Obituaries

Jan 20, 2025

Norton resident, Norman G. Olliff, passed away January 20, 2025 at the Norton County Hospital in Norton at the age of 87.  He was born June 27, 1937 in Smith Center, KS, the son of Versailes & Mary (Shook) Olliff.

Survivors include his wife, Vesta Hobbs of the home; his son, Verland of Norton; son-in-law John Engel...

Jan 19, 2025

Leola Kaye Gingles, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the Bryan Medical Center, in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 77.

Leola was born on July 20, 1947, in Hays, Kansas, to her parents Frank Adrian Gingles and Thelma Grace (McLaughlin) Gingles.

She is preceded in death by her parents Adrian...

Jan 18, 2025

Phillips County resident, Donald LeRoy Ehm, son of Arthur and Alice (Beckmann) Ehm was born July 10, 1946 in Phillipsburg.  He passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Smith County Health and Rehab Center in Smith Center at the age of 78.

Don spent his childhood on the family farm and attended school in Phillipsburg graduating...

Jan 15, 2025

Bill Vanderplas, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 88.  Born on March 15, 1936, in Sheldon, Iowa, Bill was the son of William and Fannye (Kats) Vanderplas.  He graduated from Long Island High School in 1954.  He...

Jan 9, 2025

Kensington resident, Jackie Sidman, passed away Jan. 9, 2025 at her home in rural Kensington at the age of 60.  She was born Aug. 28, 1964 in Neligh, NE, the daughter of Jack & Bonnie (Damme) Kallhoff.

Survivors include her husband Ron; stepson Matthew & wife Lynn of Kensington; stepdaughters, Christina Sidman of Rapid City, SD &...

Jan 6, 2025

Ruth Marie Benien was born on May 25th, 1957 at the Norton County Hospital to Alfred Benien and Genevieve (Kirk) Benien joining her 15 month older sister Reva. She passed away January 6th, 2025 at the Advent Health Shawnee Mission Medical Center at the age of 67 after a brave fight against multiple health issues since her recurrent breast...

Jan 4, 2025

Phillips County resident, Leland W. McGuire, passed away Jan 4, 2025 in Jewell county as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 20.  He was born Feb. 23, 2004, the son of Eddy & Genelyn (Esteller) McGuire.

Survivors include his father Eddy of rural Phillipsburg; his mother Genelyn of Lincoln, NE; his brother Zeke...

Jan 3, 2025

Dean Ivan Dillon, son of Orvin Luther and Lola Zelda (Frydendal) Dillon, was born in Smith County, Chrystal Plains Township, Kansas on the family farm on October 2, 1932.  Dean died January 3, 2025 at Prairie Winds Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at age 92.

Dean and Darlene June (Stapel) Dillon were married June 7th, 1950 at...

Jan 2, 2025

Norton resident, Myron D. Bietz, passed away January 2, 2025 at the Salina Regional Medical Center in Salina at the age of 90.  He was born July 12, 1934 in Norton, the son of Arthur F.C. & LaVergne (Schick) Bietz.

Survivors include his wife Sherland; 4 children: Mark Bietz of Delphos, KS, Brenda Aeillo of Spring Hill,...

Dec 31, 2024

Eddy DeBoer, a former Phillipsburg resident, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the Via Christi Village in Hays, KS, at the age of 85. Born on July 7, 1939, in Prairie View, KS, he was the son of John Edward and Esther Eunice (Nonhof) DeBoer.

Eddy married Anita Louise Jansonius on December 19, 1959, in...

Dec 28, 2024

How do you sum up the person who meant the most in this world to you? You don't when Kay AKA Granny Kay is your subject. Kay was a loving, loyal granny. She was a magnanimous, protective mother. She was a thoughtful, spirited friend. She was kind and courteous to strangers. Kay had a magnetic personality that everyone, young...

Dec 24, 2024

Carol Joline Hintz Short was born November 19, 1934, in Canton, Kansas, to her parents Reynold and Ethel Irene (Gard) Hintz. She was the oldest of their 4 children. Carol graduated valedictorian from Canton High School in 1953, and graduated Cum Laude from McPherson College McPherson, Kansas, in May of 1958.

Carol accepted Jesus Christ as her...

Dec 21, 2024

Phillipsburg resident, LaGenia Donegan passed away Dec. 21, 2024 at her home in Phillipsburg at the age of 57.  She was born July 30, 1967 in Denver, CO, the daughter of Jo & Judy (Fresh) Lopez.

Survivors include her husband Tim of the home; son, Christopher of New Hampshire; daughter, Michelle Costarelli of New Hampshire; 4 grandchildren...

Dec 12, 2024

Phillipsburg resident, Evlyn Marie Johnson, passed away December 12, 2024 at the Smith County Health and Rehab in Smith Center at the age of 87.

She was born February 21, 1937 in Phillipsburg the daughter of Elvin M. and Eula Mae (Barnes) King.

Growing up on the family farm south of Phillipsburg, Evlyn was no...

Dec 10, 2024

Claudell, KS resident, Melba Kay Larrick Hagman passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 81 on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

She was born May 23, 1943, in Ashland Kansas, the daughter of Eldo and Audrey Larrick. She grew up in Ashland with her two sisters Andee and Janice. She graduated from Ashland High School...

Dec 8, 2024

Phillipsburg resident, Barbara June Werner, passed away at her home on December 8, 2024 at the age of 81.

She was born June 2, 1943 in Hutchinson, KS the daughter of Paul V. and Irene C. (Tremain) Smith.  She was a homemaker.

Survivors include her sons James Lair and significant other Melissa Chapman of Menomonie,...

Dec 5, 2024

Lucas Eugene Martin, 45, went to his final home on December 5th, 2024, at Phillips County Hospital. Luke was born November 2nd, 1979, to Dennis Martin & Linda Martin-Bertholf.  He was the oldest of 3.  Luke is survived by his father Dennis, mother Linda (Kelly), daughter Kinzy, brother Greg, sister Alica (Joe) Wildfong, stepsisters Staci (Derek) Foreman and Ashley...

Dec 4, 2024

Phillipsburg resident Cory Allen Philby passed away on December 4th 2024, peacefully at his home in Phillipsburg Kansas at the age of 28.

Cory was born June 27, 1996 in Holdrege Nebraska. Cory attended school in Alma, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 2015. He married Elizabeth Grieve on August 20, 2022 at the Community Church of...

Nov 13, 2024

Raymond Burlie Griffith was born September 21, 1933, to Burlie and Ellen (Christiansen) Griffith, on the family farm one mile south of Lebanon, KS.  Raymond passed away Nov. 13, 2024, in the Phillips County Hospital, at the age of 91.

Raymond served with the United States Marine Corp for three years during the Korean Conflict. Raymond was...

Nov 12, 2024

Tresa Joanne Miller, known throughout her life as "Joanne," passed away on November 12, 2024, at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas. She was born on May 8, 1935, in Farmington Township, Rooks County, Kansas, the only child of Nicholas James and Ilah Leona (Griffith) Strohmeier. Joanne's parents later divorced, and she was raised primarily by her...