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Beulah Louise Thomas, age 94, passed away January 27, 2024.  She was born October 28, 1929 to Stanley and Mildred (Hill) Doggett in rural Howard, Kansas.

Beulah graduated from Howard High School in 1948.  She then worked at the First National Bank in Howard.  On January 19, 1952, Beulah married Robert "Bob" Thomas at the Methodist Church in Howard.  In December 1953, they purchased a farm north of Longton, Kansas.  Beulah had to quit her job that she loved at the bank because the couple only had one vehicle.  They lived on that farm for the rest of their lives.  They were married 53 years until Bob's death on July 7, 2005.

Beulah belonged to the Howard Rebekah Lodge and the Fredonia Promades, a square dance club.

Survivors include her daughter, Marlene (Steve) Wilcox of Wichita, Kansas; her son, Robert "Joe" (Nancy) Thomas of Howard, Kansas; three grandchildren, Amos Williams of Wichita, Kansas, Ryan Thomas of Emporia, Kansas, and Sarah Galvin of Niverville, Manitoba, Canada; three great-grandchildren, Joanna Williams, Aston Galvin, and Aiden Galvin; and her sister, Myrtle Dewey of Wichita, Kansas.  In addition to her husband, Bob Thomas, Beulah was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, David; her brother, Malcolm Doggett; and her sister, Joyce.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  The family will receive friends at visitation from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.  Memorial contributions in memory of Beulah can be made to the Independence Humane Society and may be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Nellie Elizabeth Johnson of Severy, Kansas got her wings at the age of 87 two days before her 88th birthday on January 19, 2024 at her home surrounded by family.  She was born on January 21, 1936 in Neal, Kansas to Arthur and Anna (Crouch) Watts.

Nellie married Kenneth Dale Johnson on February 27, 1953 in El Dorado, Kansas.  They started their home in an old white farmhouse west of Augusta, Kansas.  Later, they moved to a chicken house made into apartments.  Eight children were born to this marriage.  Nellie and husband, Kenneth, had lived in many places:  Alaska, Kansas, and California.  They settled down in Severy, Kansas.

Nellie had many jobs as a homemaker, farmer's wife, bookkeeper for her husband's businesses, cleaning military housing, and Howard Twilight Manor Nursing Home in the Laundry and Cleaning Department.  She belonged to the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas.

Nellie is survived by her son, Delane Johnson of the home, Dale (Wayne) McDaniel of Willow Springs, Missouri, Doyle (Delores) Johnson of Severy, Kansas, Lynn (Christy) Johnson of Severy, Kansas; Becky Shepherd of Eureka, Kansas, Doreen (George) Rogers of Stinnett, Texas, Kendall (Melissa) Johnson of Howard, Kansas, and Debra (Scott) Greer of Elk City, Kansas; 25 grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; 4 great-great grandchildren and 2 step great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild on the way;  and three sisters, Sharon Hellman, JoAnn Ashlock, and Anna Mae Hare.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Johnson; son-in-law, Mike Shepherd; granddaughter, Joy Johnson;  step grandson, Zachary Beshirs; brothers, Bert Watts, Walter Watts, Kenny Watts, John Watts, and Arthur Ray Watts; and sisters, Faye Johnson, Adeline Hobbs, Alma Lee Schlotterbeck, and Dolly Ashlock. 

The family will receive friends at visitation on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.
 Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Countryside Funeral Home with interment to follow in Cresco Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association 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)

Marc Steven "Sarge" Spurrier, age 71, passed away on January 16, 2024 at his home in Howard, Kansas.  He was born May 4, 1952 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Herbert L. and Betty Spurrier.

Marc grew up in Howard, Kansas and graduated from Howard High School with the Class of 1970. He married Sharron Berry on June 26, 1999.  His life career was in construction with highlights of blasting and excavator operation.  He was a member of the Howard Methodist Church.  His pleasures were camping, fishing, and hunting.

Marc is survived by his wife, Sharron Spurrier of the home in Howard, Kansas; his siblings, Kaye (Robert) Yates of Katy, Texas, Sylvia Stites of Howard, Kansas, and Brian (Lori) Spurrier of Caney, Kansas; two stepsons, Steven (Camine) Berry of Kansas City, Kansas and Keven (Janie) Berry of Moline, Kansas; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Howard Methodist Church in Howard, Kansas with Pastor Katie Jordan officiating.  The family has suggested memorials to the Howard Methodist Church, 815 E. Randolph Stret, Howard, Kansas 67349.  Memorials may be mailed to or left with the church.  To leave a message for the family, go to www.dickensfuneral.com.  Dickens Family Funeral Home of Sedan, Kansas is in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Dickens Family Funeral Home website)

Beverly K. DeWater, age 82, passed away January 8, 2024 in Winfield, Kansas.  She was born June 19, 1941 in Winfield, Kansas to Leona Belle (Schockey) and Charles William DeWater.

