Obituaries

Lester L. Nighswonger of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, at Western Home Communities Deery Suites.

LaVera M. Tonn, 96, of Haven, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. She was born on August 20, 1927 in Cheney, the daughter of Herman D. and Lola (Garnett) Meyer.
She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cheney. She was united in marriage to Karl M. Tonn on Oct. 9, 1949, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cheney. He preceded her in death on Oct. 5, 1992. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Haven, where she played the organ for more than 60 years. She felt blessed to serve as church secretary for more than 25 years.

Bernie Scherr was born in Ottawa, Kan., on Dec. 10, 1934, to Bernard S. and Edith Scherr, and passed from this life on Jan. 14, 2024, in Spring Hill, Kan.

He grew up on his parents’ farm east of Collyer, Kan., along with three brothers, Tim, Joseph and Chuck, and two sisters, Martha and Mary Monica. Bernie graduated from Collyer High School in 1953, married Ruth Ann Connally of Collyer in 1954.

James Kenneth Ales, loving husband, father and Ata, age 88, passed away on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday,
Jan. 17, both at the Church of the Nazarene, Clearwater.
On June 6, 1961, James married his beautiful bride, Darlene. They were married for 62 years.
James spent his career in aircraft, with five years at Boeing and 31 years at Cessna, where he retired.
James was an avid golfer.

Raymond Ellsworth Drouhard, 88, of Wichita, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in his home
surrounded by loving family after a long battle with brain cancer. He was born Dec. 10, 1935, in
Danville, the son of Leo Drouhard and Velma Simpson.
Raymond graduated from Harper High School in 1954. He attended Wichita State University and
earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Raymond was employed with Boeing Aviation for 40 years. He was an active member of the Church of
the Magdalen.

Peggy Joyce Brown, 91, passed away on Jan. 4, 2024. She was born to Roy and Aleda Brown on Oct. 4, 1932, in Wichita.

Peggy married Robert C. Brown in June 1952 and together they had five children, Clifton, Pamalee, Clayton, Kenton and Kirk. Peggy attended Bethel College where she studied nursing, which lent to her interest in many kinds of alternative healthcare. Peggy also enjoyed studying genealogy.

Sharon Johnson, 80, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 1, 2024.

She is survived her her son, Jeffrey Warren; brother, Robert Scot; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Eloise Scott; husband, Carl Warren; sons, Carl Warren and Eric Johnson; and daughter, Renee Cato.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., with visitation at 9 a.m., at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Wichita. Burial will follow the service.

Rogene Ann Becker, 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Garden Plain on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. She was born April 12, 1937, in Ost, Kan., to Eugene and Madalyn (Doffing) Preisser. She was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers, Dick and Jerry Preisser; and sister, Kay Preisser.

She is survived by her husband, Jerome Becker; children, Brad (Robin) Becker of Wichita, Jeff (Becca) Becker, Denise (Chris) Heimerman, Russ (Lori) Becker, and Jaime (Cy) Kitzmann, all from Garden Plain, KS; 19 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Dorothy J. Hollis, 91, of Conway Springs, died peacefully at her Conway Springs home on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

Duane Wilfred Bergkamp, age 76, of Wichita, passed away in his sleep on his birthday, Dec. 22, 2023. Duane was born in Wichita to Wilfred Bergkamp and Anna (Wetta) Bergkamp on Dec. 22, 1947.