Earl Jens Hansen, 95, Salina, passed away Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. He was born May 15, 1927 in Tescott, KS, the son of Jim and Ludia (Werries) Hansen. He joined the Navy right out of high school and after serving his country, he was employed by J.S. Frank Construction for many years. He retired with Harbin Construction. He was a life member of the Salina Elks Lodge 718 and was a member of the Tescot...

Floyd E. "Gene" Nelson, 88, of Salina, Kansas, passed away February 15th, 2023. Gene was born in Clay County, Kansas on September 8th, 1934, the son of Floyd E. Nelson and Rose M. (Hicks) Nelson. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Naomi (Walker) Nelson. Survivors include 3 daughters, Peggy Jean Hughes (Pat), of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Francee Cox (Doug Ochs), of Minneapoli...

William “Bill” R. Casey, of Eugene, Oregon passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Churchill Estates Assisted living in Eugene Oregon. Bill was born on February 25, 1929, in Everton Missouri, he was the third child to the late George Dewey Casey and Olive Mae (Bell). He was raised on the homestead family farm; he attended the one room Carlock School then graduated from Dadeville high s...

Dean Dwight Graybeal, 81, of Salina, passed away Monday, February 13th, 2023. Dean was born in Salina, Kansas on July 20, 1941, a son of Viola (Sprecker) and Earl Graybeal. He worked for the City of Salina for over 40 years. Survivors include three daughters, Treasa Toland, of Paola, Kansas, Lori Ringquist, of Salina, Kimberly King (Phil), of Jay, Oklahoma; son, Randy Schriner (Lori Fruit...

Delores Ann Rice, 78, of Salina, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family, passed away on Friday, February 10th, 2023. Delores was born in Denver, Colorado on May 2, 1944, a daughter of the late Adah (Markley) and Melvin John Wise. She was a longtime waitress at Bayard's Cafe, worked at Kenwood View Nursing Home, and was a Daycare Provider for many years. Survivors include her children, Na...

Helen M. Gleason, 78, of Salina, passed away Monday, December 26, 2022.  She was born September 20, 1944, in Murphyboro, IL, to Walter and Willa Mae (Bower) Gregory.  Helen moved to Salina with her family.  She graduated from Salina Central High School.  Helen met Gary Brown; two children were born to this union.  Helen was a housewife until she graduated from Brown Mackie College, working at...

John Frederick Ellis Jr. passed away unexpectedly January 27, 2023 at Salina Regional Health Center. John was born in New York on June 25, 1959, the son of John and Irene (Geisler) Ellis.  He was raised in Arizona and spent a majority of his adulthood in Kansas until moving to Salina Ks in the late 90s. Although he worked many different jobs, his most recent place of employment was the Excide...

Rose Marie Merrill of Salina, passed away on February 10, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving family. Rose Marie was born August 27th, 1942, to Wayne and Lois Graham in Belleville, Kansas. Her formative years were spent near Narka, Kansas, on the family farm. She graduated Narka High School in 1960 and studied Home Economics at Kansas Wesleyan University the following year. One of the gre...

Richard F. “Dick” Ritten, 83, of Salina, Kan., passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023. He was born on May 26, 1939, in Wadena, Minn., to Louis and Anna (Roers) Ritten. Dick was U.S. Army veteran and owned Midwest Business Machines of Salina from 1974 to 2000. Survivors include his son, David Ritten (Jodi); daughter, Renee Ritten (Kirk Swenson); grandchildren, Donald Bishop (Tiffani), S...

To call Jack Vanier a founding father of a bygone rural Kansas culture would be three things at once. An understatement, a compliment, and a chance for Jack to respond in his characteristic unassuming nature – accompanied by that brilliant smile – that he was just doing what came naturally. In his self-effacing, low-key way, it would also offer a golden opportunity for Jack to take issue...