Obituaries
Wendy J. Winkleman
Feb 15, 2026
Wendy Jo Winkleman, 65, was born January 7, 1961, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, to Gary Winkleman and Barbara Leeper (West). She departed this life on February 15, 2026.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Wendy’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the 4-H Building at Riverside Park in Independence, Kansas. The family will greet...
Wilma Josette Mills
Feb 23, 2026
Wilma Josette Mills of Independence, Kansas, left this world on February 23, 2026, at the age of 75. She was born on April 4, 1950, and spent her life rooted in the Independence community she called home.
Wilma was a woman full of energy and heart. She loved to stay active and was rarely sitting still—there was always something to do...
Johnnie L. McElwain
Feb 21, 2026
Johnnie L. McElwain, 72, of Elk City, Kansas, entered into rest on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A funeral service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory followed by cremation. The family will greet friends on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5-7:00 p.m., at...
Betty Ann Thiessen
Feb 15, 2026
Betty Ann (McCormick) Thiessen passed away on February 15, 2026 at the age of 96. She and Edwin W. Thiessen, who preceded her in death, were long-time residents of Independence. Betty was living in Clinton, MO, near her daughter Pamela, at the time of her death.
Betty was born November 14, 1929, a twin, in Galena, KS, to Mabel Clair Martin...
Lila Marie Carroll
Feb 15, 2026
Lila Marie (Carpenter) Carroll, 96, Of Independence, Kansas passed on to heaven on Sunday February 15, 2026 at Eagle Estates Assisted Living.
Lila was born June 23, 1929 one of 8 children to Orville Ray Carpenter and Bessie Florence (Webber) Carpenter. Lila was a proud descendant of Elisha Beckworth Carpenter, one of the original settlers of Independence.
She attended Independence schools and...
Joyce Renae McGuire
Feb 15, 2026
Joyce Renae McGuire, of Independence, Kansas, entered into peaceful rest on February 15, 2026. She was born on September 8, 1946, in Owensboro, Kentucky, to T.J. Burch and Eutha Burch.
Joyce married Mickey Lee McGuire on June 24, 1978, in Santa Rosa, California. She was a homemaker and at-home tutor who devoted her life to caring for her family. Joyce was...
D. Craig Whitehead
Feb 8, 2026
D. Craig Whitehead
It is with sadness that we as Craig’s family announce his passing on February 8, 2026 following a long illness. He was 74.
Craig was born on June 28, 1951 in Ogden, Utah. His parents were Junior Darrll Whitehead and Mary Anna (Murray) Whitehead. He was the second of five children. His parents were loving people, and they believed...
Jon William Risner
Feb 6, 2026
Jon William Risner, age 70, of Independence, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Medicalodges.
Jon was born in San Diego, California to Clay and Rusty Risner and was raised in Independence. He attended the Independence school system and graduated from Independence High School in 1974. He later attended Pittsburg State University, where he earned with a bachelor’s degree in...
Ronald Eugene Howard
Jan 24, 2026
Ronald Eugene Howard, 62, of Independence, Kansas, passed away on January 24, 2026. He was born on January 1, 1964, in Independence, Kansas, to Frank Howard and Elizabeth Busby.
Ronald was employed at Cobalt Boats for many years. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Howard.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Angela Howard; his mother,...
Gary Keith Bridwell
Jan 22, 2026
Gary Keith Bridwell, born September 12, 1948, passed away in his home on January 22nd, 2026, with his wife by his side after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Friends may sign the register on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the chapel...
Bennett L. Wright
Jan 19, 2026
Bennett L. “Benny” Wright, 91, of Independence, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2025, at Eagle Estates in Independence. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Independence Country Club.
Benny was born on January 7,...
Wayne Daniel Betts
Dec 29, 2025
Wayne Daniel Betts Died 12/28/25 from complications with Crohn’s disease.
Wayne was born August 17th, 1973, to Cheryl Gene (Frain) Betts and Robert Wayne Betts at Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington.
He attended schools in various states, graduating from Branson High School, Branson, Missouri, in 1991.He also received certification from the American Broadcasting School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1999, to work in radio.
He...
Flora Mae Fielder
Dec 25, 2025
Flora Mae Fielder, 77, of Longton/Wichita, KS passed away in her home on Thursday, December 25th, 2025. Flora’s Graveside Service will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, January 3rd at Longton City Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Webb & Rodrick Mortuary in Independence, KS. Cards and letters may be sent to 950 S. Cooper St., Wichita, KS 67207.
Flora was born...
Deborah Ryan-Hardy
Dec 24, 2025
Debbie Jane Ryan-Hardy entered peacefully into the loving embrace of her Savior on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., following a brave journey with Lewy Body Dementia. She was 71.
Debbie lived fully, laughing far more than circumstances might have dictated. Quick with a joke and known for her infectious smile, she lifted the spirits of everyone around her....
Sandra Diane Linn
Dec 17, 2025
Sandra Diane (McCabe) Linn, 81, went home to her Lord and Savior on December 17, 2025 in Independence Kansas.Diane was born September 7, 1944 in Neodesha Kansas to Meredith and Polly McCabe of Elk City Kansas. She has a brother Randy McCabe and was preceded in death by her sister Gail Kimzey.She attended Elk City High School where she met...
Richard Felan Wilkins
Dec 11, 2025
Richard (Rick) Wilkins, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on December 11, 2025 in Independence, Kansas. He leaves behind his wife, Judy Gibson Wilkins. They were married for 54 years. Rick was born on September 8, 1946, to Tom and Doris Wilkins and raised by George and Bertha Stanley (an uncle and aunt) along with two brothers and two sisters. Three...
Dawn Renee Castorena
Dec 10, 2025
Dawn R. Castorena, 59, of Independence, Kansas, left this world on December 10, 2025. She was born on March 29, 1966, and spent her life in Independence, where she lovingly raised her family, worked diligently, and built countless meaningful friendships.
Dawn worked as a supervisor at Catalytic and took great pride in her work. She was known for her spunky, outspoken...
Mary Charlene Garr
Dec 9, 2025
Mary Charlene Garr, 76, of Independence, Kansas, passed away on December 9, 2025. Born on December 15, 1948 to Wilfred Sr. and Mary "Jackie" Heimberger and raised in Independence, she worked as a school bus driver until retirement. She is survived by her husband, John Garr and their daughters, Christie Malone and Johnna Hill, as well as 4 grandchildren and...
Mary Jane Boge
Dec 2, 2025
Mary Jane Bogue, 64, Independence, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at home. Cremation has taken place and services will be held at a later date.
Mary Jane was born December 15, 1960, to Florence Moore in Vanita, Oklahoma. Mary Jane loved spending time with her grandkids and friend’s. She loved Harly Davidson memorabilia and her fur babies.
Mary Jane...
Gertrude Donnelly Boulanger
Dec 2, 2025
Gertrude Donnelly Boulanger, 87, formerly of Independence, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory, with burial to follow in Havana Cemetery, Havana, Kansas. Memorials may be made to FORPAZ and may...
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