Obituaries

Mary Alice Shaffer, 71, of Bushton, Kansas, passed away Jan. 11, 2025, at Riverview Estates, Marquette, Kan. She was born Feb. 5, 1953, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Mervin “Dutch” and Grace (Red) Shaffer. Mary graduated from high school in Grand Island, Neb.

Willis C. Schultz, 87, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at his home in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born May 28, 1937, in Ellsworth to Gerhardt and Lucina (Schwerdtfeger) Schultz. Willis was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where he married Fern Nienke on June 14, 1959.

Neva Louise Chastain, 97, passed away on Jan. 6, 2025, at Riverview Estates in Marquette, Kan. Neva was born July 6, 1927, at home outside of Greensburg, Kan., the daughter of Ellis Lyndon and Nettie Irene (Shuck) Peck.

Shirley May Worcester, 91, died Dec. 11, 2024, at the Graham County Hospital. A lifetime resident of Graham County, she was born Oct. 16, 1933, to Vernon and Pauline (Walker) Worcester in rural Graham County. Shirley attended Rosco Country School and Hill City Memorial High School.

Elidia Ayala Villalpando, 100, passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at her home in Kanopolis, Kan. She was born May 1, 1924, in Ellsworth, Kan. Elidia was a homemaker in both Lincoln, Kan., and Hunter, Kan., who raised two sons over the course of 35 years.

Norman A. Schill passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at Homestead of El Dorado, Kan. Norman was born in Lyons, Kan., to Kenneth and Loleta (Griffin) Schill and spent his life living in Geneseo and working at the Ellsworth Co-op for over 30 years. He was a member of the Geneseo Methodist Church.

Malia A. Rich, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on Dec. 22, 2024, at HaysMed in Hays, Kan., at the age of 69. She was born on April 3, 1955, to Terry Lee and Karen (Krentzel) Small in Wilson. She was married to Mike Fink in 1973 until they later divorced, then John D.

Janet Faye Pfeiffer, 88, of Topeka, Kan., went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.To view her full obituary please visit www.DoveTopeka.com. 

Eugene H. Macek, 100, passed away on Dec. 25, 2024. Eugene was born on June 24, 1924, to Edward A. Macek and Ethel M. (Miller) Macek. He married Lucille M. Birzer on Aug. 6, 1953, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in rural Ellinwood, Kan. Lucille preceded him in death on May 22, 1988.

Tamera Louise French passed away on Dec. 26, 2024, at her home in Wilson, Kan., at the age of 60. She was born on May 3, 1964, to Kevin and Dorothy (Woods) Foran in Hays, Kan.Tamera’s early years were spent in Kansas, with her later childhood in Illinois.