All Obituaries

SALINA   William Howard, 77, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at his home in Salina. Bill’s main loves in life were his wife, his children and grandchildren, and his farm. He was an outdoor enthusiast and loved deer, turkey, and upland hunting. He spent countless hours at the farm preparing for the hunt, scouting, and soaking in the outdoors with his beloved dogs. Bill loved to have conversations about his past dogs, their personalities, and hunting abilities. In...

KANOPOLIS In loving memory.   Jason Lee Tripp, 44, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 13, 2023, sitting in his favorite chair. He was born on August 21, 1978 in Ellsworth, KS to Bobbie Tripp. Jason was a devoted husband, loving father, a cherished friend to many, and above all a die-hard chiefs fan. He will be remembered for his kind heart, infectious laughter, and unwavering loyalty.   Jason worked as a supervisor for HPSI. He had a love and passion for trucks and...

ELLSWORTH   Dorothy Neuschafer Grothusen of Ellsworth County, died May 13, 2023 at Salina Presbyterian Manor at age 100. She was born December 1, 1922 on a farm 10 miles southwest of Ellsworth to Henry and Mary (Obadal) Neuschafer.   She attended Cass Ridge Country School, a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1940. She was then employed by the AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Administration), achieving the position of chief clerk.   She married...

ELLSWORTH   Gerald Otto Peterman, 86, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023 in Salina, KS. He was born January 28, 1937 in Ellsworth County, KS to Otto F. and Etta C. (Sternberg) Peterman.   Gerald grew up on a farm northwest of Ellsworth and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran school in the country north of Ellsworth. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and attended Ellsworth High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and served as a crew member on a...

ELLSWORTH   Peggy Jo Schultz, 65, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Salina, KS. She was born January 31, 1958 in Ellinwood, KS to Clarence and Anna (Case) Cox.   Peggy married Roger Schultz in Ellsworth on September 16, 1995.  She was a member of the Ellsworth VFW Auxiliary and volunteered much of her time to various community events. Although she was not a regular church attender, she was a very spiritual individual. One of her greatest joys was being a nana to her...

ELLSWORTH   Arthur Robert “Buck” Strong, Jr., 90, passed away April 27, 2023 in Salina. He was born September 5, 1932 in Athol, KS to Arthur Robert and Bessie Mae (Moore) Strong.   Buck married Joyce Mulkey in Smith Center, KS on December 24, 1950. He was the owner and operator of Buck’s, and a former member of Ellsworth Masonic Lodge, Ellsworth Fire Department, and National Campers and Hikers Association.   Buck is survived by his wife, Joyce Strong of...

ELLSWORTH   Veronica Lynn (Rinaldo) Davidson was born February 23, 1968 to Leon J. and Joann J. Rinaldo in Barberton, Ohio. She passed away on April 26, 2023 in Salina, Kansas after a short battle with bone cancer. Veronica married Ervin E. Davidson Jr. on October 13, 1992. Ervin preceded her in death on December 1, 2019. Her parents and step-brother, Victor Vallier also preceded her in death. Veronica is survived by her daughter, Ashley Davidson of Salina, Kansas, step-daughter...

KANOPOLIS   Gwendolyn Marie Bunch, 49, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023 at her home in Kanopolis, KS. She was born February 26, 1974 in Hanford, CA to Phil and Sherleen (Makekau) Price. Gwen married Bryan Bunch in Kanopolis on December 8, 2012. She was an executive assistant at Maico Industries, Inc. in Ellsworth, KS.   Gwen is survived by her husband Bryan of Kanopolis; son, Devon; daughter, Hailey Fithen (Austin); granddaughter, Avah Fithen; niece, Rickale Glover (Logan);...

ELLSWORTH   Della Fern Ranker, 93, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023 in Salina, KS. She was born November 29, 1929 in Ellsworth County, KS to William Wachs, Sr. and Minnie (Haase) Wachs. Della was a graduate of Ellsworth High School. She married Dorsey “Duke” Ranker in Ellsworth on October 9, 1950. She was a bookkeeper at IGA, the weed department, and for Duke’s trash service. Della was very active in the Ellsworth VFW Auxiliary and the Immanuel Lutheran Church LWML....

KANOPOLIS   Karl “Buck” Ploutz, 76, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023 in Ellsworth, KS. He was born September 6, 1946 in Ellsworth to Carl and Alice (Bray) Ploutz. Karl served in the United States Air Force with tours in Vietnam. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 174.   Karl married Gloria Janzen in Lorraine, KS on May 22, 1971. He was a retired school custodian, farmer and rancher, and worked for Chuck Andrews on his ranch. Beyond his associations...