David Jacob Reisig, 71, of Russell, died October 10, 2019. He was born December 24, 1947 in Russell, Kansas, to Jacob D. Reisig and Olga Marie Steponick. David graduated from Russell High School in 1965. While achieving his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Kansas State University, he met and fell in love with Pamela Kaye Weckman, of Oskaloosa, Kansas. They were married January 26, 1969 and enjoyed 50 years of marriage with three vow renewals over the years. In the early 1970s, David served as an officer in the United States Air Force Pararescue, providing long distance ocean recovery rescue

Pauline Lucy Bender, 88, of Russell, Kansas died on Saturday, October 05, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas Pauline was born on November 22, 1930, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Cheesman ) Barker.  She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Clarence Bender on March 18, 1951, in Russell, Kansas.  From this union Pauline and Clarence were blessed with 5 children Carol, Alvin, Elton Daniel and Roy.  Clarence preceded her in death on May 28, 2012, in Russell, Kansas. 

Lucille Marie Peirano, 78, of Overland Park, KS, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2019.  Lucille was born January 25, 1941, in Hays, KS and grew up in Dorrance, KS and graduated in 1959.  She worked at St. John’s Hospital in Salina and owned Designs and Accents Floral and Oakhurst Insurance, both in Salina, KS. She also volunteered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Salina, KS.  Lucille’s passion was painting. She was preceded in death by her husband Harlan James (Jim) Peirano in 2011.  She is survived by her children David Peirano, Lisa Dixon, and Karen Hawley, grandchildren Devin Peirano, Daniel Peirano,

Renetta  (Schmidtberger) Witt ,93, of Russell, Kansas passed away September 23, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was born Renetta Marie Schmidtberger on March 12, 1926 in Gorham, Kansas the daughter of Frank and Mary (Mermis) Schmidtberger.  She grew up on a farm in Gorham, Kansas with five other siblings.  Renetta spent the last five years living with her daughter Marlene Thompson in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Renetta was united in marriage to Lloyd J. Witt on April 6, 1948. Lloyd was engaged in farming and owned Witt Motor Company. Lloyd preceded her in death on May

Fredrick Oliver Mitchell, Sr., 82, of Great Bend, Kansas, died on Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the Ellinwood, Hospital in Ellinwood, Kansas. Fred was born on October 30, 1936, in Rural Russell, Kansas, on the family farm, the son of Oscar Rolland and Zelda Beatrice (Carroll) Mitchell.  He grew up on the farm in Russell and attended local schools.  He joined the United States Army and served during the Korean war.  He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Virginia Ann Hill on January 29, 1961, in Russell, Kansas.  He was self-employed installing irrigation systems and later

Mary D. Mead, 103, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at the Wheatland Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on January 15, 1916, in Johnston, Rhode Island to Germano and Anastasia (Girardi) Torrice who were immigrants of D’Evandro, Italy.  Mary was one of 7 children and grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island.  She was a secretary in the Pentagon during WWII.  She met her future husband Jay Mead, who was from Waldo, Kansas, in Washington DC at a ballgame.  Jay and Mary met while Jay was a soldier waiting to be shipped out

Karla Kay (Brown) Kingsbury, 64, of Dorrance, Kansas, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2019 at her home. Karla was born September 16, 1954 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She was the daughter of Bernard Franklin and Joyce Ann (Pfeiffer) Brown.  She grew up in Michigan until her family moved in 1968 to Boulder, Colorado.  She graduated from Fairview High School in Boulder and then attended the University of Colorado where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Karla was united in marriage to Duane Edward Kingsbury on October 8, 1977 in Boulder.  This union was blessed with three children;

Betty Lou Kessler, 89, long time Kansas resident, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Atria Senior Living Residence in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is dearly missed by family and friends. Betty was born on August 11, 1930, in Ransom, Kansas, the daughter of Harold Schuyler and Alma Rosetta (Grisell) See.  She grew up in Ransom,  sister to brothers Billie Joe and Charles, where she was Valedictorian of her senior class. Twice receiving National 4-H honors, she was accomplished as a seamstress, woodworker, high school athlete, and multi-talented musician. She attended Fort Hays State College in  Hays, Kansas, where

Bradley Lane Funk, 47, of St. George, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 9, 2019. Bradley was born February 8, 1972 in San Antonio, Texas.  He was the son of Larry Dean and Carolyn L. (Wilson) Funk.  His dad was in the Air Force while he was growing up and they lived in Big Springs, Texas; Salina, Kansas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Edwards Air Force Base, California; Hampton, Virginia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oslo, Norway; and finally ending up during his high school years in Manhattan, Kansas.  He graduated from Manhattan High School and then he attended the Air Force Academy.  He returned

Elroy Leon Dietz, 91, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2019 at the Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas. Elroy was born July 25, 1928 on the family farm southwest of Russell, Kansas.  He was one of three children born to Henry L. and Magdalena “Lena” (Templing) Dietz.  He grew up and attended schools in Russell County and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of 1946. Elroy was united in marriage to LoRee Glendora Popp on September 10, 1950 in the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.  This union was blessed with three children; Melinda, Martin