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Patricia JoAnn Hammer, age 72, of Howard, Kansas, passed away on May 26, 2025 at the Eureka Nursing Ceneter in Eureka, Kansas.  Patricia was born on June 4, 1952 in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Dean Peck and Rosalie White.

After graduating high school, Patricia knew she wanted to continue her education which she did, earning her Master's degree in Microbiology and Music.  Coming from a family of teachers, Patricia shared her education by teaching others.  She taught English as a second language in Japan for 6 years and taught math in the Kansas City area.  She was a member of the Symphony in Independence, Missouri where she played the viola.

Patricia loved to travel, sew, watch a good movie, and devoted her life to God.  On November 22, 2019, she married Virgil Fred Hammer, and he survives at their home.  Other survivors include her sister, Marcia Lemmons of Wichita, Kansas and her nephew, Jacob Lemmons of Wichita, Kansa.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Cremation has been requested with a Celebration of Life service to be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Howard, Kansas.  Memorials in her memory have been suggested to the church and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Services are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansa 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Corbon Keith "Woodman" Titus, age 68, of Severy, Kansas, passed away on May 22, 2025 at his home.  He was born on August 19, 1956 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Corbin and Margaret (Smith) Titus.

Corbon took pride in his work and providing for his family.  He was proud about being a third generation member of the Teamsters Union and the folks he worked with.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, and fishing, and but he also enjoyed reading a good mystery or watching old westerns or playing poker with his friends.  He really enjoyed doing outside projects with his close friend, Robert Law.

On October 5, 2012, Corbon married Belinda K. Church.  She survives at their home.  Corbon had a great love for his family, extended family, and friends that were like family to him.  He will be deeply missed by all of them.

Including his wife, Belinda, he is survived by his children Misty (James) Crawford, Britini (Matt) Gianakon, and Breann Titus, all of Wichita, Kansas; stepchildren, Dustin Youngken, Jarred Youngken, and Michelle Youngken; his sister, Shelly (Chris) Goeckel of Milton, Kansas; special brother, Dunner Raper; six grandchildren, Triston Dewitt Titus, Caleb Dewitt Titus, Miguel Cox, Nate D. Titus, Kayla Titus, and Hailey Gianakon; two great-grandchildren, Violet and Oaklyn; nephews, Mathew Nicholson and Jesse Guthridge; blended family by choice, Ronnie and Becky Blancet, Ronnie Miller, and Albert Miller; and blended grandchildren and family, Lori Godfrey, Anthony, Colton, and Sara Hale, Skyler, Lilly, Leon, and Dustin Youngken; and Lindsey and Harland August, and Koda.  Corbon was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Jason Titus, and siblings, George, Darrell, and Margie Titus.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow at the Milton Baptist Church, 1213 N. Sycamore Road, Milton, Kansas.  Memorials have been suggested to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and may 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)

Ramona F. Carpenter departed this life on May 7, 2025 in Eureka, Kansas.  She was born February 28, 1931 at home in Piedmont, Kansas to H.C. and Sophia (Boswell) Bland.

Ramona attended Piedmont schools and graduated from Piedmont Rural High School in 1947.  She attended college at Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor's degree in physical education.  She taught in Cedar Point, Cottonwood Falls, Augusta, and Topeka and enjoyed the time with her students. 

Ramona married Gus Carpenter, Jr. in 1955.  They did not have children but entertained their nieces and nephews whenever opportunities arose. For several years they attended graduate school in Fort Collins, Colorado during the summers and taught public school in Kansas during the school year.  One year they traveled to Alaska in a camper and had a great adventure, spending the whole summer on the road.  While living in Topeka, they built their home in Piedmont on weekends where Ramona lived for the past 45 years.  Gus went to work at Boeing in Wichita when the house was habitable, and they left Topeka for Piedmont.  Ramona and Gus divorced in 1998.

Ramona worked in the Greenwood County Attorney's office and for the Rural Water District in the Otter Creek Township.  She served as a board member and treasurer for the Otter Creek Township, was a board member for the Watershed District, and was instrumental in raising funds for the Beaumont Community Building and starting the Beaumont Pasture Golf Tournament. She also served on the Greenwood County Farm Bureau Board and attended the Women's Educational Club and embroidered many squares for the Community Benefit quilts raffled off every year at the ice cream social.  She must have made 100 gallons of ice cream for the social over the years.  Ramona allowed her land to be used for the Governor's One Shot Turkey Shoot.  She was a good shot and was never afraid to burst out of the house with a shotgun to kill an armadillo or coyote when required.  She was a judge at the Kansas State Fair for many years.  She also volunteered at the Greenwood County Fair and received the Friend of the Fair Award.

