, Spencer and Kingham.

Veronica was a school cook at USD 420, Osage City, for the past 11 years.

CARBONDALE, Kan. – Juanita “Nita” Anstaett, 95, passed away Jan. 8, 2022, at Brookside Nursing Facility, Overbrook, Kan. She was born Juanita Joan Divine, March 25, 1926, in Brown County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Fannie Marie Hassey Divine and William Mason Divine.

She attended high school at Hamlin High School and then graduated from Topeka High School in 1944.

She married Robert Anstaett, June 16, 1946; he preceded her in death in 1993. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and a son-in-law.

She is survived by six children, Vicki (JR) Janneck, Wasilla, Alaska, Robert (Jan) Anstaett Jr., Aurora, Colo., John (Evelyn) Anstaett, Harveyville, Kan., Sherry Small, Carbondale, Penny Buek, Topeka, Kan., Paula (Mike) Lucas, Carbondale; a sister, Pat Campbell, Wellsville, Kan.; and 23 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Nita was very community oriented. She played organ at Carbondale UCC Church for many years, served on several of its boards, and taught Sunday School. Nita was secretary of the UCC Kansas Oklahoma conference. She was a 60-year member of Carbondale Grange and was matron of the Junior Grange for more than 20 years.

MELVERN, Kan. – Berniece Wise, 102, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at Sunset Manor Waverly, Kan. She was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Stanberry, Mo., the only child of Ernest and Mamie O’Bannion Stuart.

They moved to a farm near Waverly, Kan., when she was eight years old. She graduated from Waverly High School in 1937. Berniece was a homemaker.

Berniece was married to Glen Wise, April 24, 1943. They had lived in the Olivet, Kan., community until they moved with their family to Melvern, Kan., in 1963.