Obituaries

Helen Ploutz, 91, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2022 in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born July 17, 1931, in Tolstoy, S.D., to John and Lydia (Lout) Wolff.She married John Ploutz, Jr. on April 9, 1953, in McLaughlin, S.D. Helen spent her early adult years waitressing at cafes in McLaughlin.

Luceda Ann “Lucy” Hager, 84, of Lyons, Kan., passed away Nov. 23, 2022, at Hospital District No.1 of Rice County, Lyons. She was born Sept. 23, 1938, on the family farm in Rush County, Kansas, the daughter of Wendelin and Rose Mary Leiker Urban.

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Hoch passed away Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Topeka, Kan., at the age of 63. He was born Jan. 20, 1959, in Wilson, Kan., to Rudy and Violette (Lank) Hoch. Charlie married Melanie McComb on Aug. 1, 1981, in Stockton, Kan.

Margaret E. Wilkens, 91, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Ellsworth. She was born Nov. 7, 1931, in Great Bend, Kan., to Charles and Anna (Schindler) Herb. Margaret married Donald A. Wilkens in Hudson, Kan., on Nov. 25, 1951. The couple settled in the Lorraine, Kan.

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Vondra, 92, passed away Nov. 14, 2022, in Ellsworth. He was born July 4, 1930, in Ellsworth County to Frank and Mary (Svara) Vondra. He went to country school through 8th grade and then attended Ellsworth High School. Charlie married Gloria Milbradt in Ellsworth on Feb.

Geraldine “Gerry” Delores Janda, 90, passed away Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Oct. 10, 1932, in rural Ellsworth County to Ralph and Helen (Spears) Bowers. Gerry married Fred Lee Janda on Oct. 17, 1950, and worked and lived on the family farm.

Janet J. Bachar, 81, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Main Street Manor in Russell, Kan. She was born January 12, 1941, in Oakland, Calif., to John Rodrigues III and Ruth (Ridley) Rodrigues. She owned a cleaning business for almost 20 years and was a silk screener at Eschbaugh Advertising.

Tom Maze, 93, passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, in Ellsworth. He was born Dec. 23, 1928, in Ellsworth to Joseph and Ruth (Fishburn) Maze. Tom married Dorothy Jean Bath in Ellsworth on Aug. 27, 1950.

Elmer J. “Kirk” Kirkpatrick, 86, died Oct. 15, 2022, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 20, 1935, in Bella Vista, Ark., the son of John W. and Olive J. (Williams) Kirkpatrick. He graduated in 1953 from Chanute High School, Chanute, Kan. and immediately enlisted in the Air Force.