Obituaries

Benjamin William Leibbrandt, 83, was born to Jacob & Edna (Zimmerle) Leibbrandt on May 18, 1938. He passed away at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover, Kansas on February 12, 2022. He accepted Jesus as his Savior as a child and faithfully followed Him throughout his life. He enjoyed working for the Lord and loved to sing. He graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Francis, KS in 1956. He attended Kansas State University and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Agriculture Education in 1960. He taught school for 15 years. He then became a full time farmer. On July 21, 1968; he married the love of his life, Patricia. They were happily married for 53 years. They were blessed with two sons, Chris and Joe. He served on the Fair Board for several years and also had been an active 4-H member as well. Ben loved kids and drove a school bus for several years. He and his wife, Patricia sold their farm and moved to El Dorado in 2016 to be closer to family. Preceding him in death are his parents; father and mother-in-law, sisters Arlis (Buford) Guinn and Naomi Renz and brother-in-law Joe Willcockson. Survivors include his wife, Patricia of the home, sons Chris and Heather, and their 12 children of Crete, NE and Joe and Karen and their 4 children of El Dorado as well as many nephews, nieces and friends. Ben was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in El Dorado and the Gideons. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 19 at First Southern Baptist Church in El Dorado at 2pm. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorial contribution in Benjamin’s name may be directed to the First Southern Baptist Church of El Dorado or to the Gideons. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory at www.carlsonkirbymorris.c

PURSELL, CONNIE SUE, passed away on February 11, 2022 at her home in El Dorado. Connie was born In Wichita on February 16, 1958 to Merle and Billie Jo {Ravenstien} Nelson and grew up after 5th grade in Augusta. Connie married Steven “Perch” Pursell in 1979 in Butler County and they made their home in Towanda where Connie stayed at home to raise the kids. Camping was something Connie enjoyed as a child and carried into her adult life and shared with her kids. She loved fishing, cooking, puzzles and family time. Connie spent time working with Blackburn Construction and 8 years running Connie’s Daycare. There was always an open door policy at Connie’s home for any friend or neighbor and she loved sharing her joy of cooking with everyone. Connie was very outspoken and would always tell it like it was(or at least like she thought it was). She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed. Connie is survived by her children Angela Hill and Tracey Oliver; grandchildren Taylor Pursell, Wyatt Oliver, Natalie Oliver, Willow Oliver, Baylee Lacy and Genna Lacy; the most beautiful baby ever born great grandson Kendrick; siblings Brenda LeMaster, Merle Nelson(Linda), Bob Nelson(Tammy), Peggy Amack- (Jay); ex husband Perch; longtime friend Shana Warren; numerous nieces and nephews and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Merle and Billie Jo; daughter Nicole Lacy; brother in law Steve LeMaster and nephew David Grow. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Towanda Baptist Church and funeral service will be on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Towanda Cemetery.

Aerin Rebecca Conn, 46, of Andover, KS, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022 in Kansas City. Service 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka, KS. Aerin was born in Eureka, KS on May 13, 1975, to Ruth Ann (Fraizer) Smith and the late Charles Miller. She was a dental assistant for Dr. Conover. On October 11, 2012 she married Rick Conn in Tampa, FL who survives her. She is also survived by: sons, Dugan Smith and wife Mallory, Grady Tole, Alex Conn, and Dylan Conn; sisters, Mycal Miles, J.D. Pulido, Arianna Hoskinson, Amanda Pulley, and Lori Baumann; grandchildren, Breyton, Talyn, Oaklyn Smith, and Jayton Tole - due to arrive May 15, 2022.

Mike Bronnenberg, 74, of Leon, KS, passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022 at home. Memorial Graveside 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Winfield, KS. A memorial gathering will follow the graveside at FlutterBye Ranch, Leon, KS. Mike was born in Wichita, KS on November 14, 1947, to the late Thelma (Gaskill) and Dwight Bronnenberg. He served in the U.S. Navy. Mike had worked as a mechanic at Detroit Diesel, a parts processor at Boeing/Spirit, a dispatcher for Austin Trucking, and had also worked at Fleming Elevators. He was also a farmer and enjoyed raising cattle and putting up hay. On June 20, 1998 he married Alice (Dougherty) Bronnenberg at their home in Leon. She survives him along with: son, Terry DeBoard of Leon, KS; daughters, Tisha Salmon and husband Craig of Wichita, KS, and Shelly West and husband Darren of Wichita, KS; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Justin Cook. Memorial donations to ClearPath Hospice of Wichita 1861 N. Rock RD Suite 102 Wichita, KS 6720

Tammy Elaine Wilson, age 62 of El Dorado, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022 at her residence. She had been battling some health issues.

