Mary Jane Akin
Aug 23, 2026
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mary Jane Akin, who departed this life on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by her loving family. Born on January 23, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas, Mary Jane's warmth and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.
A memorial Mass...
Darrel Dean Rezac
Aug 22, 2026
Darrel Dean Rezac, 85, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at his home in Rossville, Kansas, the home he built himself, with his son at his side. Told his cancer would take him far sooner, he beat the prognosis by more than a year, which surprised no one who knew him.
Darrel was born October 29, 1940, in Rossville,...
Rita A. Perine
Aug 9, 2026
Rita A. Perine, born on December 4, 1951, in Saint Marys, Kansas, passed away on August 9, 2026, in Auburn, Kansas. She was a dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse, proudly serving at Rossville Valley Manor for many years before transitioning to a pharmacy technician role at Doug's Pharmacy in Rossville, where she worked alongside her late husband, Doug. Rita's commitment to...
William David "Bill" Cantillon
Jul 26, 2026
William David “Bill” Cantillon passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2026, while under the care of Ascend Hospice at St. Marys Manor.
Bill was born on March 5, 1937, to Richard “Dick” and Ann Cantillon. He was raised on the same farm he would later call home throughout his life. Bill attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade before...
Martha Jean Noel
Jul 26, 2026
Martha Jean Noel, age 88, of St. Mary's, KS, passed away peacefully on July 26th, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on February 8, 1938, in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, Martha was the daughter of Perrin and Martha Baker. She grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, where she developed the values of hard work, kindness, and faith that would...
Chauncey Jack Whitwam
Jul 23, 2026
Chauncey Jack Whitwam, 86, of Maple Hill, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Midland Hospice in Topeka. He was born July 19, 1940, in Topeka, KS, the son of DeLaskie Dean and Audrey (Fleisher) Whitwam.
Jack dedicated many years as a tire builder at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company until he retired.
Jack married Jeanene Beal on August 27, 1960, in Topeka....
Virginia "Ginger" Allen
Jul 21, 2026
Virginia "Ginger" Allen, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and educator, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas.
Born on June 21, 1941, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Ginger dedicated her life to teaching and inspiring young minds. She began her career as a first-grade teacher in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before returning to Kansas, where she spent many...
Fr. David Gene Nichols
Jul 20, 2026
Fr. David Gene Nichols, SSPX, died at the SSPX’s Sursum Corda House for retired priests in Phoenix, Arizona, after a long illness. He was 69.
Father was the third child born to Earl and Florence Nichols, born five minutes before his twin, Br. Gerard Francis, SSPX (Dean Nichols, RIP 2017), while the family lived in New Jersey. After some months in...
Margaret A. Sweany
Jul 13, 2026
Margaret A. Sweany, 94, died on July 13, 2026, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, KS.
She had lived the past eight years at the Home of the Flint Hills in St. George. Margaret was born January 8, 1932 in Washington County, Kansas to Alvin D. Smart and Hazel M. (Gauby) Smart. She was a 1949 graduate of Beattie High...
Charles Robert Parnell
Jul 7, 2026
Charles Robert "Bob" Parnell, 86, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas.
Charles was born in Seneca, Kansas at the home of his parents Nicholas Richard and Golda Alice (Bales) Parnell. He graduated from Seneca High School in 1957, at which time he enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served in the...
Alice Lillian Peters
Jul 7, 2026
With heavy hearts and profound hope and faith in the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the family of Alice Lillian Peters announces her passing on Wednesday, July 7, 2026, at the age of 83.
Born on August 31, 1942, in Queens, New York, Alice devoted her life to her Catholic faith and her family. As a loving and faithful mother...
Kay Louise Lotridge
Jun 22, 2026
Kay Louise Lotridge, age 80, passed away June 22, 2026. She was born February 3, 1946 in St. Joseph, Missouri and adopted by Helen Katherine Hefner Skinner and Roscoe Eugene Skinner. She was raised in Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1964. She married David E. "Eddie" Lotridge in 1967, and together they had five children...
Rita Violet Freeman
Jun 12, 2026
Rita Violet Freeman, at the age of 71, passed into eternity on June 12, 2026, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Rita is survived by her children: Jason (Melissa), Isaiah (Tanya), Jeremiah (Melissa), Dominic (Ashley), Bernadette, Nicholas (Willow), Kathleen, Steven (Joan), Benjamin (April), Christopher, Cecilia, and Sebastian. Siblings: Mike, Robert,...
Alfred Llewellyn Phillips
Jun 2, 2026
Alfred “Alfie” Llewellyn Phillips, age 24, died in a motorcycle accident on K4 Highway on June 2, 2026.
Alfie was a beloved employee of Schwant Tractor in Dover, since he started there in 2022. He made friends with all the inhabitants of Dover, young and old. He loved music, played multiple instruments, had a beautiful singing voice and played in a...
Mabel E. Abeyta
May 27, 2026
Mabel Abeyta, 86, of St. Marys, died while surrounded by family and the rosary on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Mabel was born at home on February 2, 1940, in Faracita, Colorado, to Telos and Senida Aguirre. When she was seven years old, her mother died in childbirth, and her father later remarried. She had a total of three sisters and nine...
John J. Martin
May 17, 2026
John Joseph Martin of St. Marys, Kansas passed away holding his wife’s hand on Sunday, May 17, 2026. John was born on June 4, 1938 to Marie (Otnes) and William Martin of Ogden, KS. The family moved to their home on Cross Creek when John was young. He eventually would purchase the family home and farm, and raise his children...
Robert Lee Dolezilek
May 7, 2026
Robert Lee Dolezilek, 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Bob was born on August 11, 1948 in Rossville, the son of Frank and Cecilia (Besta) Dolezilek. He graduated from Rossville High School in 1966.
Bob met Diana Morford after high school and they were later married in January of 1971; she preceded him in death...
Robert Baird Miller Jr.
May 7, 2026
Robert “Baird” Miller Jr, 84, passed away Thursday, May 7th 2026 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, KS.
Baird was born May 5th,1942 in Glendale, California to Robert and Ethel Winona “Nonie” Miller.
Baird was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Susie; infant son Garrett and granddaughter, Mary Jane “MJ” Miller.
Survivors include his sister, Jan (David) Hatcher of Topeka, two...
Russell John Martin
Apr 30, 2026
Russell John Martin, born March 24, 1959, passed away peacefully at home, the place he loved most, surrounded by his family and his loyal dog, Rudy on April 30, 2026.
On March 19, 1977, Russ married the love of his life, Pamela Wild. Their marriage was a true example of unconditional love-steadfast through both joyful times and moments of trial. Together,...
Joan Marie Sebring
Apr 20, 2026
Joan Marie (Seitz) Sebring, 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.
Joan was born on December 4, 1934, in St. Marys, Kansas, the daughter of Bernard J. and Lena M. (Pageler) Seitz. She attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School and graduated from St. Marys High School.
Throughout her career, Joan worked for the...
