Obituaries
Carolyn "Sue" Prince
Mar 25, 2026
Carolyn "Sue" Prince was born November 11,1941 in Maryville, Missouri to Charles Carter and Lois (Linville) Carter. Sue graduated from Independence High School and went on to the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, where she received a degree in Nursing. During her nursing career, she worked in family practice, as well as in hospitals and psychiatric wards. She was an...
David Eugene Corn, Sr.
Mar 25, 2026
David Eugene Corn, Sr., age 80, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, at his home in Independence, Kansas, surrounded by his loving family.
David was born on September 9, 1945, at Cherryvale, Kansas to LeRoy and Ruth Alene (Carpenter) Corn. He attended school in Cherryvale, Kansas and graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1963. He served on the Board of...
Donald Ray Patchett
Mar 19, 2026
Donald Ray Patchett, 74, of Independence, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Labette Health in Independence, Kansas.
Cremation has taken place, and a private Celebration of Life service will be held.
Memorials may be made to the Riverside Legacy Endowment at www.riversidelegacyfund.org. Donations may also be made by check and mailed to CFSEK, P.O. Box 1448, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762....
William Willie, Bill Peyton
Mar 19, 2026
William “Bill” (Willie) Peyton passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026, in Gatesville, Texas.
Family will greet friends on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 5:00p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory, followed by a graveside service at Robbins Cemetery in Dearing, Kansas.
Bill was born...
Margaret L (Bright) Vestal
Mar 12, 2026
Margaret Lea (Bright) Vestal passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving children Steve and Pam. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, March 20, 2026, at The First Christian Church in Elk City, Kansas, burial to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Elk City, Kansas. Memorials can be made to Harry Hynes Hospice...
Gary Dean Bailey
Mar 7, 2026
Gary D. Bailey, 74, passed away peacefully on March 7th, 2026, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, surrounded by family.
Gary was born on October 30th, 1951, in Winfield, Kansas, to Robert and Mary (Orlowski) Bailey. He was predominantly raised in western Kansas and northwestern Colorado.
A graduate of Moffat County High School in Craig, Colorado in 1969. Gary worked on a program while in...
Jody Ann Rice
Feb 28, 2026
Jody Ann Rice, 67, of Independence, Kansas, passed away on February 28, 2026, at Eagle Estates.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Family Life Center of the First Church of the Nazarene in Independence, Kansas.
Jody...
Whitney Tabitha (Wiebe) Woodward
Feb 28, 2026
Whitney Tabitha (Wiebe) Woodward passed into everlasting life on February 28, 2026. She was just three days shy of her 38th birthday. Whitney lived with intention, grace, and a deep love for others. Her life was hallmarked by faith, family, laughter and kindness to all.
Whitney was born on March 3, 1988 in Overland Park, Kansas, to Wade and Jan (Slater)...
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...
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...
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...
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