Janice Sargent Waide, age 85, of Topeka, died July 26, 2019, at Homestead of Topeka.

She was born January 9, 1934, in Scandia, Kansas, the daughter of Cecil and Janet Sargent.

Janice graduated from Council Grove High School, earned her associates degree from Cottey College in Nevada, MO, her bachelors from Kansas State University and her masters from the University of Kansas.

She was a social worker for Social and Rehabilitation Services for the State of Kansas.

Janice was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Alumni Group in Topeka, P.E.O. Chapter GK, and the League of Women Voters in Topeka.

Survivors include two children: Carter Waide of Cincinnati, OH, and Courtney Christensen of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren: Lindsay, Carrie, Lauren and Connor; and one sister, Emogene Frey of Ashland, OR.

Janice was preceded in death by one son Kelly S. Waide in 1976.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 2nd, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st Street, Topeka, with Reverend Meredith Kemp-Pappan officiating. Private family graveside services will be at the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan next to her son Kelly.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday at the church prior to the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas State University Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Almajean Birdsong, 88, of Manhattan, KS passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in Manhattan, KS in her home.
Almajean was born in Denver, CO on January 28, 1931, the daughter of Alfred and Eulala Pitts.
She received her education in the Manhattan school systems. Almajean married JC Birdsong on January 11, 1957, they shared 51 glorious years together.
During their union she stayed home and cared for their 9 children. She is survived by her children eldest to youngest: Dalbert (Ola) Kaiser (AL), Kelvin Kaiser (Manhattan, KS), Cynthia Artis (Manhattan, KS), Armetia (Rabbi Binyamin) Shelton (IL), Constance Birdsong (Manhattan, KS), Robert (Joy) Birdsong (TN), Kenneth (Linda) Birdsong (MS), Betty Harrison (AL).

After raising her children, she joined the workforce as a homemaker at Crum’s Dormitory, a cook at Theta Phi, she retired in 1996 as a Supervisor at Kansas State University. She was a devout member of the Pilgrim Baptist Church and at the time of her passing she was the oldest living member of the Church. Almajean enjoyed serving her Church family and the Lord, singing in the Church choir, spending time with her family and friends, sewing, crocheting, doing puzzles, reading her Bible, collecting a variety of items including dolls and whatnots just to mention a few, and shopping. She participated in Bible study every Friday up until her death with Cynthia her daughter and Cathy Hatley.

Other survivors include 15 Grandchildren aging from 41-11, three whom she helped raise, LaTrease Birdsong (TX), Tychelle S. Jones and Audrey L. Artis (Manhattan, KS) and 18 Great-Grandchildren. Almajean loved each one of her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren and spoiled them all every chance she was given.
Almajean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband JC Birdsong, daughter Audrey Lynne Birdsong, brother Alfred Eugene Pitts and sister Alfreda Pitts.

Memorials in her name may be directed to Home Care and Hospice.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday July 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Pilgrim Baptist Church. Burial to follow at Sunrise Cemetery. A Visitation will be held on Monday, July 29, 2019 from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.

Dorothy Ann Ronnau, 90, of Alma, Kansas, died peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2019, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.  She was a life-long resident of the community.

​Dorothy was born August 10, 1928 in Topeka, KS, the second of eleven children born to John E. and Eleanor Tenbrink Schwalm. She attended school in Alma graduating from Alma High School in 1946.  During her school years, some of her time was spent working on the family farm, east of Alma on Kuenzli Creek.

​Dorothy worked at Capper Publications in Topeka, O.A. Sutton Corporation in Wichita and Ford Aircraft in Claycomo, Missouri.
She married Theophil “T” Ronnau on April 19, 1952 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Alma. He died September 22, 2017. They lived in Overland Park until Dorothy and T. joined the family farming operation in 1958. In 1969 Dorothy began working at the First National Bank in Alma until her retirement in 1993.

​Dorothy was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she served on the church council and many years as bookkeeper.  She was involved in many other aspects of the church, including being a member of the Altar Society, helping with soup suppers and bazaars and the weekly social time with parishioners after Sunday Mass.

​Dorothy enjoyed watching her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities. She also enjoyed when her family got together, especially the informal times.  She always made sure there was plenty food to eat.  Dorothy and T enjoyed dancing and took advantage of every opportunity to get on the dance floor.

​Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband and one son, Charles Allen on June 13, 1958. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Father Don Schwalm and one sister, Nyla Schwalm.

​She is survived by three sons, Larry Ronnau (Lesa), Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ron Ronnau (Louise), Conway Springs and Todd Ronnau (Shebi), Sachse, Texas: Two daughters, Marian Berry (Ken), Topeka and Lois Miller (Scott), Chesterfield, Missouri: Two brothers, John R. Schwalm and Roger Schwalm. Six sisters, Darlene Bloomfield, Edna Baldwin, Wilma Wilmer, Mary Button, Letha Elsasser and Maxine Schwalm: eleven grandchildren, Emily Ronnau, Katie Grant, Rachel Schmanke, Ben Ronnau, Thad Ronnau, Derek Berry, Hillary Hodges, Sam Miller, Julie Miller, Makenzi Ronnau and Chase Ronnau:  and fifteen great-grandchildren, Marlie, Ainslie and Theo Grant, Molly, Sadie, Amelia and Corinne Schmanke, Cole, Drake, Blaise, Alleynah, Ynes and Kaelyn Ronnau, and Nolan and Olivia Berry.

​Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, August 2, 2019, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Alma, Kansas.  Father Mike Peterson will be the Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.  Dorothy will lie-in-state on Thursday, at Holy Family Church Hall beginning at 4:00 pm, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.  A rosary prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm.  In Lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Holy Family Cemetery Fund, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home.

Alan Duane Maike, 73, of Kansas City, Missouri, formerly of Alma, Kansas, died July 25, 2019, at Stormont-Vail Health Center in Topeka.  He had a farming accident on July 4th that initially placed him in the hospital.

​Alan was born on June 14, 1946, in Wamego, Kansas, the son of Delmar and Nyla Stuewe Maike.  He attended local schools in Alma and graduated from Alma High School in 1964.  He then attended Aero- Mechanic’s school in Kansas City.

Alan worked for 49 years as a forklift operator and warehouseman working for Farmland Industries which then became Land-O-Lakes, then Pro-Pet.  He worked in the pet and animal food industry and also did maintenance and quality control.  He retired in early 2016.

​Alan loved working his pasture land in Alma.  He was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding his horse and ATV.  He was the local Musk Thistle’s worst enemy and was vigilant about keeping the weed under control.

​Alan was united in marriage to Dorothy Schmitt on October 22, 1966, in Alma.  She survives at their home.

Alan is also survived by his brother, Ronald Maike (Linda) and sister, Lynette Phillips (Mike), and brother-n-law, Mike Schmitt, all of Alma; his nieces, Kelly Whaley (Eric), Haley Howard (Matt), Pamela McDiffett (Rusty); his nephews, Brian Maike (Jami), Anthony Maike, Wesley Schmitt (Sarah); great- nieces and nephews, Brooks and Kennedy Whaley, Kyndal and Taryn Maike, Case and Cohen Howard, Casey and Chase McDiffett and Jarrett Schmitt.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

​A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held at 10:00 am until 11:30 am, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church Memorial Hall in Alma.  A private family graveside service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.  The family suggests memorial contributions to St. John Lutheran Church Renovation Fund or Holy Family Catholic Cemetery Fund, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Gentry Funeral Home.

Willa June Hughes, 88, of St. George, Kansas, died Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.  She had been a resident of the area since the early 1990’s.

​June was born on June 28, 1931, in Sharon, Oklahoma, the daughter of Jesse and Julia Hagerman Harvey.  She attended local schools and graduated from Severy Kansas High School.  She then earned an Associates Degree in music from Cowley County Community College.

​June was a homemaker.  She also was a talented pianist and taught piano lessons for many years.  June was also an artist and enjoyed painting with oil and watercolors.  She loved to watch the squirrels, birds and enjoyed her flowers.  She enjoyed feeding the fish in her pond.  June also enjoyed calling her family members, especially her son, Guy.  June was always available to supervise family projects.

​June married Wilbur Dwight Hughes on June 3, 1949 in Wichita, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on May 4, 2003.

