Obituaries

Body Roberta C. Swinehart, 96, retired registered nurse, of Norwich, died Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at Avena Living of Clearwater.

Body Vernon Gerhart Ast, 83, of Verona, Mo., passed away on Aug. 3, 2026, in Springfield, Mo. He was born on March 16, 1943, in Cheney, Kan., the son of the late Francis Ast and Margaret (Hermes) Ast. Vernon was a beloved figure in his family and in his community.

Body On July 30, 2026, Donald (Don) Lynn McElroy, 64, passed away following a many years long battle with Multiple System Atrophy – Parkinson's disease. Don was born on Feb. 2, 1962, to James Steven, Sr., and Evelyn (Catron) McElroy in Wichita.

Body Richard Forrest, Jr., 95, of Argonia, passed away on July 21, 2026. Richard was born March 29, 1931, just north of Argonia in a farmhouse. He was one of the five sons of Richard "Dick" S. and Lula (Bland) Forrest.

Body Frank Joseph Bartonek, 70, passed away Friday, July 24, 2026, at Cox Medical Center, Branson, Mo. 

Body Richard C. Johnson, 83, was born May 4, 1943, at LeRoy, Kan., to Georgia Viesta Cottingham and Theodore Thomas Johnson. He died July 16, 2026. He attended LeRoy schools for all 12 years, graduating in 1961.

Body James Lee Heiman, 64, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026, at his home in Conway Springs.Jimmy was born April 25, 1962, in Wichita, to Larry and Dorothy (Dodd) Heiman. He grew up in Towanda, and graduated from Circle High School with the class of 1981.

Body Dorsey Lee (Genteman) Carter was born Feb. 7, 1950, in Springfield, Mo., to Mark Edwin Genteman and Tolitha Virginia Lee (Brumley) Genteman. She was the eldest of eight children and devoted much of her life to family, faith and service.

Body Jack H. Slade, age 91, of Wichita, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026.A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 17, at Shinkle Mortuary, 146 N. Lamar Ave, Haysville.Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha Slade, and mother, Ruby Slade.

Body Donald Corbin Smith, 80, of Howard, Kan., passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the Greenwood Country Hospital in Eureka. Don was born in rural Elk County on May 25, 1946, the son of Kenneth Owen and Pauline (Corbin) Smith.Don was a graduate of Howard High School, class of 1964.