Gordon Scott Austin, 61, of Macksville, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
He was born on February 16, 1964, in Ojui, Calif. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose sarcasm and humor touched the lives of all who knew him.
Gordon was married to Audrey Bernadette (Cole) Austin in 1988. Together, they raised an extraordinary family that will forever carry his memory.
Omer Aloysius Knoll, age 90, a very well-known artist, sculptor, teacher, and a friend to many, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Redbud Village Care Center in Plainville.
He was a former Ellis County resident who lived his later years in Palco. He was born October 8, 1934, in Hays, Kansas, and was one of nine children in the family of Adam and Barbara (Sander) Knoll.
His wishes were to be cremated and his inurnment next to his family at Saint Fidelis Cemetery in Victoria, Kansas.
Jerry Lee Jackson, 84, passed away on February 27, 2025, at his home in Great Bend, Kan.
He was born on October 15, 1940, in Stockton, to Alfred "Jack" and Rosena (Hunter) Jackson. Jerry married Shirlee Ann (Hutton) on August 6, 1961, in Stockton.
Jerry, a Great Bend businessman since 1969, co-owned and operated the Coast-to-Coast Hardware store alongside Shirlee from 1969 to 1987. Upon closing the store, both continued service to the residential and commercial lawn machinery community with the operation of H & J Distributing until Jerry's passing.
Pastor Luke William Wise, of Plainville, passed away on February 27, 2025, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, at the age of 41.
He was born on March 10, 1983, to Ronald "Ron" Duane and Mary Beth (Hargrave) Wise in Hays, Kansas. He was married on June 1, 2013, to Amanda Nicole Fronce in Plainville, Kansas at the United Methodist Church. God blessed them with three daughters, Hadassah, Lillyana and Ronniyah.
Former Palco resident Lewis “Glenn” Hartnett, 72, of North Platte, Neb., passed away on February 26, 2025, at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdredge, Neb., at the age of 72.
He was born on April 29, 1952, in Plainville, Kansas, to Bluford II and Naomi (McClay) Hartnett. He married Jeanette Skolout on June 7, 1975, in Colby, and together, they were blessed with three children: Ashley, Luke, and Holly. Jeanette passed away on January 12, 2017. He was blessed to have met his next life partner, Jo Bay, and to continue a beautiful journey with her and her family.
Laurine E. Hicks, age 82, of Osage City, Kansas, passed away on January 17, 2025, at Peterson's Assisted Living in Osage City.
She was born on April 2, 1942, in Larned, Kansas to Elmer and Alice (Andree) Hinkel.
Janel Louise Haug, 66, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
She was born on February 2, 1959, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Virgil and Louise Windholz and a sister to her seven siblings. From an early age, she radiated a creative, passionate spirit— always eager to perform, design, and express herself with an innate sense of style. Her playful, sneaky nature and deep commitment as a sister forged enduring bonds within her family.
Clifford J. “Cliff” Kreutzer, 84, Ellis, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at his home.
He was born February 26, 1940, in Yocemento, the son of Aloysius Jr. “Aloys” and Cecelia (Braun) Kreutzer. Cliff grew up on the family farm north of Ellis and attended the one-room Locust Grove School.
In 1959, he married Katharine Zimmerman, and they were blessed with four children: Douglas, Rebecca, Rosalind, and Rita Mae. On May 9, 1981, he married Nancy A. Bice in Plainville.
Lillian Mary (Robben) Hockman passed away peacefully Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Benner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz., at the age of 83.
She was born “on the farm” on January 7, 1942, to Francis H. and Clara Josephine (Windholz) Robben in Walker, Kansas. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Lee Hockman on July 2, 1966.
