Nora Jean Hammerschmidt, 86, of Plainville, passed away surrounded by loved ones on May 11, 2025, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville.

She was born on December 5, 1938, in Hays, Kansas, to Phillip Sr. and Ludwina (Dinkel) Rohr. Nora grew up in Hays and married the love of her life, Ernest "Ernie" J. Hammerschmidt, on May 12, 1956. Together, they built a life full of hard work and cherished memories, raising six children: Roger, Gene, Cheryl, Marchelle, Ernie Jr., and Lenee.

Charles Philip “Charlie” “C.P.” Dunning, passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2025, in Montgomery, Texas, at the age of 98. 

He was born on July 7, 1926, to Guy Orson (d. May 6, 1963) and Bessie Ottalie (Adams) (d. January 19, 1933) in Webster, Kansas. He married Patricia Tanko Meiers on August 18, 1985, in Las Vegas until her death.

James R. Baird was born on April 29, 1955, in Brownsville, Texas. One of four children, James was the third-born child to Leland R. and Betty (Dickinson) Baird. He passed away on May 6, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Norton County Hospital.

Father Duane Roy OSB passed away on the morning of May 8, 2025.  He had received the last rites and the Apostolic Pardon and was surrounded by brothers in prayer.   

A native of Stockton, Kansas, in the Salina Diocese, Father Duane was born on May 11, 1941, the son of the late John and Olive (Morin) Roy. He attended Webster Elementary and High Schools in Webster, Kansas.

James Earl Hinkhouse passed away at the age of 91 on May 4, 2025, with his wife, Susan Hinkhouse, by his side at Ascension Living Via Christi Village in Wichita.

He was born in Hays on June 5, 1933, to Earl Dewey and Myrtle Alice (Noah) Hinkhouse. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Palco, where his family owned the local grocery store. He often reminisced about those days, sharing stories of helping out with the family business. Jim attended school in Palco, graduating in 1951.

Cathey Ellen Critchfield, 77, of Plainville, passed away peacefully at Redbud Nursing Home on Sunday, May 4, 2025. 

She was born January 10, 1948, in Denver, Colorado, to Jack and Florence Davidson. 

She attended North High School in Denver before graduating from Arapahoe High School in Littleton, Colo., in 1966. She later graduated as valedictorian from Orchid Beauty Academy School of Cosmetology in Denver in 1967. 

Darrell Wayne Critchfield, 84, of Plainville, passed away peacefully Monday, April 28, 2025, at Redbud Nursing Home. 

He was born February 21, 1941, in Voda, Kansas, to Denzel and Leiva (Schierkolk) Critchfield. 

He graduated from Morland High School in 1960. April 13, 1973, Darrell married Cathey Ellen Davidson from Denver, Colo. In his spare time, Darrell loved to garden, visit, tell jokes, and watch football games on TV.

Edmond Leo Jordan, 80, passed away April 30, 2025, at Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born February 23, 1945, in Hays, Kansas, to Harold “Tuffy” Clifford Jordan and Neola “Blondie” Darlene Westhusin. 

Ed spent his early years in Plainville, Kansas, before moving with his family to Colorado and Utah, following his father’s work in the oil fields. The family settled in Pratt, where Ed graduated from Pratt High School in 1963.