Martina Jo Wright, 66, of Ogden, Kansas, formerly of Wamego, died Saturday, November 2, 2019, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.  She was a long-time resident of the area.

​Martina was born January 15, 1953, in Wamego, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Betty Elder Willard.  She attended local schools.

​Martina worked for many years in the banking industry.  She started as a teller then bookkeeper and bookkeeping supervisor.  Locally she worked for Kansas State Bank and First Bank and Dick Edward’s Ford.  While living in Silverthorne, Colorado, Martina was a secretary for Wilderness Property Management.

​Martina was an artist and loved to paint landscapes, waterfalls and even painted murals.  She enjoyed crocheting and knitting. She collected porcelain dolls and watching black and white movies.  Martina loved her family and time that they could spend together, especially trips to Mexico.

​Martina married Warren Wright on December 14, 1973, in Elmhurst, Illinois.  He survives at their home.

​Martina is also survived by her children: Rodney Wright (Tara), Manhattan, Linda Wright, Manhattan, and Ross Wright (Tiffany), Wamego; her grandchildren, Tiandra Scott (Ryan), Waianae, Hawaii, Caden Wright, Manhattan, Alexis Jones, Manhattan, Anthony Jones, Manhattan; her great-grandchildren, Zayden and Cassius; and her siblings, Linda Zentz (Gary), Centerville, Iowa, and Paul Willard, Manhattan.  Martina was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Mike Willard, Steve Willard, Nancy Willard and John Patrick Willard.

​A celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, November 10, 2019, at Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego.  Pastor Adina Van Os will be officiating.  The family will greet friends following the service.  They suggest memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, and those may be sent in care of the mortuary.

Raymond Eugene “Stoney” Dunham, 59, of Louisville, Kansas, died Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at his home.  He was a long-time resident of the area.

​Ray was born on August 23, 1960, in Manhattan, Kansas, the son of Charles E. and Muriel S. Lloyd Dunham.  He attended local schools and later went on to get his HVAC certification.

​Ray worked for several companies in HVAC and was a Maintenance Supervisor for many years.  Ray enjoyed fishing, camping and riding his motorcycle. He was a pet lover, taking his dogs with him everywhere he went.  Most importantly Ray loved his friends and family, spending time with his children and grandchildren.

​Ray married Rose E. Bribiesca on February 11, 2000 in Kansas City, Kansas.

​Ray is survived by his wife Rose, his children, Nicole Dunham (Alex Lopez), Jay, Oklahoma, Michael Bribiesca, Overland Park, Kansas, Buddy Holloway (Crystal), Wamego, Kansas; his grandchildren Haven, Danica, Connor, Remington, Michael, Elizabeth, Sierra, Christian, Elijah, Ryan and Dominic; his siblings, Patricia Dunham, Kansas, Oklahoma, Gail Fairchild (Ray Gene), Wamego, Kansas, Charles Dunham, Jr., Kansas, Oklahoma and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Sonia and his dog, Paco.

​A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the Wamego Family Worship Center.  Reverend Pat Green will be the Officiant.  Inurnment will follow at Louisville Cemetery.  The family will greet friends following the graveside committal at a luncheon held at the church hall.  In lieu of flowers they suggest memorial contributions to Campanella Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego.

Gary’s life began on May 5, 1941, in Marion.  He is the son of David D. Helmer, Jr. and Eldena Schlotthauer Helmer.  Gary is a 1959 graduate of Marion High School.  He was united in marriage to Dorothy “Carol” Nice on June 3, 1961 in Marion and she preceded him in death on September 24, 1993.  Gary wed again to Beverly Ehrlich in 1998 and she preceded him in death on April 9, 2012.

Gary was a farmer most of his adult life and worked for a time as a feed dealer.  He was a member of the Marion Christian Church. Gary was an avid car enthusiast and enjoyed his vintage cars.   Gary’s greatest joy was his family which includes his children Michelle (Steve) Glahn of Marion, Angela (Michael) Spielman of Baldwin City, and Dwayne (Scott Garvey) Helmer of Shawnee; grandchildren Tim (Heather) Glahn and Janet (Brian) Klenda; great-grandchildren Brenden, Bentley and Isabelle Glahn and Kenzie and Braxton Klenda; his brother Ladd (Luci) Helmer of Marion and several nieces and nephews.  Gary passed away on October 31, 2019 at St. Luke’s Living Center in Marion.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wives, and brother Darrel Helmer.

