Obituaries

Bertha “Connie” Parscal

EL DORADO - Bertha “Connie” Parscal, of El Dorado, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the age of 73. Connie was born on May 28, 1948 to Glen and Wilma (Bitner) Maltbie. Connie spent most of her childhood traveling. Her family spent time living in California, NYC, Washington State, and Germany, but Connie and her family always called the Cedar Point and Marion areas their home. She owned her own upholstery shop, Chateau Upholstery. She worked hard throughout her life and honed her upholstery craft at Dixon Upholstery and Raytheon. She also owned and operated Walnut Valley Tan and Tone in Marion. She was a resident of El Dorado on and off for 60 years and helped at the local women’s shelter, the El Dorado Senior Center, the El Dorado Animal Shelter, and was a foster parent for more than 10 years. She was a member of Prospect Baptist Church for the majority of her adult life. Connie was fun and funny. She loved spending time outdoors. She always had a soft spot for people less fortunate than herself. She was a warrior and one of the strongest survivors you could ever hope to meet.

Read MoreBertha “Connie” Parscal

Ella Dorothy Booth

Ella Dorothy Booth was born April 22, 1927, to Allen and Emma (Mitchell) Mayes in Kenbro, Kansas. She passed away on January 14, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Read MoreElla Dorothy Booth

Cheryl (Gravel) Hamilton

AUGUSTA - Cheryl Lynn (Gravel) Hamilton, 62, of Augusta, KS, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022 in Wichita. Memorial visitation from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, KS. Cheryl was born in Wichita, KS on July 19, 1959, to the late Joanne (Bell) and Keith Gravel. She was an administrative assistant at South Central Mental Health for 15 years. On July 9, 1983 she married Gary Hamilton in Wichita, KS who survives her. She is also survived by: daughter, Vanessa Hamilton; son, Clayton Hamilton; brother, Kevin Gravel of Wichita, KS; mother in law, Linda Hamilton; sisters in law, Diane Briggs, Susan Kiser; nieces and nephews, Kayla Gravel, Matt Kiser, Melissa Kiser, Macy McCune (Branson), Haleigh Hubbart (Brady); 5 great nephews. Memorial donations to Susan G. Komen P. O. Box 801889 Dallas, TX 75380.

Read MoreCheryl (Gravel) Hamilton

Ralph Earl Ballinger

EL DORADO - Ballinger, Ralph Earl, 73, longtime El Dorado City Employee, passed away on January 14, 2022 at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Ralph was born on January 8, 1949 in El Dorado to Wesley Orne and Georgia Frances {Jackson} Ballinger. For much of his life Ralph lived on Rt. 3 by the railroad track and the river and attended El Dorado High. Ralph was married to Susan Erwin in El Dorado on November 24, 1967 and they spent 50 + years growing their family in the El Dorado area. He had a strong work ethic and worke for the City of El Dorado Utilities Department for 40 years; first at the Water Treatment facility and then at the Wastewater Treatment Plant; most recently as a lab tech taking samples. He loved his Big Yellow Dump Truck and thought the new tractor with tracks was really cool to drive. Ralph’s 4th of July show was well known for being a big bang and he always enjoyed “blowing up the neighborhood”. He loved watching football; especially the Chiefs; and WWE wrestling and would record it on VHS and it was 100% real. Ralph was very passionate about fishing as an avid catfisherman and enjoyed hunting prairie chicken and pheasant and just being outdoors in general especially if he could be camping or boating on the lake with his family. The Walnut River was like a second home to Ralph and he knew it from North to South and the best spots to be at. Family was his greatest passion however and he loved spending anytime he could with his children and grandchildren. He was known as a teacher to them all even his brother including teaching them all to fish, many to hunt, rebuilding old trucks and riding motorcycles, which was a joy he shared with many of his family members. Harleys were his go to and his first one was bought by his family and parked on the driveway; it was a toy one; the later when he retired he bought 2 as a gift to himself ending up with a sportster, heritage and a trike. Being on his bike was a great joy and he often joined the Cassoday and Potwin Bike Run and the Butler County Toy Run. One of Ralph’s favorite past times was waking up early, sitting on the porch with his dogs and black coffee watching the traffic go by.

Read MoreRalph Earl Ballinger

Arlene Chippeaux

EL DORADO - Elizabeth Arlene Chippeaux, 87, of El Dorado, KS passed away, Friday, January 14, 2022. A memorial visitation for family and friends will be held at Headley Funeral Chapel, 813 State St., Augusta, KS on Sunday, January 23, 2022 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

Read MoreArlene Chippeaux

Gene Forpahl

AUGUSTA - Eugene Major Forpahl, 89, of Augusta, KS, passed away Friday, January 14, 2022 in Augusta. Visitation 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 21, 2022 at Headley Funeral Chapel. Service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Augusta, KS. Private graveside service will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, KS. Gene was born on July 9, 1932 at a farm house three miles west of where he lived for 89 years north of Augusta, KS to the late Dorothy (Corbin) and Edward Forpahl. He was born in the same house his mother was born. Gene was born with very low vision. He farmed until he was 48 years old and had to quit due to health problems. God blessed Gene with a job at Wesley Medical Center, which he had for 18 years as supervisor of the energy center. Gene started going to the First Baptist Church in 1944 where he was a member for 78 years. He served on the Deacon Boards and various committees. Gene served the Lord for 20 years by answering His call to missionary work in Mexico with Ralph Fuqua and many of the members of First Baptist Church. On December 27, 1951 he married Anetha Joyce (Trebbe) at the First Baptist Church, Augusta. The Lord brought Anetha into Gene’s life and she was a kind and gentle lady. The Lord blessed their marriage with four sons, Greg, Mark, Chris and Scott Forpahl. They were married for 66 years before she preceded him death. Their son, Mark, also preceded him in death as well as brothersin-law, Frank Tipton and Rick Timberlake. He is survived by: sons, Greg Forpahl and wife Betty of Augusta, KS; Chris Forpahl and wife Susan of Baton Rouge, LA; and Scott Forpahl and wife Robin of El Dorado, KS; brother, Richard Forpahl and wife Anna of Augusta, KS; sisters, Marilyn Clark and husband Roger of Pawhuska, OK; Barbara Scheer and husband Gary of Tucson, AZ; Ruth Ann Tipton of Augusta, KS; and Carol Timberlake of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Amanda Casteel, Eric Forpahl; great grandchildren, Connor, Chris, Caden, and Travis. Memorial donations to First Baptist Church - Deacon Fund or Choir Fund, 1501 State Street, Augusta, KS 67010.

Read MoreGene Forpahl

John M. Herren

AUGUSTA - John’s life began on July 8, 1964 in Abilene, KS; the son of John and Johna (Jeffries) Herren. John had a worker’s spirit and worked hard in life. He enjoyed the outdoors working in landscape. His family includes his children, Derek (Tabitha) Herren and Andrea Herren all of Galesburg, IL; grandchildren Keegan, Peyton, Bayley Herren; siblings, Tracy (Steve) Dodson of El Dorado, Charlene Collins of Mulvane, and T.J. Herren of Wichita. John passed away on January 9, 2022 at his home in Augusta. Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of John at www.carlsonkirbymorris.com

Read MoreJohn M. Herren