Rodger K. Drake, 75, died May 2, 2023, at his home in Strong City, bravely losing a four-year battle against cancer. He was born June 10, 1947 to Gilbert and Ruth Drake in Wichita. He attended elementary school in Newton and then graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1965. He attended the University of Kansas in the fall of 1965 before joining the United States Army in October of 1966. He was first stationed in Chicago with the Army band before heading to Vietnam for 14 months, and then...

Rex E. Butter, 76, died April 12, 2023, at his home in rural Cottonwood Falls. He was born December 8, 1946, to Leroy and Levoda Butter in Emporia. He attending school in Strong City and graduated from High School in 1965. He joined the United States Army shortly after graduating in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1969. He married Kim Jones on March 30, 1974. They had two children, Chad and Sondra. They lived in Chase County. Rex had worked in road construction all of his life and...

Lacey Dawn Cooper, 38, died April 10, 2023, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She was born October 26, 1984, in Emporia, to Clay and Connie (Edmiston) Cooper. Lacey graduated from Chase County High School in 2003 and attended Johnson County Community College. She worked for LMI Aerospace as quality control. Lacey enjoyed being outdoors, camping, hunting, and barrel racing. Her true passion was spending time with her 3 children and friends. On September 15, 2007, she married Matthew...

James R. Kelly Sr., 84, died March 25, 2023, at Chase County Care and Rehab. He was born January 19, 1939, in Joliet, IL, to Joseph H. and Charlotte “Lottie” M. (Gwin) Kelly. Jim had worked in construction, did carpentry, and was a welder. He was a jack of all trades and enjoyed fishing, camping, reading and was even an ordained minister. Jim is survived by: children, Kimberly L. Kelly of Hutchinson, James R. “Jim” Kelly Jr. and wife Camille of Strong City;...

Carol B. Wilson, 84, died March 18, 2023, at Newman Regional Health, Emporia. She was born January 9, 1939, in Strong City, to Richard and Lila Barrett. Carol worked for Chase County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher and for EMS and was also a homemaker. Her greatest joy was working for Doug’s Flowers, designing and arranging bouquets. She enjoyed crafting and designing arrangements for her room and door at the nursing home. On August 8, 1955, she married John R....

Darrell V. Barrett, 80, died March 9, 2023, at his home in rural El Dorado. He was born November 13, 1942, in Emporia to Vernon and Leona (Lister) Barrett. Darrell graduated from Roosevelt High School in Emporia. He was a feedlot cowboy and farrier. Darrell enjoyed training horses, team roping, boating and most of all, spending time with his family. He served in the United States Army from 1960-1962 and in the Army National Guard from 1962-1968. On September 1, 1979, he married Cynthia...

Theodore A. “Ted” White, 96, died March 4, 2023, at his home in Cottonwood Falls. He was born January 6, 1927, in Bushong, Kansas to Floyd E. and Ruth A. (Logue) White. Ted was working at the Z-Bar Ranch when he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 at 17. He served aboard the USS Conflict (PC 1589) Patrol Craft in the pacific theater during WWII and was honorably discharged from service in 1946. Ted was proud to have served his country and was the last surviving member of...

William E. Clark, Sr., died February 28, 2023, in Olympia Fields, IL. He was born September 2, 1934, in Chicago, to Norman and Margaret (Dunn) Clark. Bill was a long haul truck driver before retiring. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. Bill also enjoyed playing cards, corn hole and horseshoes. He liked tinkering around the house and tending to his lawn. On June 16, 1956, he married Annie R. Kirkendoll. They shared 68 years of marriage before her passing on January 14,...

Leonard J. McKee, 77, died February 22, 2023, at home in Lenexa. He was born December 4, 1945, in Elizabeth, NJ, to Dr. Leo F. and Lillian (Leonard) McKee. Leonard graduated from Chase County High School and attended Emporia State University. He was a brakeman and conductor for BNSF for 41 years before he retired. Leonard was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa and St. Anthony Catholic Church in Strong City. Leonard proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam...

Philip E. Hotzel, 84, passed away peacefully and gracefully this morning at the Tanglewood Health Center in Topeka, KS. The son of Fredrick C. and Helen (Gammon) Hotzel, he was born May 3, 1938, in Emporia, Kansas. Philip graduated from Roosevelt High School. He served in the United States Air Force 1956-1962. After leaving the Air Force, he first worked as a welder/fabricator then finished his career working at the Veterans hospital in Topeka.   Philip loved Emporia and was proud...