Obituaries

Glenda June Armstrong, 85, formerly of Ellsworth, Kan., and Salina, Kan., died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Winston-Salem, N.C. She was born April 2, 1940, in Sterling, Kan., to Willis and Glenda Gale (Gable) Austin.

Sylvia Irene McNeal, 89, passed peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society — Ellsworth Village in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born in rural Russell County, Kan., on Nov. 4, 1936, to Kenneth and Helen “Irene” (Funk) Day.

Marie Annette Campbell, 63, of Lyons, Kan., passed away Dec. 17, 2025, at her home. She was born Nov. 25, 1962, in Lyons, the daughter of Edward and Anna Mae (Ptacek) Janda. Marie was a lifelong Lyons resident. She attended Lyons High School and later received her certified nurse aide certificate.

Kenneth L. “Kenny” Willt, 87, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Sterling, Kan. He was born Sept. 17, 1938, in St. Francis, Kan., to John and Ruby (Daniels) Willt. Kenny was a longtime resident of Holyrood, where he was the manager of the co-op grain elevator.

James Lee Zamrzla was born on a cold winter’s day Jan. 21, 1939, the first son of James Edward and Mary Ann (Charvat) Zamrzla in a small house in Wilson, Kan. He married Karen Koerner on Jan. 24, 1962. They had one daughter, Christine.

Dennis Lee Schwarz, Denny, was born on March 12, 1959, in Salina, Kan., the son of Dean Laverne and Barbara Anne (Kohman) Schwarz. He went to be with the Lord on Nov. 30, 2025, in Wichita, Kan., surrounded by his family.

Wallace Dale Murphy, 94, passed away at his home while preparing for Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 27, 2025.

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.

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.