Obituaries

James Thomas Carriger, 74, died on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at his home in Pryor, Okla. with his family at his bedside. James was born on March 27, 1948, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Kan. and lived at Haverhill and Augusta, Kan. through high school. He graduated from Augusta High School in the class of 1967. He was born to Paul and Irene (Lowrance) Carriger and was the youngest of four children. His siblings included brothers Bob and Richard, and sister Peggy. James enlisted in the United States Navy in the summer of 1967, following in the footsteps of his father who was a WWII submariner and his two brothers who served in the surface Navy. James attended Engineman school upon completion of boot camp. He then volunteered for submarine school at New London, Conn. His first shipboard assignment was the submarine Atule USS-403, homeported in Key West, Fla. The Atule was commissioned in 1943 and was the last diesel powered submarine in the Atlantic Fleet and was decommissioned in 1969. He was then transferred to the nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine Von Stueben SSBN 632, homeported in Charleston, S.C. That tour was followed by duty on the Daniel Boone SSBN 629, also homeported in Charleston. He made several patrols on the three submarines. In 1977, James left the Navy and relocated his family to Pryor, Okla. and went to work for Air Products Corp. as a plant operator. He retired in 2013 after 37 years with the company. Retirement years were busy with bass fishing and family. On May 10, 1968 James married Glenda Sue Wray in Augusta, Kan. Three children were born to this marriage; Sherrie, Shawn, and Brandi. James and Glenda later divorced. James is survived by: his three children, Sheri McClure, Shawn Carriger, and Brandi McWhirt, all of Pryor, Okla.; sister, Peggy Beene and husband Lee of Mesa, Ariz., brother, Bob Carriger and wife Mary Jane of Broken Arrow, Okla.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death

Laura McCarter Simpson passed away October 26, 2022 at the age of 92. Laura was employed for 15 years with The Walnut Valley State Bank of El Dorado, Ks.

Mary Alice Stevens of Augusta, passed away October 26, 2022 at her home. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, KS Mary’s life began on August 1, 1942, born to Charles P. and Daisy M. Palmer. At age 16, she met her future husband, Freddie Wayne Stevens at the local skating rink in Augusta, KS. They would marry on September 2, 1958 and have two daughters, Sherry J. Cody (Brett) and Cindy D. Sutton (Eddie). They were married over 50 years. Mary worked hard and started her working career at Bob’s Burgers then Ben Franklin in Augusta. She then attended cosmetology school, and worked in Wichita for several years as a hair dresser. She later worked at AMCI Nursing Home as the hair dresser for several years until transferring to Ward Clerk. In 1983, Mary and Fred transferred with Mobil to Beaumont, TX where Mary would start her 38 year career with Walmart. She work as a photography tech developing pictures until their return to Augusta in 1998. She then transferred to the Augusta Walmart working as a Customer Service Clerk and Cashier. Mary retired from Walmart in 2022. Mary’s favorite things to do included taking her doggie, Ladbug, on a bye-bye every evening, playing cards and games at the Augusta Senior Center, watching church services on TV, and most of all having family gatherings and Sunday dinners with her family. She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband; her sister, Margaret Noeller; and nephews, Kenneth

Age 68 Of El Dorado Shirley’s life began on August 30, 1954 in Wichita, KS; the daughter of Francis C. and Irene M.

John T. Tones (Jack) passed away on October 6, 2022.

Death Notice Harold Eldon Gfeller, 94 of El Dorado, KS., passed away on September 30, 1928. He was born on February 27, 1928.

Judy A. Norton, 84, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Geneva Katherine Demel, 89, of Rose Hill, KS, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022. Visitation 9:00 a.m., Rosary 9:30 a.m., and Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. all on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at St. James Catholic Church, Augusta, KS. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery Augusta, KS. Geneva was born in St. Mark, KS on July 3, 1933, to the late Magdalena (Simon) and Paul Doll. She was a gardener, farmer, homemaker, and master bread baker who loved to share her bread and skill with others. On October 20, 1956, she married Jerome Alois Demel. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her son, Glenn Demel; granddaughter, Laura Nicole Theisen; great granddaughter, Teagan Rose Clem; brothers, Wilfred, Clarence, Marvin, and Cletus Doll; sister, Esther Leis. She is survived by: daughter, Susan Clem and husband Jerry of Augusta, KS; son, Mike Demel and wife Jaryl of El Dorado, KS; daughter, Paula Theisen of Andover, KS; son, James Demel and wife Karen of Douglass, KS; daughter, Joyce Standfast and husband Brian of Leon, KS; grandchildren, Amy Adams (Dustin), Andrew Clem (Cindy), Jessica Flint (Brian), Katie Harrington (Durrell), Ryan Demel (Aimee), Cale Demel (Tiffany), Matthew Theisen, Christina Plummer (J.P.), Daniel Theisen (Mary), Megan Demel, Joel Demel, Dylan Standfast, Jason Standfast (Kaylyn), Marie Standfast, Grace Standfast, Aaron Standfast; 17 great grandchildren; sisters, Louise Rohlman, Pauline Weninger, Alfreda Stanley, and Joan Doll. Memorial donations may be made for masses or to St. James Catholic School, 1010 Belmont Ave., Augusta, KS 67010.

Age 61 Of El Dorado, KS Teresa’s life began on November 18, 1960; the daughter of Henry and Betty (McClellan) McElroy. She attended college at Butler Community College.