Obituaries

Peggy Jo Schultz, 65, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Salina, Kan. She was born Jan. 31, 1958, in Ellinwood, Kan., to Clarence and Anna (Case) Cox.Peggy married Roger Schultz in Ellsworth on Sept. 16, 1995.

June Rowena “Ro” Laible, 73, of Marquette passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Riverview Estates with her daughter by her side. Ro was born Oct. 2, 1949, in El Dorado, Kan., to the late Ivan and the late Gladys (Stilley) Bailey.Ro worked as a nurse’s aide, a waitress and a bartender.

Una Joyce Podlena, 97, passed away Sept. 27, 2022, in Ellsworth, Kan. A memorial graveside will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Wilson Catholic Cemetery.Memorial contributions can be made to the Wilson Czech Opera House, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

Arthur Robert “Buck” Strong Jr. 90, passed away April 27, 2023, in Salina. He was born Sept. 5, 1932, in Athol, Kan., to Arthur Robert and Bessie Mae (Moore) Strong. Buck married Joyce Mulkey in Smith Center, Kan., on Dec. 24, 1950.

Veronica Lynn (Rinaldo) Davidson was born Feb. 23, 1968, to Leon J. and Joann J. Rinaldo in Barberton, Ohio. She passed away on April 26, 2023, in Salina, Kan., after a short battle with bone cancer.  Veronica married Ervin E. Davidson Jr. on Oct. 13, 1992. Ervin preceded her in death on Dec.

John Steven “Steve” Petersen Jr., 77, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Hays, Kan.He was born July 8, 1945, in Salina, Kan., to John Petersen Sr. and Virginia (Jorgensen) Petersen. Steve married Vicki Nelson in WaKeeney, Kan., on March 30, 1967.

Debra Marie Heinze-Minear, 65, of Lincoln, Kan., passed peacefully on April 20, 2023.Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Parsons Funeral Home – Hall Chapel, Lincoln, with family present from 5-7 p.m.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023, at St.

Gwendolyn Marie Bunch, 49, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023, at her home in Kanopolis, Kan. She was born Feb. 26, 1974, in Hanford, Calif., to Phil and Sherleen (Makekau) Price.Gwen married Bryan Bunch in Kanopolis on Dec. 8, 2012. She was an executive assistant at Maico Industries, Inc.

Della Fern Ranker, 93, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023, in Salina, Kan. She was born Nov. 29, 1929, in Ellsworth County, Kan., to William Wachs Sr. and Minnie (Haase) Wachs. Della was a graduate of Ellsworth High School. She married Dorsey “Duke” Ranker in Ellsworth Oct. 9, 1950.

Karl “Buck” Ploutz, 76, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023, in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Sept. 6, 1946, in Ellsworth to Carl and Alice (Bray) Ploutz. Karl served in the United States Air Force with tours in Vietnam. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 174.