Obituaries

Patricia Ann “Patty” Wilkerson

Patricia Ann “Patty” Wilkerson died April 17, 2022. She was the 6th child of 9 children born to Martin and Nora (Simmons) Heugel. She was born April 20, 1936, Kansas City, KS. She was baptized on June 28, 1936 and confirmed on April 10, 1949 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Valley Falls, KS. Patty was married to Claude E. Armstead in 1952. After this marriage ended, she wed Wallace Wilkerson in 1957. He preceded her in death on March 29, 2006. She retired in 1999 from KANAL after 37 years, working in production for 18 years and in the office for 19 years. She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in El Dorado, KS. She enjoyed her family, quilting, family history and reading. She is survived by 2 sons, Jack (Betsy) Armstead of Topeka, KS and Wallace (Debbie) Wilkerson of Lenexa, KS, 2 daughters, Linda (Trent) Wimberly of El Dorado, KS and Patti Plett of Rose Hill, KS; 9 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are 2 sisters, Norma McMullen of Topeka, KS and Ina Neubauer of Oregon City, OR. Preceding her in death were her parents, 3 sisters, Edith Harden, Ruth Edwards, Mary Boese; 3 brothers, Martin D. Heugel, Jr., Albert Heugel and David Heugel; 2 grandchildren Rochelle Wilson and Nicole Baker. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, April 25 at Grace Lutheran Church in El Dorado. Graveside services will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, April 26 at Pleasantview Cemetery in Oskaloosa, KS. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Patty at www.carlsonkirbymorris.com

Read MorePatricia Ann “Patty” Wilkerson

Amy Elisabeth Shields Engemann

“Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration.” Amy Elisabeth Engemann, nee, Shields was born 12/31/1970 at Lindsay Air Station, Wiesbaden, West Germany to then Captain Kent Lee Shields (USAF - LT.COL/Retired) and Mary Ella Shields nee, Seglem. She joined her big sister Jennifer and 14 months later had to share dad and mom with her little brother Thomas. The Shields family were able to live and travel abroad thanks to dad being active-duty Air Force for 24 years. Amy LOVED being an Air Force Brat. From being born in Germany to assignments in OK, KS, IL, AL, The Philippines, and TX. One of Amy’s favorite memories is being at Frankfurt American High School, and listening to 80’s music with her friends. Amy made lifelong friends in all places, and she always valued them as Family.

Read MoreAmy Elisabeth Shields Engemann

Sammy Warren Burns

Sammy Warren Burns cashed in his one-way ticket to Heaven on March 24, 2022 and is now having a party with Jesus, his momma Margie, his little brother Dan and all his favorite Boxer dog companions. Sam was born in El Dorado, KS on October 19, 1952 to Gary and Margie Burns. He was the middle of three ornery boys and grew up running the streets of El Dorado. He graduated from Circle High School in 1970 and then attended Springfield Baptist College and Butler County Community College. Sammy entered the air force in 1972 where he well represented his country and demonstrated his determination and grit for 6 years. During this time, he was also a member of the Air Force men’s fast pitch team where he showed that real men play fast pitch. He had so many amazing memories during this time and learned many skills that would allow him to later be the best little league coach around. He thought his life was full until the most important chapter in his life began, which was that of him being a father. He had his first daughter Cristina Renae Hollis on March 8, 1981 followed by yet another girl, Julie Ann Gawith, on March 16, 1983. Although neither were the boy of his dream, they were truly his greatest love. He did all things great as a father demonstrating unending love till the very day he was called home. He worked hard on shift work at the El Dorado Refinery where he worked his way to the top and became and an absolute necessity. While working long, hard hours he also made it a priority to give all that he had to being a math tutor, basketball and softball coach, Nintendo partner, PTO pizza man, and his girls’ biggest fan. That dream of having a boy one day became a reality when he had not one, but four grandsons. They were his life’s greatest passion. He spent late night hours teaching them how to play chess and pool, whooping there heinies in dominos, spoiling them with outrageous amounts of sugar, and cheering them on during play station adventures all snuggled up on his bed. He was their Papa and there was no denying just how much he loved them. Sam was an all-around incredible man that constantly showed love and concern for others. Whether you were a random waitress at a restaurant, one of his many nieces, or some stranger calling him on the phone, he would begin the conversation with a smile and show his constant interest in your life. He was an incredible athlete and a Circle High all-star. He did what he could to pass those talents on to others through his dedicated and relentless coaching style. He was smart as a whip and sure had a knack for anything math and science. Sam loved deeper and more forgivingly than you could imagine. He loved like Jesus did, without end. From heaven Sam will be cheering on survivors including his daughters Tina Hollis and Julie Gawith; son-in-law Jake Gawith; grandsons Blake, Jaxon, Jordy and Tyson; father Gary Burns; brother Jerry Burns; many beautiful nieces, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Margie Burns, brother Dan Burns and his grandparents. Online guest book may be signed at www.heritageofeldorado.com

Read MoreSammy Warren Burns

Nora Varie (Haines) McAllister

Nora Varie (Haines) McAllister, 66, peacefully transitioned from this Earth on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Nora was born July 16, 1955, in El Dorado, KS to George Haines and Mary (Webster, Haines) Gruver. She met her life partner and protector, Richard “Max” McAllister in the late 70’s and the two traveled the country together. Standing all but 5 feet tall and less than 100 pounds, Nora surprised everyone when she enlisted in the US Army. Always a daddy’s girl, Nora followed in her father’s footsteps and proudly served while stationed in Korea, where her father had served in the US military as well. Her size and personality can best be described in Shakespeare’s quote, “Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

Read MoreNora Varie (Haines) McAllister

Candy Daniel

Candy Daniel, 58, of Augusta, passed away on April 12, 2022, in Wichita, Kansas Ȧ celebration of Candy’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022, at Freedom Church, 7070 SW 60th St., Augusta, Kansas, 67010, with Paul Andrews officiating. Please wear pink! Candy was born at Muskogee General Hospital to Claude Avery Rogers and Carolyn Jean Mullins on July 13th, 1963.

Read MoreCandy Daniel