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Shirley Ann Tucker, a devoted and cherished mother, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2024 at Heritage Health Care in Chanute, Kansas.  She was born on April 1, 1936 in Howard, Kansas to Ben and Myrtle (Heisler) Cox.

Shirley was united in marriage to Kenneth Tucker of Moline, Kansas on July 5, 1953 in Howard, Kansas.  She dedicated herself to her family and home, embodying the spirit of a caring stay-at-home mom who found profound joy in nurturing her loved ones.  Shirley's pride in her family was evident in all she did. 

Beyond her family life, Shirley found joy in various pastimes.  She loved indulging in reading and challenging her mind with crosswords.  Watching sports was another passion. She enjoyed cheering for her favorite teams and loved the sound of Elvis Presley singing.  Her vibrant personality and unwavering dedication to her loved ones will be fondly remembers. 

Her love extended to her children, Roger (Tish) Tucker and Becky Tucker of Chanute, Kansas and Mark (Brenda) Tucker of Pineville, Missouri.  She took immense delight in the accomplishments and happiness of her grandchildren, Mindy Wolbrueck, Deron Tucker, Lisa Tucker, Garett Tucker, Alana Waldron, Jessica Tucker, and Rachel Tucker.  Shirley also embraced her role as a great-grandmother with love, leaving being 9 great-grandchildren who will carry forward her legacy of love and devotion.  She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; two sisters; and two infant grandchildren.  Her memory will live on through the countless lives she has touched, and her family will forever carry the warmth of her love in their hearts.

A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute, Kansas.  Memorials are suggested to Cherry Street Youth Center and can be left with or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 500 N. Forest Avenue, Chanute, Kansas 66720 which has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Wickham Family Funeral Home website)
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Shirley (Cox) Tucker grew up in Howard, Kansas and was preceded in death by her late brother, Millard Cox, former resident of Howard.  She is survived by her niece, Julia Brenner of Howard. 

Rance Jacob Bennett entered this world on December 22, 1980 in Fredonia, Kansas, born to parents, Robert "Bobby" and Joan (Wiseman) Bennett.  He left this world on November 26, 2024 near New Town, North Dakota.

Rance attended West Elk High School in Howard, Kansas where he excelled in many areas.  He was well known for his state accomplishments in wrestling for West Elk as well as being a member of the high school football team and a member of the Flint Hills 4-H Club.

Rance went on to build a career in the oil field as a tool pushed for Nabors Drilling and has left a lasting impact on many of his crew members throughout the years.  However, if you were to ask him what his greatest accomplishment in life was, he would proudly answer that it was being blessed to be the father of Ivan Jacob and Teagen Isabelle.  Whether it was buying numerous art supplies or listening to hours of Taylor Swift, he was always ready to be the biggest cheerleader for his children.

Rance was known by many for his loyalty and readiness to be there with a helping hand whenever needed.  Even bigger was his unwavering loyalty to KU basketball, football, and of course, Allen Fieldhouse.  Don't forget, this is the Cowboys year................said every year repeatedly to whomever would listen. 

Rance leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Ivan Jacob Bennett and Teagan Isabelle Bennett of Minot, North Dakota; his mother, Joan Bennett of Moline, Kansas; his partner in life, Heather Spence of El Dorado, Kansas; and his four-legged buddies, Udoka and Remy.  He is preceded in death by his father, Robert "Bobby" Bennett, Jr. and grandparents, Robert Sr. and Isabelle (Ward) Bennett and J.C. and Mary Hope (Carter) Wiseman.

Celebration of Life for Rance Bennett will be held at the First Methodist Church in Howard, Kansas, date and time to be determined.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rance's name to WEHS Wrestling for their new wrestling room.

(taken from Facebook)

Paisley Jane Travis was born and spread her wings to Heaven on November 23, 2024 at United Health Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  She was born to her parents, Khaleb Travis and Abigail "Abby" Seimears.

