George Albert Pywell passed away on April 30, 2021 at his home in Zurich at the age of 83.

Edward W. “Ed” Walker, age 72, Logan, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021, at his home

Orva June Sanchez, age 90, passed away Saturday, April 17th, surrounded by her family at Rooks County Health Center, Plainville, Kansas.

She was born at the Adventist Sanitarium in what is now St. Helena, Calif., on June 10, 1930, to Roy Cole and Bessie Wilson, and was the youngest of three children. After graduating from Ozark Academy, she attended Union College where she graduated with a degree in Music Education. June met Paul Sanchez at Union College and they were married in 1958.

Elma “Honey” Auchard, age 100, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Friday, April 9, 2021 at Hillside Country Living, Bryan, Ohio, where she was a resident.

She was born February 22, 1921, in Woodston, Kansas, the daughter of the late James G. and Edna G. (Grimes) Breckenridge. She was a 1938 graduate of Woodston High School. Elma continued her education attending Pittsburg Teacher’s College, Wayne State University and St. Mary’s College.

Former Plainville resident, Calvin L. Hair, age 67, of Savannah, Mo., passed away April 2, 2021, at his home after a lengthy illness. 

Calvin was born October 17, 1953 in Ransom to Orville and Willa (Snodgrass) Hair.

He was a graduate of Ransom High School and Cleveland Chiropractic College.

He served in the Kansas National Guard from 1986 to 1990 and was honorably discharged. He owned and operated Hair Chiropractic Clinic in Plainville, retiring in 2012. He was a member of the Savannah United Methodist Church and the Savannah Lions Club.

Mary Lucille Marcotte of Zurich passed into her eternal resting place on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at the Redbud Village in Plainville at the age of 92.

She was born on January 28, 1929 to Joseph Bernard Garvert and Ida Catherine (Weachter) Garvert in Plainville. Mary graduated from Plainville High School in 1946 and then attended Marymount College in Salina for one year before returning to Rooks County. For a time, she worked for Gilson’s Drug Store and Donavan’s Car Dealership, both in Plainville. Later in life, she worked as a secretary at the Palco Grade and High Schools.

James "Jim" Henry Thayer, age 58, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021, at his residence. 

He was born on September 29, 1962 in Wichita, Kansas to Earl and Jacqueline (Idleman) Thayer. He married Cynthia Wilder on January 23, 1982 in Hays.

James was a computer technician by trade. He enjoyed fishing, songwriting, was a self-taught piano player, and was known to have a great sense of humor.

E. Allen “Preacher” Course, Jr., born June 18, 1928 to Ellwood A. Course, Sr. and Jessie (Wormser) Course in Lincoln, KS, peacefully passed away in his sleep March 29, 2021 in Stockton, Kan., at the age of 92, having lived his life faithfully serving his God, his family, and his country. His reunion with his wife Frances must have been wonderful, but seeing his Savior (whom he loved so much) must have been best of all!

Lester “Lee” Smith passed away on March 22, 2021 in Codell, Kansas at the age of 106.

He was born on October 2, 1914 to William A. and Percie (Peirson) Smith in rural Codell.

Lee and Lennicejean Lynch were married by the district judge in Stockton. They were blessed with seven children: Marcene, Geneva, Gavon, Myrna, Verna, Jana, and Trisha.

Emery LaVerne Hart, 77, of Grinnell, passed away Friday, March 19, 2021, at Hays Medical Center.

He was born October 21, 1943, in Solomon, Kan., to Solomon and Minnie (Seward) Hart. Emery graduated from Hoxie High School in 1962 and attended Fort Hays State University, where he lettered in football and wrestling, graduating in 1967. On August 8, 1965, Emery married Judy Blank and to this union two sons were born.