All Obituaries

Philip V. Schroeder   Philip (Phil) Vernon Schroeder, age 100, passed away June 29, 2020 at Country Place Senior Living Center in Independence, KS. Phil was born July 22, 1919, in Newton, Ks., son of William A. Schroeder and Clara L. Penner Schroeder. He attended schools in Newton and Wichita graduating from Wichita East High School in 1937. He attended Wichita State University from 1937-1941 until entering the U.S. Army on Sept. 19, 1941. He served from 1941through April of 1943 in...

Robert Keith Scovel, 89, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at Eagle Estates in his hometown of Independence, Kansas. Bob was born on December 18, 1930 in Independence to Jay Winn and Gladys Elizabeth (Gall) Scovel. He graduated from local schools. He was particularly close to his father who served as a judge advocate in India during World War II and greatly admired his sacrifice. During the Korean War conflict, he served as a mechanic in the US Air Force, Crew Chief B-29, 98th Bomb Wing,...

  Ramona Janett Browning age 78 of Independence passed away on June 26, 2020 at Wilson Medical Center. Ramona was born in Ponca City, OK on September 26, 1941 to Raymond and Hazel (Akers) Browning. The family made Independence their home and that is where she attended local schools and graduated from Independence High School. After graduation she moved to Arizona where she started working for a dude ranch and a dog track. Ramona returned home to Independence in the early 80’s...

Richard Lee Trollope known by his friends as Rick, passed away at the age of 72 at the Cherryvale Nursing and Rehab Center on June 26, 2020.   Rick was born in Independence on January 19, 1948 to Leonard and Ruby (Glass) Trollope. Rick attended local schools and Independence High School where he enjoyed playing basketball for the Bulldogs. He continued his education at Independence Community College where he earned his associate degree. Rick found employment at various places,...

Anthony "Tony" Bigley, 55 passed away at St. John's Hospital, in Tulsa Oklahoma on June 24th, 2020. Tony was a resident of Independence for the past 10 years. He was born in Kearny, Arizona and grew up in Joplin Missouri. He worked at Bagcraft and CFI in Joplin, Jaco and Cobalt in Kansas. Tony is survived by his fiancée Deb Mooney of the home, his mother, Stella Bigley of Independence, sister, Teresa Miller of Joplin, son, John and his wife Amanda Bigley of Independence, daughter, Lisa...

Norman Dean Polson, age 84, of Independence, Kansas passed away on Monday June 15, 2020 at the Eagle Estates in Independence, KS.  Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2020 at the First Southern Baptist Church with the Pastor Trevor Darr officiating. Burial will follow in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Axtell, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2020 under the direction of the Webb & Rodrick Chapel. Visitation hours will be held from...

Leland Kingsbury Jr., age 96 of Independence, Kansas passed away Monday, June 15, 2020. Leland was born January 15, 1924 in Fredonia, Kansas to Leland Sr. and Harriett Isabel (Parker) Kingsbury. He grew up in Fredonia, Kansas and attended rural schools. On March 6, 1962 Leland married Wanda Joan Anderson and she preceded him in death on November 20, 1992. Leland worked at the Reed & Widick Feedstore and Elevator in Independence, Kansas for 20 years, Retiring in 1985. Survivors include...

Oletha (Letha) Mae Michels, age 92, a long time Independence resident passed away Sunday, June 14, 2020 at Morningstar Homes in Neodesha, Kansas. Oletha was born on March 22, 1928 in Lockwood, Missouri to Ray Polston and Frances Grider Polston. She attended Golden City schools graduating in 1946. Letha attended Draughons Business University in Springfield, Missouri. She was employed in the office of Western Auto Stores in Joplin, Missouri before moving to Independence, Kansas in 1948. She...

Sharon J. (Jones, Toomey) Miller, 83, of Independence, KS, was called from her earthly life to join her heavenly Father on June 5, 2020; no more sorrow, no more pain. Sharon was born Feb 25, 1937, in Cherryvale, KS. She was the fifth of six children born to Charlie L. and Ethel E. (Lewis) Jones. She graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1955.  Sharon married Robert L. Toomey on November 27, 1955 in Cherryvale, KS. They later divorced. To this union they had 2 children. Brian K....

Michael Patrick Weimer, Jr., AKA Big Mike, 16, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020 in a car accident. Cremation has taken place with Webb & Rodrick Chapel. Michael Patrick Weimer, Jr. was born on March 31, 2004 in Billings, Montana. He was the son of Rachel Crum and the late Michael Weimer, Sr. He attended kindergarten through second grade in Cushing, Oklahoma and moved to Altamont in third grade through ninth grade. Michael was a member of the Class of 2023 at Labette County High...