Gene Charles Jaco passed away on October 15, 2024, in Hays, Kansas at the age of 92.

He was born on September 27, 1932, to Harry Morris and Inez Marie (Brown) Jaco in Nowata, Oklahoma. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Maureen Mock on June 17, 1951, at the First Christian Church in Plainville, and the couple was blessed with three children: Jana, Michael, and Jill.

Diana Appelhans, 59, Wichita, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. 

Born November 16, 1964, to Harold and Marilyn Copper, Diana was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, “Nanny,” and friend to many.

Daniel Wade Zahn, 61, Hoxie, Kansas, passed away October 11, 2024, from a tragic heavy equipment accident in Sheridan County.

He was born August 31, 1963, to Marvel and Irene (Lytle) Zahn in Bottineau, North Dakota. 

He was an avid basketball player. Through the years many people were impressed with his sports and work ethic due to him having only one hand as the result of a farm accident when he was four years old. According to Dan he never had a disability he couldn’t conquer. He was a determined kind of guy. 

Sheryl LaVona (Kiefer) Kibbee, born on June 6, 1941, in Burlington, Colo., to Fred J. Kiefer and Vivian G. (Ragan) Kiefer, was called home by the Lord to her heavenly home on September 24, 2024, at Winchester Terrace, Mansfield, Ohio, at the age of 83.

Sheryl spent her childhood on a farm outside of Burlington until the family moved to town. She married Leland (Lee) C. Kibbee on May 7, 1957. To this union, five children were born: Verna Jean, Larry Lee, Connie Jo, Lee Roy, and Tisha Ann. Sheryl was a devoted wife and mother.

Noel Odette Chaput, 88, passed away on September 24, 2024, in Plainville. 

He was born on September 1, 1936, to Alex and Louise (Odette) Chaput in Concordia. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Concordia and married Carolyn Marlene Campbell on June 9, 1956, excited to start a family of his own.

Odette began working at a grocery store at the age of 14. His first full-time position in the grocery business was in Clay Center. He continued in Smith Center, then Phillipsburg, and finished out his career at Mr. K’s Foodtown in Plainville for 42 years.

Karen Kay (LeRoy) Westhusin passed away on September 21, 2024, at Redbud Village in Plainville, at the age of 60. 

She was born on October 21, 1963, to Kenneth Ray and Orpha Alice (Witt) LeRoy in Great Bend. Karen married Fred R. Westhusin on December 29, 1995, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. They were blessed with two children: Isaac and Kathryn.

Troy Joe Anderson, 62, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024, in Agra, Kansas.

Troy was born on November 26, 1961, in Red Cloud, Nebraska, the son of Billy J. Anderson and Patricia A. (Hill) Novotny. He was a self-employed certified welder and painter.

He was preceded in death by his father, Billy J. Anderson; a brother, Todd T. Anderson; and stepfather, Daryl Novotny.

Brett David Gartrell, of Stockton, passed away on September 15, 2024, at his home in rural Rooks County at the age of 40.

He was born on February 3, 1984, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, to Gregg and Susan Gartrell, the second of their three children.