Jean O. (Cruce) Ludes, aged 99, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Tustin, California, with her loving family by her side. Jean was born on December 10, 1926, in Fulton, Kentucky, to Raymond and Georgie Lee Cruce. After graduating from Salina High School, she began her professional journey at the telephone company. It was during this time that she met and married William Ludes, the son...

Susan Mary (Jenkinson) Hatfield, age 77, died on Monday, January 12, 2026, at her home in Salina surrounded by her family. She was born April 1, 1948, in Evanston, Illinois, the only child of Walter Edward Jenkinson and Luella Mildred (Gleason) Jenkinson. Susan grew up in Meade, Kansas, where her parents owned the Sunset Court Motel and operated a family farm. At an early age, she developed a s...

Kylee Dawn Woods, 6 months and 14 days, of Salina, KS, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026. She was born June 30, 2025, in Salina, to Roselyn McAnarney and Lukas Woods. Kylee was the light and salt of the earth. Every room she entered you immediately felt joy and love just by seeing her smile. When you held her, she was truly holding you. Kylee was the grace and glue of all those who loved her....

Daniel Chavez Sr., 76, of Salina, KS, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026. He was born March 25, 1949, in San Antonio, TX, to Alfonso Chavez Jr. and Mary H. Chavez Daniel was a welder; he enjoyed music and was an author of four books. He liked doing the research for his books, and was a joker, loving to “embellish” his stories to friends. Survivors include his son, Daniel Chavez Jr (C...

Chris Carlson passed away on January 11th, 2026. “I did it my way” could best describe Chris’ life. He was born to Lucy (Buck) and Charles Carlson on August 22, 1956. He passed away at his home in rural Minneapolis just as he said he would. No nursing home and no hospital. He lived to be 69 years of age at great surprise to himself and others. He was a risk taker as every country boy was in...

Wilbur L. Chartier, age 80, entered into rest on Monday, January 12, 2026, at North Central Kansas Regional Medical Center, Concordia, Kansas.  He was born on January 12, 1946, in Concordia, Kansas to Archie C. and Verda F. (Kelly) Chartier. He attended grade school at District 59 School at Ames, Kansas and high school at Clyde High School graduating with the class of 1964. Wilbur started far...

Gary D. Webb, lovingly known as “Papa,” age 86, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, surrounded by his devoted family who will forever feel the strength of his love and treasure his memory. Born in Beverly, Kansas, on August 31, 1939, to Helen F. (Berkley) Webb and Gerald Webb, Gary grew into a man whose presence made life feel steadier. He lived with quiet strength,...

Brenda Sue (DeWester) Russ, 63, of Salina, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026.  She was born in Bagdad, Arizona, on June 23, 1962, to Ralph and Ardis (Reinwalt) DeWester.  She worked as a devoted Certified Nurse Assistant for many years. She was a stubborn woman full of love and faith. There’s not a person she met that she didn’t take under her wing. She is survived by her children, Rach...

Dennis Alan Wahlgren, 77, passed away on January 4, 2026, in Salina, Kansas. Born on March 3, 1948, in Rockford, Illinois, Dennis was the fourth son of Swedish immigrants, Carl and Eleanor Wahlgren. He graduated from Bethany College where he met his wife of 54 years, Jeanie Wahlgren (Beverly J. Peterson). They resided in Salina for more than 46 years. Denny was a loving husband, supportive f...

Wayne Keith Westblade, 85, of Salina, KS, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, at Eagle Crest Assisted Living. He was born April 20, 1940, in Lindsborg, Kansas, the eldest son of the late Clifford Westblade and Florence (Hall) Westblade. On August 14, 1965, he married the love of his life, Erma Baker Westblade, at Fort Riley Kansas. Wayne received his Bachelors in Music Education from Bethan...