Obituaries

Jul 19, 2022

Rose Hill - Koester, Cleora M.101, passed away Tuesday, July 19th, 2022. She was born March 20th, 1921 to Pete and Threse (Komma) Hetzel in Wichita, Kansas. Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother & friend, known for her laugh & smile. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles Koester in 1984, son Mike Koester and grandson Eric Palmer....

Jul 19, 2022

Helen Louise (Kupka) Fry, 89, of Derby, passed away on July 19, 2022. She was strong in her faith. Helen was born on March 17, 1933 to Helen and Fred Kupka in Clinton, OK. She attended Clinton High School and Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. After graduation, she accompanied her father on a business trip to Mulvane, Kansas...

Jul 18, 2022

John Lewis Cox 81, retired Derby Post Master, passed away on July 18, 2022. John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Henrietta; daughter Angela Cox and son-in-law Stan Cox; granddaughters Peyton Tilma and Mackenzie Tilma; son Greg Cox and daughter-in-law PJ Fisher; sister Helen Ball and husband Lynn; and a number of nieces and nephews.

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Jul 17, 2022

Brennan, Ed age 72 passed away on July 17, 2022.

Ed was born to Harold and Betty Brennan on June 11, 1950 in Sioux City, Iowa.

He was an Event Promotor of the Wichita Summer Nationals Drag Boat Races, Electronics Salesman, and a great side-hustler.

He is...

Jul 16, 2022

Wichita - Donhauser, Christian 66, passed away Saturday, July 16th, 2022. He was born March 16th, 1956 to Frederic "Fritz" Donhauser and Alexandria (Bobby) Donhauser in Bethel, Alaska. He was preceded in death by his parents & daughter, Rose Donhauser. Christian is survived by his daughters, Amber (Anthony LeValley) Donhauser, of Norman, OK, and Re-Anion Donhauser of Wichita, KS;...

Jul 15, 2022

Wichita - Hufman, Helen Marie

83, passed away Friday, July 15, 2022. She was born July 2, 1939 to Bill and Florence Gannon in Cuero, Texas.

Helen enjoyed quilting, fishing, and studying her bible. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and member South Rock Christian Church.

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Jul 14, 2022

Geneva Maria Cummins, age 70, homemaker, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2022. Visitation 3 - 8 pm Monday, July 18, with family greeting friends 5-7 pm, funeral service 11 am Tuesday, July 19, both at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca. Geneva is preceded in death by her husband, Eddie; parents, John and Ruth Galleher; and her brothers, Martin, Donnie,...

Jul 14, 2022

Alice Fay (McClary) Hunt was born June 7, 1937 to Rev. Raymond and Vinita McClary in Chicago, Illinois. As the daughter of a preacher, she attended many schools across the US and graduated from Dixon HS in Dixon, MO. She married James Hunt on July 3, 1955 at the Methodist Church in Belle Plaine, KS. James and Alice were...

Jul 12, 2022

Moore, Timothy L. 63, died July 12, 2022. He was born January 8, 1959 in Wichita, KS to Emerson Lyle and Freda Viola Moore. Survivors include his son, Travis Moore; sister, Terry Moore; many cousins in Wichita and Denver; his beloved pets, Buddy the dog and Lucy the cat. Tim is preceded in death by his parents and brother,...

Jul 12, 2022

On July 12, 2022, William R Bradford Jr, husband and father of 4 children, passed away at the age of 63. He put up the grandest of all fights in his battle with prostate cancer since 2004. Bill was born April 6, 1959 in Japan to William and RoseMarie Bradford. He is retired from the KS Air National Guard...

Jul 11, 2022

Wichita - Wetzel, Merlyn Duane

88, passed away Monday, July 11, 2022. He was born May 29, 1934 to William and Lucy Wetzel in Spearville, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen Wetzel; parents; and siblings.

Merlyn is survived by his sons, Ray Wetzel and...

Jul 11, 2022

Donovan Graves, 19, of Wichita, Ks passed away on July 11, 2022.

In his short life Donovan touched many people with his kindness and positive attitude. His smile and charismatic personality could light up a room. He was a loving and devoted father, son, brother, and cousin. He was a loyal friend and will be...

Jul 11, 2022

Arleen E. Pirkey died Monday, July 11, 2022. She was born November 17, 1931 in Isabel, KS, the daughter of Ernest and Malinda Kahmeyer. Attended High School at Harper High and graduated in 1949.

Employed at International Harvester Dealer at Harper. She moved to Wichita, KS and worked at Cowie Electric and then Bulger Cadillac and Oldsmobile...

Jul 10, 2022

Juanita M. (Preston) Kelley

on July 10, 2022, Juanita passed away at age 94.

Juanita was born on Nov. 8, 1927 in Little River, Kansas, to Elmer and Opal (Terry) Preston. Juanita grew up in Mount Hope, Kansas. She married Bert W. Kelley. They had 4 children.

Juanita enjoyed reading and gardening. Her...

Jul 9, 2022

Joanne Carol Newbury, age 78, passed from this life in Derby, Kansas, on July 9, 2022.

Joanne was born to Henry and Marion Steinhart on December 26, 1943 in Waukesha, WI and grew up in Genesee Depot, WI. She was married to Gerald Newbury on January 19, 1963, they lived most of the 58 years...

Jul 9, 2022

Davis, Rodney Ray, 68, passed away peacefully at home, on July 9, 2022, after a 20-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Rodney was born August 18, 1953, in Harrison, Arkansas to RT and Emma Jean (Martin) Davis. He grew up mainly in Wichita, Kansas with his brother, Jack, who is seven years younger. When he was...

Jul 8, 2022

Plagmann, Scott Thomas 68, passed away Friday, July 8th, 2022. He was born June 15th, 1954 to Robert and Margaret (Smith) Plagmann in Kansas City, Missouri. Scott was a trim carpenter, he was a 1972 Derby High School Graduate, enjoyed music. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert H. Plagmann, Jr.

Scott is...

Jul 8, 2022

Merilyn Jeann Austin, 74, died Friday, July 8, 2022.

Visitation with the family present will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Smith Mortuary, Derby. Celebration of life will be 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, July 15, 2022 at The Hubbard Arts Center Gallery Room, 309 N Woodlawn Blvd, Derby,...

Jul 7, 2022

Richard Louis Rutherford, son of Paul and Arlene Rutherford, was born on September 8, 1956, in Alva, Oklahoma and passed away July 7, 2022, in Derby, Kansas at the age of 65 years.

Visitation will be 3-8 pm Wednesday, July 13 with the family present from 5-7pm at Smith Mortuary, Derby, KS. Graveside Service will...

Jul 7, 2022

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Christopher Douglas, Sr., 42, on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Chris was born in Wichita, Kansas on December 23, 1979.

Chris is survived by his wife, Robin Douglas, and four children: Christopher, Jr., Bradley, Jacob, and Harmony. He also leaves behind his mother Naomi McKinsey,...