Obituaries

Jan 19, 2021

Stephen Earl Douglas, born June 12, 1940, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Stephen was married to Cecelia Sue (Luelf) Douglas, who survives in the home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Neama Douglas of Chanute, Kansas, and one infant grandson. Other survivors include his daughters, Rachelle (Randy) Ford of Dawsonville, GA and Janelle (Lewis)...

Jan 17, 2021

Thornton E. Shelton, Sr, 81 of Independence, Kansas passed away, Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the Medical Lodges, Independence, Kansas. A Homecoming Celebration will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the Berean Christian Mission Center, 405 S. 19th Street. 10:30am-11:00 viewing, 11:00am service. Masks are required. Services not open to public, family only. Virtual Services Information: Facebook Live...

Jan 12, 2021

Audrey Ann (DeWitt) Smith was born on June 16, 1941, passed away January 12, 2021 she enjoyed crafting, quilting, camping, fishing, gardening, she was an avid frog collector and she loved hearing of her grandchildren’s success.

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents Aubrey and Agatha (Smirl) DeWitt, brothers Teddy and Gene DeWitt, a sister Sue...

Jan 12, 2021

Dr. Richard Arthur Barta, D.V.M. Independence, Ks passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, from a farming accident at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the Wesley Center, 111 East Maple, at 11:00am, internment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 20th, family will be greeting friends from...

Dec 29, 2020

Barbara Farrell (Cranor) Dodson, age 84 passed away peacefully December 29, 2020 due to complications following Covid-19 at Country Place Senior Living in Independence, KS. She was surrounded by her family and those that had been caring for her in her Assisted Living Facility that loved her too.

There will be no service at this time, cremation...

Dec 19, 2020

Bobbie Clyde Van Pelt, 86 of Independence, Kansas passed away at Labette Health in Parsons, Kansas on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Bob was born on June 12, 1934 in Smyre, North Carolina to Ervin Lee and Annie Bell (Gibson) Van Pelt. Bob entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged after proudly serving his country. On...

Dec 19, 2020

Donald Everett Smith, born October 22, 1934, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, with family by his side. Don was married to Peggy Carlene (Moore) Smith for nearly 52 years before her death in March 2007. Together, Don and Peggy had four children: Richard Allen, Donald Eugene (Gina), Rebecca Ann (Charlie) Austin, and Robin Jay.

Don was...

Dec 19, 2020

Clara “Jolene” Mersereau Metzger, 82, of Wichita, KS passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Wesley Memorial Hospital, from complications of COVID.  Jolene was born on September 17, 1938 in Neodesha, KS to Mack and Velma Mersereau.  She obtained her GED from Independence High School and went on to obtain her nurse’s aide certification.

Jolene married...

Dec 18, 2020

Opal “Lucille” Cook age 88 passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at The Legends of Tulsa Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lucille was born on March 6, 1932 in Havana, Kansas at home during a snowstorm to Earl Jasper Defenbaugh and Naomi Lucile (King) Defenbaugh. She had one older brother, Earl Gene Defenbaugh. He gave her the nickname “Sissy” as...

Dec 17, 2020

William Holmes, 76, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Brother, was called to his eternal resting place on December 17, 2020. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at Bolton Friends Church in Bolton, Kansas. Burial will follow in Harrisonville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Bolton Friends Church and may be left...

Dec 14, 2020

Elmer Carl Hinds, 70 of Independence, Kansas passed away at St. John’s Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Monday, December 14, 2020.

Carl was born on January 29, 1950 in Great Bend, Kansas to Elberta Carl and Ahila Mae (Countryman) Hinds. Carl attended Pawnee Rock High School in Pawnee Rock, Kansas. On June 27, 1969 Carl entered...

Dec 8, 2020

Gary W. Cotterill, 80, of rural Cherryvale, Kansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. He was born in McPherson, Kansas to Cecil and Violet (Danielson) Cotterill. His early years were spent having fun playing baseball when his family lived in Pittsburg, Kansas. He and his brother, David, both enjoyed baseball. Later in youth, his...

Dec 7, 2020

Delbert Lawrence Lord age 82 of Elk Falls passed away on December 7, 2020 at Pleasant Valley Manor.

Delbert was born in Neodesha on September 3, 1938 to Charles and Margaret (Turley) Lord. Delbert was raised on the family farm in Busby, he attended grammar school at Pleasant Hill and graduated from Howard High School. After graduation...

Dec 4, 2020

Pauline Olive (Dodson) Cotton, age 90, of Caney and formerly of Independence passed away on Friday, December 4, 2020 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Pauline was born July 11, 1930 in Oak Valley, KS to Thomas and Olive Esther (Lightner) Dodson. The family later moved to Independence, and it is there that Pauline attended local schools and graduated from...

Nov 21, 2020

Mary Jane Colean passed away peacefully on November 21,2020 two months shy of her 100th birthday. Services have been entrusted with Webb & Rodrick Chapel.

Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Webb  Rodrick Chapel with the Pastor John Wilson officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Fairview...

Nov 21, 2020

Mike Blackmore of Thayer, KS entered into Heaven on November 21st, 2020 at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover, Kansas unexpectedly, after a short illness. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at the Farm Ridge Cemetery, Rural Sycamore. For those who would like to precede to the cemetery please meet at Webb & Rodrick Chapel...

Nov 6, 2020

Sheila Lynn Padilla, 73, of Independence, KS passed away on November 6th at her home in Independence. Sheila was born on October 22, 1947 in Independence, KS to Charles L and Mary Lou (Tindle) Ingle. She graduated from Fredonia High School. Sheila married Richard L Drake on September 25, 1965. They divorced and she briefly married Marcus Padilla. She...

Nov 6, 2020

Robert (Bobby) Leroy Mills peacefully left this world to spread his wings on November 6th, 2020. Born August 14th, 1963 to John and Margaret Mills in Independence, KS, Bobby lived a full and vibrant life. He blessed many, many people with his friendship, warm smile, humor, love, hugs, talents, his music, laughter, and kindness. Bobby graduated Independence High School...

Nov 6, 2020

Darnell Porter, 50 of Independence, Kansas passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020 at OSU Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb and Rodrick Chapel and a Celebration of Darnell's life will take place at a later date.

Nov 1, 2020

Joseph Louis Warnock born in Mineola, New York, May 9, 1949 to Mary Louise Garbarini and Louis W. Warnock died at his home in Independence November 1, 2020

He received his B.S. in Art Ed from S.U.N.Y. New Paltz and later a M.S. in education from P.S.U.  He served in the A.S.A. Army Security Agency from 1968...