Local Obituaries for Topeka, Kansas & Shawnee County
Jay Toelkes
Dec 29, 2025
What a journey Jay Toelkes had in his earthly life. He passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at Harmony House Memory Care in Salem, Oregon where he had resided for the last ten months. His wife, Sharon Janney-Toelkes, was by his side, and had lovingly cared for him at home in Silverton, Oregon for five years prior.
Jay was born...
Stanley "Stan" J. Bechtold
Dec 6, 2025
Stanley J. Bechtold, 80, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family members on Saturday, December 6, 2025. He was born on February 6, 1945 in Horton, Kansas, the son of Joseph C. and Marion Gafford Bechtold. He is proceeded in death by his parents, brother Alan, father-in-law Gordon Lindeblad, niece Heather Bechtold, nephews Craig Wilkerson and Kyle Brinker, brothers-in-law...
Charles Hull
Jan 5, 2026
Long time resident of Morton County, Kansas, Charles Franklin Hull, 75, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, at LMH Health in Lawrence. Throughout the years there is a strong possibility that he touched your life in some way. Perhaps you were in need of the fire department, emergency medical services, a plumbing crisis, or just a...
Darlene Faye Ortiz
Jan 1, 2026
Darlene Faye (Cole) Ortiz, age 77, of Carbondale, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at Stormont Vail Health, surrounded by her family.
She was born on April 20, 1948, in Emporia, Kansas, to John Joseph Cole and Bertha Margaret Nellie Piper Cole. Darlene was raised with strong values rooted in faith, family, and hard work, which guided her throughout...
Alice Marie Wietharn
Dec 30, 2025
Alice Marie (Heinen) Wietharn, age 87, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Dec. 30, 2025, at Stormont Vail Hospital. Born August 8, 1938, to Joseph A. and Martha (Huerter) Heinen, Alice was the oldest of six children born and raised on the Heinen farm near Kelly, Kansas.
Alice attended District 21 School, a one room schoolhouse in Kelly, until 1949. She then...
Patricia "Patty" Ann Guerrero
Dec 30, 2025
Patricia Ann “Patty” Guerrero, age 73, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on December 30, 2025, at her home. She was born on July 26, 1952, in Topeka, Kansas, to John Garcia and Guadalupe Carreno.
Patty was a woman whose life revolved around faith, family, and finding joy in everyday moments. A lifelong Catholic and devoted member of Our Lady of...
Connie Jean Haughey
Dec 27, 2025
Connie Jean Haughey, born April 2, 1945, in Topeka, to Gene and Mary Haughey, lived a life defined by dedication, compassion, and a deep love of learning and the arts.After receiving a teaching degree from Washburn University, Connie began her career at Alma High School, later transferring to Highland Park. A chance opportunity led her back to her beloved Alma...
Bobby R. Fehring
Dec 26, 2025
Bobby R. Fehring, age 94, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025.
He was born on November 9, 1931, in Joplin, Missouri, the son of Henry and Velma (West) Fehring. Bobby was deeply proud of his country and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he devoted himself to providing...
Leroy Orvel Bahr
Dec 26, 2025
Leroy Orvel Bahr, 90, of Topeka, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, at his home.
He was born February 25, 1935, in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, to Cletus R. Bahr and Rose F. (Linderer) Bahr. Leroy graduated from Sainte Genevieve High School in 1952.
Leroy worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. He served in the United States...
Monte Ray Montgomery
Dec 23, 2025
Monte Ray Montgomery, age 83, of Topeka, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at his home in Topeka.
He was born on November 4, 1942, the son of Orville and Evelyn (Weakly) Montgomery. Monte was blessed with two children, Stephen Montgomery and Laura Bañuelos; as well as three grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his beloved wife, Maria...
William Herbert Bevan
Dec 23, 2025
William Herbert Bevan, 93, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Overbrook.
He was born September 27, 1932, in Herington, Kansas, to Olin Kenneth Bevan and Frieda (Jackson) Bevan. William graduated from Herrington High School and went on to serve in the United States Navy during the Korean war.
William worked as a mechanic and owned Bevans Texaco...
Paul L. Bowers
Dec 13, 2025
Paul L. Bowers, age 90, of Topeka, KS, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Topeka.
He was born the son of George and Mary (Lape) Bowers on September 19, 1935, in Cape Girardeau, MO. On July 25, 1957, Paul married his beloved wife, Doloris Mendoza, and together, they celebrated 68 years of marriage.
Paul was...
Michael Leo Grace
Dec 12, 2025
Michael “Mike” Leo Grace, 67, of Topeka, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 12, 2025, at his home.
He was born May 27, 1958, in Topeka, the son of Virgil Leo Grace and Josephine Sylvia Longshore Grace. Mike graduated from Hayden High School in 1976, and attended Benedictine College in Atchison. In his younger years he attended Holy Name Catholic Church.
He...
Robert "Bob" N. Waggoner
Dec 11, 2025
Robert “Bob” N. Waggoner, age 78, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Stormont Vail Hospital.
He was born the son of Kenneth and Carrie (Blankenship) Waggoner on May 8, 1947, in Topeka, KS. On August 25, 1977, Bob married his loving wife, Margaret June Levings in Topeka, KS, and together, they shared 45 years of marriage...
Delbert Edwin Guthrie
Dec 11, 2025
Delbert Edwin Guthrie, 90, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Plaza West Care Center.
He was born August 7, 1935, in Logans Fort, Indiana, the son of Orley Guthrie and Edith Pearl (Meyers) Guthrie. Delbert attended schools in Topeka, Kansas and graduated from Topeka High School.
Delbert served in the Kansas Army National Guard from 1953-1962, as a...
Richard M. Logan
Dec 10, 2025
Richard M. Logan, age 76, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in Topeka.
He was born the son of Louis and Norma (Burgess) Logan on November 24, 1949, in Jackson, MS. Following high school, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country during the Vietnam War.
On December 6, 1969, Richard married...
Dolores Sharp
Dec 9, 2025
Dolores Sharp passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, at Presbyterian Manor in Topeka, KS. Dolores was born August 21,1935 in Washington, D.C. to Ted Sharp and Alice Canter Sharp, the firstborn of 4 girls. The family soon moved to Maplewood, MO., a suburb of St. Louis. She attended schools in Maplewood until 10th grade when the family relocated to...
Alice Martinez Slater
Dec 6, 2025
Alice Martinez Slater, age 64, of Topeka, KS, passed away with her family by her side on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Midland Hospice House.
She was born the daughter of Simon and Antonia (Padilla) on November 17, 1961, in Topeka, KS. Alice worked for 40 plus years as a dedicated employee with the Kansas Department of Revenue. Her career...
Shirley Lucille Chada
Dec 5, 2025
Shirley Lucille Chada, 80, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Lexington Park Health & Rehab, in Topeka, Kansas.
She was born on March 15, 1945, in Sutton, West Virginia, to Ezekiel M. Ware and Martha Estelle (McCourt) Ware. Shirley graduated from Braxton County High School in 1963.
After High School she entered the United States Army, where...
Gabriel Ramirez
Dec 5, 2025
Gabriel Ramirez, 78, of Topeka, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.
He was born October 9, 1947, in Topeka, the son of Espiririon “Joe” Ramirez and Amelia “Molly” Tinoco. Gabriel graduated from Topeka High School in 1966.
After high school, Gabriel was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. and served two tours in Vietnam.
Gabriel...
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