June is survived by her children; Diane Heuser (Keith), Valley City, North Dakota and Guy Hughes (Patsy), St. George; her grandchildren, Sandy Marshall (Rodney), Dixon, Missouri, Jason Wood (Mandy), Wildwood, Missouri, Dustin Heuser (Debbie), Volo, Illinois, Brandon Heuser (Kristen), Chicago, Illinois, and Daniel Hughes, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; her granddaughter-in-law, Amanda VanOverschelde(Donn), Mitchell, South Dakota; her great grandchildren, Nicole Cochran (Mitchell), Maci Marshall, Andrew Wood, Abby Wood, Nikki Hughes, Robert Hughes and Thomas Hughes; and her great-great-grandson, Elliott Cochran. June was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Bill Harvey, and an infant son, Broderick Hughes.

​Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Trinity Baptist Church in Wamego.  Reverend Dr. Tony Mattia will be officiating.  Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Midland Hospice House or the American Lung Association, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego.

Gerardo “Gerry” Negron-Muniz, 53, of Manhattan, Kansas, formerly of Wamego, died Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at his home after losing his battle to cancer.

​Gerry was born on June 15, 1966, in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico, the son of Haydee Muniz-Montes de oca and Angel Negron-Rivera.

Gerry worked as a pipe fitter in Puerto Rico.  He moved to Missouri in 2005 and then lived in Texas before coming to Kansas.  He worked as a custodian supervisor at Kansas State University in Manhattan.

​Gerry loved MMA Boxing and in his youth was a golden glove boxer.  He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them and making everybody smile.

​Gerry married Evelyn Quinones on December 6, 1996, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  She survives at their home.

​He is also survived by his parents, Angel and Haydee, Puerto Rico; his son; Angel Negron-Quinones, Manhattan; his daughter, Genesis Negron-Quinones, Wamego; and his brother, Angel Negron-Muniz, Missouri.

​Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, August 2, 2019, at the Iron Clad in Wamego.  Reverend Jol Klein will be officiating.  Inurnment will follow at the Wamego City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contributions to help with Gerry’s funeral expenses be made to Campanella-Evans Mortuary.

Funeral services for Gertrude H. Moennich, age 96, of Hope, will be 10:00 am Monday, July 29, 2019 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tampa, Kansas with Reverend Clark Davis officiating. Mrs. Moennich passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at the Salina Regional Health Center in Salina.

She was born May 14, 1923 in Marion, Kansas the daughter of John and Christena (Jirak) Bezdek. On May 25, 1946 she was united in marriage to Walter Moennich in Lincolnville, Kansas. Together they lived most of their lives on the farm near Elmo until 1968 when they moved to Hope. Gertrude was a homemaker and later in the 70’s and 80’s Gertrude finished homes by wallpapering, and painting.

Gertrude was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tampa, and belonged to the Midwestern, Sunflower, and P.O.L.K. of A polka clubs. She also enjoyed cross stitching, and word search puzzles.

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl and her husband Roger Thull of Salina, Son Dennis and his wife Helen Moennich of McPherson, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Walter, her brother Norbert, and her parents.

Gertrude’s final resting place will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Tampa. Her family will receive friends from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sunday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of the Carlson-Becker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 355, Hope, Kansas 67451.

Brenda R. Pierce, age 69, died on Monday July 22, 2019 at the Westy Community Care Home, Westmoreland, Kansas.

She was born on February 24, 1950 in Repton, Alabama the daughter of James Wesley and Annie Ruth (Davis) Pate. Brenda was the office manager for two different natural gas construction companies.

On September 27, 1968, she was united in marriage to her best friend and partner in life: Wayne Pierce. This union was blessed with two children: Wes and Carri. Wayne knew from the first kiss that they were made for each other.

Brenda was well known as a person that would help anyone in need with her heart of gold. She enjoyed working but also spent her time quilting, sewing and fly fishing. Brenda was born to be a “mom” and was called that by many, many people throughout her life. Above all, her love and dedication to her family was of most importance to her.

Survivors include her husband: Wayne of the home; son: Wes Pierce and his wife Tara of Manhattan; daughter: Carri Steele and her husband John of San Antonio, TX; her mother: Ruth Pate of Foley, AL; a grandson: Brian Steele of San Antonio, TX. She is also survived by her siblings: Eddie Pate of Silver Hill, AL, Ellen Swain of Gatesville, TX, Theresa Rich of Robertsdale, AL and Jimmy Pate of Foley, AL along with many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday July 29, 2019 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas with Rev. Wesley Paddock officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Sunday July 28, 2019 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Zeandale Community Church in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.