Gary’s family will gather with friends on Friday November 8th from 6-8 p.m. at Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.  Gary’s funeral service will be held on Saturday November 9th at 10:30 a.m. at the Marion Christian Church led by Reverend Carl Helm.  He will be laid to rest in Marion Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the Marion Christian Church, Good Shepard Hospice or St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation.

Gary’s life began on May 5, 1941, in Marion.  He is the son of David D. Helmer, Jr. and Eldena Schlotthauer Helmer.  Gary is a 1959 graduate of Marion High School.  He was united in marriage to Dorothy “Carol” Nice on June 3, 1961 in Marion and she preceded him in death on September 24, 1993.  Gary wed again to Beverly Ehrlich in 1998 and she preceded him in death on April 9, 2012.  Gary was a farmer most of his adult life and worked for a time as a feed dealer.  He was a member of the Marion Christian Church. Gary was an avid car enthusiast and enjoyed his vintage cars.

Gary’s greatest joy was his family which includes his children Michelle (Steve) Glahn of Marion, Angela (Michael) Spielman of Baldwin City, and Dwayne (Scott Garvey) Helmer of Shawnee; grandchildren Tim (Heather) Glahn and Janet (Brian) Klenda; great-grandchildren Brenden, Bentley and Isabelle Glahn and Kenzie and Braxton Klenda; his brother Ladd (Luci) Helmer of Marion and several nieces and nephews.

Gary passed away on October 31, 2019 at St. Luke’s Living Center in Marion.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wives, and brother Darrel Helmer.  Gary’s family will gather with friends on Friday November 8th from 6-8 p.m. at Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.  Gary’s funeral service will be held on Saturday November 9th at 10:30 a.m. at the Marion Christian Church led by Reverend Carl Helm.  He will be laid to rest in Marion Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the Marion Christian Church, Good Shepard Hospice or St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation.

James’ life began on July 28, 1937, in Ramona.  He is the son of Clarence and Velma (Meyer) Socolofsky.  James is a graduate of Kansas State with an engineering degree and earned his Master’s degree in Reliable Engineering while he served in the United States Air Force.  James retired as a Lt. Colonel after 20 years of service to our country.

In his retirement, James was the Shop Foreman for Marion County and worked at Mack Welling Lumber in Marion and as a local handyman.  He was an avid woodworker and make several pieces of furniture for family.  James enjoyed reading and even writing, as he authored training manuals for the Air Force. James was a member of the Strassburg Baptist Church.

His greatest joy was his family which includes his wife of nearly 59 years Karen Socolofsky of Marion; daughters Denise (Mike Martinez) Spivey of Valley Center and Debbie (Carl) Abbott of Thompson, MO; grandchildren Carly Willeford, Kaylee Abbott, Andrew Spivey, and Rebecca Spivey; and a brother Harold (Pat) Socolofsky of College Station, TX, sister in law Pat Socolofsky of Colorado Springs and several nieces and nephews.

James passed away on October 31, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Marion.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Lowell Socolofsky.  James’ family will gather with friends on Tuesday November 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Marion Cemetery for his graveside memorial service led by Pastor Don Mashburn or the Strassburg Baptist Church.  Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home is serving the family.  Memorial contributions in James’ name may be directed to the Strassburg Baptist Church.

Douglas D. “Doug” Roether, 85, of Junction City, KS, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Kansas City, KS. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the Episcopal Church of the Covenant with Reverend Rex Matney officiating. The family encourages all funeral attendees to wear Kansas State attire in honor of our favorite Golden Cat. A private graveside service will be held prior to the memorial service at Milford Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2019, at the Johnson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to the Doug Roether Scholarship Fund to be designated c/o Geary Community Schools Foundation 900 S. Eisenhower Junction City, KS 66441.

Doug was born May 2, 1934, in Milford, KS, the son of Daniel Edward and Olive Metta (Christensen) Roether.

