Obituaries

Rev. Bill Kleymann

Rev. Bill Kleymann

Nov 14, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Rev. William F. "Bill" Kleymann, Jr. He passed away at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas on Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025, at the age of 81.

Bill was born August 10, 1944, in Syracuse, Kansas, to Helen (Connelly) Kleymann and William Floyd Kleymann, Sr., and grew up on a farm...

Harry Ensz

Harry Ensz

Nov 18, 2025

Harry Paul Ensz, 97, born August 29, 1928 to Gustav and Anna Epp Ensz, went to be with the Lord on November 18, 2025.

He is preceded in death his wife Joan Rose Stucky Ensz, his infant sister and two brothers Reinhold, and Charles Ensz.

He is survived by his sister Lois (Ensz) Dupuis, brother Edgar and wife Virgina Ensz, and his...

Madeline Rachel Meyer

Madeline Rachel Meyer

Nov 18, 2025

MADELINE RACHEL DEARISO MEYER WAS BORN ON APRIL 24, 1940 IN MIAMI, FLORIDA TO HENRY EDWARD DEARISO AND MARY ELIZABETH BYRAM DEARISO. SHE WAS AN ONLY CHILD. SHE WAS RAISED BETWEEN FLORIDA AND GEORGIA AS HER DAD WAS A CARPENTER AND OFTEN MOVED FOR HIS WORK.

SHE MARRIED HER HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART IN 1957, WILEY (JR) RICHARD CLINE IN MIAMI FL....

Lloyd Wesley Holmes

Lloyd Wesley Holmes

Oct 23, 2025

Lloyd Wesley Holmes, born February 5, 1941, passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on October 23, 2025, at Newton Medical Center surrounded by his family.

In June of 1960, Lloyd went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Rose Mary Covert. They immediately fell in love and were married on September 24, 1960. Together, they...

Pauline Mae McPheeters

Pauline Mae McPheeters

Nov 17, 2025

Pauline Mae Truax McPheeters was the first of five children born to Robert Andrew Truax Jr. and Ruth Iris Amyx Thomas Truax. On September 19, 1925. Pauline made her escape from time’s tethers to see her creator face to face no pain no limitations on November 17, 2025.

During her 100 years, she survived the Great Depression and World War II....

Dennis Dennett

Dennis Dennett

Nov 11, 2025

Dennis James Dennett was born May 19, 1968, at Susan B. Anthony hospital in Eldorado Ks, to Darrel and Rebecca (Skinnell) Dennett. He died November 11, 2025, at his home in Laveen, Az and he was 57 years old. The family lived in Augusta, Ks until March 1975 when they moved to Newton, Ks. He attended Newton schools and graduated...

Florine Eitzen

Florine Eitzen

Sep 8, 2025

Florine Kay Eitzen (Voran), 91, passed away on Monday, September 8, at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, Kansas. Born on April 27, 1934, in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, to Paul J. and Hulda K. (Graber) Voran, Florine’s life was deeply rooted in the values of her Mennonite faith—empathy, compassion, and service—which she carried with grace throughout her life.

A gifted musician,...

Janet Matile

Janet Matile

Nov 16, 2025

Janet Elaine Matile, 78, died Friday, November 14, 2025, at her home in Newton, Kansas.

She was born on July 23, 1947, in Abilene, Kansas and spent her childhood and adolescent years there.

Following high school at Abilene High School, Janet attended Emporia State University (Emporia, Kansas) where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. Later in life, she would receive a...

Diane Claassen

Diane Claassen

Nov 11, 2025

Diane Claassen (Darling)

December 18, 1932 - November 11, 2025

With hearts full of gratitude and love, we celebrate the life of Diane Claassen (Darling), 92, who passed peacefully on November 11, 2025. As if heaven itself was celebrating her homecoming, the northern lights painted the Kansas sky that night - a divine welcome for one of God's most grateful servants.

Born December...

Vivian Ruth Bartley

Vivian Ruth Bartley

Nov 9, 2025

Vivian Ruth Bartley (Thiessen), 88, of Newton, Kansas, passed away on November 9, 2025. She was born on September 14, 1937, in Newton, Kansas, to Herbert G. Thiessen and Leona (Bolin) Thiessen. On May 3, 1958, she married Albert Lee Bartley Jr., and together they shared 47 years of marriage until his passing in 2005.

