Obituaries

July 8, 1930 February 8, 2023 Pat Scott, 92, loving mother, grandmother, and friend to many, went to Heaven on February 8, 2023. Memorial service 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 18, at Metro East Baptist Church, 333 N.

Michael E. Preston, 85, of Augusta, KS, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023 at home. Visitation 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm Thursday, February 16, 2023, and service 10:00 a.m. Friday February 17, 2023 both at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, KS. Michael was born in Wichita, KS on January 1, 1938, to the late Hazel Fern (Brown) and Edward Preston. He was an engineering experimental test pilot at Beech and Cessna for many years and also owned Preston Aviation Consulting. On June 28, 1969 he married Connie Jean (Conley) Preston in Wichita, KS. She preceded him in death. He is survived by: sons, Randall Kenneth Bellew and wife Becky, Ron Preston and wife Sandie, and Brian Preston; grandchildren, Brad Bellew, Scott Preston and wife Krista, Beth Raine and husband Brad, Lane Preston, Landon Preston; great grandchildren, Taylor Bellew, Brianna Bellew, David Bellew, Sydnee Preston, Conner Raine, Quincy Raine, Taytum Preston, Brystol Preston, and Swayzie Preston. Memorial donations to Augusta High School Skeet Team, 2020 Ohio Street, Augusta, KS 67010.

Age 80 Of El Dorado, KS Earl “Dub” Rakestraw’s life began on October 14, 1942 in Sterling, KS; the son of Calvin and Lillian (Miller) Rakestraw. Dub had a passion for education and healing the mind.

Mildred E. Beye, 93, of Augusta, KS, went to be with her Lord, Saturday, February 4, 2023 while her children were by her side.

Tom Hamel of El Dorado, KS, passed away on February 3, 2023, at the age of 83 after an extended illness. He grew up in Zurich, KS, the youngest of three sons to Harry and Nona Hamel. During his youth, Tom worked with his father in the construction business, learning the building trades and becoming a skilled carpenter in the process. After graduating from high school, Tom decided to become an educator. He graduated from Fort Hays State University and taught junior and high school math in Great Bend, KS for a time, but he continued working on his education. He completed his Ed.D. from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and spent the next 31 years as a professor of mathematics and computer science at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. He retired in 2002, moved to El Dorado, and fulfilled his dream of owning a house next to a golf course. Tom was an avid golfer for most of his life, but he also enjoyed watching just about any sport on TV. He became a wood turner in retirement, specializing in making bowls and other pieces out of wood to the highest standard of perfection. Tom is survived by his wife Nancy (Eichman) of 58 years, who with a heavy heart, will deeply miss her life partner. He is survived by his son Daniel, who is grateful for the time he and his father spent together over the years working on projects, but in particular, he treasures their time together at the end of his father’s life. He is survived by his son Paul (Cheryl) and grandchildren Alex, Sarah, and Will. Paul will miss talking sports with his dad, along with a variety of other topics, but especially their mutual interest in the fine art of grilling and smoking meats. Tom was preceded in death by his brother Dean, and he is survived by his brother Gary (Gloria). No service is planned at this time. Memorials can be made to the Susan B. Allen Auxiliary of El Dorado in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may viewed and condolences sent at ww

Randy DeWayne Wheeler, 52, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away suddenly on Jan. 29, 2023. He was out doing something he loved listening to live music, singing, and dancing with people he loved. Randy was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma, on Feb. 21, 1970, to Janice and John Wheeler. Randy’s dad served in the Air Force so the family moved several times, but eventually settled in the Wichita area where they raised Randy and his younger sister Christy.Whatever he achieved in life, Randy credited to God and to the family who loved him so well. Randy went to Andover High School where he played sports and developed friendships that lasted his whole life. After graduating high school, Randy joined the Army and was stationed in Germany before moving back to Wichita. By that time, he had already gotten married and started a family. He has four kids: Chris, John, Madison and Lauren, and they were the light of his life. After his marriage to Sarah Tester in 2013, Randy also embraced four stepkids: Molly, Allie, David and Katie. Holidays, especially Christmas, became big, loud affairs, which Randy loved. Randy was blessed to see some of his kids get married, and the Wheeler family now includes Chandler, Edwin, Judson and Andie. In addition, Randy has two granddaughters: Khaleesi and Phoebe. Randy had a strong faith that God was good and that putting your trust in Him was the wisest and best thing you could do. He often talked about how blessed he was, how much God had done for him, and how he deserved none of it. After his time in the Army, Randy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Friends University and embarked on a career in recruiting. He had great success in recruiting and building talent acquisition teams for some of the largest financial services, banking, life insurance and semiconductor organizations worldwide, including Texas Instruments, Schwab and Samsung. Randy loved talking to people and often said he had the best job in the world. His optimism and faith were hallmark

Augusta, KS Shirley Jean Ludwig, 88, of Augusta, KS, devoted wife and loving mother, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 in El Dorado, KS. Visitation 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.