1946-2026
Jolene Carol Haydon, 79, of Little River, Kansas, passed away peacefully April 30, 2026, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home. Born July 14, 1946 in Little River, Jolene was the beloved daughter of Leland E. and Marjorie M. (Gregory) Haydon. With the exception of a few years in Great Bend and Park Place Apartments in Lyons, she proudly called Little River home. Jolene graduated with the Little River High School Class of 1965, and many in town will remember her helping at her family’s business, Haydon Sundries, where she mastered her duties at the soda fountain. She also assisted her mother as an Avon representative. Faith and friendship were important in Jolene’s life. She attended the First United Methodist Church in Lyons, where she was a member of the Kum Dubble Sunday School class.  Following in the footsteps of her mother, Jolene was proud to be a member of the Eastern Star Queen Esther Chapter #32. She had a creative spirit—she loved crafting and working on word searches. BINGO was a favorite pastime at Sandstone and the prize display in her room was a testament to her winning spirit. She especially enjoyed holidays, birthday parties and class reunions. Jolene is survived by her cousins, Michael G. Perkins and his wife Chris of Louisville, Colorado, and Kelly Kolker and her husband Alex of Lenexa, Kansas; as well as her longtime friend, Karen Snyder of McPherson, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents and her cousins, Suzanne Allen and Karen Thompson. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2026, at Bean Memorial Cemetery, with Pastor Chris Deeds officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the cemetery. Jolene received loving care and many words of encouragement while a resident of Sandstone Heights. The family wishes to recognize Sandstone Heights as Jolene’s memorial, in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.
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