Ramona attended the Methodist Church in Piedmont and was always willing to bring a delicious covered dish to the potluck or soup to a soup supper and worked the Fall Festival for the Piedmont and Beaumont Methodist churches.  Ramona loved animals and fed every cat that showed up at her door.  Those cats are still being fed today.  She usually had a dog or two as well.  She had a large garden for many years and canned or froze everything she could.  She made bread weekly for years and could make a tasty dish or dessert with ease.

Ramona is survived by her nephew, Mark Bland and nieces, Frances B. Furry, "Carolyn B. Willams, and Marian B. Overstreet and additional Carpenter nephews and nieces; close friend and caretaker, Arlene Edwards; and many cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her only sibling, Robert and wife, Leota "Penny"; ex-husband, Gus Carpenter; and his nephews, Galen Carpenter, Ken Pierce, and Greg Allen.

Cremation has been effected.  Ramona will be inurned in the Piedmont Cemetery in Piedmont, Kansas near her parents and other family members.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Greenwood County 4-H Foundation or to the Beaumont Community Association.  Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka, Kansas 67045 which is overseeing arrangements.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.koupfunerals.com

(taken from the Koup Family Funeral Home website) 

Charles Craig "Charlie" Miller, age 72, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away surrounded by his family on May 6, 2025.  Born April 14, 1953 in Sedan, Kansas to Charles F. Miller and Frances Roper, Charlie spent his formative years in Winfield, Kansas before moving to Topeka, Kansas with his father. 
Charlie later dedicated his working life to the skilled trade of welding and pipefitting.  He joined Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 767/430 in 1980, switching to Local 441 in 1996. In 1979, a friend introduced Charlie to the love of his life, Judy Lukens.  They married in Arkansas City, Kansas, and together they built a life filled with love and laughter in Winfield, Kansas before moving to Ponca City six years ago to be closer to their children.

Charlie's life was rich with hobbies and passions.  He cherished motorcycle rides with Judy, relished visits with loved ones, and found joy in hunting, fishing, and metal detecting.  He was fascinated by airplanes, taking flying lessons as a young man from his uncle, Gary Roper, and he even soloed.  Charlie was a member of Christian Motorcyclists Association where he served a term as President of the Praised Riders Chapter.  Above all, Charlie cherished his family.  He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and unwavering love, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Judy Miller of the home; sons, Stephen (Tam) Leftwich of Springfield, Missouri and Daniel Miller of Ponca City, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Avery (Angela) Leftwich and Rowdy and Joslie Miller; three great-grandchildren, Atreyu, Atlas, and Alara; and his sister, Sherri Miller of Winfield, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jeff Miller and Kyle Huff.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Grenola, Kansas.  Memorial contributions in Charlie's name can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and may be left with or sent to the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 673349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

Virginia Harrington, age 87, passed away on April 26, 2025 at Pleasant Valley Manor in Sedan, Kansas.  She was born on October 3, 1937 to Emil and Inez Downs of Plains, Kansas.

On November 3, 1955, Virginia married William Eugene Harrington at the Plains Methodist Church in Plains, Kansas.  They shared 50 married years together and made their home in Moline, Kansas.  At the age of 42, Virginia decided to go back to school to become an LPN.  She worked many years at the Howard Twilight Manor in Howard, Kansas as well as several years at Moline Elk Manor until her retirement.

Virginia enjoyed being with family and friends and enjoyed gardening, reading, crocheting, tatting, and knitting.

She is survived by her children, Floyd (Joann) Harrington of Oregon and Harriet (Dennis) Horner of Elk Falls, Kansas; brothers, Ira Downs of El Reno, Oklahoma and Wallace Downs of Holly, Colorado; four grandchildren, Alec (Veronica) Harrington of California, Hunter Harrington of Japan, Max (Nichole) Horner of Missouri, and Harriet Cole of Oklahoma; seven great-grandchildren, Olivia, Landen, and Kadie Horner and Anthony, Benjamin, Teri, and Geri Minton; one great-great grandchild, Stella Mac Cloud.  Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Inez Downs; her husband, William Harrington; her brothers, Leil Downs and Floyd Downs; and her sister, Elsie Fuller.

