Obits
Lawson Charles Schmelzle, 16, of Seneca, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Lawson was welcomed into this world by his loving parents, Norman and Zena Kennedy Schmelzle on May 18, 2005, in San Diego, Calif. Lawson grew up in the Seneca...
Fred Geisen passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Holton.
He was born Frederick Joseph Kroll in Leavenworth on Feb. 27, 1922. He was later adopted by his paternal aunt and her husband, George and Rose (Kroll) Geisen, shortly after his mother passed away from...
Larry Dean Leck, 74, of Holton, passed away Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at The Pines in Holton.
He was born Sept. 28, 1946, in Marysville, the son of H. Paul and Eva (Allerheiligen) Leck.
Larry graduated from Washington High School, earning the FFA State and American Farmer Degree. He had also lived in...
Richard Earl Dugan, 83, of Soldier, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at The Pines in Holton.
He was born July 26, 1938, in Circleville, the son of John T. Dugan, Sr. and Lezetta May (Schultz) Dugan.
Richard graduated from Circleville High School in 1957. He proudly served in the U.S. Army.
He...
Michell Lynn Baker, 52, Topeka, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at Stormont-Vail Hospital.
She was born July 21, 1969, in Syracuse, the daughter of Harmond “Gene” Slate and Karen Sue Reynolds Immenschuh. She attended Lakin High School and later earned her GED. She attended Colby Community College,...
Thomas W. “Tom” Shupe, 81, of Holton, passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 at Community Health Systems in Onaga. He was born Dec. 14, 1939 in Topeka, the son of Cyrus Joyce and Ruth (Linge) Shupe.
Tom graduated from Topeka High School in 1957. He attended Washburn University. He proudly served in the...
Henry “Russ” Kessler, age 80, of Holton, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 at a Topeka hospital. Russ was born Oct. 18, 1940 in Roswell, N.M.
Russ graduated from Kirtland High School in Kirtland, N.M. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1959-1970, serving on several bases including...
Kenneth Eugene Bontrager, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C.
Kenneth was born in Wetmore on May 12, 1932. Kenneth was a graduate of Washburn University and Emporia State University. Upon graduation from Washburn...
Douglas Wayne Mueller, 78, of Horton, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 at his apartment in Horton.
He was born on June 25, 1943 in San Fernando, Calif., the son of Edwin and Pearl Lindholm Mueller.
After high school, Doug served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam conflict. He worked as a...
Gerald Russell Ireland Sr., 87, of rural McLouth, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 at Midland Hospice Care in Topeka.
He was born May 22, 1934 at Atchison, the son of Floyd R. and Winona L. Allen Ireland.
He was a 1952 graduate of Nortonville High School. Gerald was a U.S. Army veteran and served in the...
