After a 2-year battle with cancer, Bruce Brazzle 64, of Wamego died surrounded by family on Wednesday October 16, 2019 at his home.

Bruce was born December 8, 1954, the son of Walter C Brazzle (June) and Marie (Besta) Brazzle in Westmoreland, Ks.  Bruce was brought up in a very loving home, where a good work ethic and determination were taught to him at an early age.  He loved hunting, fishing and all sports but football was his passion.  He received many awards during his high school years.  In his high school years, Bruce worked part-time, then full time at International Harvester.  In 1984 he started full time as a fireman at Fort Riley, where he retired after 21 years, ending his career as Assistant Fire Chief.  He helped start the Rescue Scuba Diving team and trained many people to scuba dive.  He also was a member of the IAAI, International Arson Association Inc.  He received many awards for his service in the fire service.

He then went to work for Pottawatomie County as the County Fire Supervisor, where he consolidated many of the Pottawatomie County departments.  He initiated the planning of many new fire stations in the county.  He ended his career by going to work as a salesman for Weis Fire and Equipment Sales in Salina.  He met so many wonderful people and made so many friendships in his jobs that the fire industry was like his second family.

In 1973, he married his high school sweetheart Lois Doll, she survives at their home.  They have two children: Brandon Brazzle (Kelly), Pleasant Hills, MO, and Emily Brazzle, Wamego.  Bruce also leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Nicholas, Danielle, Kalie, Addison, Camryn and Chloe; his loving mother, Marie Brazzle, of Wamego, and three very loving sisters, Kathy Wilson (Marlin), Jan Olmsted both of Wamego and Lori Harms (Wayne) Blue Rapids; a brother-in-law, Tom Doll (Joan) Wamego, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 23rd, at St Bernard’s Catholic Church of Wamego. Burial with Fire Fighters Honors will follow in Wamego City Cemetery. Bruce will lie in-state beginning at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday at St. Bernard’s, where the family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Bruce Brazzle Memorial, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.

Judith C. “Judy” Hofer, 76, of Junction City, KS, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019 at Geary Community Hospital. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Dirk Weiss officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Home 203 N. Washington Street in Junction City. A committal service will immediately follow the memorial service at Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to the First United Methodist Church 804 N. Jefferson Street Junction City, KS 66441.

Judy was born October 20, 1942, in Kansas City, MO the daughter of Olin and Lola (Selders) Hedrick.

Judy grew up and attended schools in Kansas City, MO and Topeka, KS. She graduated from Washburn University in 1965 with a B.S. in Music Education. She graduated Pi Kappa Lambda (Music Honor Society) from Kansas State University in 1991 with a Masters Degree in Music.

Judy worked as a music educator for USD #475 Geary County Schools from 1965-2019. She retired in 2003 and went back to work as an accompanist for Junction City Middle School Choir. She worked as an organist and choir director at First United Methodist Church for thirty years. She also directed the children’s choir and taught Sunday School.

Judy loved music. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting,reading and kept a daily journal since 1992. She was an active member of the Troubadours Community Choir. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and truly appreciated her time working with the students at Junction City Middle School accompanying their choir. Judy was also proud to be called “Judge Judy”.. in fact, she shared a birthday with the real Judge Judy! Last but not least, she was an avid Chicago Cubs fan with her husband Joel.

She met Joel D. Hofer in 1965 while teaching school. She married Joel August 6, 1966. He passed away on September 22, 2015.

Survivors include two daughters, Jan Burkhalter and her husband David and Jayme Cantu and her husband Victor both of Allen, TX; one brother, Donald Hedrick of Manhattan, KS; five grandchildren, Victoria, Dillon, Heather, Devon and Molly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Joel.

Melba Lee Easley, 87, of Milford, died Saturday, October 12, 2019 at her home. Melba was born October 11, 1932 in Johnson City, Tennessee, the daughter of Samuel Edward and Minnie (Roorder) Forrester.

Melba grew up in Johnson City and graduated from high school there and later attended Eastern Tennessee State University.

She and her husband, who was in the U.S. Army, moved to Junction City in 1974. Melba worked as a civilian employee on Ft. Riley for many years, retiring as the main secretary for the Ft. Riley Commanding General.

Melba married Will Roger Easley on June 25, 1953 in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Easley died November 12, 1994.

Survivors include: 2 sons, Dennis Easley, Milford, and Michael Easley and his wife Jerry, Lipan, Texas; a daughter, Vicky Ripley and her husband Richard, Leavenworth; a brother Keith Forrester and his wife Shelby, Gray, Tennessee; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandson. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters, and a grandson, Richard David Ripley on November 5, 2016.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 18, 2019 at Ft. Riley Post Cemetery, Ft. Riley.

Memorial contributions may be given in Melba’s name the the donor’s choice.

Johnson Cremations-Funerals-Receptions in charge of arrangements.

Tomie M. “Judy” McDonald, 82, of Junction City, KS, passed away on October 11, 2019. Johnson Funeral Home is assisting family with cremation arrangements.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday October 23, 1:00 p.m., at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Rd., Manhattan, KS.

A Celebration of life gathering will be held after the memorial service at the American Legion Post #45, 201 E. 4th St., Junction City, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Friends of Animals, P.O. Box 580, Junction City, KS 66441.

