Obituaries

May 11, 2021

Benjamin Edward Wheeler, 42, died Tuesday, May 11th at his home in Newton, Kansas.

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, on April 8, 1979, the son of Frank Edward and Susan (Carr) Wheeler.

Ben was employed at Kansas Auto Repair in Newton as an Automotive Technician.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, but most of all he...

May 9, 2021

Dustin Dean Altum 34, died Sunday May 9, 2021 at Newton Medical Center following a brief illness.  He was born November 6, 1986 in Newton, Kansas to Wesley D. and Ellen M. (Schuman) Altum.

Dustin was employed in the security industry where he could use his electrical and wiring skills he was continually worked to improve and become more efficient.

...

May 8, 2021

 

Lawrence Ervin Esau

(January 18, 1928 – November 18, 2020)  Lawrence Esau, 92, retired farmer and carpenter, of Newton, Kansas, entered heaven on November 18, 2020.  He had been living at Asbury Park, Newton, Kansas for almost five years.  Survivors include his wife Hattie of Newton; his daughter Judy States and husband Don of Andover, Kansas; his brother Merlin...

May 5, 2021

Willard Wiens, 82, died Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at Kidron Bethel in North Newton.

Willard was born to Jacob and Mary (Wedel) Wiens on a farm outside of Lehigh, Kansas on March 31, 1939.

Willard graduated from Newton High School, the class of 1958.

Willard’s first job was as a pin setter at PlayMor Lanes, and after a few years,...

May 3, 2021

Loretta Lee 85, died May 3, 2021 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas.  She was born on September 15, 1935 to William and Anna Schroeder Wohlgemuth. She was raised on a wheat farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle near the town of Hooker.

She was the oldest of five children, surviving her siblings James Wohlgemuth, Ruth Wohlgemuth, Violet Dick, and Willis...

May 2, 2021

John “Jay” William Stovall, 77, died May 2, 2021, in Newton, Kansas, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Watson, Arkansas, on August 31, 1943, the son of Cephas and Ova (Townsend) Stovall.

Jay was united in marriage to Monica Blankenship on September 17, 1976, in Indio, California. They were married for 44 years at the time of Jay’s...

May 2, 2021

Our beloved mother, Martha Elizabeth Nash, passed away on May 2, 2021 at Kansas Christian Home in Newton, Kansas. She was born April 2, 1926 in Winfield, Kansas to Will Dickinson and Elizabeth C. Troup. Elizabeth married Daniel A. Nash on October 26, 1952 in Wichita, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her 4...

Apr 24, 2021

Marjorie “Marge” (Bontrager) Friesen, 86, died on April 24, 2021 at her Newton residence.

Marge was born on December 12, 1934 at her great grandmother’s house in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Christopher and Viola (Hershberger) Bontrager.

She attended elementary school in a one room country school. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite High School in Kalona, Iowa. Following graduation Marge...

Apr 23, 2021

Laura Ann (Miller) Schrag 89, died April 23, 2021 at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton, KS.  She was born September 20, 1931 in Nappanee, IN, to Mose I. and Lydia Ann (Burkholder) Miller. She was the oldest of five siblings in her Old Order Amish family. As a child she attended a one-room school, where she completed an eighth...

Apr 22, 2021

 

Kenton N. “Butch” Mathews 77 died Thursday April 22, 2021 at Newton Presbyterian Manor.  He was born November 15, 1943 in Newton, Kansas to Horace and Eleanor (Sattler) Mathews.

He was a member of the River lawn Christian Church in Valley Center. Kent retired as a supervisor for the United States Post Office in Newton.

He enjoyed riding his...

Apr 22, 2021

Apr 21, 2021

 

Darrell Voth 70, of Newton passed away April 21st, 2021. Darrell was born on February 9th, 1951 to Wesley Voth and Jeanette Richert in Goessel and graduated from Goessel High School. He married Eileen Entz of Newton in 1972.

Darrell worked at Future Foam for 42 years. He was a loving husband, father and proud grandpa. He enjoyed working...

Apr 17, 2021

Virginia L. Faris “Ginger”,75, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Virginia was born on February 27, 1946 at home in rural Halstead, Kansas, the daughter of Kenneth and Marjorie (Unruh) Stucky; they precede her in death.

On December 24, 1974, she married Forrest Faris in Newton, Kansas, he survives of the home.

...

Apr 14, 2021

Mark W. Kasper, 57, died April 14, 2021.

He was born in Newton, Kansas, on January 12, 1964, the son of Larry and Oma “Jean” Kasper.

Mark worked as a supervisor at Norcraft Cabinetry Company for 16+ years.

Mark enjoyed fishing and was an artist who enjoyed drawing and anything creative.

Mark is survived by his wife, Lynette Portlock-Kasper; daughters,...

Apr 10, 2021

Samuel Zenas Davidson, 33, passed into his Eternal Life, April 10th after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer.  One of tiny triplets born June 22, 1987 to Dr. Terry and Ann Davidson, Sam was a precious son, brother, and most recently, beloved husband.

The Newton community, schools and church provided Sam a spirited youth, filled with sports, strong friendships,...

Apr 7, 2021

Barbara Jeanne Gehrer passed away peacefully April 7, 2021 surrounded by family at Pine Village Home in Moundridge, Ks.

Barbara was born December 6, 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa.  She was the daughter of Fred and Edith Hartman.  At age 3, Barbara was adopted by Edith’s second husband, Leo Swedlund and her name was changed to Barbara Jeanne Swedlund.  Barbara...

Apr 3, 2021

Donald Ray Penner passed away peacefully Saturday, April 3, 2021 at the age of 95 at Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, KS.

Don was born January 17, 1926, to Dan and Marie (Boese) Penner. He married Kathryn Bachman on December 9, 1949. He was a farmer, worked in manufacturing, and spent most of his career in data processing, retiring from...

Apr 2, 2021

Rebecca “Becky” Jo Burnett, age 70, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 2, 2021 at Halstead Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was a long-time resident of Newton, KS before moving to Halstead several weeks ago.

Becky was born in Dodge City Kansas on November 9, 1950 as the one of thirteen children to parents Eula Mae (Brown) and Enyard Minard...

Apr 2, 2021

Julia Ann Caldwell passed away unexpectedly from complications of congestive heart failure and respiratory failure, April 2, 2021. She was 61 years old.

Born in Oakland, Ca. on June 6th, 1959 to parents Roselyn and Louis Scott, she relocated with her family to Newton in 1974.

She attended Newton High School and Hutchinson Jr. College and earned an Associate Degree...

Apr 1, 2021

Rosella Esther Holgersen passed away on April 1, 2021. Rosie, which was her nickname since her junior year of high school, was a caring wife, sister, aunt, and friend.

Rosie was born on September 23, 1936 to Tobias and Lena Schmidt at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, Kansas. She attended Candy Elementary School, followed by secondary school at Berean Academy...