Beverly was reared in and attended schools in Elk County, Kansas, graduating from Moline High School in Moline, Kansas with the Class of 1959.  Her parents owned the DeWater Drug Store in Moline for many years.   She graduated from Kansas State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and received post graduate degrees from Kansa State Universtiy, Emporia State Univeristy, Pittsburg State University, and received  her doctorate from the University of Arkansas.  She was an associate professor of Psychology at Arkansas State University from 1972 until her retirement in 2001. 

Survivors include her nieces Carol Still, Lisa Willard, and Debbie DeWater and nephew Charles DeWater.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Elbert DeWater. 

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Douglass Cemetery in Douglass, Kansas  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Cumbernauld Village, 716 Tweed, Winfield, Kansas 67156.  Smith Family Mortuaries, Mulvane Chapel, of Mulvane , Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.  Please visit www.smithfamilymortuaries.com.

(taken from the Smith Family Mortuarires website)

Thomas Jocelyn Leckliter (Jock Kent), age 81, of Camdenton, Missouri and formerly of Herington, Kansas, passed away January 13, 2024 at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri.  He was born June 25, 1942 in Winfield, Kansas to Richard and Dorothy (Ritchards) Leckliter.  After his father's plane was shot down in World War II and he was killed, his stepfather, Logan Kent, became the loving father he needed.

Tom graduated from Moline High School in Moline, Kansas and then joined the United States Navy where he spent two years serving on the USS Ticonderoga stationed out of San Diego, California.  He was united in marriage to Myrna Sharp on March 16, 1963,  and they celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2023. To this union were born two sons, Micheal and Jeff.  After returning home from his military service, he attended Vo-Tech in Pittsburg, Kansas to become an electrician.  Tom and Myrna moved to Herington, Kansas where they raised their boys.  Tom commuted to Fort Riley, Kansas to work as an electrician. 

Tom and Myrna moved to Camdenton, Missouri in 2022 to be closer to Jeff and his family.  They both enjoyed exploring less traveled roads in their spare time, both in Kansas and Missouri.  When at home, Tom enjoyed watching westerns and spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his wife, Myrna; his sons, Mike Leckliter and Jeff (Karla) Leckliter; grandchildren, Ashley (Jared) and Jake (Sydney); three great-grandchildren; sisters, Karen, Nancy, and Kathy; and brother, Kenny.  He is preceded in death by his father; his mother; his stepfather; and two step-brothers.

Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Piedmont, Kansas at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday,  January 20, 2024.  Burial at Piedmont Cemetery with full military honors will follow the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tom's name to Carter-Rader American Legion Post #0149, P.O. Box 865, Howard, Kansas 67349.  Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri.  Condolences may be left online for the family at www.hedgesscottmillard.com.

(taken from the Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home website)

Rex Thornton Vinette was born September 15, 1951 in Winfield, Kansas to Darrel H. and Helen (Thornton) Vinette.  He passed away on January 12, 2024 in Topeka, Kansas.

Rex graduated from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas with the Class of 1969.  He graduated from Emporia State University with a teaching degree, but worked as a carpenter. 

On September 20, 1980, he married Jane L. Vinette.  Together they had a daughter, Rachael Vinette-Parrish and one granddaughter, Elizabeth "E.J." Parrish.  He is also survived by three sisters, Mary Elliott, Jeanne Bjorklund, and Janet Vinette; one niece, Ann Marie Riccomini; four nephews, Danny Stauffer, Mark Stauffer, Jonathan Stauffer, and Taylor Lapardo; and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Darrel Vinette; his mother, Helen Vinette; two brothers, Darrel Lee Vinette and Robert Vinette; a brother-in-law, Mike Elliott; a son-in-law, Stuart "Matt" Parrish; and other family members.

Funeral services for Rex will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  The family will receive friends at visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service.  Due to weather conditions, the family requests not to go to the cemetery for interment.  Burial will take place at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Rex's name can be made to the National Rifle Association (NRA) or Shawnee County Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka, Kasnas.  These remembrances may 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)

Teri Dawn Hazelwood was born at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 15,1970 to Robert Terry Brotherton and Mary Virginia Clifton.  After several years of declining health, Teri Dawn departed her earthly life at the same hospital where she had arrived (St. Anthony's) on January 7, 2024.

Teri Dawn grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, later moving to the Oklahoma City area where she married Joseph Lee Hazelwood, Jr. and they raised their family there.  She worked for several years as a home health aide in the Oklahoma City area.  This experience was particularly rewarding to Teri, and she worked until her failing health made it impossibile to continue.  In 2018, Teri, Joe, and grandson, Dominick, moved to Longton, Kansas where Teri had many fond memories from her childhood.

