Obituaries

Wallace Dale Murphy, 94, passed away at his home while preparing for Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 27, 2025. He was born Dec. 11, 1930, to Dallas and Rosaline (Panzer) Murphy at the family home in rural Lincoln County, Kan.Wallace was baptized and later confirmed at St.

Kathryn A. “Kay” Dees, 94, passed away Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Sept. 20, 1931, one of six children, to George and Vlasta (Doubrava) Barta. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth, Kathryn was a 1949 graduate of Ellsworth High School and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Aaron S. Burwell, 57, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. He was born Dec. 2, 1968, in Salina, Kan., to John and Patricia (Pruner) Burwell. Aaron was a longtime resident of Kanopolis, Kan., where he worked many jobs, including Independent Salt Co.

Donald Allen Smischny, 97, of Salina, Kan., passed peacefully on Nov. 29, 2025, after a brief illness. Don was born in Ellsworth, Kan., on Aug. 17, 1928, to Rudy and Ruby (Allen) Smischny.

Betty Lou Petersen passed on Oct. 30, 2025, at Advent Hospital in Wesley Chapel, Fla., with her Florida family by her side, taking turns holding her hand and celebrating her almost 93 years on this earth as our mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and everyone’s Diva.

Dr. Ted Allen Nickell, PhD, age 87, of Salina, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.Born on Aug. 3, 1938, in Dodge City, Kan., Ted was the son of Doris Margaret (Rabourn) and Virdie Allen Nickell. He proudly served in the U.S.

Jean E. Campbell, 93, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.Born on Oct. 24, 1932, in Ellsworth, Jean was the daughter of Eleanor (Herzig) Rathburn and William Dale Trump Sr. Jean devoted herself to her family and home.

Ronald D. Henke, 80, of Hutchinson, Kan., passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2025, at the Hospice House. Born on June 1, 1945, in Wichita, Kan., Ron was the only son of Albert and Ruth Henke. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, contributing to operations during the Vietnam era.

Doyle Lynn Thurman, 68, passed away on Nov. 8, 2025. Born on Sept. 19, 1957, in Crossville, Tenn., Doyle spent much of his life in the Big Lick Community and was most recently residing in Ellsworth, Kan.After graduating high school, Doyle proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

Jerrold Dean Lyne, 65 of Enterprise, Kan., passed away Nov. 15, 2025. He was born Dec. 24, 1959, in Elsworth, Kan., the son of Virgil and Nancy (Wrench) Lyne.He graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1978. On Oct. 28, 1978, he was united in marriage to Jataner “Jay” Spencer in Bennington, Kan.