Doug graduated from Clay Center Community HIgh School with the class of 1952. He received a scholarship to play football with the Kansas State College as a and was a fullback nicknamed the Manassa Mauler. He lettered playing football from 1952-1955. While he played, he was named Honorable Mention All Big 7 in 1954. In 1955, he was named First Team All Big 7 and Third Team All American. He was also a member of the Big 7 All-Star Team and received an award for being the most inspirational player. After playing for Kansas State College, he went on to play football for the United States Navy. He served as a sideline coach for the Navy Freshman Team. After his time in the Navy, he became a teacher for East High School in Kansas City, MO. He later became a teacher for Junction City Junior High School where he taught driver’s education, physical education and served as head football coach, head golf coach and assistant basketball coach. He retired in 1996 with twenty seven years of teaching in Junction City.

Doug was a member of the Junction City Elks Lodge #1037, Kansas State University Ahearn Club, Kansas State University President’s Club and the Kansas State University Golden Cat’s Club. He volunteered for CASA and was an active member of the Geary County Humane Society. Doug was an avid golfer and pitch player at Rolling Meadows Golf Course where he served on the Rolling Meadows Advisory Board and the Friends of RMGC.

On December 27, 1957, he married Jane H. Taylor.

Survivors include his wife Jane of the home, two daughters, Lizabeth “Liz” Rosewicz and husband Gary of St. George, KS and Dana Williamson and husband Chuck of Junction City, KS; one granddaughter, Taylor Williamson of Davenport, IA; one sister, Ruth Davis and her husband Jim of Dover, OH and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Daniel Edward Roether II.

Reva Jane Grater, age 86 of Clay Center, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

She was born on January 21, 1933 in Riley, the daughter of Virgil and Eva (Nelson) Wohler. On May 27, 1951 in Manhattan, she was married to Arnold F. Grater.  He preceded her in death on June 4, 1997.

Reva served as a Postmaster for 24 years and was a farmwife.  She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clay Center Elks Club and NARFE.  She loved attending her grandchildren’s sports and school activities and traveling with her family.  She was a great cook and enjoyed playing cards and working in her flower and vegetable gardens.

She is survived by two daughters, Terri Jermark and husband Dave of Clay Center and Vicki Pfizenmaier and husband Greg of Green; one sister, Carolyn Kay Johnson of Brownstown, Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Courtney Grater, Shanell George, Tony Liby, Dustin Liby, Brandon Pfizenmaier, Sheldon Pfizenmaier, Shantel Marrs, Danny Grater, Gavin Grater, Kade Jermark and Keely Jermark; 18 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Greg Grater; one brother, Virgil Wohler, Jr. and two grandsons, Kavan Jermark and Jacob Grater.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 4, 2019 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clay Center with Rev. Paul Tessaro officiating.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for the Reva Grater Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date by the family.  Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

Dorothy Ann Tompkins, 89, of Manhattan, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Dorothy was born April 22, 1930, in Garber, OK to Pauline Winifred (Brummett) and William Carl Groneman. The oldest of three daughters, Dorothy grew up on a farm and was active in 4-H. In 1948, she received a national award for her 4-H Farm Safety Project, resulting in a scholarship to attend Oklahoma A & M where she graduated with a BS degree in Home Economics. In, the organic chemistry lab she met the love of her life, Ivan Dean Tompkins. They married on Aug. 23, 1953.

Dorothy was an educator. She began her career in Western Oklahoma working with 4-H clubs. After getting married, she worked for the Gas Service Company in Oklahoma City, OK, and Joplin, MO as a Home Demonstration Agent teaching consumers how to use new gas ranges. The remainder of her working years were spent teaching Home Economics to middle and high school students in Lewistown, MO and Kansas City, MO. Her focus was on teaching physically handicapped and developmentally handicapped students.

Dorothy attended church all her life and was an active member in the churches she and Ivan attended. In recent years, they belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Manhattan. She loved to garden, can and sew, and passed these skills on to her daughters and (some) grandchildren. After retirement, Dorothy and Ivan worked estate sales in the Kansas City area and took bus tours around the US. Special trips were taken to Alaska and El Salvador to visit their granddaughter. After living 50 years in Overland Park, KS, they moved to Meadowlark Hills in 2013.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Ivan; two daughters, Paula Sue (Ed Lalor) Tompkins St. Cloud, MN, Diane (Keith) Heikes of Middleton, WI; son, Bill Tompkins, of Wamego, KS; two sisters, Judy Richard, of Bellevue, WA; Willa Dalrymple, of Alhambra, CA; 5 grandchildren Eileen (Matt) McElrath, Andrew (Peiying) Heikes, Margaret Lalor, Amy (Aric) Hageman, and Abbey Heikes; and 5 great-grandchildren Cormac McElrath, Alan Hageman, Adelaide McElrath, Austin Hageman, and Maeve McElrath. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Meadowlark Hills Community Room, Manhattan, KS on November 8, 2019, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Meadowlark Good Samaritan Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ruby L. Zabel, 65, of Westmoreland, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at her home following a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