Gene Schaeffer, 70, of Augusta, Kansas passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in Andover, KS. Memorial gathering 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 18, 2022, at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. Gene was born in Tulsa, OK on November 27, 1951, to the late Eva (Evans) and Clyde Gene Schaeffer, II. He graduated with his master’s degree from Friends University. Gene was a program manager at Beech Aircraft for many years. He loved to golf, fish, hunt, and he also liked going to the cabin at Table Rock Lake and go boating. On April 6, 1979 he married Leslie (Hurley) Schaeffer in Wichita, KS who survives him. He is also survived by: daughter, Amanda M. Kasilima of Augusta, KS; sons, Mathew O. Schaeffer of Wichita, KS, Jason Lee Schaeffer of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Torrance Schaeffer, Grace Kasilima, Owen Schaeffer, Auston Schaeffer, and Jaxon Schaeffer; sister, Sheila Fox. Memorial donations to Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection 310 W. 45th St. North Wichita, KS 67204.

Myrtha H. Wallingford, 88, of Atlanta, KS, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022 at home. Visitation 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, February 14, 2022 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. Service 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Christ Lutheran Church, Augusta, KS. Myrtha was born at home in rural Medford, OK on July 10, 1933, to the late Ruth Gertrude (Ward) and Herbert Columbus Hardin. In 1951 she graduated from high school in Blackwell, OK. She later attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College. She was a homemaker and had also been a CMA at Winfield State Hospital and Training Center where she retired from in 1998. After retirement, Myrtha enjoyed going on trips. She enjoyed gardening and was a lover of all kinds of flowers. Myrtha also enjoyed sewing, babysitting, reading, and going to farm shows and fairs. She was known for her generous nature, home cooking, loving heart, love of family and her willingness to help people, especially her children and grandchildren. On December 20, 1953 she married Wilbur Arden “Wally” Wallingford in Blackwell, OK. He preceded her in death on January 24, 2022. She was also preceded in death by son, Mark Lee Wallingford; She is survived by: sons, David Neal Wallingford (Sherrie Parker) of Orting, WA, James Von Wallingford (Misti) of Cambridge, KS, Robert Alan Wallingford (Gayla) of Atlanta, KS; daughters, Helen Thomas of Atlanta, KS, Ruth Ann Payne (Raymond) of Belle Plain, KS, Sharla Faye Wallingford of Garland, TX; daughter in law, Beth Wallingford of Augusta, KS; sisters, Virginia Ruth Mortensen of Oklahoma City OK, Doris May Martin of Denver, CO, and Marilyn Sue Litton of Vista, CA; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren. Memorial donations to Christ Lutheran Church,1500 Cron, Augusta, KS 67010.

Larry R. “Chuck” Shackelford, 70, Retired General Contractor, died Thursday, February 10, 2022. Born near Fayetteville, Arkansas, his family moved to Wichita when he was one year old. In his youth, Larry developed a love for hunting and fishing on trips with his father and uncles. He graduated from Andover High School in 1969. As a young man, Larry served in the Air National Guard and attended Butler County Community College. He found his calling in the world of construction, first as a skilled tradesman in several disciplines, later as a cabinet manufacturer, and eventually as a general contractor. As a father, Larry enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball and basketball, spending summer vacations with the family at Beaver Lake for skiing and fishing, and hunting upland birds and waterfowl. As a husband, Larry found joy in traveling and playing golf with his adventurous wife Kathy. Their deep love of western and southwestern culture fueled a hobby of collecting native American art and artifacts and drove a longing to spend their golden years together in New Mexico. As Grandfather, Larry’s immeasurable pride shone when attending ballgames, recitals, plays, and performances. His wisecracking humor, perpetual smile, artisan craftsmanship, meticulous vision, giving nature, and endless love will be missed by all who came to know Larry.