Obituaries
William (Waylon) Bruce Justice Jr.
Dec 8, 2023
William (Waylon) Bruce Justice Jr., 59, passed away on December 8, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held on December 16 at 12:00 p.m. at 1603 Meadow Road, Cherryvale, Kansas for family and close friends.
Waylon was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on February 6, 1964 to Ozetta Mae Long and William Bruce Justice Sr.
He loved playing the...
Peggy Irene O'Neill Worl
Dec 3, 2023
Peggy Irene O’Neill Worl, 88, Independence, Kansas passed away on December 3, 2023, at Labette Health in Parsons, Kansas. Cremation has been requested and a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Kansas. The family will greet visitors from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on...
Bonnie G. (Barnett) Sherman
Nov 30, 2023
Bonnie G. (Barnett) Sherman, 69, Independence, Kansas passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Ascension St. John’s Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory and a family memorial will be held at a later date.
Bonnie was born January 11, 1954, in Spokane, Washington to James Robert and...
Charlotte C. Muse
Nov 29, 2023
Charlotte Colleen McAninch Muse earned her wings and went to walk with the angels on November 28, 2023. She leaves behind a legacy of service in Independence, but her greatest achievement is her family and the memories she created with them.
Charlotte was born April 3, 1939 in Centerville, Iowa, to Jessie Irene (Sheldon) and John William McAninch....
Mary L. Sharp
Nov 29, 2023
Mary Louise Sharp, 82, a loving, kind, and thoughtful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, entered into rest on November 29, 2023. Mary was born on September 15, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Sophus S. and Mary Anna Knězu Hansen. She graduated from Iowa City High School in 1959. Mary earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and psychology...
John T. Updegraff
Nov 25, 2023
John T. Updegraff
January 28, 1927 — November 25, 2023
John T. Updegraff, age 96, went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2023 surrounded by his family. John was born January 28, 1927, in Sigourney, Iowa, the son of Curtis Gavitt (C.G). Updegraff and Alice Elizabeth (Brooks) Updegraff.
John was born and raised in Sigourney, a small...
Linda Marlene Hudiburg
Nov 22, 2023
Linda Marlene Hudiburg (Lewis)
Born in Elk City, Kansas, July 18 1939, to Chester Arthur Lewis and Theo May Lewis (Keith).
Quietly left this world November 22, 2023.
Linda graduated from Independence High School in 1957. In 1959, Linda married Walter F. Hudiburg Jr. and set off to live the life of a Marine’s wife. A job she was proud to have and...

Ronald F. Wagner
Nov 16, 2023
Ronald F. Wagner, age 89, passed away on Thursday, November 16th, 2023, at Medical Lodges in Independence Kansas due to health complications.
Cremation has taken place at the funeral home according to Mr. Wagner’s wishes. Memorial services will be at 11:00 am., Saturday, December 9th, 2023, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Independence Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the...
Sharon K. Wilburn Pearson
Nov 7, 2023
Sharon K. Wilburn Pearson, 77, Dennis, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at home surrounded by family. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory and no services are planned. Memorials in honor or Sharon may be made to the American Cancer Society online at https://donate.cancer.org/ or by mail American Cancer Society...
Cloude D. McCullough
Nov 7, 2023
Cloude D. McCullough, of Elk City, Kansas passed away November 7th, 2023, at Ascension St. Johns Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 11th, 2023, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Burial will follow in White Cemetery, LaFontaine, Kansas. Visitation will be Friday, November 10th from 5:00-7:00 P.M. with family greeting...
Linda Joyce Stewart
Oct 31, 2023
Linda Joyce Stewart, 76, of Neodesha, Kansas, passed away on October 31, 2023. She was born on December 23, 1946, in Wellington, Kansas. Linda was a beloved member of her community and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.
Services to celebrate Linda's...
John Ira Gross
Oct 18, 2023
John Ira Gross. (Little John), 70, passed away in the early morning of October 18, 2023, at the Elk City State Park following a long battle against Chronic Renal Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Born April 27, 1953, he lived his entire life in Independence spending his last several years enjoying life with both his personal and lake campground families. John...
Oma Bryan
Oct 8, 2023
Oma L. J. Bryan (Morris), 82, passed away on October 8, 2023, at 10:12 PM after 16 days in the hospital and hospice care. Oma, or Jan as she preferred, was admitted to The Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX where the cancer diagnosis was told to the family. The colon cancer had spread to the liver and lungs which then...
Delmar Ralph Watts
Oct 7, 2023
Independence mourns the loss of a dear friend, Delmar Ralph Watts (87), who passed away on the 7th of October 2023. Delmar was a warm-hearted individual who found joy in gardening, sports spectating, and participating in local Independence activities.
Born on August 29, 1936, in the Humboldt, KS area, Delmar attended Humboldt High School and later graduated from Neosho...
William Dean White
Sep 29, 2023
The community of Independence lost an icon on Friday, September 29th with the passing of William (Bill) Dean White, 86. Bill, as he was familiarly known, was well-known in local circles for operating a successful real estate business, being a civic leader and an avid golfer.
Bill was born on March 10, 1937, in Morehead, Kansas to Virgil...
Vickie Darlene Newman
Sep 13, 2023
Vickie Darlene Newman 76, Independence, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at home. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Memorials may be made to AWOL and may be left with the chapel. A graveside celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2023, at...
Kleta Jeanne Counsil
Sep 9, 2023
Kleta Jeanne Counsil (White), 74, died Saturday, September 9, 2023, at home surrounded by her family in her home. She was born on August 6, 1949, in Parsons, Kansas, the daughter of Tom and Luella (Tarter) White.
Kleta graduated from Independence High School in 1967. She married the love of her life Larry Keith Counsil Jr. on October 17,...
Vicki L. Wheeler
Sep 3, 2023
“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” - A.A. Milne
Vicki L. Wheeler (Carter), 67 of Independence, Kansas passed unexpectedly Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Labette Health in Independence.
Vicki was born February 26, 1955 in Wichita...
Joan Shepherd
Sep 1, 2023
Velda Joan Shepherd, 91, Independence, Kansas passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Eagle Estates in Independence, Kansas. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Memorials may be...
Kenneth Lee Gibson
Aug 18, 2023
Kenneth Lee Gibson passed away peacefully at his home in Independence, on August 18, 2023, at the age of 87. Graveside services will be on Thursday, August 24th, 2023 at Mt. Hope Cemetery at 10:00am.
Kenneth was born on December 7, 1935, in Mulvane, Kansas to Clarence Gibson and Lucille (Koontz) Gibson. Eventually, the family made their home in...