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...

Judith Ann “Judy” Kinsey, 78, died September 17, 2019, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka. She was born June 30, 1941, in Goessel, to Albert and Blanche (Elrod) Neuenschwander. Judy was one of the original employees hired when the Emporia Wal-Mart opened and retired in 2017. On April 19, 1958, she married Vernon W. Kinsey. They shared 55 years of marriage before he died on May 11, 2013. Judy is survived by: children, Verlin Kinsey and wife Tammie of Olpe, Deborah Barclay of...

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...