The family will receive friends at visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Elk Falls Cemetery in Elk Falls, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Pleasant Valley Manor 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)

A graveside service will be held for Mary Louise Moomey on Saturday morning, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.

Jill (Chaffain) Brozek, a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, Mimi, and friend, passed away April 19, 2025 at her home surrounded by her most treasured gift, family.  She was born March 21, 1971, the daughter of Earnie and Peggy (Ervin) Chaffain where she grew up in Hartford, Kansas.

Jill was eager to step into the world and make a difference by starting college while she was still in high school.  Her passion for caring for others led her into the field of nursing where she helped countless people.  Her drive was undeniable as she was the first nurse within her company to land a sales job with no sales experience, making the impossible possible.  She thrived in her career, making a positive impact on others.  Jill's steadfast drive led to many professional accomplishments such as 3-time President's Club Winner, 4-time Regional Winner, and her most valued award, Great Plains Regional Most Valuable Rock Star.

Jill lived every moment to its fullest. She had a zest for travel, exploring new places to make memories, cherishing the beauty of the world around her.  Above all else, Jill's gretest joy was her friends and family.  A natural hostess, she found happiness in filling her home with love, laughter, and incredible meals, crating cherished memories with those she held closest.  Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering devotion made her the heart of every gathering and the best friend to so many.

Surviving family members include her husband, Mike Brozek of the home; parents, Peggy and Earnie Chaffain of Burlington, Kansas, brother, Chad (Wanda) Chaffain of Waverly, Kansas, and numerous others.

Jill wanted to leave the world with some words of wisdom:  Time is a precious gift.....wasting it is a sin.  Takes a village to care for each other.....and hope you all take care of each other.

After a year-long battle with breast cancer, Jill left this adventure to pursue the next.  Please join us in the celebration of her beautiful life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Hartford School-Old Gym, 100 Commercial Street, Hartford, Kansas.  Interment will follow at the Hartford Cemetery.  Family will be receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, 107 W. Sixth Street, Lebo, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Emporia Community Foundation for the Jill Chaffain Brozek Memorial Scholarship and sent in care of Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, Kansas 66856.  Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.

(taken from the VanArsdale Funeral Home website)
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Jill Brozak's parents grew up in the Elk County/Greenwood County area.  Peggy (Ervin) Chaffain graduated from Howard High School and Earnie Chaffain graduated from Severy High School. 

Edward L. "Ed" Gillespie, age 71, passed away April 18, 2025. 

Ed is survived by his wife, Dana Gillespie; children, Angela (Rick) Staats of Hickory Creek, Texas, Jeremy (Dawn) Gillespie of Grove, Oklahoma; and Justin (Sara) Gillespie of Wichita, Kansas; siblings, Carolyn Wilson of Rose Hill, Kansas, Cleo (Don) Livergood  of Moline, Kansas, George (Diane) Gillespie of Moline, Kansas, Jim Gillespie of Clearwater, Kansas, Joan (Rocky) Welborn of Wichita, Kansas, Connie O'Neill of Fredonia, Kansas, and Kevin Gillespie of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Derek Gillespie, Nathan Staats, Kaitlyn Staats, Kaylee Staats, Micah Gillespie, and Molly Gillespie; great-grandchild, Aiden King; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Wilbur and June Gillespie, and brothers, Mick Gillespie and Rick Gillespie.   

Rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025 and Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., both at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Haysville, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Lord's Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, Kansas 67214 or St. Cecilia Catholic Church building fund, 1830 W. Grand Avenue, Haysville, Kansas 67060.

(taken from the Webb-Shinkle Funeral Home website)

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Ed Gillespie grew up in Moline, Kansas and graduated from the Moline Public Schools.

Tammy Renee Lanning, age 62, of Abbyville, Kansas, passed away on March 21, 2025.  She was the daughter of the late Gerald and Cynthia Martin.

Tammy was raised in Severy, Kansas.  She attended West Elk Jr. and Sr. High School in Howard, Kansas with the Class of 1982.  On February 17, 1995, she married the love of her life, Bobby Lanning.