Princess Paisley went to fly high in Heaven with her Great-Grandma Roena Travis, Great Grandpa James Seimears, Great Grandparents Kim and Richard Salmen, and Uncle Seth Seimears.

A graveside service will be held at Cresco Cemetery, Highway 99 and Rock Road, Howard, Kansas on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.  Memorial contributions can be made to The Tiny Miracles Foundation and may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Dallas Anne Finney, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, was born September 15, 1959 in Oak Harbor, Washington and passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024.

Growing up in a close-knit family, Dallas graduated from Caney High School in Caney, Kansas in 1978 where she began to cultivate the vibrant spirit that would define her life.  Her affection for her family and friends was evident to all who knew her, and she embraced life's moments with grace and joy.  Dallas found immense happiness in her family bonds, taking great pride in celebrating the milestones of her nephews and niece.  She lovingly gave speeches at all five of her nephews' weddings where she would introduce her family to the crowd.  These moments highlighted her love for those who had the pleasure to hear her heartfelt words.

In addition to her family devotion, Dallas had a variety of interests that brought her joy.  She had a creative flair, finding pleasure in crocheting various projects, particularly hangers.  Her love for music was equally infectious favoring the upbeat tunes of Michael Jackson and the playful melodies of Hannah Montana.  When it came to entertainment, she had a soft spot for wrestling, often enjoying the excitement it brought her.  Dallas was also an avid traveler who relished group tours, immersing herself in new experiences and cultures along the way.  Her adventurous spirit blossomed with each journey, allowing her to connect with others and explore the richness of life beyond her hometown.

Dallas is survived by her mother, Georgia Grassi; her sisters, Kandy (Mitch) Dowell and Cheri (Thomas) Lee; her cherished nephews, Justin, Kyler, Matthew, Adam and Forrest; and her niece, Shyanne Lee.  She is preceded in death by her father, Russell Finney, and her sister, Teresa Dawn.

Dallas will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of those who loved her.

(taken from the Webb & Rodrick Chapel website)

Neva Lee Walter, age 77, of Howard, Kansas, passed away November 18, 2024 at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.  She was born June 20, 1947 in Eureka, Kansas to Ernest and Laura (Ferry) Van Royen.

Neva grew up alongside three brothers and two sisters and graduated from Howard High School with the Class of 1965.  After graduating high school, she attended college in Emporia, Kansas.  Over the years, she wore many hats, working at the Twilight Manor Nursing Home in Howard, the Howard Library where she served on the Board for many years, as a clerk for her husband Gene's auctioneer company, and as the Register of Deeds for Elk County, Kansas for 28 years.  She was very proud of the fact that she was elected by the people to work for them, which meant the world to her.  She also was known to babysit lots of the kids around Howard, and most of them remember her showing them how to use the old time wringer washing machine she had.

As a young woman, Neva married but later divorced.  To this marriage, she had two sons, Robert Carey and Curtis Carey.  On July 3, 1982, she married Gene Walter.  They have been married 42 years, and together, they had a son, Matthew Walter.

In her spare time, Neva loved listening to country music, watching old westerns, reading western books and novels, crocheting sweaters and scarves, and collecting antiques that she would find at auctions she was working. 

Neva is survived by her husband, Gene Walter; her sons, Curtis (Sheri) Carey, Robert (Karen) Carey, and Matthew (Megan) Walter;  grandchildren, Austin Carey, Dalton Glass, Chaz Carey, and Levi Carey; two great-grandchildren; her brother, Russell Van Royen; and her sister, Rita Lee.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, James Van Royen and Kenny Van Royen; and her sister, Lola Davis.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  The family will receive friends at visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.  Burial will follow in Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Community Foundation for the Howard Library and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Randi R. Wickham, age 43, of Pittsburg, Kansas and formerly of Fredonia, Kansas, passed away on November 17, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.  At six months of age, Randi was adopted into the family of Doug and Linda (Wiseman) Ritz.