Judy was born on April 14, 1937 in the prefecture of Gunma in Japan.

She worked hard and excelled in school in her youth. After graduating, Judy immigrated to the United States and ultimately called Junction City, Kansas, her home.

Judy was a hard worker and independent business woman. She ran and operated two private clubs: the Riviera Club in the 1970’s located on South Washington St. and Lil Tokyo on Franklin St., both in Junction City until her retirement. Beside her businesses, Judy was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post#45. Foremost she was a caring mother, adoring grandmother, loving great-grandmother, and loyal friend.

She will be dearly missed.

Judy is survived by her loving family: her daughter, Paula M. Barton and husband Dewey of Junction City, KS; granddaughter Brandy M. Juarez of Topeka, KS; great-grandson Tyrell M. Juarez of Kansas City, KS; her siblings in Japan; and a host of loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William McDonald, Jr., her parents, and some of her siblings.

Irene Joyce Heideman, 86, of Alta Vista, Kansas passed away at her residence Saturday, October 12, 2019.

She was born May 17, 1933, the daughter of Carl and Vanita (Rapp) Patterson in Junction City, KS. Joyce married Harvey Heideman on February 24, 1952 in Alta Vista.  They had two daughters: Pamela and Marilyn and raised them on their farm in Alta Vista.

Joyce worked in Finance and Accounting at Ft. Riley as a Supervisor in Reserve Pay for 21 years. Joyce received many awards throughout those years recognizing her outstanding work.  She was a member of the St Paul’s Lutheran Church and of the LWML, she taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed going to the Alta Vista Senior Center and was Chair of the Senior Board for 4 years. She volunteered many hours in support of the Center. She also was a member of the Wabaunsee County Senior Site Council.

Joyce enjoyed collecting clowns and hummingbirds. She loved her flowers and working in her flower beds on the farm and in her home in town. She loved farm life with her husband Harvey and enjoyed working by his side.  After Harvey passed away, Joyce loved riding with Cole to check cattle and baby calves. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoyed sitting at the piano with her singing and learning to play. Joyce always had a smile.  She loved it when family and friends would stop by the farm or at her home in town to visit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ted Patterson and sister Margaret Call.

Joyce is survived by her daughters: Pamela McDiffett of Alta Vista and Marilyn Beck of Manhattan; brothers: Jim Patterson and Don Patterson of Dwight; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandsons; and many friends.  Joyce will be sadly missed by all that knew her.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, October 18th, from 12:00 – 1:30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with funeral service following at 2:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association or Alta Vista Senior Citizen Center.  They may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.

Phyllis Anderson, 79 of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 14, 2019, at Morris County Hospital.

She was born July 24, 1940 in Council Grove, the daughter of Walter and Lottie (Kauffman) Lay.  Phyllis married Ralph Anderson on June 9, 1963 in Wilsey. They had two children: Debra and Bruce.

Phyllis held several jobs over the years, which included Fairmont Foods, Buckeye Bait, cooking for Council Grove Rest Home and Senior Center, waitressing, and cleaning homes and offices.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Naomi Rebecca/Odd Fellows, EHU, Hill Springs Hobby Club and she was a 4-H Leader.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers: Donald, Gilbert and Rolland Lay, and 3 sisters: Virginia Wigle, Eleanor Rindt, and Laverna Leeson.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Ralph; daughter Debra Anderson, Council Grove; son Bruce Anderson and wife Dorothy, of Americus; grandson Zachary Anderson (Ashley); great-granddaughters Emma and Harper Anderson. Also surviving are brother Clinton Lay (Barbara), brothers-in-law Charles Rindt and Ron Leeson; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

At Phyllis’ request, she was cremated.  Funeral services are pending at this time and will be announced later.

Marcine Ann Sheaffer, 76, of Junction City, KS passed away October 14, 2019 at Valley View Senior Life Center. Funeral services will be at 2 pm, Friday, October 18, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Home with Pastor Dirk Weiss officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Johnson Funeral home. Memorials have been designated to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th, Ste. 102, Topeka, KS 66614.

Marcine was born September 23, 1943, Junction City, KS to Otto and Lelia (Benning) Wunder. She attended schools in Junction City and later met David R. Sheaffer, they were married March15, 1959 and were together over 60 years he survives of the home.

Marcine worked for the Alco Store for several years and also as a receptionist for Dr. Wisby in the 80’s. She retired in 1990 and became a loving housewife and baby sitter of their grandchildren.

She is also survived by her two sons, Roger A. Sheaffer and Kenny D. Sheaffer both of Junction City, KS; one sister, Jackie (Larry) Langvardt of Junction City, KS; two brothers, Gene Wunder of Niland, CA and Jerry Tork of Maryland; two grandchildren, Ryan A. Sheaffer of Junction City, KS and Amanda (Dillon) Ruthstrom of Clay Center, KS; two great-grandchildren, Trey Alan Sheaffer and Brooklynn M. Sheaffer; she is also survived by her sister-in-law, Eldora Wunder, many nephews and nieces, great-nieces and great nephews.

Marcine was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Carl Wunder and William “Willie” Wunder and two sisters; Gloria Hayter and Wanda Cohen and her brother-in-law Earl Hayter.