Obituaries

William Edward Whitaker III, 84, of Olathe, passed away on Dec. 17, 2023, at Olathe Medical Center. He was born on Nov. 17, 1939, to William and Joanna (West) Whitaker in Tulsa. On July 15, 1967, he married Patricia J. Whitaker (Adair).

Janet Kathleen Aves died in her home, Memory Haven at Doves Estates, on Monday, Dec 18, 2023, in the loving presence of her children and grandchildren. Jan was born on May 23, 1945, in Wichita as Janet Kathleen Tigner, to parents Raymond and Marion.

Wayne Berntsen, age 64, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

Henry Harris Stoll of Cheney, 95, was born Nov. 28, 1928, in Noble County, Okla., to Frank and Sarah Elizabeth Stoll. He joined his savior on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.

Richard L. Nickell, 68, of Conway Springs, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, at his residence. Richard was born July 21, 1955, in Wichita to Jesse Edward Nickell and Dolly Dean (Nickum) Nickell. He moved with his family to Conway Springs in 1964 where he attended Conway Springs public schools.

Louis F. Eilerts, 76, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. He was born on July 28, 1947, to Howard and Augusta Eilert, who preceded him in death.

Darlene May Larson passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 at the age of 88. She was born Oct. 5, 1935, to Erby and Paulene (May) Phillips. Darlene was the oldest of four children.

UPDATED:   Leslie D. Finstad, Sr., of Conway Springs, age 77, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Orvetta “Diane” (Staley) Finstad; father, Raymond Finstad; mother, June Nighswonger-Smith; step-father, J.A. Smith; and grandson, Braydin Ray Campbell.

Steve A. Mercer, 71, of rural Argonia, passed away Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born Oct. 15, 1952, in Wellington to Vern Wise Mercer and Josephine (Sneeringer) Mercer.

Crystal Kay Leasure Holub was born on July 6, 1957 in Manhattan, Kansas to Elden and Sylvia (Helmke) Leasure. She passed away on Dec. 7, 2023.