August 26, 1943 – August 1, 2025 Merry Joyce Allison Wood Hutter, a woman of deep creativity, compassion, and faith, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, just shy of her 82nd birthday.

Mary Mable Thurman, 73, of Great Bend, KS, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2025. For nearly 20 years, Mary proudly called Great Bend her home.

Age 90 of Herington Pete’s life began on July 10, 1935, near Delavan, Kansas. He was the son of Harold and Alma (Putnam) Siegrist. Pete graduated from Wilsey High School and worked in railroad construction most of his working life and Neosho Construction before retirement. He enjoyed working and traveled all over the country, notoriously bringing home an armadillo from the Southwest.

Donna C. Brooks Doyle, long-time resident of Council Grove, passed away at Newman Regional Hospital on July 15, 2025.

Julie Janine Lehiy, née Mattoon, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas, surrounded by loved ones. Born on November 24,1975, in Chehalis, Washington, Julie’s precocious personality became quickly evident, earning her the nickname “Unruly Julie.” Her wit and spirit touched everyone she encountered. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Carol Elaine Lee, 76, of Emporia, formerly of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Walden Silva, 92 passed away at his home in Council Grove, Kansas surrounded by family on June 28, 2025. He was born March 29, 1933 in Manhattan, Kansas to Gavina (Escobar) and Emmett Silva.

TOPEKA (WIBW) - Washburn Hall of Fame basketball player Ryan Murphy has died. He was 45. According to Washburn Athletics, Murphy passed away on Wednesday, July 9. Murphy graduated from Washburn in 2005 and was inducted into the Ichabod Hall of Fame in 2016.

Billy Vaughn Hayes, lovingly known as “BV” by his family, passed away on June 23, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was 76 years old.

July 13, 1947 ~ June 30, 2025 Larry Justice, past-president of the Santa Fe Trail Association, passed away on June 30, 2025. Justice was appointed to the Santa Fe Trail Association board of directors in September 2009 and was re-elected in 2019. In 2013, Larry was elected as President of the Santa Fe Trail Association and served in that capacity through 2019.