All Obituaries

Dr. Richard Arthur Barta, D.V.M. Independence, Ks passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, from a farming accident at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the Wesley Center, 111 East Maple, at 11:00am, internment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 20th, family will be greeting friends from 5:00-7:00pm at Webb & Rodrick Chapel. Memorials are suggested to AWOL, FORPAZ and the KSU Foundation...

Audrey Ann (DeWitt) Smith was born on June 16, 1941, passed away January 12, 2021 she enjoyed crafting, quilting, camping, fishing, gardening, she was an avid frog collector and she loved hearing of her grandchildren’s success. Audrey is preceded in death by her parents Aubrey and Agatha (Smirl) DeWitt, brothers Teddy and Gene DeWitt, a sister Sue Warren, daughters Roberta and Audrey Lowry. Audrey’s memory will carry on with her daughter Jody (Kelly) Coy, sons Rodney (Erin)...

Barbara Farrell (Cranor) Dodson, age 84 passed away peacefully December 29, 2020 due to complications following Covid-19 at Country Place Senior Living in Independence, KS. She was surrounded by her family and those that had been caring for her in her Assisted Living Facility that loved her too. There will be no service at this time, cremation has taken place under the direction of Webb and Rodrick Chapel and internment will happen at a later, undetermined date. Barbara was born July 26th...

Clara “Jolene” Mersereau Metzger, 82, of Wichita, KS passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Wesley Memorial Hospital, from complications of COVID.  Jolene was born on September 17, 1938 in Neodesha, KS to Mack and Velma Mersereau.  She obtained her GED from Independence High School and went on to obtain her nurse’s aide certification. Jolene married Bob Metzger in 1955 and they had 3 children, divorcing in 1992.  While married, Jolene lived and worked...

Donald Everett Smith, born October 22, 1934, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, with family by his side. Don was married to Peggy Carlene (Moore) Smith for nearly 52 years before her death in March 2007. Together, Don and Peggy had four children: Richard Allen, Donald Eugene (Gina), Rebecca Ann (Charlie) Austin, and Robin Jay. Don was an avid KU basketball fan, but his biggest joy was being surrounded by family. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren: Lindy (Jeremy)...

Bobbie Clyde Van Pelt, 86 of Independence, Kansas passed away at Labette Health in Parsons, Kansas on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Bob was born on June 12, 1934 in Smyre, North Carolina to Ervin Lee and Annie Bell (Gibson) Van Pelt. Bob entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged after proudly serving his country. On November 2, 1957 he married Barbara Jo Overson in Tacoma, Washington. In 1962 Bob joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they quickly...

Opal “Lucille” Cook age 88 passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at The Legends of Tulsa Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lucille was born on March 6, 1932 in Havana, Kansas at home during a snowstorm to Earl Jasper Defenbaugh and Naomi Lucile (King) Defenbaugh. She had one older brother, Earl Gene Defenbaugh. He gave her the nickname “Sissy” as she was growing up. Her family moved to Coffeyville where she attended Coffeyville schools graduating in 1950. Lucille attended...

William Holmes, 76, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Brother, was called to his eternal resting place on December 17, 2020. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at Bolton Friends Church in Bolton, Kansas. Burial will follow in Harrisonville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Bolton Friends Church and may be left with the Chapel. The family will greet visitors from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2020 at Webb &...

Elmer Carl Hinds, 70 of Independence, Kansas passed away at St. John’s Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Monday, December 14, 2020. Carl was born on January 29, 1950 in Great Bend, Kansas to Elberta Carl and Ahila Mae (Countryman) Hinds. Carl attended Pawnee Rock High School in Pawnee Rock, Kansas. On June 27, 1969 Carl entered the United States Army. He then was immediately sent to Vietnam to help fight for our country. Carl and Sharon were married on June 22, 1971 in Larned,...

Gary W. Cotterill, 80, of rural Cherryvale, Kansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. He was born in McPherson, Kansas to Cecil and Violet (Danielson) Cotterill. His early years were spent having fun playing baseball when his family lived in Pittsburg, Kansas. He and his brother, David, both enjoyed baseball. Later in youth, his parents, brother David and sister Evelyn lived south of Independence on some acreage with some livestock. This helped spark his passion...