Vernel Thompson, 72, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, March 6th, at Good Shepherd Hospice, Manhattan. Vernel was born in Flora, Mississippi on December 31, 1951, a son of Jessie Mae (Thomas) and Hal T. Thompson, Sr. He worked at Roberts Foundry for 10 years and Shears Construction for 20 years. He was a loving father, partner, son, and friend. Survivors include his wife, Pauline Thomp...

Bennett Bernard “Ben” Kinkelaar, 62, of Wichita, Kan., passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024. He was born on September 5, 1961, in Dodge City, Kan., to Bernard H. and Rosanna (Millershaski) Kinkelaar. Ben was a graduate of Dodge City High School and the University of Kansas. He enjoyed attending NHRA Drags and the Knoxville National Sprint car races. In his early years he and his older broth...

Joseph Aloysius Michael Dooley Jr. passed away Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at the age of 91. Joe was born on September 27, 1932 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Joseph and Elizabeth Grace (Ward) Dooley. Joe had older brothers, Kenny Ward and John Dooley, and sister, Betty Hilcken, and is survived by older sister, Grace Taylor and younger sister, Joan Russell. Joe was married to Ella on January 22, 1...

Arletta A. Googe, 82, passed away March 10th, 2024, at Eaglecrest Assisted Living Center, Salina, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 20, 1941, in Salina, to Vernon and Mabel (Burt) Hays. On June 25, 1959, she married Robert B. Googe at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina. The next 21 years were spent as a loyal housewife to her husband as they traveled together to many different places...

John Forest Ritter III, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, February 20, 2024, at the age of 72. John was born to John and Betty Ritter at St. John’s Hospital, Salina, Kansas, on November 5, 1951.  He was the oldest of three children and a consummate big brother. As a youth, John fostered his love of pets and animals and was active in the Boy Scouts.  He graduated from Sacred Heart High ...

Jerome Dale Benson of Salina, Kansas passed away on March 5th 2024. Jerome or Jerry as he was called by those dearest to him, was born September 19th 1939 in Hadley, Minnesota, to Gladys and Oscar Benson. Jerry was the 10th of 13 boys and was well loved for his wit, wisdom and deep devotion to those whom he loved. He committed his life to others by proudly serving as a Private First Class in th...

Darlene K. (Norris) Querbach left us to go to her heavenly home on March 3, 2024.  She was born in Salina, KS on October 19, 1944 to Melvin A. Norris and Emogene L.(Davis) Norris. She attended schools in Salina and Topeka, KS. She started working as a trolley girl at Asbury Hospital and retired from Salina Regional Hospital Center after 42 years as the night cook.  She married Robert E. Quer...

Clarence Alvin Peterson of Salina, Kansas, passed away on March 6, 2024.  Born on January 31, 1927, he was 97 years old.  Clarence was the youngest son of Lawrence Albert Peterson and Mary M. Jennings. Pete (as he liked to be called) was a veteran of World War II, joining the army after graduation.  Because of his height (6’3”) and high school experience, after completing basic training ...

Marsha Stewart, 82, born in Salina, passed away March 3, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Jack Stewart. Together they leave six grown children-Sharon, Marina, Steve, Robert, Jennifer, and Rebecca-ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Marsha graduated Magna cum Laude from Kansas Wesleyan and served a brief stint with the U.S...

Eileen Rose Branstetter, 73, died February 25, 2024. She was born August 16, 1950, in Phillipsburg, KS, the daughter of Milo and Norma (Stevens) Gitchel. She was an LPN. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Branstetter; sisters, Lois Hass and Kathy WIllis; brother, Alan Gitchel and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Heather Branstetter; grandchildren, Lance Branstetter, ...