Obituaries

Charlotte Siemens

May 31, 2024

Dr. Charlotte Anne Siemens, 64, died peacefully in North Newton, Kansas, under hospice care on May 31, 2024, surrounded by family.

Charlotte was born on January 29, 1960, to Richard and Frances Siemens. Although she would boast that her birthday was Kansas Day, Charlotte was actually born in Seattle, Washington.  She grew up in Lyons, Kansas, with younger brother, Douglas Todd.

After...

Edward Riffel

May 29, 2024

Edward Verl Riffel, age 78, passed away May 29, 2024 in Newton KS. He was born in Chapman KS to Verl and Ann Marie (Schroeder) Riffel.

He didn't know a stranger and made everyone feel welcome. He was hard working and liked dabbling in many different things over the years. He managed Walton Coop service station, building construction, had a tree...

Marjorie Graham

May 27, 2024

Margorie L. (Buell) Graham 91 died May 27, 2024, at Newton Presbyterian Manor. She was born November 24, 1932, in Peabody, Kansas to Keith and Ursula (Shriver) Buell. On February 17, 1952, she married Rex Graham and he preceded her in death on November 26, 2015.

Marjorie was a member of the Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton. She was...

Catherine "Cathy" Alberta Schmidt

May 24, 2024

Catherine Wherrell Schmidt died peacefully May 24, 2024 in Newton, Kansas. She was born on August 7, 1942 to John and Alvena Wherrell in her home town of Newton, Ks. Catherine "Cathy" went to St. Mary's private school until the 8th grade. She then went on to take CNA classes. Cathy was a Certified Nursing Assistant for 30 years before retiring...

Virginia Payer Olson

May 22, 2024

Virginia (Schmidt) Payer Olson, age 98 years, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024, at Presbyterian Manor of Wichita, KS. She was born on April 23,1926, in Newton, KS, to Arthur and Edna Schmidt. Virginia was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, and friend. She was active in her community and was a longtime member of the Presbyterian Church.

She grew...

Monica Svaty

May 22, 2024

Monica Lane Svaty, the loving wife of Karl Svaty and mother of Sonya, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024.

Monica will be honored with a Celebration of Life at home, to be announced.

Born and raised in Newton, Kansas by her parents, Lucius and Polly Miller. Monica graduated from Newton High in 1964. Following graduation, she attended Emporia State University before...

Kirk Stanley

May 19, 2024

Kirk William Stanley, age 46, died May 19, 2024. He was born March 19, 1978, in Newton, Kansas to Ron and Jeanette (Williams) Stanley, then raised in Valley Center KS where he spent the rest of his life. He was preceded by his grandparents, Luther and Katherine Stanley of Valley Center, Kansas. Kirk is survived by his children Welden, Hayden,...

Cecilia Corona

May 17, 2024

Cecilia (Estrada) Corona 94, died Friday, May 17, 2024, at Newton Presbyterian Manor. She was born November 21, 1929, in Newton, Kansas to Leonardo and Dolores (Vasquez) Estrada. She married Joe Corona on August 30, 1947, in Newton, Kansas and he preceded her in death.

Cecilia was a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton....

Norman Pankratz

May 13, 2024

Norman Pankratz, 95, passed away on May 13, 2024, in North Newton, Kansas.



Norman Pankratz was born on January 12, 1929, in Goessel, KS, to Albert and Helen (Unrau) Pankratz.

Norman graduated from Lehigh High School and went on to Bethel College and Emporia State Teachers College. He taught high school science at Scott City, Radium, and Hesston.

...

Karen Huffman

May 13, 2024

Karen L. (Knutsen) Huffman 83 died May 13, 2024, at Halstead Health and Rehab. She was born November 23, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas to Hans and Lucy L. (Burrus) Knutsen. On August 11, 1961, she married Jon Huffman in Wichita, Kansas and he survives of the home.

