Obituaries

Martha Kathleen “Katie” Barber, 83, died May 14, 2025, at Baylor, Scott and White Hospital, McKinney, Texas.

She was born Jan. 26, 1942, in Greensburg, Kan., the daughter of Chester Norval and Frances Ruth (Fish) Taylor. Katie graduated from Greensburg High School in 1960. She had retired from being a library aide in public schools. She had lived in Greensburg, Joy, Stafford, Nashville, Clearwater and Dighton, Kan., and Vernon and Prosper, Texas. On May 29, 1960, Katie married Floyd Gene Barber in Greensburg. He preceded her in death Sept. 18, 2008.

Larry O. Nickels, age 86, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Larry worked at Learjet/Bombardier in many different positions, ranging from machinist to inspector of many different departments . He also ran a part-time electrical business and trenching business called Nickels Electric, and then Nickels Trenching and Repair. Larry was a longtime member and elder at the Clearwater Church of Christ.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at Clearwater Church of Christ, 13900 Diagonal Road, Clearwater.

Shirley Hanafin, age 90, of Wichita, retired Beechcraft employee and owner of J-Mart used furniture store, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025. A private family service is planned.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, John Hanafin; sons, Terry and Craig Hanafin; grandson, Austin Gains; parents, Herman and Marie Winters; and eight siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Timothy) Frieden of Haysville; brother, David (Carolyn) Winters of Mound Valley, Kan.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Douglas Allison Jones, age 72, passed away on May 6, 2025, at Common Spirit St. Francis in Colorado Springs. Doug was born on June 16, 1952, in Independence, Mo.
Doug is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Brenda; his two sons, Scott (Shelby) and Brandon (Alison); his sister, Holly; his cherished grandchildren, Allison, Marcus, and Maxwell; and his ever-faithful dog, Fritz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lee and Van Jones.

Lawrence “Blackie” Seiwert entered into the arms of Jesus and was reunited with his beloved wife on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Recitation of the rosary was said at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, and the funeral Mass at was at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, both at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Garden Plain.

Affectionately nicknamed “Blackie” in his youth for his jet-black hair, he was born on Dec. 16, 1937, in Schulte to Lawrence and Anna Seiwert. In November 1957, Blackie married the love of his life, and together they shared over 50 wonderful years of marriage.

Henry W. Robben, 86, retired farmer, entered into the hands of the Lord on April 28, 2025. He was born on May 31, 1938, to John and Elizabeth (Keiter) Robben in the rural home he lived in until his death. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette (Jostes) Robben, and his parents. Henry is survived by his sister, Dolores Bell; his children, Jennifer (David) Kidd, John (Kay) Robben, Rebecca (Jared) McGinley, Diana (Brad) Stevens, and Joseph (Gwen) Robben; and his 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

Sam C. Foley, 18, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025, at his home in Cheney. 

Sam was born Dec. 28, 2006, in Wichita, the son of Clint and Stephanie (Robertson) Foley. He loved to trap shoot, to go hunting and fishing and to farm with his dad.

Sam is survived by his parents; his sister, Cassidy; his grandparents, Fred and Joyce Foley and Rosemary Hufford; and his great-grandmother, Tessie Hibbs.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Cheney Methodist Church, 406 W. 3rd Ave., Cheney.

Billy Bert Meridith went home to see Jesus on April 23, 2025.

Patricia Ann (Patsy) Simon, age 96, passed away April 24, 2025. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister.

Patsy was born on Jan. 8, 1929, in Wichita to Leo and Ruth (Maus) Hemmen. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1947. On April 28, 1951, she married Reinard Simon at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Schulte. They settled on a dairy farm near Colwich.

Wayne DeWitt Castor of Cheney died on April 16, 2025. He was born Oct. 2, 1950, in Wichita, and
grew up in Conway Springs.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Cheney Methodist Church in Cheney. Interment
will follow at Vinita Cemetery, west of Cheney in rural Kingman County.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence B. Castor and Louise (Branch) Castor; brother,
Frank Castor; brother-in-law, Bill Mote; sister-in-law, Sharon Castor; and nephew, Mike Castor.