Obituaries

Patricia Ann Martin, a beloved mother, grandmother, Sister, and devoted friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, just shy of her 81st birthday. Born Patricia Ann Schuster on October 4, 1943, she was the cherished daughter of Fred and Anna (Ayers) Schuster, who welcomed her into the world in Kansas City, Kansas.

Alexis Ragan Crowther, 36, passed away Oct. 1, 2024, at her home in Wichita, Kansas. She was born with her twin brother, Cody, September 28, 1988, in Wichita, to Alan and Lori (Kaiser) Crowther. The family moved to Great Bend in 1990.

Matthew Curtis McFarland, 65, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away October 1, 2024. He was born on December 12, 1958, the youngest child of Joe and Roberta McFarland. He went to elementary school in Emporia and Topeka and attended Jardine Jr. High School. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1977.

Alan P. Graves, 74, retired mechanical engineer for Boeing and Spirit, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024.

Merlyn R. Buss, 85, died early morning of October 2, 2024, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas. She was born April 11, 1939, in McAlester, Oklahoma. The daughter of Robert S. and Rosie Whiteside Cornish. Later moving to Newton, Kansas where she grew up.

Joseph Frederick “Joe” Danek, II, 71, passed away October 2, 2024, at his home in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on February 5, 1953, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Joseph and Elizabeth “Betty” (Musenbrock) Danek.

William Burdette Baxter, 63, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away October 1, 2024, at his home. He was born August 14, 1961, in Lyons, the son of Bill Burdette and Ada Marie (Briscoe) Baxter. William was a lifelong Rice County resident.

Orville Weber, 97, passed away September 30, 2024 at Wesley Medical Center. He was born March 23, 1927 rural Marion to Jake and Hannah (Baker) Weber.

Trudie Lueen Wiggers, 85, of Halstead, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at the Pleasant View Home in Inman. She was born on October 6, 1938 in Newton, Kansas, to Wayne W. and Eula L. (Unruh) Wiggers.

Zula Belle Harding, 96, passed away October 1, 2024 in Cheney. Her visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 7, 2024 at Wulf-Ast Mortuary in Garden Plain. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Trinity United Christian Church in Cheney. A full obituary will be posted later.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Zula Belle Harding, please visit our floral store.

Melvin S. Schrock, 87, passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, at Legends Senior Living, Hutchinson, KS. Melvin was born April 23, 1937, in Hutchinson, KS, the son of Sam and Fannie (Yoder) Schrock.

Stephen Craig Richter, 65, passed away October 1, 2024, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. Stephen was a beloved member of the communities of Ellinwood, Kansas where he worked and Great Bend Kansas where he lived. He was known for his kind and loving spirit, showing genuine interest and concern for the lives of the people around him. Stephen was known for his devotion to his family, especially his grandchildren, and his love and support of those in his community.