Obituaries

  Mildred E. Beye, 93, of Augusta, KS, went to be with her Lord, Saturday, February 4, 2023 while her children were by her side. Visitation 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.…

Charlotte Edith Merritt, 83, of Russell, Kansas and longtime resident of Towanda, Kansas, died on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Wheatland Nursing Home in Russell, Kansas. Charlotte was born on February 14, 1939, in Cherryvale, Kansas, the daughter of Ola David and Edith C. (Barker) Mishler. She was one of 12 children who were raised on the family farm in Cherryvale. She graduated from Cherryvale High School in the class of 1957, and attended some college after high school. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Gary Joe Merritt on November 29, 1970, at the First Baptist Church in Cherryvale, Kansas. From this union Charlotte and Gary were blessed with a daughter Angela. Gary went to work for the Kansas Department of Transportation and they made their home in Towanda, Kansas. In 1980, Charlotte went to work for the First Baptist Church Daycare in El Dorado, Kansas, working her way up to daycare supervisor before retiring in 2009. In 2006, their daughter Angie and husband Darren Peeler moved to Russell, Kansas, to purchase Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Charlotte wanted to be close to her daughter and grandchildren so she and Gary moved to Russell, Kansas. This move gave her great joy, because it allowed her to see and take care of her grandchildren on a daily basis. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in El Dorado. She was a master seamstress, often making Angie’s clothes, dresses and formal gowns for her high school prom and winter dances. In addition to sewing, she loved crocheting, knitting, gardening and working in the yard and attending her very large family reunions in Cherryvale. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and loved babysitting her 3 grandchildren. Surviving family include her husband Gary of the home in Russell, daughter Angie R. Peeler and husband Darren of Russell; grandson Dylan Peeler of Wichita, Kansas, granddaughters Megan Peeler and Charlee Peeler both of Russell, Kansas; sisters June Ric

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.

Theo Jean (Knaussman) Winzer, 91, passed peacefully with her husband and all of her children present at Andover Medical Center on January 27, 2023. She was born September 17, 1931 at Bethel Hospital, Newton, KS, daughter and second child of Theodore F. and Ruby (Ammeter) Knaussman. Theo Jean and her two brothers Howard (deceased) and Robert Knaussman grew up in the Burns, KS rural community. She attended Burns schools from grade school through high school, graduating in 1949. She acquired her certification to teach elementary school after attending El Dorado Junior College in El Dorado, KS. Her teaching career began in Towanda, KS where she taught second grade from 1951-1954 then transferred to Skelly Elementary in El Dorado where she taught first grade until 1956. On December 27, 1953, she married the love of her life, Larry D. Winzer. They had three children, Sheryl (Winzer) Connell, Brett (Penny) Winzer, and Denise (Jerry) Henn. Theo Jean was a nurturing mother and inspired educator so when Denise started Kindergarten, Theo returned to education as a substitute teacher and then as a library assistant. She is survived by her husband, Larry, three children: Sheryl, Brett (Penny), and Denise (Jerry); eight grandchildren: Jessie (Rick) Riley, Libby (Tom) Sanford, Tristan Connell, Barrett Winzer, Trent (Jaza) Winzer, Adam (Katie) Henn, Abbey (Chris) Smreker, Andrew (Elizabeth) Henn; and nine great grandchildren: Ben, Nick and Will Riley, Max Sanford, Bradley Winzer, Kadyn, Kyler and Keely Winzer, and Alice Smreker; also surviving is brother Robert (Eileen) Knaussman. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, El Dorado, KS. Burial at Walnut Valley Cemetery, El Dorado, KS. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 421 W Central Ave. El Dorado, KS 67042 or Meals on Wheels, attn: Diane Felt, 720 W. Central El Dorado, KS 67042.

Gerald Lee Guy, 85, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 following a short illness with acute myeloid leukemia. Gerald lived a long, happy, and honorable life. He was a great man. He was a simple man. He lived his life with integrity and believed in always ‘doing the right thing’. He was humble, strong, courageous, loving, and loyal. Gerald married the love of his life, Marcia (Collins) Guy. Together, they raised their family and modeled a committed, loving, faith-based marriage. Gerald and Marcia loved their family most and had a special relationship with each child and grandchild. They were together at every family event, school activity, and ball game. For years, they owned property in Branson, MO and treasured the time they spent there with family. Antique cars were their hobby. Road trips with Trudy and Duane Claycamp were their favorite vacations. Monthly lunch dates with friends from high school were some of their best meals. Life is a matter of moments. The sum of Gerald’s moments equal a life well lived. Gerald was born on June 8, 1937 in Latham, Kansas to Richard Morris Guy and Mabel ‘Fern’ (Peterson) Guy. Following high school, he studied chemical engineering at Butler County Community College. Gerald was inducted in the Army in May 1960. He served two years active duty, including a stint in Germany. In 1962 he was transferred to Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in May 1966. After his military service, Gerald worked as a lab analyst at Texaco and continued his chemical engineering studies at Kansas Newman. He retired from Texaco after 41 years of service. He is survived by his children, Jeff Guy, Andrea and Chris Guynn, Jeremy Guy, Michelle and Peter Helten, Mike and Amy Ward; daughter-in-law, Kelly Ward; grandchildren, Samuel Guy, Makenzie Guy, Jake (Cassie) Guy, Garrett (Courtney) Guynn, Shala Guy, Aaron (Ashley) Haskell, Kristi (Jordan) Swanson, Taylor Ward, Tyler (Andrea) Ward,

Ted Farmer, devoted husband, loving father, engineer, and poet passed away on January 22, 2023, at the age of 95. He was living at Bartlesville Assisted Living Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Ted was born at Memorial Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, on January 29, 1927. He was the first born child of Willis Lee Farmer and Helen Adelia (Colton) Farmer who were living nearby in the small town of Farmington, Illinois. Ted was baptized at the Farmington Methodist Church. He received his childhood education in local public schools and graduated from Farmington High School in 1945. When Ted was just 8 years old, his father died suddenly leaving his mother to raise Ted and Ted’s younger brother, Bob, in the midst of the Great Depression. Upon graduation during World War II, Ted enlisted in the United States Navy, was assigned to a landing craft, and sailed for Japan where he had expected to be part of the impending U.S. invasion. However, the war ended, and Ted’s crew became part of the occupying force. The ship soon returned to California for decommissioning and Ted was honorably discharged. Back home, Ted attended James Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, but transferred to Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas, where he was a founder of the local chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity and received a degree in Civil Engineering. While there, Ted fell in love with Alice Kathleen Ekstrom. The couple were married May 28, 1950. Ted worked in Kansas, including in El Dorado and Topeka, gaining practical experience in engineering. Two boys, Robert Lee and Ronald Willis Farmer were born in this time. The couple ultimately returned to El Dorado where they made their home for over 60 years. Ted became County Engineer of Butler County, Kansas, and held that position for 35 years. He was also a licensed Surveyor and near the end of his career with the county, he opened a private land surveying company. In El Dorado, the couple joined the First United Methodist Church and were

Laroy “L.A.” Alvie Posey, 73, of Burrton, Kansas, passed away on January 10, 2023, from cancer. He was born on September 23, 1949, in Stafford Kansas the son of Walter Alvie Posey and Chlora (Beitler) Stewart.