Teri Dawn is survived by her husband, Joseph Lee Hazelwood, Jr.; children, Tanner Clifton Hazelwood, Catherine Fay Bryant, Jeff Tyler Hazelwood, and Mary Barbara Rose Hazelwood; her parents, Terry (Kathy) Brotherton and Mary (Rob Deloof) Clifton; siblings, Shelly Shattuck, Chance Throop, Jessie Palovik, and Cody Brotherton; 8 grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

A funeral service for Teri Dawn will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Longton United Methodist Church in Longton, Kansas.  Interment will follow in the Longton Cemetery.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansa 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Jeanine Bey Young, age 87, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away December 7, 2023 at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield.  She was born December 12, 1935 in Cherokee, Oklahoma, the daughter of Percy Ben and Lille Fern (Parkhurst) Doughty.

Jeanine grew up in Elk County, Kansas and graduated from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas with the Class of 1955.  She and Donald Leroy Young were united in marriage in 1957 in Seattle, Washington.

Jeanine enjoyed being a homemaker and liked watching television.  She is survived by her children, Gerald Young and Sheryl Young; her sister, Jackie Perkins; and her brother, Ben Doughty.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Fern Doughty; her husband, Donald Young; her infant daughter, Donna Jean Young; and her brother, Leon Doughty.

Private graveside services were held at the Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.  Arrangements were entrusted to Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield, Kansas.

(taken from the Shelley Family Funeral Home website)

Jack S. Woods passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023 surrounded by his family.  He was born August 16, 1952 to Lloyd Jr. and Jeanne (Swanbholt) Woods in Winfield, Kansas.

Growing up, Jack enjoyed creating adventures and mischief with his siblings, James (Jim) and Dena, and numerous friends.  He grew up in the Winfield area where he was an avid member of the Boy Scouts of America.  He graduated from Winfield High School in 1970.  After graduation, he attended Wichita State University and later joined the United States Navy.  He met the love of his life in an airport boarding line making small chats (just like in true Jack fashion). 

Jack and Deborah (Debbie) Kill were united in marriage on October 17, 1975.  Eventually they established their home in Grenola, Kansas whle raising their six children.  Jack worked at Learjet and the United States Postal Service.  During this time raisng their children, he enjoyed coaching them in baseball, umpiring youth baseball games, cheering loudly at games, taking family vacations that led to many memories full of laughter, and sharing his love for all aviation-related things.

After his retirement from the Postal Service in 2008, Jack enjoyed attending all his grandkids' activities, traveling with his sons, attending air shows, puzzles, model airplanes, serving his community by participating in mission trips, years as a volunteer firefighter, and bring joy to all children during the Christmas time.  Jack never was a stranger to anyone for very long.  He would help every hitchhiker or stranded motorist that he came upon, offering them an ice cold Dr. Pepper that was always stocked in a cooler in the backseat of his car.

Jack was extremely proud of his family.  He will be dearly missed  by all who knew him.  His family asks that he be remembered for the joy he brought to all who met him.

Jack is survived by his wife, Debbie Woods of Grenola, Kansas; his children, Sarah (James) Robertson, Mike (Stephanie) Woods, Daniel (Kirby) Woods, Kyle (Tara) Woods, Heather Henley, and Jacob (Ashley) Woods; his grandchildren, Kyli, Laura, Briona, Lydia, Dante, Landon, Kyra, Elizabeth, Kyson, Braxton, Max, Kari, Cole, Lucas, and Blakeley; his stepmother, Mary Woods; his siblings, Dena (Roger) Hill, Darlene Woods, Kathy (Rick) Goetz, Randy (Viv) Sack, and Judy Sack; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Januaryh 5, 2024 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Grenola, Kansas.  Following the service, the family invites all to join them at the Grenola Community Building to share stories and laughter in Jack's memory.  A memorial has been established with the Grenola Methodist Church for the youth in the community, and memorials 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)

Samuel Levi Trigg, age 77, of Elk Falls, Kansas, passed away on December 19, 2023 at Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Sedan, Kansas.  He was born October 5, 1946  in Guymon, Oklahoma to Oval and Viola Trigg.

On July 16, 1965, Sam married Mary Jane Jones in Longton, Kansas.  They were married 46 years until her passing in January 2011.

Sam was a hard worker and loved to be outdoors.  He would often leave the house before the sun came up and wouldn't come back in the house until dinner time that evening.  He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, then WATCO Railroad, for a total of 37 years before retiring.  In his spare time, he enjoyed cutting wood and working in the greenhouse with Martha and even spent some time fishing and camping with the family at the Hitching Creek.

Sam is survived by his children, Samuel Trigg of Antelope, Montana, Nina Teska of Longton, Kansas, and Mary Torres of El Paso, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Ladonna Collins of Wichita, Kansas and Jane Vantuyl of Kennwick, Washington.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Martha; his son, Jim Trigg; his brothers, Chet and Vincent; and his sisters, Sue and Ann.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Decmeber 26, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Community Christian Church in Longton, Kansa.  Burial will follow at the Elk Falls Cemetery in Elk Falls, Kansas.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Sheriff's Office or the Longton City Fire Department and can be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)