Kenneth "Bob" Bledsoe was born on March 17, 1951, in Salina, Ks. The son of Kenneth and Virginia Bledsoe. He left to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family at the age of 74, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Bob grew up in Salina, where he graduated from Salina High School in 1969, and Salina Vo-Tech where he went for auto-body. On Septe...

Joey Dean LaRue, 67, of Falun, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Smoky Hill Rehabilitation Center, in Salina.  He was born October 18, 1958, in Fort Scott, Kansas to Kenneth Dale and Helen (Anderson) LaRue.  He attended Marmaton Valley High School and graduated in 1976.  After high school he attended Allen County Community Jr. College, Iola, Kansas on a livestock judging scholarship where h...

Donna Jean Sprouse, 80, passed away March 14, 2026, in Salina, Kansas. Donna was born on August 20, 1945, in Walsenburg, Colorado to Charles Francis Rader and Lulu May (Campbell) Rader. She graduated as Valedictorian from Ordway High School in Ordway Co. and then from Adams State College in Alamosa, Co. She married William Sprouse on her birthday in 1964.  As a military wife, she lived in Colo...

Berniece Irene Knotts, 83, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Berniece was born on January 6, 1943, in Salina, Kansas, to Helen (Henry) and Robert Reeves. She grew up in Gypsum, Kansas, and graduated from Gypsum High School. After high school, she graduated from Brown Mackie College and was a lifelong resident of Saline County. Berniece proudly served in the United S...

Kenneth A. Veltman, 90 years old, of Salina, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Salina Presbyterian Manor. Kenneth was born in Abilene, KS to Arnold F. & Helen (Smith) Veltman on April 24, 1935. He was a graduate of Abilene High School. On October 6, 1956, he was married to JoAnn (Hutchison) in Salina. They were married for 69 years. To this union a daughter, Kerry Ann, was born....

The Reverend Gillis Eugene “Gene” Davis, 93, of Salina, KS, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026. He was born on May 4, 1932, in Metropolis, IL. Gene was joined in marriage to Janese Jilek on February 12, 1955, in Chicago, IL. He retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years, including service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He graduated valedictorian from Baptist Bible Colleg...

Lisa Janelle (Pahls) Merklein, 62, passed away in Salina, KS, on March 12, 2026, after an 8-year battle with breast cancer. She was born on August 26, 1963, in Beloit, Kansas, to Lawrence and Elizabeth Jean (Schroeder) Pahls. Lisa grew up on a farm southwest of Tipton, KS. She graduated with the Class of 1981 from Tipton High School and later received a business certificate from Beloit Vo-Tech....

Dorothy “Eileen” Budnick was born on September 4, 1938, in Albion, Pennsylvania, to Anna Mae Olear and John Thomas Rizner. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 8, 2026, in Salina, Kansas, after several years of medical challenges. Eileen graduated from Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon, in 1956 and attended Seattle Pacific University for one year. She married Duane K...

Arturo Franco, 49, of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 13, 2026. Arturo was born in Tijuana, Mexico. He grew into a very intelligent and committed man who took his responsibilities seriously and was someone his family could always rely on. He was known for offering thoughtful advice and guidance to those around him. During his younger years, Arturo played football...

Rex G. Cooper, of Salina, KS, died peacefully at home on March 12, 2026, at the age of 78. He was born on April 21, 1947, to Arthur (Mex) and Nelda Cooper. He was raised in Hoxie, graduating from Sheridan County High School in 1965. Rex received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Fort Hays State University. He served with the United States Army in Vietnam, earning a Bronze ...