Andrea B. Passmore, 80, died September 7, 2019, at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. She was born November 5, 1938, in Kirksville, MO, to Joseph W.T. and Helen Fritze. Andrea graduated from Strong City High School. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, traveling, dining at new places and watching the Royals and Cubs baseball games. Andrea loved living in the New Mexico area. On January 30, 1960, she married Robert B. Passmore in Strong City. They shared almost 53 years of...

Arch William Byram, 90, formerly of Cedar Point, died September 4, 2019, at Emporia Presbyterian Manor. He was born February 23, 1929, in Cedar Point, to Joseph L. and Margaret A. (Zickefoose) Byram. Arch married Dolly M. McKittrick on March 1, 1948, in Wonsevu. They shared 70 years of marriage before Dolly passed away on November 27, 2018. Arch and Dolly managed the Co-Op grocery store in Clements and owned and operated a grocery store in Cedar Point. After 28 years of service, Arch...

Chris A. “Kringle” Carroll, 60, died August 5, 2019, in rural Chase County. Chris was born April 10, 1959, in Cushing, OK, to Richard Carroll and Jacqueline Rainey. Chris spent most of his working career on the Matfield Green turnpike. He would spend his day walking his pets or conversing with friends and family. He never met a stranger. Chris had a heart of gold, was the definition of a true hippie, a comedian and would always make you smile or laugh. His greatest joy in life...

Loa J. Swift, 77, died July 25, 2019, at Chase County Care and Rehabilitation Center, Cottonwood Falls. She was born January 31, 1942, in Strong City, KS, to Alfred and Hazel (Bourland) Cahoone. Loa retired as a receptionist in the healthcare industry. Her hobbies included watching KU basketball, College Basketball, and Chiefs Football. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. On October 3, 1959, she married Jerry D. Swift in Strong City. They...

Floyd “Bud” Dexter Jr., 84, died Sunday, July 21, 2019, at Kansas Heart Hospital, Wichita, after a long battle with COPD and heart disease. He was born January 23, 1935, near the Cottonwood River east of Cottonwood Falls, to Floyd W. Sr. and Lillian (Glanville) Dexter. His parents taught him to care for the land. He loved to fish and hunt, usually hunting by himself or with cousins and friends.  Bud’s first deer was an 11 point buck. Bud began first grade at 5 years...

Curtis Eugene “Gene” Peacock, Jr, 91, of Emporia, passed away on June 26, 2019, after a brief illness, at Chase County Care and Rehabilitation Center, Cottonwood Falls.  Gene was born June 13, 1928 in Bowlegs, OK, to Curtis E. Sr. and Marie M. (Taylor) Peacock.  He spent his life immersed in rodeo and the cattle business.  By the time Gene was 15, he was competing in the bareback riding, bull riding and saddle bronc riding – he rodeoed from Washington State...

Virginia VanSickle Johnson, age 96, of Hays, Kansas passed away June 25, 2019 in Hays.  Virginia was born in Kansas City, Kansas to H.D. VanSickle and Ruth Bolte VanSickle.  They moved to Strong City, Kansas where she graduated from Strong City High School.  She worked at Kools Drug Store, Cottonwood, Kansas and the Chase County Courthouse. She married Gerald E. Johnson of Matfield Green, Kansas.  They had two daughters, Geralyn (Michael) Ament, Mesa, Arizona, and...

Ila Mae Whitlock, 96, died June 24, 2019, at her home in rural Elmdale. She was born October 16, 1922, in Harvey, to Ira and Anna (Jepson) Spencer. Ila Mae graduated from Fayetteville Arkansas High School in 1940 and attended the University of Arkansas for one year. Ila Mae was an active member of Elmdale United Methodist Church, taught Sunday School for over 25 years, was the delegate for annual conference for many years, and involved with United Methodist Women and Alpha Study Club. Ila...

James F. “Jim” Barr, 95, died May 28, 2019, at Morris County Hospital, Council Grove. He was born July 30, 1923, in Emporia, to Carl O. and Margaret (Drummond) Barr. Jim graduated from Elmdale High School, received 40 hours of Real Estate education at Emporia State University, and attended Reisch Auction School in Mason City, IA in 1947. Jim was a member of Elmdale United Methodist Church, 30 year member at the Masonic Lodge in Cottonwood Falls, life member of PRCA, NRA and...

Howard Louis Chapman Jr., 90, died May 24, 2019. He was born October 19, 1928, in Ellinor, to Howard Louis Sr. and Helen (McCabe) Chapman. Howard retired as an aeronautical engineer from NASA. He was an avid dog lover, especially his own dogs, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Howard is survived by: sons, Howard Louis Chapman III of Elmdale, Jeffrey Chapman of Boise, ID, Brett Chapman of Elmdale; daughter, Kelly Jo Chapman of McKinney, TX; grandchildren, Kodie Chapman, Dawson...