Obituaries
Shirley Jean (McMillen) Strasburg
May 30, 2026
Shirley Jean Strasburg, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed peacefully on May 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 80 years old.
Born March 31, 1946, in Independence, Kansas, Shirley was the daughter of J.T. and Betty (Linville) McMillen. She graduated in 1964 from Independence High School and later graduated as Salutatorian from Independence Community...
Fidencio A. Meza
May 6, 2026
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Fidencio A. Meza, a cherished husband, beloved friend, and dedicated worker, who left this world on May 6, 2026, in Neodesha, Kansas. Born on January 6, 1956, in Palau, Mexico, Fidencio lived a life characterized by hard work and a deep love for family and companionship.
Fidencio was a devoted...
Dale A. "Lurch" Wilkens
Apr 18, 2026
Dale “Lurch” Allan Wilkens, 69, a beloved father, grandfather, partner, and friend, a man whose life was defined by strength, love, and unwavering devotion to his family, made his final taxi and crossed the finish line with a perfect light on Saturday, April 18, at St. John Hospital, Tulsa, OK.
Dale was the kind of man who showed up day in...
Harry Donald Lewis
May 20, 2026
Harry Donald Lewis, known to most everyone as Donald, was born on October 7, 1941, in Coffeyville, Kansas, and passed away on May 20, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. He leaves behind a life that was as full of laughter as it was of love. He lived with a spirit that could brighten a room, a grin that could sneak up...
Timothy "Tim" Rex Vaughn
May 12, 2026
Timothy (Tim) Rex Vaughn was born in Bartlesville OK on August 17th, 1959 passed away on May 12th, 2026. A celebration of life service will be held on May 22nd, 2026 at the Nazarene church of Elk City, Kansas at 1p.m, Graveside services to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Elk City, Kansas. Visitation will be held on Thursday May 21st...
Cora Pauline Belcher
May 8, 2026
Cora Pauline (Fry) Belcher, was born to Lester C. and Anna S. (Emick) Fry, on a farm near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1930, and completed her life journey on May 8, 2026. Cora’s elementary years were in a one-room school. Having just completed a condensed 7th and 8th grade year with one classmate, she experienced a seismic change on...
Lynita Lynn Wright
Apr 27, 2026
Lynita Lynn Wright, 88, of Independence, Kansas, passed away on April 27, 2026, in Coffeyville, Kansas.
She was born on July 10, 1937, to Andrew Olds Ladd and Anna Elda (Tanquary) Ladd.
Lynita, known to many as “Lynn,” lived a full and vibrant life centered around family, friendship, and community. A true social butterfly, she found joy in a wide range of...
Sharlene Sue Clark
Apr 4, 2026
Sharlene Sue Clark, fondly known as Suzie, 86, passed away peacefully on April 4th, 2026.
Suzie was born on April 23rd, 1939, in Iola, Kansas, to Charles Dewey and Suzan Rebecca (Page) Steward. She was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Iola High School in 1957.
She was a resident of Independence, Kansas, since 1977, where she met the love...
Thomas Wayne Musgrove
Mar 30, 2026
Thomas Wayne Musgrove of Independence, Kansas, passed away on March 30, 2026, at Medicalodges in Independence. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Graveside services will be announced at a later date. The family will greet visitors from 5:00 to...
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...
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