Obituaries

Charles “Charlie” J. Yager, 80, passed away with his wife by his side Sept. 15, 2025, at Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born March 2, 1945, in Great Bend to Charles “Curly” W. and Lucille (Glick) Yager. Charlie married his high school sweetheart, Sharlene Hazen, on Sept.

Janett Marie Prester passed away on March 25, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on Nov. 20, 1950, in Wilson, Kan., to Sam and Ruth Steinle. The youngest of three children, Janett spent her entire life in Wilson and cherished her childhood with her siblings Bernice and Gerald.

Allen Joe Jirik, 89, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Hoisington, Kan. He was born Jan. 20, 1937, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Joe and Mary (Votruba) Jirik. Allen served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the Holyrood American Legion Post 200 and the Russell VFW Post 6240.

Donald (Mert) Anschutz, 91, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on April 7, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society — Ellsworth Village in Ellsworth, Kan. Don was born April 29, 1934, at home on the farm south of Wilson to Elmer H. and Anna M. (Maixner) Anschutz.

David M. Koralek, Sr., 83, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at his home in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Nov. 17, 1942, in Ellsworth to Ben and Lillian (Choitz) Koralek.

Douglas Joseph Kepka, 78, of Emporia, Kan., passed away peacefully March 31, 2026, at Newman Regional Health. He was born to Leo Joseph and Betty Jean (Andreasen) Kepka. Doug graduated from Ellsworth High School (1966) and Fort Hays State University (1970).

Ronald “Ron” James Hubka, 66, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on March 31, 2026, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas.Ron was born on Sept. 7, 1959, at Ellsworth County Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, Kan., to Winslow F. and Frances A. (Kacirek) Hubka.

C. Byrne Wood, 91, of Ellsworth, Kan., and former Russell, Kan., resident, died on Saturday, March 14, 2026, with family by his side at the Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, Kan.Byrne was born on Nov. 26, 1934, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Clarence William and Lena Mae (Query) Wood.

Shirley Ann McWhirt Yakesch, 88, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born April 30, 1937, on the family farm in rural Russell County, Kan., to Edward and Emma (Galliart) Brack. Shirley married Gayle McWhirt on Sept. 15, 1962.

Edward “Ed” Douglas Cheshire, 85, passed away March 6, 2026, with his family by his side, at his home in Great Bend, Kan. He was born May 30, 1940, in Evansville, Ind., to Griffin “Jake” and Edra (Larkin) Cheshire. Ed eloped with Martha Springfeldt July 7, 1967, in Hays.