Obituaries

Elidia Ayala Villalpando, 100, passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at her home in Kanopolis, Kan. She was born May 1, 1924, in Ellsworth, Kan. Elidia was a homemaker in both Lincoln, Kan., and Hunter, Kan., who raised two sons over the course of 35 years.

Norman A. Schill passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at Homestead of El Dorado, Kan. Norman was born in Lyons, Kan., to Kenneth and Loleta (Griffin) Schill and spent his life living in Geneseo and working at the Ellsworth Co-op for over 30 years.

Malia A. Rich, of Wilson, Kan., passed away on Dec. 22, 2024, at HaysMed in Hays, Kan., at the age of 69. She was born on April 3, 1955, to Terry Lee and Karen (Krentzel) Small in Wilson.

Janet Faye Pfeiffer, 88, of Topeka, Kan., went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.To view her full obituary please visit www.DoveTopeka.com. 

Eugene H. Macek, 100, passed away on Dec. 25, 2024. Eugene was born on June 24, 1924, to Edward A. Macek and Ethel M. (Miller) Macek. He married Lucille M. Birzer on Aug. 6, 1953, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in rural Ellinwood, Kan. Lucille preceded him in death on May 22, 1988.

Tamera Louise French passed away on Dec. 26, 2024, at her home in Wilson, Kan., at the age of 60. She was born on May 3, 1964, to Kevin and Dorothy (Woods) Foran in Hays, Kan.Tamera’s early years were spent in Kansas, with her later childhood in Illinois.

Sheila Peterman, 76, of Little River, Kan., passed away Dec. 18, 2024, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Andover Lutheran Church, Windom, Kan., with Pastor Anna Borders officiating.

Ben M. Payton, 100, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Great Bend, Kan. He was born April 18, 1924, in Ellsworth County, Kan., to Benjamin and Theresa (Borecky) Payton. Ben was a WWII veteran who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a member of the American Legion.

Karen Louise Kerby, 86, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Dec. 2, 1938, in Virgil, Kan., to Gus and Bernece (Lancaster) Milner. Karen married Richard Kerby in Olathe, Kan., on April 11, 1965.

Barbara Jean Steiner, age 95, went to Heaven on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She passed away at Stormont Vail Hospital in Junction City, Kan. She was born to Thomas and Barbara (Janousek) Foote in Ellsworth, Kan., on May 28, 1929.