Obituaries

Augusta Ronald Dean “Ron” Leayman, 74, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Ron was born on Thursday, December 11, 1947 in Winfield, Kansas to Glenroy “Jim” and Marjorie (Kunkel) Leayman.

Floyd Reichardt, Jr., 87, of Augusta, KS, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Service 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Augusta United Methodist Church, Augusta, KS. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Neodesha Cemetery, Neodesha, KS. Floyd was born in Emporia, KS on February 26, 1935, to the late Ethel (Cook) and Floyd August Reichardt, Sr. He graduated from Emporia State University with a master’s degree. He served in the U.S. Army. Floyd was a high school PE teacher and a coach for many years, retiring from Shawnee Mission North West. After teaching he worked in clothing sales at the Gentry. On June 2, 1957 he married Letha Pauline “Polly” (Bailey) Reichardt in Neodesha, KS. She preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Norma Jean Reichardt. He is survived by: son, Steve Reichardt and wife Joan of Augusta, KS; daughter, Susan Reichardt and partner Jane Roeder of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Bailey Lynn Steinkamp (Kyler), and Joshua Reichardt. Memorial donations to Kansas Humane Society 3313 N Hillside Wichita, KS 67219.

Gerald E. Stich, 88, of Augusta, KS, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Visitation will be held from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. A rosary will be held at 1:30 p.m. followed by a funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church, Augusta, KS. Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at St. Patrick Cemetery, Chanute, KS.

Kathy Byrd, 60, of Augusta, KS, passed away Monday, March 7, 2022 at home. Visitation 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022 and service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2022 both at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. Kathy was born in Rapid City, SD on December 19, 1961, to the late Audrey (Wood) and Donald Miller. Within a year of her birth, their family moved to Wichita, KS. On October 31, 1985 she married her best friend, David Wayne Byrd and started a family. While balancing raising two young boys, she successfully graduated Wichita State University and continued to pursue her passion for social work by earning her Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas. Kathy retired from USD 259 as a school social worker in 2021, where she then started a new journey and was currently working as a social worker in the ER at Ascension Via Christi - St. Joseph. Kathy dedicated her life to helping others and always put their needs above her own. She was a social worker by profession and trusted confidante to friends and family. There was never a doubt on what she was thinking, she always spoke her mind. She was adventurous and daring, enjoying motorcycle riding, being outdoors, the lake life, campfires, hanging out by the pool, and especially visiting the beach. She was a loving wife, mother, and sister and cherished spending time with her family, especially the time spent with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Wayne Byrd and her sister, Marilyn Mosyjowski. She is survived by: sons, Alex Byrd and Tad Byrd; daughters, Lacy Byrd-Becker and Jessica Hoffman; brothers, Mike Wood, Dennis Berry, and Jim Berry; sister, Debi Jones; grandchildren, Elizabeth, and Cullin Wollin, Jesse, Ajay, and Asher Becker, Joshua and Hannah Lenartowski, and Hattie Byrd; several great grandchildren. Memorial donations to Kansas Human Society 3313 N Hillside Wichita, Kansas 67219.

Linda Sue (Sharp) Loebeck, age 73, resident of Augusta, Kansas, passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 11, 2022, at Carlson & Kirby-Morris Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Piedmont Cemetery.

Shirley Jean (Brewer) Jones was born September 26, 1937 to Weedon and Vivian (Davis) Brewer. She was born at their home in rural Atlanta, KS. She attended Leon High School and was a 1955 graduate. On September 11, 1955, Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Larry Jones in Augusta, KS. They began school together in the first grade and were classmates and friends. They established their home in Leon, KS and lived their entire married life there. Shirley was Leon City Clerk for 9 years and worked for Hammer Maclean Drilling Company for 20 years as their bookkeeper. In 1993, she was employed at the El Dorado Correctional Facility where she served as the Warden’s Secretary until her retirement in November, 2011. She was also a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant since 1981. Shirley was a faithful member of the Leon Christian Church. Shirley enjoyed singing with close friends in a quartet and choir. She was talented at reading, giving book reviews and speaking in front of groups. Her greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Weedon and Vivian Brewer, and her sisters, Bernice Worrell and Phyllis Jackson. Survivors are her husband, Larry Jones of Leon; sons, Mark (Pam) Jones, Kirk (Theresa) Jones all of Burden, KS; grandchildren Caleb Jones, of Burden, Hailee (Dan) Hamby, of Rose Hill, Shalise (Justin) Calvin of Cambridge, Derik (Molly) Jones of Winfield and Colziah (Jessica) Jones of Burden and greatgrandchildren Olive, Drake, Opal, Croix, Maren, Brewer and Crew; sister Francie (John) McBeth of Cypress, TX and several nieces and nephews. Friends may gather with the family at the Leon Christian Church on Tuesday, March 15 from 5:00-7:00pm. Shirley’s memorial service will be held at the Leon Christian Church on Wednesday, March 16 at 1:30 pm. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Leon Christian Church. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Shirley at www. carlsonkirbymorris.com

Zelta’s life began on March 5, 1947 in Peru, KS; the daughter of Ted and Zelma (Seward) Schneeberger. She worked hard for her family keeping her home in order. She faithfully tended and loved her family dearly. Zelta was united in marriage to Curtis Howard on May 25, 1967 in El Dorado. Zelta enjoyed fishing, camping, riding motorcycles and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her loving family includes her husband, Curtis of El Dorado; sons Curtis (Linda) Howard Jr. of Bridgeport, TX and Gratt (Cindy) Howard of El Dorado; grandchildren Colton, Dalton, Jessica, Grant, Michaela and Kim; 7 great grandchildren; nephews Charlie, Allen and Carl. Zelta passed away on March 6, 2022 in El Dorado. She is preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, and brother, Eddie Joe Schneeberger. Friends may gather with the family from 2-4pm on Sunday, March 13 at Carlson Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 14 at 1pm at Carlson Colonial Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in Zelta’s name may be directed to the El Dorado Word of Faith Church. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Zelta at www.carlsonkirbymorris. com

Carols life began on May 26, 1948 in El Dorado, KS; the daughter of James H. and Louise M. (Gillis) Beard. She grew up on the family farm in Atlanta, KS. Carol retired from the Butler County Clerks office in 2014 only to return to the work force in 2019 as a paraeducator at El Dorado Middle school. She was united in marriage to Ron Lewis and they recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Carol never knew a stranger and was a great friend to all who knew her. She enjoyed reading, shopping and going for Sunday drives with Ron. Carol especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her loving family includes her husband Ron of Leon; children Heather L (Jason) Dextradeur of Chesapeake, VA, Shirena (Daniel) of Wichita; Step-sons Brian Lewis of Leon, KS and Brett Lewis of Coffeyville, KS; Grandchildren Aimee, Ellie, Gabriel, Kelsi and Karson; Great grandchildren Corbin and Ruby. Siblings Suzie VanTries of El Dorado and Janie Suits of Greenbriar, AR. Carol passed away at home on March 6, 2022 surrounded by her family. She is preceeded in death by her parents. Friends may gather with the family on Tuesday, March 15 at 1pm for a memorial service at Carlson Colonial Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Kansas Humane Society. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory at www.carlsonkirbymorris. com

Phillip Maurice Ridder, 64, of Augusta, KS, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022 at home. Memorial funeral mass 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at St. James Catholic Church, Augusta, KS. Burial will follow at Calvary Ceme-tery, Augusta, KS

Gary Ray Cullen, 65, of Augusta, KS passed away on March 4, 2022 at home. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m with a Celebra-tion of Life service to fol-low at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Word of Life Church in O’Neill, NE.