Marjorie “Marge” A. Gibb, 93, died January 10, 2020, at St. Luke's Living Center, Marion. She was born October 24, 1926, in Newton to William B. and Ida Mae (Harless) Pringle. Marge graduated from Elmdale High School in 1944. She was a member of Elmdale United Methodist Church. On March 24, 1947, she married Harold E. “Doug” Gibb in Hutchinson. He died November 14, 1985. Marge loved being a homemaker and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed bird...

Raymond Hotzel, 58, died January 8, 2020, at his childhood home in Emporia, KS.  Ray was born April 19, 1961, in Emporia, KS the son of Carl and Charlene (Lenninger) Hotzel. Ray was an avid lover of nature throughout his life.  Ray attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and graduated from Emporia High School in 1979. He was a dedicated employee of The City of Emporia for 38 years.  Ray is survived by his soulmate, Angel; his mother, Charlene Hotzel of Emporia; brothers,...

Louis Lee Larsen, devoted husband, cherished father and grandfather, and faithful friend went peacefully to meet his maker January 7, 2020, at home in Springfield, Ohio. He was 91 years old. Lou was born in Marion County, Kansas, on December 13, 1928, the second of six children of Julius Lee Larsen and Edna Rowland Larsen. He graduated from Burns Kansas High School in 1946. The next year the family moved to a farm between Emporia and Adair on Rural Route 2 in Lyon County where Lou worked...

Ralph E. Bradley, 83, died January 1, 2020, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia. He was born May 27, 1936, on a farm near Prescott to Benjamin B. and Mabel E. (Self) Bradley. During the summers Ralph worked for O.E. Kaufman, a farmer in western Kansas. Ralph graduated from Mound City High School in 1954, Fort Scott Junior College in 1956, Emporia State University in 1959, and University of Kansas in 1967 with his Master’s Degree in Education. Ralph was a high school teacher and...

Dale Crofoot Wealand, age 78, of Elmdale and lifelong resident of Chase County, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, at Ascension-Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. He was born Jan. 27, 1941, in Wichita, to Howard and Helen (Crofoot) Wealand. He was raised in Cedar Point and attended school there, graduating from Cedar Point High School in 1959. He married Bonnie Mitchell on July 7, 1962 in Florence. They later divorced. To this marriage were born two daughters: Kerry and Amy. He...

Barbara Ann Rogers, 71, died November 29, 2019, at Chase County Care and Rehabilitation. She was born October 11, 1948, in El Dorado, to Jewell P. Sr. and Rose (Everett) Swift. Barbara graduated from Matfield Green High School in 1966. She was a full time mother and homemaker all while working beside her husband on the family farm and ranch. Later Barbara worked as a Special Education Para at Chase County Middle School and was the City Clerk for the City of Matfield Green for many...

Charles E. Armagost, 88, died November 24, 2019, at Newman Regional Health. He was born May 20, 1931, in rural Strong City, to John J. and Anna Marie (White) Armagost. Charles was the Chase County Sheriff for 4 years and at times was a deputy game warden, had worked for Santa Fe Railroad for 12 years, Titus Stout Ranch for 12 years, and Chase County Road and Bridge. Charles enjoyed fishing and hunting and his cattle herd was his pride and joy. Charles married Dorothy Norton on December 30,...

Joseph “Joe” William Theodore Fritze, Jr. On November 15, 2019, Joe passed away at his home in Emporia, as a result of complications from multiple illnesses. Joe was 68 years old. The son of Joseph Fritze, Sr. and Helen Buckingham Fritze, Joe was born on May 7, 1951, in Strong City and was the youngest of three siblings. He spent his early years in Strong City, graduating from Cottonwood Falls High School in 1969, before studying special education and social work at Emporia...

Howard E. Blender, 70, died October 7, 2019, at his home in rural Chase County. He was born April 20, 1949, at the Stubenhofer Maternity Home in Strong City, to Philip A. and Ruth G. (Jones) Blender. Howard attended schools in Toledo, Saffordville, graduated from Chase County High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences and Industry from Kansas State University in 1973. Howard served in the United States Army Reserves from October 1970 to June 1976. He was a member of...

Ray E. Thomas, 76, died October 7, 2019, at Morris County Hospital, Council Grove. Ray was born January 19, 1943, in El Dorado to Harvey A. and Carry (McGann) Thomas. Ray graduated from Matfield Green High School. He attended Cottonwood Falls Presbyterian Church and worked as a janitor at the Chase County Senior Center for years. Ray loved hats, learning sign language and taking photos to share with his friends.  He was recently featured on the front page of the Emporia Gazette sharing...