Tammy is survived by her husband, Bobby Lanning; sons, Emanual Romans and Roby Lanning; brothers, Gerald Martin, Jr. and Toby Martin; sister, Carrie Daniels; and many other friends and family members.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Cynthia Martin.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.  Baker Funeral Home of Valley Center, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Baker Funeral Home website)

Wallace Wade Wartick of Grenola, Kansas passed away March 24, 2025 at Montgomery Place in Independence, Kansas.  He had lived with his daughter, Elaine, for a number of months before being moved to the care home for his last two months. He was born on the family "home place" outside of Grenola, Kansas on the southwest side of town on December 9, 1932.

Wallace had a very happy childhood there playing in the creek, riding his horse, hunting, and doing chores.  He never minded doing chores, and he loved to work and help his parents.  Pleasing them also pleased him.  He grew up helping his dad with farmwork, and he planned to continue farming as an adult.  In his teens, he met a girl named Wanda Ruth Wilson who was attending his sister's birthday party.  They didn't date until a few years later, but after high school graduation, they married.  They had three children, and Wallace continued farming.  That had been his life's plan, but God had other plans for him.

He had an opportunity to work at Boeing for five years until layoffs ended that.  During that time, he started preaching at a small church in Council Hill, Kansas.  However, he decided he wasn't educated enough to preach well, so the family moved to Joplin, Missouri so he could attend Ozark Bible College starting the spring semester of 1960.  After a few months, he also started preaching at the Jasper Christian Church in Jasper, Missouri.  He preached there for six years while attending college. He also managed the college bookstore from 1963 to 1968.  In 1963, he began teaching Greek while still attending as a student.  After graduating as Valedictorian in 1965, he began teaching fulltime as well as assisting in managing class schedules and other responsibilities in the academic area.

In 1972 Dean Seth Wilson took a year's leave to write, and the trustees chose Wallace to be the acting dean in his absence.  From 1972 to 1979, he became Assistant Academic Dean.  When Seth returned to the classroom, Wallace continued to preside at faculty meeting and oversee many of the academic administrative matters.  He was named Academic Dean from 1979 to 1981.  During his years at the college, he wrote several books:  New Testament History-The Christ, New Testament Evidences, and Studies of Acts I and II, Corinthians, and Hebrews.  Also during his college years, he spent many weekends traveling, taking along student musical groups to represent the college to churches all around the country.  He also taught Life of Christ, Romans, Hermeneutics, and Linguistics.  He traveled to Budapest, Hungary in 1994 with Karla and Jim McElroy and their group to teach
English using the book of John as an evangelistic outreach to folks there, plus they had a short side trip to Vienna.  After retiring from the college, he continued preaching at the Christian Church in Reese, Kansas.  He had been preaching there on weekends for a few years.  Then he and Wanda moved back to Grenola, Kansas, and Wallace spent 20+ years preaching at his home church, Grenola Christian Church.

In November of 2023. Wallace traveled to Williamstown, Kentucky with his daughter, Elaine and her husband, Dan.
He enjoyed the Ark exhibit and was particularly pleased to see a small display within the Ark of very old Bibles and their history. In Wallace's lifetime, he ministered in churches for 38 years.  He published 6 books, immersed over 100 people in Christ, and conducted nearly 200 weddings.  In his years since retiring from fulltime ministry and teaching, he has served the Lord faithfully as he has done all his life by writing and mailing monthly NT study sheets to many preachers, teachers, and Christian friends throughout the country. One of his final privileges was to be able to baptize his great-granddaughter, Amelia Joy Okerson into Christ in 2023.

Wallace is survived by his children, Paula Elaine (Dan) Colon of Independence, Kansas, Paul Duane (Karen) Wartick of Joplin, Missouri, and Dwight Wade Wartick of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He also leaves behind grandchildren, Scott (Esther) Okerson, Kyle (Amy) Wartick, Adam (Tifini) Wartick, Jodee Lea Wartick, Graden Wartick, Gerren Wartick, and Devante Wartick as well as six great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda
Wartick; parents, Delno and Ruby Wartick; brother, Vance Wartick; and sister, Colleen Bennitt.

A memorial service was held on April 5, 2025 at the Grenola Christian Church in Grenola, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Grenola Christian Church 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)