Diane Reid, 79, of St. George, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday (June 5, 2024) at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas.
Born September 21, 1944 in Ottawa, Kansas, Diane was a daughter of John and Jean (Manchester) Dennis. She married her first husband, Jack, and had a son, Derrick who both preceded her as a result of an accident. She later married Marion Reid.
Following her graduation from Pomona High School, Diane worked as a telephone operator in Ottawa. She later worked as the manager of the Walnut Grove Mobile Home Park and St. George Mobile Home Park for over 40 years until her retirement.
Anna Elaine Miller, age 58, passed away in her home in Westmoreland, Kansas on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Anna was born in September 1965 to Kenneth and Janice (Adams) Goehring of Wamego, Kansas. She was the youngest daughter of their four children and was lovingly referred to as “Ann” by those who knew and loved her. Ann attended Westmoreland High School where she met her former husband, Robert “Bobby” Miller Jr. Upon graduating from WHS in 1984, Bobby and Ann welcomed a son, Ryan. In 1996, their daughter Cheyanne was born.
Loretta Ann DeForest, 88, died on April 16, 2024, at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation at Blue Rapids, Kansas. She was born January 04, 1936, in Emporia, KS, the daughter of William Ancil Beavers and Leoti Grace Beavers.
Susan Palmer Swanke died on March 19, 2024, in Westmoreland, Kansas, from cancer.
The third of four children, Sue, was born and raised in Chicago by parents Robert and Gertrude Palmer. Sue lived in the area until her early twenties. She left Chicago and went to nursing school, living in various places around the country until she settled in San Diego. It was there that she met Thomas Swanke, and the two married in 1984.
Our world has become a lot less bright with the loss of our dear Frank.
Frank C. Parrett entered the world at Leavenworth, Kansas on March 15, 1936. He was the third child born to Glen and Katherine (Shortridge) Parrett, joining sisters Olive Mae and Dorothy. His brother Robert (Gus) followed a few years later. Frank moved as a youth with his family to Haddam, Kansas and thereafter forever considered it his hometown. After completing his education there, he found his niche in alfalfa and feed commodity trading.
William Charles "Bill" Girard, age 79, of Manhattan, died February 22, 2024, at his residence, with his wife and children by his side.
One of six children, Bill was born September 16, 1944, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Gaspard Julian and Alma Beatrice (Ribordy) Girard. On September 1, 1967, in Manhattan, he was married to Mary P. Roberts. Together they raised their three children, Susan, Sandi, and Andrew.
Dr. Glenn T. Hartke, Sr. was called home to be reunited with the love of his life, Marie (Helms) Hartke, on December 28, 2023.
Glenn was born on May 6, 1931, to Ted and Marie Hartke in Lincolnville, KS. He had four siblings, brothers Larry and Merle and sisters Marceline and Juanita. He attended Hartke School in Marion County Kansas for grades 1-3, moving to Lutheran Parochial School for grades 4-8. Glenn was an active student at Lincolnville High School from 1946-1949 where he lettered in basketball, baseball, pitching two no-hitters, and played American Legion ball. Glenn also stayed active working a variety of part time jobs while attending high school and was not afraid of hard work.
Eric E. Caldwell, age 52, of Manhattan, died November 14, 2023.
He was born March 30, 1971, in Leoti, Kansas, the son of Larry E. Caldwell and E. Louise Lomax.
Eric graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1989. He began his culinary career at Prairie Dunes Country Club and then moved to Manhattan, where he became an integral part of the food and beverage operations initially at Manhattan Country Club, and then for 12 years at Harry’s and Harry’s Catering. Most recently, he was co-owner and manager of Varsity Donuts, where he served as a mentor to his young team members, not only teaching them how to manage a well-run kitchen, but also imparting valuable life skills. He cared for his staff deeply, His job was his life.
Malissa Mae Hunt, 68, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away on Thursday (August 24, 2023) in Wamego, Kansas.
Born June 26, 1955 in Manhattan, Kansas, Malissa was the daughter of Hal S. and Leona Mae (Hause) Hunt.
Malissa was a 1973 graduate of St. George High School and attended Manhattan Technical College. In 1979, she began her career at McCall Pattern Company where she worked for 39 years until her retirement in 2018. Malissa then became a para educator for the Wamego School District No. 320 at Central Elementary School until 2021.
On Wednesday, May 31st, Mark (Mac) Craig Thornburrow, 67, of Manhattan, passed away, his family, lovingly, by his side. Mark was born on June 10th, 1955 in Sabetha, Kansas, to Bill and Mellie Thornburrow. He attended Eugene Field Elementary and graduated from Manhattan High School with Class of 1973.
After graduation, Mark worked alongside Doug Marker, Marker construction, for several years. From 1979-2012, Mark worked both locations at Audio Junction, with Dave and Jerry, his brothers. Mark installed home and commercial audio and video equipment, car stereo and boat systems. He was highly respected for his knowledge and expertise in personalizing the needs of those who entered AJ's doors.