Obituaries

Evelyn Frances (Vanek) Gipson of Salina, Kan., passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024, in the Pinnacle Park Nursing Home.She was born to Cirel and Virgina (Walker) Vanek Feb. 9, 1947, in Ellsworth, Kan., and grew up on the family farm with her siblings in Carneiro, Kan.

Wichita, Kan. — Alicia J. (Rankin) Widdows, 94, homemaker, died Tuesday, May 28, 2024.Services were held June 3 in Wichita.She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mary Alice Rankin; husband Robert L. Widdows; and brother Charles Rankin.

Mason Dean May, 87, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Aug. 9, 1936, in Smith County, Kan., to Wardie and Alpha (Hillman) May. Mason married Margaret McDowell on Aug. 16, 1959.He served his country in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

Marvin G. Heffel of Dorrance, Kan., passed away April 28, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kan., at the age of 78. He was born on Jan. 17, 1946, to Arthur and Helen (Lind) Heffel in Ellsworth, Kan. Marvin married Sylvia Baral on Aug. 27, 1974, in Wichita.

Rodney Fuller, 84, passed away Monday, May 20, 2024 at his home in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born May 23, 1939, in Waterville, Minn., to Lowell and Katherine (Kletska) Fuller.

On April 23, 2024, Ferrill D. Standage, age 88, moved from his home in Kingsland, Texas, to his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus.Ferrill Standage was born Aug. 1, 1935, in Russell County, Kan., to John and Virginia (Rolfs) Standage.

Vernon “Plug” Carl Pflughoeft, 70, passed away peacefully May 11, 2024, at Rice County Hospital, Lyons, Kan. He was born on December 24, 1953, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Homer and Caroline (Heitschmidt) Pflughoeft.

Madeline Marie (Schwerdtfeger) Tatro, 93, of Ellsworth, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024.To read a full obituary online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.Madeline Marie (Schwerdtfeger) Tatro, 93, of Ellsworth, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024.To read a full obituary online, please visit www.

Elsie Amelia Hunter, 95, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Oct. 5, 1928 in Ellsworth to Reinhold and Anna (Lange) Bruning. She was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and married Errol Hunter on Jan. 18, 1948.

Willis Lee Becker was born Dec. 31, 1931. He attended the Parochial Grade School at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and graduated from Sylvan Grove High School, Sylvan Grove, Kan., in 1950. He joined the Navy Reserve, as did his two brothers, Kenneth, and a year later, Loren.