Debra Dawn Baird
Sep 13, 2025
Debra Dawn Baird, 67, Onaga, KS, passed away September 13, 2025. She was born in Topeka, KS to Bill and Twila (McDonald) Thompson on November 22, 1957.
She married Gene Oswald and divorced, married Harold Douglas and divorced, and married Lyle Baird of the home on April 16, 1994 and lived a happy life. Debra is survived...
Daniel William Willcoxon
Sep 11, 2025
Daniel William Willcoxon passed away on September 11, 2025 after a prolonged illness.
He was born December 17, 1963 to William A. (Bill) and Margaret (Mickie) M. Willcoxon (Pearl) in Kansas City, KS.
Known as Dan or Danny to his friends and family, he attended Spearville High School and Wichita Technical Academy, graduating in 1985....
Margaret Ann Martin
Sep 11, 2025
Margaret Ann Martin, 94, of Topeka Kansas passed away September 11, 2025, with loved ones by her side.
She was born September 6, 1931, at Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, to Edith and Les Talkington .
Margaret married Wayne Martin November 1948. Out of this union they had one daughter, Diane Delany.
She was preceded...
Laurie Grace Diefendorf
Sep 10, 2025
Laurie Grace Audi (née Diefendorf), beloved for her kind heart, vibrant humor, and unshakable courage, passed away on September 10, 2025, after bravely facing a lengthy illness. Born in Denver, Colorado, on October 6, 1962, Laurie grew up with a deep curiosity of the world around her and caring for others. That passion as an ongoing learner led her...
Clifford Edward Van Vleck, Sr.
Sep 8, 2025
Clifford Edward Van Vleck, Sr., 85, of Topeka passed away September 8, 2025.
He was born June 17, 1940, to Edward F. and Luella (Beck) Van Vleck in Kansas City, Missouri.
Clifford attended Rossville schools in Rossville Kansas and graduated in 1959.
He married Connie Johnson in 1959 (they divorced) they had 4...
Garold Kent Sandell
Sep 8, 2025
Garold Kent Sandell, known affectionately as Gary to his friends and family, passed away on September 8, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of 73. Born on December 2, 1951, in Republic, Kansas, Gary was a man whose life was characterized by his loving nature, creative spirit, and handy skills.
Gary grew up in the heart...
Jordan Scott "Jojo" Kolbek
Sep 7, 2025
Jordan Scott "JoJo" Kolbek, a man who lived his life in the fast lane with the charm of a classic car and the spirit of a next-gen console, revved his engines for the last time on September 7, 2025, just shy of his 21st birthday. Born on September 9, 2004, in the vibrant city of Columbia, SC, JoJo was...
Thomas “Tom” Wilbur
Sep 6, 2025
Thomas "Tom" Wilbur
Born December 10, 1958 – Norton, Kansas
Went home with Jesus September 6, 2025
He was surrounded by his family….
Tom Wilbur was a very unconventional man, so this obituary will follow suit.
Words often used to describe Tom: determined, assertive, resilient, complex, and with a...
Floy Mae (Sheese) Minden
Sep 6, 2025
Floy Mae (Sheese) Minden, 93, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 6, 2025.
Floy was born on August 29, 1932, to Leslie and Mary (Gilbert) Sheese. She graduated from Joy High School in Joy, Illinois. In 1950, she married Floyd W. Shepherd, and they shared 17 years of marriage until his passing...
Deana F. Farmer
Sep 5, 2025
Deana F. Farmer, a beacon of love and generosity, passed away on September 5, 2025, at the age of 64 in Topeka, KS. Born on November 15, 1960, in Ft. Riley, KS, Deana's compassionate spirit and friendly demeanor touched the lives of all who knew her.
Deana was the cherished daughter of Sylvia M. Farmer and Donald...
William Eugene Jolly
Sep 4, 2025
William Eugene Jolly, known affectionately as Bill to his friends and family, left this world for his heavenly home on September 4, 2025, at the age of 76. Born on November 23, 1948, in Berwick, Maine, Bill was a beacon of faith and joy throughout his life, touching the hearts of all who knew him. He passed away peacefully...
Wanda Rae Stephens
Sep 3, 2025
Wanda Rae Stephens, departed from this world on September 3, 2025, at the age of 90, in Topeka, KS. Born on May 29, 1935, in Clay Center, KS,.
A devoted wife to her late husband Verne E. Stephens, and a cherished mother, Wanda was preceded in death by her youngest son, William D. Stephens. She leaves behind...
Dresden Antone Driver
Sep 2, 2025
Dresden Driver passed away on September 2, 2025, at the age of sixty-five after a prolonged illness. He was surrounded by his family.
Dresden was born May 5,1960, and was a lifelong resident of Topeka, KS. Growing up, he played baseball in the Lake Shawnee League, with his Dad helping as a coach. After graduation in 1978...
Andrew Peter Nischan
Sep 2, 2025
Andrew Peter Nischan, born July 8, 1970, completed his earthly journey on September 2nd, 2025 and has now entered into eternal rest. Andrew, a cherished husband, son, brother, and friend, passed away in Topeka, KS, after a valiant battle with glioblastoma.
Born to Richard Nischan and the late OraLee (Andrews) Nischan, Andrew's early life in Nebraska was...
Phillip Eugene Emperley
Sep 2, 2025
Phillip Eugene Emperley 76, passed over the rainbow on September 2, 2025, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS surrounded by loved ones. Phillip was born on September 28, 1948, in Pleasanton, KS to Vernon and Alice Boyd. Shortly thereafter, another son Roger was born. A divorce ensued and Alice married Doyle Emperley who adopted both Phillip and Roger....
Linda Sue Scheidegger
Sep 1, 2025
Linda Sue Scheidegger, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025, in her hometown of Topeka, Kansas. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.
Linda was born on January 15, 1951. Linda's warmth and laughter filled the lives of all who knew her for 74 years....
Lawrence "Larry" Alan Burnham
Aug 31, 2025
Lawrence "Larry" Alan Burnham, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, in Topeka, KS, at the age of 60.
He was born on September 27, 1964, in Hutchinson, KS. Larry was a graduate of Topeka High School, class of 1983.
He married Kristine Aulton in 1989. They later divorced. Larry was a devoted father to...
Donald E. Rayls
Aug 29, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Donald E. Rayls, age 50, of Topeka, Kansas, who left us on August 29, 2025. A devoted father, loving partner, and dear friend, Donald's spirit and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Born on September 25, 1974, in Topeka, Donald grew up...
Carl Wilkerson
Aug 29, 2025
Carl Wilkerson hated one question above all others: "What do you do?" The question is normative and well-meaning, but it implied an underlying philosophy that Carl found problematic: the idea that our paid job defines us. Like many creative people, Carl had too many diverse projects in various stages of development to summarize in a word or phrase. At...
Elmer J. Finkbiner
Aug 28, 2025
Elmer J. Finkbiner passed away August 28, 2025, at Stormont Vale Hospital in Topeka, Kansas after a
lengthy Parkinson's illness. He was born June 24, 1938, in Washington County to Elmer and Margaret
(Long) Finkbiner.
Elmer was a 1955 graduate of Clifton High School. He received his bachelor's degree in Economics from
...