Obituaries

(1925-2026)Gail K. “Pep” Shanelec, 101, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, in Salina, Kan. He was born on March 17, 1925, in Ellsworth to Joseph “Joe” and Anna (Stehno) Shanelec. Pep’s lineage also included the Rezab and Cikanek families — “100% Czech!

(1944-2026)Robert Lee Peterman, 81, of Little River, Kan., passed away June 30, 2026, at his home. He was born Nov. 14, 1944, in Ellsworth, Kan., the son of Ben and Rosaline (Panzer) Peterman. Robert has resided in Little River for the past 30 years, formerly of Lyons and Ellsworth.

(1949-2026)Bridget J. Habiger, passed away June 11, 2026, at St. Joe Hospital, Denver, Colo. She was born May 5, 1949, at St. Rose Hospital, Great Bend, Kan., the daughter of Lawrence Habiger and Kathryn Orth Habiger. Bridget is survived by her sisters Marguerite Feist (Mike), Ellinwood, Kan.

(1955-2026)Jerry Dean Rush, 70, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026. He was born Sept. 15, 1955, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Kermit and Darlene (Handlin) Rush. Jerry was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where he was a farmer and rancher. He married Fonda Shively in Ellsworth on Oct. 24, 1981.

(2048-2026)Jerry Lee Shirley, 78, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Ellsworth, Kan. He was born Jan. 6, 1948, in Lincoln, Kan., to Thomas and Alice (O’Neill) Shirley. Jerry married Sandi Townsend in Utica, Kan., on July 24, 1971. He was a member of the U.S.

(1961-2026)Mark Wayne Frownfelter, 65, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Tuesday, June 30, at his home. Mark was born March 12, 1961, in McPherson, Kan., to Dale and Genevieve (Zehr) Frownfelter.Mark graduated from Marquette High School with the Class of 1979. Mark played football and wrestled.

(2005-2026)Aiden John Moyer, 21, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Russell, Kan. He was born Feb. 13, 2005, in Wichita, Kan., to John and Nicole (Barta) Moyer.Aiden was a 2023 graduate of Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School.

(1942-2026)Arthur Ray Hurley, 83, passed from his earthly home to his heavenly home on July 3, 2026, at his daughter’s home in Newport, Tenn. He was born Aug. 30, 1942, in Grand Junction, Colo.

(1961-2026)Gwenna M. Green, 65, of Russell, Kan., died on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. Gwenna was born on March 1, 1961, in Russell, the daughter of Everett James and Angeline Marie (Ehrlich) Green.

(1944-2026)Robert Lee Peterman, 81, of Little River, Kan., passed away June 30, 2026, at his home. He was born Nov. 14, 1944, in Ellsworth, Kan., the son of Ben and Rosaline (Panzer) Peterman. Robert has resided in Little River for the past 30 years, formerly of Lyons and Ellsworth.