Darrell Keith Barton, 82, of Russell, Kansas passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022 in Hays, Kansas.   Darrell was born on April 29, 1940, in El Dorado, Kansas. He was the son of Delmar Milton Barton and LaVada Mae (Strain) Barton. He was raised in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in 1958.  Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps. His overseas duty assignments included Okinawa, Japan. DaNang Vietnam and Subic Bay, Philippines.  While stationed in Japan he met, fell in love with and married Akemi (Kim) Honda on September 26, 1961 in Fukuoka, Japan. From this

Dan Edward Koehler, 82, of Lawrence, Kansas and former Natoma and Osborne County, Kansas, died on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at his home in Lawrence. Dan was born on April 07, 1940, in rural Osborne County, Kansas, the son of Harold and Ellen F. (Kirkpatrick) Koehler.  He was raised in Osborne County and Natoma, Kansas and graduated from Natoma High School in the class of 1958.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Ellen Sue Pfortmiller on February 25, 1961, in Natoma.  From this union Dan and Sue were blessed with two children, a son Brad

Ima Kaye Shaffer, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. Kaye was born on April 24, 1944, in Heber Springs, Arkansas, the daughter of Floyd and Ella A. (Ezell) Southerland.  She grew up in Arkansas and at age 13 her family moved to Wichita, Kansas.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to W.R. “Bub” Shaffer on December 20, 1986, in Russell, Kansas.  Bub preceded her in death on December 21, 2003.  After Bub’s death she spent many years with her companion Jim Young.  Kaye worked

Evelyn Louise (Hardin) Mitchell, 88, of Hays, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Via Christi Village in Hays. Evelyn was born March 11, 1934 in Albany, Missouri, the daughter of Walter and Grace (McMichael) Hardin.  She grew up in Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1952.  Evelyn met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to James Dale “JD” Mitchell on November 22, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri.  This union was blessed with five children; Rose, Lonnie, Debra, Kathy and Jim.  They made their home in Council Grove, Kansas before

Wayne E. Funk, 78, of Milberger, Kansas, died on Monday, September 05, 2022, at Main Street Manor in Russell, Kansas. Wayne was born on July 31, 1944, in Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Emanuel and Elsie (Wilhelm) Funk.  He grew up on the family farm in the southwest corner of Russell County and graduated from Otis High School.  After high school he joined the Kansas Army National Guard.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Janet J. Becker on August 07, 1966, at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, Kansas.  From this union Wayne

Gary Richard Bilbrey, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at the Wheat State Manor of Whitewater, Kansas. Gary was born on June 07, 1944, in Stafford, Kansas, the son of Fern R. and Mildred L. (Morelan) Bilbrey.  He grew up in Russell, Kansas and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1962.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Orma Eloise Jones on August 16, 1963, at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California.  From this union Gary and Orma were blessed with two sons Gary and Tim.  He served his country by

Elzina E. Scott, 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Wheatland Nursing Home in Russell. Elzina was born November 29, 1931 in Russell County.  She was the daughter of John and Lydia (Lohmann) Maier.  She grew up and attended Cromwell Country School south of Gorham, Kansas. She was baptized and confirmed at Bender Hill Lutheran Church in rural Russell. Elzina had a strong Lutheran faith and was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma and later the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.  Elzina later moved to Russell where she worked as a Nurses

Malcolm Lee Marshall, 94, lifetime resident of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2022 at his home with his family by his side. Malcolm was born April 29, 1928 in Russell, the son of Martin “Cleve” and Myrtle (Mitchell) Marshall.  He was a 1948 graduate of Russell High School.  He served his country during the Korean Conflict entering the  U.S. Army  in 1952, stationed at various locations throughout the US and later in Newfoundland.  After his Duty was completed, he returned to Russell. Malcolm was united in marriage to Janice Rae Stewart on September 7, 1958.  This union was

Iris Emma Schafer, 69, of Gorham, Kansas, died on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at the Russell Regional Hospital E.R. in Russell, Kansas. Iris was born on July 29, 1953, in Mesa, Arizona, the daughter of Louis A. and Emma (Hardt) Schroeder.  She lived in Mesa at an early age and spent most of her childhood living in Yates Center, Kansas, graduating from Yates Center High School.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Geary Schafer on October 04, 2001, in Russell, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on October 31, 2021.  She enjoyed cooking and worked

Larry Laverne Bernard was called to his Heavenly Home on August 17th, 2022 with family by his side.  He was born on August 15, 1953, in Imperial, NE to Marlin & Pat Bernard.    Larry was a lifelong educator who enjoyed his roles as a teacher, coach, and principal.  He graduated from Osborne High School and continued his studies in education graduating from Fort Hays State University.  He retired from Russell High School as the principal in 2017 after over 40 years in education.  Outside of serving his community, Larry also had a passion for riding horses, flying his plane,