Randi was raised on the rural farm.  She enjoyed helping with raising the cattle, feeding the pigs, and most importantly, her horses.  She loved going with the family on horseback, checking on or working the cattle.  As soon as she was big enough to drive a tractor, she discovered her love for raking hay and just being out in the open country.

Randi was a member of FFA and graduated from Fredonia High School in Fredonia, Kansas with the Class of 1999.  She then worked as a Para for the public schools and later on began working with autistic adults helping with their daily living activities until her health no longer allowed her to do so.  She encountered many years of home dialysis, but during the time that she felt good, she loved to go fishing or crafting where she made greeting cards.

Randi is survived by her husband, Jim Timmons of Pittsburg, Kansas; her son, Kody Wickham of Pittsburg, Kansas; her parents, Doug and Linda Ritz of rural Fredonia, Kansas; her sister, Lindsay R. Ritz; and her grandfather, Louis Wiseman of Howard, Kansas.  She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Grace Wiseman, and her paternal grandparents, Charles and Ritz Ritz.   

Cremation has been requested.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas. Memorials have been suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com.  Services are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th Street, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Patricia Ann "Pat" Clark, age 84, of Howard, Kansas, went to be with the Lord on November 15, 2024 at the Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas.  She was born October 3, 1940 in Chanute, Kansas to Ernest Guy Jr. and Jennie (Sutton) Franklin.

Pat attended school in Wichita, Kansas and graduated from North High School.  She worked as a secretary at Friends University in Wichita and then later at Allstate Insurance Company.  She then met Richard Clark, and they married on August 23, 1963.  They lived in both Wichita, Kansas and Salina, Kansas for several years but eventually moved to Howard, Kansas with their two children, Christy Cay Clark, born in 1966, and David Philip Clark born in 1968.

Pat was very active in the communities where she lived throughout her life.  Early one, she was very involved in 4-H in Salina, Kansas.  She was a sorority member of Beta Sigma Phi and orchestrated their state convention at the Wichita Coliseum. She was the manager of Friendship Meals in Howard for 20 years. 

Pat was well known for her beautiful paintings, and she loved teaching many how to paint in several classes she held in her home.  She also enjoyed quilting, crocheting, creating all kinds of crafts, and even wallpapering.  She also was known for the crosses she crocheted that were often sold around Howard.  Pat was always active in her children's and grandchildren's lives.  She was also a good cook and seamstress.  Her family very fondly remember her red-hot Jello.  Her children still have some of the well-loved clothes and quilts that she made for them.

Pat is survived by her husband, Richard Clark; her children, Christy and David; her grandchildren, Jennie Walton, Stephen Heinen, John Heinen, Kia Clark, and Ben Clark; and her great-grandchildren, Leo Walton and Gemma Walton.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Jennie Franklin and her younger sister, Barbara. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Howard Methodist Church , 815 E. Randolph Street, Howard, Kansas.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Howard Methodist church or Howard Friendship Meals and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

 

Debbie Jane Unruh, age 62, of Howard, Kansas, passed away November 6, 2024 at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas.  She was born August 15, 1962 in El Dorado, Kansas to Jerry and Betty (Brumback) Zongker. 

Debbie grew up alongside her brother, Eddie, and sister, Judy, graduating from El Dorado High School in the Class of 1980.  As a young lady, she was cruising the town one evening with some friends when she spotted a young guy doing the same.  She decided to honk at him, and that started a relationship that would last for over 42 years.  They started dating, and on December 11, 1962, Debbie married Howard Unruh at the First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Kansas.

As a young couple, they lived north of Potwin, Kansas for a time before moving to the Howard, Kansas area in 1991.  Even though Debbie was wheelchair-bound after a vehicle accident in 1988, she didn't let that slow her down.  She and Howard raised their two boys on the ranch east of Howard where Debbie stayed busy with the boys, doing woodworking projects like building bird houses and outdoor yard ornaments, bottle feeding the baby calves, and even showing cattle.

