Eula Marie Barrett, age 99, passed away peacefully at her home east of Cottonwood Falls on June 3, 2026. The daughter of Glen and Jacquita (Russell) Burton, she was born on May 20, 1927, at the family home three miles north of Matfield Green. She loved Chase County and lived almost a century in the area where her Sharp, Brandley, and Russell ancestors settled in the 1860s. Eula attended a one room school house in Bazaar during the Great Depression. She was the only daughter with four ...

Donald Lee Rumford, 91, died June 1, 2026, at Presbyterian Manor, Emporia. He was born January 14, 1935, in Strong City, to Laurence and Dora L. (Huff) Rumford. Don enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and retired honorably in 1974. He then went to work for Modine in Emporia. After Modine closed, he went to work in the maintenance department at the hospital until he retired. Don enjoyed building, repairing and tinkering with clocks. He also enjoyed reading and watching westerns. On ...

Toni Marie Peterson, 66, died May 31, 2026. She was born April 26, 1960, in Emporia, to Charles and Barbara (Beardmore) Sisson. Toni worked for Mark Miller Produce then at the Strong City grocery store. She spent most of her career working at the Chase County Courthouse as deputy treasurer, the County Attorney's office for Bill North and retired as deputy clerk. Toni enjoyed cooking, reading and spending time with her grandchildren. On November ...

Gwendolyn Joanne Bradley, 90, died May 15, 2026, at her home in Cottonwood Falls. She was born February 8, 1936, in Pleasanton, to Emmett and Lena Claudine (McMillan) Lloyd. Joanne graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1954. She worked for the extension office for Linn County.  Then for Braemoors making clothes.  She worked at Mercy hospital as a nurse’s aide, then transitioned over to doing insurance claims in multiple doctors’ offices until her ...

Shawn W. Owen, 48, died May 13, 2026, at his home in Strong City. He was born July 5, 1977, in Sherman, TX, to Eddie and Kathy (Hendrix) Owen. Shawn graduated from Chase County High School in 1995. Shawn spent time cowboying before going to work for Norfolk Iron and Metal. Shawn is survived by: daughter, Angie Owen and partner James; grandson, Sawyer Ortiz, all of Cottonwood Falls; father, Eddie Owen of Cottonwood Falls; mother, Kathy Hendrix of Council Grove; five brothers, Shannon Owen ...

Pamela Kay Baker of Sun City, Arizona, passed away on May 13, 2026, at the age of 72 after a brief hospitalization due to complications from kidney cancer. She was born on April 23, 1954, at the Stubenhofer Maternity Home in Strong City, Kansas, to Guy Jr. and Ruby Harlan Baker of Dunlap, Kansas. She was raised on a farm in rural Chase County and attended Toledo Grade School before later moving to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, where she attended Cottonwood Falls Elementary School and graduated ...

Kenneth “Kenny” R. Wilder, 64, died April 1, 2026, at his home in Cottonwood Falls. He was born January 4, 1962, in Strong City, to Lewis A. and Deloris (Drummond) Wilder. Kenny worked various jobs throughout adulthood and retired after 25 years in the semi-trailer wash business. Kenny enjoyed fishing and spending time with his wife. On July 28, 1980, he married Terry A. Marbel. They shared almost 46 years of marriage. Kenny is survived by: wife, Terry of the home; daughter, ...

Norman L. Wilson, 83, died March 18, 2026, at his home in rural Strong City. He was born June 26, 1942, in Sublette, to Tilden H. and Lola (Brenton) Wilson. Norman graduated from Toronto High School and attended Butler Community College. Norman was an amazing athlete. He pitched for the Chicago White Sox farm team until he decided he didn’t like their rules and wanted to go back to cowboying. He was a tough and fearless cowboy who knew how to make a good horse. Norman would do his own ...

Hazen Paul Bledsoe II, 78, died March 10, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 28, 1948, in Emporia, to Hazen Paul and Beth (Overstreet) Bledsoe. Paul graduated from Strong City High School in 1966 and attended Kansas State University. Paul proudly served his county in the United States Air Force from 1967-1971. Paul started his career as a lineman for KP&L and retired as a supervisor. He was a member of Faith Methodist Church. He was active in the ...

Steven LeRoy Simpson, 77, passed away on March 10, 2026. Steven was born on August 11, 1948, in Wellington, Kansas, to Jesse and Phyllis Simpson. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as an E-3 Machinist Repairman from 1966 to 1969. During his service he earned the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He later transferred to the Navy Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1972. On May 24, 1986, Steven ...