All Obituaries

Clarence Alfred “Luke” Lucas Jr., 96, of Mission, Kansas, passed away September 21, 2026, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Clarence was born January 6, 1930, Kansas, to Clarence Alfred Lucas Sr. and Sophie Denker Lucas. Growing up, his friends included several Clarences and a Junior, so “Luke,” short for Lucas, became the name everyone knew him by. Born during the Great Depression, Luke grew up on his family’s turkey farm in ...

 Raymond, KS Carol Gene Frees, 71, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Sept. 16, 2026 at Ellinwood Hospital. Born Nov. 8th, 1954 at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, KS to parents Edward Eugene and Ila Pauline (Vice) Crews. She graduated from Washington High School in Kansas City, KS. After high school Carol received her BS from Kansas State University and later her MS from Friends University. She went on to find her calling teaching early childhood development special education ...

 Ellinwood, KS  Michelle Ann (Wornkey) Berger, 68, passed away at Stafford Co. Hospital on Sept. 11, 2026. Born in Ellinwood, KS on August 6, 1958 she was the daughter of Jerry and Velma Ann (Moos) Wornkey. She graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1976 and later attended Barton County Community College where she received her Associates Degree in computer science. Michelle married Robert Berger in Ellinwood, KS on Dec. 20, 1980 where they were longtime residents before ...

Ellinwood, KS   Robert F. “Bob” Lee, 79, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on August 5, 2026 at Ellinwood District Hospital. Bob was married to his devoted wife, Gearldine “Geri” Lee, with whom he shared many happy years. He especially treasured spending time with Geri and their two beloved dachshunds, who brought him constant joy. Bob had a passion for collecting and took pride in the many treasures he gathered over the years. He was an ...

Karen Elaine (Thacker) Proffitt, 77, passed away July 15, 2026 surrounded by loved ones at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, KS. Born in Anadarko, OK on Nov. 12, 1948 she was the daughter of Harold and Annie Jo (Jordan) Thacker.  She grew up in Oklahoma graduating from Eisenhower High School, Lawton, OK. Karen was an Ellinwood resident since 1989 formerly of Sterling.  She married Cap Proffitt in 1969 they later divorced. Karen worked for the Dodge City Daily Globe, Barton ...

Robert John Pascarell, 64, passed away in Ellinwood, KS on July 10, 2026. Services are pending with Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS. 

***Livestream will be available at First Baptist Church Youtube page.   Luke John Knop, son of Chris and Jennifer Knop, was born on April 10, 2026, at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He went home to be with Jesus on the afternoon of June 27, 2026, held in his parents’ arms and surrounded by family. Luke’s parents chose his name in honor of God and the grace He has shown. Luke means “light bearer,” and John means “God is ...

Chase, KS  Rusty Rheinard Standlee, 45, passed away on June 24, 2026 in rural Chase, KS after his long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born July 2, 1980 in Great Bend, KS he was the son of Curtis and Florinda (Schwartz) Standlee. A lifetime resident of Chase, KS Rusty graduated from Chase High School in 1998. He worked as a farmer, rancher, and later a truck driver for Lacrosse Skillet and Sons Trucking in Lacrosse, KS. He also worked at the Lyons salt plant. Rusty loved motorcycles, ...

Clarence E. Marker, 89, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026. Born on June 14, 1936, in Ellinwood, Kansas, Clarence lived a life marked by service, hard work, humor, and deep devotion to the people he loved. He spent many years in Casa Grande, Arizona, before recently relocating to Santa Maria, California.   Clarence proudly served his country in the United States Army and later enjoyed a long and successful career with the Southern California Gas Company. He was respected for his ...

Catherine Anderson Hammeke, 101, died Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Ellinwood District Hospital, Ellinwood, KS. She was born on May 6, 1925, in Virgil, Kansas, to Arthur Peter and Mary Ellen Berthot Anderson. After graduating from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Kansas, in 1943, she was employed by Material Distributors, a subdivision of Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas.  In 1944, she moved to Ellinwood and was employed by Wolf Milling Company.  Later, she worked at several oil ...