Karen was a graduate of Wichita North High and attended Wichita State...

Marguerite Morgan

May 12, 2024

Marguerite "Maggie" Morgan peacefully passed away at Newton Presbyterian Manor on May 12, 2024.

On January 17, 1932 in Newton, KS, Maggie was born to Brooks and Audrey (Winger) Terry. She had one brother, Frank. She graduated from Newton High in 1950 and married her high school and college sweetheart Richard "Dick" Morgan on June 6, 1953. Maggie...

Robert Reed

May 8, 2024

Robert G. Reed 84 died May 8, 2024, at NMC Health in Newton, Kansas. He was born April 26, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas to Obie and Lorraine (Florence) Reed. On June 24, 1962, he married Earlene Scoles in Great Bend, Kansas. Bob is survived by his Wife, Earlene, two sons Shannon (Vinnie) Reed of Wichita KS and Patrick (Connie) Reed...

Marci Phillips

May 2, 2024

Marci Phillips, 73, died May 2, 2024, at her Valley Center residence.  She was born July 23, 1950, in Newton, Kansas to John and Gwen (Richards) Phillips.

She was a retired Licensed Practical Nurse. Marci enjoyed reading, crocheting and knitting.

Marci is survived by her daughters Stephanie (Gary) Merritt and Kristin (Spike) Anderson; grandchildren: John (Alli), Jordan, Emma and Isaac, and one great...

Bonnie Jo Holopirek

Apr 20, 2024

Bonnie Jo (Geyer) Holopirek, a beacon of warmth and wisdom passed away on April 20th, 2024 surrounded by the love of her family in her hometown of Hesston, Kansas. Born October, 12th 1961 to Elmer “Junior” and Dolly Geyer. She was the seventh child of eight, her life was centered around her loving family, Catholic faith and dedication to service...

Shirley Hodge

Apr 19, 2024

Shirley Joann Evens Hodge was born April 30, 1935 to Ernest Jasper ("E.J.") and Mable Evens in Amsterdam, Missouri. She was born at home and weighed 3 ½ pounds. The doctor thought she wouldn't live through the night, so they wrapped her in blankets and put her in a shoebox. She obviously made it! Jo was named Shirley by the...

Alonzo Clark Adkins II

Apr 16, 2024

Alonzo "Al" Adkins II, age 68, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Paramount Living and Rehab in Newton, Ks. He is survived by his children. 

Marvin Eller

Apr 14, 2024

Marvin Eller passed away April 14, 2024. He was born March 19, 1939 at Colorado General Hospital in Denver, CO. His parents, Lemuel and Susie Eller and brother Duane welcomed him home to a small farm in Littleton, CO. In 1940 the family moved to Kansas where his Dad started working in heavy construction, building highways and dams in Kansas...

Howard Schmidt

Apr 13, 2024

Howard John Schmidt, age 83, died peacefully April 13, 2024 in Newton, KS, his hometown since the age of 6. He was born January 13th, 1941 to John F. and Selma Schmidt in Hutchinson, KS.

Growing up, he had many interesting experiences moving with his sisters and parents to various towns in Ohio, Colorado, and Kansas where his father was called...

Charles Summers

Apr 10, 2024

Charles R. Summers 77, passed away on April 10, 2024, in Newton, Kansas at Presbyterian Manor. He was born on March 19 1947. He was the son of Jean Humiston and Ray Summers who preceded him in death. He is survived by a stepbrother Curtis Summers and two stepsister being Susan Summers and Vanita Lester. Charlie graduated from high school...

Wanda Platt

Apr 10, 2024

Wanda S. Platt, 75, of Newton, was reunited in death to the love of her life on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Daddy picked Momma up for their final date that evening at 8:00 p.m.Wanda Glass was born March 31, 1949 at Newton, Kansas to Alfred "Dale" and Myrtle (Scrivner) Glass. She married Clyde "Tony" Platt on November 12, 1965. The...