Jerome Koester Johnson, age 92, of Concordia, KS, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with his family by his side at the Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kansas. He was born on November 28, 1932, in the Nelson Township area of rural Concordia, Kansas to Charles D. and Mary L. (Mayme Koester) Johnson. He graduated from Concordia High School in May of 1950. He married Joan Hoover on Se...

Kenneth “Ken” Alfred Dechant, 73, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on July 15th, 2025, at Smoky Hill Health & Rehabilitation. Born on April 14th, 1952, in Hays, Kansas, the son of Alfred “Fritz” W. Dechant and Dorothy (Honas) Dechant. Ken graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1970, then joined the Army Reserves in 1971. He was stationed at the 388th Medical Battalion in Ha...

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of David Lee Fox Sr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, who departed this life on July 16, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on November 25, 1942, in Great Bend, Kansas, David exemplified hardworking and dedicated spirit throughout his life. A talented woodworker, David had an extraordinary abil...

Mary “Candi” Risley, 54, of Salina, Kansas, passed away on July 13, 2025. She was born on August 3, 1970, in Memphis, Tennessee. Candi was the beloved wife of Kevin Risley and a devoted mom to Jodi and Josh Stamps, Daisy Risley, Rieanna Risley, and Tia Risley. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Kalli Canion, Teagan Canion, Silas Stamps and Grayson Kinnaird. She was a cherished sister...

Merlin Duane “Pete” Peterson, 94, Minneapolis, was born June 3, 1931, in Tescott, to Christian Oswald and Nora Rebecca (Werries) Peterson. He died July 14, 2025, in Salina surrounded by family. Pete served in the Air Force from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He and Eva Mae Bradbury were married on September 4, 1954, in Ada. He worked for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail ca...

Jackie Lee Gifford, 70, of Salina, passed away on July 14, 2025. Jackie was born on March 11, 1955, in Weatherford, OK, to Billy Don Gifford and Clarissie Hulsey Gifford. He attended Putnam City West High School in Bethany, OK, and graduated with the class of 1974. Jackie grew up loving and racing cars, becoming a member of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, American Sprint Car Racing Seri...

Wilfred John Vargas, 101, passed away on July 14, 2025, at Bethany Home in Lindsborg, KS. He was born on November 6, 1923, to Benjamin and Paula (Ramirez) Vargas. Wilfred became an orphan at the age of 9 and was placed, along with his brother Alfred, in the St. Joseph Orphanage in Abilene, KS. The brothers attended school in Abilene. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served during...

After a courageous four-month battle following a medical procedure, Le Roy Gene “Gene” Hindman passed peacefully on July 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Though our hearts are heavy, we celebrate a life filled with kindness, humor, and a spirit that left an indelible mark on everyone who had the pleasure to know him. Gene was a gentle soul with a fierce spirit – the kind of ma...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ilse N. Bates of Salina, KS, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, who departed this world on July 12, 2025, at the age of 95. Her remarkable journey began on September 1, 1929, in the charming town of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, where she was born to Friedrich Neumann and Martha Dreher. In her free ti...

Marcella Goodwin, 89,  died June 29, 2025, in Denison, TX. She was born June 21, 1936, in Ellis, KS, the daughter of Mathias and Regina (Flax) Augustine. Her husband, Glenn Louis Goodwin died December 9, 2016. She is survived by a daughter, Carol Estep and a son, Robert (Clarissa) Goodwin. Marcella was a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and boundless love. She built a life of grace and gen...