​​Ruby was born on June 6,1954, in Westmoreland, the daughter of Lois (Miller) Blenn Dickson and Louis Blenn, and was a life-long resident of the Westmoreland area.

​Ruby married Carl “Doug” Zabel in August of 1975, and together they raised 3 children. She worked many years for the Rock Creek School District 323. Hardworking, appreciative of nature and fine craftsmanship, and candid, Ruby inspired many with her beautiful gardens, and taught her kids the value of a do-it-yourself attitude.

​She is survived by her husband, Doug, of the home; son Marshal Zabel, his wife Kelsey and their children Maelin, Kace and Mavrie of Olathe; son Jarod Zabel, his wife Sheila, and their children Nora, Bennett and Ada of St. George; daughter Audra Pendleton, her husband Kenneth, and their children Brekin, Brena, and Brody of Westmoreland; mother-in-law, Dorothy Zabel of Wheaton; five brothers and their families: Bob Osterbuhr of La Mesa, California, Steven Blenn of Wamego, Jesse Blenn of Costa Rica, Donald Blenn of Westmoreland, and Mike Blenn of Westmoreland.  Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Charles Dickson, and a son, Tyler Zabel.

​A Celebration of Life and a lunch reception for Ruby will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2019, from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Westmoreland Community Center. There will be a Time of Remembrance at 12:00 pm. A private family inurnment will be held in the Westmoreland City Cemetery at a later date.  The family suggests memorial contributions to either Citizens for (Pottawatomie County) Courthouse Conservation Fund through Kansas Rural Communities Foundation or to the Caring Community Foundation for the Westmoreland Clinic, and those may be sent in care of Campanella-Evans Mortuary.

Sekiko “Kiko” Murayama VanDerSluis, 82, of Junction City, KS, transitioned from this existence to the next on October 25, 2019. Johnson Funeral Home of Junction City is assisting family with arrangements.

A memorial service and gathering will be held on Tuesday November 5, 2019, 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library, 230 W. 7th St., Junction City, KS. June Jones, the Soka Gakkai Eastern Kansas Chapter Leader, will be officiating the service.

A committal service will be held 12:45pm Wednesday November 6, 2019 at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS 66503.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be sent to the Soka Gakkai International (SGI)-USA online at: portal.sgi-usa.org/portal/contribution or by mail to SGI-USA Member Services, 606 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90401 or to the Junction City YMCA, P.O. Box 113, Junction City, KS, 66441.

Kiko was born on August 17, 1937, in Naha City of the Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, to Shunjiro and Keiko (Matsuda) Murayama. She graduated high school in Okinawa and continued her education in the United States at the University of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. She then went back home where she met a young soldier by the name of Richard VanDerSluis.

On March 5, 1970, they married in Okinawa. With Richard’s military obligation, the family moved to a few duty stations and ultimately settled in Junction City, Kansas where they have since called home. Kiko worked as a civil service employee for 32 years.

Kiko was a member of many organizations to include: Soka Gakkai International (SGI)-USA, University of Michigan Alumni (Life Member), the Kansas Chapter Okinawa Prefecture Association, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Kiko also was a regular visitor to the Junction City YMCA where she enjoyed swimming three times a week.

Though she was active in these groups and her hobbies, her life was dedicated to her family. Kiko was the strongest person her family has ever known and set the absolute best example of how to overcome obstacles in life. Her positive outlook and faith was ever present. Kiko was truly the rock of the family and provided the perfect blueprint to her children of how a parent should really be.

Kiko was a true friend, devoted wife, and the absolute best mother one could ask for. Above all she was an adoring Obachan.

She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

Kiko is survived by her loving family: her two sons, Thomas VanDerSluis of Topeka, KS, and Karl VanDerSluis of Allentown, PA; 4 Grandchildren; and a host of loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband, Richard Charles VanDerSluis.