Vivian was a loving homemaker and...

Betty Partridge

Betty Partridge

Nov 9, 2025

Betty Lou (Kellum) Partridge was born on November 9, 1932 in Melvern, Kansas to Ernest Edwin Kellum and Myrle Violet (Piper) Kellum. Her birth took place at home, with her grandmother assisting. Betty grew up in Peabody, Kansas, and graduated from Peabody High School. Her lifelong passion for music was influenced by her mother, an accomplished pianist who taught Betty...

Norma Weerts

Norma Weerts

Nov 7, 2025

Norma Francis Weerts 91 of Newton, Kansas passed away on Friday November 7th at Paramount Community Living and Rehab in Newton, Kansas.

She was born on June 9th,1934 to George and Gladys Leone Olson of Morristown, S.D, the fifth of 6 girls. She grew up on a farm south of Morristown, when she was 14 her mother passed away, two of...

Elenora A Alexander

Elenora A Alexander

Nov 7, 2025

Elenora A. Alexander, 100, died on November 7, 2025, Newton, Kansas. Born on August 9, 1925, in Halstead, Kansas, Elenora lived a life marked by simplicity and kindness, reflecting her unwavering commitment to those around her.

Elenora was a dedicated professional who started her career with Halstead Hospital and then devoted over 27 years of her career to  Newton Presbyterian Manor,...

Zachariah Allen Church

Zachariah Allen Church

Nov 4, 2025

Zachariah Allen Church (known to all as Zac), 41, of Goessel, Kansas, went home to be with Jesus on November 4, 2025, surrounded by the love of his wife, Jana, and his parents, Bob and Ruth, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on July 15, 1984, to Bobby and Ruth Church of Newton, Kansas, Zac lived a life filled with...

Rhonda Chavez-Tellez

Rhonda Chavez-Tellez

Nov 4, 2025

Rhonda Erin Chavez-Tellez, age 59, passed away on November 4, 2025, in her hometown of Newton, Kansas.

Rhonda was born on January 26, 1966, to Norman and Doris Walker. She was affectionately known as Rhonda-Honda by those who loved her. She dedicated her life to caring for others and was known for her contagious laugh.

Rhonda spent many years working as a...

Merril J Harms

Merril J Harms

Nov 3, 2025

Merril J. Harms, 100 years, passed trusting in God’s grace on November 3, 2025 at Kidron Bethel Health Care, North Newton, Kansas, after being a resident for almost five years with declining vascular dementia. He was born to Alfred and Lorena (Klaassen) Harms on February 11, 1925 in Newton, second oldest of four siblings. He started school at the one...

Claudia Ann Shipley

Claudia Ann Shipley

Oct 31, 2025

Claudia "Sam" Ann Shipley, of Newton, Kansas, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, at the age of 79.

Claudia was born on November 25, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio to Howard Stewart and Dorothea Norgaard. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend whose kindness and warmth touched everyone who knew her.

Claudia will be remembered for her wonderful spirit, humor, and...

James "Jim" Preheim

James "Jim" Preheim

Oct 29, 2025

James "Jim" Adolph Preheim, age 90, of Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, Kansas, formerly of Peabody, Kansas, passed away on October 29, 2025.

James was born to Florence and Adolph Waltner on October 19, 1935. Unfortunately, Adolph was not able to meet his son, as he passed prior to James' birth. Florence then married Waldo Preheim, and James was adopted on...

Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones

Oct 27, 2025

Melvin "Mel" J. Jones, age 80, of Park City, Kansas passed away on October 27, 2025.

Mel was born June 28, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri, to parents Marvin and Elizabeth Jones. He was the second of two children. Mel was always a helpful and compassionate person. He was baptized at Riverside Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas. He became an Eagle...

Gordon Lack

Gordon Lack

Oct 25, 2025

Gordon (Sonny) Lack was born to LeRoy and Ida (Hasz) Lack in Ponca City, Oklahoma on July 30, 1936 and passed away in Newton, Kansas on October 25, 2025 in his home, surrounded by his family.

He was raised in Arkansas City, Kansas, graduating from Arkansas City High School and later graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma.

In 1959,...