Debbie loved to ride horses and fish and was a woman who truly loved taking care of those she cherished.  Her family was her life, and she and Howard raised their niece and nephew as if they were their own children when their father passed away.  She was a loving wife, mother, and grandma, and those who knew her will miss her greatly.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Howard; her sons, Will (Kenna) Unruh of Howard, Kansas and Josh (Kodie) of Severy, Kansas; grandchildren, Anna, Wyatt, Theo, Kasen, Hailee, Kennen, and Declan; brother, Eddie Zongker of El Dorado, Kansas; sister, Judy Zongker of El Dorado, Kansas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her Aunt Barbara; and her brother-in-law, Harold.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m.. in Halderman Cemetery near Potwin, Kansas following the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Howard Library and can be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Halderman Cemetery is located at the intersection of NW 120th Street and NW Buffalo Road near Potwin, Kansas.

Rev. Carla May Golden, age 74, passed away on November 4, 2024 at her home in Kerrville, Texas from complications of COVID-19 and Parkinsons disease.  She was born on July 15, 1950 to Carl and Betty (McClure) Criger in Kansas.

Carla grew up in Howard, Kansas and graduated from Howard High School with the Class of 1968.  With her husband, Rev. Bob Uhlar, she forged a remarkable 38-year partnership and love affair.  In the 1990s, they visited 248 congregations presenting spirituality seminars.  After their 2002 seminary graduation and ordination, they served Unity congregations in Hollywood, Florida, Indianapolis, Indiana, Tampa, Florida, and Kerrville, Texas.

Carla is survived by her husband, Bob of the home and her brother, Patrick "Pat" Criger of Kirbyville, Missouri.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Criger and Betty (McClure) Criger, and her first husband, Larry Golden of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

Carla chose for her body to be cremated with her ashes sprinkled in undisclosed locations.  In lieu of flowers, monetary memorial donations may be sent to Rev. Bob Uhlar, 1904 Leslie Drive, Kerrville, Texas 78028-2522.  Memorial services are pending.  Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville, Texas have been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Grimes Funeral Chapels website)

Sharon Sue Ames, age 78, of Moline, Kansas, passed away at her home on October 31, 2024.  She was born September 2, 1946 in Wichita, Kansas to Frank and Edna (Timmons) Higley.

Sharon grew up alongside her three brothers, Dwight, David, and Jon, in the Wichita area, graduating from Andover High School in Andover, Kansas.  In 1968, she married Ted Goode in St. John, Kansas.  She had seen his profile that he had submitted to a teenage Christian magazine, and six months later, they were married. Ted was a farmer, and they moved to a farm near the Colorado/Kansas border for a while before returning to St. John.  They had three children, Kevin, Angie, and Nanette, and were building a life together until Ted's untimely death at age 50.  Sharon then met Joe Ames, and they were married in Moline, Kansas in April 2005.  They spent the next 13 years together until Joe's passing in 2018.

Over the years, Sharon worked at a shoe repair shop in Wichita, Kansas, as a cook at St. John's Hospital, and finally at Wal-Mart.  She was a member of the Moline Christian Church, the Eastern Star, Ladies Bible Class-CWF, and EHU Homemaker group.

Sharon is survived by her children, Angie (Les) Topliss of Moline, Kansas, Kevin (Charlotte) Goode of Pinon, Arizona, and Nanette (Mark) Mitchell of Springfield, Missouri; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and brother, Jon Higley.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Ted Goode and Joe Ames; her brothers, Dwight Higley and David Higley; her infant daughter, Janet Goode; and her grandson, Chance Topliss.

Cremation has been requested, and the family will hold a memorial service to honor Sharon during their family reunion in the summer of 2025.  Memorial contributions in her honor can be made to the Harry Hynes Hospice and may be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)